Support Minority Supplier Development by providing finance networking, management advice and direct financial assistance to sponsored Ford minority suppliers.

OBJECTIVE

Assist minority suppliers become viable, independent mainstream suppliers to Ford.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Dearborn Capital Corporation (DCC) is a Ford Motor Company subsidiary licensed in 1978 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to do business as a Specialized Small Business Investment Company (SSBIC).

Our purpose is to support the Minority Supplier Development Program of Ford Motor Company (Ford) by providing financial and management assistance to Tier I and Tier II suppliers of Ford which are owned, operated and controlled by minority entrepreneurs. These minority suppliers are sponsored by a division of Ford or one of Ford's business development councils for minority suppliers. DCC's goal is to help high-potential sponsored suppliers become viable, financially self-sufficient suppliers within five to seven years.

Financial assistance primarily consists of five to seven year term loans at market interest rates. Management assistance consists of business advice based upon operational analysis.

DCC further supports supplier development by providing advisory services in the areas of corporate finance and capital sourcing. As small businesses grow, their needs change in the areas of capital structure, organizational structure and sources of capital. DCC is available to consult with suppliers on the spectrum of available growth capital, the costs of these capital alternatives and the debt structures required by the various capital providers in the marketplace.

DCC monitors the financial results of its portfolio companies and receives semi-annual reports from sponsoring activities. The reports outline developmental progress, current financial status and future plans in a joint effort to assure the borrower's success. Sponsors' reports are consolidated into a semi-annual written report to the DCC board of directors which consists of senior level Ford managers.