More Ilford News - "lford UK will survive"

[Fintan]

lford UK will survive
Ilford D is closing, but Ilford UK will survive: black-and-white materials from Ilford UK will be available further on - „that‘s for sure“

said Günther Neugebauer (Manager Ilford Imaging GmbH aka Ilford Germany), to whom we talked about recent developments concerning Ilford‘s troubles in the last months.

Actually, there are two buyers interested in Ilford UK; a final decision is expected these days (end of this week). It seems to be sure, though, that Ilford‘s black-and-white materials will be produced and be available further on: „That‘s for sure; that‘s absolutely certain“ said Günther Neugebauer in an interview with photoscala.

Besides, Ilford Switzerland GmbH is for sale as well but this isn‘t any problem at all since we‘re talking about a prospering subsidiary here (ink jet materials and Ilfochrome products).

According to a yesterday‘s press release form Ilford Germany, the Ilford Imaging GmbH (aka Ilford Germany) will exist only until February, 28, 2005. From 1st of March 2005 all Ilford products will be distributed through Bon Image GmbH, a company founded in November 2004 in Hofheim / Taunus (western Frankfurt / Main). Bon Image GmbH is an independent marketing company distributing imaging products, including the whole range from UK based Ilford Ltd. (black-and-white films and papers), and including ink jet products (like Ilfochrome, Ilfocolor, Galerie, Printasia, Studio, Ilfojet, Omnijet, Archiva) from Swiss based Ilford Switzerland GmbH. Managers are Richard Franke (former sales manager Ilford Imaging GmbH) and Günther Neugebauer (former manager Ilford Imaging GmbH).

Source;
http://www.photoscala.com/node/view/631

 

[jovo]

Good news for a change. Thanks.

 

[Leon]

P-H-E-W (for now)

 

[BWGirl]

Thanks for the update Fintan! What a breath of fresh air that is - especially after the article I saw in out paper on how Kodak's going all gaga over digital.

 

[Steve Roberts]

„That‘s for sure; that‘s absolutely certain“

I'm afraid I always get worried when businessmen or politicians say such things!

On a different note, has anyone else here read "Silver By The Ton"? This was a fascinating history of Ilford from the firms first days up until 1979, when the book was produced to celebrate the firm's centenary. The book ends on a very upbeat note, and rightly so, as in those far-off days of 25 years ago digital photography hadn't even been dreamt of !

Steve

 

[sparx]

WOO HOO!

 

[ann]

what does this mean in terms of chemistry?

 

[rbarker]

I see this as good (interim) news for Ilford UK, as well. But, it's unclear whether the German Ilford group is being de-activated as part of the receivership, or just what that story is. And, in truth, it's unclear how much inside scoop on Ilford UK Herr Neugebauer has, as the manager of the German unit being closed. It may be best to wait for definitive news from Ilford UK.

Ann - I've heard talk that the production of Ilford chemistry was or is being outsourced. But, again, no definitive news from Ilford itself that I've seen.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Die Ilford Imaging GmbH kann nicht weiter bestehen, weil sich schlicht kein Käufer dafür fand: Sie war bislang eine 100%ige Tochter der englischen Ilford Ltd. und ihre Profite flossen zur Mutter nach England. Die Insolvenz auf der Insel betraf deshalb direkt auch die deutsche Niederlassung, die plötzlich bilanziell überschuldet war; und kein Käufer wollte diese Verpflichtungen (inklusive der Pensionsverpflichtungen) übernehmen. Die Bon Image GmbH will von den 38 Mitarbeitern der Ilford Imaging GmbH zehn übernehmen.

The German version of the press release is a bit clearer - Ilford Imaging GmbH was unsaleable because of its debts (including pension commitments) resulting from the insolvency of Ilford UK. The new independent marketing company Bon Image GmbH is taking over 10 of the former Ilford Germany's employees. Two buyers are contending for Ilford UK. The release also says that film and paper will continue to be produced - nothing about chemicals.

 

[Bob F.]

what does this mean in terms of chemistry?

I spoke with the boss of "a large UK retailer" last week when I placed an order and he said that liquid chems are expected to be delivered before the end of this month. Powdered chems are still looking for someone to make them. He also said that the management buyout was going ahead, but I have no idea how good the quality of his info may be on that....

Cheers, Bob.

 

[FrankB]

AWOOGA AWOOGA AWAAH AWAAH AWOOGA AWOOGA AWAAH!

 

[Brac]

In this weeks "Amateur Photographer", a UK published weekly, it refers to Ilford and says that as well as there being a management buy-out team in the bidding, who would keep Ilford as a going concern, there are also "elements" in the bidding who would not. Presumably these would be asset strippers who would want to get hold of the factory etc for redevelopment or whatever. So though we must hope that there is a successful management buy-out, the final outcome regretably is still not clear.