Supplier Diversity

Donna Cole, founder of Cole Chemical & Distributing, a preferred distributor of chemical products to Shell.

When it comes to working with suppliers, Shell has found that bigger often is not better. For three decades we have sought supply sources around the world represented by minority and women owners. This applies to every type of company we work with.

We also encourage other large companies to follow our lead. We have created incentives for Shell’s major suppliers and partners to adopt their own formal initiatives toward diversity and inclusion. Yes, we believe that this is socially responsible, but we have also found that it makes a lot of business sense.

Partnering with a diverse range of suppliers has given us better insight into the communities where we operate. It has helped us spot local trends and respond in ways that build up regional economies as well as our business. It has helped us to forge stronger local relationships, which in the end helps us to better serve our customers.

The benefits go even deeper. We have found that working with minority and women-owned businesses injects our corporate culture with a greater spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, resourcefulness and pure enthusiasm. Quite simply, working with diverse suppliers is a wonderfully energizing breath of fresh air for our people, our productivity and our company.