Owens & Minor has launched ARMOR-FLEX Sterilization Wrap, a new product in its Halyard portfolio. The company developed the wrap in-house and makes it in Lexington, North Carolina. It says the wrap is stronger, more flexible and more bacteria resistant than traditional heavyweight wraps, without added weight. Patent-pending ASSURE-DRY moisture management technology and proprietary manufacturing techniques make this possible. The aim is to prevent sterility breaches that can compromise patient safety and delay operations. "We've gone further by engineering an innovative product that delivers not just what our customers need, but what they want," said Dirk Benson, executive vice president and chief commercial officer. The product builds on nearly 50 years of operating room innovation, beginning with the first SMS single-use sterilization wrap in 1978.

Owens & Minor has appointed Carrie Childress as its first chief marketing officer in the company's 140-year history. Childress, who takes on the newly created role of executive vice president and CMO, brings nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare marketing, product management and brand development. Most recently, Childress served as vice president of Americas marketing at Cordis, where she led large-scale marketing initiatives that drove sustained growth. She has also held positions at Smith & Nephew, ConMed and AcuityMD. In her new role, Childress will lead efforts to strengthen the Owens & Minor brand and product portfolios. The appointment follows the company's transition to private ownership under Platinum Equity in December 2025.

Headlines from across the state: Virginia unemployment falls to 3.6% as labor force shrinks; more... Henrico-based Owens & Minor to close production facility, cut 400 jobs. Federal judge strikes down SNAP deadline that put Virginia at risk of added costs. Prince William County moves to end by-right data centers. Here are some of the top headlines from other news outlets around Virginia. Some content may be behind a metered paywall: Education: February 13, 2026 August 25, 2026 May 13, 2025