Ford has added two companies to its joint technology framework (JTF) programme, which is aimed at improving suppliers’ technical expertise.
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It said Piston Automotive and Saturn Electronics & Engineering were now members of JTF, bringing the number of companies in the programme to eight.
Global purchasing head Tony Brown said: “Ford’s commitment to a supply base that reflects our diverse customer base is as strong as ever. The economic challenges facing all suppliers are especially difficult for minority – and women-owned enterprises. These groups need our support now more than ever so they can thrive when the economy rebounds. Programmes like JTF demonstrate that Ford is serious about this responsibility.”
Ford launched JTF one year ago to assist its suppliers in developing innovative products and technical expertise. Under the programme, there is a formal process in which suppliers are given access to specific product and process intellectual property from the automaker’s research and advanced engineering unit.
Suppliers are then licensed to develop the technologies and processes for potential future use by Ford, other automakers, or other industries.
There are now eight minority- and women-owned businesses as initial participants in the JTF programme. Piston Automotive, based in Redford, Michigan, is an assembly and sequencing company, providing chassis modules and interior parts, as well as logistics services.
Rochester Hills, Michigan-based Saturn Electronics & Engineering makes electronics and electrical components, modules and sub-systems.
