| General Information and Benefits |
| Company Profiles |
| Search Tips |
| Working with Your Results |
| Supplier Diversity |
| Back to Top General Information and Benefits |
What is the B2B Supplier Directory?How can I help make the B2B Supplier Directory better for me and other Cardmembers?Is there a charge for using or being listed in the B2B Directory?How do I contact Customer Service? |
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Q: What is the B2B Supplier Directory?A: The American Express B2B Directory is a resource for in-depth information on hundreds of thousands of B2B companies - that is, companies that do business primarily with other businesses. All companies listed in the B2B Directory accept the American Express Card. |
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Q: How can I help make the B2B Supplier Directory better for me and other Cardmembers?A: You can submit any suggestions you have about the B2B Directory by clicking the Beta Feedback link in the left navigation menu on the site. You can also recommend a supplier that you would like to see in the B2B Directory by clicking on the Recommend a Supplier link, also in the left navigation menu. |
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Q: Is there a charge for using or being listed in the B2B Directory?A: No. As an accepting American Express B2B merchant, you are automatically listed on the B2B Directory at no charge! |
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Q: How do I contact Customer Service?A: For assistance or answers to questions, Cardmembers should call 1-800-238-8087 and Merchants should call 1-800-528-5200. |
| Back to Top Company Profiles |
Where does Company Profile information come from?Is the information in the B2B Supplier Directory current?Why can't I find a supplier?How can I update my Company Profile information?How do I remove my company's listing from the B2B Directory? |
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Q: Where does Company Profile information come from?A: Merchants complete Company Profiles and are encouraged to validate and update their information. If you are an American Express merchant, help us post the most accurate information about your business by updating your profile here. |
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Q: Is the information in the B2B Supplier Directory current?A: We update company information on a monthly basis. |
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Q: Why can't I find a supplier?A: There are a few reasons why a supplier won't be found in the B2B Directory. The supplier may reside outside the US and Canada and this directory currently includes only North American suppliers. It is also possible that a vendor has asked to not be included in the directory or does not qualify as a B2B Directory supplier. Finally, a supplier that does not accept the American Express Card will not be listed in the directory. If you suspect this to be true, please Recommend a Supplier and we will reach out to that supplier. |
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Q: How can I update my Company Profile information?A: You can update your Company Profile information (e.g. e-mail, mailing address, link to your Web site, customized merchant description, etc) online at no extra charge. American Express reviews the changes and once verified, updates your Company Profile the following month. |
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Q: How do I remove my company's listing from the B2B Directory?A: You can remove your listing by accessing your Company Profile on the B2B Directory and clicking the Update Your Profile link or call the Merchant Services line at 1-800-528-5200.We will de-list your company within one business day of your request. |
| Back to Top Search Tips |
What should I know before I begin?How do I get started?How do I use the B2B Supplier Directory to find a company?How can I narrow my search results?What are my Saved Searches?How do I access my Saved Searches?How do I create Saved Searches?How do I search for a company by Industry Type?What is my Saved Supplier List?How do I access my Saved Supplier List?How do I select a company as a Saved Supplier?What keyword search strategies should I know?What if I don't know the full name of a company?How does the site "remember" my Saved Suppliers or Saved Searches?How do I search by location?How do I use Industry Codes? |
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Q: What should I know before I begin?A: This site allows you to save search criteria and suppliers by creating cookies on your computer. Please note that if you clear cookies from your computer, you may lose the cookies that "remember" your saved searches and suppliers. If you need to clear cookies, first download, e-mail, or print Your Saved Suppliers and Your Saved Searches so you can easily re-create your lists. |
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Q: How do I get started?A: You can search for a company in the B2B Directory in several ways - by Company Name, Location, Industry Type, etc. or by using keywords associated with a company.Using keywords is one way to start a search if you don't know how to begin. If you're in the market for anything such as lumber, shoes, office supplies, fabric, flour or anything else you need for your business, you can enter it into the Keyword field and start your search. The keywords you enter will then be matched with supplier data that matches those keywords. If you don't get the immediate results that you're looking for, try widening your search by Industry Type by using either the Industry Type drop down menu, or typing the industry into the Keyword field. Keep in mind that the more content you put into a search, the narrower your search results will be. Leaving some fields blank will increase your search results. |
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Q: How do I use the B2B Supplier Directory to find a company?A: You can search for a company in the B2B Directory in several ways - by Company Name, Location, Industry Type, or Merchant Commodity Code (MCC). The more criteria you enter, the fewer search results you'll receive. Conversely, selecting fewer criteria will produce a larger number of search results. |
