DTE Energy spends $1.3 billion with Michigan-based companies in 2016, creating more than 13,000 new jobs statewide

"Our efforts to shift our purchases to local suppliers began during the economic downturn in 2010," said DTE Chief Procurement Officer Anthony Tomczak. "Over the past six years, we have increased our spending with Michigan suppliers from $475 million in 2010 to $1.3 billion in 2016, far exceeding our initial targets. This represents a cumulative increase of $2.6 billion that has created more than 13,000 new jobs for Michigan workers over the lifetime of the program."  

Highlights of DTE's partnership with Michigan-based vendors include:

• Southeast Michigan & Metro Detroit: DTE invested more than $1 billion with 700 companies, creating  more than 5,385 jobs
• West Michigan: In the western region of the state, DTE spent $44 million with 97  companies, creating  222 jobs
• Northeast and Northwest Michigan: DTE invested more than $24 million with 68 companies, creating  122 jobs  
• South Central Michigan (includes Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties): DTE spent  $17 million with 30 companies in the Greater Lansing area, creating  more than 85 jobs
• East Michigan: In the "thumb" region, DTE spent  nearly $67 million  with 190 companies, creating  334 jobs

DTE also made a commitment to support businesses within the city of Detroit, by increasing spending with Detroit-based suppliers, as well as with minority and women-owned businesses.  DTE nearly quadrupled its investments in Detroit over the past six years and, in 2016, the company spent more than $300 million within the city. 

Ideal Contracting, a DTE and Michigan-based supplier, added 75 new employees to support the work the company is performing at DTE's Monroe, Trenton and St Clair Power Plants. DTE spent $900,000 in 2015 and increased its spending with the company to $25 million in 2016. As a result of the increased work, Ideal Contracting now employs more than 100 full-time staff and an average of 250 skilled trade laborers.

"Working with DTE's leadership has helped Ideal Group companies grow and expand our footprint in the industry," said Loren Venegas, president, Ideal Group. "In addition to the Ideal Contracting expansion, DTE work is fueling expansion and growth for four other Ideal companies, growing our manufacturing and industrial materials management services at our Detroit Headquarters. DTE is also a great community-minded customer.  We often find our companies working on the same community initiatives (Detroit Cristo Rey High School, FIRST LEGO League at Harms Elementary and Holy Redeemer, Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision's green infrastructure program) in Southwest Detroit.  We are grateful for the DTE opportunities.  The new jobs help many families and lift the region."

In addition to its Michigan and Detroit spending, DTE also is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive supply base. DTE's Supplier Diversity program is part of its overall business strategy to help the company – and the businesses that support them – succeed in an increasingly competitive environment.  The company provides minority, women-owned and veteran-owned firms with advocacy, training, mentoring and business opportunities and development experiences. The company is also putting its dollars to work. Last year, DTE spent more than $410 million with certified diversity suppliers, representing nearly 20 percent of the company's overall spend.

DTE's efforts are being recognized. This past year, the company received several prestigious honors for its supplier diversity program which included:

• Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Supplier Diversity Excellence Award
• WE USA 2016 Top 100 Corporations of the Year
• The Great Lakes Women's Business Enterprise Council Excellence in Supplier Diversity Award
• The Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council's Corporation of the Year - Consumer Products
• The Black EOE Journal's 2016 Annual "Best of the Best" Top Supplier Diversity Program
• MBN USA magazine 2016 Corporate 101: Most Admired Companies in Supplier Diversity

"DTE works day-in and day-out to provide affordable, reliable service to our customers and it's even more rewarding when we deliver on this promise while investing in Michigan-based businesses," said Tomczak. "Working with our suppliers every step of the way allows both DTE and its partners to achieve great things. The collective efforts bring new businesses and jobs to the communities where we live and serve, while strengthening the vitality of our communities."

About DTE Energy                          
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 an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dteenergy and facebook.com/dteenergy.

SOURCE DTE Energy

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