Crediting a restructuring program started in 1993,...

Crediting a restructuring program started in 1993, Beckman Instruments Inc. reported a profit of $42.2 million for 1994, contrasted with a loss of $37.6 million for the previous year.

The Fullerton-based company, which makes medical laboratory equipment, said its earnings would have been higher except for accounting changes and the costs of a restructuring that cut its work force by 1,000. Those one-time expenses, the company said, totaled $16.1 million. Annual sales were up 1.5%, to $888.6 million from $875.7 million.

Beckman said it took an $11.5-million charge against earnings for the restructuring programs that began in 1993. The job cuts included 475 in Orange County. Beckman also reported a $5.1-million after-tax charge to adopt a new accounting standard.

With the one-time charges, earnings per share came to $1.50, contrasted with a loss of $1.35 a share for 1993.

For the fourth quarter, Beckman posted a profit of $13.2 million, or 47 cents a share, contrasted with a loss of $67.0 million, or $2.41 a share, for the same period a year earlier. Three-month sales were $250.0 million, up nearly 6% from $236.6 million.