Instead of bitching about the way Kodak has a weird way of pricing it's film I decided to research all that has happened to their personal film division since filling Chapter 11. I found some interesting things out. Here's some interesting comments from Mr. Perez.
In his statement, Perez reaffirms his goal to transform Kodak into a printing company, claiming that it has the broadest portfolio solutions and enterprise services. He adds: These businesses have substantial long-term growth prospects worldwide and are core to the future of Kodak. We are confident that our competitive advantages in materials science and deposition technologies, as well as our know-how in digital imaging, will enable us to capitalize on those opportunities and extend our leadership in key growth markets.
The printing business is currently dominated by companies such as HP, Epson and Canon. Before joining Kodak, Perez worked for HP, where he served as president and CEO of HPs inkjet imaging division before taking on the post of president of HPs consumer business.
Kodak also plans to retain its Consumer Inkjet, Entertainment Imaging, Commercial Film and Specialty Chemicals businesses.
BJPs technology contributor Jonathan Eastland says the announcement could push more photographers towards digital photography. In the short term, this latest snippet in Kodaks sorry on going saga to regroup and rebuild will push many more photographers still dabbling with film but teetering on the edge of the digital divide, over the cliff. Theyll simply give in to the inevitable, faced as they surely will be with ever increasing costs-per-silver-frame and further contracting lab infrastructure.
In recent months, both Kodak and Fujifilm have increased the prices of their professional and consumer films.
Eastland adds: On a more positive note, the news ought to present Ilford with a golden opportunity to net significant gains from the fall-out of Kodak film enthusiasts pondering a switch in allegiance. Fuji has colour but Ilfords HP5+ black-and-white emulsion is up there with Tri-X; they just need to do a lot more to raise their image profile.
Now what about the new owners KPP (U.K. Kodak Pension Plan)?
"Our excitement around the acquisition of these businesses comes not just from their market strength but from what we see as long-term, highly successful growth opportunities," said Steven Ross, independent chairman of KPP. "Today starts the new chapter of a storied brand and we're thrilled with the potential the new company holds for our plan members, our customers, and our employees."
Dennis Olbrich, president of Kodak Alaris' Personalised Imaging business, and Dolores Kruchten, president of Kodak Alaris' Document Imaging business, will provide leadership for Kodak Alaris.
Maybe the pensioners want their money and want it now and maybe it isn't those folks causing the problem? Maybe it's Kodak Alaris dictating the pricing structure? Either way, I see it as lining up all the nails for the coffin and they're getting close to finding the hammer. They had better have a far superior product to market and price the way they are and I just don't see that way. Tri-X as being far superior to HP5+? Different, yes! Superior, NO!
If I were more concerned or worried that I could never get another roll of Kodak film again I'd contact one of the folks above to find out what's going on and to let them know this is not going to be good for the competitive nature of the film business. Of course they know much more than we know, but we'll see how this plays out. I think I've already read the last chapter of this book first and it's not a happy ending for anybody. I have a roll of Ultrafine Extreme 400 in my Pentax 6x7 right now. I guess you get my drift. John W