Company: Avnet Inc., Phoenix, AZ
Company Description: Avnet, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Electronics

Nomination Title: Avnet Inc.

Tell the story about what this nominated organization achieved since January 1 2011 (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

In a year of CEO transitions and an uncertain economy, Avnet outperformed. Sales for 2011 broke records and the company is well positioned for continued. Expanding into cloud computing and building upon existing distribution programs and pre-packaged solutions position Avnet for continued growth. And while Avnet is recognized as an industry leader, it is also recognized for its community involvement, sustainability, and as a great place to work.

Key Events:

February 8, 2012 - Avnet Receives 2011 Showcase in Excellence Award from Arizona Quality Alliance for its Avnet Global Solutions Center 5S processes.

March 2, 2012 - Avnet Named "World's Most Admired Company" in Its Industry by Fortune for Fourth Consecutive Year.

"Avnet's solid performance in 2011 demonstrates the company's ability to help our customers and suppliers take advantage of growth opportunities around the globe," said Rick Hamada, chief executive officer of Avnet, Inc. "I am extremely proud of our team for receiving this recognition once again. Avnet's continued presence at the top of Fortune's list of Most Admired Companies is a testament to our employees' ability to deliver highly-valued and differentiated services that accelerate the success of the partners we serve."

May 2011 - Fortune 500 Rank 132 in 2011, up from 142 in 2010, with an 18% increase in revenues. Down to 108 in 2012!

August 10, 2011 - Sales for the fiscal year ended July 2, 2011 increased 38.5% over the prior fiscal year to a record $26.5 billion.

Rick Hamada, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We began our fiscal year with three significant value-creating acquisitions that expanded our global footprint in higher growth markets and increased our customer base and franchised supplier line card. These investments, combined with double-digit, year-over-year organic growth, added over $7 billion to our top-line.

October 4, 2011 - Avnet, Inc. Named Socially Responsible Corporation of the Year by Casimiro. Avnet received the distinct recognition in part because of company programs offered to support employee volunteer efforts, Avnet's Dollar for Doers Program , and Avnet's Matching Grants program.

October 24, 2011 - Avnet Named One of the Top 12 Green-IT Organizations in the U.S. for its use of technology to reduce energy consumption. Avnet was also named to Newsweek's 2011 Green Rankings .

November 28, 2011 - Avnet New Jersey Office Awarded LEED Certification, showcasing the company’s successful efforts at sustainability.

February 8, 2012 - Avnet Receives 2011 Showcase in Excellence Award from Arizona Quality Alliance.

"Avnet is committed to realizing the highest levels of operational excellence in everything we do," said Gerry Fay, chief global logistics and operations officer at Avnet. "The Avnet Global Solutions Center team earned this recognition from the Arizona Quality Alliance which demonstrates our team's ability to create efficient work environments that deliver high-quality solutions to our customers."

Potential Going Forward

Avnet is uniquely positioned to grow faster than the market and leverage that growth into increased economic profits/shareholder value. INVESTOR Presentation 12/11

Avnet will be “building on the momentum for 2012, Hamada said

Upload a collection of supporting files and web addresses to our server to provide more background information to the judges. You may upload any number of attachments and URLs through the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above. (Do NOT list your URLs below.)

Avnet 2011 Sales Hit $26.5 Billion, Share Buyback Announced
http://www.thevarguy.com/2011/08/11/avnet-2011-sales-hit-26-5-billion-share-buyback-announced/

Avnet, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2011 Results
http://www.avnet.com/prl/home/0,1965,RID%253D0%2526CID%253D65735%2526CAT%253D%2526CCD%253DUSA%2526SID%253D9358%2526DID%253DDF3%2526LID%253D9368%2526PRT%253D%2526PVW%253DN%2526intY%253D%2526TYP%253DCO%2526BID%253DDF3%2526CTP%253DPRL,00.html

INVESTOR Presentation 12/11
http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/AVT/1800907488x0x529072/f5c50d52-c49f-4c00-9b2b-1319543c8c66/Analyst_Day_2011_Presentation_FINAL_3.pdf

Avnet, Inc. Named Socially Responsible Corporation of the Year by Casimiro
http://www.avnet.com/prl/home/0,1965,RID%253D0%2526CID%253D66284%2526CAT%253D%2526CCD%253DUSA%2526SID%253D9358%2526DID%253DDF3%2526LID%253D9368%2526PRT%253D%2526PVW%253DN%2526intY%253D%2526TYP%253DCO%2526BID%253DDF3%2526CTP%253DPRL,00.html

Avnet Named One of the Top 12 Green-IT Organizations in the U.S.
http://www.avnet.com/prl/home/0,1965,RID%253D0%2526CID%253D66521%2526CAT%253D%2526CCD%253DUSA%2526SID%253D9358%2526DID%253DDF3%2526LID%253D9368%2526PRT%253D%2526PVW%253DN%2526intY%253D%2526TYP%253DCO%2526BID%253DDF3%2526CTP%253DPRL,00.html

February 8, 2012 - Avnet Receives 2011 Showcase in Excellence Award from Arizona Quality Alliance
http://www.avnet.com/prl/home/0,1965,RID%253D0%2526CID%253D66856%2526CAT%253D%2526CCD%253DUSA%2526SID%253D9358%2526DID%253DDF3%2526LID%253D9368%2526PRT%253D%2526PVW%253DN%2526intY%253D%2526TYP%253DEM%2526BID%253DDF3%2526CTP%253DPRL,00.html

Avnet Named "World's Most Admired Company" in Its Industry by Fortune
http://www.avnet.com/prl/home/0,1965,RID%253D0%2526CID%253D66899%2526CAT%253D%2526CCD%253DUSA%2526SID%253D9358%2526DID%253DDF3%2526LID%253D9368%2526PRT%253D%2526PVW%253DN%2526intY%253D%2526TYP%253DCO%2526BID%253DDF3%2526CTP%253DPRL,00.html

November 28, 2011 - Avnet New Jersey Office Awarded LEED Certification
http://www.avnet.com/prl/home/0,1965,RID%253D0%2526CID%253D66665%2526CAT%253D%2526CCD%253DUSA%2526SID%253D9358%2526DID%253DDF3%2526LID%253D9368%2526PRT%253D%2526PVW%253DN%2526intY%253D%2526TYP%253DCO%2526BID%253DDF3%2526CTP%253DPRL,00.html

Avnet CEO: Cloud Impacts Way We All Do Business
http://www.thevarguy.com/2011/07/11/avnet-ceo-cloud-impacts-way-we-all-do-business/
Jul. 11th, 2011 by Dave Courbanou

Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated organization:

Rick Hamada has more than 28 years of experience with Avnet and a broad background in the technology industry, spanning from his early career as a technical specialist to leading a multi-billion dollar sales and marketing organization. He was named Avnet Chief Executive Officer in February 2011, effective July 4, 2011, and was concurrently elected to Avnet's Board of Directors. He spearheaded efforts to drive profitable growth through enterprise initiatives focused on operational excellence, employee engagement and customer engagement.