Harrow Kodak Factory Closing

Wallendo · May 18, 2016

Unfortunately, Harman is now owned by a venture capital group also.

Gerald C Koch · May 18, 2016

Don't forget that Kodak also makes a range of papers for inkjet (giclee) prints. So their line includes other than conventional silver papers.

http://www.theipsstore.com/kodak-photo-paper-s/755.htm?gclid=COyz28ed5cwCFUodgQodrjgCtQ

Diapositivo · May 19, 2016

Prof_Pixel said:
There used to be an acronym for - Shareholders, Customers and Employees (and maybe some others). Do you remember?

Corporate rethoric usually refers to the three cathegories as "stakeholders".

I don't know the acronym: maybe the SON suggested by PE but what would that be?

pdeeh · May 19, 2016

Wallendo said:
Apparently the photographic division of Kodak Alaris is basically a "cash cow" that provides capital to enhance their other businesses. The Harrow plant could not produce photo paper as efficiently as it could be outsourced. KA apparently sees little growth opportunity in film and photo paper, and therefore has no incentive to develop "right-sized" manufacturing capability. KA is now basically a photographic marketing company, selling photographic products manufactured by others.

Lots of "apparentlys"

As to the statement to which I added bold emphasis, it's hardly as though KA have ever pretended to be anything else.
Their corporate statements have never said anything about a commitment to film, paper or any other analogue photographic product, only that they will continue in those businesses as long as it adds value to their business.

Andre Noble · May 19, 2016

I have spent $1,000 on RA-4 color photographic paper in the last year, but all of it went to Fuji because Fuji provides cut sheets. Kodak on the other hand does not.

MattKing · May 19, 2016

Andre Noble said:
I have spent $1,000 on RA-4 color photographic paper in the last year, but all of it went to Fuji because Fuji provides cut sheets. Kodak on the other hand does not.

Ironically, the switch over to the Carestream facilities might make it possible to re-introduce cut sheets, as they would have the packaging facilities at least.

The story is that by the time that Kodak discontinued cut sheet colour paper, the volumes were so low that they had contracted with a single individual to do the cutting and packaging in his one person operation. And he decided to retire.

Photo Engineer · May 19, 2016

MattKing said:
Ironically, the switch over to the Carestream facilities might make it possible to re-introduce cut sheets, as they would have the packaging facilities at least.

The story is that by the time that Kodak discontinued cut sheet colour paper, the volumes were so low that they had contracted with a single individual to do the cutting and packaging in his one person operation. And he decided to retire.

Matt, you are oh so close to the truth.

PE

pentaxuser · May 19, 2016

MattKing said:
The story is that by the time that Kodak discontinued cut sheet colour paper, the volumes were so low that they had contracted with a single individual to do the cutting and packaging in his one person operation. And he decided to retire.

I knew that Kodak RA4 paper sales had slumped but it is a little worrying if Kodak had found that the demand for its cut-sheet RA4 paper could be handled by one man even if he had equipment that was fully automated and virtually ran by itself.

If it was he with a largely manual set-up then I wonder how low the demand for cut-sheet Kodak paper was that enabled one man working say 8 hours a day on 5 days a week to cope?

Let's hope that the resurrection of cut-sheets may be possible

pentaxuser

Harrow Kodak Factory Closing

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