Walmart moves on U.S. manufacturing pledge

Walmart is joining forces with a new supplier database provider to support the retailer’s manufacturing initiative, which aims to find U.S. suppliers to manufacture products.

The move is part of Walmart's commitment to invest $250 billion in products that will support and create American jobs by 2023. Based on data from Boston Consulting Group, it is estimated that one million new U.S. jobs will be created through this initiative.

Responding to feedback from its vendors that finding U.S. sources of supply was a challenge, Walmart says it found the solution in ThomasNet.com, an industry-leading platform for product sourcing and supplier discovery.

“As a proud supporter of U.S. manufacturing for over 100 years, we were honored when Walmart asked us to join its domestic manufacturing initiative”, said Tom Greco, VP of ThomasNet. “Our Corporate Edition of ThomasNet.com was designed exclusively for Walmart to offer suppliers immediate access to over half a million U.S. manufacturers of products, components and custom services.”

Greco and ThomasNet Director of Audience Development Donna Cicale debuted the new ThomasNet.com Corporate Edition for Walmart at its U.S. Manufacturing Summit on July 8 in Bentonville, Ark.

“ThomasNet is helping Walmart give our vendors options to find the quality products and services they need to be competitive,” said Michelle Gloeckler, EVP Consumables & US Manufacturing Lead at Walmart. “This goes a long way in creating business opportunities in the U.S. that drive job growth within the manufacturing industry.”

The ThomasNet.com Corporate Edition for Walmart includes exclusive features such as:

My Approved Suppliers: Companies can add their approved supplier list to the platform so they can easily see when an existing vendor might meet the need for a different product.

Single-Send RFI: Users can invite an unlimited number of suppliers to reply to a single request for information, quote, or proposal.

RFI Follow Up: ThomasNet will follow up with suppliers to determine disposition of an RFI and help expedite a response.

Collaboration Tools: Users can share “saved suppliers” and shortlists with others in their company.

Walmart has 11,462 stores under 71 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries.