Distribution Watch: Avnet, Ingram Micro March 2013

Happy Friday, and welcome to this week’s Distribution Watch, our weekly collection of things distribution-related. It’s a slow week in distribution land, but I’ve managed to find a few gems from Avnet (NYSE: AVT) and Ingram Micro (NYSE: IM). So hold on tight and let’s get to it.

Avnet: The Phoenix-based distributor was recognized as one of the top 10 large firms on the Phoenix Business Journal’s “2013 Healthiest Employers in the Valley” list, which highlights Phoenix-area employers that are committed to creating healthy workplaces. Avnet is ranked No. 9 on the list for its Healthy Steps wellness program for employees nationwide.

Avnet’s Healthy Steps worksite wellness program offers motivation, resources and incentives to help employees make lasting lifestyle changes and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In 2012, Healthy Steps included 90-day programs focused on reducing metabolic syndrome, 10-week Weight Watchers at Work programs at multiple Avnet locations, tobacco cessation programs and a 10,000 Steps walking program. Avnet also provided employees with direct access to six- to eight-week behavior change programs to help manage their health, exercise more, lose weight, quit smoking, sleep better and reduce stress.

In addition to the structured programs, Healthy Steps supported employees’ health choices by publishing food nutrition facts in the Avnet cafeterias, establishing a fresh produce co-op, launching a Twitter account for health tips, and promoting available programs through email and intranet communication campaigns. In 2013 Avnet began encouraging employees to stop using tobacco products by offering a discount on medical contributions to employees who are tobacco-free and providing tobacco cessation programs for those interested in making a change.

Ingram Micro: The global technology distributor and new owner of Indianapolis-based mobile application lifecycle company BrightPoint (now Ingram Micro Mobility) has ponied up a $100,000 charitable gift to Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis. The funds will be used to support the supplemental instruction services offered through the college’s student resource center.

“Ingram Micro’s acquisition of BrightPoint gives us a second home in Indianapolis, and we recognize the importance of supporting education in the communities in which we work and live,” said Bashar Nejdawi, president, Ingram Micro Mobility North America.

BrightPoint, which Ingram Micro acquired in October 2012, has a long history of support for Ivy Tech Community College.

“We have always enjoyed an excellent relationship with BrightPoint and are very excited to have Ingram Micro Mobility’s continued support in helping provide resources for the more than 27,000 students who rely on the services of our resource center each year,” said Kathleen Lee, Ivy Tech chancellor. “Both Ivy Tech Community College and Ingram Micro Mobility are devoted to the city that is our home, and this is a wonderful celebration of the power of education.”

And that’s Distribution Watch for another week. Check back next week to see what’s happening in the distribution space. Until then, stay warm and stay safe.