WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES INC
10-Q, 1999-11-15
FABRICATED RUBBER PRODUCTS, NEC
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                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                Washington, D.C. 20549

                                      FORM 10-Q


                   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                        OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For The Quarterly Period Ended   September 30, 1999
                                                  ---------------
                          Commission File Number   1-8036
                                                   ------
                          WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                       Pennsylvania                        23-1210010
           -------------------------------------     ----------------------
          (State   or  other   jurisdiction   of        (I.R.S. Employer
          incorporation or organization)             Identification Number)


              101 Gordon Drive, PO Box 645,
                    Lionville, PA                          19341-0645
          -------------------------------------      ----------------------
             (Address of principal executive                 (Zip Code)
          offices)


          Registrant's telephone number, including area code  610-594-2900
                                                            --------------

                                         N/A
           -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Former name,  former address and  former fiscal year,  if changed
          since last report.


          Indicate by check mark  whether the registrant (1) has  filed all
          reports  required  to be  filed  by Section  13 or  15(d)  of the
          Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934  during  the preceding  twelve
          months,  and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
          the past 90 days.  Yes   X  .  No      .
                                   ---       ---
                      September 30, 1999 -- 14,912,078
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Indicate the  number  of  shares  outstanding of  each  of  the
          issuer's  classes of common  stock, as of  the latest practicable
          date.


                                                                     Page 2


                                        Index

                                  Form 10-Q for the
                           Quarter Ended September 30, 1999



                                                                       Page
                                                                      -----

          Part I - Financial Information

               Item 1.   Financial Statements

                     Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  for the
                         Three  and  Nine Months  ended  September 30,
                         1999 and September 30, 1998                      3
                     Condensed   Consolidated    Balance   Sheets   at
                         September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998         4
                     Condensed Consolidated Statements  of Cash  Flows
                         for the Nine Months ended  September 30, 1999
                         and September 30, 1998                           5
                     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements           6

               Item 2.   Management's   Discussion  and   Analysis  of
                         Financial    Condition    and   Results    of
                         Operations                                      10

               Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
                         about Market Risk                               15

          Part II - Other Information

               Item 1.   Legal Proceedings                               16

               Item 2.   Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds       16

               Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities                 16

               Item 4.   Submission  of Matters to a Vote of
                         Security Holders                                16

               Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                16

          SIGNATURES                                                     17

               Index to Exhibits                                        F-1
                                                             Page 3

     Part I.  Financial Information
     Item 1.  Financial Statements
     West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
     (in thousands, except per share data)
     <TABLE>
     <CAPTION>
                                               Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                         Sept. 30, 1999  Sept, 30, 1998    Sept. 30, 1999  Sept. 30, 1998
                                        ----------------  -------------    --------------- --------------
     <S>                               <C>        <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>        <C>   <C>    <C>
     Net sales                         $115,100  100%    $113,900 100%   $353,700   100%   $334,900 100%
     Cost of goods sold                  80,800   70       80,500  71     245,200    69     235,400  70
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Gross profit                     34,300   30       33,400  29     108,500    31      99,500  30
     Selling, general and
        administrative expenses          19,200   17       17,300  15      55,900    16      52,500  16
     Restructuring charge                     -    -        4,000   3           -     -       4,000   1

     Acquired research and development        -    -            -   -           -     -      28,200   8
     Other expense (income), net           (300)   -         (300)  -           -     -      (1,700)  -
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Operating profit                 15,400   13       12,400  11      52,600    15      16,500   5
     Interest expense                     2,900    2        1,800   2       7,700     2       4,900   1
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Income before income taxes
         and minority interests          12,500   11       10,600   9      44,900    13      11,600   4
     Provision for income taxes           4,000    4        4,100   4      16,500     5      15,300   5
     Minority interests                       -    -           -    -         100     -         100   -
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Income (loss) from consolidated
         operations                       8,500    7%       6,500   5%     28,300     8%     (3,800) (1)%
                                                  ---              ---               ---             ---
     Equity in net income of
           affiliated companies             100                               200               500
     ------------------------------   ----------       -----------      ----------         -----------
          Net income (loss)            $  8,600            $6,500        $ 28,500         $  (3,300)
     ------------------------------   ----------       -----------      ----------         -----------
     Net income (loss) per share:
          Basic                        $   0.58          $   0.38        $   1.91         $   (0.20)
          Assuming dilution            $   0.57          $   0.38        $   1.89         $   (0.20)
     ------------------------------   ----------       -----------      ----------         -----------
     Average common shares
          outstanding                    14,898            17,003          14,972            16,867
     Average shares
          assuming dilution              15,074            17,078          15,113            16,867

     </TABLE>
     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                                                    Page 4

     West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
     (in thousands)
     <TABLE>
     <CAPTION>
                                                    Unaudited
                                                  Sept. 30, 1999   Dec. 31, 1998
     ASSETS                                       --------------   -------------
     <S>                                          <C>                 <C>
     Current assets:
          Cash, including equivalents             $ 37,500            $  31,300
          Accounts receivable                       74,900               64,400
          Inventories                               42,000               43,500
          Current deferred income tax benefits       9,600                9,700
          Other current assets                      11,800               10,800
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total current assets                          175,800              159,700
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net property, plant and equipment             222,400              220,300
     Investments in affiliated companies            17,100               15,700
     Goodwill                                       71,000               61,200
     Deferred charges and other assets              54,600               48,700
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Assets                                 $540,900            $ 505,600
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Current liabilities:
          Current portion of long-term debt       $  4,600            $     800
          Notes payable                              3,600               35,300
          Accounts payable                          18,300               20,800
          Accrued expenses:
             Salaries, wages, benefits              16,100               17,100
             Income taxes payable                   11,900                8,500
             Other                                  29,100               21,700
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total current liabilities                      83,600              104,200
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Long-term debt, excluding current portion     155,400              105,000
     Deferred income taxes                          39,700               39,100
     Other long-term liabilities                    27,000               26,600
     Minority interests                                600                  600
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Shareholders' equity                          234,600              230,100
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $540,900            $ 505,600
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     </TABLE>
     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                                                     Page 5

