Bi-Lo Lauds Internal and External Diversity Champs

Associates and supplier partners at Bi-Lo, the regional chain based in Mauldin, S.C., recently gathered together in Greenville, S.C. to celebrate the chain's fourth annual Supplier Diversity Awards Luncheon. Bi-Lo presents these awards every year to recognize the efforts of teammates and trading partners who actively participate in leveraging diversity in their purchasing patterns.

Bi-Lo said in a statement that the company is committed to seek out and recognize businesses that are owned by women and/or minorities. During the presentations on March 7, it recognized a number of these businesses for providing products and services that are consistently high in quality, demonstrate timely delivery procedures, and exemplify strong customer relations.

"The partnerships we have forged with these companies are mutually beneficial," said Tye Anthony, e.v.p. of merchandising and marketing for Bi-Lo. "These companies bring value to our customers in many ways."

During the luncheon, Bi-Lo singled out several companies and individuals for their excellence, including Prodew, Lindy's Italian Ice, Hope's Cookies, and TWT, all of which the retailer recognized as Best in Class for their outstanding contributions to the supermarket industry.

Bi-Lo named Beauty Bureau, a Dallas-based company that makes Scent Sticks air fresheners, as Best Newcomer Supplier.

The chain also honored some its own departments for their contributions to supplier diversity. It named Mark Jerosko and the deli/bakery department the Most Engaging Department for their active solicitation of qualified minority and/or women-owned businesses, their engagement in the quest for supplier diversity, and their significant purchases from these diverse suppliers.

It also recognized Terry Cerwick and the non-food marketing department as the department with the most new minority and/or women-owned businesses for 2007.

Bi-Lo operates 222 supermarkets in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee.
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