Delphi Automotive Systems (NYSE: DPH) today received Governor Bob Taft's 2000 Minority Business Development Recognition Award for continuous involvement in the area of minority business development and investment in the minority community.

Gerald Meier, director of Ohio Operations for Delphi accepted the award this morning at the Governor's Chief Executive Officer Breakfast here.

Delphi has strategies to develop a diverse supplier base. According to Deborah Rhynehardt-Pickens, manager of Minority Supplier Development, Delphi believes diversity in the supply base ensures high quality competitive sources of supply and gives little known entrepreneurs a chance to succeed.

"Delphi strongly believes in partnering with minority business entrepreneurs to bring high-tech, innovative products to our customers," said Rhynehardt-Pickens.

Delphi's many minority supplier development initiatives have led to an average growth rate of 13 percent annually for minority expenditures over the last three years. Key to Delphi's program are minority coordinators throughout Delphi who serve in various capacities on the regional councils in their respective communities.

Another successful program is the Automotive Matchmaker conference that is sponsored by Delphi. The conference, which has been in existence for five years, brings together purchasing agents from major automotive suppliers and manufacturers, with minority business entrepreneurs specializing in the automotive industry. The conference is held annually in Ohio and continues to be the largest minority supplier conference in the United States.

Since the conference's first ribbon cutting ceremony in March 1996, the Automotive Matchmaker has generated over $83 million in purchases to minority business entrepreneurs throughout the country. The conference has grown to include more than 200 of the nation's top minority suppliers, and participation in 2000 jumped by almost 10 percent.

"The huge success of this conference exemplifies the importance of having a program that brings an engaged audience of buyers to a forum where minority suppliers can showcase their capabilities," said Rhynehardt-Pickens.

In a move to further enhance minority supplier development, in May 2000, Delphi signed a Memorandum of Understanding with M-Xchange.com Inc. to participate as their first equity partner. M-Xchange.com is an online marketplace for minority business entrepreneurs and is the first business-to- business Internet exchange focused on minority procurement and the advancement of minority businesses. It provides a number of strategic advantages to minority supplier development managers as well as minority companies.

"To Delphi, diversity isn't just a philosophy -- it's a necessity for global competition," said J.T. Battenberg III, chairman, CEO and president of Delphi. "We want innovative solutions from the best people -- no matter where they are. That is what drives our minority supplier development program."

Delphi has received numerous awards over the past years including a nomination for the "1999 Corporation of the Year Award" through the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, "Corporation of the Year" award from the Upstate Minority Purchasing Council in 1997. The Dayton Minority Supplier Development Council selected Delphi for the "Corporate Impact Award" for the years 1995, 1997 and 1999. In addition, The Dayton Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) awarded a scholarship to honor Delphi's commitment to minority supplier development and the Automotive Matchmaker.

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