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Chrysler Group LLC Reaffirms its Historic Commitment to Supplier Diversity and Minority Supplier Development
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Auburn Hills, Mich. , Oct 1, 2009 / -- DiversityBusiness.com /- Chrysler Group LLC reaffirmed its historic commitment to supplier diversity and minority supplier development holding its tenth annual Matchmaker minority supplier event today at the Company's headquarters in Auburn Hills. This year's event drew more than 700 participants, including more than 150 minority and 50 corporate exhibitors representing businesses eligible to support Chrysler Group and its supply base.
Since Chrysler Group first launched the Matchmaker event, it has become a premier networking event in the supplier diversity community focused on providing minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses access to Chrysler Group's Tier 1 suppliers and the Company's procurement community.
Since 1983, Chrysler Group has purchased more than $41 billion from minority-owned companies. The Company announced early this year that it spent $3.9 billion with minority suppliers in 2008, representing 16.1 percent of its total annual purchasing. Although Chrysler Group's domestic spend declined in 2008 due to unprecedented market conditions, the Company's overall percentage of spend with minority suppliers increased 0.6 percent.
“Despite these challenging times, we remain as committed as ever to creating a diverse and sustainable supply base that directly reflects our customer base,” said Scott R. Garberding, Senior Vice President - Purchasing, Chrysler Group LLC. “Matchmaker creates business connections that ultimately lead to positive economic outcomes for our supplier partners, our Company, our customers and our communities.”
Matchmaker also helps Tier 1 suppliers achieve Chrysler Group's sourcing goals through qualified minority-owned and women-owned suppliers. Current diversity goals require that 9.5 percent of a Tier 1 supplier's procurement buy be sourced to qualified minority suppliers. The sourcing goal for Chrysler Group's women-owned business program is two percent.
“Chrysler Group has developed programs like Matchmaker to build and strengthen our minority supply base,” said Kevin L. Bell, Senior Manager - Diversity Supplier Development, Chrysler Group LLC. "Chrysler Group will continue to create opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses because diversity is in the DNA of our Company. Our goal is a well developed, diverse supply chain that is inclusive to all."
Chrysler Group continues to support several organizations that assist Tier 1 suppliers achieve their minority-owned and women-owned sourcing goals, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Canadian Aboriginal And Minority Supplier Council and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. In addition, Chrysler supports veteran-business ownership through membership with the National Veteran-Owned Business Association.
About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete effectively on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group LLC to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.
About Chrysler Group's Diversity Supplier Development (DSD) program:
Chrysler Group's DSD Web site (supplierdiversity.chrysler.com) serves as a resource to minority suppliers seeking information regarding Chrysler Group's diversity supplier development program. The Web site allows minority suppliers to register as a potential supplier to Chrysler Group. In turn, Chrysler Group then review profiles of suppliers' capabilities to meet specific global sourcing needs.
About DiversityBusiness.com
Launched in 1999, DiversityBusiness, with over 50,000 members, is the largest organization of diversity owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and colleges and universities. DiversityBusiness provides research and data collection services for diversity including the "Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities", "Top 500 Diversity Owned Companies in America", and others. Its research has been recognized and published by Forbes Magazine, Business Week and thousands of other print and internet publications. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. DiversityBusiness reaches more diverse suppliers and communicates more information to them on a more frequent basis then all other organizations combined. We also communicate with mainstream businesses, government agencies and educational institutions with information related to diversity. Our magazine reaches over 300,000 readers, a monthly e-newsletter that reaches 2.4 million, and website visitors of 1.2 million a month. It is a leading provider of Supplier Diversity management tools and has the most widely distributed Diversity magazine in the United States. DiversityBusiness.com is produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) of Southport, CT. Founded in 1980.
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