PerkinElmer Shifting Focus

PerkinElmer Inc., which has promoted itself as a health sciences and photonics business, announced Monday that it will restructure to focus on human health and environmental health. It will also consider selling part of its specialty lighting business.

Until Jan. 1, PerkinElmer will continue to operate under its two business units, Life and Analytic Sciences and Optoelectronics. After that time, it will operate under the Human Health and Environmental Health businesses.

PerkinElmer said its Human Health business will be based on developing diagnostics, tools and applications to fight illness, provide better medical insight and more rapidly create critical new therapies. It will include the company's Genetic Screening, Bio-discovery and Medical Imaging operating units and will be led by PerkinElmer President and CEO Robert Friel on an interim basis.

The Environmental Health business will be based on creating safer products, more secure surroundings and efficient energy resources and will include the company's Analytical Sciences, Laboratory Services, and Detection and Illumination (formerly known as Sensors and Specialty Lighting) operating units. It will be led by John Roush, who currently heads the Optoelectronics business.

"The work we do makes a significant difference in many aspects of our world -- in the quality of our drinking water, how quickly new medical treatments come to market, the health of newborn babies, and how safe and secure we feel in our homes," said Friel. "We believe that this clear vision will better define the strategic mission of the company and improve how we communicate what we do and the value we deliver to our customers."

As a result of the restructuring, PerkinElmer said it is placing a portion of its specialty lighting business, which generates about $90 million in revenue, under "strategic review," which means it could consider selling it.

For more information, visit: www.perkinelmer.com