DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. added 17 vendors and dropped four from its list of preferred suppliers, part of the company's effort to cultivate a network of strategic global suppliers.
The automaker's Aligned Business Framework program now has a total of 76 production component suppliers and 26 nonproduction vendors, the automaker said in a statement last week.
The program, which was launched in 2005, rewards top suppliers with long-term relationships, global contracts and more access to information about Ford's product plans.
In turn, suppliers in the program are expected to share cutting-edge technology with Ford, provide financial data and meet minority purchasing goals.
Notable companies added to the list are Inergy Automotive Systems of Levallois-Perret, France, which produces fuel tanks; two roof makers: Inalfa Roof Systems of the Netherlands and Webasto AG of Germany; powertrain specialist Mann + Hummel of Germany; and Asahi Glass Co of Tokyo.
The following four companies are no longer on the list.
-- Zeledyne of Allen Park, Mich., glass
-- Gentex Corp. of Zeeland, Mich., rearview mirrors
-- Synovate of London, market research
-- Schneider Electric of suburban Paris, energy management.
Zeledyne is exiting the automotive glass business and will sell its Tulsa, Oklahoma, glass plant, which was once owned by Ford.
Ford will continue to do business with the other three suppliers although they no longer will participate in the Aligned Business Framework, Ford spokesman Todd Nissen said.
For a complete list of the new suppliers in the program, go to autonews.com/fordlist.
