Through the Suppliers Conference, Ford was able to impart to its partners in the auto industry its strategic directions towards growing its business operations in the Asia Pacific region. The Philippines plays an integral role, as Ford’s Sta. Rosa plant functions as the manufacturing hub of the Ford Focus, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mazda 3 and the soon-to-be-available Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) engines for ASEAN.

The strong collaboration that Ford is forging with its partners in the automotive parts industry is a solid indication of Ford’s commitment in growing its operations in the country. Part of its strategy is to grow its local operations, as well as increase localization of automotive parts and components, hence the establishment of a supplier development program through the Q1 Certification program.

Through the Q1 Certification program Ford develops its suppliers into exporters to other Ford affiliates. Ford’s Q1 Certification Program mentors suppliers to adopt a set of fundamental quality and manufacturing disciplines to enhance the competitiveness of their products relative to a common set of expectations across all Ford affiliates. Highly experienced technical consultants have been dispatched to the Philippines from the US and regional headquarters to lead the program implementation. Ford’s Supplier Technical Assistance Group works with the local suppliers to insure compliance to quality operating systems, TS 16949, ISO 14001 and MS 9000 requirements. STA also conducts site assessments twice yearly at each non QI manufacturing plant and helps develop work plans to achieve Q1. The program is on-going with 20 suppliers expected to be certified by 2006. Ford Philippines has set an ambitious target to have all manufacturing suppliers certified by end of 2007.

"Ford is strongly committed to building a strong supplier expertise in the market. Through the Q1 certification program, our current suppliers – once certified – become a preferred Ford supplier. This provides our suppliers with the opportunity to become a regional provider of the parts they produce, therefore allowing their business to advance and expand with Ford,’’ said Paul Meredith, Director for Purchasing, Ford ASEAN.

"The opportunity to succeed with Ford in gaining ground to markets outside of the Philippines is very evident. For us at Sanoh Fulton (Phils) Inc. we took the extra step in ensuring that our company receives QI Certification from Ford. Our company formed a core group who took the lead in ensuring that we have an organized operating system and that each member of the company understood the objective and importance of getting Q1 Certification,’’ said Maike Abracia, general manager of Sanoh Fulton.

Another parts supplier had this to say: "We are proud to be part of Ford’s partner suppliers. Our company, JR Penano, is a very lean company that supplies Ford with damping sheets for Ford and Mazda vehicles. Now that we are already Q1 Certified, we have the opportunity to supply more to possibly, other Ford plants,’’ said Malou Fetalvero, Quality Assurance & Product Development Head, JR Penno Industries Inc.

With the strengthening partnership that Ford is forging with its partners in the automotive parts industry. Ford is well on its way to making further significant contributions in the Philippines automotive industry through increased localization of parts.