Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and CEO of Henry Schein, Addresses Inaugural USA India Business Summit
Remarks focus on “The Road Ahead” for trade between world’s largest economy and one of its fastest growing economies
MELVILLE, N.Y., May 13, 2010 –Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest distributor of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, addressed the first annual USA India Business Summit (UIBS) on May 11 in Atlanta. The Summit aimed to promote business and investment between the United States and India in the key areas of technology, agriculture, health care, infrastructure, supply chain, logistics, real estate and investment, with a special emphasis on connecting entrepreneurs and small-to- medium size businesses.
Mr. Bergman’s keynote address, entitled “U.S. – India Business Relations: The Road Ahead,” highlighted the tremendous business opportunity in India for foreign investment, with the country’s trajectory of economic growth, abundance of young people, a rising middle class, and growing entrepreneurial culture. Mr. Bergman’s address focused on six pillars that will fuel the U.S. – India health care growth trajectory: Excellent relations between the United States and India; the robust Indian pharmaceutical industry; India’s spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship; its leadership in education and manpower; the Indian diaspora; and demographic changes.
“As the world grapples with economic problems, India and the United States have a common vision for solutions that are rooted in democracy,” Mr. Bergman told the gathering of business and government leaders, citing as examples a desire to see more transparent market regulatory regimes that are accountable to their people, and ensuring that the World Trade Organization Doha round and the multilateral discussions on climate change are brought to conclusion in a democratic manner. “And while Indian and U.S. solutions to these problems are sometimes different, the commitment to sustainable development and democracy are a constant theme for both countries.
“Based on this, I am confident that in the years to come, common ground will be uncovered that will pave the way for accelerated growth of business relations between India and the United States.”
Mr. Bergman noted that Henry Schein has had a team of software developers in Mumbai, India since 2003, and successfully introduced into the U.S. market one of the first generic pharmaceutical injectables from India.
Mr. Bergman also touched on his personal and professional relationships with the Indian communities in the United States and in his native South Africa, as well as Henry Schein’s long association with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and the Indian Dental Association.
UIBS 2010 took place May 10-11 at the Cobb Galleria and Conference Center. With a theme of "Growing Business and Promoting Entrepreneurship," the summit helped promote business and investment between the United States and India in key areas of technology, agriculture, health care, infrastructure, supply chain, logistics, real estate and investment, with a special emphasis on connecting entrepreneurs and small-to- medium size businesses. Anand Sharma, Indian Cabinet Minister for Commerce and Industry; Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue; and Meera Shankar, Indian Ambassador to the United States, were among the other featured speakers.
The conference was organized by Georgia Tech Center for International Business Education & Research (CIBER), USA India Initiatives, Inc. (USIII) and US India Business and Research Center (USIBRC), with the support of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, is a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index. The Company is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. Henry Schein’s five businesses – Dental, Medical, Animal Health, International, and Technology – serve more than 700,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health practices, as well as government and other institutions. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items. Henry Schein also provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical, and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 14,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 25 countries. The Company’s net sales reached a record $7.5 billion in 2010. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.
CONTACT: Susan Vassallo
Vice President, Corporate Communications
(631) 843-5562
susan.vassallo@henryschein.com