Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              CONTACT:
                                                   Trudi Allcott
June 5, 2001                                       Manager, Communications
                                                   804-935-4291
                                                      or
                                                   Richard F. Bozard
                                                   Vice President, Treasurer
                                                   804-965-2921

                    Owens & Minor Launches Tender Offer for

                   $150 Million in Senior Subordinated Notes


Richmond, VA....(NYSE-OMI) Owens & Minor announced today that it is commencing a
tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding $150 million
aggregate principal amount of 10 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006. The
tender offer is being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, and related Letter
of Transmittal, dated June 5, 2001.

The tender offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on July
2, 2001, unless extended.  Tenders of notes made prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time on June 18, 2001 (the "Early Tender Date"), may not be validly
withdrawn, unless the Company reduces the tender offer consideration or is
otherwise required by law to permit withdrawal.  Tenders of notes made after the
Early Tender Date may be validly withdrawn at any time until 5:00 p.m. New York
City time on the expiration date.

The total consideration to be paid for each note validly tendered and accepted
for payment will be 105.600% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued
and unpaid interest.  The total consideration for each security includes an
early tender premium of 0.162% for notes tendered prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time on June 18, 2001, the Early Tender Date.  Holders who tender their
notes after the Early Tender Date, but prior to the expiration of the tender
offer, will receive 105.438% of the principal amount of notes validly tendered
and accepted for payment.

The tender offer is expected to be financed with the proceeds of a concurrent
offering by the Company of new senior subordinated notes, pursuant to Rule 144A
and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933.  The tender offer is
conditioned upon, among other things, the receipt of aggregate proceeds of at
least $150 million from the sale of these new senior subordinated notes on terms
and conditions satisfactory to the Company.  The securities to be offered have
not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or
sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from such
registration requirements.

                                     -More-


If the tender offer is consummated, Owens & Minor intends promptly thereafter to
call for redemption, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, all notes
that remain outstanding, at the applicable redemption price of 105.4375% of the
principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to the redemption date.

Owens & Minor has retained Lehman Brothers to serve as the Dealer Manager for
the tender offer. Questions regarding the tender offer may be directed to Lehman
Brothers, at (212) 528-7581 or (800) 438-3242 (toll free).  Request for
documents may be directed to Georgeson Shareholder Communications, Inc., the
Information Agent at (888) 379-0779.

This press release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of acceptance
of the offer to purchase, which may be made only pursuant to the terms of the
Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements.  Actual results may
differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained
under the heading of Risk Factors listed from time to time in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Owens & Minor, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Richmond, Va., is
the nation's leading distributor of national name brand medical/surgical
supplies.  The company's distribution centers throughout the United States serve
hospitals, integrated healthcare systems and group purchasing organizations.  In
addition to its diverse product offering, Owens & Minor helps customers control
healthcare costs and improve inventory management through innovative services in
supply chain management, logistics and technology.  For fax copies of Owens &
Minor's news releases, contact Company News On-Call at (800) 758-5804, ext.
667125.

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