Solvita supply chain team visits Medline’s Mexicali facility

How do you make a strong partnership even better?

Medline and Dayton, Ohio-based Solvita have enjoyed a long, successful and "strategic" relationship, said Christopher Kyer, Solvita vice president of supply chain. Medline is the nonprofit tissue and blood bank's prime vendor, providing a broad range of supplies, including culture and procedure kits.

To provide Solvita with a first-hand view of Medline's operations, capabilities and commitment to safety and quality, Medline recently invited Kyer and his colleague, Lisa Eickman, Solvita sourcing manager, to tour the company's new, state-of-the-art surgical kit manufacturing facility in Mexicali, Mexico.

"We wanted to show them our commitment to kitting and our high standards in manufacturing and sterilization, and to reaffirm why they chose Medline as their prime vendor supplier," said Matt Hendricks, Medline market sales director. Hendricks joined Mexicali staff and leaders in hosting the tour and visit.

"As a Medline customer, it was a fantastic experience and highlights one of the many things that Medline does with excellence," said Kyer. "It's one thing to talk about the operations, and it's another thing to see it; it gives you a different understanding. When you walk through the kitting facility, and you see how the process starts, how the (components) move through sterilization, and how you cannot expedite the stages of sterilization, it instills confidence.

"The Mexicali trip speaks well of the relationship we have with Medline; a unique relationship that you don't get with most suppliers," said Kyer, who has also toured Medline's West Jefferson, Ohio distribution center. "There's consistency throughout. The same principles that make Medline successful at the distribution center are the same that are operating at the kitting factory."

"Medline has always gone above and beyond to do what we need," said Eickman. "We felt very welcome in Mexicali."

"Medline likes to do business with customers as though they are family," Kyer said in an email to the Medline team following the tour. "We feel that in everything you do, and we are beyond grateful that we got to visit family in Mexicali. Cheers to all for the great work you and your teams do!"

Learn more about Medline's custom kitting solutions.