Ford wins honours for supporting women-owned US businesses

Car maker Ford has been named one of America’s top corporations for its support of women-owned suppliers, the first time an automaker has earned the award.

The Women’s Business Enterprise Council selected Ford for its 13th annual listing of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises. It is the only national award honouring corporations for world-class programmes that level the playing field for women’s enterprises to compete for corporate business.

Ford earned the award for developing and driving innovative best practices across its organisation that result in productive business partnerships with women entrepreneurs and valuable products and services for their customers.

In 2011, Ford spent $1.06 billion with women-owned suppliers in the US, a 22 percent increase from $866 million in 2010. Since 2009, Ford has more than doubled its sourcing with women-owned businesses.

The increase in 2011 includes higher spending with suppliers that are playing a key role in Ford’s expanding portfolio of high-quality, safe, fuel-efficient products equipped with smart technologies.