In the four decades since Ford Motor Company established a supplier diversity initiative, the automotive giant has made great progress in increasing the number of diverse-owned suppliers within its supply chain. 

In 1999, Ford launched a Tier 2 supplier diversity program with the intent to advance the company's economic impact and help Tier 1 suppliers develop their own supplier diversity initiatives. In 2019, Ford spent $11.1 billion with diverse and small businesses, the most of any automotive OEM. 

Ford is always looking to move the needle as it relates to supplier diversity & inclusion. A new procedure for following up with diverse suppliers launched last year, and in 2020, the company is piloting a new supplier development program called Widening the Inclusion Network (WIN). 

Ford Motor Company has a long history of commitment to supplier diversity. The company launched its supplier diversity initiative in 1968, and currently includes diverse businesses owned and operated by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ, disabled, and small business owners. 

Ford spent $11.1 billion with diverse suppliers and small businesses in 2019, the most of any automotive OEM, relying on these suppliers to bring creative solutions to the table. These diverse businesses are crucial to the company’s competitive advantage. 

Four years ago, Heather Manley was struck with inspiration. Sipping on a beautiful local craft spirit, she realized there was a significant difference between micro vs macro spirits. Comparing this difference to a tomato out of the garden vs out of the store, she realized there was a market for innovative craft spirits. Thus, in 2013 Crooked Water Spirits (CWS) was born.

How many times have you ended a conversation with a small or diverse business and been astounded at their unique path to success and at the stories they've collect along the way?

At CVM Solutions, it occurs almost every week.

Through speaking with hundreds, if not thousands, of diverse suppliers over the years, one thing is for sure: that astonishment still hasn't been lost.

In this edition of 'Diverse Supplier Spotlight', we interviewed Bob Kelly Sr., of KellyREST Brand Products, a Native American- and Small Disadvantaged-owned business. In this interview-style article, we're going to share with you Bob's amazing stories in his own words, along with how he became a supplier for some of the largest corporations in America.

Seattle-based ZippyDogs is a woman-owned, LGBT-owned small business offering cost-effective incentive ideas and brand-touting promotional products. Spouses and co-owners Elise Lindborg and Kelli Henderson are promo experts with 45 years of combined experience in delivering people-pleasing, off-the-leash solutions.