Ford Joins Electronics Supply Chain Coalition, Pledges to Audit High-Risk Facilities

Ford has joined the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition — a nonprofit group of electronics companies working to improve the social, environmental and ethical conditions of their global supply chains — making it the first automaker to join the sustainable supply chain coalition.

Ford says as it continues to invest in its Smart Mobility plan, as well as new connectivity, mobility and autonomous vehicles technologies, joining the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition is a natural progression.

Hau Thai-Tang, Ford group vice president, global purchasing, says working with the coalition will help Ford “further improve the way we work together with our suppliers to address sustainability-related issues such as human rights, working conditions and environmental responsibility.”

Full membership requires Ford to identify its own high-risk facilities as well as supplier facilities, and to conduct audits on at least 25 percent of those. Ford also agrees to support the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the goals of the organization’s code of conduct in its own operations.

“We are excited to have Ford as a full member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition,” said Rob Lederer, the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition’s executive director, says Ford joining the group will strengthen “the growing convergence between the automotive and electronics industries.”

Along with fellow members, suppliers and stakeholders, Ford will collaborate with the coalition to improve working and environmental conditions.

The organization is comprised of more than 110 electronics companies representing 17 sectors. As the first automaker member, Ford joins a coalition made up of about 15 percent of its own suppliers.