Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG), as part of its overall growth strategy in Asia, is establishing a new greater China region and named the newly retired Chinese publishing tycoon Shen Haixiang its chairman and executive director.

"Kodak sees tremendous potential to assist customers in continuing to develop the Chinese graphic communications industry," said James Langley, president of Kodak's GCG. "We are creating the Greater China Region to meet the growing needs of customers in this vast and unique marketplace."

He said Shen, a leader of the industry in China for 36 years, brings depth and knowledge to Kodak's team in China.

Shen plans to focus on consolidating the existing resources of Kodak's GCG division in China, contributing to the company's global target: promoting Kodak as the world's largest provider in graphics communication products and services, integrating production, marketing, service, software, hardware and system.

"My career has been devoted to developing a strong graphic communication industry in China and advancing technological innovation for the worldwide graphic arts community. I am looking forward to working with Kodak team," said Shen.

Prior to joining the GCG, Shen served as president of the State-owned China Printing (Group) Corporation, which is under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.

Shen played a key research and development role leading technological advancements in China and around the world.

The first Chinese language desktop publishing system was developed under his leadership, and he managed the development of the most comprehensive Chinese fonts system in the world.

Since 2003, Kodak has spent up US$2.5 billion on a series of mergers and acquisitions in the printing industry globally. It acquired the world's leading firms in this area, including Creo, Polychrome, NexPress, Versamark, Encad and Document Imaging.

The graphic communication division is based on integrating these commercial printing companies with Kodak's document imaging and commercial workflow management businesses.

"We expect the business can maintain a 6-per-cent growth globally," Langley said.

Kodak now has four business areas: digital and film imaging systems, health imaging and information systems, graphic communications, and display and components.

Its sales revenues hit US$13.5 billion in 2004.

Source: China Daily