Written by : Dr. Aishwarya Sarthe
November 26, 2024
The Northfield, Illinois-based company, owned by private equity firms Blackstone, Carlyle, and Hellman & Friedman, has begun inviting investment banks to pitch for lead roles in the IPO.
Medline Industries, a global leader in medical supplies, is gearing up for a US initial public offering (IPO) in 2025, aiming to raise over $5 billion. Sources close to the development revealed that the flotation could cost the company approximately $50 billion. The IPO is expected to occur in the second quarter, contingent on favorable market conditions.
The Northfield, Illinois-based company, owned by private equity firms Blackstone, Carlyle, and Hellman & Friedman, has begun inviting investment banks to pitch for lead roles in the IPO. According to anonymous sources, the offering is poised to be one of the most significant stock market debuts next year.
Medline, acquired by its current private equity owners in a $34 billion deal in 2021, is among the largest manufacturers and distributors of medical supplies globally. The company provides surgical equipment, gloves, and laboratory devices to hospitals and healthcare institutions worldwide.
According to its official website, Medline has a workforce of 43,000 employees and operations in over 100 countries. Its annual sales exceed $23 billion.
Medline and its private equity backers have not commented on the IPO plans. “Blackstone, Carlyle, and Hellman & Friedman declined to respond to requests for remarks,” sources confirmed.
The potential IPO marks a significant move for the healthcare sector. Medline’s scale and contributions to medical supply chains position it as a critical player in global healthcare. The listing comes at a time when the industry is grappling with supply chain challenges and increased demand for high-quality medical equipment.
While the company has maintained discretion over its preparations, Bloomberg reported on its IPO plans in July. Discussions are ongoing, and the final decision will likely depend on prevailing stock market trends and investor sentiment in 2025.
Given its dominance in healthcare supplies, Medline’s prospective IPO could attract substantial attention from investors. “The company is targeting over $5 billion in raised capital, potentially making it one of the marquee healthcare IPOs in recent years,” sources added.