Chrysler Group LLC Continues Its Commitment to the Premier Networking Event in the Automotive Supplier Diversity Community

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Sep 19, 2012, 08:00 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Hosts 13th annual Matchmaker at its Auburn Hills, Mich. headquarters
Annual trade fair grows to more than 2,400 participants, including 270 minority, women, veteran and majority-owned Chrysler Group suppliers
Matchmaker has generated $1.9 billion in new business opportunities for exhibitors since 2000

Chrysler Group LLC continued to demonstrate its historic commitment to supplier diversity and minority supplier development, holding its thirteenth annual Matchmaker event today at the Company's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Matchmaker provides minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses access to Chrysler Group's Tier 1 suppliers and to decision makers in the Company's procurement organization.

As the premier networking trade event in the automotive supplier community, this year's Matchmaker event grew to more than 2,400 participants, including 270 minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned and majority-owned Chrysler Group suppliers.

"Chrysler Group is committed as ever to creating a diverse and sustainable supply base that directly reflects our customer base," said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President - Purchasing and Supplier Quality, 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."

Chrysler Group's supplier diversity goals require that 10 percent of a Tier 1 supplier's procurement buy be sourced to certified minority suppliers. The sourcing goal for Chrysler Group's women-owned business program is three percent.

Chrysler Group announced early this year that it spent $2.1 billion with approximately 200 minority suppliers in 2011, representing 8.5 percent of its total annual purchasing. Women-owned businesses, which are tracked separately, accounted for $301 million of the Company's spending. Overall, the Company purchased $31 billion in direct and indirect parts, materials and services in 2011. Since 1983, the Company has purchased more than $47 billion from minority-owned suppliers.

"Programs like Matchmaker help Chrysler Group to build and strengthen a diverse and inclusive minority supply base," said Kevin L. Bell, Senior Manager - Diversity Supplier Development, Chrysler Group LLC. "This enables Chrysler Group to operate efficiently and sustainably and to bring innovative new products to market that resonate with a diverse customer base."

In addition to its robust business-to-business feature, Matchmaker offers minority-owned suppliers unique opportunities to participate in a wide range of development seminars designed to give these suppliers knowledge that can help strengthen their businesses. The seminars, led by the Business Consortium Fund, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Minority Business Development Agency, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and others, cover such topics as access to capital and minority business services, merger and acquisition strategies and the use of various computer programs designed to assist Tier 1 and minority suppliers to do business with one another.

Earlier in the week, the Chrysler Group hosted an Access to Capital Financial Forum for its suppliers that are MBEs. Chrysler Group also maintains a Web site (www.supplierdiversity.chrysler.com) that serves as a resource to minority suppliers seeking information regarding the Company's Diversity Supplier Development program.

Chrysler Group continues to support several organizations that assist Tier 1 suppliers with achieving their minority-owned and women-owned sourcing goals. These organizations include the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council and the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. In addition, Chrysler Group supports veteran-business ownership through membership with the National Veteran-Owned Business Association.

About Chrysler Group's Leadership Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Chrysler Group has been named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine 13 times, and has been recognized six times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of the country's leading corporations supporting diversity and inclusion. Chrysler Group also has been named to HispanicBusiness magazine's annual Diversity Elite 60 list for implementing strategies to reach more Hispanic customers and to pursue more business with minority- and Hispanic-owned suppliers.

In 2012, the editors of LatinaStyle magazine selected Chrysler Group for inclusion on magazine's 2012 list of the 50 best companies for Hispanic women to work in the U.S., which is considered the most important recognition of efforts by corporate America to promote diversity and provide career advancement opportunities for Hispanic women.

In 2011 and 2012, the editors of DiversityInc magazine named Chrysler Group to the magazine's list of "Top 50 Companies for Diversity." This coveted annual benchmark is comprised of companies the magazine's editors believe are diversity-management leaders.

Over the years, a long line of Chrysler Group employees have received important professional recognition from various diversity organizations, including Black Engineer of the Year, Women of Color, HENAAC Great Minds in STEM and others, reflecting the Company's strong commitment to developing its diverse workforce.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat S.p.A., produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Mopar, SRT and Fiat vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler Group's culture of innovation, first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat's complementary technology that dates back to its founding in 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, all-new Dodge Dart, Ram 1500, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Fiat 500. Fiat contributes world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC