Wal-Mart Holds Fourth Supplier Open Call

Cindi Marsiglio

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville invited more than 500 suppliers of U.S.-made products to pitch products at the company’s fourth “Open Call” on Wednesday.

The event is part of the retailer’s 2013 pledge to spend $250 billion on American-produced goods for Walmart and Sam’s Clubs stores and Walmart.com. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was a guest speaker at the opening meeting for the third consecutive year and praised Wal-Mart’s role in the state’s historically low 3.4 percent unemployment rate.

“Wal-Mart’s commitment to manufacturing has made a difference, and that’s what I want to underscore,” Hutchinson said. 

More: Wal-Mart seeks new products amid battle with Amazon.

Dan Bartlett, the company’s executive vice president of corporate affairs, said suppliers from 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were at the Open Call. Wal-Mart said a quarter of the suppliers were owned by women.

Cindi Marsiglio, vice president of U.S. Manufacturing for Wal-Mart, said the company has made good progress since its 2013 commitment.

“We’ve come a long way; we certainly still have more work to do,” Marsiglio said. “We’ve seen first-hand that by supporting American jobs and American manufacturing, it’s great for our customers, it’s great for business and it’s really great for the communities that we serve.”

Wal-Mart Chief Marketing Officer Tony Rogers said products made in the U.S. results in more jobs in the U.S. He said research shows buying American has become more important to 41 percent of Walmart customers, and 69 percent of Walmart customers buy U.S.-made products to support and increase local jobs.

Rogers said Wal-Mart launched a national advertising campaign June 10 — with assistance from Aerosmith’s song “Dream On” — to publicize how buying American products creates jobs.

“We’re loud and proud with this thing,” said Rogers, addressing suppliers during the opening session. “We’re making a significant investment in marketing to tell people about all the great stuff you’re doing.”