     West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
     (in thousands)
     <TABLE>
     <CAPTION>                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                          Sept. 30, 1999      Sept. 30, 1998
                                                        ----------------   -------------------
     <S>                                                     <C>                <C>
     Cash flows from operating activities:
          Net income, plus net non-cash items                $ 49,700           $  45,800
          Changes in assets and liabilities                    (6,700)             (3,000)
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net cash provided by operating activities                 43,000              42,800
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Cash flows from investing activities:
          Property, plant and equipment acquired              (32,600)            (27,900)
          Proceeds from sale of assets                            100                 900
          Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired      (17,200)            (19,500)
          Customer advances, net of repayments                    100                 900
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net cash used in investing activities                    (49,600)            (45,600)
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Cash flows from financing activities:
          Proceeds from long-term debt                        100,000               5,800
          Net repayments under revolving
           credit agreements                                  (77,800)                  -
          Repayment of other long-term debt                    (1,300)             (1,900)
          Notes payable, net                                    7,200                 700
          Dividend payments                                    (7,200)             (7,500)
          Sale of common stock, net                             2,900               2,000
          Purchase of treasury stock                           (9,000)                 -
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities       14,800                (900)
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Effect of exchange rates on cash                          (2,000)              1,500
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net increase (decrease) in cash, including equivalents  $  6,200           $  (2,200)
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
     </TABLE>


                                                                     Page 6

                 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
                   (In thousands, except share and per share data)

          The interim consolidated financial statements for  the nine-month
          period ended  September 30,  1999 should  be read  in conjunction
          with the  consolidated financial statements and  notes thereto of
          West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.(The Company), appearing in the
          Company's  1998  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K.    The  year-end
          condensed  consolidated  balance  sheet  data  was  derived  from
          audited   financial  statements,   but  does   not   include  all
          disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.
          Interim  results  are based  on  the  Company's accounts  without
          audit.

          1. Interim Period Accounting Policy
             ---------------------------------
             In   the  opinion  of  management,   the  unaudited  Condensed
             Consolidated Balance  Sheet as of September  30, 1999 and  the
             related unaudited  Consolidated Statements  of Operations  for
             the  three  and   nine-month  periods  then  ended,  and   the
             unaudited Condensed Consolidated  Statement of Cash Flows  for
             the  nine-month period  then  ended  and for  the  comparative
             period in  1998 contain  all adjustments,  consisting only  of
             normal  recurring accruals,  necessary to  present  fairly the
             financial position  as of September  30, 1999 and the  results
             of operations and cash  flows for the respective periods.  The
             results  of  operations   for  any  interim  period  are   not
             necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

             Operating Expenses
             ------------------
             To better relate costs  to benefits received or activity in an
             interim   period,   certain   operating  expenses   have  been
             annualized for  interim  reporting  purposes.   Such  expenses
             include  certain  employee  benefit  costs,   annual  quantity
             discounts and advertising.

             Income Taxes
             -------------
             The tax rate used  for interim periods is the estimated annual
             effective  consolidated  tax   rate,  based  on   the  current
             estimate  of  full year  results  (excluding  the  charge  for
             acquired research and development in 1998), except  that taxes
             applicable  to operating  results  in  Brazil and  prior  year
             adjustments, if any, are recorded as identified.

             Net Loss Per Share
             ---------------------
             For the nine months ended September  30, 1998, because of  the
             reported  net  loss,  the  incremental  shares  from potential
             issuance of common stock under the Company's stock option  and
             award plansare not includedin averageshares assuming dilution.

                                                                 Page 7

                 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
                                     (continued)

          2.   Inventories at September 30, 1999  and December 31, 1998 are
               summarized as follows:


          <TABLE>
          <CAPTION>
                  <S>                         <C>             <C>
                                                 1999            1998
                                             --------        --------
                  Finished goods             $ 14,000        $ 15,700
                  Work in process              14,800          13,700
                  Raw materials                13,200          14,100
                                             --------        --------
                                             $ 42,000        $ 43,500
                                             --------        --------
                                             --------        --------

          </TABLE>

          3.   The  carrying  value of  property,  plant  and equipment  at
               September 30, 1999  and December 31,  1998 is determined  as
               follows:
          <TABLE>
          <CAPTION>
               <S>                                 <C>           <C>
                                                       1999         1998
                                                   --------     --------
                  Property, plant and equipment    $486,700     $472,200
                  Less accumulated depreciation
                    and amortization                264,300      251,900
                                                   --------     --------
                  Net property, plant
                    and equipment                  $222,400     $220,300
                                                   --------     --------
                                                   --------     --------
          </TABLE>
          4.   For the three and  nine months ended September 30,  1999 and
               1998,  the  Company's  comprehensive  income  (loss)  is  as
               follows:
     <TABLE>
     <CAPTION>
                              Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                              9/30/99     9/30/98    9/30/99     9/30/98
                             --------     -------    -------     -------
     <S>                      <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
     Net income (loss)        $ 8,600     $ 6,500    $28,500     $(3,300)
     Foreign currency
      translation adjustments   2,600       4,100    (10,600)      1,400
                              -------     -------    -------     -------

                                                              Page 8

                 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
                                     (Continued)


     Comprehensive income
      (loss)                  $11,200     $10,600    $17,900     $(1,900)
                              -------     -------    -------     -------
                              -------     -------    -------     -------

     </TABLE>

     5.   Net sales  to  external  customers  and  operating profit (loss) by
          operating  segment for the three  and nine months ended September 30,
          1999 and September 30, 1998 are as follows:
     <TABLE>
     <CAPTION>
                                    Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
     <S>                             <C>      <C>          <C>        <C>
     Net Sales:                        1999      1998         1999        1998
     ----------                        ----      ----         ----        ----
     Device product development    $ 92,700  $ 90,600     $286,900    $270,200
     Contract services               21,900    22,900       65,900      63,700
     Drug delivery research
       and development                  500       400          900       1,000
                                    -------   -------     --------    --------
     Consolidated Total            $115,100  $113,900     $353,700    $334,900
                                    -------   -------     --------    --------
                                    -------   -------     --------    --------

                                   Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
     Operating Profit (Loss):       1999        1998         1999        1998
     ------------------------       ----        ----         ----        ----
     Device product development  $20,800     $18,300      $68,300     $59,900
     Contract services             1,400       4,300        5,400       7,200
     Drug delivery research
       and development            (2,200)     (1,400)      (5,200)     (3,500)
     Corporate and unallocated
       items                      (4,600)     (8,800)     (15,900)    (47,100)
                                 -------     -------      -------     -------
     Consolidated Total          $15,400     $12,400      $52,600     $16,500
                                 -------     -------      -------     -------
                                 -------     -------      -------     -------
     </TABLE>
          Operating  profit   for  the  corporate  segment   includes  a  $4,000
          restructuring charge in the 1998 third quarter and nine month results.
          The  1998  year-to-date  period also  includes  a  $28,200 charge  for
          acquired research and development.

