One lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of a reliable American supply chain for personal protective equipment. A new facility opening in Katy will bring not only jobs but vital and easily accessible PPE to the area.
Medline, the largest privately-held medical products distributor and manufacturer in North America, has recently completed construction on a new PPE distribution center building in Katy.
The 1.2 million-square-foot facility will manage and deliver tens of thousands of medical products for major hospital systems and nursing homes in the Houston area, according to Jesse Greenberg, public affairs director for Medline.
“As a major supplier of PPE, our team members have been working around the clock since the start of the pandemic,” Greenberg said. “We have a really hard-working group who are dedicated to supporting frontline healthcare workers.”
About 270 current Medline employees will be moving to the new location in Katy when it opens next year. Medline plans to hire another 100 new employees for the center.
The new facility will feature state-of-the-art technology, including an advanced robotic picking system, hands-free voice picking systems and a wireless communications system. The building is designed to be energy efficient, with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design- certified compliance to minimize environmental impact.
Greenberg stated that Katy was chosen as the site of the new center due to its location near major thoroughfares and its convenient infrastructure for businesses.
“Katy and Waller County have been very supportive to Medline to grow our business and it was a priority to find a location near our existing distribution to expand,” said Greenberg. “We especially like that all of our 270 team members will be moving to our new facility. It gives us a great base to add to our team.”
The abundance of medical facilities in the area were also a consideration for the Katy location.
“Major health systems are consolidating, and at the same time, we are becoming the prime vendor for an increasing number of hospitals and nursing homes,” Greenberg said. “Our investment in Katy gives us more capabilities, the latest technology and more space for our current and future customers.”
