Sep. 7, 2006 — Promet Energy Partners LLC, Detroit, has formed a strategic partnership with Mittal Steel USA, in the process becoming the company's first major minority energy supplier.

Promet Energy Partners has already commenced natural gas shipments on a level that is comparable to those of many of the major producers. Kenneth Jakubowicz, Mittal Steel USA’s Director of Purchasing, said "Mittal Steel is committed to our supplier diversity program, and we are very pleased that Promet Energy Partners LLC has been able to meet the stringent supplier reliability and service criteria established. Mittal and Promet have created a cooperative relationship that has been beneficial to both parties via the use of supplier mentoring and other participative programs. We look forward to expanding these opportunities to other areas of our supply chain."

"We are pleased with our relationship with this growing tier-one energy supplier," said Paul Ciesielski, Supply Manager, Natural Gas Procurement for Mittal Steel USA. "Greg White and his team have demonstrated an ability to perform at our level of expectations with regard to service and reliability, and we look forward to a long-term relationship."

"There's a need in the energy industry today for minority-owned businesses with the capabilities to serve sizable customers," said Greg and Tami White, Promet co-founders and senior officers of the company. "Our non-broker status is key to our business model and very attractive to large companies such as Mittal Steel."

The Whites said Mittal Steel's commitment to energy diversity is raising the bar on minority procurement.

Promet Energy supplies natural gas and electricity to local distribution companies and large industrial businesses in the Great Lakes region. The company's mission is to serve as the leading African-American-owned and -managed energy supplier by meeting the highest performance standards and improving customer purchasing diversity. Promet Energy has offices in Detroit, Chicago and Baltimore.