AP Interview: New Diebold chief defends e-voting machines

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/business-5/1139276046198340.xml&storylist=cleveland

2/6/2006, 8:26 p.m. ET
By M.R. KROPKO
The Associated Press

NORTH CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Diebold Inc.'s new chief executive, determined to cut costs, said Monday he will take a close look at the company's embattled electronic voting business, which some shareholders and computer experts have assailed, but insisted he feels good about its performance.

Thomas Swidarski told The Associated Press the future of the e-voting segment of the company, which also makes automatic teller machines and security systems, depends on a thorough review he will conduct as part of his quest to cut $100 million in costs over three years.

"There's pieces and aspects of each of our businesses that I'm going to be looking at with a very critical eye in terms of what the future holds for us," Swidarski said in his first media interview since taking over the troubled company in December.

He said Diebold Election Systems, the company's smallest business segment, now offers machines and computer software he feel confident will satisfy certification demands...

[buddysmellgood]

1. We need a Boston-style tea party for those machines.