US Tariffs: Collaborating to Support “Made-in-Canada” Products in the Health Care Supply Chain
As Canada grapples with the ongoing threat of US tariffs, our supply chains face potential risks. Shifting US trade policies and Canadian countermeasures could have implications for hospitals and the supplies needed to deliver patient care.
As the trusted supply chain partner of hundreds of Canadian hospitals and health care providers, Mohawk Medbuy (MMC) is taking tangible steps to navigate this changing and challenging situation to help ensure continuity of supply.
Through our ongoing engagement with suppliers regarding tariffs and domestic alternatives, Canadian Hospital Specialties (CHS) has advised MMC of “Made-in-Canada” options for several categories of essential medical products. This information is being made available to MMC Members – many of whom looking to increase their use of domestically manufactured products.
“As the threat of US tariffs continues to loom, MMC is committed to concrete action that strengthens our supply chain – including supporting domestic production,” said Peter Longo, Chief Operating Officer, Mohawk Medbuy. “We’re pleased to collaborate with CHS to quickly deliver the information our Member hospitals need to make data-informed decisions.”
By harnessing the data that feeds our vast product repository and our team’s supply chain expertise, MMC can quickly analyze these products for criticality, supply chain stability, proprietary properties and other key factors. This helps ensure our Member hospitals are armed with a complete picture when considering these Canadian-made options.
“CHS is proud to be able to offer Canadian-made options to MMC Members,” said Alfonso Dietrich, VP Marketing & Business Development, CHS. “CHS has always worked closely with MMC, and the majority of our Canadian-made products are available through existing MMC contracts – ensuring Members can obtain quality products at market-competitive prices.”
The Made-in-Canada initiative is one part of MMC’s multifaceted approach to navigating tariffs. Over the past several weeks, MMC has also engaged in proactive information sharing with Members, ongoing advocacy with multiple levels of government and collaboration with medical and pharmaceutical suppliers. By working together, we can support a resilient supply chain that helps protect the safety of patients and frontline health care workers.
About Mohawk Medbuy
Mohawk Medbuy Corporation (MMC) is a national, not-for-profit, shared services organization that supports hundreds of health care providers across Canada, as well as child welfare agencies and other public sector organizations. MMC provides value-driven contracting and procurement solutions for medical/surgical supplies, pharmaceutical products, local sourcing, capital (equipment, FF&E and redevelopment) and nutrition solutions. Other services include data analytics, in-hospital support, warehousing/logistics, technology, procure-to-pay, and accounts payable.
With an emerging focus on sustainability and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, MMC is actively supporting the creation of a resilient value chain that incorporates environmental, social, and economic best practices. Based in Burlington, ON, the organization also has offices in Toronto, Thunder Bay, Kingston, Brantford, London and Chatham, and a distribution centre in Oakville.
About CANADIAN HOSPITAL SPECIALTIES
Canadian Hospital Specialties (CHS) Ltd is a privately held medical device manufacturer and specialty distributor located in Oakville, ON that has been in operation for over 58 years. A growing organization, CHS has 400+ employees, all of whom call Canada home. CHS is proud to base its manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Ontario and looks forward to continuing to invest in the large and growing pool of talent present here.
CHS originally began its manufacturing journey under its MED-RX brand, primarily as a tubing extruder (IV therapies), as well as a medical kit & tray manufacturer and assembler (IV Start, Anesthesia, Wound Management, Urology) – products which are manufactured at CHS’s 50,000 square foot facility in Oakville. CHS continued to grow its manufacturing capacity by 20,000 square feet at its Mississauga site – the facility houses an array of injection molding machines, bringing quality respiratory and patient plastics products to market under CHS’s Respan & Stadco brands. In 2023, CHS further expanded its warehousing capabilities by investing in a 180,000 square foot warehouse in Burlington to support the company’s commercial growth.
These recent investments in people, warehousing and manufacturing will allow CHS to continue its vision of being a leading Canadian supplier of trusted medical devices.