Accenture diversifies supply base

Accenture boosted its total procurement spend with more diverse vendors last year to develop a network of suppliers including minority- and women-owned firms.

Purchasing with diverse suppliers rose in the 2008-09 tax year from 14.6 per cent to 15.8 per cent, according to Accenture’s 2008-09 Corporate Citizenship Report.

The management consulting firm established its supplier diversity programme – aimed at developing and expanding relationships with minority-owned, women-owned, small and growing businesses – in 2002.

The report also outlined how Accenture had expanded its diverse supplier development programme, introduced in 2006. This initiative seeks to apply the skills and expertise of the company’s suppliers and people to deliver economic sustainability and encourage success among the organisations involved.

The programme now includes 16 minority- and women-owned enterprises, as well as businesses owned by people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

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