A hold USA is a very strong supporter of the local councils in the region in which it operates. The company has built a strong track record supporting W/MBEs, an achievement attained in no small part due to the efforts of James Sturgis, Jr., the company’s director of supplier diversity. Sturgis is responsible for ensuring diverse supplier participation in every buying category. These categories include items that Ahold resells in its grocery stores, as well as products and services required to conduct business (not-for-resale).

Ahold’s greatest supplier diversity challenge is stocking diverse vendors that compete with the likes of Kraft, Unilever, Coke and ConAgra. In 2008, diverse companies contributed $61 million in sales. To date in 2009, diverse companies have saved Ahold $964,000.

At Ahold’s last vendor fair, 49 attendees had a total of 80 meetings with buyers, as some vendors met with more than one buyer. At last count, 19 of the 49 companies were accepted, with others still pending, for a 39% hit rate.

Favorite Quote

“The fact that I am able to impact lives while impacting our business drives me to continue this effort.”

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