UPS (NYSE:UPS), in partnership with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), is proud to be included on the 17th annual list of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) – the only national award honoring corporations for world-class supplier diversity programs that reduce barriers and drive growth for women-owned businesses.
Gary Kallenbach, UPS chief procurement officer, and, Estrella Cramer, UPS supplier diversity director, received the Platinum distinction award on behalf of UPS and were recognized in front of an audience of more than 1,500 business leaders at the WBENC Summit & Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises award ceremony that took place March 23, 2017, in New Orleans.
“Our UPS supplier diversity process ensures that the small, minority and woman-owned businesses that drive economic development in the communities we serve are at the forefront of our procurement operations,” said Larry Darrow, president, UPS Global Business Services. “We are honored to collaborate with WBENC to make the business world a more diverse and competitive environment and foster a climate for entrepreneurial success.”
In 2016, UPS spent close to a billion dollars in procurement with small and diverse businesses in the United States. The company is working to increase that number significantly over the next few years. A recent third-party study on the economic impact of UPS spending with small, minority, women, veteran-owned businesses and other diverse suppliers led to over $2.3 billion in contributions to the U.S. economy (U.S. GDP) and sustained more than 14,200 jobs in the supply chain and local communities.
“As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we are so proud of WBENC’s Top Corporations, including UPS, for choosing to set the standard for access and increase opportunities for women suppliers in new markets,” said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC, the nation’s leader in women’s business development.
Each Top Corporation honoree has demonstrated continuous, effective practices leading to significant results, further reinforcing a strong business case for their organization, the development of WBEs, and breaking down barriers to WBE inclusion within their organization. The degree to which corporations leverage diversity and inclusion within their corporate culture to integrate sustainable Leading Programs for WBEs determines the company’s recognized distinction on the list: Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum.
