Beckman Coulter Signs Contract with Premier to Provide Hematology Instrument Systems and Supplies.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

FULLERTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2000

Beckman Coulter, Inc. (NYSE: BEC) Tuesday announced it has signed an agreement with an estimated value of approximately $35 million annually with Premier, Inc., the largest healthcare alliance enterprise in the United States.

Under the terms of the agreement, which is effective July 1, 2000, Beckman Coulter will provide hematology instrument systems and supplies to Premier's membership alliance, which purchases approximately $10 billion in products annually. This alliance comprises 957 healthcare facilities nationwide and is affiliated with more than 900 others.

"Beckman Coulter represents a significant market share within the Premier membership," said Robert Hamon, vice president of Clinical Laboratory Services for Premier. "This agreement is in response to the requests of our membership for access to Beckman Coulter's hematology product platform. It does not impact our chemistry and immunochemistry agreements."

Added Albert Ziegler, senior vice president of Diagnostics Commercial Operations for Beckman Coulter, "We're pleased that Premier recognizes the value that our instrument systems will bring to its members. Our proprietary technologies for blood cell analysis are among the most sensitive and efficient measurement systems available today. And our instrument systems enhance laboratory processes and productivity by providing faster, more robust and more cost-effective solutions."

Beckman Coulter, headquartered in Fullerton, Calif., is a leading provider of instrument systems and complementary products that simplify and automate processes in life science and clinical laboratories. The company's products are used throughout the world in all phases of the battle against disease, from pioneering medical research and drug discovery to diagnostic testing that aids in patient treatment. Annual sales for the company totaled $1.8 billion in 1999, with approximately half of this amount generated outside the United States. More information on the company is available at www.beckmancoulter.com.

Premier provides hospitals and healthcare systems with products and services designed to maximize quality and safety, reduce unnecessary costs, manage technology, and promote a continuum of care. The organization maintains offices in Charlotte, N.C., San Diego, Chicago and Washington, D.C. More information about Premier may be found at www.premierinc.com.