West Pharmaceutical Services
WST
#1280
Rank
$17.91 B
Marketcap
$248.95
Share price
7.48%
Change (1 day)
-22.44%
Change (1 year)
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of injectable pharmaceutical packaging and delivery systems. The company produces rubber components for packaging injectable drugs and for providing a sterile environment.

West Pharmaceutical Services - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For The Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 1999
---------------
Commission File Number 1-8036
------
WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania 23-1210010
------------------------------------- ----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)


101 Gordon Drive, PO Box 645,
Lionville, PA 19341-0645
------------------------------------- ----------------------
(Address of principal executive (Zip Code)
offices)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code 610-594-2900
--------------

N/A
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report.


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve
months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes X . No .
--- ---
June 30, 1999 -- 14,872,419
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the
issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable
date.


Page 2


Index

Form 10-Q for the
Quarter Ended June 30, 1999



Page
-----

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Three and Six Months ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998 3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30,
1999 and December 31, 1998 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the Six Months ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998 5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of
Operations 10

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
about Market Risk 16

Part II - Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings 18

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds 18

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 18

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of
Security Holders 18

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 18

SIGNATURES 19

Index to Exhibits F-1


Page 3

Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE> Quarter Ended Six Months Ended
<CAPTION>
June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998 June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998
---------------- ------------- --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $124,400 100% $115,800 100% $238,600 100% $221,000 100%
Cost of goods sold 84,600 68 81,000 70 164,400 69 154,900 70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 39,800 32 34,800 30 74,200 31 66,100 30
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 19,700 16 18,400 16 36,700 15 35,200 16
Acquired research and development - - - - - - 28,200 13
Other expense (income), net 300 - (800) (1) 300 - (1,400) (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit 19,800 16 17,200 15 37,200 16 4,100 2
Interest expense 2,800 2 1,900 2 4,800 2 3,100 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes
and minority interests 17,000 14 15,300 13 32,400 14 1,000 1
Provision for income taxes 6,600 6 5,800 5 12,500 6 11,200 5
Minority interests - - 100 - 100 - 100 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from consolidated
operations 10,400 8% 9,400 8% 19,800 8% (10,300) (4)%
--- --- --- ----
Equity in net income of
affiliated companies - 500 100 500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 10,400 $9,900 $ 19,900 $ (9,800)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic $ 0.70 $ .58 $ 1.33 $ (0.59)
Assuming dilution $ 0.69 $ .58 $ 1.32 $ (0.59)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares
outstanding 14,945 16,991 15,017 16,798
Average shares
assuming dilution 15,043 17,071 15,113 16,798


Page 4

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>


Page 5

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> Unaudited
June 30, 1999 Dec. 31, 1998
ASSETS -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash, including equivalents $ 39,600 $ 31,300
Accounts receivable 75,200 64,400
Inventories 40,500 43,500
Current deferred income tax benefits 9,600 9,700
Other current assets 11,500 10,800
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 176,400 159,700
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment 214,500 220,300
Investments in affiliated companies 15,500 15,700
Goodwill 71,300 61,200
Deferred charges and other assets 52,300 48,700
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $530,000 $ 505,600
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 2,700 $ 800
Notes payable 2,400 35,300
Accounts payable 19,900 20,800
Accrued expenses:
Salaries, wages, benefits 14,800 17,100
Income taxes payable 9,900 8,500
Other 28,500 21,700
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 78,200 104,200
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt, excluding current portion 160,300 105,000
Deferred income taxes 39,300 39,100
Other long-term liabilities 26,700 26,600
Minority interests 600 600
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity 224,900 230,100
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Page 6

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $530,000 $505,600
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


Page 7

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30, 1999 June 30, 1998
---------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income, plus net non-cash items $ 35,000 $ 31,500
Changes in assets and liabilities (4,700) (15,200)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 30,300 16,300
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment acquired (19,500) (18,700)
Proceeds from sale of assets 100 800
Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (15,900) (6,900)
Customer advances, net of repayments (1,400) 1,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (36,700) (23,800)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt 100,000 -
Net (repayments) borrowings under revolving
credit agreements (71,600) 9,700
Repayment of other long-term debt (900) (1,900)
Notes payable, net 1,600 (500)
Dividend payments (4,800) (5,000)
Sale of common stock, net 1,600 1,800
Purchase of treasury stock (9,000) -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 16,900 4,100
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rates on cash (2,200) (300)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash, including equivalents $ 8,300 $ (3,700)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





Page 8

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

The interim consolidated financial statements for the six-month
period ended June 30, 1999 should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of West
Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., appearing in the Company's 1998
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The year-end condensed consolidated
balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements,
but does not include all disclosures required by generally
accepted accounting principles. Interim results are based on the
Company's accounts without audit.

