Beckman Coulter to Cut 300 Jobs

Beckman Coulter Inc. said it would cut 300 jobs, or 3% of its workforce, as it consolidates two research divisions. The laboratory equipment firm also said profit for the fourth quarter fell because of a patent-infringement settlement.

The Fullerton-based company said it would take a $16-million charge against first-quarter earnings related to the job cuts. The company said it would combine two divisions Jan. 10.

Beckman also said it expected to earn 53 cents a share in the fourth quarter, compared with 75 cents a year earlier. Sales are expected to increase 3% to $595.5 million.

The firm said last month that it would have to pay $39 million for the settlement with Streck Laboratories Inc. Excluding that expense, net income would have been 90 cents a share.