Puritan-Barnett Parent to Sell or Spin Off Fountain Valley Unit

Medical products maker Mallenckrodt Inc. said Wednesday it plans to divest itself of a subsidiary unit with a small manufacturing facility in Fountain Valley.

The St. Louis-based company recently acquired respiratory products maker Nellcor Puritan Barnett and has decided to get rid of its Puritan-Barnett Aerosystems Co. unit, which makes emergency oxygen systems for commercial and private aircraft.

Mallenckrodt officials did not say whether they intend to sell the unit or spin it off to shareholders.

The Fountain Valley factory has about 50 employees.