Beckman Instruments Sees Growth in Profit

Beckman Instruments Inc., a maker and worldwide distributor of automated systems and laboratory and diagnostic supplies, said Monday that it earned $10.3 million, or 36 cents a share, for the first quarter.

The profit was more than double the net income of $4.7 million, or 17 cents a share, for last year’s first three months. Quarterly sales rose to $205 million this year from $198.6 million.

The Fullerton company’s earnings were dampened by a special charge of $3.1 million, or 7 cents a share, taken to cover the costs of its ongoing restructuring program.

Sluggish sales in the company’s Western European markets hurt first-quarter growth, said Jay Steffenhagen, a Beckman spokesman.

The company felt the effects of declining reimbursements for health care by European governments and lower investment in research activities by Beckman’s laboratory customers, he said.