Eastman Kodak to Reorganize 3,500 Workers

Eastman Kodak Co. said it will reassign most of its 3,500 customer-service employees to various business units to make the service more effective. Customer-service workers not reassigned will be part of a central customer-service unit handling such functions as evaluating satisfaction companywide. It will be run by Frank DiOrio, who also heads service and support at the Consumer Imaging business. Cynthia Martin, president of the former global customer- service unit, resigned. The company’s profit is being squeezed by a slowing economy, competition for film sales from Fuji Photo Film Inc. and investments in new digital photographic technology and businesses. Since September, when Kodak cut profit estimates for the first of three times, the company has been reorganizing to cut costs and accelerate decision-making. The company, based in Rochester, N.Y., is investing in digital cameras and Internet-based services to reduce its dependence on film sales. Kodak shares fell $1.38 to close at $40.63 on the NYSE.