Kodak Announces Agreement to Acquire Scanner Division of BÖWE BELL + HOWELL

Acquisition will expand customer value

ROCHESTER, N.Y. and Wheeling, Ill, Jan. 13 — Eastman Kodak Company and BÖWE BELL + HOWELL announced Kodak’s agreement to acquire the scanner division of BÖWE BELL + HOWELL.  The scanner division is a leading supplier of document scanners to value added resellers, systems integrators, and end users.  Based in the greater Chicago area, the scanner division is a worldwide business with locations in North America, Europe and Asia.
 
BÖWE BELL + HOWELL’s portfolio of document scanners consists of complementary products in respect to Kodak Business Solutions & Services’ document imaging product range. 

“Kodak is a leader in document imaging and we are committed to investing in and growing our capabilities to better serve customers,” said Philip J. Faraci, President and Chief Operating Officer, Eastman Kodak Company. “We expect this acquisition, when completed, will enable us to expand customer value by providing a wider choice of production scanners, greater technological innovation to help us bring new, exciting products to market faster, and will enhance global access to service and support for channel partners and end user customers worldwide.” 

BÖWE BELL + HOWELL document scanners, used by general office, healthcare, financial services, insurance, government, legal and service bureau markets, include:
• Spectrum XF Scanners that feature BÖWE BELL + HOWELL proprietary camera technology and high scanning speed for reliable, cost-effective document capture in color, grayscale and black-and-white
• Trūper Scanners that offer high scanning speed and high daily throughput in a compact design
• Wide format Infinity WF Scanners that capture oversized documents, such as maps and blueprints, up to 48 inches in width
• Sidekick Scanners that provide professional level document capture for small offices

“BÖWE BELL + HOWELL enjoys a well-established and highly regarded track record of developing quality products and delivering them to thousands of end-users around the world through a broad, committed channel of value-added distributors and resellers,” said Marvin Isles, Chief Executive Officer, BÖWE BELL + HOWELL.  “Importantly, our products are well-known to Kodak; the company has provided field service to BÖWE BELL + HOWELL scanners since 2001.  We believe our two great product lines supported by a strong channel and reliable service will serve our customers well.”
 
“We look forward to having the scanner division of BÖWE BELL + HOWELL join Kodak’s exciting and fast paced enterprise management business and to help us achieve our aggressive goals for future growth,” said Dolores K. Kruchten, General Manager, Business Solutions and Services and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company.

The parties anticipate this transaction will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2009.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging and data storage industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.