With thousands of suppliers providing us products and services every day, we recognize that our supply chain can positively impact people through inclusive and diverse sourcing. Fresenius Medical Care is dedicated to leading the way in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and health equity. As a major dialysis provider with over 2,600 dialysis centers nationwide, we have a unique opportunity to put our values into action.
The Importance of Supplier Diversity
DEI and health equity touch every area of our business, and a supplier diversity program supports our mission to deliver superior care that improves the quality of life of every patient, every day.
Through our supplier diversity program, we celebrate the unique strengths of suppliers ranging from product manufacturers to local crews. We’re proud to partner with more than 8,000 diverse suppliers including minority-owned, woman-owned, Veteran-owned, small business, and HUBZone (businesses in historically underutilized business zones) to name a few. In the United States alone, Fresenius Medical Care spends more than $1.7 billion with these suppliers each year.
Supplier diversity allows us to provide quality care while supporting local communities and historically underrepresented groups. We’re pleased to share stories of how diverse suppliers across the country have supported our growth as a healthcare provider.
Medical Waste Management with Hawaii Bio-Waste Systems, Inc.
Aloha means love in Olelo Hawaii, the Hawaiian language, and that’s what Hawaii Bio-Waste Systems, Inc., brings to their company. This small business helps dialysis centers across the Hawaiian Islands dispose of medical waste and manage reusable sharps programs. The business was founded in 1991 by Gary Kondo and passed to his son, Kevin, after Gary’s death in 2011. Hawaii Bio-Waste processes medical waste in the Aloha State to avoid shipping it to the mainland for processing, and has been servicing Fresenius Medical Care for more than 25 years.
“Being a small business means we can customize our services to Fresenius Medical Care’s needs, which has helped our long-term partnership grow,” says Kondo, president and CEO of Hawaii Bio-Waste Systems, Inc. “As a diverse supplier, we are supporting both the company’s sustainability and supplier diversity programs.”
Cleaner Cleaning Products with EnvirOx
When Michael Purpura, senior director of construction services at Fresenius Medical Care, needed to find environmentally preferable cleaning kits for various dialysis centers, he teamed up with EnvirOx, a woman-owned business that supplies sustainable cleaning products.
“We were excited for the opportunity to collaboratively solve the problem of getting the floors clean, and making sure they stay clean, in the most effective and sustainable way,” says Diana Stewart, owner and president of EnvirOx. “It’s rare for a cleaning chemicals manufacturer to be woman-owned, and I’m proud to be a female business owner and a role model for my daughters and other women. Future generations of girls will grow up knowing they can be business leaders.”
In order to deliver a full kit of cleaning products, tools, equipment, and instructions, Fresenius Medical Care partnered with another diverse supplier — Cleaning Stuff, a woman- and service-disabled Veteran-owned business from Georgia. Cleaning Stuff owner Rhonda Thompson built a complete cleaning kit to make sure dialysis centers had everything they needed — including EnvirOx products.
Partnerships and Specialized Office Designs with Atlanta Business Products Inc.
Atlanta Business Products Inc. is a small, woman-owned furniture dealership that has been providing office furniture like workstations, desks, seating, and filing solutions for over 25 years. Micah Davis, manager of architecture and interior design at Fresenius Medical Care, works closely with Stephanie Wren, owner of Atlanta Business Products. “We have very specific requirements, tight deadlines, and ever-changing dates,” Davis explains. “They understand our business and what’s critical. Brian and Stephanie have never let us down. It’s true partnership. Their two kids even worked on our projects while they were learning the family business.”
“When our children were younger, Brian and I decided we could change the industry, and do things differently — be more cost effective, efficient, and client-oriented,” says Wren. Atlanta Business Products’ approach prioritizes customer service and creative thinking to meet clients’ unique needs. “Owning a small business means we can be nimble,” explains Wren. “I’m proud to be a woman who owns my own business, who is respected, and is accepted in my industry.”
A Range of Building Maintenance Services with Air Tech Solutions, Inc.
Air Tech Solutions, Inc., a small, minority-owned business in Virginia, has grown to support clients ranging from small businesses to government facilities. Jose Bonilla, president of Air Tech Solutions, offers general contracting services including HVAC maintenance and supplies, roofing, and custom construction.
“For the past 10 years, Jose and his team have provided HVAC maintenance, completed remodels in our facilities, replaced water systems, and solved problems for us,” says Mike Nunziata, area technical operations manager for Fresenius Medical Care's Annapolis-PG area.
Air Tech Solutions offers a wide range of services, and like Fresenius Medical Care, its workforce reflects the importance of a diverse team. “We pride ourselves on being a general contractor that opens its doors to everyone, no matter their race, religion, or orientation,” says Bonilla. “By having such a diverse team, we are able to offer our various trades and services and achieve goals we never thought could be possible.”
Partnering with Diverse Suppliers Makes Us Stronger
With so many centers in different locations, we’ve cultivated a wide network of suppliers ranging from dialysis machine manufacturers to local cleaners and landscapers who work in our centers. We are proud to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people and businesses that are traditionally underrepresented or underserved. In turn, our diverse supplier program enables us to work with exceptional people and businesses across the country.
See how our Global Supplier Code of Conduct outlines Fresenius Medical Care’s commitment to good business practices.
