Ford adds 7 companies to select suppliers network

Ford Motor Co said Friday it has named seven additional companies over the past year to its network of select suppliers.

Companies added to Ford's Aligned Business Framework since September 2007 include Durr AG, Microsoft Corp, Imagination Ltd., Neapco LLC, Jack Morton Worldwide, Synovate and Linamar Corp., Ford said.

The additions bring the total number of companies in the network to 65, including 46 production and 19 non-production suppliers.

The network, which was launched in 2005, establishes long-term contracts aimed at increasing collaboration and boosting future business between Ford and the suppliers.