Honda suppliers are a critical part of our business and directly contribute to the ability to meet and exceed our customers' expectations. With this is mind, we regularly and strategically employ several outreach initiatives to attract, develop and retain ethnic minority suppliers at all of our business and manufacturing operating units. Our Supplier Diversity Initiative assists us with reaching our goal of building a diverse supplier base.
 
This initiative includes OEM/MRO Supplier Diversity Workshops conducted in partnership with regional minority supplier development councils and Small Business Administration (SBA) offices. Professional purchasing/acquisition managers conduct these workshops to educate potential ethnic minority suppliers on Honda business operations, formulating strategic alliances and joint ventures, loan and venture capitalization, empowerment programs and other available resources.
 
Honda regularly conducts "Fast Track Workshops" for first and second tier suppliers to share Honda's commitment to diversity and inclusion, describe how to do business with Honda and purchasing as well as acquisition policies and procedures.
 
Honda procurement offices conduct monthly "open door" meetings with suppliers to learn about the goods and services provided by MBE suppliers in their local region and to assess opportunities for business relationships based on quality, cost, delivery and market competitiveness.
 
Honda, along with the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, developed the first annual Automotive Project and will present the second annual Minority Automotive Supplier Conference on the west coast. Small, minority owned businesses had the opportunity to meet with procurement managers from various automotive manufacturers to discuss business opportunities within the industry. This educational event will provide the more than 300 attendees with information on developing strategic partnerships for business growth.