Supplier Diversity

Eaton believes that our corporation and our communities benefit from providing equal opportunities for diversity business enterprises to compete for Eaton business. Our suppliers are our business partners, and it is important that these partnerships reflect the communities where we live, work and serve.

Eaton is seeking small, veteran, minority and women-owned businesses that provide quality products and services at competitive prices.

Companies wishing to apply as minority and/or woman-owned must be 51% owned, controlled or operated by a person of female gender or one of the following ethnic groups:


  • African American
  • Asian-Indian American
  • Asian-Pacific American
  • Hispanic American
  • Native American

Proof of certification is required and acceptable from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), or the Small Business Administration.


How The Program Works
Eaton's supplier diversity office seeks diverse suppliers through purchasing organizations, participation in various trade show activities and utilization of diverse supplier directories.

A third-party screening process through APB & Associates verifies supplier certification.

Potential suppliers may be asked to participate in reverse auctions, requests for quotes, request for proposals and other forms of purchases. Suppliers are considered based on capabilities match.

Once the company capability profile is fully completed and entered into the system, the profile will be available online to the Eaton buying community. A company will be contacted only if their capability profile matches a current need being quoted. Please note that an incomplete profile (inclusive of certification documentation) may hinder capability searches.


How to Register
Registration for the program is easy. Follow these simple steps:


  • Step One: Register your supplier capability profile on-line through Eaton's SupplierGATEWAY®.
  • Step Two: Attach all applicable certification documents to the profile for verification.
  • Step Three: Respond in a timely manner to opportunities that may be posted on the site.

Need More Information?
For more information about Eaton's Supplier Diversity Program, contact:


Corporate:
 


Business Group Advocates:

Beth Smith
Hydraulics Group
Tel. (952) 949-1687

Diana Hume
Electrical Sector
Tel. (903) 534-1800 x13

David Stiles
Electrical Sector
Tel. (919) 870-3126

Gwen Prater
Aerospace Group
Tel. (517) 789-2731

Jonathan Sanders
Vehicle Group
Tel. (248) 226-6404

Brendan O'Malley
SCM - Information Technologies
Tel. (440) 523-5147

Program Definitions
Eaton defines diverse businesses as minority, women, small/disadvantaged, veteran, small and HUBZone entities that meet the following criteria:


Minority-Owned
A minority business enterprise (MBE) is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is owned, operated and controlled by minority group members. "Minority group members" are United States citizens who are Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans and Asian-Indian Americans. Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51% owned by such individuals or, in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals. Furthermore, those minority group members control the management and daily business operations.


Woman-Owned
A woman-owned business is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is owned, operated and controlled by persons of female gender.


Small/Disadvantaged Business
A small business is an entity that is not dominant in its field and conforms to the guidelines set forth by the Small Business Administration in regard to gross business income and employee size according to its product or service. (Note: Not all minority-owned businesses are can be classified as small/disadvantaged businesses. Other groups may show proof of social disadvantage and qualify under Small Business Administration regulations.) Individuals classified as social and/or economically disadvantaged must also own the business.

Social disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias as a result of their identification as members of certain groups.
Economically disadvantaged individuals are groups whose economic abilities to compete in the free enterprise system have been significantly impaired due to diminished capital, societal discrimination, lack of economic support, lack of credit opportunities and limited access to capital.


Veteran-Owned
A veteran-owned business is a business concern which is at least 51% owned by one or more veteran(s), and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more veterans. In the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock must be owned by one or more veteran(s).


Small Business
A small business is an entity that is not dominant in its field and conforms to the guidelines set forth by the Small Business Administration in regard to gross business income and employee size according to its product or service.


HUBZone (HUB)
To participate in the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program, a concern must be determined to be a "qualified HUBZone small business concern." A firm can be found to be a qualified HUBZone concern if: (1) it is small; (2) it is located in an "historically underutilized business zone" (HUBZone); (3) it is owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizens; and (4) at least 35% of its employees reside in a HUBZone.