DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Co. is expanding its preferred supplier network into new areas by adding 17 parts and service providers to the company's Aligned Business Framework (ABF).

The new ABF companies come from a variety of industries, including roadside assistance and contact center services, roof system manufacturers and powertrain and interior component firms. With the latest additions, Ford now has 102 companies in its ABF network of suppliers chosen for close collaboration over the course of long-term relationships.

The ABF was launched in September 2005. Ford has built the network into a diverse group of suppliers that are playing a key role in its global sourcing plans, helping improve Ford quality and lower development and production costs.

"Our ABF companies represent the backbone of Ford's global supply network," said Tony Brown, group vice president, Ford Global Purchasing. "As we add new companies each year, we are building a core group of suppliers that are integral to carrying out the One Ford plan of profitable growth for all – including our suppliers."

As Ford brings more vehicles to market from global platforms, it is increasing the use of common parts and suppliers. For example, 80 percent of the parts on the new Ford Focus are common around the world, while 75 percent of the suppliers are the same wherever the car is built. ABF is also paying off for suppliers, Ford says. Last year, 55 percent of Ford's production sourcing came from ABF companies, up from 49 percent in 2009 and 34 percent in 2006.

ABF companies enter into long-term relationships with Ford to strengthen collaboration and drive mutual profitability and technology development. Ford's commitments to ABF companies include long-term sourcing, improved parts commonality and more information sharing of product and manufacturing plans, as well as forecasts. Supplier commitments include increased financial data transparency, commitment to minority- and women-owned enterprises and bringing leading-edge technology innovations to Ford.

With the new additions, Ford now has 76 production and 26 non-production companies in the ABF network.

The new companies are:

• Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., Tokyo – glass products
• Blue Hive, London – advertising
• Central Glass, Tokyo – glass products
• Cross Country Automotive Services, Medford, Mass. – roadside assistance services
• Diversified Machine Inc., Wixom, Mich. – chassis and powertrain components
• EWI Worldwide, Livonia, Mich. – exhibit design, fabrication and field services
• FCC Adams LLC, Berne, Ind. – transmission components
• Inalfa Roof Systems, Venray, The Netherlands – roof systems
• Inergy Automotive Systems, Levallois, France – fuel tanks
• International Automotive Components Group, Southfield, Mich. – interior components
• Kajima Overseas Asia Private Limited, Singapore – design and construction management services in Asia Pacific region
• MANN & HUMMEL Group, Ludwigsburg, Germany – powertrain components
• Martinrea International Inc., Toronto – chassis components
• MSX International, Warren, Mich. – master vendor services for contract labor
• Percepta, Dearborn, Mich. – contact centers
• Toyoda Gosei, Aichi, Japan – exterior parts
• Webasto, Stockdorf, Germany – roof systems