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Q: How can I narrow my search results?A: There are multiple ways to narrow your search results. You can add more search criteria and click "Search within Results" on the search results page. This will narrow your search by including the information you added into a new search within your current results. You can also use the search filters provided. Finally, whenever you add additional criteria to a search whether it is a zip code or an Industry Type, your search will provide narrower search results. |
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Q: What are my Saved Searches?A: Your Saved Searches make it easy for you to come back to a Search you've previously done. If you have certain suppliers that you use consistently for transactions, you can give yourself easy access to the search criteria you used to find them by creating Your Saved Searches. That way, if you'd like to find out if there are any new competitors that you might try out in order to save your business money, you can use the same search criteria to generate new results. Perhaps you'll find a new supplier that provides you with greater benefits than your existing supplier. |
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Q: How do I access my Saved Searches?A: Access Your Saved Searches list by going to the primary navigation menu on the left side of the B2B Directory home page. Until you have saved searches to Your Saved Searches, there will not be any search criteria listed in Your Saved Searches list. |
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Q: How do I create Saved Searches?A: You can create saved searches very simply by clicking the "Add to Saved Searches" box that appears at the top of the search results list. By clicking this box, you automatically add your current search criteria to Your Saved Searches. |
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Q: How do I search for a company by Industry Type?A: There are three ways to search for a company by Industry Type: using a keyword search, selecting an Industry Type and Industry Sub-Type, or entering up to four MCCs.The listing of Industry Types allows you to select a main category, like "Service Providers," from the first menu, and a subcategory, like "Carpet and Upholstery" from the second menu to narrow your search further. The MCC list allows you to reference a full resource of codes. |
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Q: What is my Saved Supplier List?A: Your Saved Supplier list is a group of businesses you have selected for ready access. Your Saved Suppliers are stored as a "cookie" on your computer and are accessible only from the computer on which you created your list. Keep your list of suppliers on hand so you have them when you need them. Once you have a list of saved suppliers, you can print, e-mail, and download them for easy access and repeat orders. |
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Q: How do I access my Saved Supplier List?A: Access Your Saved Supplier list by going to the primary navigation menu on the left side of the B2B Directory home page. Until you have saved suppliers to Your Saved Suppliers, there will not be any companies listed in Your Saved Suppliers list. |
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Q: How do I select a company as a Saved Supplier?A: Add a business to your list by clicking the box to the left of the Company Name on the Search Results page and clicking the "add to your saved suppliers" icon "+" or choose "add to your saved suppliers" on the Company Profile page. |
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Q: What keyword search strategies should I know?A: Using multiple keywords is an efficient way to get focused search results.
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Q: What if I don't know the full name of a company?A: If you don't know the full name of a company, use the wild card. You may enter a portion of the name along with an asterisk '*' (wildcard search) to aid your search. Examples of wildcards include:
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Q: How does the site "remember" my Saved Suppliers or Saved Searches?A: This site relies on cookie functionality in order to "remember" your Saved Searches and Saved Suppliers. Your Saved Searches and Saved Suppliers are stored as cookies on your computer and are accessible only from the computer on which you created your Saved Searches and Saved Suppliers. |
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Q: How do I search by location?A: You can enter an exact location, an area defined by miles within a zip code of your choice, or select from our list of US states and Canadian regions. |
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Q: How do I use Industry Codes?A: Merchant Commodity Codes (MCC) are universally used by card issuers to categorize industries and are provided for you to use as an alternate search option. You can search by any combination of MCC, Industry Type, and Industry Sub-Type. |
| Back to Top Working with your results |
How can I download my company search results?Can I send search results information via email?Can I print out my search results?How do I access the search results file after downloading it? |
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Q: How can I download my company search results?A: You can download your search results by selecting companies and clicking the download icon on the search results page. You can also download individual companies by clicking the same download icon on the Company Profile page. If you choose the first option, you can pick specific companies to include in your download. |
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Q: Can I send search results information via email?A: Yes. To send selected suppliers via email simply click on the provided email icon. Then, after you provide your email address and submit, an email with a .csv file will be sent to your email address. You can then forward your results via your own email program. |
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Q: Can I print out my search results?A: Yes. You can print your search results by clicking the print icon provided from the results page. A printer friendly page will be provided for you to print. |
