Medical distribution firm plans 47 hires

MANATEE COUNTY — Mercedes Medical, a $25 million medical distribution firm, plans to hire 47 people and move into an additional facility near the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

The firm, with clients nationwide and in Canada and Puerto Rico, currently has 64 employees. It distributes products to more than 7,000 customers through its clinical lab and histology lab divisions, according to a Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. statement.

“Our sales have been growing 10% annually, and this expansion will allow us to double our sales force to 50 team members, in addition to adding other support positions,” Mercedes CEO Alex Miller says in the release. “Our goal for 2013 is $30 million in revenue, and $50 million by the end of 2015.”