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Wal-Mart’s ‘Open Call’ Draws Governors, Prospective Vendors

3 min read

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. held its second “Open Call” with suppliers of U.S.-made products on Tuesday at the company’s headquarters in Bentonville.

The U.S. Manufacturing Summit is a two-day event held at Wal-Mart’s Home Office and Bentonville High School. In addition to meetings with suppliers, the retailer will hold Supplier Academy workshops on topics such as U.S. manufacturing trends, how to become a supplier for Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club and how to work with local and state governments.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson is scheduled to make a presentation during the general session Wednesday morning at Bentonville High School. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe made remarks at the opening general session on Tuesday.

More: Read more about Wal-Marrt’s manufacturing summit.

The summit is part of the retailer’s initiative, announced in 2013, to spend $250 billion more for American-produced goods for its stores, Sam’s Clubs and Walmart.com. Wal-Mart said it expects to have about 1,000 meetings with suppliers during the two-day event, and 30 states had representatives in booths to meet with suppliers who are looking for locations.

“Today could be your day,” said Greg Foran, CEO of Walmart U.S. “We’re opening our doors to provide opportunity.”

Foran, who was named the CEO of retailer’s U.S. stores shortly after last year’s inaugural Open Call, said he was looking forward to hearing the supplier pitches because he is a “merchant at heart.” Foran said the retailer was “doubly proud” when items it sold are American-made as were customers.

“There’s nothing more that I like doing than getting out there and finding new items that we can sell to our customers,” Foran said. “I love getting my hands on new items.”

McAuliffe said Wal-Mart is the biggest employer in his state, and he has focused on diversifying the state’s economy so it would not be as reliant on federal government defense spending. McAuliffe called Wal-Mart a “great strategic partner.”

“My whole mission has been, how do we diversify our economy?” McAuliffe said. “How do we grow manufacturing?”

Michelle Gloeckler, who oversees Wal-Mart’s U.S. manufacturing initiative, said the retailer has three ways to meet its $250 billion goal. Gloeckler said finding new products is one, the other two: selling more of what is already sold and bringing production of foreign-made goods back to the U.S.

“We need the partnership with you,” said Gloeckler, executive vice president of the consumables and health and wellness divisions and U.S. manufacturing lead for Walmart U.S. “That’s why we’re all here working together the next two days. It’s important for you to know your role in this.”

Gloeckler said Wal-Mart also wants to spend $20 billion on goods produced by women-owned businesses. During her presentation, Gloeckler brought up Jennifer McCullough, who earned a contract with Wal-Mart at last year’s Open Call for her “Chef Jenn” seafood products.

McCullough said she did nearly $500,000 in sales in Wal-Mart stores and the security of the relationship has allowed her to develop new products as she tries to expand her brand.

“First of all, I didn’t think I’d ever get an appointment with Wal-Mart because I was such a small company,” McCullough said. “I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to learn and get some feedback, but I’m sure they won’t pick up my product line. Then what I learned is Wal-Mart does do business with small businesses. If you can only supply 10 stores and they like your product, they’ll roll you out in 10 stores.”

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