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- $40 million capital investment committed to 655,000sf state-of-art facility - 70 new jobs expected over 7 years
Contact: Colleen T. White Corporate Communications (201) 847-5369 Email: colleen_white@bd.com Franklin Lakes, NJ (May 25, 2005) -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announced final plans to move forward with a new Midwest distribution center in Plainfield, Indiana. The new site will succeed the Park 100 facility in Indianapolis that BD has used since 1991. The $40 million capital investment project is expected to generate 70 new jobs in Plainfield and the surrounding communities by 2012, in addition to 94 existing positions. “The new Midwest distribution center is a key step in positioning BD's distribution network for continued sales growth, and providing the flexibility necessary to adjust to changes in the U.S. healthcare marketplace,” said Larry P. Smith, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customer Service. “It will allow us to reduce cycle times and consolidate shipments, enhancing the operational effectiveness of the entire supply chain, from distribution partners to our customers.” The new 655,000-square foot facility will be constructed on 62 acres in the Plainfield Business Park. The facility will feature a state-of-the-art warehouse management system, which is considered essential to competitiveness in the global economy. “The first important element of our Company strategy is to accelerate growth through innovation,” added Smith. “Our focus on productivity, efficiency, resource utilization and customer satisfaction is an important part of supporting this growth.” Construction is expected to begin this summer. At the same time, Plainfield and the State will undertake necessary water and sewer extensions and upgrades on Reeves Road. Smith commented: “BD worked with state and local officials to make it possible for us to continue to deepen our long-term commitment in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.We are grateful for the efforts of all who contributed to this highly competitive process, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership here.” The Plainfield location offers immediate proximity to the airport and will help BD retain positions in Marion County, while also reaching out to a skilled local labor force for future growth. “We have simply outgrown the Indianapolis site,” said Smith, “and as we continue to grow, we couldn’t be more pleased to relocate and expand here in Plainfield.”About BD BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, BD reported total revenues of $4.935 billion. *** This press release contains certain forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding BD’s performance, including future revenues, earnings per share and income, or events or developments that BD expects to occur or anticipates occurring in the future. All such statements are based upon current expectations of BD and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statement. With respect to forward-looking statements contained herein, factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: competitive factors; pricing and market share pressures; changes in interest or foreign currency exchange rates; difficulties inherent in product development and delays in product introductions; changes in regional, national or foreign economic conditions; increases in energy costs and their effect on, among other things, the cost of producing BD’s products; fluctuations in costs and availability of raw materials and in BD’s ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; uncertainties of litigation (as described in BD’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission) and changes in healthcare or other governmental regulation; issuance of new or revised accounting standards, as well as other factors discussed in BD’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof except as required by applicable laws or regulations.
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