Thursday, July 21, 2022
Medline celebrated the opening of its new LEED-certified distribution center in Grayslake, Illinois, today. The facility spans 1.4 million square feet, making it the largest medical-grade distribution center in the United States. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor, local dignitaries, representatives from Medline, Lake County Partners, major hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare providers in the region.
Brian Bevers, Senior Vice President of Operations at Medline, expressed his gratitude for the support and excitement about expanding Medline's presence in Lake County. Medline has been operating in the county for almost 50 years and looks forward to further contributing to the community through the new Grayslake facility.
Valued at $125 million, the state-of-the-art facility handles the distribution of thousands of medical products and devices to various healthcare providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory surgery centers, hospices, and physicians' offices. The opening of the Grayslake facility has resulted in the creation of 350 new jobs, with a projected total of nearly 700 jobs at full capacity. The facility is expected to process over $1 billion in annual orders.
Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim emphasized the significance of Medline's deliberate decision to expand its presence in Lake County. She commended the company for its continued investment and support in the community, noting that the hundreds of jobs provided by Medline are crucial not only during challenging times like the pandemic but also during more stable periods.
Mayor Rhett Taylor of Grayslake echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the economic growth experienced by the village and Lake County as a whole. Medline's investment aligns with the vision for the Cornerstone development by the Alter Group, one of the largest master-planned projects in the United States.
The Grayslake distribution center is part of Medline's $2 billion Healthcare Resilience Initiative, a national capital expenditure campaign that includes new distribution centers, manufacturing capabilities, and information technology upgrades. This initiative underscores Medline's commitment to providing exceptional customer service. Additionally, Medline plans to spend around $2.5 million annually with local vendors for maintenance, operations support, and upkeep of the Grayslake distribution center. Medline currently operates six facilities in Lake County, employing over 3,000 team members.
Kevin Considine, President and CEO of Lake County Partners, highlighted the remarkable growth in advanced manufacturing and life sciences in Lake County. He emphasized the importance of strategic investments in local talent and infrastructure to support businesses and maintain a favorable business climate. Medline's success in the community serves as a testament to these factors.
As a leading provider serving top healthcare systems, Medline operates over 50 distribution centers and more than 20 manufacturing facilities across North America. With a catalog of 300,000 unique medical products, including over 65,000 manufactured by Medline, the company plays a crucial role in the healthcare industry.
