WALTHAM, Mass. & HAMPTON, N.H.–Aug. 30, 2006–Thermo Electron Corporation (NYSE: TMO – News) and Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH – News) announced that, at separate special meetings held today, stockholders of both companies have voted to approve their merger. At the Fisher stockholders meeting, more than 99 percent of the shares represented were voted in favor of the transaction, constituting a significant majority of the outstanding Fisher shares. More than 98 percent of the Thermo shares represented at the Thermo meeting were voted in favor of the issuance of shares in the transaction. In addition, more than 94 percent of the Thermo shares voted, representing a significant majority of the outstanding shares, approved the amendment of Thermo’s certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of Thermo’s common stock to 1.2 billion and to change the company’s name upon the completion of the merger to Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

“We are pleased by the strong support we have received from Thermo and Fisher Scientific shareholders,” said Marijn E. Dekkers, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Electron. “As Thermo Fisher Scientific, we will have the product breadth, global reach and operational expertise to drive significant value for shareholders, customers and employees alike. We are now one step closer to creating the leading provider of innovative laboratory products and services in the life sciences, scientific research and healthcare industries.”

The merger remains subject to regulatory approvals, and as previously announced, the companies continue to expect the transaction will close in the fourth quarter of 2006.