J&J HONORED FOR COMMITMENT TO BUSINESSES OWNED BY MINORITIES, WOMEN

By Melinda Caliendo
NJBIZ
July 28, 2011

Johnson & Johnson increased its purchases of goods and services from businesses owned by women or minorities by 24 percent between 2009 and 2010 — making it the first health care company to reach the $1 billion in diverse procurement and earning an induction into the Billion Dollar Roundtable. 

The New Brunswick company joined 17 other U.S. companies previously inducted, including Verizon Communications Inc. and Lockheed Martin Corp. 

Johnson & Johnson added more than 80 new minority and women-owned businesses to their supplier roster, and supplied more than $25 million toward helping these businesses obtain certification. The company created an Office of Supplier Diversity in 1998. 

“As the health care arena continues to evolve, we will continue to partner with diverse suppliers to develop innovative solutions that address unmet patient needs and new capabilities that will enable us to deliver heath care for the future,” said William C. Weldon, chairman and CEO, in a statement.