The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council announced a new strategic partner at its 2016 Annual Meeting, held on Thursday, March 3^rd at AT&T’s Midtown II Auditorium. The GMSDC – the state of Georgia’s leading small business development and supplier diversity advocate – has entered into a landmark strategic partnership with Mercedes Benz USA. Now designated as The Official Car of the GMSDC, MBUSA will sponsor GMSDC events and offer exclusive fleet discounts to GMSDC-certified Minority Business Enterprise firms. Small business owners from the GMSDC community may lease or purchase fleet cars through the program at substantial discounts. MBUSA, which recently relocated to Atlanta, is in the process of building a new headquarters location in the Sandy Springs area.

Mercedes Benz USA, the domestic division of the Daimler Corporation of Stuttgart, Germany, is a recognized leader in the luxury automobile industry. The partnership with GMSDC is a result of the shared vision and leadership positions of the two organizations. “The GMSDC is the go-to organization for small business development and inclusive procurement,” says Tedd Meurer, the Southern Region Manager for Corporate Sales at MBUSA. “This relationship offers a wonderful synergy between two top organizations that set the tone for their respective industries. Now, the business owners that drive the American economy will have unprecedented access to the finest cars on the road.”  

The new partnership will also feature MBUSA at high-profile GMSDC events, where the Mercedes Benz brand will be on display, as well as other opportunities for the automaker to engage with corporate members and MBEs alike through sponsorship and networking events. Stacey key, the President and CEO of the GMSDC, is excited about the new MBUSA relationship. “We are thrilled to associate with a brand that is known the world over for excellence and technological innovation,” says Key. “The Mercedes Benz reputation for safety, product quality and industry leadership make this partnership a true win-win for both of us. This is what we like to do at the GMSDC – add value to our constituents at every opportunity.”