Supplier Diversity at General Motors

Date Established:

GM was the first automotive company to establish a supplier diversity program in 1968.

Mission Statement

To develop and grow a performance-based, world class, competitive diversity supply base that will work with General Motors towards its goal to become the market leader in the automotive industry.

Corporate Policy

it is General Motors' policy to help minorities, women and small business achieve economic equality by fostering and encouraging diverse enterprise. It is recognized that an effective means of accomplishing this is through the placement of appropriate business with diverse suppliers of goods and services.

In order that this policy be implemented, positive action should be taken to:

1. Seek out and buy from diverse suppliers who are qualified or where strong potential to become qualified is indicated.

2. Establish realistic objectives to attain greater diverse supplier participation and monitor progress towards these objectives.

3. Provide managerial and technical assistance where needed and where the diverse company exhibits significant potential.

While the responsibility for successful implementation of this policy lies primarily with Global Purchasing and Supply Chain (GPSC), it is absolutely essential that GPSC has the full support and active participation of other divisional activities.

For the purposes of this policy a diverse enterprise is defined as one of the following:

1. A minority-owned business is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is owned, operated and controlled by minority group members. "Minority group members" are United States citizens who are Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American. Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51% owned by such individuals or, in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals. Further, the management and daily operations are controlled by those minority group members. GM recognizes National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) certification for ethnic minority companies in its program.

2. A Womens Business Enterprise (WBE) is an independent business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens; whose business formation and principal place of business are in the US or its territories; and whose management and daily operation is controlled by one or more of the women owners. GM recognizes Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certification for women-owned companies in its program.

3. The law defines a small business concern as "one that is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant inits field of operation." GM recognizes Small Business Administration (SBA) certification for small companies in its program.

None of the provisions of this policy are to be construed as diminishing, in any way. GPSC's prime responsibility is to provide a quality product, on a timely basis, at a competitive cost.

Supplier Diversity Priorities

• Build Minority Supplier Capabilities
• Enhance Communications and Collaboration
• Generate Opportunities
• Increase Diverse Market Share
  

Program History

• 1968 GM is the first automotive company to establish a minority development program
• 1970 GM creates Motor Enterprises, Inc. -- a business unit designed to help minority suppliers with financial needs
• 1992 GM develops a minority supplier mentor program
• 2001 GM establishes its Supplier Diversity Council
• 2003 - 2006 Immersion Day - MMBDC

Application Process

Once a company has been certified through the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC, Womens Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), or the Small Business Administration (SBA), they should review their commodity requirements and complete an input form at GM's Supplier Registration site. All suppliers considered to do business with GM are required to conform to GM's standards.

Mentor Program