          Compared with December 31, 1998, the only material change in operating
          segment assets  as of September  30, 1999  was the acquisition  of the
          Clinical Services Division of Collaborative Clinical Research, Inc. on
          April 20, 1999  (see Note 9).  This  business unit is included  in the
          Contract Services segment.

                                                             Page 9
                 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
                                     (Continued)

     6.   Common stock issued at September 30, 1999 was 17,165,141 shares, of
          which 2,253,063 shares  were held in treasury.  Dividends of $.16 per
          common share were paid in the third quarter of1999 and a dividend of
          $.17 per  share payable to holders of record on October 20, 1999 was
          declared on August 3, 1999.

     7.   The Company has accrued the estimated cost of environmental compliance
          expenses  related to soil or ground water contamination at current and
          former  manufacturing facilities.  The ultimate cost to be incurred by
          the   Company  and  the  timing  of  such  payments  cannot  be  fully
          determined.

          However, based  on consultants' estimates of the  costs of remediation
          in  accordance with  applicable regulatory  requirements,  the Company
          believes  the accrued  liability of  $1,600 at  September 30,  1999 is
          sufficient  to cover the future costs of these remedial actions, which
          will be carried out over the next several years.   The Company has not
          anticipated any possible recovery from insurance or other sources.

     8.   In September 1998, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge
          of  $4,000.  The charge is related to employee reductions associated
          with  identified manufacturing  and  other efficiencies.  The charge
          covers severance and benefits for 92 employees and other related
          costs.  Through September 30, 1999, the total payout of severance and
          benefits associated with this charge was $3,000.

     9.   On April  20, 1999, the  Company acquired the  assets of  the Clinical
          Services Division (CSD) of Collaborative Clinical Research, Inc..  The
          cash purchase  price was  $15,900, which  was financed  with available
          cash,  and the Company assumed  $2,300 of current  liabilities of CSD.
          The   acquisition  was  accounted  for  as  a  purchase  and  CSD  was
          consolidated  on May  1,  1999.   The  preliminary allocation  of  the
          purchase price is as follows:

             Current assets                   $ 2,900
             Equipment and
               leasehold improvements             800
             Goodwill                          14,500
                                              -------
                                              $18,200
                                              -------
                                              -------
          Pro  forma results assuming  acquisition of CSD as  of January 1, 1999
          would not have had any material effect on consolidated results.

     10.  On  April 8,  1999, the  Company entered  into an agreement  with five
          insurance companies to  borrow a total of $100,000 for  ten years at a
          coupon rate of 6.81%; the effective interest rate is 6.91%.  Interest
          is payable  quarterly.  The  proceeds were  used to  repay debt  under
          existing lines of credit, for the acquisition of CSD, and for  general
          corporate purposes.


                                                                    Page 10

          Item 2.
          Management's Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
          Results of Operations.
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Results  of  Operations for  the  Three and  Nine  Months ended
          September 30, 1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Net Sales
          ---------
          Net sales  for the third quarter  of 1999 were $115.1  million; a
          1.0% increase compared  with 1998 third  quarter sales of  $113.9
          million.   At  constant  exchange rates,  consolidated net  sales
          increased 3.4% in the third quarter.

          Device product  development  (DPD) segment  sales increased  $2.1
          million,  or 2.3%, to  $92.7 million; at  constant exchange rates
          the  increase  was 5.4%.  Comparing  sales  at constant  exchange
          rates,  device product  development  segment  sales increased  in
          domestic and Asian markets, while European market sales were flat
          and South American sales declined.  The primary growth driver for
          this   segment  was   demand   for   packaging   components   for
          pharmaceutical products.  Management believes three  factors were
          the major reasons for this strong demand.  First, customer demand
          for  components for  insulin  and vaccines,  typically high-value
          components,  increased.   Second, certain  customers switched  to
          higher value components  to improve their  production efficiency.
          Third, customers increased  certain product inventories.   Within
          the DPD  segment, medical  device component sales  grew modestly,
          excluding the impact  of the acquisition  of Betraine Limited  in
          July  1998.   Personal care  and food dispensing  component sales
          were significantly  lower, mainly  due to lower  Spout-Pak  sales
          compared with last year.  Additionally, some of the  new products
          being made for the Company's customers have not come to market as
          rapidly as expected.

          Contract services  segment sales declined 4.3%  to $21.9 million.
          The sales decline relates to contract manufacturing and packaging
          services where  sales were  $4.1  million lower  in the  quarter.
          Postponements of  new projects  and disappointing  market success
          for  customers' new  products  were evident.  Also contributing
          to the quarter-over-quarter sales decline was the loss of business
          from two customers that switched to in-house production and higher-
          than-usual 1998 third-quarter sales attributable to customer
          product launches. The sales decrease in the contract manufacturing
          and packaging area was partially offset by $3 million of sales from
          the  clinical services unit acquired in  April 1999.  Revenues in
          the start-up contract labs  business and in the drug delivery
          research and development segment were not significant, as expected.

          Net sales for the first nine months of  1999 were $353.7 million,
          5.6% higher than sales in the same period of 1998 and 7.1% higher
          at constant  exchange rates.  Excluding  exchange rate variances,
          device  product development  segment sales  were 8.1%  higher and
          contract services  segment sales  were 3.3%  higher than year-to-
          date  1998 sales. The major drivers for these increases are noted
          above.
                                                               Page 11

          Results  of  Operations  for  the Three  and  Nine  Months  ended
          September 30, 1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Gross Profit
          ------------
          The  29.8% consolidated gross margin in the third quarter of 1999
          increased  half a  percentage  point over  the  prior year  third
          quarter margin. Margins in the device product development segment
          improved  significantly  due  to  strong  demand  for  parenteral
          packaging components and successful cost saving programs. However,
          this improvement was substantially offset by lower margins in the
          contract services  segment due to the  contract manufacturing and
          packaging unit's  loss of  two high  margin products  to in-house
          production.

          The consolidated  gross profit  margin for the  nine-month period
          was 30.7%  compared with 29.7% in  the same period of  1998.  The
          favorable  product  mix  in third  quarter  sales  in the  device
          product  development segment  and  the May  1999 addition  of the
          higher  margin  clinical  services business  unit  combined  with
          continued operating efficiency improvements in both segments were
          the primary  factors in  the margin increase.  These improvements
          were  partially   offset  by   lower  margins  in   the  contract
          manufacturing and packaging business unit.

          Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
          --------------------------------------------
          Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses totaled $19.2
          million, or  16.7% of net  sales, in  the third  quarter of  1999
          compared  with $17.3  million,  or 15.2%  of  net sales,  in  the
          comparable 1998 quarter.  The major contributors to this increase
          include  the  impact  of  the  clinical  services  business  unit
          acquired in April 1999, higher drug delivery development spending
          in preparation for planned Investigational New Drug filings later
          this  year  and an  increase  in  environmental remediation  cost
          estimates.  Partially offsetting  these increases  were favorable
          exchange rate  variances and  the absence of  expenses associated
          with bad  debt reserves  recognized in  1998. On a year-to-date
          basis, SG&A expenses remained roughly constant as a percentage of
          sales.  SG&A expense  increases  resulting from  acquisitions and
          higher  drug  delivery spending  were  largely  offset by  higher
          income from  pension plan assets and the impact of a stronger U.S
          dollar.

          Restructuring Charge
          --------------------
          On   September  8,   1998,   the  Company   recorded a  pre-tax
          restructuring charge of $4.0 million.  The charge is related to
          employee reductions associated  with identified manufacturing and
          other efficiencies. The charge  covers severance and benefits for
          92 employees and other related charges.


                                                                    Page 12

          Results  of  Operations  for  the  Three  and Nine  Months  ended
          September 30, 1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          Acquired Research and Development
          ----------------------------------
          On  March  31, 1998,  the  Company  acquired  the  remaining  70%
          interest  in   DanBioSyst  U.K.  Ltd.  for   $33.5  million.  The
          transaction  was  accounted  for   by  the  purchase  method  and
          estimated in-process  research and  development of  $28.2 million
          was expensed at the date of acquisition.

          Other (Income) Expense
          ----------------------
          For  the year to date  1999 period, losses  from foreign currency
          transactions  and fixed  asset  disposals offset  interest income
          from  short-term  investments. 1998  year-to-date other  income
          consisted of  foreign currency  transaction gains and  short term
          investment income. Lower investment balances  in 1999 contributed
          to the decline of other income in the year to date comparisons.

          Interest Expense
          ----------------
          Interest  expense  increased $1.1  million  and  $2.8 million  in
          comparisons of  third-quarter and  nine-month  1999 results  with
          comparable 1998 periods.  Average  borrowings have increased as a
          result of stock buybacks,  two million shares in October  1998 at
          an average cost of $30.20 per share and 265,800 shares in 1999 at
          an average cost of  $33.79 per share, and due  to acquisitions of
          three business units since March 31, 1998.

          Equity in Net Income of Affiliates
          ----------------------------------
          For the 1999 third  quarter, the Company's  equity method
          investments in Japan and in Mexico produced modest income as
          compared to the losses experienced in Mexico in the 1998 quarter.
          On a year-to-date basis, income  trails prior year levels due to
          poor market  demand in both  countries due largely  to government
          spending and reimbursement policies.

          Income Taxes
          ------------
          The Company lowered  its previous effective tax rate estimate for
          the  full  year  1999 to 38.2% from  38.5%.  The third  quarter
          effective  tax rate on ongoing  operations for 1999  is more than
          one percentage point lower than in the prior year, largely as a
          result  of recording the year-to-date adjustment to the estimated
          tax rate in  the 1999 third quarter. In addition,  the 1999 third
          quarter benefited from a  favorable settlement of a  prior years'
          tax appeal in the amount of $0.7 million.  For the nine-month
          period,  excluding the  tax settlement  benefit  in 1999  and the
          acquired  research  and  development  charge in  1998,  the  1999
          effective tax rate of 38.2% compares favorably with the 1998 rate
          of  38.5%. The  effective  tax  rate  for  the  full  year  1998,
          excluding the  impact  of the  charge for  acquired research  and
          development, was 37.8%.  The estimated increase in the 1999 tax
          rate reflects the geographic mix of earnings forecasted.

                                                                Page 13
          Results  of  Operations  for  the Three  and  Nine  Months  ended
          September 30, 1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
          -----------------------------------------------------------------

          Net Income (Loss)
          -----------------
          The net  income for the 1999  third quarter was  $8.6 million, or
          $0.58  per share,  including  $0.7 million,  or $0.05  per share,
          relating to the  settlement of a prior years' tax  appeal. In the
          third quarter of 1998, net income was $6.5  million, or $0.38 per
          share, which  includes an after-tax restructuring  charge of $2.5
          million, or  $0.15  per share.  Excluding  the effects  of  these
          items, net income was $7.9 million, or $0.53 in the third quarter
          of 1999  compared with $9.0  million, or  $0.53 per share  in the
          same  period of 1998.   Average common shares  outstanding in the
          1999 third quarter were 14.9 million compared with 17.0 million in
          third  quarter  1998.  The  reduction in  average  common  shares
          outstanding is due to the Company's purchase of two million common
          shares in  an October 1998 self-tender and further open market
          purchases in 1999.

          For the nine-month period  1999 net income was $28.5  million, or
          $1.91  per share, compared with  a loss of  $3.3 million, or $.20
          per share,  in the  same period of  1998.  The  net loss  for the
          first nine months  of 1998  includes a $28.2  million charge  for
          acquired research  and development related to  the acquisition of
          DanBioSyst U.K.  Ltd.  and a  net  restructuring charge  of  $2.5
          million.  Excluding the  $0.7 million tax settlement in  1999 and
          the items  noted above  in 1998,  net income for  the first  nine
          months  of 1999 was $27.8  million, or $1.86  per share, compared
          with  $27.4 million, or $1.62 per share, in the comparable period
          of  1998. Average  common shares  outstanding for the  first nine
          months  of 1999 were 15.0  million compared with  16.9 million in
          the comparable 1998 period.

          Financial Position
          ------------------
          Working capital at September 30,  1999 was $92.2 million compared
          with $55.5  million  at December  31, 1998.  The working  capital
          ratio at September 30, 1999 was 2.1 to 1.  The primary reason for
          the  increase in  working  capital is  the  Company's ability  to
          finance $37.6 million of short-term  notes payable on a long-term
          basis using proceeds  from a $100  million, 10-year private  debt
          placement closed on April  9, 1999.  This private  debt placement
          has a  coupon rate of  6.81%, and an  effective interest rate  of
          6.91%.  Total debt  outstanding at September 30, 1999  was $163.6
          million,  an increase  of $22.5  million compared  with year-end
          1998.   Debt  as  a  percentage  of  total  invested  capital  at
          September  30, 1999 was 41.0% compared with 37.9% at December 31,
          1998.

