Eastman Kodak fights for its future

<p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-12-12/kodak-future/51846228/1?loc=interstitialskip">http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-12-12/kodak-future/51846228/1?loc=interstitialskip</a></p>

<p>All companies fight for their future at all times. Kodak sort of forgot that for a while, but now they remember.</p>

<p>Mr. Landon…</p>

<p>Unfortunately, for a long time my response has been “What future?” </p>

<p> A. T. Burke</p>

<p>About 10 ago my aunt, who had some Kodak stock asked about the future of the business. She was sure digital technology will hurt them real bad. She wanted to dump her investment then. I told her "If Kodak remembers their empire was built thanks to the consumer, they will not suffer at all. However, they had been heavily focused on the corporate end and I wonder too". A year later she dumped her stock because the news from headquarters were not promising. What an irony because where they were when my aunt made her investment. She still made a good small fortune. Glad she didn't keep it. Today, although I still shoot lots of film and print, I rarely use their products. Specially after the demise of Kodakchrome 25 which was my all time favorite and there is not true replacement for it. Huh! Perhaps digital!</p>

<p>Mr. Palmieri…</p>

<p>It sounds like your aunt has much better business sense than the recent top Kodak executives. </p>

<p> A. T. Burke</p>

<p>What will Leica use for their M9 / S1 sensors if the fabrication business folds?</p>

<p>Niko,<br>

In my mind, it seems unlikely that a viable Kodak enterprise will fold. It would more likely be sold as an asset. Fuji might be a good fit; and Leitz seems to be getting cozy with them anyway. But even if it did fold, I'm sure considering EK's long slow decline, they have a good idea of which sensors would work for them.</p>

<p>Mr. Korhonen..</p>

<p>Often business will close down or sell off assets or part of their business without a thought about those to which they have relating contracts, warrantee responsibilities, pending orders, or might be in need of parts, accessories or repair. They will often introduce a product as part of a system with the promise of system item to follow that do not. Look at the APS film system. Many of the high line APS cameras were SLRs whose buyers bought based on the fact that the promised slide film would be available “shortly after your purchase," I PROMISE. </p>

<p>On the other hand, a buyer of the sensor business would have a built in market for Lieca chips already R&Ded, in production and a signed sales contract to ensure them a stream of future business and cash flow. There is nothing like opening a new business with a cash flow and customer base. </p>

<p>I would have no faith that Kodak might recognize its mercantile responsibilities, or that they could get more money for a division or production group that had a product in production already “sold” that would start the new buyers off with some rather than no cash flow. But…</p>

<p>….if the purchaser/ and or prospective purchasers and Leica are good business outfits they have already sat down to find a way to keep doing business together. </p>

<p>A. T. Burke</p>

 

<p>Kodak announced:<br /> Kodak has struck a deal to sell off its gelatin factory in Peabody, Massachussetts. After 81 years of operation under Kodak, the Eastman Gelatine business will be sold to Rousselot, the world's largest gelatin producer.</p>

<p>Folks, All emulisions Kodak makes contain gelatine. Kodak produced it's own gelatin as a quality control measure.</p>

<p>When I first saw the headline that Kodak was selling Eastman Gelatin, I was concerned. When I learned they were selling to Rousselot, I felt better. Rousselot is a quality supplier. Kodak has been buying gelatin from them for years. I've questioned many decisions by Kodak management, but this is not one of them. </p>

<p>Wow, just read that Kodak is getting ready for Chapter 11 filing.</p>

 

 

<p>Wow, just read that Kodak is getting ready for Chapter 11 filing.</p>

 

 

<p>Article on this<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203471004577140841495542810.html?mod=googlenews_wsj"> here.</a></p>

<blockquote>

<p>What will Leica use for their M9 / S1 sensors if the fabrication business folds?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Kodak sold the sensor business a couple of months ago to Platinum Equity.<br>

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204190704577024464175394328.html</p>

... we're all watching a "loved-one" die ... the elders among us are much anguished ... the kids couldn't care less.

 

Such is life ...

<p>I don't see what the big deal is. Film is an obsolete technology, and Kodak is the king of film. They handled the transition to digital extremely poorly, and are now paying the price.</p>

There is plenty of good film on the market. Since the demise of Kodachrome, Kodak offerings have been mediocre to say

the least. There are plenty developers too, but I will be sad to lose HC110, although someone is sure to make a

replacement, barring some patent trick. The death of Kodak's film business is actually quite good news for those of us still

using film. It strengthens our present suppliers, those that have had the sense to downscale, concentrate on good

products and stay away from financial acrobatics.

 

- Børre

<p>guys...i would like to cry...how can I live without tri-x? my only and best one..</p>

<p>I hope we don't lose TMAX.</p>

<p>This should put Ilford on a better footing. I've always loved HP5</p>

<p>It is possible that <strong><em>if</em></strong> Kodak goes bankrupt (it's still an if although looking very likely) their film business must shut down - it is no longer profitable. Chapter 11 or 13, it will have to be liquidated. Bankruptcy will give Kodak some breaks with doing some drastic things with reorganization and with their pension liabilities.</p>

<p>Another big IF: what could happen is that another company other than Ilford buys the "Tri-X" and "TMax" and makes those products.<br>

Why not Ilford? because those products would cannibalize sales from their current products.</p>

<p>Who do I see <em>possibly (not probable)</em> buying some of Kodak's film assets?<br>

Foma. The folks behind Agfa and who knows who else.</p>

<p>Their color film is going to cease - one way or another. Digital is just massacring it and it's not slowing down.</p>

<p>But I'll stress, <strong>this is all speculation on my part.</strong></p>

 

<p>Curtis,<br>

I doubt it. There is still some profit in film as a specialty market, just not enough to support a company the size of Kodak. I bet someone will buy their film division and continue making equivalents to Porta and Tri-X, even if under a different name.</p>