1. Interim Period Accounting Policy
---------------------------------
In the opinion of management, the unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1999 and the
related unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for
the three and six-month periods then ended, and the unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six-
month period then ended and for the comparative period in
1998 contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial
position as of June 30, 1999 and the results of operations
and cash flows for the respective periods. The results of
operations for any interim period are not necessarily
indicative of results for the full year.

Operating Expenses
------------------
To better relate costs to benefits received or activity in an
interim period, certain operating expenses have been
annualized for interim reporting purposes. Such expenses
include certain employee benefit costs, annual quantity
discounts and advertising.

Income Taxes
-------------
The tax rate used for interim periods is the estimated annual
effective consolidated tax rate, based on the current
estimate of full year results (excluding the charge for
acquired research and development in 1998), except that taxes
applicable to operating results in Brazil and prior year
adjustments, if any, are recorded as identified.

Net Loss Per Share
---------------------
For the six months ended June 30, 1998, because of the
reported net loss, the incremental shares from potential
issuance of common stock under the Company's stock option and
award plans are not included in average shares assuming
dilution.





Page 9

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(continued)

2. Inventories at June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
1999 1998
-------- --------
Finished goods $ 13,800 $ 15,700
Work in process 13,700 13,700
Raw materials 13,000 14,100
-------- --------
$ 40,500 $ 43,500
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>

3. The carrying value of property, plant and equipment at June
30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 is determined as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
1999 1998
-------- --------
Property, plant and equipment $471,700 $472,200
Less accumulated depreciation
and amortization 257,200 251,900
-------- --------
Net property, plant
and equipment $214,500 $220,300
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
4. For the three and six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,
the Company's comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
6/30/99 6/30/98 6/30/99 6/30/98
-------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income (loss) $10,400 $ 9,900 $19,900 $(9,800)
Foreign currency
translation adjustments (4,600) (100) (13,200) (2,700)
------- ------- ------- -------
Comprehensive income
(loss) $5,800 $9,800 $ 6,700 $(12,500)
------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- -------


Page 10

</TABLE>
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Continued)

5. Net sales to external customers and operating profit (loss) by
operating segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 1999 and
June 30, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales: 1999 1998 1999 1998
---------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Device product development $100,800 $93,400 $194,200 $179,500
Contract services 23,400 21,800 44,000 40,900
Drug delivery research
and development 200 600 400 600
------- ------- -------- --------
Consolidated Total $124,400 $115,800 $238,600 $221,000
------- ------- -------- --------
------- ------- -------- --------

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
Operating Profit (Loss): 1999 1998 1999 1998
------------------------ ---- ---- ---- ----
Device product development $26,000 $21,700 $47,500 $41,600
Contract services 1,800 2,000 4,000 2,900
Drug delivery research
and development (1,600) (1,300) (3,000) (2,100)
Corporate and unallocated
items (6,400) (5,200) (11,300) (38,300)
------- ------- ------- -------
Consolidated Total $19,800 $17,200 $37,200 $4,100
------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
Compared with December 31, 1998, the only material change in operating
segment assets as of June 30, 1999 was the acquisition of the Clinical
Services Division of Collaborative Clinical Research, Inc. on April
20, 1999 (see Note 9). This business unit is included in the Contract
Services segment.

6. Common stock issued at June 30, 1999 was 17,165,141 shares, of which
2,292,722 shares were held in treasury. Dividends of $.16 per common
share were paid in the first quarter of 1999 and a dividend of $.16
per share payable to holders of record on July 21, 1999 was declared
on April 27, 1999.

7. The Company has accrued the estimated cost of environmental compliance
expenses related to soil or ground water contamination at current and
former manufacturing facilities. The ultimate cost to be incurred by
the Company and the timing of such payments cannot be fully
determined. However, based on consultants' estimates of the costs of
remediation in


Page 11

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Continued)


accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, the Company
believes the accrued liability of $1,000 at June 30, 1999 is
sufficient to cover the future costs of these remedial actions, which
will be carried out over the next several years. The Company has not
anticipated any possible recovery from insurance or other sources.


8. On September 8, 1998, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $4,000.
The charge is related to employee reductions associated with
identified manufacturing and other efficiencies. The charge covers
severance and benefits for 92 employees and other related charges.
Through June 30, 1999, the total payout of severance and benefits
associated with this charge was $3,000.


