Chrysler Reaffirms Commitment to Supplier Diversity and Minority Supplier Development

Chrysler’s sourcing to minority-owned businesses has increased to $41 billion since 1983. Chrysler Group LLC reaffirmed its historic commitment to supplier diversity and minority supplier development by holding its tenth annual Matchmaker minority supplier event. 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% 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%.

“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% 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 2%.

“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.