Better Health for All

Avnet's core business involves distributing electronic components and embedded solutions, which are neutral in terms of direct health impact, even though they enable health-related products. The company's safety record, including a FY24 Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.310771 and a Lost Time Injury (LTI) Severity Rate of 0.013062, pertains to employee safety, not user harm from products, and is therefore not applicable to this value.

Avnet maintains a global Ethics Alertline, available 24/7 in multiple languages, and conducts annual risk mapping. However, the global completion rate for Code of Conduct and privacy/security training was 99.2% in 2023 and 99.3% in FY24, indicating a small percentage of employees did not complete the training. Avnet's operations have no significant health externalities. The company's 2023 and FY24 compliance training completion rates for Code of Conduct and privacy/security were 99.2% and 99.3% respectively, indicating a small percentage of employees did not complete the training. Avnet participated in COVID-19 response initiatives, including donations to the UN Foundation's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, matching employee donations, providing surgical masks and sanitizer, and donating 3D printers for PPE production. The company also partnered to accelerate COVID-19 digital health deployments, including a wearable device for temperature measurement. Avnet supports employee well-being through its THRIVE program, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering counseling and life coaching, and webinars on mental health and financial well-being. Avnet supports STEM education and literacy programs, including scholarships for first-generation college students.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

Avnet's CEO-to-median-employee pay ratio was 196:1 in the 2024 fiscal year, with the CEO receiving $8,775,978 and median employee pay at $44,824.

The company has incurred a total of $44,285,523 in penalties since 2000, including $34,027,684 for employment-related offenses and $12,200 for safety-related offenses. Specific violations include a $34,000,000 benefit plan administrator violation in 2010, a $27,684 labor relations violation in 2014, and workplace safety or health violations in 2011 and 2013. Employee reviews mention concerns about low salaries, promotion opportunities, layoffs, age discrimination, favoritism, and sexual harassment being ignored. However, Avnet Asia branches received several HR awards in 2022, including "Best Companies to Work for in Asia" and "Great Places to Work" certifications in India and Japan, based on employee feedback.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Avnet reported no specific forced or child labor incidents in its FY24 and FY22 sustainability reports, and states a zero-tolerance policy for such practices.

The company conducts human rights and environmental risk assessments on its supply chain, including an ABAC risk index assessment that ranked 134 business segments in FY24. For remediation, Avnet requires SCAR responses within 15 business days and communication of in-process failures within 48 hours (24 hours for automotive customers). The company integrates its Supplier Code of Conduct into procurement processes, with 79% of EMEA suppliers reporting an established corporate social responsibility program in FY25. Avnet spent $195 million with diverse suppliers in 2022 and has a goal of $300 million for 2025.

Honest & Fair Business

Avnet has a global Code of Conduct, translated into over 15 languages, that applies to all employees, officers, board members, and subsidiaries.

Regular employee training on this Code of Conduct is mandated. The company maintains an Ethics Alertline, hosted by a third-party provider (EthicsPoint – NAVEX Global), for reporting potential violations. The policy explicitly prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers, with disciplinary action up to and including termination. However, the effectiveness of this program is not publicly measured. The Code of Conduct also addresses ethical business practices, including anti-corruption, and includes anti-corruption risk assessments. While the policy is comprehensive and covers all markets, it lacks customization for high-risk areas, and its effectiveness metrics are not publicly available.

Kind to Animals

Avnet, Inc. has a policy of "No Animal Exploitation."

The company has used zero animals in testing since 2010. Avnet's core business model does not involve animal-derived products, animal husbandry, or animal agriculture, making several KPIs not applicable. The company did not participate in lobbying activities or make direct political contributions in FY24. While Avnet is involved in developing elephant trackers for conservation, there is no measurable impact data provided for this initiative.

No War, No Weapons

Avnet Asia, a subsidiary of Avnet, Inc., engaged in illegal shipments to China and Iran.

