Kodak veteran takes on Xerox

Kodak veteran, Jeffrey Jacobson, has been named as the new president of Xerox Corporation’s global graphic communication division, a position that will see him take on the job of driving the company’s worldwide strategy.

Jacobson (pictured) will leave his post as chairman, president and CEO of graphic arts giant, Presstek, by mid February to take on his new role at Xerox, in which he will oversee the company’s product development, operations, marketing, and sales and support.

Prior to joining Presstek in May, 2007, Jacobson oversaw the integration of six different Kodak companies into a US$3.6 billion enterprise which resulted in the creation of its Graphic Communications Group, of which he was CEO, following a five-year stint as the chief of Kodak’s Polychrome Graphics business, a US$1.7 billion joint venture between Sun Chemicals and Eastman Kodak.

In heading up Xerox’s global graphic communication business, Jacobson will be charged with broadening the company’s hardware and software portfolio, workflow solutions, and marketing support.

Xerox Technology president, Armando Zagaldo de Lima, says he believes that Jacobson’s wealth of experience and years in the graphic arts industry places him in good stead to take on the job.

“Jeffrey brings to Xerox deep customer and industry knowledge and relationships, extensive business acumen and insightful strategies to ensure Xerox remains a respected leader in helping graphic communications clients profit and grow their businesses with our digital printing solutions,” says de Lima.

Jacobson will be replaced in the top job at Presstek by Stanley E. Friemuth, who is set become the company’s new chairman, president and CEO on 13 February. Friemuth enters the Presstek fold after spending almost 25 years with Fujifilm, where he ran the company’s US graphic systems business for 17 years and went on to serve as COO. He has been a Presstek board member since 2009.