Four Healthcare Companies Receive Inaugural Medline Preferred Vendor Recognition Award

MUNDELEIN, IL–(Marketwire – July 13, 2010) – Medline Industries, Inc., the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare supplies, today announced the winners of its inaugural 2009 Preferred Vendor Recognition Awards. Selected by a panel of executives from Medline’s Preferred HealthCare Division, the Preferred Vendor Awards were given to four Medline partners who not only demonstrated outstanding performance in sales and operations but also have collaborated as a true partner in Medline’s initiatives and in achieving mutual goals.

The following companies were honored at Medline’s 2010 National Meeting and Sales Conference in Montgomery, TX:

• Rookie Vendor of the Year: SunTech Medical (Morrisville, NC) was recognized for their support and sales growth of the SunTech 247 vital signs device since Medline launched the product in May 2009. 
• Vendor of the Year: Abbott Diabetes Care (Alameda, CA) was honored as the Vendor of the year who demonstrated a strong commitment to sales and marketing, as well as operational and supply chain excellence.
• Sales Merit Award: Abbott Nutritional (Columbus, OH), and Caltech Industries (Midland, MI) were both recognized for showing outstanding sales growth over the prior year while maintaining key economic initiatives.

“Our partnership with vendors is an essential element of our success with our customers,” said Maroun Abouzeid, president of Preferred HealthCare. “We thank all our partners for their contributions and congratulate our award-winning partners for their ongoing leadership.”

About Medline Industries, Inc.
Medline, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended-care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest-growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 450 major hospitals and healthcare systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities and on-staff clinicians.

Medline has a growing network of 34 distribution centers around the country, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 180 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers’ specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.