Mar. 3, 2008

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Ongweoweh Corp is named 2007 Cargill Minority Supplier of the Year

MINNEAPOLIS — Ongweoweh Corp, an Ithaca, NY-based American Indian-owned pallet procurement and management company, has been named Cargill Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Supplier of the Year. The recognition was announced at Cargill’s 3rd Annual Supplier Diversity Forum & Awards Dinner, held Jan. 30, 2008, at Cargill’s Minneapolis headquarters. Suppliers from across the country gathered to celebrate the success of Cargill’s diverse suppliers.

The annual forum brings together leadership from Cargill’s 70-plus business units to showcase the importance of diversity and inclusion to Cargill’s corporate-wide supplier base. Timothy Thomas, Cargill’s director of Supplier Diversity, organized the event. “Cargill is committed to inclusion throughout the supply chain,” remarked Thomas. “Cargill realizes substantial value from its diverse suppliers. Ongweoweh’s successful management of our pallet pool in 2007 saved our company over $300,000.”

Cargill is working to ensure that its supplier spending better reflects U. S. demographics and the consumers who ultimately purchase products made by Cargill’s customers. “We award our contracts based on competitiveness and competence,” Thomas said. “If a supplier effectively addresses cost, quality and service while helping us improve our inclusion goals, we want to give them an opportunity to work with us. Ongweoweh is more than deserving of this award, and we look forward to continued future success working with them.”

Forum guests participated in a variety of activities a including the keynote address by Cargill Chairman and CEO Greg Page and panel discussions with executives from Cargill suppliers and business unit leaders. These discussions offered insight into business strategies and practices of other successful MBE suppliers, as well as best practices for working within the Cargill supply chain. Tsiorasa Barreiro (Akwesasne Mohawk Nation), vice president of sales, represented Ongweoweh on the “Best of the Best Diverse Suppliers” panel where an audience of more than 100 guests and Cargill employees heard him explain how Ongweoweh won the almost $25 million contract. “This honor reflects the hard work of the entire Ongweoweh staff,” said Barreiro. “We don’t intend to rest on our laurels. We anticipate further growth with Cargill and look forward to continuing our strategic partnership.”

Ongweoweh Corp founder and CEO Frank Bonamie (Cayuga Nation) commenting on the successful partnership, said, “Cargill has been a true partner in every sense of the word. We have had their continuous, unmitigated support from the first day we began working together, which truly reflects on the character and integrity of Cargill and of its employees.”

In 2006, Ongweoweh Corp was ranked the fifth-largest American Indian-owned company in the Unites States by American Indian Business News.

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