9. On April 20, 1999, the Company acquired the assets of the Clinical
Services Division (CSD) of Collaborative Clinical Research, Inc.. The
cash purchase price was $15,900, which was financed with available
cash, and the Company assumed $2,300 of current liabilities of CSD.
The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase and CSD was
consolidated on May 1, 1999. The preliminary allocation of the
purchase price is as follows:

Current assets $ 2,900
Equipment and
leasehold improvements 800
Goodwill 14,500
-------
$18,200
-------
-------
Pro forma results assuming acquisition of CSD as of January 1, 1999
would not have had any material effect on consolidated results.

10. On April 8, 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with five
insurance companies to borrow a total of $100,000 for ten years at a
coupon rate of 6.81%; the effective interest rate is 6.91%. Interest
is payable quarterly. The proceeds were used to repay debt under
existing lines of credit, for the acquisition of CSD, and for general
corporate purposes.


Page 12

Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months ended June
30, 1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Net Sales
---------
Net sales for the second quarter of 1999 were $124.4 million; a
7.5% increase compared with 1998's second quarter sales of $115.8
million. At constant exchange rates, consolidated net sales
increased 9.5% in the second quarter.

Device product development segment sales increased $7.4 million,
or 7.9%, to $100.8 million; at constant exchange rates the
increase was 10.5%. For this segment, sales showed strong
increases in all regions with the exception of the South
America region where sales were essentially flat at constant
exchange rates. The primary growth driver for this segment was
demand for packaging components for parenteral pharmaceuticals.
Management believes three factors were the major reasons for this
strong demand. First, customer demand for components for insulin
and vaccines, typically high-value components, increased.
Second, certain customers switched to higher value components to
improve their production efficiency. Third, customers increased
certain product inventories. The inventory adjustments relate in
part to an earlier summer shutdown schedule in Europe compared
with 1998, an event which normally prompts some customers to
place additional orders ahead of shutdown to secure supply.
Medical device component sales grew modestly, excluding the
impact of the acquisition of Betraine Limited in July 1998.
Personal care and food dispensing components declined, mainly due
to lower Spout-Pak sales compared with last year.

Contract services segment sales increased 7.6% to $23.4 million,
with the growth attributable to the clinical services business
unit acquired in April 1999. The contract manufacturing and
packaging unit's sales were $1.1 million lower due to the switch
by two customers to in-house production, as expected, and due to
disappointing sales of several customers' new products resulting
in customer reductions or stoppages of production. Revenues in
the start-up contract labs business and in the drug delivery
research and development segment were not significant, as
expected.

Net sales for the first half of 1999 were $238.6 million, 8%
higher than sales in the same period of 1998 and 9.1% higher at
constant exchange rates. Device product development sales were
8.2% higher and the contract services segment sales were 7.6%
higher than first half 1998 sales. The major drivers for these
increases are noted above.


Page 13

Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months ended June 30,
1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Profit
------------
The 32% consolidated gross margin in the second quarter of 1999
was unusually high and resulted in gross profit of $39.8 million;
a 14.3% increase compared with the same period of 1998. The
margins in both the device product development segment and the
contract services segment showed significant improvement. The
high-margin product mix and another quarter of successful cost
saving programs more than offset the impact of price competition
in the device product development segment. In the contract
services segment, the gross margin improvement reflects the
combination of the addition of the higher-margin clinical
services business unit and the successful operating efficiency
initiatives and elimination of loss/low-margin business at the
contract manufacturing and packaging business unit.

The consolidated gross profit margin for the six-month period was
31.1% compared with 29.9% in the same period of 1998. The
favorable product mix in second quarter sales of the device
product development segment and the May 1999 addition of the
higher margin clinical services business unit combined with
continued operating efficiency improvements in both segments were
the primary factors in the margin increase.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
--------------------------------------------
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses totaled $19.7
million, or 15.8% of net sales, in the second quarter of 1999
compared with $18.4 million, or 15.9% of net sales, in the
comparable 1998 quarter. The increase of $1.3 million in total
expenses includes $1.4 million of expenses related to acquired
businesses; namely, Betraine Limited in July 1998 and the
clinical services business unit in April 1999. In addition, the
quarter includes expenses related to the completion of upgrades
in our desktop computers for Year 2000 issues and related systems
upgrades. Offsetting these increases, in part, were higher
income from pension plan assets and a favorable exchange rate
impact. These same factors were evident in the SG&A expense
comparison for the first half of 1999 and 1998. Of the total 1999
SG&A expense increase of $1.5 million, acquired companies added
$2.6 million. Higher income from pension plan assets and the
impact of a stronger U.S. dollar offset the majority of the
increased expenses. SG&A spending is being tightly controlled as
the Company invests in drug delivery system research and
development and the core manufacturing operations.

