Medline marks six decades in business

NORTHFIELD, Ill. - Medline celebrates its 60^th anniversary this month. Founded by brothers Jim and Jon Mills, the company began as a modest, family-run operation that manufactured health care apparel for providers in and around Chicago – a natural evolution from the meat-packing aprons, surgical gowns and nurses’ attire that the brothers’ grandfather, A.L. Mills, had started supplying local customers two generations earlier.

Today, the company:

• Distributes approximately 335,000 health care products, including approximately 190,000 under the Medline Brand and about 70,000 of those self-manufactured
• Net sales of more than $28.4 billion in 2025
• 70 global distribution centers
• 30 global manufacturing facilities
• More than 45,000 employees worldwide, including a U.S. commercial team of more than 4,000
• A fleet of 2,100+ MedTrans delivery trucks enabling next-day delivery to 95% of U.S. customers

“The evidence of our impact is unmistakable as we’ve progressed through the years, relentlessly focusing on serving healthcare providers across all points of care, building a massive product portfolio and establishing one of the most robust and resilient supply chains in the industry,” said Doug Golwas, chief commercial officer. “Every moment of every day, as healthcare providers seek to provide the best care for their patients, Medline is right by their side.”

2025: Proudly public

Medline’s initial public offering near the end of 2025 was the largest of the year in the U.S. and the third largest in the last 10 years, raising more than $7 billion to support continued investment in innovation, resiliency and value-driven solutions for Medline customers across all points of care, the company says.

• Related: Medline focuses on mitigation as oil prices, tariffs shift