SUPPLIER QUALITY

SUPPLIER QUALITY

Quality has been an integral part of our Mission since co-founder Earl Bakken penned it in our Mission in 1960, "To strive without reserve for the greatest possible reliability and quality in our products; to be the unsurpassed standard of comparison and to be recognized as a company of dedication, honesty, integrity, and service."

We consider our Suppliers a key partner in our pursuit of quality for our customers, and the patients who depend on our products and therapies.

We can never be content with what we achieved last year, last quarter, or even yesterday. That's why we're training our key suppliers on the importance of quality to our products and the patients who use them.

The following key elements of supplier quality are included in our Supplier Quality Excellence Manual (available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese), which we expect suppliers to read and comply with:

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION

Continuous innovation is critical for us to continue fulfilling our Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend lives. But innovation isn’t limited to big medical breakthroughs. A revolutionary new way to tool a part is just as important in improving our products.

We work closely with suppliers to improve the design, reliability, and manufacturability (DRM) of our components and products.

We expect all our suppliers to:

• Be active and dedicated throughout the entire process
• Be open to changes
• Look for ways to continuously improve in all aspects of their company