Citizenship and Sustainability
Supplier Diversity
AT&T is known as a pioneer and a national leader in developing and implementing supplier diversity best practices. Our commitment to supplier diversity is evident in the benchmark best-spending results achieved — among the highest in the nation.
In 2008 AT&T marked the 40th anniversary of our Supplier Diversity Programs, which began in 1968 with the creation of AT&T's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program. In addition to the MBE Program, the launch of AT&T's Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Program in 1980 and its Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program in 1993 have better enabled AT&T to provide the best products and services to its customers by expanding contracting opportunities for diverse businesses across its enterprise. AT&T has mentored several diversity suppliers to support non-traditional areas of the company's business, and has also helped diverse businesses break into other industries, like advertising and contract manufacturing.
Supplier diversity is a critical initiative of AT&T's business strategy and a key component of the company's plan to deliver the best products and services to its customers. Learn more about our diverse suppliers.
Supplier Profiles
- Ancira
- Apex Computer Systems
- Applied Computer Solutions
- Argent Associates
- Atlanta Peach Movers
- Cadence Industries
- Cherokee Nation Industries
- Colom Construction Company
- Diversified Executive Systems
- Engel Consulting Group
- Global Energy and Technology
- Group O Companies
- KGP Telecommunications
- KMM Telecommunications
- LanguageSpeak
- MasTec
- NextGen Information Services
- Penmar Industries
- Ramsey Enterprises
- TCIM Services, Inc.
- Telamon Corporation
- Telcobuy.com
- Trinet
- United Information Technologies
- Vetco Supply
Spending Record
In 2008, AT&T spent $6 billion with diverse suppliers, representing 12 percent of its procurement base. In the past 10 years, AT&T spent more than $32 billion with diverse suppliers, an increase of 272 percent.
AT&T is a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, a supplier diversity think tank of corporations that spends more than $1 billion annually with diverse companies. Only 15 companies qualify at this level.
Aggressive Goals
The company's goal is to procure 21.5 percent of its total procurement from diversity-owned enterprises. Specifically, the company's diversity goals are:
- 15 percent with Minority Business Enterprises (MBE)
- 5 percent with Women Business Enterprises (WBE)
- 1.5 percent with Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE)
Making a Difference
AT&T is making a difference for minority-, women- and disabled-veteran-owned business enterprises. Working collaboratively with numerous diversity advocacy organizations, corporate forums and with policy-makers, AT&T increases business opportunities for M/WBEs and DVBEs by providing corporate support, leadership and innovation. more
Giving Back
Since 2000, the AT&T Foundation has granted more than $935,000 in diversity supplier educational scholarships and programming. The scholarships are granted to leading-edge business schools to provide expert coaching and tangible business benefits to incumbent and prospective diversity suppliers.
