N@N

$2 Billion To Diverse Suppliers Marks New Record For PGamp;;E

^{Published on 2013-03-04 11:00:23 - Market Wire}
 

$2 Billion To Diverse Suppliers Marks New Record For PG&E -- SAN FRANCISCO, March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

SAN FRANCISCO, March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced that it spent more than $2 billion with diverse suppliers in 2012—a record high for the company—accounting for 38.5 percent of its total procurement budget. The total was twice what the utility spent on diverse suppliers in 2010.

"In 2012, we reached a tremendous milestone in our commitment to the full participation of diverse businesses as suppliers to PG&E," said Chris Johns , president of PG&E. "Through our work to deliver safe, reliable and affordable gas and electric service to our customers, we are supporting economic development, job creation and diversity in the communities where our customers live and work."

PG&E has been committed to diversity and inclusion for more than three decades. The company has developed one of the state's leading supplier diversity programs, which culminated in a decade-long trend of consecutive year-over-year growth in diverse spending. 

"PG&E truly understands the value of supplier diversity," said Bob Mulz , chairman of the [ Elite SDVOB Network ]. "Representing the most diverse group in the nation, Elite SDVOB is delighted to partner with PG&E to further promote and support the advancement and development of diverse-owned businesses."

"We appreciate all of PG&E's ongoing efforts to invest in the communities they serve," said Tracy Stanhoff , president of [ American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California ]. "PG&E's Supplier Diversity Program has assisted our Native businesses with capacity building workshops and real opportunities fostering mutual success and sustainable growth."

PG&E partners with diverse suppliers in part to generate innovation and increase competition while contributing to their revenue growth. The utility plays a significant role by providing small businesses with technical assistance training. With the emergence of new technologies in the utility industry, PG&E is also focused on helping diverse suppliers prepare to compete in a changing supply chain.

"Our work with PG&E has helped [ S&S Supplies and Solutions ] grow significantly to $96 million in revenue with 121 full-time employees. This demonstrates not only PG&E's leadership in providing opportunities to qualified minority businesses, but also its commitment to helping foster the growth of the local economy by keeping more business and jobs in California," said Tracy Tomkovicz , chief executive officer of S&S Supplies and Solutions, a minority- and woman-owned company in Martinez, Calif. This national supplier and service provider specializes in technical safety, tools, maintenance, repair and operations supplies, industrial garments, technical services and contract labor services.

For information on PG&E's Supplier Diversity program or to learn how to apply to become a certified diverse supplier, visit [ www.pge.com/supplierdiversity/ ].

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of [ PG&E Corporation ] (NYSE: [ PCG ]), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit: [ http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/ ] and [ www.pgecurrents.com ].

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)