News & Events
BD Commits $34 Million for Major Expansion in Québec
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- 30,200 square feet of new manufacturing space expected - Creation of 100 jobs anticipated over the next 3 years
Contact: Colleen T. White Corporate Communications (201) 847-5369 Email: colleen_white@bd.com Franklin Lakes, NJ (February 08, 2007) -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, today announced the commitment of $34 million for a major expansion of its BD Diagnostics manufacturing operation in Québec, Canada. The investment will allow BD to transfer out of its current leased space and establish its own manufacturing facility to meet growing demand for BD’s molecular diagnostic tests for the rapid detection of bacterial organisms, including those known to cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The $34 million capital investment supports acquisition of land, construction of the new facility, and purchase and maintenance of equipment. The new 64,500 square foot facility is expected to include 30,200 square feet of new manufacturing space. It is also expected to create 40 new jobs by the time construction is complete, anticipated to be May 2008, and up to 100 jobs total over the next three years. “We are very pleased to be expanding in Québec, which has a highly skilled work force and is the center of research and development operations for BD GeneOhm™ products,” said Bill Kozy, Executive Vice President. “This expansion reflects the increasing demand, worldwide, for diagnostic tests that can detect microorganisms and deliver test results within two hours, offering the potential for improved patient outcomes and lower cost of care.” BD’s new facility will be located in the high-tech park of Québec City. “We are very pleased to welcome BD Diagnostics, a leading company in the development and manufacturing of innovative diagnostic molecular systems,” said Richard St-Pierre, interim General Manager of Parc Technologique du Québec Métropolitain. With BD’s presence, the high-tech park of Québec City will represent the largest concentration of life sciences businesses in Québec City.BD was very pleased with the support of the local government, as Investissement Québec agreed to provide funding of $2.8 million over the next three years for the manufacturing expansion. The planned state-of-the-art facility in Québec will manufacture BD GeneOhm™ PCR in vitro diagnostic products. PCR is a molecular biology test procedure used in the detection of infectious disease organisms. BD acquired GeneOhm Sciences, Inc., in February 2006. About BD BD, a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents, is dedicated to improving people’s health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines. The Company’s capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world’s most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 27,000 people in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public.For more information, please visit www.bd.com. *** This press release contains certain estimates and other 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; further 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); the effects of potential pandemic diseases; changes in healthcare or other governmental regulation; and issuance of new or revised accounting standards, as well as other factors discussed in this press release and 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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