Area company wins U.S. Senate recognition

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Medical lab and supply distribution firm Mercedes Scientific has been named U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.

U.S. Senator, Marco Rubio, R-Miami, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship announced the recognition for Lakewood Ranch-based Mercedes in a June 24 video message. The company, which did $45 million in revenue in 2019 and has 67 employees, moved into its new headquarters, in Lakewood Ranch’s CORE science and lifestyle-themed corporate park in late 2018. (CORE stands for Collaboration Opportunities for Research and Exploration.)

“For nearly 30 years, this woman-owned, woman-led medical supply company has partnered with hospitals and laboratories across the country,” Rubio says in a video statement. “Like many small businesses, Mercedes Scientific was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.”
 
“Despite supply chain disruptions, they worked tirelessly to source critical supplies like COVID-19 test kits and personal protective equipment, Rubio adds. “Recently, Mercedes Scientific was approved for a Paycheck Protection Program loan. They were able to pay their 67 employees, and continue their vital work supporting public health efforts in Florida and nationwide.”

Mercedes Medical has been based in the Bradenton area since 1993. Its CEO is Alex Miller.

The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America’s small businesses.