Kodak struggles

[J]

From: Eastman Kodak misses in Q2 -- surprised? - BloggingStocks

"When it comes to business models that should scare an investor away, you can put Kodak at the top of the list."

Has Kodak passed its prime? Is it just chasing a digital press consumables lifeline to support its 1950s film paradigm? Is the company doomed to fading away (no pun intended).


regards J

[WiseGuy]

Personally, I think Kodak has some real challenges in this new digital world. Film was their cash-cow and it's going away.... if not gone in most segments. Now stack on top of that an economy that is causing customers not to make large capital purchases and you have a bad situation all the way around.

Like many large (and small) companies these days, they will need to change their business model to survive. But for Kodak, where do they go from here? Film is dead and everything else is a "me-too" solution in our industry and in others.... not saying that Kodak does not have good solutions that compete well in many segments, but it's a way more crowed field and they don't have the commanding lead they did in film. Nothing they have that I know of is any replacement for the money generator of film and processing chemicals - that will be hard to replace.

I'm glad I'm not the CEO of Kodak... that would be a tough job.

[VladCanada]

Ohhhh... the same way, wearing the same old boots as AGFA just went... (no AGFA camera films in wide variety, no more own equipment produced, just plates, plates, plates and chem)

[londonbob]

Should people be concerned about buying Kodak equipment?

[pschill2]

What company isn't challenged in today's economic climate? On B2B side, we're gaining market share and announced some innovative and breakthrough technology and continue to be the best partner to help customers grow their business. On the B2C side, again in a flat personal printer market we're gaining market share (double-digit) growth while Big Ink (you know who they are) struggles. We complain about $4/gal of gasoline. Look at what Big Ink is charging for consumer ink cartridges:
Unbeatable Value

[J]

We complain about $4/gal of gasoline. Look at what Big Ink is charging for consumer ink cartridges:Unbeatable Value

At least we know that we're buying a gallon for that $4. Ink cartridges for desktop printers do not state how many fluid ounces they contain, which makes that part of comparison shopping impossible.

Also, you claim saving some 50% in ink costs, however according to Popular Photography's tests you do so by comparing "apples to oranges"
Here's the reference to test results they've done, with quotes from the article: http://www.popphoto.com/Reviews/Acce...inter-Shootout

"According to Executive Technology Editor Michael J. McNamara, the Kodak EasyShare 5300 All-In-One printer ($199, street) turned out only 165 borderless color photos from an $18 package of paper and ink that is billed as producing 180 photos. "That's about 11.5 cents per print," said McNamara. "But more importantly, the quality of the prints was so low in color saturation that they could be deemed no better than 'draft' quality by professional or lab-print standards." To get what photo enthusiasts would judge "lab-quality" prints, says McNamara, requires more expensive Kodak paper, which boosts the cost to more than 35 cents each." "If you use the more expensive 4-star Premium Photo Quality paper (9-mil thickness) the number of prints from a full color cartridge drops to 80, and the price per print climbs to 37-cents per print. That's more in line with the 4x6-inch prints from the other units tested, and certainly nowhere near the 50% savings claimed by Kodak." "Overall, the 5300 came in at the bottom of the four in terms of image quality for both 3 star prints and scans. And while Kodak can actually claim dramatic saving in ink costs over the competition -- it does so by comparing apples and oranges -- or more accurately, draft quality prints to "lab quality" prints from other manufacturers."

best regards, J

[Lee Wadley]

Still having problems with the new T-Series Plates, The Kodak reps first visit 4 months ago was full of lies and misconception.

They uped the intensity of the laser, and said my Imagesetter's laser lense was dirty, then blamed it on the chemicals and other probkems.
Kodak said their was no change in the weight or thickness of the plate.

I started keeping track of the different aluminum alloy numbers on the back, and weighing the plates on a Digital Mail Scale, I had six different styles in the last four months.
Kodak's T-Series are coming CHINA.

A kodak Sales knew I was keeping track and stole my notes from my Prepress department
when I was away.

The Company is ***** but they have managed to pay off the Administrators of my company to keep using their product.

I don't understand why Kodak did not come out and say they fucked up, instead of causing people so much trouble and production time.


Little Rock, AR
p.s. I'm sure the next reply will be a Kodak rep trying their spin control.

[jetzerm]

Nothing but love for Kodak in my world. No issues with plates, produce about 2500 a month for everything from a 20" label press to 40" Carton Press and 38" Webs, using Kodak Platinum. Use Kodak Prinergy to run the whole operation, Kodak Magnus Platesetters, even a Thermoflex. Make about 1100 Imposed proofs on their Kodak Inkjet Matchprint system. We run a Digimaster and Nexpress. The Kodak 4/c Prosper is a real game changer in the printing world, seen it up close. Kodak is always available, here and responsive everything a company wants from a primary supplier. I believe you, but it just seem out of character to the Kodak I deal with daily.

True they are facing challenges, but what business isn't right now?

[Lee Wadley]

jetzerm

Thanks for the reply, I know it seems harsh,
I believe much of it is going on at The Distributer Level, our local Kodak Sales-people are slimey, they constantly make under-the-table deals with the companies in our area.

I worked on the same Trendsetter and Plate-Processor for Six Years without any problems, Kodak comes in changes everything, and blames it on the equipment, and me.

It nice to know other people are not having problems.

I resigned my position after 15 years in Prepress and will leave the industry for good.

Thanks
Lee

[hansman]

All right I'll chime in
I have been a Kodak fan since way back......
They should weather the storm financial
We have been using the Kodak Thermal Direct Process Plates with great success.
In fact Fuji has been in to our shop about 15 times to get Fuji plates running with no success at all.