SAN FRANCISCO, California -- Steve Higgins has left Higgins Purchasing Group, the company which he founded.

The company would not confirm his departure but it was well known on the West Coast that he resigned this past week. Higgins himself could not be reached for comment.

Higgins Purchasing is one of the largest independent purchasing groups in the world with major contracts with the world's largest hotel operators like Starwood.

The company recently opened an office in Hong Kong, reflecting the growing demands by major clients for Higgins to have an onsite presence in Asia.