Industry icon Bell and Howell has been through many changes and challenges over the last several years, but the company is poised to make a comeback with strong market leadership in a new market segment, while still continuing to support its core business.  Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with the company’s new CEO, Dr. Ramesh Ratan, to learn more.  Ratan most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Direct Marketing Association, and then President of Pitney Bowes $600 million Document Messaging Technologies business.  Prior to leaving Pitney Bowes, he was President, Marketing Solutions.  Ratan has also held executive positions at high-tech/telecommunications companies AT&T, Lucent and VocalTec, making him uniquely qualified to lead Bell and Howell into its new, more technology-focused future.  Bell and Howell currently has about 1200 employees across the country, including a large field service organization and on-site operators for inserters and sorters.

WTT:  Ramesh, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today and congratulations on your new position. What attracted you to the position as CEO of Bell and Howell?

RR:  Bell and Howell is a real American icon going back to its roots in movie projectors and cameras through to today, where we are building an information technology and information services business. The company has been through a number of transformations over those years and seen its share of challenges.  I find the history fascinating and the opportunities for the future to be significant. There was a segment on CNBC talking about the Giving Alliance, featuring such luminaries as Bill & Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet.  Pete Peterson, the founder of Blackstone, was also included.  I found it interesting that of all the things Peterson has done, his resume prominently points out that he was Chairman & CEO of Bell & Howell.  That tells you something about the power of the brand.  So I look forward to taking this great company into a successful future.