Diversity Supplier Program

Through our Diversity Supplier Program, Staples seeks out minority– and women–owned business enterprises (MWBEs) that share our commitment to our customers and our communities.

Our Mission

Staples Diversity Supplier Program’s mission is to help diverse businesses and historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) create job opportunities to reflect the faces of the customers we serve. Our supplier diversity strategies are designed to promote and increase the inclusion of diverse suppliers in our supply chain.


A Message from our Director, Diversity Initiatives 

Our Commitment

Staples is committed to sustaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace by integrating diverse suppliers into our sourcing, purchasing and merchandising processes and mentoring these suppliers so that they may develop a strong foundation for future growth.

A Message from our CEO 

Our Responsibility

Staples Soul reflects our commitment to corporate responsibility. Our Diversity Supplier Program is formally incorporated into Staples Soul. It's what moves us to embrace diversity, sustain the environment, give back to our communities and practice sound ethics. For more information on Staples Soul, click here.  

A message from EVP of Merchandising  

Supplier Testimonials

“We’ve received a tremendous amount of support from Staples. Staples executives not only served as mentors, but champions as well, sharing best business practices . . .”

Beth Williams, President and CEO
Roxbury Technology Corp.

“The accessibly of the Key Supplier Program has allowed our company to triple its business with Staples in 2007, truly an inclusive program driven from the top down.”

Bob Kelly

Kelly Computer Supply Co. LLC

Awards and Recognition

• Corporate Excellence Award, Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurial Education (2008)
• Outstanding Buyer Award, Chicago Minority Business Development Council (2008)
• A Best Diversity Company
  • DiversityCareers.com (2007)
• #25 on “America’s Top 50 Corporations for Multicultural Business Opportunities”
  • DiversityBusiness.com (2007)
• #42 on “America’s Top 50 Corporations for Multicultural Business Opportunities”
  • DiversityBusiness.com (2006)
• Prism Supplier Diversity Award
  • Minorities In Business Magazine
• PNC MWDBE Strategic Partnership Award (2006)
• New York Life Silver Star Prime Award for Supplier Diversity (2005, 2006)
• Corporation of the Year, nominated by HMBC
• Corporation of the Year, nominated by New England Minority Supplier Development Council

 

Affiliations

Staples is a member of the following national and regional diversity councils:

• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) (Committee Member)
• Chicago Minority Business Development Council (Board Member)
• Houston Minority Business Council
• Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Councils
• Minority Supplier Development Council of New York/New Jersey 
• Minority Supplier Development Council of PA/NJ/DE
• New England Minority Supplier Development Council (Board Member)
• Rocky Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council
• Center for Women in Enterprise, New England (Board Member)
• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

 

In addition to the above mentioned national and regional organizations, Staples sponsors and attends other national, regional and chamber events. For a listing of our Events, click here.  

 

Diversity One

Our Diversity One program connects customers directly with highly respected MWBE office supply providers. To qualify, all of our Diversity One program MWBE suppliers must meet high standards, including:

• Established market leadership
• Commitment to MWBE development
• Investment in local community
• Active participation by senior management

What makes the Staples Diversity One program unique? Instead of a diversity program that involves the MWBE supplier in name only, the Diversity One program enables MWBE suppliers to provide real services directly to customers through our Staples eDiversity Network. Customers place orders directly with MWBE suppliers who take full responsibility for managing these orders. Staples Diversity One MWBE suppliers include:

• Alpha Office Supplies, Inc. (PDF)
• Midway Office Supply Center, Inc. (PDF)
• Proftech, LLC (PDF)

Diversity Two

Our Diversity Two program offers products manufactured by MWBE vendors through our Staples Contract Catalog and Web site. The Diversity Two program supports and promotes more than 80 MWBE vendors (such as Roxbury Technology Corp. (PDF)) who collectively represent greater than $85 million in minority purchases for our customers. Learn more in our Diversity Two fact sheet (PDF).

Becoming a Staples MWBE supplier or vendor

If you are an MWBE supplier or vendor interested in participating in Staples Diversity Supplier Program, please complete our Diversity Supplier Questionnaire. Once you complete the questionnaire you are automatically entered into the Staples Diversity database. Staples will contact you if there is a current business need for your product or service.

• Diversity Supplier Program
• Staples Soul Main

• First-Time Suppliers and Staples® Associates Registration
• Existing Suppliers and Staples® Associates Login

• 2007 Staples Soul Report (PDF)
• Becoming a Diversity Supplier to Staples (PDF)
• What We Purchase (PDF)
• Calendar of Events (PDF)
• Global Sourcing (PDF)
• FAQs (PDF)