Our Success Stories

Listed below are a few of the Purchasing Services Supplier Diversity major success stories.

Corning Life Sciences Product Sole Distribution Contract Awarded to Neta Scientific, a Local Tier 1 Diversity Supplier

In September 2008, Purchasing Services announced the awarding of a new multi-year Corning Life Science product sole source distribution contract to Neta Scientific, a Tier 1 diversity contract supplier. Annual purchase spend under this contract is expected to be approximately $1 Million.

Office Products Contract Awarded to Telrose Corporation, a Tier 1 Diversity and West Philadelphia Based Contract Supplier

In March 2008, Purchasing Services announced the awarding of a new multi-year office products contract to Telrose Corporation, a Tier 1 diversity and West Philadelphia based contract supplier. Annual expenditures under this contract is expected to be approximately $5 Million.

Purchasing Day at the Enterprise Center

Launched in January 2007, the Purchasing Day at the Enterprise Center concept provides diversity suppliers with an opportunity to meet decision makers from local University purchasing departments. Hosted by the Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia and sponsored by PA MBEC, this informal setting enables potential buyers and sellers to meet, discuss business opportunities, review supplier capabilities and buyer requirements, and develop action plans for future business relationships.

New University Purchasing Initiative with the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Center at the Enterprise Center

In July 2006, Purchasing Services announced that it had launched a Diversity Supplier Development Program initiative in collaboration with Penn Health System Materials Management and Drexel University Procurement Services departments. The new University Purchasing Initiative, hosted by the Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia, is a strategic partnership with the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Center (PA MBDC).

Purchasing Day at the Enterprise Center

Launched in January 2007, the Purchasing Day at the Enterprise Center concept provides diversity suppliers with an opportunity to meet decision makers from local University purchasing departments. Hosted by the Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia and sponsored by PA MBEC, this informal setting enables potential buyers and sellers to meet, discuss business opportunities, review supplier capabilities and buyer requirements, and develop action plans for future business relationships.

New Diversity Suppliers in the Penn Marketplace

In June 2006, Purchasing Services announced that it had enabled five new diversity suppliers for the Penn Marketplace during FY2006. This raises the total number of diversity suppliers in the Penn Marketplace to 28 suppliers. As of the end of FY2006, diversity suppliers represented 19% of total suppliers enabled in the Penn Marketplace.

New Preferred Discount Pricing Agreements to Diversity Suppliers

In June 2006, Purchasing Services announced that it had awarded five new preferred discount pricing agreements to diversity suppliers during FY 2006. New contracts to diversity suppliers represented 16% of all new preferred discount pricing agreements awarded by Purchasing Services in FY 2006.

Phase I of the Supplier Diversity Manager Project

In May 2005, Purchasing Services successfully completed Phase I of the Diversity Supplier Manager project by enabling five new diversity suppliers for the Penn Marketplace, Penn's industry leading eProcurement Supplier Exchange. Phase II of the project will be launched in Fall 2005.

Purchasing Services Recognized for Commitment to Principals of Socially Responsible Purchasing

In April 2005, the Institute for Supply Management recognized Purchasing Services for its commitment to the principals of socially responsible purchasing.

Purchasing Services Partners with SciQuest Incorporated to Launch New Diversity Supplier Manager Solution

In July 2004, Purchasing Services announced a partnership with SciQuest Incorporated to launch a new diversity supplier enablement solution, the Diversity Supplier Manager, to increase the recruitment of diversity suppliers for the Penn Marketplace, Penn's industry leading private supplier exchange.

IKON Office Solutions and Alpha Office Supplies Partner to secure University and Health System Copier & Fax Contract

In June 2004, Purchasing Services awarded a new three source copier and fax contract to the partnership of IKON Office Solutions and Alpha Office Supplies, a Philadelphia based African American owned supplier.

Telrose Corporation and Office Depot Partner to Service the Philadelphia Area Collegiate Cooperative (PACC)

In October 2003, Purchasing Services awarded a new five year sole source office supplies contract to the partnership of Telrose Corporation, a West Philadelphia based minority owned business and Office Depot in partnership with the Philadelphia Area Collegiate Cooperative, a local college and university cooperative buying initiative.

MBE/WBE Inclusion in the Launch of the Penn Marketplace

In January 2002, Purchasing Services successfully launched the Penn Marketplace, the University's industry leading eProcurement initiative. MBE/WBE inclusion was a major business objective in the development phase of the Penn Marketplace. When launched, six of the original twenty one participating Penn contract suppliers were either MBE or WBE businesses. During 2002, these businesses received an increase of between 16 to 42% in Penn business versus the previous calendar year. Four addition MBE/WBE suppliers were included in the Penn Marketplace as a result of the Purchasing Services Strategic Sourcing program.

Minority Partnership Selected as Exclusive Provider of On-Site Staffing Solutions

In November 2001, Purchasing Services and Human Resources collaborated with Unique Staffing and Advantage Human Resources to create Unique Advantage, a newly formed minority owned West Philadelphia based business that was awarded a multi-year contract to be the exclusive provider of staffing solutions to the University.

EMSCO Scientific Partners with Fisher Scientific

In January 1998, EMSCO Scientific, a West Philadelphia based minority owned business and Fisher Scientific formed a strategic alliance to service the research equipment and supplies needs of the University of Pennsylvania. This alliance was formed as a result of a formal competitive bidding (RFP) initiative which included mandatory minority supplier participation and enabled EMSCO Scientific to be designated is one of the University key strategic contract suppliers. EMSCO Scientific is actively involved in Penn's eProcurement initiative and has realized a 726% increase in annual business between 1998 and 2003.

Steelcase creates Minority Owned Dealership in Philadelphia

In April 1995, Purchasing Services was instrumental in facilitating a collaborative effort between Steelcase and purchasing representatives from a number of other large Steelcase customers in the area such as Temple University, Cigna and Merck to identify a minority owned Steelcase dealership, A. Pomerantz & Company, to bring Steelcase products to the Philadelphia marketplace.

Purchasing Services forms Minority Partnerships with Xerox Corporation

In May 1994, Purchasing Services collaborated with Xerox Corporation to form two West Philadelphia based minority/majority partnerships for the University's copier and copier supplies business requirements. Telrose Corporation was selected as the business partner with Xerox for the University's copier equipment requirements and Sumanco Incorporated was selected as Xerox's business partner for copier supplies.

Alpha Office Supply Partnership with Staples Business Advantage

In February 1993, Purchasing Services awarded a minority/majority preferred contract supplier agreement for office supplies to a newly formed partnership of Alpha Office Supplies, a Philadelphia based African American company, and Staples Business Advantage. Purchasing Services was instrumental in facilitating the formation of this new business relationship. Over a period of ten years, the Alpha and Staples partnership matured to a point where Alpha/Staples received over 97% of the University's office supplies business in 2003. In 2002, Alpha and Staples partnered to develop a formal First Tier Supplier Diversity Partner, making Alpha a national distribution center that proactively promotes diversity purchasing objectives.

Purchasing Services Forms Initial Minority/Majority Partnership with Baxter Diagnostics

In January 1993, Purchasing Services created its first minority/majority partnership for laboratory with Baxter Diagnostics and Myers Scientific. This was the University's first attempt to blend the resources and capabilities of a major supplier with the service skills and entrepreneurial spirit of a local minority or community based business.