A look at McKesson Medical-Surgical’s transformative approach to the U.S. healthcare supply chain.
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, suppliers must do more than keep up – they must lead. With that in mind, McKesson Medical-Surgical recently launched its Accelerated Supply Chain Excellence initiative – known internally as ASCE or simply “Ace” – a sweeping strategy that blends cutting-edge automation, expanded infrastructure, and a renewed commitment to both customers and employees.
In the following interview, Repertoire Magazine sat down with Jeremy Maron, Operations, McKesson Medical-Surgical, to explore the “why” behind ASCE, how it’s redefining the distribution network, and what it means for the people who make it all happen. From enhancing regulatory excellence and expanding capacity to reimagining the employee experience, Maron shares how McKesson is setting the pace for what a modern healthcare supply chain should be.
Repertoire: What were some of the reasons behind McKesson Medical-Surgical’s Accelerated Supply Chain Excellence initiative?
Jeremy Maron: As we stepped back and looked at how our business is evolving, and how our customer base continues to grow and diversify, we recognized a real opportunity to make a strategic investment in our distribution network. That’s really what inspired us to launch what we call Accelerated Supply Chain Excellence or ASCE, which we pronounce ‘Ace.’ It’s a name that fits, because this initiative is all about staying ahead and continuing to lead the healthcare supply chain into the future.
ASCE is more than just a capital investment – it’s a strategic transformation of our distribution network, technology and services. We’re building new, state-of-the-art distribution centers, implementing advanced automation, and upgrading our systems to enhance efficiency, quality and throughput. But just as important, we’re investing in our people – creating safer, more appealing workplaces and investing in the services that matter most to our customers. It’s about making sure we’re not only ready for what’s next, but that we’re setting the pace.
Repertoire: Why is improving the employee experience an important facet of ASCE?
Maron: I’m really glad you brought that up. You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘Take care of your employees, and they’ll take care of your customers – and the rest will follow.’ It’s a simple idea, but one we really believe in as we strive to be the best place to work in healthcare.
Our employees take a lot of pride in the work they do to get critical medical supplies and medications to providers and their patients. With ASCE, we saw an opportunity to not only bring in the latest technology, but also to make the employee’s experience even better. Safety and well-being were top of mind from the start.
We’re introducing things like robotic picking systems and quieter conveyors that help reduce physical work and create a safer, more efficient environment. But we didn’t stop there. We’re also rethinking the spaces themselves by adding more natural light, open breakrooms and areas where teams can relax and connect with large LED televisions. Our newest distribution centers even have outdoor spaces, game tables, and larger locker rooms. It’s not unusual to see teammates enjoying a quick game of pool or foosball during a break.
At the end of the day, we believe that when our employees feel supported and energized, it shows in the service we deliver.
Repertoire: ASCE has several key areas. Can you provide a few more details on what each will look like?
Maron: ASCE is built around five core pillars, each designed to strengthen a different part of our supply chain and ultimately deliver more value to our customers. We’re confident these investments will not only strengthen our leadership in the industry today but also position us for long-term success as a standalone company.
Regulatory Excellence: This is about making sure we’re not just compliant but a leader in quality and safety. We’re enhancing and consolidating select distribution centers to optimize our network, and we’re investing in cold chain capabilities to protect product integrity and ensure patient safety, especially for those temperature-sensitive items that are a growing part of our business and our customers’ business.
Maximum Efficiency: We’re bringing in advanced automation and smarter systems to streamline operations and lower our cost to serve. That includes robotic picking, automated packaging, and modern conveyor systems, all of which help us move faster and more accurately. Once our ASCE initiative is complete, about 90% of all order volume will be touched by some sort of automation.
Greater Capacity: As demand grows, we’re expanding our footprint. We’ve already opened new distribution centers in Ohio; Colorado; Florida, and Washington state, with more on the way in Arizona, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Missouri. These facilities are larger, more automated, and better equipped to handle future growth.
More Services: We’re designing our new DCs to support expanded customer-facing service like value-added packaging, home delivery support and other capabilities that help our customers serve their patients more effectively.
Better Employee Experience: We know that great customer experience starts with great employee experience. That’s why we’re creating a safer, more engaging workplace with natural light, open breakrooms including amenities like game tables, outdoor spaces, and ergonomics centered design in work areas. It’s all part of making McKesson Medical-Surgical the best place to work in healthcare.
Repertoire: How are the needs of today’s U.S. healthcare providers changing? How does ASCE position McKesson to better serve its customers in an increasingly competitive and complex healthcare environment?
Maron: Healthcare providers are navigating an increasingly complex landscape – rising patient expectations, tighter margins, workforce shortages, and the need to deliver care across more settings, from hospitals and clinics to homes and virtual platforms. They need partners who offer more than just products – they need reliability, flexibility, and innovation. That’s exactly where McKesson Medical-Surgical is focused.
We’re evolving alongside our customers by investing in technology, expanding our distribution capabilities, and designing services that reflect the realities providers face every day. It’s not just about having a strong distribution network or being a single-source supplier – though we are. It’s about combining that scale with smart tools like McKesson Business Analytics and SupplyManagerSM, which help providers manage inventory, control costs, and make informed decisions.
And behind all of that is our dedicated support team – field and inside sales reps who are with our customers every step of the way. Ultimately, everything we do is about helping providers deliver better care, wherever it happens.