WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2018—Associated Builders and Contractors recently announced that United Rentals, Inc., the world’s largest equipment rental company, has signed on as the sponsor of ABC’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, including the Diversity & Inclusion Summit and National Diversity Excellence Awards.   

“ABC and our members are committed to building and supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces and supplier networks across the construction industry,” said Michael Bellaman, president and chief executive officer of ABC. “With United Rentals’ commitment, we can continue to expand education programs and career opportunities and deliver best practices to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.”

ABC’s Diversity Committee, which supports the association’s strategic goal to continually grow and deliver value to a diverse and inclusive workforce, was formed to better reach underrepresented communities within the constructions sector. The committee provides leadership and direction to chapters and member companies to promote diversity as an empowering competitive advantage through education, awareness and business practices.

“United Rentals understands that a diverse team of talented individuals makes a company and the industry stronger, so we look forward helping ABC and its members enhance efforts to make the construction industry more inclusive and diverse,” said William Plummer, executive vice president and chief financial officer of United Rentals. “We are proud to be a past winner of ABC’s National Diversity Excellence Award and to continue that commitment through our sponsorship of this important initiative.”

In addition to the Diversity and Inclusion Summit, a meeting for industry leaders and key stakeholders held annually in Washington, D.C., ABC recently launched Diversity Resource Groups, which play an essential role in articulating, promoting and supporting the needs and goals of African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, LGBT, Native Americans, people with disabilities, veterans and women in construction.

The National Diversity Excellence Awards are presented annually, in conjunction with the ABC Convention. Awards are given in six categories to companies that display exemplary diversity leadership in their company, workforce, supply chain and community with best-in-class recruitment policies, retention practices, and education and mentoring programs.

Visit diversity.abc.org to learn more.