Hospitals all over the United States struggled to get the PPE they needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the aftermath, it became clear to most suppliers and hospital purchasing managers alike that relying on foreign manufacturers comes with that risk.
Health officials are already watching 8 diseases that could create the next pandemic. The Harvard School of Public Health says that it’s just a matter of time before the world is back in the hot seat.
Can U.S. hospitals and PPE suppliers be better prepared this time?
Rebuilding the US PPE Supply Chain After COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States. Many manufacturers faced challenges, including having to shift production or facing delays. Now, they are working hard to rebuild the PPE supply chain and onshore or reshore their manufacturing operations.
Some manufacturers, like Sloan Medical, never offshored to begin with. Our PPE products have always been made in North America.
Hospital purchasing managers are approaching the supply chain, and their choices for PPE, differently now, too. According to a study, over 80% of hospitals want to source PPE closer to home.
Domestic manufacturing can reduce medical supply shipment delays and improve safety for healthcare workers. For example, local suppliers can quickly respond to demand. This can make a big difference during emergencies. By choosing North American-made products, hospitals enhance their ability to protect staff and patients while helping their communities.
Applying Pandemic Lessons to Onshoring & Purchasing
The pandemic showed how fragile our critical supply chains could be. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many hospitals faced massive shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). Masks, gloves, and gowns became hard to find. This crisis made hospital leaders rethink where they get their supplies. They started to see the benefits of onshoring or reshoring their PPE purchasing contracts.
Statistics show that 77% of healthcare leaders believe onshoring PPE production facilities would improve their supply chain. By making PPE closer to home, hospitals can respond faster to threats.
The pandemic also changed how hospitals purchase PPE. Many now buy in bulk to avoid shortages. They look for suppliers that provide high-quality products and reliable delivery. This shift has made hospitals more prepared for future crises.
What is reshoring?
Reshoring, in general, means bringing manufacturing jobs back to a country. In recent years, many businesses in the U.S. have decided to reshore their production of personal protective equipment (PPE). This equipment includes masks, gowns, and gloves that help protect people from illnesses.
For purchasing managers, reshoring means shifting their purchasing orders to manufacturers that produce their PPE in North America.
Reshoring has benefits for everyone. It creates jobs for North American workers. It also reduces the risks of long shipping times and supply chain issues. This move strengthens the local economy and ensures safety for everyone.
Why Buy PPE From North American Manufacturers?
When it comes to buying personal protective equipment (PPE), choosing North American manufacturers offers three key benefits: cost, consistency, and quality.
By choosing to buy PPE from North American manufacturers, you’re not only supporting local jobs but also getting safe, dependable, and often more affordable products.
Cost
Buying personal protective equipment (PPE) from a North American manufacturer helps hospital purchasing managers control costs and cash flow. According to a survey conducted by Deloitte, 79% of hospital CPOs (Chief Procurement Officers) indicated that procurement saving is their top priority. (procuredesk.com)
When managers order PPE locally, they often find lower shipping costs. For example, getting supplies from a nearby factory can save significant money compared to importing them from overseas.
Purchasing managers can also optimize their cash flow by ordering from North American producers. They don’t need to overstock, which ties up their budget. With local manufacturing, they can restock quickly and reliably. This means they can buy just what they need when they need it. Managing stock more effectively can reduce costs by up to 20%.
There’s also an intangible benefit: less stress about supply chain disruptions. With a North American partner you can talk to on the phone, you have a go-to person in a PPE shortage. They can get you what you need, fast. When your staff knows your hospital will stay stocked with the PPE they rely on, they’re less stressed, too.
When hospitals aren’t facing shortages, they can operate more smoothly, further decreasing stress for purchasing managers.
Consistency
Speaking of those phone calls, purchasing managers often find that ordering PPE from North American manufacturers is a more consistent, easier process.
This consistency starts with clear communication and easy access. Local manufacturers understand the market’s needs better. They can respond quickly to questions and concerns, leading to fewer misunderstandings. You can pick up the phone or send a simple email with questions or urgent needs, and your North American partner will be on the same day, time, and wavelength.
The ordering process is also more straightforward and consistent. North American manufacturers typically have reliable delivery schedules. This means purchasing managers can count on receiving their orders on time.
The PPE products themselves are also more consistent from North American sources. These manufacturers follow strict quality standards. They often have better oversight of their production processes. For instance, a survey found that 85% of buyers prefer PPE made in North America due to its reliability.
When purchasing managers buy PPE from North American manufacturers, they enjoy a smoother ordering process and receive products that meet quality expectations. This makes their jobs easier and boosts workplace safety.
Quality
On the note of workplace safety, PPE from North American manufacturers is known for its high quality. This quality comes from strict testing standards. These manufacturers follow guidelines set by agencies like OSHA and ANSI. They ensure that every piece of equipment, from gowns to booties, is safe and effective.
Material safety is an important aspect of those standards. North American companies use materials that meet high safety standards for toxicity and impermeability.
Safer processes in the manufacturing plants play a big role in avoiding damaged or compromised PPE products. Workers in these plants follow strict safety protocols. This focus on safety helps prevent mistakes that could lead to poor-quality products.
Statistics show that PPE made in North America has lower failure rates compared to imported products. Some studies suggest that North American PPE is 30% less likely to fail in critical situations. This means higher quality and better protection for users.
Choosing North American PPE is often the smarter option for safety.
Finding the right balance between cost and quality is crucial. Here’s how to strike the right balance.
North American Made Since 1989
While some manufacturers have been working on reshoring their operations over the last few years, Sloan Medical never offshored to begin with.
Since 1989, we’ve produced our STA-DRI and ezGLIDE lines of PPE right here in North America. While other manufacturers and suppliers faced delays and shortages that impacted their hospital and healthcare customers down the chain, Sloan Medical stayed prepared.
North American manufacturing meant that all our customers had access to the supplies they needed. During the pandemic, many companies struggled to get PPE from overseas; however, Sloan Medical’s customers remained fully stocked. We met their orders on time, and we kept their staff safer.
Protect Your Hospital’s Supply Chain With North American-made PPE
If the last pandemic taught us anything, it’s that preparing for future pandemics or national emergencies requires proactive steps to identify and vet alternative suppliers. As you begin vetting suppliers and shoring up your supply chain, consider Sloan Medical for your shortlist.
Our product lines have been perfected over our 30+ years in business and are guaranteed to perform in all types of environments. Handcrafted in North America, Sloan Medical takes pride in our ability to ship most PPE supplies within 24 hours of your direct order.
Beyond ordering directly, our products are also distributed through:
- American Medical Depot
- Bowers Medical Supply
- Buffalo Hospital Supply
- Cardinal Health
- Healthmark Industries
- LeeSar / Cooperative Services of Florida
- McKesson
- Medline Industries
- Owens & Minor
- Professional Hospital Supply
- Seneca Medical
- Shared Service Systems
Our Midwest-based, family-owned company was founded by a urologist who treasures the healthcare community and values personalized service. Ask your team to take our products for a test drive, free.
