Beckman Enhances Pact

AmeriNet expanded its purchasing agreement with Beckman Coulter Inc. to include Beckman’s automation systems and high-volume clinical analyzers, the companies said.

The agreement, which expires in 2003, represents an estimated $250 million to $300 million in sales for Fullerton-based Beckman over the next four years.

In 1997, St. Louis-based AmeriNet signed a five-year purchasing contract with Beckman for laboratory chemistry systems and supplies.

At that time, Beckman estimated sales of $100 million over the five-year contract period.

Under the renewed agreement, AmeriNet can provide Beckman’s diagnostics products and laboratory process analysis to more than 9,200 members. Beckman, a provider of instrument systems, posted 1998 sales of $1.7 billion.