More than 60 women business owners, WBEC-W representatives and corporations attended the event, representing approximately 25 companies. Attendees learned the ins and outs of doing business with local corporations and what companies look for in potential suppliers.

Cathy Bowen, Henkel’s Supplier Diversity representative, participated in a panel discussion with other local companies including Bank of America, Perini Building Company, APS, and American Express. “We are proud to support WBEC and women business owners and to utilize diverse suppliers. We actively seek diverse suppliers through minority and business development organizations and provide the maximum opportunity for women and minority owned business enterprises who are interested in doing business with Henkel,” said Bowen.

Diversity at Henkel means valuing the experiences and perspectives of employees, customers and suppliers to create products and solutions that drive long-term success in markets. It is about creating a dynamic mix of people and ideas. Henkel views supplier diversity as a source for suppliers who can offer creativity and innovative thinking.

Henkel is committed to Supplier Diversity through other organizations such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council, and Women’s Business Enterprise Council Western Region.

About Henkel:

Henkel markets a wide range of well-known consumer and industrial brands in North America, including Dial® soaps, Purex® laundry detergents, Right Guard® antiperspirants, got2b® hair gels, and Loctite® adhesives.

For more than 130 years, Henkel has been a leader with brands and technologies that make people's lives easier, better and more beautiful. Henkel operates in three business areas – Home Care, Personal Care, and Adhesive Technologies – and is ranked among the Fortune Global 500 companies. More than 60 percent of Henkel’s sales are in fast-moving consumer goods, while the industrial business accounts for almost 40 percent of the company’s total sales. In fiscal 2008, Henkel generated sales of 14.131 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of 1.46 billion euros. Our more than 55,000 employees worldwide are dedicated to fulfilling our corporate claim, "A Brand like a Friend," and ensuring that people in more than 125 countries can trust in brands and technologies from Henkel.