GRDC Member News and Kudos

Kodak Earns Two Honors from Upstate New York Regional Minority Purchasing Council
The Upstate New York Regional Minority Purchasing Council recently recognized Eastman Kodak Company with two awards for the company's efforts to expand its relationships with diverse suppliers.

Kodak was named Corporation of the Year by the council, which works to strengthen relationships between minority suppliers and companies. The council also recognized Tamara Jones-Smith, supplier diversity assistant, Worldwide Purchasing, as its Advocate of the Year.

"These awards further validate Kodak's ongoing emphasis on working with diverse suppliers," said Joyce Wichie, director, Supplier Diversity, Worldwide Purchasing "By expanding our efforts to reach out to minority- and women-owned business, we tap into the best ideas from suppliers in the communities where Kodak does business." Kodak recently reported that it is on-track to meet its self-established goals for domestic spending with diverse suppliers. Created in late 2001, the goals commit Kodak to place 10 percent of its annual domestic purchasing of materials, supplies, and equipment with minority- and women-owned enterprises by 2006. The company anticipates meeting the goals within the next 18 months, ahead of original estimates.

Since Kodak set the goals, spending with minority-owned businesses has increased about 150 percent. Spending with women-owned businesses has risen by 108 percent. Business owners can determine if they meet the requirements for minority- and women-owned businesses to work with Kodak by visiting http://www.kodak.com/go/supplierdiversity. The web site offers details explaining Kodak's supplier diversity program, and provides an online application.

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