Chrysler Group Executive Begins Term as Chair of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council

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AUBURN HILLS — Chrysler Group announced today that Dan Knott, Senior Vice President, Purchasing & Supplier Quality will serve as Chair of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) through 2013. In this role, Knott will provide leadership to the organization’s efforts to expand opportunities and economic impact of minority suppliers in the State of Michigan.

The MMSDC is one of 37 regional councils affiliated with the National Minority Supplier Development Council. MMSDC is a privately funded, non-profit, corporate services organization that provides unique procurement opportunities to corporate members and certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). MMSDC provides ongoing growth opportunities, financial support, and training and education for its corporate members and for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs).

“Diversity of thought breeds innovation, and innovation is what will ensure a sustainable future for Michigan industry,” said Knott. “I am very pleased to join forces with the MMSDC to continue to develop and support Michigan’s minority supply base.”

Chrysler Group has long been considered a leader in minority sourcing and development. Since 1983, the Company has purchased more than $45 billion from minority-owned companies and continues to develop innovative new programs to build its minority supply base, such as its annual Matchmaker program designed to foster business relationships between the Company’s minority and Tier 1 suppliers.

In 2011, Chrysler Group implemented a new initiative, called the High Focus Program, to encourage Tier 1 suppliers to reflect Chrysler Group’s corporate value to support greater supplier diversity. The High Focus Program is a structured process that brings new tools to assist Tier 1 suppliers develop their own sustainable supplier diversity strategies, and to foster access to strong MBEs and women-owned businesses nationally and internationally. In just its first year, the High Focus Program increased Chrysler Group’s annual minority supplier spend by $168 million.

“Chrysler’s supplier diversity program goes beyond just sourcing to minority companies,” said Knott. “We have developed a program that gives our Tier 1 suppliers the tools to meet our rigorous goals and nurtures the minority suppliers so that they are stronger, healthier and more able to compete.”

In 2011, Chrysler Group spent $4 billion with Tier 1 and Tier 2 minority suppliers representing 15.7 percent of its total annual purchasing. This represented a $1.4 billion increase compared to 2010. The company’s 2012 Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier minority sourcing goal is 16.5 percent. Chrysler Group’s women-owned business sourcing goal in 2012 is 3 percent.