APS recognizes that our suppliers are a critical part of our business success. Our supply chain management strategy includes the development of effective relationships with our suppliers, including providing feedback and recognition and helping develop a strong supplier network. Our company currently deals with more than 2,500 suppliers.

In 2005, the company held its fifth annual Supplier of the Year Awards. Supply Chain Management and the suppliers’ internal clients recognized those who offered the quality of service, support and diversity that allows the company’s business units to maximize their results and aggressively manage costs.

Pinnacle West Supplier Diversity Program

We have a strong commitment towards supporting the development of Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). This includes educating and informing APS employees with purchasing authority, setting specific MWBE targets, and providing mentoring and other assistance to MWBE suppliers. While every department has responsibility to help meet our MWBE goals, we have also established an internal department, the Supplier Diversity & Development (SDD) Team, which  is committed to facilitating and expanding competitive business opportunities with Minority, Women, Veteran, Service-Disabled Veterans and HUBZone Enterprises primarily in Arizona and the Southwest. 

Our efforts are driven by the diversity of the communities, in which we live and serve. We work with these diverse suppliers to provide greater value, innovative thinking and improve the availability of competitive goods and services to Pinnacle West. Our success is attributed to strategic relationships built on direct, honest and equitable communications.

Click this link for more information on the Pinnacle West Supplier Diversity and Development Program.

2005 PNW MWBE Targets

We set aggressive financial goals for our 2005 MWBE performance, and exceeded those goals:

2004 Actual: $36,711,244

2005 Target: $37,000,000

2005 Actual:  $43,646,933

APS Academy  for the Advancement of Minority and Women-owned Enterprises

One major component of APS’ effort to promote women- and minority-owned businesses is the APS Academy for the Advancement of Minority and Women-owned Enterprises (AAAME). Launched in 1997, AAAME teaches small-business owners the skills necessary for their companies to succeed. AAAME is a two year business mentoring program wholly funded and sponsored by APS. This successful program operates from the belief that a thriving, growing economy requires a balance between large corporations and emerging businesses. 

AAAME helps businesses grow and reach their business goals. This is done through training in such areas as strategic planning, finance, management/operations and marketing. Students then are partnered with advisers from both the non-profit and private sectors. These include APS volunteers, business consultants and retired executives who can provide lessons learned from their own experiences in the business world. The Academy is offered at no charge to those accepted. In 2005, 12 companies graduated from the Academy and 28 companies are currently enrolled in the program and are scheduled to graduate in 2006. Since the program's inception, a total of 52 companies have graduated. 

More information on the Academy is available on our Pinnacle West Web site.