American Hero Company,

ScanSource

Carter LeCraw, CFP

Jauary 18, 2012

America is better off because of American Hero Companies like ScanSource (symbol SCSC), a distributor of specialty technology products headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. Mike Baur, the current CEO, began the company in 1992 with only six employees. Today it has over 1000 employees and annual revenues approaching 3 billion.

Its growth and success are impressive, but it's the values of the company that allowed ScanSource to qualify as an American Hero Company. Scansource has stated core values that include "integrity, innovation, community service, and valuing differences". Stating values is one thing but living them out is another. Our research indicates that these stated values are not mere words.

From a customer standpoint they have made a commitment to ONLY partner with their dealers but never compete. For this reason they refuse to sell directly to end users. This obviously helps to retain a high degree of loyalty from their dealers.

Employees are also valued greatly. Mike Baur maintains an "open door" policy for team members, and, even leads a monthly video-conferenced staff meeting to solicit ideas and suggestions. In an article last April Mr. Baur was quoted as saying, "For ScanSource, a happy, healthy employee is much more productive and will contribute more to our long-term success." From our perspective these appear to be sincere words from a concerned and involved CEO.

ScanSource is very conscious of the community and has even established a charitable foundation that makes contributions to "educational programs, area families, children, and other organizations in need". The company matches contributions from employees to this generous foundation.

We salute the dedicated team at ScanSource. Owning stock in American Hero Companies is a great way investors can support companies like ScanSource which is, in turn, making valuable contributions to their customers, employees, communities and ... America.

Click here for a short video that shows an innovative way ScanSource services its customers.

Carter LeCraw, CEO
American Values Investments, Inc.