Suppliers

Supplier Diversity

Supplier Diversity at Lear

At Lear, diversity is an integral part of our global business strategy and we are committed to pursuing a diverse supplier base that reflects the growth of minority, veteran-owned and women-owned businesses.

Our policy is to provide opportunities for such enterprises to ensure fair consideration as vendors of goods and services. We support the surrounding communities in which we do business and recognize that partnering with diverse businesses is an important part of our purchasing processes. No potential supplier will be precluded from consideration on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.

What We Buy

Lear purchases a wide variety of items including materials for the Seating division, the E-Systems division and Non-Production Materials & Services.

To Submit Your Supplier Profile

We welcome all who wish to register their company. We can only review potential suppliers via this form and cannot answer initial queries directly. We review potential suppliers based on the detailed data you submit and only complete profiles will be reviewed. Lear cannot and does not commit to any business relationship through this contact and only establishes business relationships through our formal contractual processes. For further information, please visit our Supplier FAQs.

Diversity Supplier Guidelines

Requirements and Definitions For the United States and Canada

Lear defines minority-owned businesses as being at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals from any one or more of the following groups:

  • Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)
  • African, Asian Indian, Asian Pacific, Hispanic, Native American, Canadian Aboriginals
  • Non-Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)
  • Small Business Administration (SBA)
  • Small Business Certified, Small Disadvantaged Business
  • Veteran-owned Small Business
  • Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Women-owned Business

Lear defines women-owned businesses as at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women.

Those who wish to have the designation as a diversity supplier to Lear must acquire and maintain valid certification(s) from one or more of the listed agencies or organizations. In certain situations, additional certifications may be required from more than one source:

  • The Small Business Administration
  • The NMSDC or affiliate regional councils or sub-groups
  • Other appropriate United States governmental agencies
  • State/Provincial or local governmental agencies
  • The WBENC
  • The NWBOC

Diversity Supplier FAQs

Where do I begin in becoming a diverse supplier to Lear Corporation?

The first step is to Submit a Supplier Profile into our database.

What does Lear require of all its suppliers?

  • Excellence in quality - drive towards zero defects
  • Competitive costs - culture of continuous improvement
  • Innovative products & services - dynamic design flexibility
  • On-time delivery
  • Proper certifications (ISO/TS 16949 or ISO 9001 for production suppliers)
  • Financial stability and scale
  • Highest standards of ethics and integrity
  • Partnering approach and timely communication
  • Compliance with Lear contract terms and conditions

The business must be 51% owned, operated and controlled by a minority, woman or U.S. military veteran(s) with U.S. citizenship or legal residency and ability to transact business.

The business must be certified, maintained and updated on an annual basis as a minority- or woman-owned business by one of the following certifying organizations and physically be located in the USA or Canada:

For the USA

  • National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or a regional office
  • Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
  • The U.S. government’s Small Business Administration

For Canada

  • WEConnect
  • Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council

Why use your registration tool instead of contacting the buyer or someone in the Supplier Diversity office?

Our survey tool was designed by buyers and asks all of the necessary questions in order to determine if there may be a matching opportunity for your company. While your firm may be capable, there may be contractual obligations, budget, strategic or other reasons that may postpone bidding opportunities at the current time.

What happens to my new supplier registration survey once I submit it?

Completed profiles go to the Supplier Diversity office. The information is reviewed and checked for completeness. Based on the information provided, your company then begins the Diverse Supplier Qualification process.

When should I expect a response?

You will receive an e-mail acknowledgement with 3-5 business days. Due to various factors, including how complete your profile is and our current needs, we cannot state a definitive timeframe but will make every effort to respond to strong potential candidates in a timely manner.