          Net cash provided by operating activities of $43 million remained
          constant  with  the prior  year.  Cash used  in  capital spending
          increased to $32.6 million in 1999,$4.7 million more than in the


                                                                Page 14

          Results  of  Operations for  the  Three  and  Nine  Months  ended
          September 30, 1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
          -----------------------------------------------------------------

          prior year period, largely due to spending on new product lines.

          The Company also made two acquisitions in 1999: $15.9 million for
          the  assets of  the Clinical  Services Division of Collaborative
          Clinical  Research, Inc and a  $1.3 million investment  in a firm
          involved  in  genotyping   technology.  Financing  cash  in-flows
          during the year consisted of net debt proceeds of $28.1 million
          and employee stock option  exercise proceeds  of $2.9 million.
          Financing cash outflows consisted of $7.2 million of cash
          dividends totaling $.32 per common share, and the $9.0 million
          repurchase of 265,800 shares of common stock at an average cost of
          $33.79 per share.  The stock repurchases were made pursuant to
          a plan authorized by the Company's Board of Directors and
          announced on March 10, 1999.  The plan provides for the purchase
          of up to one million shares of the Company's common stock in open
          market or privately negotiated transactions.

          The  Company   believes  its  financial  condition   and  current
          capitalization allow for an ability to finance substantial  future
          growth.

          Market Risk
          -----------
          The Company is  exposed to  various market risk  factors such  as
          fluctuating   interest   rates   and   foreign    currency   rate
          fluctuations.   These  risk   factors   can  affect   results  of
          operations, cash  flows and  financial position. These  risks are
          managed   periodically  with  the  use  of  derivative  financial
          instruments  such as  interest  rate swaps  and forward  exchange
          contracts.     In  accordance  with  Company  policy,  derivative
          financial  instruments are  not used  for speculation  or trading
          purposes.

          At September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998 the Company had three
          interest rate  swap agreements in effect, with  an estimated fair
          value less than  $0.1 million.   There were  no forward  exchange
          contracts in effect at September 30, 1999.

          Year 2000
          ---------
          The Company continues  to execute a comprehensive plan to address
          the Year 2000 issue.   Using internal and external  resources the
          Company  identified and  prioritized critical  business processes
          and plant locations, and completed  an inventory of all  computer
          hardware and  software and  computer-controlled equipment.   As a
          result  of this work, which started in April 1997, decisions were
          made to remediate or replace mission-critical items.

          At June  30,  1999,  the  Company had  completed  remediation  or
          replacement  of  all  critical information  systems  that support
          business functions.  This includes all  manufacturing, financial-
          reporting and payroll systems, desktop computer hardware and

                                                               Page 15

          Results  of  Operations  for  the  Three  and  Nine  Months ended
          September 30, 1999 Versus Comparable 1998 Periods
          -----------------------------------------------------------------

          software  and software-dependent  systems and  equipment used  in
          research  and development,  manufacturing processes  and facility
          management.

          The Company also has received  Year-2000 readiness certifications
          from its  major supplier  base.   As a  follow-up measure  to the
          certification   program,  the   Company  has   completed  on-site
          assessments of the key  suppliers to the medical  device products
          segment and contract services segments.

          The Company believes it  has completed all modifications required
          to  address  critical  information  systems.    Nonetheless,  the
          Company is actively developing  contingency plans and  conducting
          related training to cover  an unexpected interruption of critical
          systems  and  operations due  to the  Year  2000 problem.   These
          contingency plans are currently  being reviewed by consultants to
          assess their completeness and adequacy.

          In addition, efforts to address any modifications to non-critical
          systems  will continue through the  end of the  year and possibly
          into  2000, but  the failure of  such systems is  not expected to
          have  any  significant  impact   on  the  Company s  business  or
          financial position or results.

          Total  pretax   costs   incurred   through   September   30   are
          approximately  $6.3  million,  of  which $5.1  million  has  been
          capitalized.   The  Company expects  to spend  approximately $0.3
          million in the remainder of 1999 on the project.

          The  Company believes  that  it has  successfully remediated  its
          critical  systems and  facilities and  that suppliers'  year 2000
          compliance programs have been  completed in accordance with their
          certifications.    The  Company's  established  contingency  plan
          covers unexpected  interruptions.   Management believes that  all
          reasonable  actions  and  plans  have been  completed  to  assure
          uninterrupted  supply  of  its   products  and  services  to  its
          customers.   However,  there can  be  no absolute  assurance that
          problems will not  arise from either internal or external systems
          that could have  an adverse  impact on the  Company's ability  to
          timely serve its  customers or  the estimated costs  of its  year
          2000 program.


          Item 3.   Quantitative  and  Qualitative Disclosure  about Market
                    Risk
                 ----------------------------------------------------------

          The  information  called for  by  this  item  is incorporated  by
          reference  to   the  text  appearing  in   Item  2  "Management's
          Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial  Condition and  Results of
          Operations-Market Risk".
          Part II - Other Information

                                                               Page 16

            Item 1.      Legal Proceedings
                         -----------------
                         None.

            Item 2.      Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
                         -----------------------------------------
                         None.

            Item 3.      Defaults Upon Senior Securities
                         -------------------------------
                         None.

            Item. 4.     Submission  of  Matters  to  a  Vote  of  Security
                         Holders
                         --------------------------------------------------
                         None.

            Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
                         --------------------------------
                  (a)    See Index to Exhibits on pages F-1 and F-2 of this
                         Report.

                  (b)    No reports  on Form  8-K have  been filed  for the
                         quarter ended September 30, 1999.


                                                                    Page 17

                                      SIGNATURES
                                      ----------







          Pursuant  to the requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of

          1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to  be signed on

          its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.







                                        WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES,INC.
                                        -----------------------------------
                                        (Registrant)






          November 15, 1999             /s/ Steven A. Ellers
          ------------------            ---------------------------------
          Date                          (Signature)

                                        Steven A. Ellers
                                        Senior Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer

                                                                    Page 18

                                  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
          Exhibit
          Number

          (3) (a)   Amended    and     Restated    Articles    of
                    Incorporation of the Company  through January
                    4, 1999,  incorporated  by reference  to  the
                    Company's Annual Report on Form  10-K for the
                    year  ended December  31, 1998  (File  No. 1-
                    8036).

