Kodak isn't a charitable cause. It's a commercial concern that was fundamentally mismanaged for years. The leadership there completely missed the impact of digital until it was simply too late.
In much the same way, Sears - which started out as a mail order business - was entirely way too late to the internet/eCommerce game.
In both cases, companies that had very clear first mover advantage, market leadership, a well established reputation, and a loyal customer base, completely eviscerated their advantages because their leadership was sclerotic, lacked vision, and didn't pay attention to a changing world.
Neither Kodak nor Sears were decimated by digital or the internet respectively. They were eviscerated by a lack of leadership imagination.
This why I favor having corporate execs be paid mostly in stock options and grants. Small salary, big potential back end. When leaders are long term owners, they pay far more attention. This is why I would hope that Kodak film could somehow find ownership - at least at the controlling stock level - that cares about the product and the customer base. Harmon, Adox, Foma et al might together create a consortium ownership model that would pay attention and be able to capitalize on Kodak's film making expertise and equipment.
This requires R&D (if the products would have to be meaningfully different from the present ones) as well as launching costs, as well as the incurred costs of a broader product portfolio as there would be resistance if they also axed existing products. Those combined costs would have to be recouped from the added sales of these new products, taking into account cannibalization of existing product lines. Long story short - there's very little room for frequent product launches for EK in the still film arena.
Besides, what they really need to find an alternative revenue stream for is the offset plates. That is the pressing problem for them.
Sounds quite funny short after Kodak kicked out film respoolers. Can it be there some coincidence?
Or is it just a threat towards their creditors, something like "You better treat us nicely, or we will break down and you get nothing"?
Just my thoughts...
Alaris is critical to Kodak. As critical as can be. Global distribution!!!
You can't sell film if no one shoots film anymore because there's no film around.
So much handwringing over what was nothing more than a statutory disclosure notice.
Kodak is fine, it's even made its way back to supermarket shelves and gas stations here such is the demand.
A whole new generation of photographers who want more than iphone snaps and AI.
Alaris is a giant anvil around Kodak’s neck; they literally cannot run their business how they see fit. Kodak needs to declare bankruptcy and attempt to get the bankruptcy court to either cut Kodak loose from the Alaris obligation or greatly modify it in Kodak’s favor. Much easier said than done, I know, and I realize we are talking about retirements. I’m not cold nor oblivious. However, that was a different time, a time that no longer exists. If Kodak goes under no one will get anything but the lawyers.
Kodak did it themselves before Alaris was around. Even if they can't dump them they should be able to sell their own line of film domestically. Eastman Films should be a thing. If I want to buy 1000 feet of cine film why can't I just ask Kodak to sell it to me? Alaris is making the mistake of 'Kodak is stealing sales from Kodak' Any film sold from Kodak is a bonus. Kodak should be cranking out as much and as cheaply as they can. You can't sell film if no one shoots film anymore because there's no film around.
Kodak should be saturating the market with good cheap film. Singles, bulk, anything and everything.
Alaris is what remains of Kodak's distribution people.
Alaris is what remains of Kodak's distribution people.
That's pretty much what I'm seeing from where I sit. When I see Kodak film at big box stores and tech retailers, where there was none 12 months ago I don't see that they can go any faster.
As for cheap, well what was $5 in the 80's is pretty much $20 today which is the price I'm seeing for a single roll 35mm - that's just cost of living increases.
3 x Kodak Gold 200/400 24exp 35mm at $49. I don't see a problem with that. Kids today spend $8 on a cup of coffee.
I see Kodak and ilford being quite aggressive in getting product into stores - at least here.
Film was in no way $5 a roll in the 80's, maybe on paper but I remember there were always deals, and sales, and cheaper alternatives. $1.99 for the roll and .99 1 hour development at the minilab plus prints. I'm sure list price was $5 but I don't remember spending that much on a roll of film in the 90's or even the 00's.
None of which are actually needed any longer. The whole world moved to eCommerce mediated sales. Companies like B&H, Freestyle, Amazon, Target, Zoro, Walmart, Sam's Club, eBay, etc. could be used as channels to market and Kodak could run a drop ship warehouse for a whole lot less than what they are likely paying now for a distribution network or even outsource that to a 3PL of some kind. They could focus on product innovation and support by getting rid of the obsolete distribution model they are currently using. I wonder how many end point retailers even see a Kodak rep anymore.
The world changed, Kodak's leadership has not (or not enough). Either that, or they are trying to figure out how to unburden themselves of the Alaris albatross with all this kerfuffle. (In which case I take it all back.)
Just like car dealerships, time to cut that business model out. I want to buy a car straight from Ford or Honda. Same should be for film.
Film was in no way $5 a roll in the 80's, maybe on paper but I remember there were always deals, and sales, and cheaper alternatives. $1.99 for the roll and .99 1 hour development at the minilab plus prints. I'm sure list price was $5 but I don't remember spending that much on a roll of film in the 90's or even the 00's.
Even the Pringles chips in Walmart are way out of date. Why would anyone regard them as a worthy substitute for a film middleman? What interest would they have in any of this unless its dispoable cameras and amateur-level Kodak Gold, which was designed for less than ideal pre-sale conditions? B&H and Freestyle specialize in photo supplies - a completely different story. And some of us have resorted to pooled orders, brokered by Keith Canham, for example.
Gosh, Alan, I can't even stand setting foot in a WalMart. They've killed off more US mfg than almost anyone else, except perhaps Cheapo Depot. Either way, it's mostly all outsourced junk. Who wants junk film too?
I have a sweet 2021 Subaru. No one except a dealer knows how to get into these little beasties. Sure in 10 15 years the robot spawn electric vehicles will drive themselves to have service.
I wonder how many people are in sales at Alaris for US film sales? I doubt it is very many.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?