Complete Story
01/05/2012
Toyota Wins Awards for Commitment to Minority Supplier Development
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. was presented several awards locally and nationally for the company’s continued support and commitment to minority supplier development. These awards include the 2011National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) “Corporation of the Year,” the 2011 South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (SCOMSDC) “Corporation of the Year,” and the 2011 SCOMSDC “Advocate of the Year.”
The NMSDC “Corporation of the Year” was announced on November 3, 2011 at a black-tie awards banquet to cap NMSDC’s four-day conference and business opportunity fair in Atlanta, Georgia. The “Corporation of the Year” award is the most sought-after honor for major corporations that are dedicated to improving the overall participation of Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American suppliers in the global corporate supply chain.
“This recognition is reserved for corporations that fully embrace the value that minority suppliers bring to the corporate supply chain,” said NMSDC President Joset Wright. “Toyota’s commitment to supplier diversity and minority supplier development is firmly embedded in the corporate culture. Its comprehensive, world-class supplier diversity process is worthy of replication.”
In addition to being recognized by the NMSDC, the 2011 SCOMSDC “Corporation of the Year” and “Advocate of the Year” awards were presented to Toyota at the SCOMSDC Annual Awards Gala and Silent Auction on November 11, 2011 for their dedication to supplier diversity and inclusion efforts in South Central Ohio.
In 2010, Toyota spent $1.5 Billion with Tier I suppliers nationally, which is an increase of 36% from the previous year. Their Tier I suppliers also spent $528 million with Tier II minority-owned business. In 2010, Toyota was able to maintain its spend with minority business enterprises (MBEs), even in the midst of their production shutdown of over one month to address quality concerns.
During this down time, the company also deployed resources to its supply base that saved 40,000 jobs and ensured readiness for return to normal production. Even in this difficult time, they remained dedicated to supplier diversity and were able to exceed their MBE spend goals.
Toyota’s commitment to growing relationships is realized because of the leadership and vision of key individuals in the company’s management. Adrienne Trimble was presented the SCOMSDC “Advocate of the Year” award at the SCOMSDC Annual Awards Gala and Silent Auction. As Toyota’s supplier diversity manager, Adrienne leads business processes that directly advance the company’s supplier diversity and inclusion efforts and manages key activities that promote minority business development in South Central Ohio and across the nation.
Adrienne Trimble sits on numerous boards, committees and participates in projects that create and establish innovative mentoring and developmental opportunities for MBEs. Through her leadership, Toyota increased Tier I minority purchasing by more than 36% and Tier II minority purchases by 36% in 2010. In addition, her company has maintained Billion Dollar Roundtable membership with the NMSDC since 2005, with annual MWBE spends exceeding $1Billion.
According to Darryl A. Peal, President of the SCOMSDC, “Toyota has shown a sincere passion for minority business development. Even during periods of significant loss and economic turmoil, Toyota continues to be the model for advocacy and inclusion.”
Testimony
"Being a member of SCOMSDC has benefited the Kroger Co. Supplier Diversity program through discussions of benchmarking and best practices with other corporations which allowed us to evaluate our own program and implement improvements. It has also given us a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges of MBEs and how we can better assist them with the tools they need prior to introductions to decision makers. The “Conversation” was especially helpful in both areas."
