Burlington Northern Santa Fe Feb. 11 began an online program designed to expand and promote the Class I's sourcing relationship with minority-owned, women-owned and small-business enterprises.
The railroad now offers an electronic supplier verification form as part of its diversity business enterprise program, which aims to identify and encourage diverse-supplier participation throughout BNSF's sourcing process.
Per program guidelines, BNSF sourcing representatives attend trade shows, exhibitions and other industry events to promote the railroad's diverse-supplier opportunities. Representatives and BNSF buyers also attempt to build awareness among railroad employees of diverse business enterprise firms' potential as suppliers and contractors to the Class I for a variety of goods and services.
The diversity business enterprise program is an integral part of BNSF's corporate diversity initiatives, said Vice President and Chief Sourcing Officer Jeff Campbell in a prepared statement, adding that the railroad encourages all disadvantaged businesses to become more familiar with its sourcing programs.
Source: Progressive Railroading Daily News