Other (Income) Expense
----------------------
Net losses on foreign currency transactions and the decline in
interest income due to lower cash investments were largely
responsible for the other expense in the quarter and first half
of 1999 compared with income in the same periods of 1998.


Page 14

Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months ended June 30,
1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Interest Expense
----------------
Interest expense increased $.9 million and $1.7 million in
comparisons of second quarter and first half 1999 results with
comparable 1998 periods. Average borrowings have increased as a
result of stock buybacks of two million shares in October 1998 at
an average cost of $30.20 per share and 265,800 shares in 1999 at
an average cost of $33.79 per share, and due to acquisitions of
three business units since March 31, 1998.

Equity in Affiliates
--------------------
Equity in net income of affiliates located in Japan and Mexico
declined in both the quarter and the six months compared with
1998 due to poor market demand in those countries due largely to
government spending and reimbursement policies.

Income Taxes
------------
The effective tax rate for the quarter and first half of 1999 was
38.5%, slightly higher than the tax rate in second quarter of
1998 but flat with the first-half 1998 tax rate, excluding the
charge for the acquired research and development. The effective
tax rate for the full year 1998, excluding the impact of the
charge for acquired research and development, was 37.8%. The
estimated increase in the 1999 tax rate reflects the geographic
mix of earnings forecasted.

Net Income (Loss)
-----------------
The net income for the second quarter of 1999 was $10.4 million,
or $.70 per share, compared with $9.9 million, or $.58 per share,
in 1998. Average common shares outstanding in the 1999 quarter
were 14.9 million compared with 17.0 million in second quarter
1998.

For the six-month period 1999 net income was $19.9 million, or
$1.33 per share, compared to a loss of $9.8 million, or $.59 per
share, in the same period of 1998. The net loss for the first
six months includes a $28.2 million charge for acquired research
and development related to the acquisition of DanBioSyst U.K.
Ltd.; excluding the charge, net income for the first half of 1998
was $18.4 million, or $1.10 per share. Average shares
outstanding for the first six months of 1999 were 15.0 million
compared with 16.8 million in the like period of 1998. The
reduction in average common shares outstanding reflects the
Company's buyback of common shares as noted above.

Financial Position
------------------

Working capital at June 30, 1999 was $98.2 million compared with
$55.5 million at December 31, 1998. The working capital ratio at
June 30, 1999 was 2.3 to 1. The primary reason for the increase
in working capital is the Company's ability to finance $37.6
million

Page 15

Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months ended June 30,
1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
-----------------------------------------------------------------

of short-term notes payable on a long-term basis using proceeds
from a $100 million, 10-year private debt placement closed on
April 9, 1999. This private debt placement has a coupon rate of
6.81%, and an effective interest rate of 6.91%. Total debt
outstanding at June 30, 1999 was $165.4 million, an increase of
$24.3 million compared with year end 1998. Debt as a percentage
of total invested capital at June 30, 1999 was 42.3% compared
with 37.9% at December 31, 1998.

In 1999, funds generated from operations covered capital spending
of $19.5 million, cash dividends of $.32 per share, and
repurchase of 265,800 shares of common stock at an average price
of $33.79 per share. The stock repurchases were made pursuant to
a plan authorized by the Company's Board of Directors and
announced on March 10, 1999. The plan provides for purchase of
up to one million shares of the Company's common stock in open
market or privately negotiated transactions.

The Company believes its financial condition and current
capitalization indicate an ability to finance substantial future
growth.

Market Risk
-----------
The Company is exposed to various market risk factors such as
fluctuating interest rates and foreign currency rate
fluctuations. These risk factors can impact results of
operations, cash flows and financial position. These risks are
managed periodically with the use of derivative financial
instruments such as interest rate swaps and forward exchange
contracts. In accordance with Company policy, derivative
financial instruments are not used for speculation or trading
purposes.

At June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 the Company had three
interest rate swap agreements in effect, with an estimated fair
value less than $0.1 million. There were no forward exchange
contracts in effect at June 30, 1999.

Year 2000
---------
The Company continues to execute a comprehensive plan
to address the Year 2000 issue. Using internal and
external resources the Company identified and prioritized
critical business processes and plant locations, and completed
an inventory of all computer hardware and software and
computer-controlled equipment. As a result of this work,
which started in April 1997, decisions were made to
remediate or replace mission-critical items.

