Palm Bay Ford Reports Ford is 1st Automaker to Earn Top Honors for Supporting Women-Owned Businesses

Feb. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- The Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBENC) selected Ford for its 13th annual listing of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises. It is the only national award honoring corporations for world-class programs that level the playing field for women’s business enterprises (WBEs) to compete for corporate business.

Ford earned the award for developing and driving innovative best practices across its organization 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 U.S., 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.

Examples include:

•   Dura Automotive Systems, an Auburn Hills, Mich.-based company that is owned by Lynn Tilton’s Patriarch Partners investment company. Dura, which makes a variety of control systems, engineered assemblies and other products, supplies the award-winning heated power rear sliding window for the F-150 pickup
•   Systrand Manufacturing, a Brownstown, Mich.- based company owned by Sharon Cannarsa. Systrand is producing machined parts for the next generation of Ford’s hybrid transmission that will be used in the new Ford Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid
•   Dakkota Integrated Systems, owned by Andra Rush and based in Holt, Mich. Dakkota won a contract to produce fascias and headliners for the redesigned Ford Explorer, which more than doubled sales in 2011 from 2010, finishing the year with 135,704 units sold in the U.S.

“Building a financially healthy, diverse supply base is a central part of the Ford purchasing strategy,” said Tony Brown, group vice president, Ford Global Purchasing. “We are proud to receive this recognition, and we hope it brings renewed attention to this important segment of our supply base.”

About Palm Bay Ford
Palm Bay Ford, your leading Ford dealer in Palm Bay that is centrally located on Florida’s east coast, offers new Ford Cars, Trucks, SUVs and Crossovers online at www.palmbayford.com. Search for all new 2011 and 2012 Ford, including E-Series Cargo Van, E-Series Wagon, Edge, Escape, Expedition, Explorer, F-150, F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, Fiesta, Flex, Focus, Focus Sedan, Fusion, Mustang, Ranger, Taurus, Transit Connect. Our Sales Department’s goal is to provide you with the best new car buying experience possible. If you’re looking for a pre-owned vehicle, Palm Bay Ford has a wide variety to choose from!  At Palm Bay Ford Service Center, our highly qualified technicians are here to provide exceptional service in a timely manner. From oil changes to transmission replacements, we are dedicated to maintaining top tier customer service, for both new and pre-owned car buyers! We are here to assist you every step of the way from the purchase of your new or pre-owned vehicle with financing and quotes to service and parts maintenance.  It's our commitment to earn your business every day.

Palm Bay Ford is centrally located in Palm Bay, Brevard county, Florida, and neighbors to Melbourne, Vero Beach, Titusville, Merritt Island, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Fort Pierce, Cape Canaveral and Port St. Lucie. Visit Palm Bay Ford on line at www.palmbayford.com or call us toll free at 888-904-3722. Experience the difference for yourself!
   
Contact Information

Palm Bay Ford
1201 Malabar Road Southeast
Palm Bay, FL 32907

www.palmbayford.com

Sales:  888-904-3722
Sales Hours:
Mon-Thu: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Fri-Sat: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sun: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Service Center:  888 903-1986
Service Center Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Sun: Closed

Parts Center:  888 476-6905
Parts Center Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sun: Closed

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