1. Supply Chain Reaction Helps Create Diverse Workforce in Detroit
2. 10 Leaders in Detroit's Diversity Efforts
Here are 10 examples of the Detroit region’s diversity champions and mentors. It is by no means a complete list, but it highlights the work at a variety of organizations, big and small.
3. Detroit Diversity Survey
According to the 2006 Diversity Survey by the American Society of Employers, 22 percent of the 113 Detroit-area companies that were surveyed report having a formal diversity policy in place.
Supply Chain Reaction Helps Create Diverse Workforce in Detroit
In 2002, Johnson Controls joined Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota Motor North America and seven other corporations at the Billion Dollar Roundtable, a short list of U.S. companies that spend $1 billion or more with women- and minority-owned companies.
By Amy Whitesall Comments 0 | Recommend 0
n 2002, Johnson Controls joined Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Chrysler,
Toyota Motor North America and seven other corporations at the Billion Dollar
Roundtable, a short list of U.S. companies that spend $1 billion or more with
women- and minority-owned companies.
Johnson Controls has been on that list ever since, and in 2007 spent $1.5
billion with historically underrepresented suppliers. Johnson Controls’
automotive division is based in Plymouth, Michigan.
Never underestimate the influence of the supply chain.
"What we’ve found is our customers are really the ones who make sure we have
underrepresented suppliers in the market," said Cassandra Alston, executive
director for global workforce development at Johnson Controls. "To do that, you
make efforts to make sure they’re included in the bid process and you reach out
and build strategic alliances to build these businesses up."
In Detroit, minority-owned MPS Group provides facilities
management, materials handling, logistics, supply chain management and other
services to companies that include Johnson Controls, Ford, Chrysler and GM. A registered minority
business enterprise, MPS Group makes the extra effort to attract and hire
top-flight minority employees. The company’s 150-person workforce was 39 percent
minority in 2007; women and minorities together made up 51 percent.
Some of those new minority hires come through an internship program with Detroit
Public Schools. The company is also working with the Ross School of Business
Global MBA program at the University of Michigan to involve international
students in MPS Group’s global strategic planning.
"It’s a requirement," said MPS Group president and CEO Charlie Williams of his
company’s commitment to diversity. "Chrysler, Ford, GM—they’re asking us, ‘Where
are you spending your dollars?’ And it’s consistent with our core values."
Workforce Management Online, May 2008 -- Register Now!
Amy Whitesall is a reporter for Crain’s Detroit Business, a sister publication
of Workforce Management. To comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com. Next Article: 2. 10 Leaders in Detroit's Diversity Efforts
Here are 10 examples of the Detroit region’s diversity champions and mentors. It is by no means a complete list, but it highlights the work at a variety of organizations, big and small.
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n 2002, Johnson Controls joined Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Chrysler,
Toyota Motor North America and seven other corporations at the Billion Dollar
Roundtable, a short list of U.S. companies that spend $1 billion or more with
women- and minority-owned companies.
