Rochester, NY and Wheeling, IL (January 13, 2009) - Eastman Kodak Co. said Tuesday it has agreed to acquire the production document scanner division of Bowe Bell + Howell for an undisclosed price.

The scanner division is based in Chicago but has other locations in North America, Europe and Asia. It makes equipment that scans printed documents into digital images. The scanners are used widely by health care, financial services, insurance, government and legal offices.

Rochester, N.Y.-based Eastman Kodak said the transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of this year.

"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," Eastman Kodak Chief Executive Philip J. Faraci said in a statement.

To learn more: http://www.kodak or www.bowebellhowell.com