GREAT NEWS FROM ILFORD !!!

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"We plan to be the last man standing in black-and-white imaging."
and
"the company hopes to enter new markets such as glass plate coating."


WITH STATEMENTS LIKE THIS (see news release below)
THIS IS A COMPANY THAT DESERVES OUR SUPPORT !!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NEWS RELEASE
Title: Ilford move secures black-and-white future
Date: 9 March 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's good news at last for black-and-white photographers - following last month's management buyout, Ilford Photo says that not only will it continue its current range of monochrome products, it also plans to reintroduce abandoned lines.

According to managing director Phil Harris, the company will retain all existing film lines except SFX200, as well as all existing papers and liquid chemistry. Dry chemistry products, warmtone developers and a number of abandoned papers will be reintroduced over the next few months, and the company hopes to enter new markets such as glass plate coating.

Harris explained: 'The current item list was generated by the receivers for maximum efficiency, so we will reintroduce old lists. For example, we are the only company in the world that can coat glass plates, so while it would not be a big part of our business, we want to consider it. We are committed to black-and-white.'

Ilford Photos was created last month after Ilford Imaging Group's UK arm completed a management buy-out. The team acquired the manufacturing and sales and distribution of the Mobberley plant and, according to Harris, will retain the 380 staff now employed there.

Ilford went into receivership in September 2004, at which point the Mobberley workforce was slashed in half. Ilford Imaging Group's Swiss, French, Australian and US businesses are all up for sale, while its German and Italian arms have gone into receivership.

The new company can only use the Ilford brand for its silver-based black-and-white products, and is not allowed to compete with the Swiss branch's inkjet business using the Ilford name. It is also contracted to provide coating for the Swiss branch's inkjet business for the next two years, unless this arm ceases to produce inkjets after it is sold. However, Ilford Photos has established a secondary brand named after the company's original founder - Harman Technology - to allow it to expand into other areas.

Harris explained: 'The core technology at Mobberley can coat very thin high quality layers that has many non-imaging applications - for example, medical uses. We anticipate that could become up to 20% of our business, under the Harman brand.'

Harris was optimistic about the future, despite Ilford's difficulties over the past year. He said: 'Ilford Photo is profitable and solvent.

The receiver had to decide whether to keep the company trading or not, but we had such great support from our customers that the business came back up off the floor. Black-and-white has been declining by 5-7% per year, and last year it declined by 20-30%. I think next year it will be the same, then the decline will flatten out as we reach the core market of fine art, student and specialist black-and-white photographers. We plan to be the last man standing in black-and-white imaging.'

Source: © Incisive Media Investments Ltd 2004
 

Leon

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well that has certainly brightened up a dark and miserable day here in Ramsgate. I think I might even be smiling (wonders will never cease)
 

Snapper

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It seems so - all existing films will continue, except sfx200, which is no great loss.

So what old abandoned products might they bring back?
 

modafoto

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Snapper said:
It seems so - all existing films will continue, except sfx200, which is no great loss.

SFX200 is a great film because it gives a slight infrared effect which is great for some portraits. I will miss it a bit but then I can learn to use another film for this.

Morten
 
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BWGirl

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Well...double happy day! Ilford & not losing PanF+!!! I am one happy cow-girl! :D
 

modafoto

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BWGirl said:
I am one happy cow-girl! :D

LOL. I found a picture of you :tongue:

cowgirl.gif
 

modafoto

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Snapper said:
So, come on, confess - who actually panic-bought a fridge-full of Pan F+?

Not me...I bought 10 rolls, but have switched to Delta 100 for portraits. I have tamed that bastard and think the film is one of the greatest.
Shine on crazy Deltamond.
 

BWGirl

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Ha! Doc Morten!! I can't believe I left that old picture of me laying around! Cripe... I haven't had pigtails in so long... :wink:

Actually, Snapper... the real question is "who can actually keep PanF+ laying about in the fridge?" haha I use mine a LOT! Love that film!
 

Bob Carnie

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The nicest paper that I have used was Ilford Ilfomar, If they are going to introduce any one product the Ilfomar line of papers would be my choice.
Then maybe Kodak would follow suit and bring back the Ectalure line.
Does anyone remember Cyckora??sp
I only had the chance to look at prints on this paper and it was wonderful

This kind of news would truley make my day.
 

Jim Chinn

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Perhaps in the future Ilford can do something similar to what Kodak does with AZO and do a limited run of an older paper once or twice a year. However, I would not hold out hope for any papers from to long ago. Many of these papers where discontinued because of envromental issues having to do with various compounds in the emulsions.
 

bobfowler

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Snapper said:
So, come on, confess - who actually panic-bought a fridge-full of Pan F+?

I actually sold a lot of my (bulk roll) 35mm Pan F+ because I had way more than I could use in the forseeable future.
 

SteveGangi

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It's good news. I plan to show my appreciation by continuing to buy FP4 and HP5. Meanwhile, my refrigerator stockpile is still there, just in case :wink:
 

sp_maher

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It's been a stressful past year with questions hovering over both AGFA and Ilford--my two favorite B&W companies. I've been using their film, papers, and chemicals for the past 15 years or so. The only Kodak product I use with any regularity is HC110. I am so glad that my favorite films and papers are safe--for now.

Sean
 

Shmoo

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Tom Stanworth said:
I would imagine that pan-f in sheet would excite a few people......

Boy howdy!!!
 

bobfowler

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Tom Stanworth said:
I would imagine that pan-f in sheet would excite a few people......

Excite? Sheesh... I wouldn't be able to sit down for a week! :smile:
 

Aggie

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Ok, this Viking can't resist this since I was one of the few who didn't buy into the gloom and doom tellers when they kept posting about it all disappearing. I posted back and said No they are not going under.



I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ok now that I have that out of my system, just remember to listen to all sides, not just the gloom and doom patrol that is prediciting the demise of analog suppliers.
 

Bob F.

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Nice to hear such fighting talk from Ilford management.

Seems like their talk of restoring old lines is true: a friend of mine who works for a large UK photo magazine just sent me copies of some new adverts from Ilford (attached below). He thinks they may have made a mistake with the prices though....

Cheers, Bob.
 

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roy

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It looks as though it has been taken over by some people who are interested in photography for what it is.
 

Max Power

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Personally, if I were a Kodak user, I'd be abandoning Kodak and switching to Ilford at this moment. (I am already 100% dedicated to Ilford). What I'm trying to say is that Ilford is obviously dedicated to B&W, and is in to carve a niche for itself. I could be wrong, but I don't think that Kodak will stay in the game for much longer...For such a massive corporation, the financial gains to be made in B&W must be miniscule compared to everything else.

If Ilford is trying to get back onto its feet, and is willing to support the B&W community exclusively, then maybe it's time for everyone to get on board now in order to ensure that it does survive.

Just MHO,
Kent
 

jcausey

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As much as I prefer many Ilford products, and want to see them do well, and intend to buy as many of them as possible...

There are *also* Kodak products that some of us love. I, for one, would be very sad if TriX were to disappear, even if HP5+ were available forever; I also love Polymax and Polycontrast, and have every intention of using the heck out of Azo.

Of course, who can predict what Kodak will do? There are those who believe that actual sales figures are irrelevant, and that Kodak will continue to produce black-and-white films only as long as the depreciation on the manufacturing equipment continues to pay off...
 

Lee Shively

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"So, come on, confess - who actually panic-bought a fridge-full of Pan F+?"

I confess. But not so much out of panic, it was due to depression. I've loved PanF+ for 30-odd years--especially the 120 size. I couldn't control myself so I put a couple hundred rolls in the freezer.
 
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