MBN USA

October 25, 2021

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Adient joined BDR in 2017

“We are committed to buying from diverse suppliers, building the capacity of diverse suppliers and setting the expectation that our suppliers implement their own supplier diversity best practices. We know that by positively contributing to our communities, we are building a stronger organization.”

— Sherry Diccion, senior manager, global supplier diversity

Q: When did your company begin its supplier diversity program?

A: 1993.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your supplier diversity program history?

A: While Adient is a young company, having spun off from Johnson Controls [International PLC] in 2016, we have a long legacy of championing diversity and inclusion — including supporting innovative supplier diversity initiatives. The program at Johnson Controls began in 1993, and when the company’s automotive division was separated to create Adient, we continued the strong commitment and longstanding best practices to ensure we had a robust diverse supplier base.

We are laser-focused on increasing our spending within this space year-over-year. We are committed to buying from diverse suppliers, building the capacity of diverse suppliers and setting the expectation that our suppliers implement their own supplier diversity best practices. 

We know that by positively contributing to our communities, we are building a stronger organization. Our ongoing relationships with diverse suppliers are imperative to our success. They enable innovation across our supply chain, which strengthens our go-to-market capabilities. And when we partner with diverse-owned businesses, we promote economic growth — both in the automotive seating industry and throughout our communities.

Our ongoing relationships with diverse suppliers are imperative to our success. They enable innovation across our supply chain, which strengthens our go-to-market capabilities. And when we partner with diverse-owned businesses, we promote economic growth — both in the automotive seating industry and throughout our communities.

At Adient, we recognize the importance of diversity in driving strong business performance. We strive to create an open environment where all people are supported and able to fully contribute and benefit from the success of our business. We value and respect the diversity of our employees, directors, suppliers, customers and communities. We build a culture of diversity and inclusion through our purchasing and human resource practices and policies and work to eliminate discrimination and harassment in all its forms, including that related to color, race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, age, pregnancy, caste, disability, union membership, ethnicity, national origin or religious beliefs.

Q: Why did your company decide to become a BDR member?

A: Adient recognizes the value of having a seat at the table with other BDR members, who are highly regarded leaders in supplier diversity initiatives. These companies are at the forefront of change, identifying and executing innovative strategies to advance diverse-owned business growth and development.

Q: Besides having a $1 billion annual spend with diverse suppliers, what does it take to be a BDR company?

A: Corporations must be highly engaged, committed and results-driven with their internal and external supplier diversity initiatives. To be a BDR company, we recommend that supplier diversity initiatives and processes be embedded in the corporate culture and supported by all.

Q: How has your company benefited from BDR membership?

A: There are many benefits, but the most important is the opportunity to collaborate with BDR members on identifying and executing leading best practices within Adient and developing and growing diverse suppliers. Together, we can do so much more.

Q: What advice would you give to corporations that would like to become BDR members?

A: Develop a strategy with the corporation leaders to achieve and sustain more than $1 billion in purchases with diverse suppliers.

Q: What advice do you have for MBEs interested in doing business with your company?

A: Please connect with us! Start by completing a registration at www.adient.com/suppliers, review our supplier expectations and then plan to meet our team at annual events, such as industry events with the original equipment manufacturers and national/regional council events.

To learn more about Adient’s supplier diversity program, visit adient.com/suppliers/supplier-diversity.