Tenneco is expanding operations around the world, and key to success is supplier diversity. Calling it a process rather than a program, the company concentrates on developing successful long-term relationships.
By Debra Jenkins

Tenneco, Inc., according to its website, is “one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers and distributors of clean air and ride performance products and systems for the automotive, commercial truck and off-highway markets and the aftermarket.” It has more than 90 manufacturing facilities on six continents, and 15 engineering centers around the world.

For this company, supplier diversity is not just the right thing to do. It is crucial to Tenneco’s long-term success, which is why Fernando Ronderos, diversity purchasing manager at Tenneco, is careful to describe supplier diversity as a process and not a program. The company needs diversity in its supply chain to help access and understand new markets, develop innova...