Dell warns potential North Carolina suppliers to be flexible, competitive.

Byline: Richard Craver

Apr. 6--Dell Inc. told Triad companies yesterday that they must be flexible and internationally competitive if they want to provide services or supplies to its Forsyth County plant.

Dell executives also cautioned that companies shouldn't expect preferential treatment because they are based in the Triad.

The executives held an information presentation for about 700 business representatives at the Benton Convention Center.

Leslie Campbell, a Dell vice president for WorldWide General Procurement, was asked during a question-and-answer session whether local suppliers would have an advantage in landing a contract if all things were equal.

"That's a difficult question to answer because all things are never equal," Campbell said. "We look at every individual project and suppliers separately as part of our total value proposition. …