Medline Industries (MDLN +1.31%) is the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies in the United States and provides a wide range of solutions to healthcare providers across all care settings. The company was founded in 1966 by Jim and Jon Mills and has a long history in medical garment manufacturing and supply distribution.
With more than 335,000 products and operations in at least 100 countries, Medline serves hospitals, physicians' offices, and home health patients around the globe. Medline produces and distributes a vast portfolio of medical and surgical supplies, including wound care products, first aid supplies, compression bandages, medical devices, and home healthcare items.
The company also provides supply chain solutions, analytics, and educational resources to support healthcare providers.
Medline completed its initial public offering (IPO) on Dec. 17, 2025, and is now listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MDLN. It was the largest IPO of the year, and the company raised approximately $6.26 billion in its market debut.
IPO
Prior to the IPO, the company was majority-owned by a private equity consortium that included Blackstone (BX +2.23%), Carlyle (CG +0.11%), and Hellman & Friedman, which acquired it in 2021 in a massive $34 billion leveraged buyout. Following the listing, these firms and the founding Mills family retain significant stakes. Here's what investors need to know about how to invest in Medline Industries.
How to buy Medline stock
If you want to buy shares of Medline Industries, here are the steps you need to follow to add any stock to your personal investment portfolio.
- Open your brokerage account: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
- Search for Medline Industries: Enter the ticker MDLN into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Should I invest in Medline Industries?
There are numerous factors to consider if you potentially want to put cash to work in Medline Industries. Medline serves as a primary vendor for many healthcare systems and boasts a high customer retention rate of over 98%.
Approximately 50% of revenue comes from the Medline Brand (more than 190,000 items). The company sells its own branded medical supplies and a wide range of products produced by third-party national brands. Medline operates more than 25 manufacturing centers in six countries and over 30 kit assembly plants.
The bottom line on Medline
As the largest private manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies in the U.S., Medline operates in a stable, high-demand industry. Its vertically integrated model, which combines both the manufacturing and distribution sides of the medical supplies business, is a key competitive advantage as well.
Medline could be worth considering for long-term investors who want to gain exposure to a profitable healthcare business that leads a broad, growing addressable market.
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