AmerisourceBergen 2007 Annual Report Download - page 12

The foundation of AmerisourceBergen Corporation’s corporate
citizenship is our ongoing financial success. Our first responsibility
as a public company is to increase shareholder value. We believe
the most efficient way to accomplish this over the long term is to
run our business in a manner that adheres to all applicable laws,
provides transparency into our financial results, and respects our
associates and other business partners. We acknowledge that in
order to achieve sustainable success, we must understand and be
sensitive to the legitimate interests of our various constituencies
— includingshareholders,customers, suppliers, associates,
communities,andneighbors. To that end, we apply initiative
andcreativity as well as financial support towards improving
theeconomic,social andphysical well-being ofthe communities
in which our Company operates, and encourage and support the
efforts of our associates to make their own contributions.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Our success as a Company depends on our ability to
continually drive efficiency while continuously improving safety
and accuracy in our warehouses and other operations. In 2005,
AmerisourceBergen was the first national wholesaler to declare
that it would only purchase pharmaceuticals for distribution in the
U.S. directly from theproduct’s manufacturer, virtually eliminating
the risk that counterfeit or otherwise adulterated product could
enter our U.S. distribution system. We utilize online customer
ordering systems, run paperless warehouses, and ship the majority
of our orders to our customers in reusable plastic totes. We utilize
sophisticated programs to manage product placement in the
warehouse,savingboth timeandtheamount of energy expended
in picking orders. We use route planning technology to reduce
thenumber of trips and stops delivery drivers have to make.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AmerisourceBergen continuously seeks ways to align our
Board of Directors and Company management with shareholders’
interest. Only one member of management serves on our Board,
andthe Board is chaired by an independent director. The Audit
and Corporate Responsibility Committee, the Compensation and
Succession PlanningCommittee,andtheGovernance and Nominating
Committee consist entirely ofindependent directors. In the fall
of2007, the Board revised the Company’s charter to allow for
majority votingin uncontested elections.
We regularly review our corporate governance principles,
codes of conduct and other governance policies to ensure that
they remain effective. In addition, all Company associates are
required to participate in ongoing compliance and ethics training.
The Company demands that all of its associates treat others with
respect and observe all applicable laws and regulations regarding
employment practices and business relationships. AmerisourceBergen
is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and has several Affirmative
Action programs in place throughout the Company.
In addition, theCompanyis committed to promoting
an inclusive environment where all associates feel valued and
respected, are provided the opportunity for professional growth
and development, and appreciate the unique perspectives and
talents that collectively make AmerisourceBergen the leader
in healthcare distribution services and solutions. The Company
offers a non-discriminatory andcompetitive benefits package
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Corporate & Social Responsibility