As a result, the majority of our manufacturing facilities are outside of the United States, as are about 60 percent of our employees. This helps manage cost fluctuations around the world. It also advances sustainability by transferring technology, developing local economies and reducing resources used for transport. Baxter considers its suppliers an extension of its manufacturing process, and holds them accountable to the highest ethical and quality standards. Supplier Diversity Baxter purchases a wide variety of goods and services from national and international sources.
Raw materials comprise the greatest portion of annual purchases.
Due to the significant barriers to market entry, small businesses in the United States and Puerto Rico, including those owned by minorities and females, are rarely found in the areas of medical grade thermo plastic resin, medical grade rubber and latex used in the manufacture of medical and pharmaceutical products. However, Baxter has sourced extensively for small business suppliers in the other commodity areas for several years. To help us identify qualified minority and women-owned firms, we have aligned with several national and local organizations, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Awards and Honors Baxter has been recognized worldwide for its manufacturing and quality leadership. We have received national quality awards from a number of countries including Canada, Colombia and Singapore. Our manufacturing facility in Marion, North Carolina, one of the world's largest intravenous solutions plants, received the 1999 Shingo Prize for manufacturing excellence.