As a retired Chartered Accountant with some experience in business, I'm far from optimistic.
Consider that the directors/shareholders are all over 50 (public info on UK Government Company Register), so not too young to retire. They, with their landlords, come up with a scheme to build a smaller modern factory to secure the future of the business, with the remainder of the surplus land developed for housing,
The Local Authority rejects the plan (nimby-ism?). Along comes a far-sighted VC company, who know the Locsl Authority will not hold out for ever and can afford to waitm with an offer for Harman....can you blame the shareholders for selling out, realising their investment and effort and shedding the stress.
Do we really believe that the VC company want (in their eyes) a funny little factory for an obsolete old process, when their sights are on a development of a few hundred houses in an affluent and expanding area of the country,
It's been fun while it lasted, but if, like me, you like and use Harman products, I suggest it's time to stock the freezer.
can you blame the shareholders for selling out, realising their investment and effort and shedding the stress.
...they [Harman] were always committed to analogue photography, and in selling the business, I would think that in doing so, would want to ensure there was a commitment from the new owners to carry on their work.
Do we really believe that the VC company want (in their eyes) a funny little factory for an obsolete old process, when their sights are on a development of a few hundred houses in an affluent and expanding area of the country...
Sorry, but there's a big hole in your logic. If they want the land and have time to wait, why not just buy the land and buy Harman out of their lease or wait for it to expire? You are proposing an awfully expensive and roundabout way to the same goal.
But look at the other businesses they own. It's a pretty offbeat mix, to say the least. Nearly all small players in niche markets, every bit as weird as a funny little film factory, plus commercial real estate development and management/leasing. They have the experience to run something like Ilford, plus the legal muscle and real estate sophistication to partner up to get the site redevelopment approved by higher governmental authority (probably receiving some share of the profits). They don't seem like the kind of people who would buy Ilford unless they were pretty sure the new factory could be made to happen. I can see no value in Ilford as anything other than an ongoing enterprise.
Another little detail that has been overlooked in 24 pages of obfuscation is that the factory sits in the middle of George Osborne's (Chancellor of the Exchequer) constituency & is probably one of the biggest single site manufacturing employers there.
Black and white film is, at best, 1970s research based on 1930s technology so the long term prospects are uncertain, none of which is relevant to current photographers who want to fill their cameras with what's available.
Black and white film is, at best, 1970s research based on 1930s technology so the long term prospects are uncertain, none of which is relevant to current photographers who want to fill their cameras with what's available.
Sorry, but there's a big hole in your logic. If they want the land and have time to wait, why not just buy the land and buy Harman out of their lease or wait for it to expire? You are proposing an awfully expensive and roundabout way to the same goal.
Apologies for joining the discussion so late, yesterday was a little hectic...
I just wanted to post a something on here as I know Simon is a regular contributor and many will be expecting a response. Firstly I have to tell you that Simon exited the business when it was sold. Simon may well continue to be an APUG contributor in a personal capacity however I don't know that for sure.
Many of you have already read the press release about the sale of the business. I don't really have anything more to add on that front, other that to say it's definitely business as usual. This is an exciting time for all involved in the business, I've worked for Harman / Ilford for 28 years and this is yet another chapter in our story !
Harman will continue to support APUG and my Technical services team (David, Sue and Myself) will monitor and contribute to APUG. I have set up a "Harman Tech Service" APUG member which we will share between us.
Our primary technical support will continue to be via the "Contact Us" section of the Ilford Photo website.
Neil
Neil Hibbs
Manager Technical Services - Harman Technology Ltd
Just for kicks I sent Ken Rockwell a message saying he missed the news of the day. Here's his response. And why I am concerned for the future of Ilford.
I know he is loved and appreciated here. So it won't hurt to let him know it is indeed "photo news." 17 pages in under 24 hours begs to differ. I considered an e-mail bomb but they track that stuff too easily now.
You think he'd still drop in to say "hi." We did think of him as more than just "the Iford guy." I did anyway.
Anyone know how Simon is doing? He hasn't been here since Sep. I hope he didn't leave Ilford due to their buyout in Sep.
http://www.bjp-online.com/2015/09/harman-ilford-film-purchased-pemberstone/
It may very well be that, under the terms of the sale, there is a confidentiality clause which prevents Simon commenting on any matters relating to Ilford/Harmon or their products and activities after his leaving the company. This would be standard procedure in any business sale or takeover.
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