Ilford b&w in Noth America

[jern]

In June, Harman Technology, which purchased Ilford's black-and-white business announced that WYNIT, Inc. would distribute its products in the United States and Canada. It appears that WYNIT will also run photo labs to develop Ilford products in North America.
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/pressroom/article.asp?n=49

By way of comparison, Kodak announced in June that it was shutting down its European Kodachrome processing lab in Lausanne, Switzerland and sending its business to an independent lab in Kansas (which has handled Kodak processing for the last two years). The transition should be complete by Sept. 30. Kodak will continue to sell Kodachrome in Europe.
http://www.amateurphotographer.com/news/Kodak_closures_spell_job_losses_news_87785.html

 

[Uncle Bill]

This is old news.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

This is old news.

This is dry.

 

[jern]

This is old news.

It was new to me and perhaps there are others in the forum that haven't seen it. I'm new. Are you part of a forum committee that decides what news to submit? If you are, I'll be certain to send you everything first so that I don't waste anyone's time or monitor space.

 

[xabi]

This is news to me too. Thanks for the info. I've been using HP5+ exclusively, and this news encourage me to use their product even more. Might switch to ID-11 instead of using D76.

 

[MCTuomey]

thanks, jern

i knew of the kodak situation, but not the ilford decision

encouraging news

 

[jern]

This is news to me too. Thanks for the info. I've been using HP5+ exclusively, and this news encourage me to use their product even more. Might switch to ID-11 instead of using D76.

You're welcome, and thank you. It's nice to feel like someone is encouraging me to participate in this forum instead of just kicking my ass.

 

[kmack]

You're welcome, and thank you. It's nice to feel like someone is encouraging me to participate in this forum instead of just kicking my ass.

<chuckle/>
Keep posting, I had not seen it either, but I normally don't read the film industry stuff.

 

[Mackinaw]

For those who are interested in Ilford's and its products, I suggest taking a look at APUG. Simon R. Galley, one of the head honchos at the new Ilford, is a frequent contributor to the "Product Availability" forum and has been very open in answering questions regarding Ilford, its products, as well as the state of the current B&W film industry. I've learned a lot about the B&W film industry over the past few months reading Simon's posts.

Jim Bielecki

 

[comp_wiz101]

Thanks, this is new to me too. I've been using HP5 for my 120 gear, maybe I too will switch to ID-11.....

 

[jern]

For those who are interested in Ilford's and its products, I suggest taking a look at APUG. Simon R. Galley, one of the head honchos at the new Ilford, is a frequent contributor to the "Product Availability" forum and has been very open in answering questions regarding Ilford, its products, as well as the state of the current B&W film industry. I've learned a lot about the B&W film industry over the past few months reading Simon's posts.

Jim Bielecki

Thank you for pointing to APUG. It sounds like Ilford is actively stepping up as Kodak is stepping down.

I'm a little disappointed in Kodak. First, only two weeks prior to the Lausanne closure they said they would not close the plant - then, they announce the closure. Second, as a reason for the closure they suggest that the Swiss plant was in some way sub-par. Kodak's U.S. spokesman Brad Kruchten stated, "Combining the processing at one location allows us to provide the quality levels demanded by users of Kodachrome film."

Were there alot of complaints about processing from European Kodachrome users? The Swiss are generally very good at everything.

The only reason I can see for Kodak's actions and claims is to keep traditional photo product users buying their products as they slowly shut down their analog product division. I just wish they would be upfront about it!

 

[boarini2003]

Thats why I am a 100 percent Ilford guy, paper, film, develpoer, everything. Their commitment to film is indisputable and refreshing, compared to other companies. Plus, their products are truly excellent. I truly support them for these reasons.

 

[mpt600]

It's a shame, but Kodak just aren't interested in film anymore, so use Ilford. I like Tri-X, but only dev'd in Ilford DD-X. Tried HC-110, didn't like it, couldn't be bothered with trying the rest of the Kodak range when 90% of the time I'm using Delta 400 with DD-X. Don't think Kodak will be in film in any way in a few years time.

 

[Bryce]

I also suppport Ilford (film and chemistry), though I don't use their paper. I simply prefer Forte and hope both companies will thrive in the "post film era"....
Other companies I feel especially inclined to support are Photographer's Formulary and Fuji, both of which seem to be especially committed to keeping our niche viable.
As for Kodak, I still use Dektol and Selenium toner...

 

[jern]

I also suppport Ilford (film and chemistry), though I don't use their paper. I simply prefer Forte and hope both companies will thrive in the "post film era"....
Other companies I feel especially inclined to support are Photographer's Formulary and Fuji, both of which seem to be especially committed to keeping our niche viable.
As for Kodak, I still use Dektol and Selenium toner...

You may not have Dektol and Selenium in a while.

A 5/22/06 Kodak news release noted:
"Over the past several years, Kodak has been absorbing unrelenting increases in the costs of raw materials used to manufacture photographic paper and chemistry, including pulp, silver and petrochemicals. Other costs tied to the escalating price of energy - including transportation and packaging - also have increased. These pressures have reached the point where they can no longer be offset by Kodak’s ongoing productivity programs.
Kodak remains committed to its retail, commercial and professional customers for paper and chemistry and anticipates ample inventory to meet demand."
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2709&pq-locale=en_US&gpcid=0900688a80526283

That is doublespeak. With one mouth Kodak is saying, "These pressures have reached the point where they can no longer be offset by Kodak’s ongoing productivity programs." With their other mouth they are saying that, "Kodak remains committed to its retail, commercial and professional customers for paper and chemistry and anticipates ample inventory to meet demand."

On June 15, 2005 Kodak announced the end of black-and-white paper production. I suppose none of Kodak's "retail, commercial and professional customers" ever used black-and-white paper.
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/papers/portraBW/portraBW.jhtml?id=0.3.6.24.20&lc=en