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Q: How do I access the search results file after downloading it?A: The results will download as a .csv (Comma Separated Values) file, a native format of Microsoft Excel. You can open it as a worksheet in Excel or a table in Microsoft Access. If the list consists of more then 65,000 companies, you must open it in Access.To import the downloaded search results file to Excel: Locate the downloaded file on your hard drive. Right-click on the file icon or file name. Choose "Rename" from the pop-up menu. Type "download.csv" as the file name. Hit "Enter." To import the downloaded search results file to Microsoft Access 2000: Open Access 2000. Choose "File/Open" from the File bar. Locate the downloaded search results file using the "File Open" dialog box. Click on the file to highlight it and click "Open.". In the "Link Text Wizard" choose "Delimited--Characters such as comma or tab seperated each field" button.. Click "Next." On the next screen, choose the "Comma" button. Click the "First Row Contains Field Names" check box. Click "Finish." Click "OK." In the "Download: Database" window, double-click on the last item in the window. It should be called "Download." |
| Back to Top Supplier Diversity | ||
What is the American Express Supplier Diversity Program?What types of Supplier Diversity designations does American Express capture?What types of Small Business designations does American Express capture?Why is Supplier Diversity & Small Business ownership data collected?Where does American Express obtain ownership data on merchants?How often is ownership data on merchants updated?How do I get my business certified?Can merchants change or delete their ownership data as it appears in the B2B Directory?What is the difference between a Classified and a Certified Small Business?What are the SBA Size Standards?What is a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)?What is a HUBZone?How can I find out if my business is located in a HUBZone? |
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Q: What is the American Express Supplier Diversity Program?A: Message from Kenneth I. Chenault"American Express is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment throughout our organization and to incorporating diversity in our business strategies. That commitment extends to our relationships with suppliers, vendors and other business partners around the world." Kenneth I. Chenault (Chairman & CEO) Diverse Supplier Qualifications We are committed to giving equal consideration to all suppliers, regardless of their size or background. We provide opportunities for small businesses, as well as those owned by minorities, women, people with disabilities, veterans and those who are lesbian/gay/bi-sexual or transgender (LGBT). To make sure we are achieving our supplier diversity goals, we measure and track our annual spend with businesses owned by people in these diverse groups, as defined below and on the next page. Minority-Owned Business Enterprise - at least 51% owned, controlled, operated and managed by member(s) of a minority group of U.S. citizenship. Under this definition, minority group members include:
Disabled Business Enterprise - at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by an individual, or individuals with a permanent mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities and that has a significant negative impact upon the company's ability to successfully compete. Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise - at least 51% owned and operated by a veteran(s) of the U.S. Armed Forces with U.S. citizenship. Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender Business Enterprise - conforming to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) certification criteria (contact NGLCC for more details on LGBT status qualifiers). Small Business Enterprise - does not exceed the size standard for the product or service it is providing as measured by its employment and/or business receipts in accordance with the U.S. Small Business Administration numerical size standards (as defined in FAR 52.219-8, 13 CFR Part 121 and 13 CFR 121.410). Note: All suppliers must be located in the United States or in its trust territories. Certification Requirements Validation of a suppliers diverse status is required for participation in the American Express Supplier Diversity Program. Certification documents from the following qualified agencies are acceptable:
Commodities We Purchase We cannot achieve our business goals without the help of thousands of talented and diverse suppliers. American Express purchases an array of products and services, including:
While we have two main U.S. purchasing locations - New York and Phoenix - we have offices and hire suppliers in cities across the country. In hiring suppliers, we seek those who can provide the best quality, competitive pricing, technological foresight and continuous proactive support. To identify the best value at the best cost, we encourage competition among all suppliers. And we are committed to building long-term, mutually beneficial business relationships with our suppliers. "We provide premium value to our customers through outstanding products and unsurpassed service. We expect the same of suppliers who work with us. In return, we can help suppliers grow their business and prosper in competitive marketplace. " - David P. Peraino, Chief Procurement Officer Program Registration Get Certified To be considered under our supplier diversity initiative, firms must be certified by an official certification agency. We prefer certification from the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the U.S. Pan Asian-American Chamber of Commerce or their affiliates. We also accept documentation from the Small Business Administration, city, state, federal certification agencies or the NGLCC. For more information regarding certification, please visit the following websites to contact the certifying agencies: www.nmsdc.com www.wbenc.com uspaacc.com www.nglcc.org Register Complete a Supplier Profile Form (available on our website at www.americanexpress.com/supplierdiversity). Mail your completed Supplier Profile Form and a copy of your diverse status validation (certification) to: Supplier Diversity American Express TRS Co., Inc. 2512 W. Dunlap Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85021 M/S 40-02-04 American Express cannot guarantee that all diverse suppliers who submit applications will become suppliers to American Express. However we are committed to working with qualified suppliers who fully meet the criteria set in our Supplier Diversity Program. All suppliers who apply will receive a letter providing status of their submittal. Second Tier Opportunities American Express Second Tier Suppliers are subcontractors and/or suppliers used by an American Express contracted supplier to provide goods and/or services under their American Express contract. We request that our suppliers actively demonstrate their commitment to diversity by working with, and committing a percentage of expenditures to, small businesses, minority, women, people with disabilities, veterans and LGBTs. All American Express suppliers are required to provide us with quarterly reports that quantitatively measure their purchases of goods and services from diverse second tier suppliers. Contact Us To learn more about the American Express Supplier Diversity Program, please contact us: Purchasing Services: Supplier Diversity American Express TRS Co., Inc. 2512 W. Dunlap Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85021 M/S 40-02-04 1-888-885-5993 E-mail: supplier-diversity@aexp.com www.americanexpress.com/supplierdiversity |
