A billion reasons to celebrate for small businesses

BHP’s Local Buying Program has reached a major milestone with more than A$1 billion spent with small, local and Indigenous businesses across regional Australia.

Since its launch in 2012, the program has helped nearly 1600 small businesses become part of the BHP supply chain, involving over 67,000 work packages with an average payment period of seven days.

BHP President Minerals Australia, Geraldine Slattery said: “More than $1 billion spent through BHP’s local buying program is a huge milestone. BHP depends on the capability and talent of the many small, local and Indigenous businesses who support our operations across Australia. It’s been wonderful to see them flourish as we forge new and deeper partnerships together.

“Local businesses are vitally important to BHP’s success, and to the capacity of regional Australian communities to create and sustain jobs. We look forward to seeing our local buying program go from strength to strength.”