West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. of Exton – a pharmaceutical firm aiming to create a healthier world by saving lives, eradicating disease and managing wellness – has announced solid first quarter sales and a cash dividend.

The board of directors approved payment of the third-quarter 2014 cash dividend of $0.10 per share. The dividend will be paid on August 6, 2014 to shareholders of record on July 23, 2014. First quarter sales grew 1.2 percent.

“Our first quarter sales performance was consistent with our expectations,” said Donald E. Morel Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. “A number of factors drove PPS quarterly growth rates above our long-term expectations over the past two years. These have included strategic inventory building, responses to drug shortages, new product launches, and a process change, which necessitated substantial sample production for customer validation.”

Morel anticipates the business will grow for the remainder of 2014. He said the firm is confident in the long-term prospects for CZ syringes, vials and cartridges, and said the company is encouraged by opportunities for SmartDose.

West also announced management will participate in three upcoming investor conferences, presenting an overview of its business and outlook. The firm will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2014 Healthcare Conference in Las Vegas, Nev. At 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 13; at the UBS Global Healthcare Conference, in New York City at 3 p.m. Monday, May 19; and at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York City at 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 2.

Live audio webcasts of the presentations, as well as copies of the presentation materials, will be accessible from the company’s website at www.westpharma.com/en/investors.

West works side-by-side with its healthcare partners from concept to the patient, designing and manufacturing packaging, diagnostic and delivery systems that promote the efficiency, reliability and safety of their products. West focuses on cutting-edge technologies and quality systems, a thorough understanding of global regulatory compliance, and an unmatched and growing knowledge base of relevant pharmaceutical product testing, development and packaging.

West supports its customers from sales, manufacturing, customer support and research and development locations in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Established in 1923, West’s 2013 sales were $1.4 billion.

Links: www.westpharma.com/en/investors. www.westpharma.com