FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BD (Becton,
Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX) announced that at the Company's Annual
Meeting of Shareholders today, its shareholders approved a management proposal
to amend BD's certificate of incorporation to declassify the Board that will
result in each director being elected annually. Shareholders had approved a
shareholder proposal to declassify the Board at BD's 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
"BD is committed to good corporate governance practices," said Edward J.
Ludwig, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We listened to our
shareholders and determined that this decision is in BD's and their best
interests."
In other business, shareholders approved a shareholder proposal requesting
that BD amend its By-Laws to allow 10 percent of the shareholders to call a
special shareholders meeting; BD said it would take this under consideration.
Shareholders also re-elected four directors to one-year terms and approved an
increase in the number of shares available under BD's equity compensation
plan.
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 28,000 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.
SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
CONTACT: Colleen T. White, Corporate Communications, +1-201-847-5369, or
Patricia A. Spinella, Investor Relations, +1-201-847-5453,
both of BD (Becton,
Dickinson and Company)/
Web Site: http://www.bd.com /
(BDX)
