Our Commitment to Diversity
Our Workforce: Diverse Ideas
While aspects such as exceptional customer service and industry expertise differentiate Industrial Supply Company from competitors, there is one crucial element that often gets overlooked, and that is the company’s strong commitment to diversity. Having a diverse workforce is one thing that truly defines Industrial Supply. It is the absolute core of their business, and has become a proud tradition that has been enriching their workplace for decades. With 70% of Industrial Supply employees belonging to a protected minority class, it is clear that the business places a high value on fostering a diverse workplace. Additionally, 27% of those employees are female. In an industry that is often dominated by white males, Industrial Supply is doing its part to overcome traditional workplace barriers.
Aside from having one of the most diverse staffs in the field, Industrial Supply is also committed to providing a variety of services and products that reach diverse audiences. They do this by offering a complete Spanish version of their website, as well as Spanish customer service, bilingual signage for the workplace, and bilingual training, as 25% of Industrial Supply’s employees are Hispanic.
Governance: Varied Perspectives
Industrial Supply Company promotes diversity at all levels of their organization. For several decades, the company was a women-owned business. Today, their current 8-member executive leadership team includes two women, two African-Americans, and one Hispanic member. In fact, Industrial Supply’s very own Jessica Yurgaitis (VP of Product Management and Marketing) was recognized by Utah Business magazine in 2014 as one of their “30 Women to Watch.” The company understands that no two people are alike, and in order to achieve success, it is vital to include a variety of perspectives and ideas.
Many members of their leadership team make an effort to stay involved with several other organizations that focus on diversity, in order to continue fostering a work environment that is supportive, healthful, and representative of the team. For instance, Shawn Newell, (VP of Business Development) serves as Vice President of the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP. He is also a member of the Martin Luther King Commission for Human Rights of the Utah Office of Multicultural Affairs, working to promote diversity, equity, and human rights.
Community Involvement: Giving Back
Industrial Supply Company takes an active role in the community. One reason their workforce is among Utah’s most culturally diverse is that they actively support providing employment opportunities to underrepresented groups. The business works closely with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development––specifically the Mentor Protégé Program, focusing their efforts on assisting minority-owned and women-owned businesses to become 8-A certified. This, in turn, encourages greater gender and minority representation within the business sector.
Industrial Supply also gives back through charitable donations to local institutions that contribute to the well-being of the community. They are a proud sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the American Heart Association’s campaign, Go Red For Women, joining the fight against breast cancer and heart disease by donating to each cause and raising awareness every year. Industrial Supply also supports the YWCA of Utah and their efforts to eliminate racism and empower women by recently sponsoring the organization in the Food Truck Face Off event held locally. The company founder, Rudy Orlob, understood that when his community thrived, his business would too. This philosophy is a guiding principle that is still applied to the way Industrial Supply does business.
