MBN USA

October 26, 2021

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Cummins joined BDR in 2016

“Cummins Inc. recognizes Billion Dollar Roundtable as the only organization that is an independent group of companies that achieve a major milestone with diverse-owned companies, year after year.“ — Helena E. Hutton, director, global diversity procurement

Q: When did your company begin its supplier diversity program?

A: Cummins Inc.’s program started more than 40 years ago. It began in the U.S., and then expanded to seven countries where we currently operate.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your supplier diversity program history?

A: Our program grew from the indirect purchasing focus to include all categories of purchases. In addition, we include risk management, investment and acquisitions, consulting and many other areas of consulting to ensure that the diverse-owned companies are partners that can sustain and grow.

Q: Why did your company decide to become a BDR member?

A: Cummins Inc. recognizes Billion Dollar Roundtable as the only organization that is an independent group of companies that achieve a major milestone with diverse-owned companies, year after year. In addition, it is the only organization that has an independent audit of the results of the companies with respect to their investment in diverse-owned companies. It sets a standard of excellence for the supplier diversity industry.

Q: Besides having a $1 billion annual spend with diverse suppliers, what does it take to be a BDR company?

A: To maintain membership with the Billion Dollar Roundtable, Cummins has a holistic approach working with its Tier I companies — managing a supplier development program that includes trade partners, consultants and technical experts, along with a team of professionals that range from engineers to paralegals to attorneys. Finally, strong collaboration with Cummins business leaders outside of the supply chain organization and its customers is critical to our success.

Q: What’s your vision for the future of minority business development and supply chain diversity?

A: The vision is to further invest in U.S. diverse-owned companies to have sufficient capital to grow in adjacent industries, so that they can consistently outperform nondiverse companies and grow with the needs of their customers.

Eventually that growth should include operations in other countries to match their respective customers’ supply chains. This approach will also aid non-U.S. companies that are still in the beginning stages of inclusion of diverse-owned companies.

To learn more about Cummins’ supplier diversity program, visit diversityprocurement.cummins.com.