DTE Energy honored as Corporation of the Year for its supplier diversity initiatives

DETROIT, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy was named Corporation of the Year for the third year in a row by the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Council (MMSDC) for its work in creating opportunities for minority-owned businesses.

DTE Energy was recognized by the MMSDC for its efforts to include certified minority suppliers in its procurement program, assisting in the development of minority suppliers, and for promoting supplier diversity within the company, as well as with its vendors and other businesses and organizations.

The company was the recipient of the award in 2011, 2010 and 2008 as well.

"We are very proud to be recognized again by the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Council," said Tony Tomczak, DTE Energy's director of purchasing. "We continue to believe that supplier diversity is critical to the success of our economy, our company and the communities we serve."

Earlier this week, DTE Energy announced it has exceeded its spending target with Michigan-based companies through the first three quarters of the year, as part of its ongoing commitment to the Pure Michigan Business Connect initiative. The company also said it expects to surpass its annual spending target of $575 million by the end of 2012, and now anticipates to spend $700 million with Michigan suppliers this year.

DTE Energy pledged to shift an incremental $750 million over the next five years to Michigan-based suppliers, as part of the Pure Michigan Business Connect program. Last year, DTE Energy spent more than $597 million with Michigan companies, including $81 million with companies headquartered in Detroit. 

The company's overall supply-chain spend is expected to result in the creation of more than 6,800 full-time jobs in Michigan, by the end of 2012. In addition, DTE Energy is increasing awareness around supply-chain spending with Detroit-based suppliers.

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan and other non-utility, energy businesses focused on gas storage and pipelines, unconventional gas production, power and industrial projects, and energy trading. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

SOURCE DTE Energy