by Dan Perkins (a consultant to MLB)

The word is finally getting out: Major League Baseball (MLB and the League) is the leader among professional sports in recognizing the strategic importance of diversity, both on and off the field.  Off the field, MLB has demonstrated a robust commitment to supplier diversity.  In 1998, MLB Commissioner, Bud Selig, authorized the creation of the Diverse Business Partners (DBP) Program, an initiative designed to increase opportunities for minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) to supply the League with goods and services. Since implementation of the program, the Commissioner's Office has been actively involved in encouraging and monitoring its progress. 

Under the leadership of Wendy Lewis, Vice President of Strategic Planning for Recruitment and Diversity at MLB, the DBP Program has blazed an impressive record of success.  MLB has reportedly spent more than $300 million with MWBEs since the DBP Program was launched.  Lewis credits that success to MLB's emphasis on five critical factors: proactive leadership, commitment to sound business practices, a preference for partnerships, a program structure and process that focuses on long-term success, and accountability.

To help reinforce and expand the utilization of qualified MWBEs, the Commissioner's Office has hosted a series of conferences over the past six years for administrators of the DBP Program at the club level.  This year, the conference was held in Chicago, at the state-of-the-art conference center in U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.  

During the conference, attendees were introduced to MLB's newest initiative: the reporting of second-tier sourcing of minority- and women-owned businesses.  Second-tier sourcing refers to the use of subcontractors in support of large and often complex contracts.  MLB is the first professional sport to encourage and track the use of second-tier MWBEs.

Also new at this year's conference were presentations by the owners of three minority-owned businesses.  These businesses were selected to participate in the conference because they each have demonstrated excellence in servicing a club or the Commissioner's Office and each has the potential to support clubs on a national level. 

Proftech, LLC, a Hispanic owned office supply and office furniture company, located in upstate New York, was one of three companies invited to the conference.  Proftech was introduced to Major League Baseball a few years ago by Rob Manford, one of MLB’s chief executives.

“We brought Proftech on board for some of the office supplies at the Central Office, and very quickly, they more than proved themselves worthy of taking on a greater component of our office supply contract,” recalled Lewis.  Proftech is now the exclusive supplier of office supply products to MLB's Central Office in New York City.

Lewis likes to promote the Proftech relationship because she believes it exemplifies how well minority suppliers can service major clients, even one as demanding as Major League Baseball.  However, most of Lewis’ enthusiastic praise for Proftech centers on the company's president, Jose Montiel.

“Jose has done a tremendous job, not only in providing us with the day-to-day office supply goods we use, but also in supplying our remote facilities,” explained Lewis.  Whenever Baseball hosts a premier event, such as the All Star Game, the World Series or owners’ meetings, Proftech supplies all of the needed materials and commodities.  “They’ve done it expertly,” declared Lewis.  “They go beyond the call of duty, and have proven time-and-time again that they can handle the special needs of Baseball.”

At a meeting of club owners in November 2003, Lewis introduced the relationship with Proftech.  “We did it as part of an overview of strategic diversity within Baseball,” said Lewis.  "The owners were sold on Proftech because I explained that the company could provide most of the franchises with same-day or next-day delivery, on-line service, plus automation in ordering and inventory control - all at a substantial savings.” 

The 2004 DBP Program Conference provided Lewis with another valuable forum to introduce Proftech to most of the clubs within the League.  “This conference gave us the opportunity to collectively introduce everyone to the owners of Proftech, and gave the owners the opportunity to host a hospitality event for the clubs,” said Lewis. “The clubs were pleasantly surprised to learn that Proftech was capable of servicing their needs regardless of how large or small those needs are,” she added.

Lewis hopes other organizations will recognize the potential benefits of supplier diversity.  “Through the Proftech relationship, our clubs are able to improve the management of their office supply inventory, save money, improve efficiencies - and engage a minority supplier, all at the same time.  It’s a win-win for everyone."

The End