Don't treat a HUB sourcing strategy as a burden

It's time to stop tossing crumbs to historically underutilized businesses as part of a particular supplier "set aside" clause of a customer's contract or a vague policy on social responsibility.

In the past, the overriding sourcing strategy was to use the HUB supplier "with all things being equal" — an easy way to avoid the work of inclusion. For buyer and supplier alike, it was often a patronizing experience that resulted in little or no long-term engagement, save for an obligatory quote.

Engagement with HUB suppliers often fell to the most junior of buyers, with the focus on non-critical indirect spend. The buyer may have accessed HUB or minority supplier directories or visited a HUB exhibition or conference.

But now, pandemic-related supply gaps and updated sourcing strategies have resulted in a domestic-oriented supply chain, and it's prime time to actively work with HUB suppliers.
Don't treat them as an afterthought or burden. Incorporate them into your critical operations.

Source: https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/hub-suppliers-sourcing-spend-domestic-supply-chain/606119/