Supplier engagement & resiliency

Our commitment to engaging small suppliers supports a resilient supply chain by expanding our footprint, driving greater innovation, and further stimulating the economy.  We champion the success of small businesses as they play a critical role in the economy and are the source of many innovations that make us a leader in healthcare distribution and related services. 

We promote the success of small businesses.

In FY24, we engaged more than 1,000 small suppliers across the United States. Our spend with veteran-owned businesses was $26.6B. As with most recent years, the life sciences industry, which includes many of our direct suppliers, witnessed growth among small businesses. Our increase in spend with Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) was encouraging as it highlighted our efforts to increase the awareness of small businesses among our team members and customers. We will continue to launch initiatives in FY25 to bring greater awareness of our current small business partners as we seek to maintain our growth momentum.

Cencora Marketplace is an example of how we are demonstrating our commitment to support and elevate small suppliers. In FY22, we piloted Cencora Marketplace, a platform to connect verified manufacturers with our independent pharmacy customers to help them secure inventory and community needs.

FY24 program highlights

Economic inclusion program

Cencora’s direct purchases of approximately $3B from small businesses supported $4.6B in cumulative revenues earned by all businesses impacted by our economic inclusion program. Cencora’s small business generated $468.2M in FY24 in personal, business, and sales taxes. 

Spending with small suppliers

Cencora’s spending with small suppliers supported an estimated 12,710 jobs within our supply chain and in the suppliers’ communities. 

Purchases from small suppliers

Cencora’s purchases from small suppliers supported jobs throughout the supply chain that paid employees a total of $543M in wages. 

Cencora’s small business

Cencora’s small business generated $468.2M in FY24 in personal, business, and sales taxes. 

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