Medline buys Canada's Medical Mart

Mundelein-based Medline Industries Inc., which is preparing to move its headquarters to Northfield, said Friday it has acquired a medical supplies distributor in Canada.

Mississauga, Ontario-based Medical Mart, a family-owned company serving primary care, long-term care and retail markets, will merge its operations with Medline but will retain its name and its facilities in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Mississauga, Milton, Edmonton, Delta and Thunder Bay.

Both companies are privately held and terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Medical Mart also has about 200 employees and "no substantial changes in Canadian employment" is expected, said Medline spokeswoman Stacy Rubenstein.

The acquisition is an opportunity to better serve health care providers across Canada, Medline Chief Financial Officer Kristofer Howard said in a statement.

"Through this new chapter with Medical Mart, we are taking that commitment one step further," Howard said. "We're excited to establish an even stronger and more responsive network of resources, share greater supply chain expertise, and provide a comprehensive suite of quality products and clinical solutions."