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Q: What types of Supplier Diversity designations does American Express capture?A: We capture the following designations on all Level II and Level III Card-accepting merchants, and Level I merchants in B2B industries (Business Services, Business Retail and Wholesale):Certified/Classified Minority Owned Businesses
Certified Disabled Owned Businesses Certified Veteran Owned Businesses Certified Service Disabled Owned Businesses Classified Historically Black Colleges or Universities |
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Q: What types of Small Business designations does American Express capture?A: We capture the following designations on all Level II and Level III Card-accepting merchants, and Level I merchants in B2B industries (Business Services, Business Retail and Wholesale):Classified Small Business Certified Small Disadvantaged Business Certified Small HUBZone Business |
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Q: Why is Supplier Diversity & Small Business ownership data collected?A: Corporate Clients and Small Business Cardmembers require supplier classification and certification information as part of their procurement reporting process to comply with their internal Supplier Diversity programs and Government contracts.The data offering further supports our commitment to good citizenship by providing a convenient resource for Cardmembers to locate diverse and small business suppliers who accept the Card and complimentary advertising for suppliers. |
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Q: Where does American Express obtain ownership data on merchants?A: American Express has partnered with a third party vendor to provide detailed merchant classification information. To capture comprehensive socioeconomic data, the vendor works directly with more than 300 seed sources to document firms owned and operated by minorities, women and other protected classes. The seed sources include private and public agencies at the Federal, State and Local levels. Several examples of certifying agencies are NMSDC (National Supplier Diversity Council) and its regional affiliates, WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council), NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), and SBA (Small Business Administration). |
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Q: How often is ownership data on merchants updated?A: At a minimum, we update each merchant's ownership status annually. |
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Q: How do I get my business certified?American Express encourages diverse merchants to obtain certification with the appropriate organizations. Online information on certification criteria and process is available from websites of the certifying organizations. For a complete hyperlinked list of certification organizations, please click here. |
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Q: Can merchants change or delete their ownership data as it appears in the B2B Directory?A: To ensure the accuracy of data we provide to Cardmembers, we rely only on information verified by the certifying agencies for ownership status changes. Please check with the appropriate agency in question to verify your certification and send the following information to B2B.Directory.Merchant.Profile@aexp.com :
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Q: What is the difference between a Classified and a Certified Small Business?A Classified business is either a self-identified protected class firm or firm that non-certifying sources have identified as belonging to a specific diverse group. Non-certifying sources include: minority and women business publications, ethnic- and gender-specific chambers of commerce and trade associations or general business sources where the majority owner is identified as ethnic minority and/or female.A Certified business has provided documentation proving a protected class status to Certifying agencies. Additionally, the Certifying agencies have subjected these businesses to periodic reviews and/or audits to validate that the firm is >51% owned and operated by a protected class individual or individuals. |
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Q: What are the SBA Size Standards?Size Standards define whether a business concern is considered small by the Small Business Administration and thus eligible for certain types of Government and private contracts reserved for small businesses concerns. It is a numerical definition of a small business, which is considered "small" if it meets or is below an established "Size Standard." The SBA has developed these Size Standards based primarily on a merchant's industry, number of employees and/or annual receipts.The most common SBA Size Standards are as follows:
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Q: What is a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)?According to the Small Business Administration, their SDB certification allows small socially and economically disadvantaged business concerns to be eligible for specific Federal contracting opportunities. For a definition of a SDB, click here. |
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Q: What is a HUBZone?According to the Small Business Administration, their HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program stimulates economic development and creates jobs in urban and rural communities by providing Federal contracting preferences to small business. |
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Q: How can I find out if my business is located in a HUBZone?Simply log on to the Small Business Administration's website at www.sba.gov/hubzone and select the option? Are You In A HUBZone? You can search the system using a combination of address, city, state, county and zip code criteria. |