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WASHINGTON DC, October 28, 2021—WEConnect International announced the addition of 13 new member buyers to its rapidly growing community of now 143 corporate leaders committed to prioritizing supplier diversity and inclusion. The newest members span a wide range of key industry sectors from luxury retail to energy, including Cartier, Discovery, Elcatex, Metlife, Nestlé, Paragon, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Sanofi, Shell, TE Connectivity, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Williams-Sonoma, Inc., and Unispace.
WEConnect International continues to expand its network of member buyers signaling an increased recognition of the importance of gender inclusive sourcing. As more companies proactively seek supplier diversity and inclusion strategies that address gender gaps in local and global value chains, WEConnect International makes it easier for supply and demand to connect by matching buyers with suppliers from its robust network of 13,000 registered women-owned businesses based in over 125 countries.
“It’s an exciting time for champions of global supplier diversity. The business case is compelling more companies to take action now, which helps us put more money into the hands of women, who in turn reinvest in their families, employees and communities—stimulating their local economies and contributing to economic prosperity,” said Michael Tobolski, VP of Member Development for WEConnect International.
New WEConnect International Members include:
Cartier
A reference in the world of luxury, Cartier, whose name is synonymous with open-mindedness and curiosity, stands out with its creations and reveals beauty wherever it may be found. Since 1847, the Maison crafts timeless creations: jewelry, high jewelry, watchmaking, fragrances, leather goods and accessories.
The Maison has a longstanding history of supporting women’s empowerment through its dedicated program Cartier Women’s Initiative and its corporate foundation Cartier Philanthropy. In 2019, the Maison signed the Women Empowerment Principles and this year, in collaboration with the World Expo, will inaugurate the Women’s Pavilion fully dedicated to raising awareness on women’s role and contribution to society throughout history until today. Cartier.com
Discovery
Discovery is the global leader in real life entertainment, serving passionate fans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year across deeply loved content genres.
Available in 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens and services, from linear, free-to-air and pay–TV channels to digital products and streaming services, to social and mobile-first content and formats. Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Turbo/Velocity, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe.
Elcatex
Elcatex is a leading business in Honduras textile sector. The group began its operations in 1984 with an aim to establish an integrated textile centre in Honduras, which would offer high quality products for both the national and international markets. Since then, the operations have undoubtedly developed, increasing its potential, and adopting new options and opportunities, along with a sustainable production process, innovation, and strategic alliances with vendors and customers. The customer base includes well-known brands such as JC Penney, SanMar, Nordstrom, Dickies and HBI, and the product range includes basic t-shirts, underwear programs, fleece hoodie with zipper, piqué polo shirts for men, women. Find out more about Elcatex – www.elcatex.com
Metlife
MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For more information, visit www.metlife.com
Nestlé
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. With more than 2,000 brands, ranging from global icons to local favourites, we are present in 191 countries around the world.
Follow our UK and Ireland team www.nestle.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @NestleUKI
Paragon Workplace Solutions
At Paragon Workplace Solutions, we deliver the future of agile, connected and collaborative workplaces. As a specialist provider of innovative workplace solutions, our comprehensive and fully integrated range of marketing and business support services are underpinned by best-in-class technology, process automation and amazing people. We pride ourselves on combining creativity and innovation to deliver exceptional brand experiences and improved workplace performance for some of the world’s leading brands. By improving employees’ day-to-day experiences, our aim is to increase productivity, encourage creativity and collaboration, and drive better business performance for our clients. Being part of the Paragon Group, we are an international organisation present in over 20 countries with a global sales reach, €1.1 billion turnover and more than 9,000 employees.
Raytheon Technologies Corporation
Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. With four industry-leading businesses ― Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense ― the company delivers solutions that push the boundaries in avionics, cybersecurity, directed energy, electric propulsion, hypersonics, and quantum physics. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Sanofi
Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions. With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.
Shell
Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with more than 80,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Our operations are divided into our businesses: Upstream, Integrated Gas and Renewables and Energy Solutions (formerly New Energies), and Downstream. Our Projects & Technology organisation manages the delivery of Shell’s major projects and drives our research and innovation. We use advanced technologies and take an innovative approach to help build a sustainable energy future. Powering Progress sets out our strategy to accelerate the transition of our business to net-zero emissions, in step with society. Shell is changing to be more focused, more resilient and more competitive – not just for the energy system of today, but for the energy system of the future.
TE Connectivity
TE Connectivity is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions, proven in the harshest environments, enable advancements in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications and the home. With approximately 80,000 employees, including more than 7,500 engineers, working alongside customers in approximately 140 countries, TE ensures that EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS. Learn more at www.te.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, WeChat and Twitter.
Walgreens Boots Alliance
Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) is a global leader in retail pharmacy, impacting millions of lives every day through dispensing medicines, and providing accessible, high-quality care. With more than 170 years of trusted healthcare heritage and innovation in community pharmacy, the company is meeting customers’ and patients’ needs through its convenient retail locations, digital platforms and health and beauty products.
WBA has a presence in more than 9 countries, employs more than 315,000 people and has more than 13,000 stores in the U.S., Europe and Latin America.
WBA’s purpose is to inspire more joyful lives through better health. The company is proud of its contributions to healthy communities, a healthy planet, an inclusive workplace and a sustainable marketplace. WBA is a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business.
More company information is available at www.walgreensbootsalliance.com.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company’s products, representing distinct merchandise strategies — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, and Mark and Graham — are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. We are also proud to lead the industry with our Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) efforts. Our company is Good By Design — we’ve deeply engrained sustainability into our business. From our factories to your home, we’re united in a shared purpose to care for our people and our planet.
Unispace
In 2010, Unispace revolutionized the workplace delivery model with an industry-leading, joined-up approach to strategy, design and delivery. Today, the business continues to meet the pace of change with an agile, end-to-end approach fit for ever-evolving global brands. With 5,500 workplace projects completed, a presence across 26 countries, and 600+ employees worldwide, Unispace creates workplaces powered by collaborative client partnerships, delivered seamlessly across borders, and enabled by industry-leading intelligence and technology.
About WEConnect International
WEConnect International is a member-led, global non-profit that brings motivated, large corporate, multilateral and government buyers together with qualified women-owned suppliers around the world. It works with over 140 multinational buyers, with over $1 trillion in annual purchasing power combined, that have committed to sourcing more products and services from women-owned businesses based in over 125 countries. WEConnect International identifies, educates, registers and certifies women’s business enterprises based outside of the U.S. that are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by one or more women. For more information, visit www.WEConnectInternational.org.
For more information or media interviews, please contact, Rebecca Pearson, Chief Marketing Officer, at rpearson@weconnectinternational.org or +1-703-297-5113.
For corporate membership, contact Michael Tobolski, VP of Member Development, mtobolski@weconnectinternational.org, or online at https://weconnectinternational.org/en/corporate-membership/membership-opportunities.
For details on Registering Your Women-Owned Business or becoming a certified Women Business Enterprise, please contact registration@weconnectinternational.org.
