Chrysler Group announced that it purchased
more than $3 billion from minority suppliers for goods and services in
2002. The total amount represented about 11 percent of its total
purchasing spend, maintaining Chrysler Group's position as one of the
industry leaders in terms of percentage of dollars spent with minority
business enterprises.
According to the company, the increase from 10 percent in 2001 to
approximately 11 percent in 2002, demonstrates Chrysler Group's commitment
to minority suppliers -- despite a difficult economic environment. Since
1983, when Chrysler Corp. established its Diversity Supplier Development
program, the Company has sourced more than $21 billion to minority
suppliers. Currently, more than 300 suppliers in Chrysler Group's supply
base are minority companies.
"Chrysler Group has made a steady commitment toward building and developing
our minority supplier base," said Tom Sidlik, Chrysler Group executive vice
president -- Procurement and Supply, and chairman of the National Minority
Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Executive Committee. "In today's
changing society, we realize that Diversity is not just a social
responsibility, but a business imperative. It is our belief that our
supply base should be a direct reflection of our customer base."
Chrysler Group says it has several initiatives in place to develop and enhance
minority supplier development, including a mentoring program where Chrysler
Group Procurement & Supply executives work directly with minority suppliers
to assist in their growth and development. The goal of each relationship
is to help suppliers cut costs, improve quality and increase new business
opportunities outside of Chrysler Group.
The Company also has a "Matchmaker" program that pairs minority suppliers
with Tier 1 suppliers to increase business opportunities among the two
companies. The program is entering its third year. Since its inception,
it has generated $30 million in additional business opportunities to
minority suppliers.
Chrysler Group says it has been recognized on a national level for its Diversity
Supplier Development when it received "Company of the Year" from the NMSDC
in 2000. In 2002, Chrysler Group was recognized by the Michigan Minority
Business Development Council as "Company of the Year" for the third
consecutive year.
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