NEWS & MEDIA

News & Events

Becton Dickinson and Company Announces Executive Vice Presidents; New Chief Financial Officer Named

Franklin Lakes, NJ (August 05, 1998) -- The Board of Directors of Becton Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX) has approved the appointments of two executive vice presidents and a new chief financial officer, Becton Dickinson Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Clateo Castellini said today.

The new executive vice presidents are Gary Cohen, 39, currently president of Worldwide Sample Collection and Becton Dickinson Europe, and Edward J. Ludwig, 47, currently senior vice president and chief financial officer. These new positions report directly to Castellini, and are effective immediately.

"Gary and Ed have shown leadership skills that have helped to build Becton Dickinson into one of the world's leading medical technology companies," Castellini said.

"They will work together as a team to develop a more integrated company, which is less dispersed and fragmented, to help achieve productivity gains and strengthen our competitiveness. They will also help in pursuing our transformation and growth agendas with greater energy and total company leadership. In addition, they will be responsible for several company strategies that cut across several businesses."

In his new position, Cohen, who has been with Becton Dickinson since 1983, is responsible for the Injection Systems, Infusion Therapy and Consumer Health Care businesses. He will continue to be responsible for Europe. Mr. Cohen holds an MBA degree from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management and a BA from Rutgers College.

Ludwig, a 19-year veteran with the company, is responsible for the Flow Cytometry, Tissue Culture Labware, Microbiology and Sample Collection businesses. He is also responsible for the company's other non-U.S. operations. Mr. Ludwig holds an MBA degree from Columbia University and a BA from The College of the Holy Cross.

Kenneth R. Weisshaar, 48, currently president of Worldwide Consumer Health Care, succeeds Ludwig as senior vice president and chief financial officer. "Ken's financial acumen and integrity, together with his line experience bring an added dimension to his new role," said Castellini.

Weisshaar, who has been with Becton Dickinson for ten years, earned his MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and his BS degree in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Becton Dickinson is a global medical technology company that manufactures and sells a broad range of medical and diagnostic systems for use by health care professionals, medical research institutions, industry and the general public. In 1997, the company's revenues and net income were $2.8 billion and $300 million, respectively, with earnings per share of $2.30.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding the company's performance, including future revenues, products and income, which are based upon current expectations of the company and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described in any forward- looking statement. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, competitive factors, changes in regional, national or foreign economic conditions, changes in interest or foreign currency exchange rates, delays in product introductions, year 2000 issues, and changes in health care or other governmental regulation, as well as other factors discussed herein and in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.