Becton, Dickinson and Company: Creating Medical Equipment that Help Millions of Patients Around the World

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) is a manufacturer and seller of medical equipment, instruments and devices, and reagents. This company is based in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey and was established in 1897. At present, BD operates in 50 countries and employs 28,803 workers worldwide. Approximately 60% of BD’s revenues are contributed by non-US markets. Among BD’s clients are clinical labs, healthcare institutions and the general public. BD has made a name in the medical devices industry because it is one of the first manufacturers of glass syringes. BD also pioneered the manufacture of hypodermic needles. The accomplishments made BD into the Fortune 500 list in 2009 (ranked 347th) and in 2010 (ranked 312th). BD has three segments namely, BD Biosciences, BD Diagnostics and BD Medical. BD Biosciences is further divided into two units, the Discovery Labware and the Cell Analysis. BD Biosciences is responsible for designing, production and marketing of fluorescence-activated cell sorters and analyzers. Its other products include reagent systems used in life science research, laboratory products used for tissue culture and handling of fluids, cell imaging systems, and cell culture media supplements used for the production of biopharmaceuticals. Among the BD Biosciences’ clients are clinical labs, biotech companies, schools and government healthcare agencies, drug companies, bloodbanks and hospitals. BD Diagnostics has two divisions, namely Diagnostic Systems and Preanalytical Systems. This segment is responsible for designing, production and marketing of integrated systems used for collecting specimen, safety-engineered blood collection system, automatic blood culture systems, molecular testing systems for STDs, drug susceptibility systems, microorganism identification systems, and liquid-based cytology systems used for screening cervical cancer patients. Among BD Diagnostics clients are labs and clinics, hospitals, reference labs, blood banks, public healthcare agencies, and healthcare workers. BD Medical is divided into three units namely, Diabetes Care, Pharmaceutical Systems and Medical Surgical Systems. This segment’s products include syringes and needles, IV catheters, auto-disabled and safety-engineered devices, insulin syringes, local anesthesia trays and needles, surgical scalpels and blades and ophthalmic surgical equipment. Its clients include clinics and hospitals, retail pharmacies, government health agencies, drug companies and health workers. On the average, BD Biosciences contributes 17% in the company’s revenues, BD Diagnostics with 31% and BD Medical with 52%.