Gov. Edwards, Medline Announce Major Distribution Center In Louisiana

ST. TAMMANY, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Medline announced the company will build an 800,000-square-foot distribution center and create 464 new direct jobs in St. Tammany Parish, near Covington. The $39 million medical supply facility will replace a smaller Medline distribution center between Covington and Goodbee, and the company is evaluating potential new sites of up to 100 acres for the expansion in St. Tammany Parish.

With the project, Medline will retain 36 existing jobs while creating 464 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $37,400, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 611 new indirect jobs, for a total of more than 1,070 new jobs in Southeast Louisiana.

“With excellent infrastructure on Interstate 12, and ready access to Interstates 10, 55 and 59, St. Tammany Parish is extraordinarily well-positioned to provide state-of-the-art logistics along the Gulf Coast and into the central U.S.,” Gov. Edwards said. “We’re delighted that the largest privately held provider of medical supplies recognizes the value proposition that Louisiana delivers in logistics, workforce and business climate. This project will be a game-changer for St. Tammany Parish that provides new opportunities for our people and economic diversification for our state.”

Medline’s new distribution facility will feature 800,000 square feet of storage, warehousing and shipping space, with the capacity to expand by 200,000 square feet in the future. The company currently operates a 200,000-square-foot warehouse facility in the parish. Construction of the new facility is expected to begin by January 2020 with commercial operations to begin in 2021. Hiring for the new roles will begin in the months leading up to the new facility’s opening and will ramp up to 464 new employees over the next 10 years.

Headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, Medline is the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies in the U.S., ranking No. 32 on the Forbes list of largest private companies. The company was established in 1966, with roots dating back to 1910. Medline has more than 23,000 employees worldwide, and operates 60 distribution facilities across the globe.

”As healthcare in the region grows, we are very pleased to expand our operations here,” said Bill Abington, executive vice president of global operations for Medline. “The location is ideal for a larger Medline hub that also can accommodate future growth. We are grateful to the state, Louisiana Economic Development and officials in St. Tammany Parish who have recognized the potential of the project and worked to bring it to fruition.”

Medline provides healthcare programs and products to providers across the continuum of care – from hospitals and surgical centers to assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospices and physician offices. The distribution facility will manage packaging and shipment of all medical supplies ordered by the individual healthcare providers of the Southeast U.S. region, including items such as exam and surgical gloves, face masks, isolation gowns, reusable textiles, incontinence products, electrosurgical products and housekeeping supplies. The company also distributes durable medical equipment, monitors and other medical equipment.

QUOTE FROM ST. TAMMANY CORP. | Chris Masingill

LED began discussing a potential expansion with Medline in April 2019. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered a competitive incentive package that includes the comprehensive solutions of LED FastStart^® – the nation’s No. 1 state workforce development program. The company will receive a performance-based grant of $2 million, which will be applied to infrastructure costs supporting the project. Medline also is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs Program. With St. Tammany Parish, the company is negotiating a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, or PILOT incentive.

“We are proud that GNO Inc. has been part of the local, regional and state team that has worked with Medline, and are thrilled that Medline has chosen to invest $39 million in St. Tammany Parish to develop an innovative distribution facility,” said President and CEO Michael Hecht of Greater New Orleans Inc. “Medline’s expansion marks one of the most significant investments in recent St. Tammany history, creating 464 new direct jobs for the people of South Louisiana. We congratulate St. Tammany Parish and Medline for this important economic development partnership.”

About Medline
Medline is a healthcare company: manufacturer, distributor and solutions-provider focused on improving the overall operating performance of healthcare. Medline works with both the country’s largest healthcare systems and independent facilities across the continuum of care to provide the clinical and supply chain resources required for long-term financial viability in delivering high-quality care. With the size of one of the country’s largest companies and the agility of a family owned business, Medline is able to invest in its customers for the long-term and rapidly respond with customized solutions. Headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, Medline has more than 20,000 employees worldwide and does business in more than 90 countries. For more information, visit Medline.com.