A Middle-Aged Beckman Experiences Growing Pains

01 Feb 1996

In the early 1990s, Beckman was hit by adverse market conditions in its two major businesses, life sciences and clinical diagnostics. A strategic restructuring in the past two years has left it in strong financial shape and focused it on new areas of growth.

In the early 1990s, management at Beckman Instruments Inc.viewed the Italian diagnostic market with alarm. Italy was Beckman’s second-largest geographic market and spurred by changes in government reimbursement, testing volume there was declining at a rapid rate. Many of Beckman’s Italian customers were unable to meet minimum volume requirements on reagent sales.

While its European competitors stood by hoping for a turnaround, Beckman management took a hard stance. It pulled its high-volume...