Kodak Phasing Out Camera Business

Eastman Kodak has announced it is phasing out its dedicated capture devices business – including digital cameras, pocket video cameras, and digital picture frames – in the first half of 2012. The company’s Consumer Business segment will continue to comprise: consumer/desktop inkjet printers and supplies; retail-based photo kiosks and digital dry lab systems (including online and retail-based photo printing); Kodak Gallery (kodakgallery.com), camera accessories, and more.

The company’s Commercial Businesses segment will continue to include: Digital and Functional Printing, Enterprise Services and Solutions, and Graphics, Entertainment, and Commercial Films units. Kodak’s digital businesses now comprise approximately three-fourths of the company’s total revenues, the company reports.

“For some time, Kodak’s strategy has been to improve margins in the capture device business by narrowing our participation in terms of product portfolio, geographies, and retail outlets. Today’s announcement is the logical extension of that process, given our analysis of the industry trends,” said Pradeep Jotwani, president, consumer businesses, and Kodak chief marketing officer.

In other Kodak news, the owners of LexJet have established a separate company — Brand Management Group — to distribute Kodak media. Brand Management Group (BMG) will sell Kodak Wide-Format Inkjet Media products to imaging professionals in the wide-format print-for-pay, professional photography, fine-art reproduction, sign, in-house corporate graphics, point-of-purchase, advertising, exhibit, and reprographics markets through a worldwide network of distributors and re-sellers. The trademark licensing agreement went into effect January 2012.

Kodak’s ongoing reorganization does not affect sales of the current product line or the development of new products in the Kodak Wide-Format Inkjet Media product lines, the companies report. The licensing agreement between Kodak and BMG does not impact or involve Kodak Matchprint Inkjet Proofing Media, Kodak Professional UV-Curable Display Media, or Kodak Consumer Inkjet Media.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to further build a product line with a reputation for quality and consistency,” says BMG’s vice president of sales and marketing Justin Lehman.

“Kodak is extremely excited about BMG’s commitment to providing industry-leading sales and support along with their passionate desire to expand the Kodak Wide-Format Inkjet Media portfolio. We will be working closely with Justin and his team to evaluate new products and technologies,” says Lisa Singer, worldwide product manager for Eastman Kodak’s Packaging Products Group.

KODAK
www.kodak.com 
 
BRAND MANAGEMENT GROUP
www.brandmanagementgroup.com