Supplier Diversity
Outreach and mentoring program information for Steelcase suppliers
Supplier Diversity
Since 1991, the Steelcase Supplier Diversity Program has focused on promoting the growth and development of minority-owned, women-owned and service veteran-owned businesses in the United States by integrating them into our procurement process. We have established corporate goals to diversify our supply base, which includes working with our Tier 1 suppliers to increase their diversity spend as well.
Because we want to expand our network of diverse suppliers, we give diverse supplier candidates full consideration. The following initiatives and program underscore our commitment to supplier diversity:
Outreach
Steelcase reaches out to prospective diverse suppliers by:
- Attending trade shows conferences, networking events, customer showcases, and meetings of associations representing minority and women businesses to share information about Steelcase and to identify potential suppliers
- Maintaining relationships with minority and women owned business associations, as well as small business associations
- Advertising in publications that serve the minority and women business communities
- Hosting seminars on the certification procedures for women-owned businesses
- Serve as a Project ONE module leader in West Michigan. Project ONE is an initiative of the Michigan Minority Business Development Council that promotes networking between corporations and minority-owned businesses in addition to providing a forum for education, discussion and strategic alliances.
- Maintaining active membership in the National Minority Supplier Development Council; Michigan Minority Business Development Council; National Association of Women Business Owners Corporation; and Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
- Serving on the national advisory board for the National Association of Women Business Owners Corporation
- Providing panelists for the 2000 National Minority Supplier Development Council conference on minority supplier development
Supplier Mentoring Program
This program matches a retired executive with minority owned, women-owned and service veteran owned businesses, promoting growth and development in our diverse supply base.