Supplier Diversity Program

In the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, we enforce a small business/supplier diversity policy ensuring that equitable opportunities are afforded to small and diverse- owned businesses. We have supplier diversity champions for each division and major categories to oversee, monitor and track diverse supplier spend. In 2017, our diverse spend was $1.2 billion. For the past three years Abbott has increased spend year over year with diverse suppliers on average of 12% as well as increased Abbott prime supplier’s utilization of diverse businesses through subcontracting Tier 2 arrangements. By 2020 Abbott targets diverse spend of $1.5 billion. This target is bonus-relevant for our senior leadership procurement team at Abbott.

We allow suppliers to self-certify however we encourage certifications through private or public 3rd party agencies such as Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), National Women Business Owners Corp (NWBOC), National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) or regional affiliate, US Business Leadership Network (USBLN), Small Business Administration (SBA), National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC), National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA), and National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), etc.

Currently, Abbott tracks spend with the following small business/diverse supplier classifications:

• Alaska Native Corporations/Indian Tribes
• Small Disadvantaged
• Minority
• Women
• Veteran
• Service-Disabled Veteran
• Historically Underutilized Business Zone
• Nonprofits       
• Small
• LGBT Business Enterprises

Outreach and Advocacy Activities

Abbott representatives also participate in local, regional and national matchmaking events and trade fairs. Prospective suppliers are given the opportunity to share their products or services face to face, with Abbott purchasing representatives. A few examples of such events include:

• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) National Conference
• National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo
• Elite Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business National Convention
• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Conference
• Diversity Alliance for Science (DA4S)
• National Veteran Small Business Engagement-(NVSBE)
• NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference

Second-Tier Supplier Reporting

Supplier diversity is a competitive advantage and good citizenship; thus, we strongly encourage our prime suppliers to implement a small business or supplier diversity program. Abbott requests and enforces our top suppliers to submit second-tier reports quarterly through the Abbott automated second tier reporting system.

Getting Started

Begin your company introduction in three steps:

1. Send the following to supplier-diversity@abbott.com:
   • General capability statement – outlining what makes you good at what you do and what differentiates your company
   • Current diversity certification
   • If there is an opportunity for engagement you may be notified, otherwise you may not get a formal response
2. Register here.
3. Self-certify here.

Registration into these systems does not guarantee business with Abbott. These databases are used as a sourcing tool when we are seeking suppliers for product and services.