DaimlerChrysler Diversity Supplier Development Recognizes Top Suppliers and Employees During Annual Awards Event

DaimlerChrysler's Diversity Supplier Development (DSD) recently recognized top performing suppliers and employees at its annual recognition event at Cobo Hall in conjunction with the 26th annual Michigan Minority Procurement Conference and Trade Fair.

Each year, Diversity Supplier Development recognizes suppliers that exemplify the core values of DaimlerChrysler's Procurement & Supply and Diversity Supplier Development organizations. Employees are recognized for their efforts in successfully working with suppliers and their diversity sourcing strategies. This year's winners include:

Robert Bosch, Corporation of the Year -- As Corporation of the Year, Robert Bosch spent $31 million with Tier 2 minority suppliers, representing over 8 percent of their diversity supplier spending goal and a 10 percent improvement over previous year minority supplier spending. The company also actively mentors other minority companies and offers scholarships to minority students.

SET Enterprises, MBE of the Year -- SET Enterprises is a past recipient of the DaimlerChrysler Gold Award. SET Enterprises was also a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) representative on DaimlerChrysler's South African trade mission. Fifty percent of its management ranks are comprised of minorities. The company has created a scholarship and mentoring program for at-risk African American males in the Detroit Public Schools where full, five-year scholarships are offered, in addition to a laptop computer.

Kevin Bell, DaimlerChrysler Senior Manager, Procurement Professional of the Year -- To be recognized as Procurement Professional of the Year, Kevin Bell lead a team of people that worked with the Interior Trim procurement group and helped them to exceed their goals by 11 percent. He was also a strong advocate for MBE companies within DaimlerChrysler and challenged his team and held them accountable for sourcing business with qualified minority companies.

"We set huge targets, and we achieved those targets," said Bell. "When the playing field is leveled, MBE companies often rise to the top of the list." Always active in the community, Kevin spends time mentoring at-risk African American males and works with other organizations to have an impact in the community.

Charles Perkins, DaimlerChrysler Program Manager, Program Manager of the Year -- The persistent actions of Charles Perkins on behalf of his suppliers contributed to his selection as Diversity Supplier Development Program Manager of the Year. In part due to Charles' efforts, his supplier area spent 18 percent of its dollars with minority suppliers. His collaborative actions succeeded in achieving a 98 percent participation rate among his suppliers for using minority companies in their second tier sourcing strategies.

"Charles is the consummate team player," said Jethro Joseph, DaimlerChrysler Senior Manager -- Diversity Supplier Development. "He goes out of his way to make sure that the team is functioning at peak efficiency."