Taking Creative License - increasing business for minority suppliers

In the current and future business climate, MBEs must have strong management teams to guarantee quality products/services and prepare for business expansion for future projects. No longer are we interested in lowest price alone. As Delta enters into the new millennium, we want suppliers that help create and maintain a competitive position in terms of innovation, quality, price, and on-time delivery. These attributes represent a balanced mix of services in which the partnership finds new creative ways to utilize each other's resources.

Another key resource is technology, which is bringing buyers and suppliers closer together. New technology alone will not suffice to gain new contracts. However, as the computer becomes a more important business tool, MBEs' integration into e-business and other Internet products and services will allow for additional opportunities. Blending these and other resources into a customized, cost-effective partnership will consistently generate value well beyond traditional transactional relationships.

Delta continues to explore strategies to leverage needed resources and support for increased opportunities for minority enterprises. In our continued efforts, we are committed to identifying and forming effective business partnerships with MBEs.

TELLABS

Tellabs, headquartered in Lisle, Ill., is a global provider of telecommunications products and solutions. Tellabs' ProPartner Alliance[TM] is an initiative for integration and retention of certified minority, women and disabled veteran business enterprises (M/W/DVBEs) in company-wide contracting and procurement activities. An aggressive approach to achieve a diverse supplier base includes three components: supplier purchasing, supplier development, and a value added reseller program.

Direct supplier purchasing involves purchases of materials and services from M/W/DVBEs directly related to the production and deployment of products in Tellabs' product portfolio. Typical purchases include acceptance testing and turn-up, components manufacturing and assembly, design and engineering, installation, network construction, system integration, transportation, and warehousing. Indirect purchasing consists of purchases of supplies and services used in the day-to-day operations of Tellabs.

Supplier development is an innovative approach to strengthening participation of certified M/W/DVBEs in contracting activities. Tellabs' supplier development ensures the availability of a sufficient number of qualified M/W/DVBEs capable of providing quality products and services. Supplier development relationships exist via partnering, mentoring, and incubation programs.

The ProPartner Alliance Value Added Reseller (VAR) Program is a cost-effective and efficient means of deploying Tellabs' products. Value is added with diverse supplier firms providing business solutions such as reduced costs, reduced cycle time, or customization.

"Tellabs endeavors to partner with the `best of the best' suppliers who focus on improving our competitive advantage," says Tellabs Supplier Diversity Manager Kimberly Johnson.