WBENC’s list recognizes corporations that not only have instituted programs to offer equal access for women-owned suppliers, but also have attained world-class quality in their supplier diversity programs featuring women’s business enterprises (WBEs). On behalf of Shell, Senior Vice President-Corporate Affairs/Human Resources Roxanne Decyk will accept WBENC’s “Top Corporations” award today at a special ceremony hosted by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao in Washington, D.C. “Shell works with approximately 450 women- and minority-owned business enterprises, which exist in virtually every product and service category,” Decyk said. “They not only intensify competition, offer diverse perspectives and bring a level of innovation that helps Shell sharpen its competitive edge, but they also can be Shell’s customers. Supplier diversity is good business, and we’re delighted to be recognized as a top supporter of women-owned enterprises.” According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, WBEs have outpaced other U.S. businesses in both growth and economic contribution in the last five years. Privately held WBEs, with 51% woman ownership, have: - grown in number by 14 percent, or twice the rate of all U.S. firms, to 6.2 million;
- generated sales that increased by 40 percent nationwide nearing $1.15 trillion;
- employed nearly 9.2 million workers in 2002, up 30 percent from 1997, which reflects a growth rate that is one-and one-half times the national average.
As the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, WBENC partners with corporate diversity executives and women’s business organizations throughout the United States. Of the approximately 500 corporations with supplier diversity programs, all accept WBENC certification. Shell has been a WBENC member since 2000.
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