POLAROID : Reply From HARMAN technology Limited

[TheFlyingCamera]

Preparation I...

That'd be one case where you DON'T want to apply the goop topically.

 

[arigram]

I think we just ruined the chances of Ilford picking up Polaroid...

 

[Matt5791]

Could be a great news story in this - I noticed that the cessation of Polaroid production featured on the ITN 10 o'Clock news, Trevor McDonald etc. the other evening. I can quite easily imagine the follow up "British company Ilford takes on the manufacture of the Polaroid products...."

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

This just in: Ilford able to take over production of Polaroid materials, but respond to the photographic community, "We just couldnt take the puns anymore."
Lobbying of FujiFilm is expected to continue for a "Polaji" product, which some industry spectators have noted sounds a little like pilates...

I'm glad Harman is officially considering this, I'm quite impressed by their commitment. Thanks for keeping us posted Simon.

 

[Edwardv]

I guess it is time to LABEL everything Ilford.

 

[Black Dog]

Gentlemen take Polaroids

You might want to pick a different port - if you land it at Liverpool the gear'll be nicked before it reaches Harman

Eh La, this Polaroid's dead sound-I'm analogue and I'm proud,me!

 

[Jim Edmond]

Simon, thanks for the glimmer of hope. I love T55!

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Thanks for the update, Simon.

 

[munz6869]

I'll join in with a hearty "thanks Simon"!! I love 665 film, and I'm down to one last box, sigh... It'd be great to have that manufactured again.

Marc!

 

[Rafal Lukawiecki]

And thanks from me, both here and for the personal reply. Pilford? ;-) I guess this better stops...

 

[Stephen Frizza]

I am very glad to hear Ilford Instant Imaging is being considered!
Simon if you were down in Oz ide Hug you! The dedication from you and your team at Ilford to the analog medium is astounding!

~Steve Frizza
The Lighthouse Lab

 

[copake_ham]

I'm not a Polaroid user but would welcome Ilford stepping in. It would at least keep the monochrome side in a duopoly.

 

[sepiareverb]

Once again Ilford proves they're in it for the long haul. Even considering something like this speaks volumes. More Thanks.

 

[JBrunner]

Once again Ilford proves they're in it for the long haul. Even considering something like this speaks volumes. More Thanks.

I don't think I could say it any better. Hats off to Ilford.

 

[3Dfan]

I'm crossing my fingers. ..... If Ilford can make a reasonable profit too, and Polaroid is reasonable about negotiating a license fee, it sounds as if the major hassle would be transferring the equipment and getting production started in England.

I doubt the licensing would be too expensive because the patents have run out and because a third party already found it feasible to produce a time zero clone.

 

[Akki14]

and because a third party already found it feasible to produce a time zero clone.

Who's that then? :confused: SX-70 blend was just normal polaroid 600 in a different plastic case and with a neutral density filter over the top of the pack to compensate for the faster film and SX-70's electronics for ~ISO100 film.
If you know of a completely third party polaroid 600 film, I'd be very interested to hear of it as there's no known replacement for it when it goes as far as I'm aware.

 

[athanasius80]

Thanks Simon!

 

[ajuk]

Didn't polaroid say they have already found a manufacturer to make the film for "die hard" users?

I still see a few places using Poloroid for passport photos, like my local Timpsons, this could have an impact on them and other businesses, no?

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Didn't polaroid say they have already found a manufacturer to make the film for "die hard" users?

NO. They said they "hope" someone would.

 

[keithwms]

If somebody would pick up an analogue of panatomic x, I could at least console myself on the loss of 665/55. Panatomic x is what these pos/neg films are based on, no?

Just got my last big [expensive] batch of type 55! I'm gonna make these shots count!

 

[Alex Hawley]

Thanks Simon. Even if Ilford picked up just the B&W products it would be great. There was a time when Polaroid made a B&W type 600 integral film. That would be nice to have again, especially if it could also be used in the SX-70 cameras. But at a minimum, please consider Type 55 and 665 pos/neg films.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Keith, no one has any proof on this hypothesis. It is a guess, until Kodak or Polaroid confirms it.

As for the plant, lets assume it is completely paid for and sales for the last 3 years were $1M, $750K and $500K. These are made up. Polaroid says that $500K is the cutoff for them and have to bail. Well, with that projection, we assume next years sales will be $250K by that model (all hypothetical you understand).

Now, the plant in this hypothesis, along with land is $1M. A company buying it with a declining sales forecast would have to wait quite a few years for income to pay back the $1M purchase price. So, lets assume that the equipment and land are worth $750K. It seems by this model (all hypothetical) that it would be best to sell the plant for scrap and sell the property for development, right?

Ok, now use your own figures in this but remember that something is causing Polaroid to be nearing the 'bust' point. Put that into any model you want, and you come out with a situation where bankers would be very careful of loaning money or doing any investing in this type of enterprise. Knowing some of what is going on at Kodak makes me feel that the purchase of Polaroid by any company is doubtful. Fuji may continue for a while, but even that is not assured.

Please don't accuse me of being pessimistic in the face of all of these optimistic posts. Ilford will do what they can with their resources, but to be even handed please consider that it may not happen even with the best of intentions.

I wish everyone the best, but be prepared for this rolling die to fall on any face.

PE

 

[Barry S]

PE- I think your appraisal is only valid to a point. The entity that calls itself Polaroid has no interest in sensitized materials anymore--it's no longer part of their core business. I think they were willing to milk that cow for a while until the milk got to be a little more difficult to obtain. They never had any interest in new R&D or market development in that area. Their only real interest is in converting their brand equity into cash. I'm sure they've been eyeing their capital assets all along waiting for the right opportunity to cash those out as well. In that kind of atmosphere, there's not any room to think about reconfiguring a product line to ensure it's continued viability. I'm the first to agree that the Ilford deal is a long shot, but it may make economic sense for them to cherry pick profitable orphan products that fall in line with their core business.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I'm not thinking of just Ilford though. I'm making a generalized case from direct knowledge of how hard it would be to make any one of these instant products. They would literally have to use the Polaroid plant due to the huge cost of moving or rebuilding from scratch and when you consider that, then my hypothesis becomes more realistic.

Remember, I've been involved in instant work and know the ins and outs of the production processes and their problems. It is not an easy task.

PE

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

So Ron, considering that Fujifilm already make some Instant peel apart films, how tough would it be for them to offer variations? It seems that their quality control is better than Polaroid lately, so perhaps they already know the production processes better. As an example, they make one colour Instant peel apart film, which is FP100C, available in two sizes, and two different surface finishes. How tough would it be for Fuji to make another colour variation, either more saturated, or perhaps something to come closer to proofing Astia 100F in colour?

My own guess on this is that Fuji are probably happy to soon be the only peel apart film producer. It would surprise me if they made anything else, though maybe something to fit all those consumer instant cameras (600 Instant, not peel apart). They could also try selling more Instax cameras and film in North America, which are products they already make.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography