Medical distributor Henry Schein opens in Honolulu

Relief is here for local health care professionals fed up with medical product supply chain issues.

Henry Schein Inc., a global health care product and services company, acquired Honolulu-based pharmaceutical and medical products business R. Weinstein Inc. in March for an unspecified amount. Earlier this month, Henry Schein leaders and staff, along with community members gathered to dedicate the new distribution center, located at the former R. Weinstein space at 846 Pohukaina St., which displays both entities' names on the exterior sign.

“Our appreciation for the business Richard Weinstein established in Hawaiʻi in 1984 runs deep, and we’ve had a strong relationship with the team for many years,” said Ty Ford, vice president and general manager of sales for Henry Schein, in an emailed response to questions from Aloha State Daily. “By combining R. Weinstein’s trusted local expertise with Henry Schein’s global resources, the new distribution center now offers enhanced ordering efficiency, increased inventory capacity and accelerated delivery times.”

Ford noted that the facility’s location in Honolulu “helps ensure that essential medical products — including vaccines, surgical supplies and equipment — reach providers quickly and reliably across the Islands.”

Next-day delivery will be available for customers, he said, adding that Henry Schein aims to improve “supply chain resilience,” which will free up “medical professionals to maintain consistent, high-quality care” throughout the state. In the coming months, more supplies and equipment, which is currently difficult to source and ship, will be added to the company’s offerings, according to Ford.

Today, Henry Schein provides 300,000 products to more than 1 million medical and dental offices worldwide, per its website. The Fortune 500 company supports dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, among other sites.    

R. Weinstein’s local leadership and employees will stay on to operate the new distribution center, Ford said. In 2024, the local business reported sales of approximately $11 million, according to a March 4 announcement.

“The local staff have remained the same, continuing to support health care providers across the Island with high-quality medical products," he said. "Though integrated now into Henry Schein’s broader operations, the local team continues to prioritize the personalized service and local relationships that R. Weinstein is known for."

Jeff Weinstein, former president of R. Weinstein, “will continue to help advise and support the team,” as he’s done for more than 40 years, Ford said.

“Because of our shared mission of serving practitioners across Hawai’i, together we offer a broader product range, faster deliveries and streamlined support.”

When asked what overall impact the business hopes to have in the local community, he said that giving back is a key part of Henry Schein’s company culture.

“We have various signature programs that exemplify our commitment to volunteerism, he said. “For example, our Back-to-School program provides school supplies to underserved children in the local areas to lift their spirits and increase their confidence in the classroom. We look forward to implementing these kinds of programs at our new location in the future.”

Headquartered in Melville, New York, Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 33 countries and territories, with sales surpassing $12.7 billion in 2024. It was founded in 1932 and became a public company in 1995.

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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.