Detroit Edison reaches out to minority suppliers
By Staff -- Purchasing, 11/18/1999
Detroit Edison firmly believes that the coming deregulation of the electric industry will open up a whole new world for minority- and women-owned suppliers in the industry. And the company plans to make good use of this opportunity."These businesses will represent millions of dollars of revenue for the electric industry," says Norm Littles, director of supplier diversity at Detroit Edison. "For those visionary utility companies, the loyal links established early on with minority- and women-owned business communities will affect their bottom-line revenues.
"We want our suppliers to know that as deregulation occurs, we view them not only as our suppliers, but as valued energy customers," adds Littles.
Detroit Edison's commitment to diversity can be seen in its push toward minority suppliers over the past few years. The company is trying hard to be a leader as it sets high standards for minority procurement efforts that link diversity to the bottom line.
Example: The company is now entering the second year of a three-year contract with The Bartech Group--a Michigan-based minority-owned business that is providing administrative service and one-stop shopping for temporary employees for the utility. The contract, the largest minority supplier agreement signed by the company, is valued at $60 million.
According to the agreement, The Bartech Group is the primary supplier and administrator for the staffing and placement of about 1,100 temporary personnel. The agreement is allowing the company to focus on delivering energy, rather than worrying about administration of temporary personnel.
By the end of the third quarter, Detroit Edison spent more than $48 million with minority suppliers. The company set a corporate minority-spending goal of 6% for 1999. It has also raised its projections for minority and women's business expenditures to $90 million, or about 9%, for 2000.
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