Search
 
Alexander Hamilton Awards

Walmart Builds a Working Capital Option to Support Small Suppliers

Treasury & Risk is excited to recognize Walmart for its innovative support of small suppliers that were struggling last spring, in the Covid economy!

Walmart wins a 2021 Alexander Hamilton Award in the category Working Capital Management: Partner Impact

The world’s biggest retailer works with a large number of much smaller companies. In fact, more than two-thirds of Walmart’s 18,000 suppliers are small and midsize businesses (SMBs). “We see tremendous value in our relationships with our small and midsize suppliers, and we are always looking to strengthen that pipeline,” says Brandy Newhof, senior director of global treasury for Walmart.

The need to support small and midsize suppliers became particularly important last year, at the onset of the global pandemic. “Covid-19 was impacting many of our suppliers,” Newhof says. “Some faced local government restrictions on work conditions. Others faced hardships such as employees taking sick time or caring for loved ones who contracted the virus. We determined that our smaller suppliers were most at risk in that environment. On top of that, access to capital was nearly nonexistent for a lot of these companies. We started getting a few requests for changes to payment terms from suppliers in need.”

John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., and Kath McLay, president and CEO of Sam’s Club, jointly wrote a blog post that put it this way: “This is a difficult time for … the companies who produce the products we sell on our shelves and websites. Capital is increasingly maxed for some suppliers as their business models change and shift.”

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited Treasury & Risk content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2023 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Meg Waters

Meg Waters

Meg Waters is the editor in chief of Treasury & Risk. She is the former editor in chief of BPM Magazine and the former managing editor of Business Finance.

More from this author

 

Recommended Stories

Alexander Hamilton Awards Deadline Extended

Alexander Hamilton Awards Deadline Extended

T&R Staff |

The deadline for submitting projects for consideration for the 2024 Alexander Hamilton Awards is now September 11. Submit your innovative initiative today!

Treasury & Risk

Join Treasury & Risk

Don’t miss crucial treasury and finance news along with in-depth analysis and insights you need to make informed treasury decisions. Join Treasury & Risk now!

  • Free unlimited access to Treasury & Risk including case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM publications including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Treasury & Risk

Copyright © 2023 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.