Collective Replies
Hello TerryM,
I think Elevator in Toronto does Ilfochrome.
Cheers,Clarence
Thanks Clarence, I'll look into it. The advantage to Qualex is NO Postage Fees, and no risk of damage in the Mail. Kodak is crazy to part with it, and foolish for not using it as a free delivery service to their customers. They lost a great opportunity.
nickrapak; said:
I'm not sure whether Ilford would be interested in buying out Qualex. Qualex's main premise is bulk processing, something that is not conducive to Ilford's purpose.
That being said, I do think it might be a good idea if Ilford bought out the Allentown, PA Qualex lab (the smallest one) and set up a smaller, professional level send-out service that photo stores could use. For example, the stores that do not have sufficient volume to develop E-6 and MF/LF film can use Ilford to develop their E-6 and MF/LF films instead.
Nick, the main benefit to Ilford in owning Qualex is to provide professional printing of their Ilfochrome -- which will increase sales of Ilfochrome. Qualex would also provide them a FREE delivery service to their customers, and a free storage depot in North America. The Dallas Lab would be needed to service Mexico and South America, and they definitely would want to keep the Canadian Lab just outside Toronto.
SamWeiss; said:
... Encouraging a small company to spend their capital on a declining industry in specialized fields (E-6, K-14) that are going extinct is corporate suicide...
Sam, the decline of Film developing will directly lead to a decline of Film sales! As I noted, Qualex is an opportunity for Ilford to increase availability and usage of their Ilfochrome. This would be good for Ilford!
JanaM; said:
Terry, I think this a bit unfair, because Kodak has invested a lot during the last years to stay healthy in film business.
They have introduced a lot new or improved films since Photokina 2006 (Portra 160 NC-2 and VC-2, Portra 400 NC-2 and VC-2, Portra 800-3, TMY-2, Portra 400 NC-3 and VC-3, Ektar 100).
They did much more in R&D than Fuji and Ilford.
Yes, they have cancelled their old "100 flavours for 100 countries" strategy. Not making dozens of (now) tiny niche products anymore.
But so they can stay in business and serve us well with improved "main" products.
And the niches are filled by other manufacturers, see for example Technical Pan.
Hi Jana, I don't mean to criticize the devoted people who work at Kodak. The Film people are very devoted to Film! The problem with Kodak is that the "majority Shareholders" who control the Company are a bunch of money-grubbing Mutual Funds. Mutual Funds ruin any company they control. These Funds are only interested in money, money, money -- profit, profit, profit. These Funds couldn't care less about Film nor Digital -- just money! All of the bad decisions at Kodak for the past decade can be blamed on the Mutual Funds which own it. I don't see any prospect for this problem to be rectified in the foreseeable future. It distresses me greatly, but it's out of my control. Wall Street people ruin everything they get their hands on. I agree that Kodak must be profitable, but it is possible to make small profits on niche customers. Kodachrome would have had higher sales if they offered it to all their customers -- including Movie customers. Someone on the cinematography website had suggested last year that it would be good if Hollywood bought Kodak. That would be good if it came about.
jerk151; said:
... With the closing on big facilities like this costumers are going to have to make some decisions. 1. Go digital, which no of us want to hear or 2. find an alternative place to have their film processed. Of course this means the small pro lab are going to find themselves in need of doing things they are not accustom to, like advertising. Let people know there is an alternative for them and you are close by. ... but I would not have too much of a problem with seeing big box stores discontinue there processing services, it just seems to be an opportunity for the small guy. I don't see film disappearing anytime soon. And really in a case like E6, you are taking it to them for them to ship off to be processed and returned.
Jody, I do have a few "Local Labs" which have 135 developing machines. However, the issue is QUALITY. When I took my Films to a local Lab, they came back with abrasions and scratches! Since I knew about Qualex, I called them up to see which store they dealt with. I could barely find a scratch on Films developed by Qualex! Additionally, developing colour Film is a complicated process that requires very accurate TEMPERATURE control, and constant testing and replenishing of the Chemicals. Those cheap automated machines in local Labs will not provide top quality developing, and they don't have the necessary skilled people to properly maintain them. Poor quality developing will certainly drive people to go Digital. I want my Films developed by a "professional" Lab, and I don't want to have to pay high Postage Fees nor lose my Films in the Mail. Qualex eliminated Postage Fees, and drastically reduces the potential for loss. One problem is that Qualex doesn't advertise itself as a professional Lab. Their drop box at Wal-Mart didn't even mention their name, and didn't mention that they develop ALL types of Film including Movie. People think that it's Wal-Mart doing the developing.
Simon R Galley; said:
We would not look at wholesale photofinishing as a route to take our business :
Simon, is your business a direct part of Ilford? I did suggest to them that they could go 50/50 with another company in buying Qualex. One thing that is different about North America is the SIZE of this huge Continent. The population in England is concentrated, and so you don't have to drive very far to get to a professional Lab. However, in North America such things aren't within a practical driving distance. That's why Qualex is "affiliated" with Stores so that people don't have to go any farther than their local Store. You also have a much better Postal Service in Britain than elsewhere. In N. A. we only get the mail once a day, and it costs more. Qualex is its own delivery service.
Fleath; said:
I'd rather see Ilford continue to be Ilford and do it very well than try to be all things to all people and spread themselves too thin. There are alternatives to most things on your list too - the future of film isnt in the past.
Alex, what I did suggest to Ilford (regarding these niche Films) is that they could take "pre-paid" Orders for these Films. So, they may only run off production of a Master Roll after about 2/3 or 3/4 of it has been sold in advance. This is a safe approach to serving niche customers.