The West Virginia University Health System, which operates under the brand name WVU Medicine, today announced a new strategic partnership with Owens & Minor, Inc. (NYSE: OMI), a leading global healthcare solutions company.
“We are excited to join with a strategic partner like Owens & Minor to support our efforts to expand access to the best healthcare services available in West Virginia and the region,” said Albert L. Wright, Jr., President and CEO of the WVU Health System. “Throughout the past two years of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Owens & Minor has demonstrated itself to be a forward-thinking supplier that is uniquely capable of providing reliable access to the products that our incredible professionals require to do their work.”
As part of the newly announced partnership, Owens & Minor and WVU Medicine are working with the state of West Virginia on site selection for a new medical distribution and logistics facility for healthcare products preparedness and supply that will be managed by Owens & Minor. The facility is expected to create more than 100 new jobs within West Virginia when fully operational and will support hospitals throughout the WVU Medicine network.
“I sincerely thank Owens & Minor for choosing West Virginia and WVU Medicine for this monumental partnership,” said West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. “Nothing could be better than an American-based FORTUNE 500 company committing to opening up shop and creating jobs right here in West Virginia. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us all that preparedness and resiliency are incredibly important, so this partnership is more than just another business deal, it will have real-world positive benefits for all West Virginians.”
As part of this long-term medical distribution partnership, WVU Medicine will also leverage Owens & Minor’s broad product offering, which includes its proprietary HALYARD* branded products complemented by a vast portfolio representing more than 1,200 manufacturers.
“We look forward to working with Gov. Justice and Owens & Minor to bring to reality a new healthcare supply center that can support our healthcare and preparedness needs now and long into the future,” added Wright. “As we continue to grow as a health system, it is critical to have the right strategic partner by our side,” said Wright. “Owens & Minor is synonymous with flexibility and reliability, and our teams are eager to work together on broad improvements to manage the complex healthcare supply chain. We appreciate Owens & Minor’s demonstrated commitment to manufacturing critical healthcare products within the Americas, which is an important element of reducing dependency on Asia-based manufacturing.”
Owens & Minor’s unique value chain offers a predominantly Americas-based manufacturing footprint, which was instrumental in ensuring supply chain resiliency in response to the global pandemic. Combined with its track record of delivering flexible solutions and exceptional customer service, Owens & Minor’s increasingly strong market position has also contributed to the company’s growth and momentum.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to be the long-term strategic partner for a world-class enterprise like WVU Medicine,” said Edward A. Pesicka, President and CEO of Owens & Minor. “As a manufacturer, distributor and integrated partner, Owens & Minor looks forward to unlocking the strength of our entire value chain, creating solutions that provide even greater impact for the WVU Medicine team and the communities they serve. The collaboration that has already started between Owens & Minor, WVU Medicine and the state of West Virginia is phenomenal. From Albert Wright to Gov. Justice’s office, the engagement that we’ve received has been incredible.”