8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

________________

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) – May 20, 2005

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WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_____________________

Pennsylvania	1-8036		23-1210010
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)
101 Gordon Drive, PO Box 645, Lionville, PA		19341-0645
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

610-594-2900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or address, if changed since last report)

____________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On May 20, 2005, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (“West”) completed the acquisition of The Tech Group, Inc., a privately owned company headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona (“TGI”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated April 28, 2005 among West, The Tech Group, Inc, Steven K. Uhlmann and Haldun Tashman. TGI manufactures plastic components and assemblies for the pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer products and personal care markets. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, West purchased substantially all of the assets of TGI, including all of the shares of TGI’s wholly owned subsidiaries in the United States, Puerto Rico, Ireland and Mexico, although West did not acquire TGI’s ownership interest in Tech Group Asia. West also assumed certain liabilities of TGI. The purchase price for the acquisition was $140,000,000 which included the retirement of outstanding indebtedness. The purchase price is subject to adjustment as provided in the Agreement. A portion of the purchase price equal to $14,000,000 will be held in an escrow account and will be paid to TGI contingent on the performance of the acquired business in 2005 and 2006. In addition, $20,000,000 of the purchase price will be held in escrow as security for certain TGI indemnification obligations. The indemnity escrow will be released over a five-year period. The acquisition was financed from available cash and new bank and private lender debt. The foregoing summary description of the terms of the transaction is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, which was attached as Exhibit 10(b) to West’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed May 10, 2005.
	Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
		(a)	Financial statements of businesses acquired.
			Pursuant to Item 9.01(a)(4), West hereby undertakes to file such information as an amendment to this report within 71 days of the date on which this report is due.
		(b)	Pro Forma Financial Information
			Pursuant to Item 9.01(b)(2) of Form 8-K, West hereby undertakes to file such information as an amendment to this report within 71 days of the date on which this report is due.

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SIGNATURE

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 hereunto duly authorized.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC.

/s/ William J. Federici

William J. Federici

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

May 25, 2005

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EX-99

		Exhibit 99.1

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. Michael A. Anderson Vice President and Treasurer (610) 594-3345 mike.anderson@westpharma.com Media: Schwartz Communication Liza Heapes 781-684-0770 westpharma@schwartz-pr.com Investors and Financial Media: Financial Dynamics Julie Huang (212) 850-5628 wst@fd-us.com

West Pharmaceutical Services Completes Its Acquisition of The Tech Group

- Company will host conference call on Tuesday, May 24 at 9:00 am Eastern Time -

Lionville, PA, and Scottsdale, AZ May 20, 2005 – West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of The Tech Group, Inc. on terms consistent with those described in the Companies’ earlier announcement of the transaction.

West will host a conference call to further discuss the business and financial implications of this acquisition on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at 9:00 am Eastern Time. A live broadcast of the conference call will be available at the Company’s web site, http://www.westpharma.com/, in the “Investor” section. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the streaming media software required to listen to the internet broadcast.

About West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is the world’s premier manufacturer of components and systems for injectable drug delivery, including stoppers and seals for vials, and closures and disposable components used in syringe, IV and blood collection systems. The Company also provides products with application to the personal care, food and beverage markets. West’s customers include the world’s leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, generic drug and medical device producers. Headquartered in Lionville, Pennsylvania, West Pharmaceutical Services supports its partners and customers from 50 locations throughout North America, South America, Europe, Mexico, Japan, Asia and Australia. For more information, visit West at http://www.westpharma.com

About The Tech Group

Founded in 1967 and based in Scottsdale, AZ, The Tech Group offers contract manufacturing solutions for the medical and consumer industries. Its customers include leaders in the healthcare, packaging and consumer/technology industries.

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