Who Owns Becton Dickinson Company?

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Who Owns Becton Dickinson Company?

Understanding Becton Dickinson's ownership is key to grasping its strategic moves. A recent example is their February 2025 announcement to separate their Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses, a move designed to sharpen focus and boost shareholder value.

This strategic shift, part of the 'BD 2025' plan, shows how ownership and governance changes can significantly alter a global medical technology company's direction.

Founded in 1897, Becton Dickinson, or BD, has grown into a major player in medical technology. With a market capitalization around $51.26 billion as of July 2025 and over 70,000 employees globally, BD's influence spans medical supplies, devices, lab equipment, and diagnostics. Their products are vital in healthcare settings and life science research, including innovations like their Becton Dickinson PESTEL Analysis.

Becton Dickinson, a company with a rich history, was founded in 1897 by Maxwell W. Becton and Fairleigh S. Dickinson. Initially operating as a partnership, their focus was on selling medical supplies, particularly thermometers and syringes. The exact initial ownership split between the two founders is not publicly disclosed, but their joint vision was instrumental in shaping the company's early direction.

Founding Partnership Maxwell W. Becton and Fairleigh S. Dickinson established the company in 1897. Their initial venture was a partnership focused on the sale of medical instruments. Early Product Focus The company's early product lines centered on medical thermometers and syringes. This specialization laid the foundation for future growth in the medical device sector. Strategic Acquisitions Expansion began with strategic acquisitions in 1904, including the Philadelphia Surgical Company and Wigmore Company. These moves diversified the company's offerings into surgical and dental instruments. Incorporation and Expansion In 1906, the partnership was incorporated as Becton, Dickinson & Company in New Jersey. A manufacturing plant was established in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to produce syringes, thermometers, and needles. Family-Run Business For its first 50 years, the company operated as a conservatively managed, family-run business. This structure fostered a stable environment for its initial growth phases. Second Generation Leadership In 1948, managerial control transitioned to the founders' sons, Henry P. Becton and Fairleigh Dickinson, Jr. They guided the company through significant postwar expansion and product diversification.

The early years of Becton Dickinson were characterized by a focused approach to the medical supply market, driven by the entrepreneurial spirit of its founders. The incorporation in 1906 marked a significant step towards formalizing its structure and expanding its manufacturing capabilities. The company's commitment to growth was evident in its early acquisitions, which broadened its product portfolio and market reach, aligning with the founders' vision for a comprehensive medical supply enterprise. This foundational period set the stage for the company's enduring legacy in healthcare innovation, reflecting its core principles, which can be further explored in the Mission, Vision & Core Values of Becton Dickinson.

Key Milestones in Early Ownership

The ownership structure evolved from a founders' partnership to a family-controlled corporation. This transition in leadership in 1948 was pivotal for the company's future direction.

• Founded in 1897 by Maxwell W. Becton and Fairleigh S. Dickinson.
• Initial focus on thermometers and syringes.
• Incorporated in 1906 in New Jersey.
• Acquired Philadelphia Surgical Company and Wigmore Company in 1904.
• Second-generation leadership assumed control in 1948.
• The Vacutainer tube was developed in 1949, a significant product innovation.

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Becton Dickinson's transition to a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange marked a significant shift in its ownership structure, moving from its founding days to a landscape dominated by large investment firms. This evolution has shaped its strategic direction and operational focus.

The ownership of Becton Dickinson is overwhelmingly concentrated in the hands of institutional investors, reflecting a strong endorsement from major financial entities. As of July 2025, these institutions collectively hold 89.76% of the company's outstanding shares. Among these significant stakeholders are Vanguard Group Inc., which possesses 25,742,761 shares equating to 8.98% as of February 2025, and T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc., which notably increased its stake by 36.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 12,126,707 shares. In contrast, insider ownership remains minimal at 0.14% as of May 2025, while retail investors account for approximately 45.43% of the stock. This institutional dominance underscores a strategic emphasis on consistent financial performance, robust governance, and delivering shareholder value, aligning with the company's 'BD 2025' strategy focused on innovation and operational efficiency.

Key Becton Dickinson Stakeholders

Understanding who owns Becton Dickinson provides insight into its corporate governance and strategic priorities.

• Institutional investors are the primary owners, holding nearly 90% of the company's shares.
• Vanguard Group Inc. and BlackRock, Inc. are among the largest institutional shareholders.
• Insider ownership is minimal, indicating a separation between management and significant beneficial ownership.
• The company's strategy is heavily influenced by the expectations of its institutional investors for sustained growth.
• Retail investors also play a role, though their collective stake is smaller than that of institutions.

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As of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Becton Dickinson's Board of Directors is comprised of 11 members, each elected for a one-year term. This structure includes a blend of independent directors and executives with substantial experience, adhering to contemporary corporate governance practices. Tom Polen holds the positions of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, consolidating leadership responsibilities.

Becton Dickinson adheres to a one-share-one-vote system for its common stock, ensuring that each share possesses equal voting power. There is no public information suggesting the existence of dual-class shares, golden shares, or founder shares that would grant disproportionate control to any specific entity beyond their equity stake. Shareholders of record as of December 9, 2024, were eligible to cast votes at the Annual Meeting held on January 28, 2025. The company's governance framework emphasizes shareholder engagement and transparency, as detailed in its 2025 Proxy Statement and 2024 Annual Report. The Board's strategic focus on the 'BD 2025' plan, which includes advancing innovation and operational efficiency, indicates a commitment to value creation that is likely aligned with the interests of its major shareholders, contributing to the overall Growth Strategy of Becton Dickinson.

Understanding Becton Dickinson's Voting Power

Becton Dickinson's corporate structure is built on a foundation of equal voting rights for all common shareholders. This ensures a democratic approach to decision-making, where influence is directly proportional to share ownership.

• One-share-one-vote principle is strictly followed.
• No evidence of preferential voting rights for specific share classes.
• Shareholders of record on a specific date are entitled to vote.
• Board decisions are influenced by the significant institutional ownership.

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Over the past few years, Becton Dickinson has seen significant shifts in its strategic direction and ownership trends, with a strong emphasis on returning value to shareholders and optimizing its business segments. Institutional investors continue to be the dominant force in its ownership structure.

Recent strategic maneuvers by Becton Dickinson underscore a commitment to enhancing shareholder value and refining its corporate structure. The company's leadership, including Chairman, CEO, and President Tom Polen, is guiding these initiatives. The increasing dominance of institutional investors, who hold nearly 90% of the company's shares, often correlates with a heightened focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and sustained financial performance. This trend aligns with the broader industry movement towards greater accountability and long-term value creation, impacting how the Target Market of Becton Dickinson is approached.

Shareholder Capital Return

In fiscal year 2025, Becton Dickinson completed a substantial $750 million share repurchase program. This action, alongside an authorization for an additional 10 million shares, signals robust financial health and a dedication to boosting shareholder equity.

Strategic Business Separation

Announced in February 2025, the planned separation of the Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions segments is a key part of the 'BD 2025' strategy. This move aims to sharpen strategic focus and unlock greater value for stakeholders.

Acquisition and Expansion

The acquisition of Edwards Lifesciences' Critical Care product group in September 2024, now known as BD Advanced Patient Monitoring, enhances the company's 'smart connected care' offerings. This strategic acquisition broadens the company's technological capabilities.

Dominant Institutional Ownership

Institutional investors hold a significant majority, nearly 90%, of Becton Dickinson's stock. This concentration of ownership typically leads to a greater emphasis on long-term growth and ESG considerations.

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