          (3) (b)   ByLaws  of the  Company,  as amended  through
                    October 27, 1998,  incorporated by  reference
                    to  Exhibit (3)(b) to the Company's Form 10-Q
                    for  the  quarter  ended September  30,  1998
                    (File No. 1-8036).

          (4) (a)   Form of  stock certificate for  common stock,
                    incorporated  by  reference to  the Company's
                    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                    December 31, 1998 (File No. 1-8036).

          (4) (b)   Flip-In Rights Agreement between  the Company
                    and American Stock  Transfer & Trust Company,
                    as  Rights Agent,  dated  as  of January  16,
                    1990,  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1
                    to  the  Company's   Form  8-A   Registration
                    Statement (File No. 1-8036).

          (4) (c)   Flip-Over   Rights   Agreement  between   the
                    Company  and American Stock  Transfer & Trust
                    Company, as Rights Agent, dated as of January
                    16,  1990,  incorporated   by  reference   to
                    Exhibit  2   to   the  Company's   Form   8-A
                    Registration Statement (File No. 1-8036).

          (10) (a)  1999  Stock-Equivalent Compensation  Plan for
                    Non-Employee Directors.

          (11)      Not Applicable.

          (15)      None.

          (18)      None.

          (19)      None.

          (22)      None.

          (23)      None.

          (24)      None.

          (27)      Financial Data Schedule

          (99)      None.



                                        F - 1




                          WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.


                      1999 STOCK-EQUIVALENTS COMPENSATION PLAN


                                         FOR


                                NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS


                               Adopted on May 27, 1999



                                    PLAN DOCUMENT





                       STOCK-EQUIVALENTS COMPENSATION PLAN FOR
                                NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

          1.   Purpose.    The West  Pharmaceutical  Services, Inc.  Stock-
               Equivalents Compensation Plan  for Non-Employee Directors is
               designed to achieve the following purposes:

                    Retain  the services  of experienced  and knowledgeable
                    non-employee   directors   with  superior   talent  and
                    achievement;

                    Give appropriate recognition  to the  past services  of
                    non-employee directors of the Company;

                    Encourage eligible directors of  the Company to acquire
                    a  proprietary and  vested interest  in the  growth and
                    performance of the Company; and

                    Generate   an  increased  incentive  for  directors  to
                    contribute   to  the   Company's  future   success  and
                    prosperity, thus enhancing the value of the Company for
                    the benefit of its shareholders.

                    The foregoing  purposes are to be  achieved through the
                    awarding of Stock-Equivalents  on a tax-deferred  basis
                    in combination with the Deferred Compensation Plan.

          2.   Definitions.  As used in the Plan, the following terms shall
               have the meanings set forth below:

               (a)  "Applicable Percentage"  shall mean the product  of (i)
                    the number  of full Years  of Service  completed by  an
                    Eligible Director through  the Effective Date and  (ii)
                    10%,  provided that  in no  event shall  the Applicable
                    Percentage exceed 100%.

               (b)  "Award Date" shall mean  the date on which an  award of
                    Stock Equivalents is made under the terms of this Plan.

               (c)  "Board"  shall  mean  the  board of  directors  of  the
                    Company.

               (d)  "Committee"  shall mean  the Compensation  Committee of
                    the Board.

               (e)  "Common Stock"  shall mean the common  stock, $0.25 par
                    value, of the Company.

               (f)  "Deferred   Compensation  Plan"  shall  mean  the  West
                    Pharmaceutical  Services,  Inc. Non-Qualified  Deferred
                    Compensation Plan  for  Outside Directors,  as  amended
                    through May 27, 1999.

               (g)  "Company" shall mean West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

               (h)  "Director" shallmean a duly elected memberof the Board.

               (i)  "Effective Date" shall mean May 27, 1999.

               (j)  "Eligible Director"  shall mean  each  Director of  the
                    Company who is not an employee of the Company or any of
                    the Company's subsidiaries (as  defined in section  425
                    (f) of the  Internal Revenue Code  of 1986, as  amended
                    from time to time).

               (k)  "Exchange Act"  shall mean the Securities  Exchange Act
                    of 1934, as amended from time to time.

               (l)  "Fair Market Value"  shall mean on  any given date  the
                    mean between  the highest  and lowest prices  of actual
                    sales  of Common Stock  on the New  York Stock Exchange
                    (or other principal  exchange on which it is traded) on
                    such date.   If no sales  were made on such  date, then
                    the  mean shall  be  calculated using  the highest  and
                    lowest  prices of  sales on the  last preceding  day on
                    which the Common Stock was traded.

               (m)  "Retirement Plan" shall  mean the Company s  Retirement
                    Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended through May
                    27, 1999.

               (n)  "Plan"  means the  West  Pharmaceutical Services,  Inc.
                    Stock-Equivalents  Compensation  Plan for  Non-Employee
                    Directors.

               (o)  "Stock  Equivalent"  shall  mean  the  right  of   each
                    Eligible   Director  to  receive  upon  termination  of
                    service as an Eligible Director an amount in cash equal
                    to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock multiplied
                    by  the number  of  Stock Equivalents  awarded to  such
                    Eligible   Director.    For   purposes  of  this  Plan,
                    fractional  Stock Equivalents, measured  to the nearest
                    four decimal places, may be credited.  The Fair  Market
                    Value of Common Stock  shall be determined by reference
                    to the termination date.

               (p)  "Year of  Service" shall  mean the period  beginning on
                    the date of  the Annual Meeting of Shareholders  in any
                    applicable  year  and  ending on  the  day  immediately
                    preceding  the  date  of  the next  Annual  Meeting  of
                    Shareholders.

          3.   Stock Equivalents.

               (a)  Award of Stock Equivalents.

                    (i)  Completed   Years  of  Service.     Each  Eligible
                         Director shall be awarded  six hundred (600) Stock
                         Equivalents for each  full Year of  Service during
                         which the  Director is an Eligible  Director.  The
                         Award  Date shall  be  the date  after the  Annual
                         Meeting of  Shareholders in the  calendar year  in
                         which  the relevant  Year  of Service  ends.   The
                         awarding of Stock Equivalents under this Paragraph
                         shall  commence  on  the  date  after  the  Annual
                         Meeting of Shareholders in the year 2000.

