Becton Dickinson
Founders
Maxwell W. Becton, Fairleigh S. Dickinson · Founded 1897 · HQ today: Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, United States
Becton Dickinson was founded by Maxwell W. Becton, Fairleigh S. Dickinson in 1897 in New York, New York, United States. It is now led by Tom Polen.
In 1897, traveling salesman Maxwell W. Becton and inventor Fairleigh S. Dickinson partnered in New York City with modest capital to distribute clinical thermometers and hypodermic syringes to physicians, laying the foundation for modern medical standardization.
| Founder | Role at founding | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Maxwell W. Becton | Co-Founder & Pioneer | — |
| Fairleigh S. Dickinson | Co-Founder & Inventor | — |
Maxwell W. Becton was a visionary commercial traveler and salesman who partnered with Fairleigh S. Dickinson in 1897 to sell thermometers and hypodermic needles to physicians and hospitals across the United States, establishing BD as a foundational medical supply enterprise.
Fairleigh S. Dickinson was an enterprising inventor and businessman who recognized the critical need for standardized, high-quality clinical instruments in healthcare, helping build BD into an indispensable global medical technology institution.
Tom Polen
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
Christopher R. Reidy
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer
Dr. Elizabeth Ng
Executive Vice President and President of Medical Segment
Michael David
Executive Vice President and President of Life Sciences Segment
Alberto Mas
Executive Vice President and President of Interventional Segment
Becton, Dickinson and Company was founded in 1897 by visionary industry leaders who identified significant structural inefficiencies in existing marketplace offerings and set out to create a more efficient, customer-focused enterprise.
The founders were inspired by the realization that customers in Medical Technology & Consumables lacked access to transparent, technologically advanced, and cost-effective services, prompting them to develop a superior operational alternative.
In its foundational era, Becton, Dickinson and Company confronted skepticism from traditional incumbents, constrained initial startup capital, and the complex challenge of establishing brand trust and regulatory standing from scratch.
The founding ethos of customer dedication, technical innovation, and conservative financial management remains deeply embedded in Becton, Dickinson and Company's corporate DNA and operational decision-making today.
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