DETROIT, MIch. — DTE Energy announced today it spent $1.7 billion with Michigan businesses in 2018, creating and sustaining more than 8,000 jobs across the state and exceeding its in-state spending goal by $800,000.
Since 2010, DTE spent more than $9.2 billion with Michigan-based suppliers of goods and services, creating 24,000 jobs.
“We prioritize partnerships with in-state suppliers, and we encourage others to do the same,” said DTE Chief Procurement Officer Tony Tomczak. “DTE’s commitment gives Michigan’s hardworking business owners new opportunities to succeed, expands the local economy and builds stronger communities.”
Below are highlights of DTE’s partnership with Michigan-based vendors, including dollars spent, number of businesses, and total jobs positively impacted:
Southeast Michigan and Metro Detroit: DTE bought $1.3 billion in goods and services from 1,261 companies, generating and supporting more than 6,000 jobs. Forty percent of this spending – $512 million – was sourced from companies based in Detroit.
West Michigan: DTE spent $66 million with 215 companies, creating and sustaining more than 300 jobs. Northeast and Northwest Michigan: DTE invested $38 million with 176 companies, positively impacting nearly 180 jobs.
South Michigan: DTE partnered with more than 450 companies, spending $182 million and adding or maintaining nearly 850 jobs.
Central Michigan: DTE invested $41 million with more than 150 companies, creating and sustaining 190 jobs. Thumb Region: DTE spent $93 million with 250 companies, positively impacting more than 400 jobs.
Upper Peninsula: DTE partnered with 53 businesses, spending $12 million generating and supporting nearly 60 jobs.
DTE is a founding member of Pure Michigan Business Connect, a public-private initiative that encourages companies to buy from Michigan vendors and connects local companies with instate business opportunities.
“We do this without sacrificing quality and affordability, which demonstrates the competitiveness of our state’s economy,” Tomczak said.
For long-time supplier J. Ranck Electric, partnering with DTE built the foundation for a new business division. The Mount Pleasant company builds solar energy arrays.
“The first solar project we ever worked on was with DTE,” said J. Ranck Electric business development director Scott Walker. “That got our renewables division going and today we have at least 15 people working on solar projects full time. Our work with DTE is based on trust. When you say what you’re going to do and then you do it – for your company and for the people of Michigan – that goes a long way.”
DTE is also committed to developing a more inclusive supply base. Last year, the company spent $472 million with certified diverse suppliers and captured 11 industry-wide supplier diversity achievement awards. DTE’s innovative approach to supplier diversity is based on outreach and mentoring.
“We seek out Michigan companies to ensure they’re aware of upcoming bid opportunities and are ready to partner with us, or with our largest suppliers,” Tomczak added. “We meet local business owners where they are and connect them with new business opportunities.”
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, renewable natural gas, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As an environmental leader, DTE will reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by more than 80 percent by 2050 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe, reliable and affordable. DTE is committed to being a force for good in the communities where it serves through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com.