                    (ii) Partial  Years of  Service.   In  addition to  the
                         award(s) made under Paragraph 3 a) i):

                         (A)  Each  person who  first  becomes an  Eligible
                              Director other than  at an Annual Meeting  of
                              Shareholders  shall  be  awarded  fifty  (50)
                              Stock  Equivalents for  each partial  or full
                              calendar month served through the next Annual
                              Meeting of Shareholders.  The Award Date  for
                              such  Stock  Equivalents  shall be  the  date
                              after such Annual Meeting; and

                         (B)  Each  Eligible Director  whose service  as an
                              Eligible Director terminates other than at an
                              Annual  Meeting shall  be awarded  fifty (50)
                              Stock  Equivalents for  each partial  or full
                              calendar month served  through and  including
                              the month of termination.  The Award Date for
                              such   Stock   Equivalents   shall   be   the
                              termination date.

               (b)  Stock Equivalents in Lieu of Retirement Plan Benefit.

                    (i)  Any Eligible Director who was a participant in the
                         Retirement Plan and who is not scheduled to retire
                         on  or before  the  Effective Date,  may elect  to
                         convert  his or  her  annual  retirement  benefits
                         thereunder into Stock Equivalents.  The  number of
                         Stock  Equivalents  to  be  credited   under  this
                         paragraph  shall be  determined  by  dividing  the
                         actuarially  determined  present  value   of  such
                         benefits listed on Exhibit "A" by the average Fair
                         Market Value  of the Common Stock  during the last
                         ten business days of  May 1999. The election shall
                         be  made within  the first  90 days  following the
                         Effective Date by written  notice to the Company's
                         Secretary.

                    (ii) Any  Eligible  Director  who  does  not  elect  to
                         convert his or  her retirement  benefits to  Stock
                         Equivalents,  shall  receive an  annual retirement
                         benefit  equal  to  the  product  of (A)  $20,000,
                         multiplied  by  (B)  that   Director's  Applicable
                         Percentage.  The annual retirement benefit payable
                         under this  paragraph shall be made  in accordance
                         with Section 6 of the Retirement Plan.


               (c)  Earnings With  Respect to Stock Equivalents.   Earnings
                    with  respect   to  Stock  Equivalents   awarded  under
                    Paragraph 3 a)  or credited under Paragraph  3 b) shall
                    be  determined  in accordance  with  the  terms of  the
                    Deferred Compensation Plan.

               (d)  Crediting  of Stock  Equivalents.    Stock  Equivalents
                    awarded pursuant to Paragraph 3 a) or credited pursuant
                    to Paragraph 3 b) shall  be credited to the  Director's
                     C  Account under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

               (e)  Payment  of  Stock  Equivalents.     Payment  of  Stock
                    Equivalents awarded or credited under the Plan shall be
                    made  in  accordance with  the  terms  of the  Deferred
                    Compensation Plan.

          4.   Adjustments.    In the  event of  any  change in  the Common
               Stock,  the value  and attributes  of each  Stock Equivalent
               shall be appropriately adjusted consistent  with such change
               to  the same extent as if such Stock Equivalents were issued
               and outstanding shares  of Common Stock.   A change referred
               to in  this Paragraph includes, without  limitation, a stock
               dividend,    recapitalization,    reorganization,    merger,
               consolidation, split-up, combination or exchange  of shares,
               or  rights  offering to  purchase  Common Stock  at  a price
               substantially below fair market value, or any similar change
               affecting the Common Stock.

          5.   Nontransferability of Stock  Equivalents.  Stock Equivalents
               awarded  hereunder may  not  be sold,  transferred, pledged,
               assigned or otherwise  alienated, other than  by will or  by
               the laws of descent and distribution.

          6.   Amendment and Termination.

               (a)  Board Authority.  The Board may amend  or terminate the
                    Plan  at any  time; provided that  no amendment  may be
                    made without:

                    (i)  the   appropriate   approval   of  the   Company's
                         shareholders  if  such  approval is  necessary  to
                         comply   with   any   tax   or   other  regulatory
                         requirement,  including  any shareholder  approval
                         required  a condition  to  exemptive relief  under
                         Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; or

                    (ii) the Eligible Director's consent, if such amendment
                         would  adversely impair  or affect  any  rights or
                         obligations under any Stock Equivalent theretofore
                         awarded to such Eligible Director.

               (b)  Prior  Shareholder  and  Eligible   Director  Approval.
                    Anything  herein to  the contrary  notwithstanding, the
                    Board  may  amend  the  Plan  without  the  consent  of
                    Eligible Directors  or shareholders to comply  with the
                    requirements of  Rule 16b-3 issued  under the  Exchange
                    Act,  or   any  successor  rules  promulgated   by  the
                    Securities and Exchange Commission.

          7.   Change in Control.

               (a)  Notwithstanding any  other provision  of this  Plan, in
                    the event of a Change  in Control (as defined  herein),
                    each Eligible Director  who received Stock  Equivalents
                    as a result  of the  election under paragraph  3 b)  i)
                    hereof shall receive additional Stock Equivalents.  For
                    each such Eligible Director,  the number of  additional
                    Stock  Equivalents   shall  be  determined   using  the
                    following formula:

                    (i)  ($300,000     FMV  of Stock  Equivalents)  Fair
                         Market Value of Common Stock

                    (ii) where  the "FMV  of Stock  Equivalents"  means the
                         Fair   Market  Value  of   the  Stock  Equivalents
                         credited  to his or her  C  Account as a result of
                         the election, including any earnings thereon.  For
                         purposes  of  this  calculation,  the  Fair Market
                         Value of  the Stock Equivalents and  of the Common
                         Stock  shall be  measured as  of the  date of  the
                         Change in Control.

