Interview with Impossible Project CEO on BBC

[Henning Serger]

Hello,

just FYI:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02zj1zd

I joined the Impossible factory tour in Enschede this may.
Extremely interesting. I've visited several film factories so far, but this was the first instant film factory.....
The people there make an outstanding job. Despite lots of big difficulties and obstacles, they continue their hard work and hold on tight to their dream.

As well as with my other film factory visits (e.g. Ilford, Film Ferrania) a report by me will be published in the next issue of our film photography print magazine "PhotoKlassik"

www.photoklassik.de
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoKlassik

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Trail Images]

Henning, thanks for sharing this information. Good to hear about another success story taking place in the world of analog film....

 

[Henning Serger]

Henning, thanks for sharing this information.

You're welcome.

Good to hear about another success story taking place in the world of analog film....

Well concerning success, it is both yes and no:
Yes,
because of the ongoing technical progress:
- the films are getting better (the current new version "2" is a significant further progress)
- the programme of products is extended
- in the factory we've seen new investments both in machinery and in human capital (new young employees)
- the cooperation between the Enschede team and the R&D and production partners from InovisCoat in Germany works very well.

No,
because so far it is not an economic success yet, despite the increasing demand with 20+% growth rates p.a. The Impossible staff has been very honest and open minded at the tour. They very precisely told us about all the problems which still must be solved.
So far they still have not reached the break even point. They still loose money on each film pack sold. They probably need another 2-3 years to reach the break even.
Fortunately they have an investor who is able and willing to finance the work of the next years.

Their strategy to become profitable in the future:
- Increased investments in R&D to significantly improve the films
- then with each further step in improving films getting more and more satisfied customers and increase demand to the break even point and then beyond
- new own camera: Increasing demand by a complete new camera with significant advantages, e.g. in this new Impossible camera the battery will be in the camera, not in the film anymore.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Trail Images]

So far they still have not reached the break even point. They still loose money on each film pack sold. They probably need another 2-3 years to reach the break even.

I suspected as much but still try to be optimistic about these things. After working in a demanding business for 37 years in products that were always in demand, phone systems, it was still a very tough business world out there. For a product that is not a really necessity in life, well, it's much tougher no doubt. Good luck to those folks in their endeavor.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

This is good information - thank you.

I wish them success and I will continue to buy their film.

 

[AgX]

As usual for Impossible statements their CEO is not telling the truth.

 

[film_man]

As usual for Impossible statements their CEO is not telling the truth.

Why?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Why?

http://youtu.be/MMzd40i8TfA

 

[Bob Carnie]

PhotoKlassik looks like an amazing magazine. I take it's not available in English?

Hello,

just FYI:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02zj1zd

I joined the Impossible factory tour in Enschede this may.
Extremely interesting. I've visited several film factories so far, but this was the first instant film factory.....
The people there make an outstanding job. Despite lots of big difficulties and obstacles, they continue their hard work and hold on tight to their dream.

As well as with my other film factory visits (e.g. Ilford, Film Ferrania) a report by me will be published in the next issue of our film photography print magazine "PhotoKlassik"

www.photoklassik.de
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoKlassik

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

Hi Bob,

PhotoKlassik looks like an amazing magazine. I take it's not available in English?

well, it does not only look like an amazing magazine, it really is an amazing magazine.....
- 4 editions per year
- each edition with 100 pages
- high print quality
- extremely little adverts, you pay for real content from the authors
- a great variety of authors from all areas of film photography
- it is a magazine for current, active film photography, not for collectors (we already have two special magazines for collectors in Germany).

And sorry, no, it is not available in English, only in German. But international shipment is no problem. Maybe a good option for those who want to refresh their German from school, or are currently learning German.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hello Henning

They say a picture is worth a thousand words,so who needs to understand another language, I may take you up , this magazine looks compelling.

bob

Hi Bob,



well, it does not only look like an amazing magazine, it really is an amazing magazine.....
- 4 editions per year
- each edition with 100 pages
- high print quality
- extremely little adverts, you pay for real content from the authors
- a great variety of authors from all areas of film photography
- it is a magazine for current, active film photography, not for collectors (we already have two special magazines for collectors in Germany).

And sorry, no, it is not available in English, only in German. But international shipment is no problem. Maybe a good option for those who want to refresh their German from school, or are currently learning German.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

Hello Henning

They say a picture is worth a thousand words,so who needs to understand another language, I may take you up , this magazine looks compelling.

bob

Hello Bob,

you can order the current edition and all the former editions either via the website www.photoklassik.de, or via email order: abo@photoklassik.de .
I hope you enjoy the magazine.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[inglis]

It is a wonderful magazine, even for one without German, for the photos and often understanding charts and presentation of research.
But with German, Henning Serger's continuing series on the relation between equipment and results is inspirational. He talks in the first installment on why more recent cameras are worth the effort based on years of testing tolerances for focusing and the like. The second installment is on lens attributes for various results . . .
John

 

[Henning Serger]

It is a wonderful magazine, even for one without German, for the photos and often understanding charts and presentation of research.
But with German, Henning Serger's continuing series on the relation between equipment and results is inspirational. He talks in the first installment on why more recent cameras are worth the effort based on years of testing tolerances for focusing and the like. The second installment is on lens attributes for various results . . .
John

Dear John,

thank you very much for your appreciation! I am glad that you find the magazine 'PhotoKlassik' and my article series very helpful.
You can look forward for the next article of the series: It will be about the power / performance of film and film - lens combinations. A main part of the series.

Best regards from Germany,
Henning

 

[Peter Schrager]

henning which buy button to use for international..I would like to support your efforts
best, peter

 

[Henning Serger]

henning which buy button to use for international..I would like to support your efforts
best, peter

Dear Peter,

thank you very much for your support!
Please visit the official website:
http://photoklassik.de/
and scroll a bit down:

There you will find the email address for distribution and payment options: abo [at] photoklassik.de

Just send an email at this address and you get in contact with the distribution experts (I am only one of the regular authors).

You can choose between a subscription or single former editions which you want.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Peter Schrager]

Thanks henning

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