Hurricane Maria, which hit Puerto Rico last week and wreaked considerable havoc on the island's infrastructure, damaged medtech facilities located on the island including a Medtronic facility, according to the Star Tribune.
The plant closed amid the storm and the company's emergency response team is staying connected with employees on the island. Additional medtech companies with locations on the island include Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific and Merck & Co.
In general, the article reported major medtech companies with locations on the island had "built up inventories" before the storm and installed backup power generators onsite. The Puerto Rican government launched an economic recovery package for companies with damage from Hurricane Irma, which hit just prior to Hurricane Maria.
As companies recover from the damage, they may shorten supply chains and become leaner. Medtronic employees were also affected by Hurricane Harvey, which hit Houston and the surrounding areas this past summer. Medtronic also set up a hotline for hurricane victims with diabetes to ensure the victims' immediate needs were met.