Kleinman leaves Bennett X-Ray after executive restructuring

Other Bennett veterans receive promotions

Perhaps it was inevitable: Trex Medical (formerly known as ThermoTrexMedical) has revamped the executive lineup of Bennett X-Ray ina move that resulted in the departure of former president CalvinKleinman. Most other high-level Bennett executives kept theirjobs in the restructuring, however, which was announced last week.

Kleinman's departure ends his family's long association withBennett X-Ray, which was founded in 1955 by his father, BennettKleinman. Cal Kleinman agreed to sell his privately held companylast year to Lorad parent ThermoTrex Corp. (SCAN 9/27/95). Althoughthe acquisition was a friendly one, Kleinman's position in thenew Bennett was cause for some speculation, as ThermoTrex alreadyhad a dynamic executive for its medical business in the form ofLorad chief Hal Kirshner.

ThermoTrex formed a new subsidiary, first called ThermoTrexMedical but later changed to Trex Medical, that included boththe Lorad and Bennett businesses. Kirshner was named presidentand CEO of Trex Medical and was given authority over Bennett.Initially, the company said Kleinman would lead a new radiographicsubsidiary within Trex Medical, but those plans apparently werechanged.

Several Bennett executives were promoted as part of last week'srestructuring. Walter Schneider, a 10-year Bennett veteran whowas formerly vice president of operations, was named vice presidentand general manager of Bennett. He is now the ranking executiveat the company and reports to Kirshner.

Grady Miars, formerly director of sales and marketing, hasbeen named vice president of domestic sales and marketing. ScottMatovich, formerly director of international sales and marketing,is now vice president of international sales and marketing. DepartingBennett along with Kleinman is executive vice president of engineeringRobert Coe.

While Trex Medical's plans for a new radiographic subsidiaryare on hold, Bennett will move forward with its program to developa new line of radiographic products to be distributed throughLorad dealerships, according to Schneider. Bennett was scheduledto hold a meeting last week to introduce Lorad dealers to thenew line.

"It's progressing very well," Schneider said. "Themarket will see (the line) shortly."

Bennett will also emphasize its digital imaging program, whichwill develop a full-field digital mammography product and thentransfer that technology to develop digital devices for radiographicapplications, Schneider said.