Medline Industries LP yesterday announced a strategic agreement to implement next-generation warehouse automation from Symbotic Inc. The medical device supplier said it is deploying AI-enabled robotics as part of its efforts to strengthen the resiliency, efficiency and scalability of the healthcare supply chain.
“Our vertically integrated solution of manufacturing and distributing products to all points of care is unique among healthcare suppliers,” stated Sean Halligan, chief supply chain officer at Medline. “Medline’s strategic investment in this technology will help us provide even more efficiency for our customers and help them meet their operational, clinical and financial goals.”
Northfield, Ill.-based Medline claimed that is the largest provider of medical-surgical products and supply chain solutions serving all points of care. The company said its broad product portfolio, resilient supply chain, and leading clinical systems help healthcare providers improve their clinical, financial, and operational outcomes,
Medline employs more than 45,000 people worldwide and operates in more than 100 countries. It said it is the first healthcare company to deploy Symbotic’s technology.
Symbotic supports inbound, outbound pallets plus storage
Symbotic said its automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) uses intelligent, autonomous robots. They depalletize and singulate inbound full pallets, store and retrieve items, and build orders into smart outbound pallets mapped to the needs and layouts of downstream recipients.
The Wilmington, Mass.-based company said its system can help drive faster and more efficient operations.
“I’m excited about acceleration in perception, real-time planning, and controls,” James Kuffner, chief technology officer of Symbotic, told Automated Warehouse at MODEX. “I spent 10 years at Toyota, and we’re all working to get robots to semi-structured and then unstructured environments. Symbotic’s robots travel 1 million autonomous miles a day, and each robot travels 50 miles per day.”
Symbotic has deployed its technology across industries including large-scale retail and consumer goods companies. The company raised $425 million in December 2025 and recently acquired automated forklift provider Fox Robotics.
“We’re taking an ecosystem approach with Fox,” said Brian Alexander, senior vice president for commercial at Symbotic. “We’re getting customer interest from healthcare firms for the first time, and they’re excited for what’s possible.”
Medline continues investing in automation
Medline said its partnership with Symbotic builds on continued investment in advanced technologies across its U.S. distribution center network. Its goal is to increase speed, accuracy and scalability while supporting employee safety and experience.
In addition, Medline recently deployed a range of supply chain systems, including goods-to-person (G2P) robotic picking systems, automated packaging and its custom Pick Pack Pro technology, to modernize fulfillment operations and better serve customers across all points of care.
“We are proud to partner with Medline, the largest provider of medical-surgical products and supply chain solutions, on the next step in its transformation,” said Mike Dunn, chief customer officer at Symbotic. “Given the importance of accuracy, speed and cost in this space, this agreement is a great validation of the power of the Symbotic System, and of our commitment to reimagining the supply chain and transforming the movement of goods through intelligent automation.”
Medline plans to pilot Symbotic’s system in 2027 at one of its 45 distribution centers in the U.S.