Supplier Diversity
A commitment to support small and diverse suppliers, ensuring our supply base reflects who we are, and the communities in which we live.
It is the policy of k8ÓéÀÖ that our businesses include and support high-performing, small and diverse suppliers in their supply chains as a component of our global commitment to diversity and inclusion. Ensuring our supply base reflects our customers, employees and the communities where we live, and work is a key business strategy. This policy is enabled by our Global Procurement team and implemented by our businesses.
Interested in doing business with k8ÓéÀÖ? Please register your company using the link below.
“Empowering people by leveraging, respecting and appreciating differences adds tremendous value to our teams, our customers and our community. Understanding diversity and creating an inclusive culture is the foundation of our collective success. However, we believe equity is the fuel that propels these concepts into concrete actions and opportunities. At k8ÓéÀÖ, we extend this concept to our supply chain by providing opportunities for diverse businesses, allowing us to foster job creation, economic growth and innovation."
Maria Prince, Global ESG and Supply Chain Risk Leader, Procurement
At k8ÓéÀÖ, we know that small and diverse suppliers are critical to our ability to win in the marketplace, due to their increased levels of agility, flexibility, and innovation. Spend with diverse companies in the following categories are recognized as part of the Supplier Diversity Program:
Minority-Owned (MBE)
Women-Owned (WBE)
Veteran-Owned (VBE)
LGBTQ-Owned
Disability-Owned
Small Business
Supplier Diversity Programs
As a global company, we recognize the value of a diverse supplier base providing the goods and services for our operations. Learn how our Supplier Diversity programs are helping qualified suppliers to meet the needs of k8ÓéÀÖ.Ìý
Minority group members are United States citizens who are Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American. Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51% owned by such individuals or, in the case of a publicly-owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals i.e. the management and daily operations are controlled by those minority group members.
For more information about MBE certification, visit the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s website at .Ìý
A Women’s Business Enterprise, commonly referred to as a WBE, is an independent business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens or Legal Resident Aliens; whose business formation and principal place of business are in the U.S. or its territories; and whose management and daily operation is controlled by a woman with industry expertise.
For more information about WBE certification, visit the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s website at .
For WBEs based outside the U.S, visit WEConnect International’s website atÂ
A Veteran Business Enterprise, commonly referred to as a VBE, is an independent business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a veteran (having served in the active military, naval or air service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable). For more information about VBE certification, visit the National Veteran Business Development Council’s website at or the Center for Veterans Enterprises at
Additional information for veteran owned businesses is available at and www.sba.gov/reservists
A LGBT Business Enterprise, commonly referred to as an LGBTBE, is an independent business concern majority (at least 51%) owned, operated, managed, and controlled by an LGBT person or persons who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The Business must exercise independence from any non-LGBT business enterprise, have its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States and has been formed as a legal entity in the United States.
For more information about LGTBE certification, visit the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s website atÂ
Disability-Owned Business (DOBE)
Disability-owned Business Enterprise, commonly referred to as an DOBE, is an independent business which is 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a person(s) with a disability. For more information about DOBE certification, visit the Disability:IN website at
Refer to the Small Business Administration’s, for help in determining what constitutes a small business concern. If you are considered a small, disadvantaged, woman owned, veteran, service-disabled veteran or HUB Zone business and are not registered with the SBA Pro-Net database, please visit the to self-register. Registration is requested in order for us to identify your company within our subcontracting database and to be certified by the SBA criteria.