Danaher Announces Stock Split and Stock Repurchase Program

WASHINGTON, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a two-for-one split of its common stock.  The split will be effected in the form of a stock dividend payable on June 11, 2010 to shareholders of record on May 25, 2010.  Shareholders will receive one additional share of common stock for each share of common stock held on the record date.  The additional shares will be issued to shareholders on or about June 11, 2010.  The Board of Directors also declared a cash dividend of $.02 per share payable on July 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of June 25, 2010, following the consummation of the stock split (the equivalent of $.04 per share on a pre-split basis).  The payment and amount of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion.

Danaher also announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 10 million shares of the Company's common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions (which amount will be automatically adjusted to 20 million upon consummation of the stock split described above).  This repurchase program replaces the repurchase program approved by Danaher's Board in April 2005.  The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by the Company's management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Any repurchased shares will be available for use in connection with the Company's stock plans and for other corporate purposes.

Danaher (NYSE: DHR), based in Washington. D.C., is a diversified technology leader that designs, manufactures, and markets innovative products and services to professional, medical, industrial, and commercial customers. Our portfolio of premier brands is among the most highly recognized in each of the markets we serve. Driven by strong core values and a foundation provided by the Danaher Business System, our 47,000 associates serve customers in more than 125 countries and generated $11.2 billion of revenue in 2009. For more information please visit our website: www.danaher.com.

Statements in this release that are not strictly historical, including statements relating to the Company's anticipated stock and cash dividends and any future dividends, stock repurchase program and the intended uses of any repurchased shares, may be "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things, the factors set forth in our SEC filings, including our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 2, 2010. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise.

SOURCE Danaher Corporation