Barton Malow’s Business Diversity Program was established over 25 years ago and has long been recognized as a model program. The company has earned diversity achievement awards in each of the last ten years. Even in today’s challenging economy, Barton Malow continues to be innovative and persistent in partnering with small, minority and women business enterprise firms in growing their capacity.
Business diversity at Barton Malow is not about politics or quotas. And, it’s not about race or gender. It’s about building business and being the contractor of choice. Clients expect and have learned to depend on Barton Malow to deliver inclusion results. Over the years we have developed award winning programs to maximize small, minority and women business participation on our projects.
The Barton Malow Business Diversity Policy is company-wide and includes, but is not limited to, joint ventures, contracts, subcontracts, and purchases of goods and services. Small, minority and women business enterprise firms receive equal access and a fair opportunity to compete for business. Senior executives in each area of operations work with our Director of Business Diversity, Cheryl Bowlson, to ensure that business diversity goals are achieved.
Barton Malow has developed detailed operating procedures that include a formal process for ensuring diverse inclusion in our bidding process. Barton Malow Company requires that all suppliers become prequalified in order to participate in bidding opportunities. Prequalification is an important process because it assists Barton Malow in understanding the capabilities and capacity of each business. This way we are able to successfully match a business with opportunities. Approved suppliers are included in our vendor database and identified by their services and business type. Project managers are required to use the database to develop project bid lists.
To further ensure that Barton Malow has maximum minority business inclusion on its projects, Barton Malow Company holds informational project specific forums for the small, minority and women business community. The informational forums provide specific detail about the project, the project schedule, and the bidding opportunities. Diverse businesses are given tips on how to be more competitive when bidding. These forums also provide the small, minority and women business community the opportunity to have a one-on-one with a project manager and key decision makers to discuss the services they can provide and to build relationships for future work.
Barton Malow encourages joint venture, partnerships and strategic alliances with certified small, minority and women businesses. Teaming is an effective way for minority businesses to increase their capacity by performing as Barton Malow Company’s joint venture partner on construction projects. Barton Malow continues to look for opportunities to assist small, minority and women business enterprise firms in growing their capacity, and has been diligent in meeting with several minority businesses both locally and regionally to discuss partnering relationships on future contracting opportunities. As a result of these efforts Barton Malow has established several successful joint ventures and strategic alliances with small, minority and women business enterprise firms across the country.
Be clear about Barton Malow’s commitment to champion small, minority and women business firms! We will continue to develop creative and innovative approaches to ensure inclusion. We invite you to work with us.