Page 16

Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months ended June 30,
1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
-----------------------------------------------------------------

At June 30, 1999, the Company had completed remediation or
replacement of all critical information systems that support
business functions. This includes all manufacturing, financial-
reporting and payroll systems, desktop computer hardware and
software and software-dependent systems and equipment used in
research and development, manufacturing processes and facility
management.

The Company also has received Year-2000 readiness certifications
from its major supplier base. As a follow-up measure to the
certification program, the Company completed on-site
assessments of the 20 key suppliers to its device product
development segment. On-site assessments of 15 additional
suppliers are planned through the end of the year.

The Company believes it has completed all modifications required
to address critical information systems. Nonetheless, the
Company is actively developing contingency plans and conducting
related training to cover an unexpected interruption of critical
systems and operations due to the Year 2000 problem.

In addition, efforts to address any modifications to non-
critical systems will continue through the end of the year and
possibly into 2000, but the failure of such systems is not
considered to have any significant impact on the Company's
business or financial position or results.


Total pretax costs incurred through June 30 are approximately
$5.5 million, of which $4.9 million has been capitalized. The
Company expects to spend approximately $2.0 million in the
remainder of 1999 on the project.


The cost of the Year 2000 project and the date on which the
Company believes it will substantially complete all modifications
are based on management's best estimates. The estimates are
based on numerous assumptions of future events, including the
continued availability of certain resources and other factors.
Because none of these estimates can be guaranteed, actual time
and cost to complete the project plan could differ materially
from those anticipated. Specific factors that might cause such
differences include, but are not limited to, the reliability and
timely receipt of vendor certifications, the appropriateness and
effectiveness of testing and validation methods, the availability
and cost of trained personnel and the timely availability of
replacement computer hardware, software and equipment and similar
uncertainties.



Page 17



Item 3.

Quantitive and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
-------------------------------------------------------

The information called for by this item is
incorporated by reference to the text appearing in
Item 2 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations-
Market Risk".


Page 18


Part II - Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
-----------------
None.

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
-----------------------------------------
None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
-------------------------------
None.

Item. 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders
--------------------------------------------------

(a) The Company held its annual meeting of
shareholders on April 27, 1999.

(c) Class II directors (with a term expiring in
2002) were elected by a vote of :

For Against
--- -------
Tenley E. Albright 9,100,521 168,652
John Conway 9,100,521 168,652
J. Roffe Wike, II 9,100,346 168,737

George W. Ebright, L. Robert Johnson, William
G. Little, William H. Longfield, John P.
Neafsey, Monroe E. Trout, Anthony Welters and
Geoffrey F. Worden continued their term of
office after the meeting.

The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as the Company's independent accountants for
the year ending December 31, 1999 was
approved by a vote of 9,260,257 for the
appointment and 4,840 against, with 4,076
abstentions.

The 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors was approved by a vote
of 8,243,031 for the Plan and 939,978
against, with 86,161 abstentions.


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
--------------------------------
(a) See Index to Exhibits on pages F-1 and F-2 of this
Report.


Page 19

(b) No reports on Form 8-K have been filed for the
quarter ended June 30, 1999.

SIGNATURES
----------







Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of

1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on

its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.







WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES,INC.
-----------------------------------
(Registrant)






August 16, 1999 /s/ Steven A. Ellers
------------- ---------------------------------
Date (Signature)

Steven A. Ellers
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Page 20

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number

(3) (a) Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Company through January
4, 1999, incorporated by reference to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 1-
8036).

(3) (b) ByLaws of the Company, as amended through
October 27, 1998, incorporated by reference
to Exhibit (3)(b) to the Company's Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 1998
(File No. 1-8036).

(4) (a) Form of stock certificate for common stock,
incorporated by reference to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998 (File No. 1-8036).

(4) (b) Flip-In Rights Agreement between the Company
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
as Rights Agent, dated as of January 16,
1990, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1
to the Company's Form 8-A Registration
Statement (File No. 1-8036).

(4) (c) Flip-Over Rights Agreement between the
Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, as Rights Agent, dated as of January
16, 1990, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2 to the Company's Form 8-A
Registration Statement (File No. 1-8036).

(9) None.

(10) (a) Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors reflecting
amendments effective on November 5, 1991, April 28,
1998 and May 27, 1999.

(10) (b) Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors, as
amended and restated effective May 27, 1999.

(10) (c) 1999 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee
Directors, effective as of April 27, 1999.

(10) (d) Form of Director Stock Option Agreement

(11) Not Applicable.

(12) Not Applicable.

(15) None.


F - 1

Page 21

Exhibit
Number


(16) Not applicable.

(18) None.

(19) None.

(22) None.

(23) None.

(24) None.

(27) Financial Data Schedule

(99) None.



























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