               (b)  A "Change in Control" shall mean a change in control of
                    a  nature that  would  be required  to  be reported  in
                    response to Item 1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K as
                    in effect on April  28, 1998 pursuant to Section  13 or
                    15(d)   of  the   Exchange,  provided,   that,  without
                    limitation, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have
                    occurred if:

                    (i)  any  "Person" (as  such term  is used  in Sections
                         13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than:


                         (1)  the Company,
                         (2)  any Person  who  on  the  date  hereof  is  a
                              director or officer of the Company, or
                         (3)  a  trustee  or  fiduciary holding  securities
                              under  an  employee   benefit  plan  of   the
                              Company,


                              (B)  is  or  becomes the  "beneficial owner,"
                                   (as  defined  in  Rule  13-d3  under the
                                   Exchange  Act), directly  or indirectly,
                                   of    securities    of    the    Company
                                   representing  more  than   50%  of   the
                                   combined voting power  of the  Company's
                                   then outstanding securities; or


                    (ii) during any period of two consecutive  years during
                         the  term of  this  Plan, individuals  who at  the
                         beginning  of  such  period  constitute  the Board
                         cease  for any  reason  to constitute  at least  a
                         majority  thereof,  unless  the election  of  each
                         director who  was not a director  at the beginning
                         of  such period  has been  approved in  advance by
                         directors representing at  least two-thirds of the
                         directors then in office who were directors at the
                         beginning of the period; or


                   (iii) the  shareholders  of the  Company approve:  (A) a
                         plan of  complete liquidation  of the Company;  or
                         (B) an  agreement for  the sale or  disposition of
                         all or substantially all  of the Company's assets;
                         or (C) a  merger, consolidation, or reorganization
                         of  the  Company  with   or  involving  any  other
                         corporation, other than  a merger,  consolidation,
                         or reorganization that would result  in the voting
                         securities of the Company  outstanding immediately
                         prior thereto continuing  to represent (either  by
                         remaining outstanding  or by being  converted into
                         voting securities  of  the surviving  entity),  at
                         least fifty  percent (50%) of the  combined voting
                         power of the voting securities of the Company  (or
                         the  surviving entity,  or  an entity  which as  a
                         result of such transaction owns the Company or all
                         or  substantially  all  of  the  Company's  assets
                         either   directly   or   through   one   or   more
                         subsidiaries)  outstanding immediately  after such
                         merger, consolidation, or reorganization.


          8.   Funding.  This Plan shall not be deemed to create any trust,
               escrow, or  other funding  arrangement.  No  benefit payable
               under the Plan  shall be considered segregated funds and all
               such amounts shall,  at all  times prior to  the payment  of
               same,  be and  continue to  be the  property of  the Company
               commingled with its other assets.  The right of any Eligible
               Director  or his  or her  eligible spouse to  benefits under
               this Plan  shall be an  unsecured claim against  the general
               assets of the Company.



          9.   Plan Administration.  The general administration of the Plan
               and  the  responsibility  for  interpreting   the  Plan  and
               carrying  out   its  provisions  shall  be   vested  in  the
               Committee.     The  Committee  may  adopt   such  rules  and
               regulations  as  it  may   deem  necessary  for  the  proper
               administration of the Plan, and its  decision in all matters
               shall  be final,  conclusive and  binding.   If one  or more
               members  of  the  Committee  are  disqualified  by  personal
               interest  from taking  part  in a  particular decision,  the
               remaining member or members  of the Committee (although less
               than a quorum) shall have full power to act on the matter.



          10.  Other Plans.  Nothing  contained in this Plan  shall prevent
               the Board  from  adopting other  or additional  compensation
               arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if required by
               applicable law or the  rules of any stock exchange  on which
               the Common  Stock is then  listed. Such arrangements  may be
               either generally applicable  or applicable only  in specific
               cases.



          11.  No  Agreement  to  Retain  Directors.    The  Plan does  not
               obligate the  shareholders to continue to  retain a Director
               on  the  Board,  or  limit  the  right  of  shareholders  to
               terminate a Director's service on the Board.



          12.  Governing Law.   The  validity, construction, and  effect of
               the  Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan
               shall  be determined  in  accordance with  the  laws of  the
               Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and applicable federal laws.



          13.  Conformity With  Law.  If any  provision of this Plan  is or
               becomes or  is deemed invalid, illegal or enforceable in any
               jurisdiction,  or would  disqualify the  Plan under  any law
               deemed  applicable by  the  Board, such  provision shall  be
               construed or deemed amended  in such jurisdiction to conform
               to  applicable laws.  If it  cannot  be construed  or deemed
               amended  without,   in  the  determination  of   the  Board,
               materially  altering the  intent of  the Plan,  it shall  be
               stricken  and the remainder of the Plan shall remain in full
               force and effect.


          14.  Withholding.    The  rights  of the  Eligible  Directors  to
               payments under this  Plan shall be subject to  the Company's
               obligations to  withhold from  such payments  the applicable
               federal, state, local or foreign taxes.


          15.  Successorship.   It is the intent that the obligation of the
               Company to  pay benefits accrued or  payable hereunder shall
               be binding  upon any successor corporation  or organization,
               which  succeeds  to  substantially  all of  the  assets  and
               business of  the Company.  The term "Company"  wherever used
               herein  shall  mean  and  include any  such  corporation  or
               organization  after such  succession  and  such  obligations
               shall be deemed to  have been expressly assumed by  any such
               corporation or other organization.

                                *********************



          As  adopted  by  the  Compensation  Committee  of  the  Board  of
          Directors under delegated authority this 27th day of May, 1999.



          [CORPORATE SEAL]              WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.







                                   By:  __________________________________

                                        John R. Gailey III, Secretary





                                                                Exhibit "A"



                              Directors' Retirement Plan

                      Conversion of Retirement Benefit to Stock Equivalents



          As of May 1, 1999

               ------------------------------------------------------------

          <TABLE>

          <CAPTION>

          <S>                   <C>     <C>            <C>          <C>

                                       Number of       Annual      Present

                                       Completed      Accrued     Value of

                                        Years of     Retirement    Accrued

          Director              Age     Service       Benefit      Benefit



          Tenely Albright        63        5           $10,000     $83,000

          John Conway            53        1             2,000      11,000

          George Ebright         61        6            12,000     102,000

          L. Robert Johnson      57        10           20,000     141,000

          William Longfield      60        3             6,000      52,000

          John Neafsey           59        11           20,000     161,000

          Monroe Trout           68        7            14,000     108,000

          Anthony Welters        44        2             4,000      12,000

          J. Roffe Wike          72        36           20,000     141,000

          Geoffrey Worden        59        5            10,000      81,000

          -----------------------------------------------------------------

          </TABLE>

          1 - Represents annual  amount payable at retirement -  assumed to
          be 60 (or current age, if older)

          2  - Based on  7.0% interest rate,  payable for the  lesser of 15
          years and the life of the director

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                          37,500
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   74,900
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     42,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                21,400
<PP&E>                                         486,700
<DEPRECIATION>                                 264,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 540,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           83,600
<BONDS>                                        155,400
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         4,300
<OTHER-SE>                                     220,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   540,900
<SALES>                                        353,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               353,700
<CGS>                                          245,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  245,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,700
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 44,900
<INCOME-TAX>                                    16,500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             28,500
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    28,500
<EPS-BASIC>                                     1.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.89


</TABLE>


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