Medline has started work on a second distribution center in the Dallas-Forth Worth metro area, and this week, company leaders and guests were really digging it.

More than 100 people gathered Tuesday at a 79-acre site in Midlothian, Texas, a growing suburb about 25 minutes south of Fort Worth and Dallas where Medline is in the beginning stages of constructing a new 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center (DC) to meet increasing customer demand in the region. Following remarks from several Medline leaders and state and local officials who shared their excitement about the project, ground was “officially” broken as nine leaders and guests in Medline hardhats (and one cowboy hat) took the first scoops of dirt with their shovels.

The Midlothian facility – Medline’s first announced new DC construction since becoming a publicly listed company in December – is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2027. It will include advanced technologies in use at Medline’s other large DCs, including the AutoStore storage and retrieval system and temperature-controlled storage space. In combination with Medline’s 800,000-square-foot DC in Wilmer, about 30 miles to the northeast, this will give Medline two technologically advanced DCs in a major metro area for the first time.

With a MedTrans delivery truck in view nearby, Sean Halligan, Medline’s executive vice president for supply chain, welcomed numerous leaders from the industry and community, including U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey (6th District, Texas); Midlothian City Council member Clark Wickliffe, the mayor pro tem; and Victoria Roberts, president and CEO of the Midlothian Chamber of Commerce.

Ed Graves, Medline’s vice president of regional field sales, highlighted the importance of expanding distribution capacity to meet increasing customer needs in Texas and the surrounding states – even as others in the healthcare industry are taking a more measured approach to expansion.

“Medline continues to invest in this region to develop strong supply chain resiliency, and this is one of the latest examples of the growth of our distribution centers and manufacturing facilities and technology upgrades throughout our system,” Graves said. “All of this is to help us deliver better service to our customers.”

Wickliffe noted that Medline’s presence as a large local business will generate additional tax funding to support public services, public safety, infrastructure and parks.

“Today’s groundbreaking is more than the start of construction,” Wickliffe said. “It represents the result of the strategic planning and continued momentum of a community that is building for the future with purpose. We are proud to welcome Medline, and we look forward to the lasting impact and investments that this will bring to our residents and the healthcare systems in our region.”

Added Roberts: “Investments like this represent a lot more than just a new building going up. They represent opportunity – opportunity for job growth, economic growth and continued investment in the future of this community.”

Ellzey marveled at the size of the site, envisioning what lies ahead.

“I love coming to events like this,” the congressman said. “It’s clear that this company knows a good opportunity when it sees it, and I’d like to thank the local elected officials for helping to coordinate bringing Medline here. The local government is the strength of our community. They know exactly where [a new facility] should be put, they know exactly the impact and how it’s going to benefit our community, and they approve good projects. So there’s no doubt in my mind this is a fantastic project.”

Beyond its strategic location near major interstates and highways, part of why Midlothian was chosen was the potential of its people in a rapidly developing community, said Brandon Forcier, Medline’s vice president of regional operations.

“We are thrilled to tap into the robust talent pool here in the Midlothian area and are committed to finding like-minded individuals who represent our core mission of helping healthcare run better,” Forcier said. “I am looking forward to working with our recruitment teams in promoting career opportunities at this facility in the very near future. … Soon, this site behind me is expected to be a bustling distribution center with team members focusing on that same core mission.”