Supplier Diversity
Supplier Diversity
Contact Supplier DiversityAt Milliken, we believe a diverse and inclusive supplier program benefits all stakeholders. We encourage diversity and inclusion when making supplier selections. Milliken awards business to the best supplier based on integrity, value, quality, risk, sustainability, and price.
Recognized supplier diversity categories are further described here. To be designated as a diverse supplier, a supplier can self-certify by completing the certification form. Once submitted it will be reviewed by our internal team and entered into our database. If selected to participate in a bid event, a Milliken Sourcing professional may reach out for additional information. Milliken annually audits aspects of our Supplier Diversity Policy Statement. Providing a supplier diversity certification does not guarantee business nor does it assure companies as a preferred supplier status. Milliken suppliers must meet all other Milliken requirements, including accepting our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Our Commitment to Supplier Diversity
Join Our Supplier Mentorship Program
- Created to help diverse suppliers bridge the gap to growth with Milliken
- The program includes educational opportunities through our local Small Business Development Center
- Benefits of participating:
- Free education
- Networking
- Automatically added into our ERP system as an approved supplier and the ability to bid on events
Embark Business Solutions, LLC was awarded the Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program Award for 2022.
Our first annual Supplier Recognition Luncheon was held on November 15, 2022. Four awards were presented during this event to Grainger, Picanol, Lift One, and Embark Business Solutions, LLC. Congratulations to our winners!
You're Invited!
Supplier Diversity Matchmaking Event
May 23, 2023, 12:30 - 5:00 p.m. EDT
Please join us for Milliken’s first-ever Supplier Diversity Event. Click the provided link to register. During this event, 50 Tier I suppliers will have the opportunity to engage with diverse local companies to provide potential opportunities to expand their business portfolios. There will be a discussion on the importance of Tier II commitment, as well as keynotes from:
- Ricaye Harris, Milliken VP of HR, Talent Acquisition and DEI
- David Heichemer, Milliken VP Corporate Logistics and Sourcing
- Michael Brown, Milliken EVP of Operations
- Pamela Evette, SC Lieutenant Governor
| Date | Event | Location | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 13 | National Small Business Conference | New Orleans, LA | A premier supplier diversity networking event for small businesses. | Link |
| March 20 | WBENC National Conference | Nashville, TN | The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) provides the most relied upon certification for women-owned businesses and the tools to help them succeed. | Link |
| April 13 | SC Logistics Tech Talk 2023 | Charleston, SC | The SC Logistics Tech Talk focuses on how technology drives our state's logistics cluster. The 2020 Logistics Economic Impact Study found that SC logistics firms had increased their reliance on technology suppliers from 1.7% in 2010 to 5.1% in 2020. With 2040 freight projections estimated to increase by 61% (number of tons), we are very aware that emerging technologies in supply chain logistics are essential to preparing for that growth. | April 13
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April 19 |
Milliken Mentorship Program Event | Spartanburg, SC | Small Business Tax Workshop hosted by SBDC (9 AM - 2 PM EST) |
Link |
| May 23 | Milliken Matchmaking Supplier Diversity Event | Spartanburg, SC | First annual event to bring together diverse businesses and Milliken's Tier 1 supply base. | Link |
| June 6 | USPAACC Business + Procurement Conference | Las Vegas, NV | America’s largest and longest-running business development conference convened by Pan Asian Americans. | Link |
June 27 |
Milliken Mentorship Program Event | Spartanburg | Benchmarking (9 AM - 11 AM EST) |
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| July 10 | Disability: IN | Orlando, FL | Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Our network of over 400 corporations expands opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises. Our central office and 25 Affiliates serve as the collective voice to effect change for people with disabilities in business. | Link |
| August 1 | BOC (Business Opportunity Conference) | Richmond, VA | Two days of business development, education, networking, and matchmaking for minority-owned businesses. | August 1 2023
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| August 14 | NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference | Denver, CO | This globally recognized conference is the largest LGBTQ business event on the planet. The NGLCC Conference delivers innovative leadership programming as well as networking and engagement opportunities for more than 2,000 LGBTQ and allied business leaders. Cutting-edge educational programs include inspiring keynote speakers, the annual B2B Boot Camp for Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers, a local chamber development track, Marketplace Expo, one-on-one Matchmaker meetings between suppliers and Fortune 500 companies. | https://nglcc.org/event/nationaldinner2022/
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August 22 |
Milliken Mentorship Program Event | Spartanburg, SC | Certifications (9 AM - 11 AM EST) |
Link |
| August 30 | BMW Supplier Diversity Conference | Greenville, SC | The conference, one of the largest supplier diversity events in the nation, is an opportunity for women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses to participate in a day of professional development and to network with BMW’s Tier 1 suppliers. | https://bmwsupplierdiversity.com/
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September 7 |
Milliken Mentorship Program Event | Virtual | Unconscious Bias (9 AM - 11 AM EST) |
Link |
| September 24 | USHCC National Conference | Orlando, FL | This annual conference brings together local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Hispanic business leaders, and corporate partners to foster Hispanic economic development for the greater American economy. | Link |
October 3 |
Milliken Mentorship Program Event | Spartanburg, SC | Capability Statements (9 AM - 11 AM EST) |
Link |
| October 22 | NMSDC Conference & Exchange | Baltimore, MD | Every year NMSDC host conferences and networking events which attract more than six thousand participants. 50 years of building momentum for economic equity. $1 trillion impact in our sights. | https://nmsdc.org/calendar/nmsdc-conference-exchange-2023/
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| November 14 | Milliken Supplier Recognition Event | Spartanburg, SC | 2nd annual supplier recognition event | Link |
December 12 |
Milliken Mentorship Program Event | Spartanburg, SC | RFP Training (9 AM - 11 AM EST) |
Link |
