Eastman Kodak Company and Siemens Medical Solutions announced an agreement in which Siemens' sales force will sell medical imaging systems from Kodak's Health Imaging Group. This new three-year global agreement is an expansion of previous regional agreements between the two companies and is effective immediately.

Under this worldwide original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement, Siemens Medical Solutions will begin selling Kodak computed radiography (CR) and digital laser printing systems directly to Siemens' customers. Kodak's previous contracts established OEM sales agreements with Siemens in the U.S. and Europe, while this new agreement is worldwide in scope and positions both companies to explore mutually beneficial marketing and new product development opportunities.

Kodak DirectView CR systems and Kodak DryView laser imaging systems are among the industry's most innovative imaging systems for radiology. Kodak CR systems enable radiologists to capture and view digital x-ray images in minutes, while Kodak laser imagers produce digital radiographic image files.

"As one of Siemens' worldwide suppliers of industry-leading medical imaging products, we are delighted about the opportunity to expand our relationship with Siemens and take a global approach in meeting the needs of customers," said Candy M. Obourn, Chief Operating Officer of the Health Imaging Group, Kodak's second-largest business. "We expect that both Kodak and Siemens will see mutual benefits from this agreement, which positions both organizations to grow our individual businesses."

OEMs serve as an important source for sales of equipment from Kodak's Health Imaging Group. For example, when Siemens sells a CT or an MRI unit to a customer, the customer may also want to purchase a laser imaging or computed radiography system, which Siemens does not manufacture. Siemens would then order the system from Kodak to meet the customer's specific requirements and fulfil the order.

"Kodak is an ideal company for Siemens to continue an OEM relationship with, and both organizations share a firm commitment to helping customers achieve tangible, sustainable clinical and financial outcomes," said Karin Finger, Head of the Special Product Accessories Division, Siemens Medical Solutions. "Siemens is one of the largest suppliers of healthcare equipment in the world. We are looking forward to including the latest medical imaging products from Kodak in our broad range of offerings to customers, and looking ahead, we see great opportunities for both Siemens and Kodak."

Siemens has already begun selling Kodak medical imaging products in the U.S., Western Europe and India, with worldwide coverage to be in place by the end of 2003.