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Kodak alters B&H deal
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February 6, 2001: 3:09 p.m. ET
Photo film maker agrees to exclude Bell & Howell scanner unit
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Eastman Kodak Co. agreed Tuesday to restructure its purchase of Bell & Howell Co. assets to exclude the document scanner business in an attempt to resolve antitrust concerns.
Eastman Kodak (EK: Research, Estimates), the world's biggest photo film maker, will not buy the Bell's scanner business, which includes the popular  Copiscan and 8000Plus series.
Kodak will still acquire the other assets of Skokie, Ill.-based Bell & Howell's imaging business, including the electronics equipment service unit, the Department of Justice said. As originally proposed, purchasing the scanner business would have resulted in higher prices for customers and reduced product innovation, the agency charged.
In October, Kodak agreed to buy Bell's imaging business for $150 million cash. The deal, which was expected to close by the end of 2000, originally included Bell's digital scanners, micrographics, media, supplies and equipment service business.
Kodak confirmed that it has received DOJ approval to buy the Bell & Howell assets, without the scanner unit. A Kodak spokesman said the company expects to close the purchase in the near future but could not give any further details.
Shares of Rochester, N.Y.-based Eastman Kodak lost 8 cents to close at $44.74 Tuesday while Bell & Howell (BHW: Research, Estimates) fell by 39 cents to $21.43. 
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