OREANDA-NEWS. September 18, 2015. Representatives of Ford’s diverse supplier base packed the Conference and Event Center Sept. 3 for the Top Diverse Supplier Meeting. The meeting provides a look at the company’s business and strategic priorities in hopes of inspiring suppliers to develop innovative solutions going forward.

The annual event gives diverse suppliers a chance to network and promote business-to-business opportunities. Most importantly, it’s meant to establish a clear understanding of where Ford and its suppliers are headed and how everyone is going to get there under the One Ford plan.

“Part of our goal at Ford is to be the customer of choice,” said Carla Traci Preston, director, Supplier Diversity Development, “and that involves sharing information with suppliers and helping them understand what direction Ford is taking.”

Mark Fields, president and CEO, was the featured speaker at the event.

“Meetings like this where we get to celebrate diversity are so important to Ford Motor Company,” Fields said. “It’s not a ‘check-the-box’ exercise by any means; this diversity and the innovation stemming from it are real strengths of our company, and I want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of that.”

Ford defines diverse suppliers as minorities, women and veterans. The company’s Supplier Diversity Development program started in 1978 and is looked upon as a leader, Preston said. The program has led to the investment of nearly \\$80 billion in Ford’s diverse suppliers since its inception.

“Our program is benchmarked and looked upon as a leader,” Preston said. “Our mission is to economically empower diverse suppliers.”

But it shouldn’t be seen as philanthropy, Preston added; Ford’s diverse suppliers are held to the same standards expected from all of the company’s suppliers.

Hau Thai-Tang, group vice president, Global Purchasing, was a featured speaker for the event and stressed the importance of having diverse suppliers.

“Often times our diverse suppliers challenge the status quo and may bring in a more innovative way of doing business,” Thai-Tang said. “It keeps everybody on their toes and introduces new competition, which gives us commercial leverage.”

Speakers included Kumar Galhotra, president, Lincoln Motor Company, who gave suppliers an update on the luxury vehicle segment and Lincoln. John Casesa, group vice president, Global Strategy, presented some insights into the state of the auto industry and detailed how Ford fits into the big picture. Burt Jordan, vice president, Global Vehicle and Powertrain Purchasing and Supplier Diversity, delivered the closing remarks following the event. 

Greg Edwards of Uniworld presented findings from a study that delved into contributing factors for purchasing a vehicle among African Americans. Uniworld has partnered with Ford for more than 20 years, allowing the company to develop and execute targeted marketing efforts to reach African American consumers. 

Chemico Systems, Inc. was one of the suppliers represented at the event. The African American- and veteran-owned company supplies chemicals used in the manufacturing process and in building maintenance. Leon Richardson started Chemico Systems, Inc. in 1989 and said the diversity program at Ford has helped his company bring new processes into the fold.

“We’ve brought some management programs to the table,” Richardson said. “We’ve been able to reduce overall cost in purchasing chemistry for Ford by identifying some of the ‘low-hanging fruit’ in the areas of chemical consolidation.”

Andra Rush, president and CEO, The Rush Group of Companies, was a featured speaker as well, stressing the importance of building stronger relationships between suppliers. The Rush Group of Companies consists of Native American- and women-owned Dakkota Integrated Systems, Detroit Manufacturing Systems and Rush Trucking.

Austin Ramirez of HUSCO, which manufactures valves and actuators for vehicles and off-highway equipment, said the relationship Ford has with its diverse suppliers allows HUSCO to act, in essence, as an extension of Ford’s engineering team.

Ramirez’s father, a Puerto Rican immigrant, purchased HUSCO in the mid-1980s. Ramirez took over as CEO around 15 years ago.

“Ford is a very important customer for us,” he said. “It’s certainly helpful having the resources Ford shares with us to make sure we develop important connections.”