The National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. has announced its 2010 Regional Minority Supplier of the Year winners.
"These minority-owned businesses represent the best companies among NMSDC's certified suppliers," said NMSDC President Joset B. Wright. "Their tenacity and resilience allow them to thrive in a recovering economy, and continue to deliver great products and quality service to their corporate customers. NMSDC is proud to recognize their achievements."
One winner of the Class III category, which applies to businesses with sales between $10 and $50 million annually, was a minority-owned frozen pizza manufacturer, Chicago-based Reggio's Pizza Inc., supplying supermarkets across the country.
John M. Clark Jr. is president and CEO of Reggio's Pizza Inc., the only Black-owned-and-operated frozen pizza manufacturer in the world. Since its inception as a retail carryout and delivery operation in 1972, the company has witnessed tremendous growth and secured distribution to major grocery chains in more than 40 states. The firm has 177 employees. Reggio's Pizza is in the freezer section of Kroger, Safeway, Shop N' Save, Ralphs and Walgreens.
In 2009, the company reported sales of $13 million and projects sales to be $14 million in 2010. The firm spent $150,000 with other MBEs last year and plans to spend $175,000 this year. For the past 38 years, Reggio's Pizza has received numerous awards from civic, social and business organizations, including being named one of the 10 "Most Outstanding Minority Businesses" by the Minority Business Report in 2000.
The 15 regional winners are nominated by their corporate customers and divided into four classes based on annual sales. NMSDC-certified Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American businesses are evaluated on the basis of business growth, development and performance, community service and the ability to overcome challenges brought on by the company owner's heritage or background.
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