Honda was recently named to the annual list of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs), the only national award honoring corporations for world-class supplier diversity programs that reduce barriers and drive growth for women-owned businesses.

“The Honda team is humbled and appreciative to be named a WBENC Top Corporation for 2019,” said Michael Bracey, Honda of America Mfg., Inc. procurement diversity team manager. “This recognition shows the commitment Honda has made to support the development of women-owned businesses.”

Honda has a number of initiatives to increase its business with WBEs. Within the last year, WBE spend has increased more than 10 percent and the overall number of WBE suppliers has increased five percent.

One of these initiatives is “Discovery Calls,” a new internal program for WBE companies that allows suppliers to pitch Honda’s category leaders with new opportunities, said Bracey.

“We developed this program as a way to be more intentional and to leverage connections made during trade shows,” Bracey said. He added that working through the WBENC, his team identified two WBE suppliers in the manufacturing area that are now supplying parts for upcoming Hybrid models.

“We are very excited about finding two new WBEs in the manufacturing area,” he said.

The Honda Partnership Network, held annually in the fall, matches Tier 1 suppliers with diverse and women-owned companies that may be able to support their business needs. This matchmaking event has helped grow WBE business within Honda’s entire supply chain.

For 20 years, the WBENC has conducted the selection of America’s Top Corporations for WBEs. The list of top corporations recognizes WBENC National Corporate and Government Members who choose to integrate policies and programs across their organization to enable growth and innovation, while also reducing barriers for women-owned businesses.