FCA US Named Corporation of the Year by the Great Lakes Women's Business Council

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Apr 22, 2016, 01:00 ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Recognition notes Company's role in supporting the growth and development of minority- and women-owned businesses in Michigan and Indiana
In March, the Women's Business Enterprise National Council named FCA US one of America's Top Corporations supporting Women's Business Enterprises
Since 1983, the Company has purchased nearly $53 billion from minority-owned suppliers

Amy Scott (center), director of product development purchasing - FCA US, accepts the Corporation of the Year award from the Great Lakes Women's Business Council President Sandra Miller (left) and Executive Director Michelle Richards (right) on Thursday, April 21, 2016. The award acknowledges the Company's support and development of minority- and women-owned businesses in Michigan and Indiana...

The Great Lakes Women's Business Council today named FCA US LLC as Corporation of the Year for 2016, noting the Company's support of the growth and development of minority- and women-owned businesses.

The Company was honored at an awards event in Novi, Mich., on April 21.

FCA US supplier diversity goals require that 8.5 percent of a Tier 1 supplier's procurement be sourced to certified minority suppliers. The goal for women-owned suppliers is 3 percent. FCA US itself spent $2.9 billion with approximately 215 minority- and women–owned suppliers in 2015, representing 8 percent of the Company's total annual purchasing.

Since 1983, the Company has purchased nearly $53 billion from minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned suppliers.

"FCA US is committed to creating a diverse and sustainable supply base that directly reflects our customers," said Tom Finelli, Vice President - Purchasing and Supplier Quality, FCA North America. "Being honored with Corporation of the Year by the Great Lakes Women's Business Council demonstrates our commitment to women-owned businesses, which we believe is a critical element to both developing vehicles that resonate with our customers and supporting the communities where we operate."

In March, FCA US also was honored by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) naming FCA US as one of America's Top Corporations supporting Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs). WBENC's Top Corporations award is the only national award honoring corporations that promote policies and programs that support the growth and sustainability of women-owned businesses. WBENC was founded in 1997 and is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled and operated by women in the U.S. The Great Lakes Women's Business Council is WBENC's local affiliate and partner in the Midwest region.

"FCA US is a partner and supporter of many certification organizations that assist Tier 1 suppliers with achieving their minority-owned and women-owned sourcing goals," said Michelle Richards, President, Great Lakes Women's Business Council (GLWBC). "They have been a leader in the supplier diversity sector. Great Lakes Women's Business Council is proud to have such a strong corporate member as FCA US as part of our membership and community."

FCA US continues to support several organizations that assist Tier 1 suppliers with achieving their minority-owned and women-owned sourcing goals. In addition to the Great Lakes Women's Business Council and WBENC, these organizations include the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Canadian Aboriginal Minority Supplier Council, WBE Canada and WEConnect International. FCA US also supports veteran-business ownership through membership with the National Veteran-Owned Business Association.

About Great Lakes Women's Business Council
GLWBC has 32 years of experience in assisting women- and minority-owned businesses to succeed in Michigan and Indiana. National women's business certification is provided in conjunction with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Other programs include a range of small business financing, counseling, coaching and executive education.

About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker with a new name and a long history. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925; and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli.

FCA, the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."

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