H-E-B recently opened its much anticipated MacGregor Market in the South Houston area. Not only did this store bring a much needed option for fresh groceries, it also brought jobs and other business opporunities to the community. Subcontractors USA met with H-E-B’s Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity, James Harris to discuss the involvement of local suppliers and subcontractors in the development of this store.
With H-E-B building in this community, how important was it to include minorities and others that live in this community on the project?
Harris: This was really special for us because typically, for H-E-B, when we go into a community, it is more than just giving them a great shopping experience. We really want people to say and feel “this is my H-E-B.” We had a number of suppliers and subcontractors who helped us build the store, so it really is their H-E-B, the community’s H-E-B. We have products on the shelves from local suppliers in this specific community, and we created over 400 jobs for the people in this community. So I think it is easy for everyone to be proud of the jobs we have created as well as the new ideas and technology made for this store that are not available in our other locations.
While looking around, it is clear this store has diversity and inclusion in it. Diversity is the who and inclusion is the how. And I think it is evident in this store that H-E-B cares who we include and how we include them.
How does this store compare to the stores in some of the high-end locations in Houston?
Harris: This store is bigger than several of our ‘higher-end locations’ such as Bellaire and Montrose. This store also has newer and more products to offer than any of those stores.
So, by bringing other contractors in to help with this store, they hire more people in the community as well, creating even more jobs. Can you expand a little on that?
Harris: Yes, that is a very good point. Not only are we providing jobs inside the store, but having subcontractors work on the store, it pays great dividends and has the gift that keeps on giving. What I mean by that is, they are hiring people, providing health benefits to them and tax base revenue, so now city council members and the mayor are happy because there are more people employed.
When you do something like putting a great store in the community, you hire people in that community for the store, you sell products created in that community and you hire people in the community to actually build the store, and then they turn around and hire even more people from the community to help them. H-E-B is proud of how we do business, and we look to hire people that care for business and the community the same way we do.
Subcontractor Spotlight
Samuel Thomas is the owner of After All Cleaning and Construction Inc. He has over 45 years of experience in the cleaning industry. AACC is MBE, WBE, SBE and HUB certified. No matter the project, the AACC team encourages a “Get it Done Right” attitude. AACC is appreciative to have been chosen as one of the subcontractors for H-E-B’s MacGregor Market project.
Robert Brown established Brown & Son Communications Wiring, LLC in 2002 after working 30 years at SBC Communication, Inc. As a HUB certified company, he has successfully completed numerous projects throughout Texas and Louisiana territories. Brown & Son Communications has proven to be a reliable provider of structured cabling services for existing and new construction for companies such as CBI Construction, Joeris General Contractors and now H-E-B.
