Texas Instruments and supplier diversity
Texas Instruments generates roughly $17 billion in annual revenue and manufactures semiconductors at facilities across Texas, including its flagship wafer fabs in Dallas and Sherman. That footprint makes TI one of the larger private buyers of manufacturing-adjacent services in the state.
TI maintains a formal supplier diversity program as part of its broader supply chain operations. The program aligns with Texas's state-level supplier diversity requirements and with the commitments TI makes to large customers who report their own Tier-2 diverse spend. The supplier diversity function sits within TI's procurement and supply chain organization, not in a standalone community affairs office — which matters for how you approach outreach.
TI has not published a specific diverse spend target in its public disclosures as of 2025, but it does report supplier diversity participation in its annual corporate responsibility reporting. The program emphasizes its Texas-based manufacturing supply chain first, which means local and regional diverse suppliers have a real edge in categories tied to fab operations.
Which certifications carry weight
TI recognizes the standard third-party certifications used across Fortune 500 supplier diversity programs:
MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) — issued by NMSDC regional councils. TI's Texas presence means a certification from the North Texas Regional Minority Supplier Development Council (NTMSDC) or the South Texas Regional Council carries particular relevance.
WBE (Women's Business Enterprise) — issued by WBENC affiliates. In Texas, that is the Women's Business Council Southwest (WBCS), a WBENC-certified regional partner.
SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business) — verified through the SBA's Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program. TI sources from veteran-owned businesses as part of its program scope.
LGBTBE (LGBT Business Enterprise) — issued by the NGLCC. Recognized but less central than MBE/WBE for manufacturing-category sourcing.
DOBE (Disability-Owned Business Enterprise) — issued by Disability:IN. TI's participation in Disability:IN's corporate programs creates a path here.
WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) — the federal SBA designation. Relevant if you also pursue federal subcontracting work, but TI primarily uses WBENC certification for its internal tracking.
You do not need every certification. Get the one that matches your primary ownership identity from the body that TI's procurement team will recognize. For Texas-based suppliers, NTMSDC MBE or WBCS WBE are the most direct.
Where and how to register
TI uses the Ariba Supplier Network (now SAP Business Network) as its primary supplier registration and sourcing platform. If you do not have an Ariba/SAP Business Network profile, create one before attempting any direct outreach — buyers at TI will ask for it.
The registration process:
- Go to sap.com/supplier-network and create a free supplier profile.
- Search for "Texas Instruments" in the customer directory and request to connect.
- Complete TI's supplier questionnaire within the platform, which asks for business classification, certifications, NAICS codes, and capability descriptions.
- Upload your third-party certification documents directly in the profile.
TI also maintains a supplier diversity contact pathway through its corporate website under the Supply Chain section. The direct URL changes periodically, so search "Texas Instruments supplier diversity" to find the current registration page rather than bookmarking a URL.
One practical note: TI runs a qualification process before adding suppliers to its approved vendor list. Registration is step one. Getting qualified for an active category is step two and can take three to six months depending on category volume and audit requirements.
Product and service categories TI sources from diverse suppliers
TI's manufacturing supply chain drives the majority of its external spend. The categories where diverse suppliers have historically found traction include:
Facility and maintenance services — janitorial, landscaping, HVAC maintenance, and facility repairs at wafer fabs and assembly plants. These are often local contracts and a practical entry point.
Construction and renovation — TI is actively expanding its Sherman, Texas fab (a $30 billion investment announced in 2022 under the CHIPS Act). That project alone creates subcontracting opportunities in site prep, concrete, electrical, and mechanical work.
Logistics and transportation — inbound materials logistics, interplant transfers, and last-mile delivery.
MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) — tools, safety equipment, consumables. TI consolidates MRO spend through distributors but also works with certified diverse distributors directly.
IT services and staffing — software development support, IT infrastructure services, and contingent workforce staffing for engineering roles.
Professional services — legal, accounting, HR consulting, and training. These categories are smaller dollar but faster to access because they bypass the manufacturing qualification process.
Packaging materials — TI ships semiconductors globally and sources packaging components from a broad supplier base.
If you sell into one of these categories and hold a current certification, you are in scope for TI's program.
Practical steps to get in front of buyers
Start with the Ariba profile. Every TI buyer checks it. An incomplete profile is a silent disqualifier. Include your NAICS codes, write a clear capabilities statement (two to three sentences, specific to what you make or do), and attach your certification certificate with the expiration date visible.
Contact the supplier diversity team directly. TI's procurement organization has a supplier diversity point of contact who manages the certified supplier pipeline. After registering in Ariba, send a short email to TI's supplier diversity office. Subject line: your company name, certification type, and primary NAICS code. Body: two sentences on what you do, one sentence on your Texas footprint if applicable, and a link to your Ariba profile. Do not attach a 20-page capability deck to a cold email.
Attend NMSDC Annual Conference. TI participates in NMSDC's national conference and typically staffs a booth or sends procurement team members. The conference runs in October each year. Matchmaking sessions at NMSDC give you a 10-minute structured meeting with a corporate buyer — the most direct access available outside of a warm introduction.
Attend the WBENC National Conference and Business Fair if you hold a WBE certification. TI participates through WBENC's corporate member program.
NTMSDC events are worth prioritizing for Texas-based suppliers. The North Texas regional council hosts matchmaking events and business opportunity fairs where TI procurement staff have appeared. Membership in the regional council (required to maintain your MBE certification) gets you onto the event calendar.
Target the Sherman expansion project. The $30 billion fab expansion under CHIPS Act funding will run construction and supplier intake through 2030. TI has stated publicly that the project includes supplier diversity goals. If you work in construction trades, engineering services, or related categories, track TI's Sherman project office directly and ask about subcontractor intake.
Ask your customers for introductions. If you already supply another Fortune 500 manufacturer in Texas, ask that supplier diversity manager for a peer introduction to TI's team. Corporate supplier diversity professionals know each other, and a warm introduction cuts months off the qualification timeline.
Realistic timeline and what to expect
Months 1–2: Get your certification current (if not already), create or update your Ariba profile, and send an introduction email to TI's supplier diversity team.
Months 2–4: Attend a regional NTMSDC event or NMSDC matchmaking session. Follow up after any meeting within 48 hours with a short note and your Ariba profile link.
Months 4–9: If TI has an active need in your category, you may receive an RFQ (Request for Quotation) through the Ariba platform. Respond on time and completely. TI's procurement process is formal — late or incomplete RFQ responses do not get a second chance.
Months 6–18: First purchase order. The range is wide because it depends on category urgency, your price competitiveness, and whether you pass TI's supplier qualification audit (which may include a site visit for manufacturing and logistics categories).
Do not expect a phone call from TI after submitting your Ariba registration. The platform is the queue. Buyers pull from it when they have an active need. Your job between now and that moment is to stay current in certifications, stay active in NMSDC and WBENC networks, and follow up at conferences where you have face-to-face access.
One more thing: TI expects suppliers to carry commercial general liability insurance, provide W-9 documentation, and in some categories pass a business continuity review. Have those documents ready before you get to the RFQ stage. Nothing kills a deal faster than a supplier who goes dark on paperwork when a buyer is ready to move.
