Actions today. Impact tomorrow.
This year BHP, C-Res, and Trading Tracks teams were invited to celebrate Indigenous Business Month in Mackay with a Meet the Buyer/Supplier Networking event, which allowed them to foster relationships with Indigenous business suppliers. The event was hosted by the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. Following the success of last year’s event, a move the MECC allowed for additional supplier and buyer attendance. Approximately 25 Indigenous businesses attended, and several members of the BHP Local and Indigenous Sub-Committee were also present. The C-Res Business Development Team connected with buyers and suppliers on the day, and as a result have commenced onboarding new Indigenous businesses.
The C-Res team had three hours of engagement in one-on-one conversations with local businesses on a range of topics, including advice on how to best utilise the Local Buying Program. The team from Indigenous Business Builders also shared information on how Trading Tracks is providing essential support measures to local Indigenous businesses. These conversations promote and strengthen and improve our working relationships with our local Indigenous businesses.
This terrific event presented a unique platform for Queensland Indigenous businesses looking to grow their operations by gaining greater visibility across BHP assets. Presentations in Mackay by Local Buying Program Suppliers, Dodd Taylor Group and Budby Smith Group, as well as Yarbun Creations, were well received. It was a fantastic opportunity to hear first hand how these businesses are adapting to current markets and how their businesses benefit through connections made via the Local Buying Program.
The Local Buying Program is critical to BHP’s Indigenous procurement, adding economic and social value to the regions where BHP operates. BHP Buyers are utilising the LBP portal to identify Traditional Owner and Indigenous Businesses in the region capable of delivering quality goods and services to site. As a result of this engagement, Indigenous procurement is expanding, which means Indigenous businesses are growing their capacity and capability.