TORONTO – BMO Financial Group was recognized as the Corporation of the Year at the 12th annual Business Achievement Awards hosted by the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC). Annually, this awards ceremony celebrates diverse suppliers and the corporations they work with, who are leading the way in supplier diversity. The awards were presented, including Supplier of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Procurement Business Advocate of the Year.
“While we celebrate the achievements of our nominees and winners, we know that every one of our certified members are leaders in supplier diversity,” explained Cassandra Dorrington, President and CEO, CAMSC. “Their effort to drive inclusive procurement opportunities is the reason why over $2 billion has been spent by our corporate members on these suppliers. As this momentum grows, we are committed to supporting each of these leaders every step of the way.”
The keynote this year was David Chartrand, the longest serving President of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). For over two decades, he has advanced the cause of the Métis Nation provincially and nationally, while improving opportunities for all Manitobans. Under his leadership, the MMF has experienced tremendous growth in self-government capacity, programs and services for the Métis Nation and the Manitoba Métis Community.
Small Business of the Year - Stratus Plastics International
CATA Technology Innovation Award - Triplewell Products Ltd.
Corporation of the Year - BMO Financial Group
Tier 1 Champion of Supplier Diversity - Sodexo Canada
Procurement Business Advocate of Year - Lori Benson, EY
Collaboration Award - RBC
Supplier of the Year – mobileLIVE
Awarded to an Aboriginal or Minority-owned businessbased on growth and development, export sales growth, and major accomplishments during the previous year, the winner is mobileLIVE, a one-stop shop for digital transformation of businesses. Their customized approach of user driven and omni channel experience creation coupled with specialized focus on mobile, cloud, web applications, and automation tools ensure accelerated delivery with enhancedcustomer experience. They serve some of Canada’s most iconic enterprises, smartphone manufacturers, global network vendors, software houses, and a major hospital. As a Canadian-owned-and-operated company, mobileLIVE has gathered tremendous momentum in a short span of five years with a year-over-year revenue growth of 400% along-with 100% customer retention. Today mobileLIVE has more than 250 team members, serving customers across Canada. mobileLIVE was awarded “Ontario Business Achievement Award” by Ontario Chambers of Commerce in 2015 and “Momentum Company of the Year” by TechConnex Technology Leadership Award for their forward thinking, innovation and service excellence.
CATA Technology Innovation Award – Triplewell Products Ltd.
Awarded to an Aboriginal or Minority-owned business for the most innovative technology-based product or service, the winner is Triplewell Products Ltd. The company is an automotive interior manufacturer of trims, and component parts and producer of apparel and technical outerwear. An end-to-end solution provider, services include product design, prototyping and to plastics extrusion, sub-assembly and welding. Technological capabilities include: conceptualization, design, CNC machining, fabrication, machine assembly, and PLC programming. They have created an innovative foam-injection carousal machine capable of injecting different chemical systems via touch-screen selection and self-locking precision aluminum molds used in the foam injection process of auto head and arm rests. This machine enables standardized settings to ensure product quality consistency. It is a fully scalable machine - all future models can be manufactured using the backbone. Head rest molds developed for each new model program can be designed to encompass many different shapes and contours of head and arm rests. They are one of their clients’ key OEMs of choice.
Procurement Business Advocate of the Year – Lori Benson, EY
Presented to an individual who strongly promotes supplier diversity through outreach efforts/activities and is respected by their peers for advocating supplier diversity in Canada. Lori Benson is dedicated to broadening her organization’s supplier diversity (SD) efforts across North America. Lori networks and develops relationships with diverse suppliers to constantly improve, segment and enhance EY’s SD program. She builds internal relationships across various business units and is able to fully utilize the support of the D&I teams, talent, marketing and executive leadership to drive the value of SD internally and externally. In addition to her work with CAMSC, Lori has advocated for EY to become founding members of WeConnect Canada and CGLCC (Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce). Lori has led a multitude of training sessions for suppliers on how to respond to RFPs, make cold calls and perfect their elevator speech. A regular corporate table host for marketplace meetings, Lori is an ardent promoter of EY’s SD program to expand opportunities for diverse suppliers.