This included 29 shipments to Iran and China between 2007-2009 valued at approximately $347,000, and 18 shipments to mainland China between 2012-2015 valued at approximately $814,000. A total of 53 illegal shipments valued at over $1.2 million occurred between October 2007 and January 2014, involving items subject to Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or the Iran Sanctions Program. Sales were made to a company on the BIS Entity List without required licenses. Avnet Asia paid a $1.508 million monetary penalty to the Department of Justice and an administrative settlement of approximately $1.72 million for these violations. The article also highlights the falsification of export documents, implying inadequate end-use monitoring. Avnet's terms and conditions state that customers must comply with export laws and obtain necessary licenses, and indemnify Avnet from claims arising from the use of products in weapons of mass destruction. Avnet annually conducts a reasonable country of origin inquiry (RCOI) and due diligence for conflict minerals, aligning with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. In 2023, 68.8% of 484 suppliers submitted completed Conflict Minerals Reporting Templates (CMRTs), and 68.0% submitted valid CMRTs. Of the 351 identified smelters and refiners, 64.1% were RMAP Conformant, 1.7% were RMAP Active, 8.3% were Non-Conformant, and 25.9% were Not Enrolled in RMAP. Avnet's policy commits to sourcing minerals responsibly and avoiding those contributing to armed conflict or human rights abuses in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs), including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or adjoining countries. The Conflict Minerals Governance Committee, consisting of senior management members, annually reviews this policy.

Planet-Friendly Business

Avnet's total Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions for FY24 were 5,115,658 tCO₂e.

The company reported a 7.7% decline in total emissions from CY22 to FY24. In FY24, 18% of Avnet's operational energy consumption was sourced from renewable sources, with a target to reach 30% by CY25. The waste diversion rate for FY24 was 83%, exceeding its CY25 target of 75%. Avnet has a stated net-zero target year of 2050.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Avnet has established at least 13 distinct formal partnerships with various community and educational groups, including the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Arizona Diamondbacks, Bosque Urbano, SciTech Institute, several universities, HandsOn Greater Phoenix, American Red Cross, and Hackster.io.

However, the company's reinvestment in local community development is very low, with only 0.00355% of its FY25 revenue ($788,300 out of $22.2 billion) donated to charitable organizations. No cultural appropriation incidents were reported. The company provides standard grievance mechanisms like an Ethics Alertline, available 24/7 in multiple languages, and an intranet 'Report a Concern' page. Avnet demonstrates strong language inclusivity, with its Code of Conduct published in 18 languages, global EHS training in 20 languages, and customer surveys translated into 22 languages. Over 87% of people managers globally completed Inclusive Leadership Training in FY25, which is not explicitly cultural sensitivity training, placing it at industry standard.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Avnet diverted 88% of its waste from landfill in FY25, exceeding its target of 75% by FY25.

The company operates take-back programs for batteries and electrical/electronic devices where legislation dictates. Avnet has implemented numerous waste reduction initiatives, including increasing on-site waste sorting, moving towards more zero-to-landfill contracts, optimizing packaging, and collecting employee ideas for waste reduction. In FY25, Avnet generated 50 metric tons of total hazardous waste, with 1 metric ton disposed and 49 metric tons recycled. The company has not reported any waste disposal violations in the past three years. Avnet has a company-wide target to divert 75% of waste from landfills by FY25. The company's Global Supplier Quality Handbook covers environmental policies, and it encourages suppliers to adhere to the RBA Code of Conduct. Avnet provides customers with Substances of Very High Concern content reports and offers BOMcheck verification services, along with training and counseling on health and safety issues related to products if requested. In FY21, Avnet started a phased program to rationalize the size and makeup of transit boxes and other packaging types, focusing on eco-friendly void-fill and product protection options. Avnet holds zero-to-landfill contracts in the U.K., some European facilities, and Singapore, but no specific zero waste certifications are mentioned for its facilities.