Supplier Diversity for Utility Service Providers: A Perfect Partnership

FSSI: Your Partner for Diverse Supplier Goals

Utility providers play an essential role in our communities by ensuring the delivery of vital services such as water, gas, electricity, trash, recycling, and wastewater management. One of the growing trends within the industry is the inclusion of diverse suppliers. Diverse suppliers are businesses owned and operated by women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities. Partnering with these businesses not only helps meet diversity spend requirements but also brings a range of benefits to utility providers.

The utility service industry is increasingly requiring service providers to allocate a certain percentage of their business to diverse suppliers as part of its commitment to supplier diversity. This requirement not only helps promote equity and inclusion in business but also enhances the overall effectiveness of their supply chains. Partnering with diverse suppliers like FSSI, which is a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE), can significantly aid utility companies in meeting these diverse supplier requirements.

What is Supplier Diversity?

Diverse suppliers are businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by women, minorities, veterans, or people with disabilities. These businesses often bring unique perspectives and innovative solutions that can drive efficiency and effectiveness in utility services. Partnering with diverse suppliers is not just about compliance; it’s about leveraging their potential to foster innovation and inclusivity.

Examples of Diverse Suppliers:

• Women-Owned Businesses: These enterprises are at least 51% owned and operated by women. They often bring unique perspectives and innovative solutions to the table.
• Minority-Owned Businesses: These businesses are owned and operated by individuals from minority groups. They can provide valuable insights into diverse markets and customer bases.
• Veteran-Owned Businesses: These enterprises are owned by veterans, who bring discipline, leadership, and a strong work ethic to their businesses.
• Businesses Owned by People with Disabilities: These suppliers are owned by individuals with disabilities, who often offer unique problem-solving skills and perspectives.

Importance of Supplier Diversity for Utility Companies

1. Regulatory Compliance: Many utility companies are mandated by state and federal regulations to include diverse suppliers in their procurement processes. This compliance not only fulfills legal obligations but also demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility.

2. Economic Growth: Engaging diverse suppliers contributes to economic development in underrepresented communities. By supporting minority-owned, women-owned, and other diverse businesses, utility companies help stimulate local economies and create jobs in their communities.

3. Innovation and Competitiveness: Diverse suppliers often bring unique perspectives and innovative solutions that can enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. This diversity fosters competition, which can lead to improved quality and cost savings.

4. Enhanced Reputation: Companies that prioritize supplier diversity can improve their brand image and reputation among consumers who value corporate social responsibility. This is particularly important as consumers increasingly prefer brands that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

5. Supply Chain Resilience: A diverse supplier base can make supply chains more resilient by providing multiple options for sourcing goods and services. This adaptability is crucial, especially in times of disruption when traditional supply chains may be compromised.

Examples of Utility Providers with Supplier Diversity Programs:

1. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E): In 2023, PG&E spent $4.18 billion with diverse suppliers, representing 36.57% of their total procurement. This marked the fifth consecutive year of over $3 billion in spending with diverse suppliers.¹
2. Southern California Edison (SCE): In 2023, SCE spent $2.26 billion with diverse suppliers, representing 38.3% of their total supplier spend, an increase from 35.42% in 2022. This was the sixth consecutive year they spent more than $2 billion with diverse suppliers.²
3. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E): In 2022, SDG&E spent $964 million or 39.75% of their total procurement with diverse suppliers. This was their 18th consecutive year exceeding the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) 22% diversity spending goal.³
4. Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas): In 2022, SoCalGas spent nearly 43% of all goods and services with minority, women, service-disabled veteran, and LGBT-owned businesses. This marked their 30th consecutive year exceeding the CPUC’s diverse spending goal.⁴

How FSSI Supports Utility Company Diverse Supplier Goals

As a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), FSSI stands out as a leader in outsourced print-mail and electronic document solutions for utility service providers. With over 40 years of experience partnering with highly regulated industries and multiple WBE certifications, FSSI offers utility companies seeking greater supplier diversity a unique combination of expertise and diversity credentials.

What is WBE Certification?

WBE certification validates that a business is at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. This certification is highly valued by corporations and government entities looking to diversify their supplier base.

Why WBE Certification Matters

For companies seeking supplier diversity, partnering with a WBE-certified business like FSSI offers multiple advantages:

1. Fulfillment of supplier diversity goals
2. Access to innovative and competitive solutions
3. Support for women in business
4. Potential for new perspectives and ideas

By choosing a WBE-certified partner, businesses can enhance their supplier diversity while benefiting from top-tier services and expertise. FSSI’s WBE certification combine supplier diversity with measurable business benefits.

The Gold Standard: WBENC Certification

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. WBENC certification is considered the gold standard due to its rigorous vetting process. It’s accepted by over 1,000 corporations and many government entities.

