Social Responsibility

Delphi hosts Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce networking event

Delphi continues to demonstrate both its commitment to diversity and its support to a diverse supplier base. The company recently hosted the Tercer Jueves (Spanish for "Third Thursday") networking event for the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MHCC).

Tercer Jueves, which takes place quarterly by the MHCC, provides an informal setting to encourage networking among Hispanic suppliers and Michigan businesses. The November event at Delphi's Customer Center in Troy, Mich., was attended by 120 MHCC members and Delphi participants.

"The evening at Delphi was tremendous, and was the best-attended Tercer Jueves event we've ever had," said MHCC president Raymond Lozano. "The MHCC members were really impressed by the presence of so many Delphi executives and by the amount of networking that took place before and during the event."

Sidney Johnson, vice president, Delphi Global Supply Management, and Frank Ordoñez, president, Delphi Product & Service Solutions, provided opening remarks for the event, expressing Delphi's interest in growing a diverse supply base that is committed to quality. Jon Stegner, general director, Global Supply Management, and a number of GSM directors and managers were also in attendance to provide additional networking resources for MHCC attendees.

"Delphi's support of minority businesses is a reflection of the diversity of our customer base," explained Ken Gutierrez, Delphi's global indirect material cost savings leader and member of the MHCC. "This company's senior leadership recognizes that it's in our best interest to build relationships with capable suppliers who can bring their ideas and products to help differentiate Delphi in the marketplace."

Delphi has been a longstanding supporter of the MHCC. During 2007, Delphi initiated new sourcing business opportunities with a number of the MHCC members for 2008.