Strengthens overall industry ranking, tops industry for quality of products and services
Contact: Colleen T. White
Corporate Communications
(201) 847-5369
E-mail: colleen_white@bd.com
Patricia A. Spinella
Investor Relations
(201) 847-5453
E-mail: patricia_spinella@bd.com
Franklin Lakes, NJ -- Wednesday, February 23, 2005 -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX), a leading global medical technology company, has been recognized as one of "America's Most Admired Companies" by FORTUNE magazine. BD strengthened its position this year to third overall in the medical products and equipment industry and received the industry's top ranking for quality of products and services.
BD ranked second in the industry in five additional categories: quality of management, long-term investment, social responsibility, employee talent and use of corporate assets. The 2005 ranking represents BD's strongest showing in the annual survey, one of the nation's most prestigious reports on corporate reputations.
"We're honored to be named as one of America's Most Admired Companies, and we're especially pleased that we're viewed so highly in so many reputation categories," said Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This recognition reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, high-impact innovations that benefit patients, healthcare workers and researchers, as well as to achieving outstanding results for our shareholders and customers."
To determine the companies on the list, FORTUNE and its survey partner, Hay Group, asked the top managers at 582 companies (the largest by revenues in each sector) to judge their competition. 10,000 executives, directors, and securities analysts in total rated companies in their industry based on eight key criteria. The full report appears in the magazine's March 7, 2005 issue.
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.
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