Supplier Diversity

Celebrating 36 Years of ATR International This past weekend marked ATR International’s 36th anniversary! On September 14, 1988, my parents officially opened ATR, a company born in part because of a misunderstanding. A Misunderstanding That Sparked an Idea My father, a Mechanical Engineer, was sent on an interview for a job in a shipyard. Oops—wrong […]

My parents founded ATR on September 14, 1988, which means that ATR’s anniversary is always a few weeks after the holiday each year. The combination of the end of summer and the approaching anniversary makes me reflective. My parents’ courage in taking the leap to become business owners is always a source of pride and […]

I am happy to announce that ATR International recently became certified through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)! This is an important milestone for our company. WBENC Certification, which is awarded to women-owned and -led businesses that pass a rigorous vetting process, is recognized by thousands of corporations and government entities. Becoming WBENC-certified brings […]

The benefits of having a diverse supply chain have been well-studied and documented, proving its positive impact on business success. Supplier diversity drives growth and profitability while contributing to a strong, organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).  People—whether they are potential customers, employees, or vendors—feel more positively about and are more likely to […]

Mi Historia In my early days, I grew up at my grandparents’ business. I watched them help customers as I played with my favorite childhood toys. I loved being with them and eventually became fascinated by their work. I paid close attention and quickly volunteered to answer the phone and assist with customers’ questions – […]

Certification. Proposal. Supply Portal. These terms might strike fear in your heart if you’re familiar with them. But if you are a minority business trying to break into government and corporate supplier ranks, they are your best friends. And while they don’t necessarily suggest the most glamorous or fun parts of doing business, these terms […]

Santa Clara, CA – ATR International (ATR) has been named to the 2022 edition of Staffing Industry Analysts’ (SIA) list of diversity-owned staffing firms. The recognition on this year’s list, billed by SIA as “a great resource for the workforce solutions ecosystem,” is a direct reflection of ATR’s maturation into a diverse supplier of choice […]

I attended the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council’s (WRMSDC) 2022 Excellence in Supplier Diversity Awards Gala the other night, with an emphasis on the gala part! It was a great evening honoring wonderful, well-deserving people and organizations from across the supplier diversity community. It was the first in-person WRMSDC event since before the pandemic […]

The 18th season of Bravo’s cooking competition Top Chef recently premiered. It follows the basic cooking show format – chefs cook, are judged, and someone is eliminated. Top Chef is a season-long competition with a hefty cash prize and other perks for the winner. I enjoy the competition and perhaps get a few inspirations for […]