Tier 1 Champion of Supplier Diversity – Sodexo Canada
This award is presented to a business-to-business Tier 1 corporation that actively supports its client’s economic inclusion goals by including certified Aboriginal and minority suppliers in their procurement opportunities. The winner, Sodexo is a global food service and facilities management company. Its services include foodservices, reception, maintenance and facilities and equipment management. Sodexo has educated current vendors on Tier 1 and Tier 2 spends. Their procurement department has established goals to include diverse suppliers and work regularly with organizations to identify diverse vendors to participate in their RFI/RFPs. Sodexo regularly identifies, mentors and coaches diverse vendors and provides them opportunities to grow. Sodexo has mentored CAMSC suppliers towards becoming Sodexo partners. There has been an equal focus on corporates as well, with introductions to certifying bodies and Supplier Diversity education/mentoring and exposure. Their Supply Chain Inclusion Program leverages best practices from Sodexo operations around the world to develop sustainable relationships with suppliers (SMEs, Aboriginal, women-owned, and minority-owned). Most recently, Sodexo has pledged to spend $1 billion (US) with 5,000 small and medium-sized enterprises.
Collaboration Award - RBC
This award is presented to a company that works collaboratively with CAMSC members, suppliers or other organizations to strengthen Aboriginal and minority business growth and facilitate supplier diversity. The winner, RBC’s has a value of “Diversity and Inclusion” which is evident in the leadership role it has taken in engaging corporations, government and stakeholders to implement inclusive procurement processes. RBC’s goal is to achieve a truly inclusive supply chain that provides procurement opportunities to qualified suppliers. Their flagship Supplier Diversity Mentorship program launched in 2012 supporting supplier diversity activities. They participate in supplier diversity events and work with other Canadian corporations to cultivate relationships. As a founding member of CAMSC, RBC works closely with stakeholder organizations to promote supplier diversity and support certified suppliers. RBC articulates the benefits and value of utilizing certified suppliers and encourages their Tier 1 suppliers to do the same. The value of Collaboration is also demonstrated as internal teams work together to share insights on building a holistic approach of diversity and their associated impact. This collaboration and partnership approach has led not only to aligned relationships with diverse organizations but also to increased involvement from a number of RBC’s Tier 1 suppliers.
Small Business of the Year – Stratus Plastics International
Awarded to an Aboriginal or Minority-owned business with 50 or fewer employees, based on business growth and development, export sales growth, and major accomplishments during the previous year. The winner, Stratus Plastics International is dedicated to providing high quality injection molded products. This company continues to grow and in the past three years, has achieved ongoing financial and operational growth. A significant investment was made in 2015 on capital equipment. This year, Stratus purchased a 2750 injection moulding press, added four indoor silos and expanded their current facility to 8,400 square feet. Additional commitment for growth includes purchases of two robots, and five machines to help increase capacity for current customers. The addition of a 2750 HPM is an investment towards Stratus’ minority partnership with Flex-N-Gate, which helps with production and overflow. Since 2006, Stratus Plastics has morphed a unique relationship with Flex-N-Gate while maintaining a substantial footprint in the Canadian region. The success with Flex-N-Gate was instrumental in Stratus attaining work from Magna and AP Plasman. Stratus is a company that has worked with many Tier 1 and non-automotive companies to provide excellent services and products.
Corporation of the Year – BMO Financial Group
This award is presented to an organization that actively includes certified Aboriginal and minority suppliers in procurement opportunities and continues to develop and promote these suppliers internally and externally.
The winner, BMO Financial Group goes beyond their comfort zone to draw from the wide range of experiences of their colleagues, customers and suppliers. BMO is a pioneer and leader in diversity. They demonstrate progressive commitment to improving the diversity of their workforce and suppliers. Supplier Diversity has become a key component of the bank’s overall diversity strategy. Using diverse suppliers is an integral part of BMO’s commitment to meeting the needs of its customers and the communities it serves. Internally, BMO’s Supplier Diversity Team works closely with colleagues to foster an inclusive procurement process. Externally, BMO’s Supplier Diversity Program has a focus on expanding the program to include more Tier II suppliers. BMO is looking to formalize its commitment to supplier diversity by introducing a supplier diversity commitment statement this year. BMO’s participation in CAMSC’s business value case studies is aimed to engage and inspire Canadian organizations to develop and implement inclusive procurement programs is authentication of BMO’s commitment to advancing supplier diversity in Canada.