Kodak to sell its Film and Paper business [merged]

[KM-25]

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AB: I HAVE PULLED VARIOUS THREADS REGARDING KODAK'S NEWS INTO ONE DEDICATED THREAD.

 

 

You might want to stock up, the fat lady has not sang, but this one might be an opening act....

[adan]

Boy, that Kodak announcement is confused (at least Kodak's own wording and FAQ here: Kodak Printers, Printer Ink, Digital Printing Solutions, Document Scanners, Picture Kiosk ).

 

They seem to say "consumer" films (and associated consumer-targeted services and equipment like photo booths and in-store print kiosks) are being sold off - while their B&W films are all in the "professional" imaging section, along with Portra color neg, motion picture stock, etc.

 

However, they say that Paper & Output Systems is part of the sale, and that "P&OS includes the broadest portfolio of traditional photographic paper and still camera film products."

 

So it's probably best to assume the worst until clarity improves.

[40mm f/2]

Here is a link to an other view:

The Online Photographer: Kodak to Sell Film and Paper Business

[MPerson]

Better but still not totally clear.

[traveler_101]

Here is a link to an other view:

The Online Photographer: Kodak to Sell Film and Paper Business

 

What we are seeing is the final phase of the company's dismantling, but we all knew that had to happen. "Another view" is that this opens the possibility of someone buying the film business, which is good. The question is whether a manufacturing capacity built on what must be a huge scale can be scaled down to a more limited "niche" market.

 

Anyway I see that if I want to keep shooting Tri-X for a while I better buy some. I don't have much freezer space here in Norway with a European refrigerator. How long past the expiration date could it be stored (1) in the refrigerator and (2) in the freezer?

[too old to care]

Anyway I see that if I want to keep shooting Tri-X for a while I better buy some. I don't have much freezer space here in Norway with a European refrigerator. How long past the expiration date could it be stored (1) in the refrigerator and (2) in the freezer?

 

I have often wondered the same thing, so a google search pull up many different opinions, but only one source that sound like they knew what they were talking about. That was Kodak http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/e30/e30.pdf

 

Still, I have used B&W films well past their expiration date without problems when they were stored in the freezer.

[CalArts 99]

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They still want to keep the motion film and chemical business alive. They recently pleaded with the courts to allow for new contracts with the studios here.

 

And they've announced a new product just the other day to help position themselves into the digital realm of the industry: Kodak Introduces New Film Aimed at Archiving - The Hollywood Reporter

 

They'll sell off the still film business. But who would put up that sort of capital to buy a business with diminishing consumer demand. It seems like a pretty big risk.

[Rolo]

see:

 

Kodak Takes Next Steps toward Successful Emergence

 

From Para 6:

 

The Personalized Imaging business consists of Retail Systems Solutions (RSS), Paper & Output Systems (P&OS) and Event Imaging Solutions (EIS). RSS is the worldwide leader in retail print solutions with a global footprint of 105,000 KODAK Picture Kiosks; P&OS includes the broadest portfolio of traditional photographic paper and still camera film products; and EIS provides souvenir photo products at theme parks and other venues. The Document Imaging business provides a leading and comprehensive portfolio of scanners, capture software and services to enterprise customers.

[traveler_101]

I have often wondered the same thing, so a google search pull up many different opinions, but only one source that sound like they knew what they were talking about. That was Kodak http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/e30/e30.pdf

 

Still, I have used B&W films well past their expiration date without problems when they were stored in the freezer.

 

. . . although they DO NOT recommend freezing of b&w film or using it beyond the expiration date. Obviously they are being cautious about the expiration date, but reading this makes me wonder whether freezing is actually better than refrigeration.

[traveler_101]

They still want to keep the motion film and chemical business alive. They recently pleaded with the courts to allow for new contracts with the studios here.

 

And they've announced a new product just the other day to help position themselves into the digital realm of the industry: Kodak Introduces New Film Aimed at Archiving - The Hollywood Reporter

 

They'll sell off the still film business. But who would put up that sort of capital to buy a business with diminishing consumer demand. It seems like a pretty big risk.

 

Yeah, it makes for depressing reading. They've retained the more profitable end of their business and cast still film production to the wind. I wonder about the scale of Kodak's production facilities: are they small enough to survive in a much reduced global market? I mean there's no point in buying enormous facilities for small production runs. Maybe some one can buy the name "Kodak film" and the production formulas.

[tomasis7]

As the title says, check source of news.

 

Kodak Seeks Exit From Film, Other Businesses to Shore Up Restructuring - WSJ.com

 

I think it is good move, hopefully it falls on safe arms of other.

 

Adox? It'd be nice complement for other Adox products. The question is finances of course.

[dhsimmonds]

Kodak to sell off film division - British Journal of Photography

 

So Kodak are having to retrench into their printing business for survival.

[andybarton]

Press release here, for those that do not subscribe to the WSJ

 

http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/Kodak_Takes_Next_Steps_toward_Successful_Emergence.htm

 

I can't actually see where it says they are selling off the film that we would use. Does that count as "Commercial Film"?

 

Seems to me to be very unclear.

[plasticman]

Someone over on RFF has indeed pointed-out the well-hidden clauses that appear to mean that Kodak are not including the pro film or movie ranges in the sell-off. In other words, the profitable parts.

 

Right now I'm wondering why Kodak thinks it's good marketing to make everyone think their film division is on the slide (again).

[andybarton]

Are Kermit and Fozzie running Kodak now?

 

I read that Press release twice and I couldn't work out what it is that they are selling. Clearly, WSJ seem to think that they have an idea, but seeing as I am not going to pay them to read the rest of the article, we only have what Kodak say to go on.

 

What they are probably trying to do is get some panic buying going on, to make it LOOK like the Pro film division is trading better than it is, before selling that off in 6 months time.

[stunsworth]

I can't actually see where it says they are selling off the film that we would use. Does that count as "Commercial Film"?

 

They say they're selling their personalised imaging and Document imaging. They later say...

 

"The Personalized Imaging business consists of Retail Systems Solutions (RSS), Paper & Output Systems (P&OS) and Event Imaging Solutions (EIS). RSS is the worldwide leader in retail print solutions with a global footprint of 105,000 KODAK Picture Kiosks; P&OS includes the broadest portfolio of traditional photographic paper and still camera film products; and EIS provides souvenir photo products at theme parks and other venues. The Document Imaging business provides a leading and comprehensive portfolio of scanners, capture software and services to enterprise customers."

 

My emphasis.

 

I'm not a film user these days, but I hope they sell to someone who wants to continue production of Tri-X.

[andybarton]

I am not convinced that means Portra and Tri-X

[plasticman]

I am not convinced that means Portra and Tri-X

 

I see that someone updating the thread on RFF now says that all the still film ranges are included - but not the Commercial Film division. So I'm still confused.

 

Great to see Kodak continuing its long tradition of brilliant marketing.

[andybarton]

I have taken the absolutely radical step of picking up the telephone and actually speaking with Kodak..

 

The division that produces Portra and Tri-X etc IS up for sale. They don't have a buyer, but they have confirmed that they will continue to make these products "for the next few months" while or until a buyer is found.

 

What happens then, is obviously outside of their control.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[stunsworth]

The division that produces Portra and Tri-X etc IS up for sale. They don't have a buyer, but they have confirmed that they will continue to make these products "for the next few months" while or until a buyer is found

 

Fuck

 

Sorry for the French, but for once I think it's justified - I see swearing as an emotional release.