Closure of North Kansas City Medical Tray Facility to Result in 67 Job Losses

Closure of North Kansas City Medical Tray Facility to Impact 67 Jobs

In a bittersweet development for the North Kansas City community, Owens & Minor Inc. has announced plans to close its local facility that specializes in sterile medical trays by the end of the year. This closure, which is set to occur on or before December 13, will unfortunately lead to the loss of 67 jobs, as stated in a recent filing under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.

Facility Details

The facility scheduled for closure is located at 2610 NE Industrial Drive, Suite 210, just east of Interstate 435 and between Missouri Highway 210 and the Missouri River. This site is better known as the American Contract Services (ACS) facility, which was acquired by Owens & Minor in 2021. ACS has played an essential role in providing sterilization and kitting for various medical instrument and equipment trays, notably those used for surgical procedures in hospitals and healthcare settings.

Health and Environmental Regulations

Another layer to this story is the facility’s involvement in using ethylene oxide for sterilization—a process that has come under scrutiny recently. Ethylene oxide is a colorless gas that is used to sterilize materials that cannot be treated through steam or radiation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has categorized ethylene oxide as a human carcinogen and has put new rules into effect aimed at reducing emissions from facilities that use the gas.

According to the EPA, approximately half of all sterile medical devices in the country, totaling about 20 billion devices annually, are treated with this chemical. As a facility using ethylene oxide, the North Kansas City site was included in the EPA’s list of regulated facilities, which has raised health concerns among local residents and health advocates.

Company Background

Owens & Minor is a well-recognized name in the healthcare industry, ranking as a Fortune 500 company. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the company provides a broad range of products and services not only to healthcare providers but also for home healthcare needs. In a bid to expand its services, Owens & Minor recently acquired a home healthcare equipment provider, Apria Inc., for a staggering $1.6 billion in cash last year. Additionally, in July, they announced plans to acquire another home care provider, Rotech Healthcare Holdings Inc., for about $1.36 billion, with the deal expected to finalize within this calendar year.

Community Impact

The closure of the North Kansas City facility is a significant blow to the local workforce, affecting nearly 70 families directly. Those impacted are likely to face challenges in seeking new employment, especially in a specialized field that requires specific skill sets and training. While Owens & Minor’s ongoing expansions into home healthcare show a commitment to growth, it remains essential for companies to support employees during transitions like this.

As the community braces for this shift, many are left pondering potential solutions for those who will soon be without jobs. Local workforce development resources and retraining programs may play a crucial role in helping those affected find new opportunities.

Conclusion

While the future of the North Kansas City facility may be uncertain, the community’s resilience remains strong. As we all come together to support those impacted by this decision, it highlights the importance of advocating for healthy work environments and ensuring that employees are equipped with the resources they need to thrive in the ever-changing job market.