Diamond Packaging was named an “External Business Partner of the Year” by Procter & Gamble during P&G's annual External Business Partner Recognition Dinner on October 23, 2013. Nearly 80 top suppliers and agencies attend the annual event to recognize and celebrate key contributors who demonstrate partner excellence.

“We are extremely honored to have won this prestigious award,” says Karla Fichter, chairman, CEO and president of Diamond Packaging. “Our partnership with Procter & Gamble is especially rewarding because of our shared commitment to innovation and value creation.”

Diamond was one of 15 suppliers from P&G’s more than 82,000 suppliers and agencies who received the highest honor of being named “External Business Partner of the Year.” Suppliers achieve this distinction by consistently scoring the highest in broad-based quantitative and qualitative evaluations by P&G employees throughout the supply chain.

Diamond was recognized for providing packaging solutions for multiple products lines, including P&G's Gillette division (blades, razors), Old Spice and Secret Clinical Strength antiperspirants and deodorants, and Crest 3D White Whitestrips. Diamond has reportedly also been instrumental in the success of several P&G product launches, including its recent Gillette Fusion ProGlide global launch.

Speaking at the event, A.G. Lafley, P&G’s chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer, said: “For P&G, the primary drivers of growth and value creation are innovation and productivity. P&G’s external business partners help us deliver both, creating value for consumers, customers and shareholders alike.”

Diamond also received an Excellence Award for the fifth time in the last six years. Only about 0.1% of P&G's global suppliers received this distinction for consistent high performance.

“I congratulate all of our award winners, especially those who were recognized as ‘External Business Partner of the Year,’” says Rick Hughes, chief purchasing officer. “Our external business partners are a critical part of the P&G team and a true competitive advantage.”