Johnson Controls Pledges Support for Minority-owned Suppliers

Johnson Controls, Milwaukee, WI has implemented plans to purchase $1 billion in goods and services from minority- and women-owned businesses by 2003. Last year, Johnson Controls spent more than $505 million buying from businesses owned and operated by non-white Americans, women and veterans. The company recently participated in the Supplier Diversity Challenge Signatory Ceremony at SuperComm, the annual global trade show for the communications industry. Kevin Pasqua, vice president of corporate clients for Johnson Controls, signed the supplier diversity challenge. “Supplier diversity is a key issue for ethnic minorities and others concerned with equality when they make purchases in the communications marketplace,” says Pasqua. “For Johnson Controls it was an easy choice – we already encourage supplier diversity because it contributes to the expansion of our business and the strengthening of our vendor base.” Currently, Johnson Controls has more than 1,100 businesses owned and operated by minorities and women in its supplier base, representing more than 50 product and service categories. The company’s diversity business initiative is directed by senior management and is integrated into the corporate strategy. The diversity supplier process accepts certified minority and women-owned companies, and those designated by government agencies as small or disadvantaged businesses. “The business strategy of Johnson Controls is to promote supplier diversity, and deliver upon our customers’ diversity initiatives,” says Reginald K. Layton, director of diversity supplier business development for the firm. “Johnson Controls has many processes in place to work with diverse supplier candidates.” The company holds monthly orientation sessions in major U.S. cities to explain the pre-qualification process and review active purchasing plans with potential vendors. Supplier candidates complete a profile, which is transmitted electronically to decision-makers for consideration on current and future projects. The automated system produces reports on diversity purchasing and performance for internal management and customers. The company also arranges joint ventures and business alliances between its prime suppliers and minority suppliers. For more information about Johnson Controls, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com