Leicester-based Minority Supplier Development UK (MSDUK), the national supplier diversity organisation, hosted another successful Procurement Day late last week.

More than 60 local and national ethnic minority businesses held discussions with representatives from major blue chip organisations including GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo, Capital One, IBM, Wyndam Group and Frank Haslam Milan at Leicester's Highpoint Conference Centre on 14 April. MSDUK hopes that relationships forged on the day will help to boost the £9 million that has already been generated through its service since it started in 2006.

Mayank Shah, Director, MSDUK, said: "The East Midlands is leading the charge on supplier diversity. Many local businesses are benefiting from the positive attitude of a select, but growing, group of blue chip organisations. Large organisations are beginning to recognise the benefits of extending their pool of suppliers outside of the usual channels to businesses owned and run by ethnic minority communities. They rightly see supplier diversity as a means to drive innovation and save money. 

"Our events allow smaller business to quiz prospective buyers in an informal and friendly environment. Likewise, buyers can meet a whole new set of potential suppliers who wouldn't usually cross their radar."

The event kicked off with a series of 'Discovery' meetings, where corporate buyers explained the procurement process to small groups of suppliers. Following the Discovery meetings, suppliers had the chance to meet one-to-one with potential buyers. MSDUK also unveiled further developments to their existing supplier database, which allows suppliers to register their details online and build a detailed profile about what their business does and what it can offer potential buyers. MSDUK's 36 corporate members   can access the database to source new suppliers. 

Mayank added: "The database will further aid the relationship between suppliers and buyers, strengthening partnerships across the East Midlands."