TOP 10 PPE Suppliers in the USA (Ultimate 2021 List) – mersidistribution

TOP 10 PPE Suppliers in the USA (Ultimate 2021 List)

by Grant Summers

Are you looking to know who the top Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suppliers are in the US? 

PPE suppliers are involved in the sourcing, vetting, and distribution of products used to protect employees and customers in industries such as healthcare, oil & gas, construction, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and more. PPE refers to items that protect the eyes, ears, face, hands, body, and feet - such as face masks, respirators, gowns, gloves, earplugs, safety googles, sanitizers, and more.

In order to make this article useful to as many people as possible, we define PPE suppliers as PPE distributors and retailers that directly sell to businesses, instead of manufacturers (save a few vertically integrated ones).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, practically every company out there purchased PPE, notably masks and hand sanitizer, in order to comply with state mandates and ensure the health & safety of employees and customers.
Not to mention, a COVID-19 response involving PPE has been, and continues to be, essential for businesses looking to ease the concerns of employees and customers and sustain growth in a 'new normal'. This is most strongly the case with customer-facing industries such as airlines, hospitality, and retail.

When PPE demand suddenly soared in the early stages of the pandemic, existing suppliers were unable to handle all the unforeseen demand. With dollar signs in their eyes, nontraditional PPE suppliers popped up out of nowhere - most of them being mom-and-pops with little to no experience in PPE or repurposed suppliers from other industries. But that didn't matter, because businesses were desperate and ready to take risks. Some of those businesses made it through, while others got burned by unreliable vendors (sometimes outright scammers) who took money but never delivered. Close to $1 billion in mask scams took place in the US alone.

So it's no surprise that purchasing departments across the nation are still VERY cautious about who they choose to buy PPE from. In fact, in an internal research study conducted here at Mersi Distribution, we found that at least 40% of businesses said they would rather pay a premium and work with long-established suppliers than take a risk with a new vendor. After all the scams, who's to blame them?

Many of you are wanting a list of the vetted PPE distributors in order to completely avoid any risks of nonperformance. You've come to the right place. We've put together a vetted list of top-tier suppliers of PPE. Certainly, it's not an exhaustive list but do business with any of the below names and you'll be in good hands.

Who are the top 10 PPE suppliers in the USA in 2021?

1. Mersi Distribution 

Miami, FLwww.shopmersi.com

 

 

Overview: Mersi Distribution is a premier, family-owned and operated supplier of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Why it's on the list (no bias, of course):

  • Industry-leading PPE pricing backed by Low Price Guarantee (if a competitor's price is lower on any product, Mersi Distribution will beat their price for you by 10%).
  • Fast & free 2-day shipping
  • Exclusively focused on PPE with growing product selection and deep product knowledge/expertise.
  • 24/7/365 helpful and ultra-responsive customer service (live chat, email, phone). 
  • Unique customer experience featuring unlimited free samples and Gloves GroupBuy, a first-of-its-kind buying experience providing low-volume customers with high-volume pricing on nitrile exam grade gloves.
  • Insightful PPE blog 
  • Agile provider of special-purpose, optimally located warehouses for multi-site customers needing stress-free distribution.
  • Awarded large-scale annual PPE contracts with government agencies and school districts. High-profile private sector customers, especially in retail and healthcare.

2. McKesson

Irving, TXwww.mckesson.com

 

Overview: McKesson (NYSE: MCK) is the oldest and largest healthcare company in the nation, serving more than 50% of U.S. hospitals and 20% of physicians.

Why it's on the list:

  • Sheer size makes McKesson a formidable player in the provision of healthcare products and services, among them PPE.
  • Enormous scale provides McKesson unmatched buyer power and ability to stock hundreds of thousands of PPE items.
  • Technology services such as McKesson Business Analytics offers useful tools such as a PPE Estimator, which helps customers predict their PPE burn rate, view current levels of market availability for PPE items, and anticipate needs based on inputs.
  • Dedicated teams for larger customers

3. Cardinal Health

Dublin, OH www.cardinalhealth.com

Overview: Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of performance and data solutions for healthcare facilities.

Why it's on the list: 

  • Another member of the Fortune 500 oligopoly that dominates the provision of products and services to the healthcare industry. Renowned, well-regarded brand.
  • Vertical integration with PPE manufacturing and distribution provides Cardinal with a competitive edge compared to pure distributors and retailers who have been faced with PPE allocation challenges.
  • Awarded multi-million dollar federal PPE contracts to support US stockpiles.
  • Impressive supplier network

4. Medline

Northfield, ILwww.medline.com

Overview: Medline is a privately held, family-owned and led manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products and services. 

Why it's on the list:

  • Unique hybrid model of manufacturing and distribution of Medline products (vertical integration) provides Medline with a PPE supply chain less vulnerable to manufacturer whims and allocations.
  • Medline products, PPE included, are well-regarded for their superior quality.
  • Focused on providing a holistic experience to the customer with free consultation.

5. Henry Schein

Melville, NYwww.henryschein.com

Overview: Henry Schein (NASDQ: HSIC) is a Fortune 500, leading U.S. distributor to licensed health care providers with a global footprint.

Why it's on the list:

  • Fortune 500, juggernaut distributor with nationally recognized brand and 1+ million customers.
  • Comprehensive product selection.
  • 99% of items ship same-day.
  • Holistic services, solutions, and resources offered to complement pure distribution.
  • Robust supply chain technologies on offer, ranging from inventory management to receiving & reconciliations.
  • Recognized by high-profile institutions as a consistently ethical company.

6. W.W. Grainger

Lake Forest, ILwww.grainger.com

Overview: W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) is a Fortune 500 industrial supply company.

Why it's on the list: 

  • Over 160,000 products in its safety category alone.
  • Vast distribution network nationwide.
  • Value-add PPE audits, services, training, and content.
  • Owns Zoro, a rapidly growing, no-frills online retailer leveraging Grainger's safety/PPE product selection - and focused on SMBs.
  • Premium PPE brands are regularly in stock thanks to Grainger's deep buying power.

7. Fastenal

Winona, MNwww.fastenal.com

 

Overview: Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) is another Fortune 500 industrial distributor and the largest fastener distributor in North America.

Why it's on the list:

  • Vast selection of safety products/PPE.
  • Service model with in-market locations nationwide and innovative vending system gives Fastenal its edge in terms of being physically where customers are.
  • Good PPE guides and content.

8. Uline

Pleasant Prairie, WIwww.uline.com

Overview: Uline is a leading, privately held provider of shipping, industrial, and warehouse supplies. Family-owned and led.

Why it's on the list:

  • Wide selection of PPE available through a no-frills, easy-to-use website.
  • Heavy focus on domestic manufacturing, limiting customer's supply chain risk compared to other companies.
  • Similar to Medline, Uline is focused on its own branded products with a promise of better quality - no 3rd party vendors.
  • Orders placed before 6pm ship same-day from one of 11 distribution centers scattered nationwide.

9. Ritz Safety

Dayton, Ohiowww.ritzsafety.com

 

Overview: Provider of safety products.

Why it's on the list:

  • Over 200,000 available products
  • 13 nationwide sales & distribution centers
  • 3rd party and private label PPE

10. Northern Safety Co. (Wurth Group)

Utica, NYwww.northernsafety.com

Overview: Provider of safety & industrial products.

Why it's on the list:

  • Over 100,000 core products
  • Custom printing on products
  • Facilities nationwide 

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Back to Expert's Corner