By Jon Kamp Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Medical-device maker C.R. Bard Inc. (BCR) said Monday it has a new cost-curbing and restructuring plan that will include an undefined number of staffing cuts. "The plan includes the realignment of certain manufacturing, sales and marketing, and administrative functions," Bard said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "The company expects this plan to result in the elimination of certain positions and other employee terminations worldwide." The company didn't specify the number of jobs that could be affected. The SEC filing came during the start of Bard's annual analyst meeting. The company said it estimates a pre-tax charge of about $20 million in the current quarter, largely caused by cash expenditures from separation costs and other employee-termination expenses. Bard also said it expects activities under this plan "to be substantially complete by the end of 2011." Shares of the Murray Hill, N.J., company, which makes vascular, urology and oncology devices, were recently unchanged at $86.05 in after-hours trading. Bard's shares are up more than 10% on the year. -By Jon Kamp, Dow Jones Newswires; 617-654-6728; jon.kamp@dowjones.com
