Beckman Coulter To Close Manufacturing Facilities in San Diego And Puerto Rico

Two Beckman Coulter manufacturing plants in San Diego and Puerto Rico are to be closed down as part of the Company's previously announced restructuring plans. According to Beckman Coulter, the action is being undertaken to adjust for excess capacity resulting from multiple acquisitions and is scheduled for completion by the end of 1999.

Operations at the former Hybritech manufacturing facility in San Diego will move to Carlsbad, CA, and Chaska, MN, whilst Puerto Rico manufacturing operations will also be moved to Carlsbad. Both of the facilities to be closed supply reagents that are used by laboratories to diagnose and monitor human health conditions. There are about 225 manufacturing positions at the two sites and the consolidation will result in a net reduction of approximately 100 jobs at the company.

For more information: Jeanie Herbert, Beckman Coulter Inc. Telephone: 714-773-8762. Fax: 714-773-7743