Cardinal Health Expands in Greenville: A Boost for Home Healthcare
Greenville, South Carolina, is buzzing with excitement as Cardinal Health has just announced the opening of a brand-new distribution center dedicated entirely to its at-home solutions business. This facility is poised to be a game-changer, bringing approximately 200 new jobs to the community and further supporting the booming home healthcare industry.
A Growing Need for Home Healthcare
If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you probably noticed how the home healthcare sector has exploded in growth since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by Fortune Business Insights from May 2024, the U.S. home healthcare market is projected to skyrocket from over $100 billion in 2024 to an astounding $176.3 billion by 2032. That’s some serious growth! Why, you ask? A significant driving force behind this is America’s aging population—over 80 million Americans are expected to be 65 years or older by 2040, nearly doubling the number from 2000.
Many older adults deal with chronic health conditions, with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) highlighting that most people over 65 have at least one chronic issue, such as diabetes or chronic bronchitis. All these factors combined make a strong case for the increasing demand for home healthcare options.
What the New Center Brings
This new distribution center in Greenville is not just any center; it’s a whopping 350,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities and technology. It is the largest distribution center supporting Cardinal Health’s at-home solutions so far and is notably only the second center built from scratch. As customers increasingly prefer to manage their health from home, the demand for timely delivery of medical supplies is crucial.
Rob Schlissberg, the president of Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions, emphasized the need for this expansion: “There’s tremendous growth opportunity as healthcare continues to shift to the home. Consumers are setting the stage – they want to manage their health conditions comfortably from home.” This is especially important for our older community members looking for comfort and convenience in their healthcare journey.
A Talented Workforce Awaits
One of the standout features of Greenville is its robust manufacturing and distribution sector, which means there’s a uniquely skilled workforce readily available to take on roles at the new facility. Hank Hyatt, senior vice president of Economic Competitiveness for the Greenville Chamber, expressed enthusiasm about the arrival of the new center, stating, “We’re proud Cardinal Health saw the value in our community that has a strong workforce, world-class transportation assets, and a wonderful quality of life.”
High-Tech Solutions for Everyday Needs
What does this all mean for local residents? Employees at the new center will leverage the latest in automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics. They are set to ship nearly 8,000 packages daily right to patients’ doors. These packages will include essential medical supplies like diabetic products, breast pumps, incontinence supplies, and enteral nutrition supports—just to name a few.
Schlissberg further emphasizes the importance of their mission: “We often say, ‘When you touch a package, you touch a patient’s life,’ and we take this motto seriously. We’re excited to invite the Greenville community to be a part of our vital mission of delivering medical supplies to patients exactly when and where they need them.”
The Future Looks Bright
The opening of this distribution center is not just a win for Cardinal Health, but also for the Greenville community that will benefit from local job creation, improved supply chains, and essential healthcare services. This new step enhances the already growing trend of healthcare services gradually moving into homes, ensuring that everyone, especially the elderly, can manage their health comfortably and effectively.
All in all, it’s an exciting time for Greenville and a promising future for home healthcare. As the community prepares for this new chapter, one thing is clear: the support for home healthcare solutions is only going to get stronger.
