To Our Valued Customers,
We want to provide an update about how Henry Schein is responding to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the potential implications from this outbreak of war on our supply chain and global operations.
First and most importantly, we open our hearts to the innocent victims of this war. We are committed to helping the civilians in the middle of armed conflict by supporting medical teams providing care to alleviate the suffering of those in, and fleeing from, Ukraine. As is the case anywhere and on any continent, it pains us to see the outbreak of war and the loss of life, and we can only hope that the war in Ukraine ends soon and with minimal suffering.
To that end, Henry Schein will support the Ukrainian people and the refugees from this war with an initial commitment of at least $350,000 in cash and product, working with our long-standing humanitarian aid partners to move goods safely into the region. In addition, the Company and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation will match contributions up to $25,000 from our Team Schein Members to support the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
As for the supply chain implications of the war, at present, we are not aware of any direct supply chain issues stemming from the war in Ukraine. Henry Schein uses its global scale and supply chain expertise to source products and secure delivery to our customers, and we work continuously with our global supplier network to minimize disruption. Should there be shortages in a specific product, we do all we can to ensure adequate availability of alternative products. Of course, if conditions in the global medical supply chain or other aspects of our operations were to change drastically, we will be sure to provide you an update.
A final word: This war is personal for me. In February 1936, my parents fled Nazi Germany to escape persecution and the early rumblings of war in Europe, finding refuge in pre-Apartheid South Africa. As the son of refugees, I am shocked and dismayed by the outbreak of war once again in Europe – 77 years after the end of World War II. While we must respond in the moment to the humanitarian crisis, the more lasting work required of people of goodwill is a re-commitment to promoting the values of a peaceful world. This work is never truly done, as we are now painfully reminded, but it is no less urgent if we are to avoid in this century the strife and sorrow visited upon Europe in the previous century.
Many thanks, as always, for the privilege of serving you.
Sincerely,
Stanley M. Bergman
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
