Flying Under The Radar: Aboriginal & Minority Companies Can Score Gains For Canada
The demographics of Canada's entrepreneurial community have become more diverse than ever. In particular, the number of aboriginal and minority businesses in the country has grown exponentially, and their influence now extends far beyond their immediate marketplace.
Even under the economic conditions that prevail at the moment, diversity brings opportunity, not only in Canada but throughout North America, as well. As the U.S. government tries to stimulate its economy, for example, it has encouraged multinationals and government organizations to "Buy American". With the proper certification, selected aboriginal and minority businesses in Canada may qualify as potential suppliers to these U.S. purchasers.
"With its diverse population and entrepreneurial businesses, Canada has a great opportunity to take advantage of U.S. stimulus programs," says Orrin Benn, President of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC).
The more easily a corporation or government department can assess the potential contribution of minority and aboriginal businesses to its supply chain, the greater the chances of a successful relationship. To this end, CAMSC was started in 2004 to certify aboriginal and minority businesses and facilitate their introduction to corporate purchasers throughout North America.
Available to companies with aboriginal or minority ownership of 51% or more, CAMSC certification qualifies a company under a reciprocal arrangement to conduct business with public and private-sector purchasers in the U.S. as well as Canada.
CAMSC also sponsors an annual Diversity Procurement Fair, which brings together aboriginal and minority suppliers with buyers and purchasing managers from major corporations and government departments in Canada and the U.S.
"If you're a minority or aboriginal business having trouble accessing corporate procurement chains and not getting through, this is the perfect opportunity," says Orrin Benn. "What this fair is all about is giving these businesses an opportunity to gain access to multinational corporate supply chains in a single location. It's an opportunity that comes only once a year."
For aboriginal and minority businesses, the Diversity Procurement Fair enables entrepreneurs to meet face to face with potential purchasers to demonstrate the advantages of their product or service. Corporate participants at this year's Fair represent some of the most dynamic and progressive organizations in the world, including: IBM, Cisco, Kellogg's, Chrysler, Boeing, Merck, Navistar Pfizer, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson Controls, Dell, Office Depot and BMO. These multinational organizations appreciate the advantages to their global success of developing a diverse supplier base.
"We will be showing two of our products at the Fair this year," says Baljit Sierra, President of Novo Plastics Inc., a CAMSC-certified company in Markham, Ont.
Novo has developed a plastic exhaust muffler for automotive applications that not only reduces CO2 emissions and improves fuel economy but also costs less than conventional steel mufflers. Novo has also developed a ceiling tile made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic that reduces heating and cooling costs while enhancing acoustics.
"We've been working very closely with a major customer in developing our muffler," says Sierra. "We've also met with representatives of both the federal and provincial governments, and both have shown keen interest in our products." CAMSC's Diversity Procurement Fair will expose Novo's products to an even wider audience of potential purchasers in Canada and the U.S.
Another CAMSC-certified company, Real Time Productivity Solutions, will display at the Fair its technology solutions for the manufacturing sector. Based in Stoney Creek, Ont., Real Time's devices enable manufacturers to monitor more precisely their production operations and generate reports based on the accumulated data.
In addition to corporate procurement representatives, purchasing officers from Canada's federal and provincial governments will attend CAMSC's Diversity Procurement Fair, providing insights and introductions to the particular purchasing requirements of public-sector organizations. Through Vanoc 2010, which will participate in the Fair, as well, minority and aboriginal businesses will have access to Olympic bid purchasing opportunities.
"For corporations and their sub-contractors in Canada, aboriginal and minority- owned businesses provide an invaluable resource in gaining a global competitive advantage," says Benn, "and they don't have to go half- way around the world to reach them. These entrepreneurial Canadian companies operate right on their doorstep."
Scheduled this year to be held on April 14 and 15 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, CAMSC's Diversity Procurement Fair provides an opportunity for aboriginal and minority-operated companies in all sectors to gain unparalleled access to corporate buyers and purchasers.
CAMSC's Diversity Procurement Fair will be held on April 14 and April 15, 2009, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For more information and to register online, visit www.camsc.ca.
Bruce Mcdougall is a Toronto based writer who has contributed to Report on Business Magazine; Canadian Business and Profit magazine.