Benefits:

• Access to targeted business opportunities
• Increased visibility in corporate and government supply chains
• Educational and development programs
• Networking and mentorship opportunities

Regional Recognition: WBEA Certification

The Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA), a WBENC affiliate, serves as a certifier for WBEs in south Texas. With over 750 certified WBEs representing $9 billion in revenue, WBEA offers valuable resources for growth and networking.

State-Level Certification: CPUC

The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) offers a program that streamlines the vetting process for woman- and minority-owned vendors in the utility sector.

FSSI: Ensuring Diversity Spend Compliance in Utility Bill Processing and Mailing

FSSI is a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and full-service provider of outsourced print-mail and electronic document presentment solutions. We meet all diverse supplier metrics and provide industry-leading utility bill processing and mailing services for a variety of different utility provider types.

Our diverse supplier status means that we can help water utilities meet their supplier diversity goals. We also have a proven track record of providing high-quality, reliable services to:

• Water Utilities: Ensuring accurate and timely billing for water usage, helping utilities manage their operations effectively.
• Gas Providers: Streamlining billing processes to ensure reliable delivery of services.
• Electricity Providers: Facilitating efficient billing systems to support the distribution of electrical power.
• Trash and Recycling Services: Enhancing billing accuracy for waste management services.
• Wastewater Utilities: Supporting the management of wastewater services through precise billing and documentation.

Diverse Supplier Leadership in Action

Jennifer Dietz, FSSI CEO, exemplifies the power of women’s leadership in business. Her strong management skills, financial acumen, and years of experience have positioned FSSI as an industry leader in high-tech B2B services. Learn more about Jennifer by visiting FSSI’s Leadership Team page.

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Automating Utility Bill Printing and Mailing with FSSI

Outsourcing and automating utility bill printing and mailing can help overcome the challenge of limited customer touchpoints and ensure effective, engaging communications. Here are some key benefits of partnering with an expert like FSSI for utility bill printing and mailing services:

Improved Customer Communications

• Transform monthly bills into valuable customer touchpoints
• Incorporate targeted messaging and personalized graphics on statements
• Utilize vivid digital inkjet color printing to enhance visual appeal
• Optimize whitespace management to include relevant information
• Redesign bills to improve clarity and professionalism
• Direct mail marketing integration for promotional campaigns

Increased Efficiency and Cost Savings

• Reduce capital investments and avoid long-term equipment leases
• Lower paper, postage, and production costs
• Leverage advanced print and mail technologies without direct investment

Enhanced Data Security and Compliance

• SOC 2 and HIPAA-compliant protocols
• Secure data transmission and storage
• Comprehensive disaster recovery planning

By leveraging these comprehensive print and mail outsourcing solutions, utilities can maximize the impact of their billing communications while improving operational efficiency and customer engagement.

Comprehensive Utility Bill Processing and Mailing Solutions

FSSI offers customized print and mail solutions designed specifically for utility service providers. Our services help improve the performance of your utility billing, mailings, and collections processes. Key offerings include:

• Monthly bills and statements
• Letter printing and mailing
• Cancellation and shut-off notices
• Rate increase announcements
• Newsletters and welcome letters
• Utility bill ePresentment and ePayments
• Postage optimization
• Utility bill redesign services

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FSSI: Your Diverse Supplier Partner for All Your Utility Bill Processing and Mailing Needs

As a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and full-service provider of outsourced print-mail and electronic document presentment solutions, FSSI is the perfect partner for utility providers looking to meet their supplier diversity goals while receiving industry-leading utility bill processing and mailing services.

FSSI’s diverse supplier status means that we can help water utilities meet their supplier diversity goals. We also have a proven track record of providing high-quality, reliable services at competitive prices.

FSSI stands ready to support utility providers in achieving their supplier diversity goals while delivering top-tier utility bill processing and mailing services. By choosing FSSI, you are not only meeting your diversity spend requirements but also investing in a partner committed to excellence and community development.

Visit our utilities page to see how FSSI’s customized print and mail solutions are designed specifically to improve the performance of utility billing, mailings and collections processes,  or call 714.436.3300 to speak with a utility specialist to schedule a consultation and discover how FSSI can help your utility business thrive.

Sources:

¹https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/news-and-outreach/documents/bco/go-156-procurement-plans/2023/pge-2023annual_2024plan-fin-cpuc.pdf
²https://www.edison.com/sustainability/community-and-economic-impact
³https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/news-and-outreach/documents/bco/go-156-procurement-plans/2022/sdge—supplier-diversity-2022-annual-report-and-2023-annual-plan.pdf
⁴https://newsroom.socalgas.com/press-release/socalgas-exceeds-state-goal-for-30th-consecutive-year-purchasing-nearly-43-of-all