Mays Chemical Company

Mays Chemical Company is one of many successful diverse-owned suppliers that has seen immense growth since first joining Cargill’s supply chain. 

The company was first introduced in the 1990s to supply chemicals for Cargill Salt, the wet milling process, and salad dressing components. Since then, Mays Chemical has received numerous honors, including the Corporate Plus distinction awarded by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). 

By working with companies like Cargill and certifying organizations like NMSDC, Mays Chemical gained access to networking events and business opportunities that were crucial to business growth. Mays Chemical was conducting business with Kellogg's, Abbot Labs and Eli Lilly prior to Mays Chemical conducting business with Cargill and was able to win business with new customers thanks to connections through Cargill’s Supplier Diversity team and NMSDC. 

Growing and investing in the success of other diverse-owned businesses is a goal of Mays Chemical. It is why Mays Chemical Vice President of Sales Jeff Kenton frequently participates in NMSDC events and shares business practices with other NMSDC members. 

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused challenges for many global supply chains, including the chemical sector, Mays Chemical continuously seeks ways to understand better their own supply chains as well as the supply chains of their customers. 

“Today, we need to be even more connected so that we can extrapolate information. We need to strategize with procurement to illustrate where we have leverage – where we are strong and based on those strengths, how we can assist Cargill,” said Kenton on the future partnership between Mays Chemical and Cargill.  

Today, Mays Chemical has a 70% customer retention rate, proving it competes and earns business through their sheet knowledge and ability to exceed expectations while servicing their customers’ business.