kodak sells ccd sensor technology

[kmallick]

I came across this news that Kodak sold the ccd sensor business today to a private equity firm Platinum Equity. I wonder what future holds for the sensor in the next digital M.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111107/BUSINESS/111107038

 

[hausen]

Wow, things are happening fast!

 

[Keith]

In a conference call last week with Wall Street analysts, Kodak CEO Antonio M. Perez said the company expects to raise a total of $200 million this year by selling what it called “non-strategic assets.”

When a company that bought photography to the masses and is associated with photography generally in most people's minds sells it's sensor technology as a 'non strategic asset' ... I'm not sure what to think! 😕

 

[Jamie123]

I could be worse. They could discontinue Portra films.

 

[Jamie123]

If a company that bought photography to the masses and is associated with photography generally in most people's minds sells it's sensor technology as a 'non strategic asset' ... I'm not sure what to think! 😕

I suppose it just means they're getting out of the camera business. To be fair, whether or not they make sensors that go in cameras of other brands probably has little impact on what most people associate with Kodak.

 

[NickTrop]

When you start chuckin' furniture into the fireplace to keep the fire burnin' because you can't afford to go out and buy firewood, it's never a good sign. Sooner or later you run out of furniture.

 

[Keith]

So will Kodak become the new Benneton ultimately ... just a name that looks good on a scarf? 😀

 

[porktaco]

wonder what the R&D budget will be?

 

[Jamie123]

So will Kodak become the new Benneton ultimately ... just a name that looks good on a scarf? 😀

I assume they're just going to focus on the printer business although I sure hope they keep making film.

 

[sepiareverb]

It's over. Selling their best connection to the modern photographic dollar. Better stock up on Tri-X now if ya like it.

 

[Keith]

And I didn't realise that this had already gone in their 'car boot sale!'

OmniVision Technologies Inc. bought Kodak’s CMOS image sensor assets — namely close to 850 sensor-related patents and patent applications — for $65 million earlier this year.

 

[kdemas]

Exactly. Sad news indeed.

It's over. Selling their best connection to the modern photographic dollar. Better stock up on Tri-X now if ya like it.

 

[Rob-F]

I assume they're just going to focus on the printer business although I sure hope they keep making film.

But what makes them think we need Kodak printers over and above Canon or Epson, et. al.? Seems like sensors are just as much today's product as printers. As a consumer I might not know why I need a Kodak printer rather than an Epson. As a manufacturer (if I were one) I might know why I need a Kodak sensor. Hope they know what they are doing.

 

[kdemas]

On a slightly related matter.... I hope Leica can talk Sigma into letting them use that new Foveon sensor in a future M10. That would be one heck of a combo, if Sigma/Foveon has the micro lens know how to make it fly.

And now, back to our Kodak wake 🙁

 

[BillBingham2]

When a company that bought photography to the masses and is associated with photography generally in most people's minds sells it's sensor technology as a 'non strategic asset' ... I'm not sure what to think! 😕

I'm thinking that you should make sure that none of your family ever go to the same business school as the morons who are running the company into the ground went to.

Chop it up and sell the pieces, makes me very sad.

B2

 

[Keith]

I can't believe the dummies aren't checking in here at RFF regularly to pick up some advice and possible survival tips for our (whoops-sorry) their future!

What's the problem ... maybe they've had their internet cut off? 😛

 

[flip]

When you start chuckin' furniture into the fireplace to keep the fire burnin' because you can't afford to go out and buy firewood, it's never a good sign. Sooner or later you run out of furniture.

+1

Sounds like the kind of restructuring move one does prior to calling it a day. Were I Kodak, I would be hitting the singles bars looking for someone to pick up my brand in a buyout. Imagine the sparkle a name like Kodak would lend to Ilford.

 

[Rob-F]

Chop it up and sell the pieces, makes me very sad.

B2

Yes, now that you mention it, that could be what they are doing. The old Carl Icahn trick? Isn't that what he did (or does)? Maybe they will sell Tri-X to Ilford.

 

[splitimageview]

Apple ditched their printer division and the Newton (among other things) when Jobs came back. Look at them now. Sometimes simplifying and focusing on only a few products is required. We'll see if they can pull it off.

 

[boffen]

Kodak should make film scanners.