Year End Results for Kodak

[Skiff]

Under completely ideal conditions (one one film product per day - no production interruptions because of technical problems - three shifts in 24h) about 180,000m² per day. But that is an ideal / theoretical value. Kodak stopped three-shift production in 2003.

 

[Bill Clark]

X-Ray, which is still a huge market

Geographically, the digital X-ray market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central & South America, and Middle East and Africa. North America dominated the global market for digital X-ray in 2017, and is projected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period.The region is set to offer lucrative opportunity for digital X-ray market owing to growing research and development activities and growing adoption of advance technologies. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest CAGR during 2018-2024, owing to increasing government and private investment in healthcare sector in the region. Moreover, favorable government regulations and increasing aging population are further boosting the market growth.

From my experience, digital x-ray use is taking over from film. When I get my teeth examined, once a year or so an x-ray photo is made with digital equipment. Same for my eyes. I had a chest x-ray several years ago and the equipment used for the x-ray was captured with digital. Maybe here in Minneapolis we’re ahead of the curve but environmental regulations as well as the ability to instantly view and transmit the results among others cause these changes.

Some info here:

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-...-Witness-a-CAGR-of-9-12-during-2018-2024.html

 

[HHPhoto]

From my experience, digital x-ray use is taking over from film.

Bill, that is correct for western industrial markets. The transition to digital is already finished in lots of these markets. But I have written "in Asia", because the situation is different there, especially in China, where the demand for X-ray film is increasing. The reason for that: Healthcare reforms: Thousands of small hospitals were / are built in the rural areas in China. And they are equipped with film X-Ray machines. Because the film systems are much cheaper. Foma - who is very active in that market - has confirmed that to us rff members at our Photokina meeting last year.
Another important factor: Industrial X-Ray in production processes: QC of welding seams. You need a bend media for that. No problem with film. Impossible with digital.
Last year Fujifilm said they increase their activities to gain market share in X-Ray film market. Because it remains an attractive market for the foreseeable future. There is a reason why there are still four really big players in that market: Fujifilm, Agfa, Carestream (former Kodak Healthcare in Windsor) and Foma.

Cheers, Jan

 

[Bill Clark]

Hi Jan,

My son works at GE medical (he is CFO) and China and India offer tremendous opportunities for digital x-ray equipment. Portability is a requirement on most locations. If x-ray film is still growing, it will be short lived. Just the environmental challenges using film are get tougher, especially waste disposal. And with digital the examiner has instant results and can be read most any where a computer is conncted to the internet. Cell technology comes into play as many locations don’t have infrastructure yet.

Here is a device made in China:

https://baistra.en.made-in-china.co...l-Control-Panoramic-Dental-X-Ray-Machine.html

Info on GE:

https://www.gehealthcare.com/en/products/radiography/mobile-xray-systems

 

[HHPhoto]

Bill, I am not arguing that. But fact is that the demand for X-Ray film from Asia, especially China and from industrial demand remains strong.
I hope the link to the graphic works. That is the exploding demand from the US only = Carestream:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Dem...AgJEA8&biw=1440&bih=786#imgrc=GQQEogR9bBN0yM:

Even Film Ferrania reported last year that they get permanent requests for X-Ray film from Asia (but they had to say no because they cannot make it).

Cheers, Jan

 

[brbo]

Under completely ideal conditions (one one film product per day - no production interruptions because of technical problems - three shifts in 24h) about 180,000m² per day. But that is an ideal / theoretical value. Kodak stopped three-shift production in 2003.

Thanks!

So, theoretically, they could do a yearly production of film in a week.

That's roughly in accord with the number that I had in my head, namely that Kodak's B38 could coat a year's demand of any of their emulsion in a day.

 

[Skiff]

Thanks!

So, theoretically, they could do a yearly production of film in a week.

No. For classic photo film production about two weeks. Plus several more weeks for instant film, further more weeks for movie film, several more for X-Ray, a bit more for archival films etc.
Not to talk about one of the biggest film products: PCB films for computer industry.

But, that is all theoretical, because as said you would need a three-shift 24h operation. That means 3x of qualified workforce. That don't exist in the short and mid-term. As the ADOX CEO explained, you need about 5 years to educate an engineer or chemist (after his exams) to become an emulsionist or coating engineer.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Even Film Ferrania reported last year that they get permanent requests for X-Ray film from Asia (but they had to say no because they cannot make it).

What is a "permanent request"?

 

[HHPhoto]

What is a "permanent request"?

I am so sorry for my horrible English. I am not a native speaker.
What I meant was that they received several requests from different potential high-volume customers.

Cheers, Jan

 

[maigo]

I am so sorry for my horrible English. I am not a native speaker.
What I meant was that they received several requests from different potential high-volume customers.

Cheers, Jan

I think another equivalent term is: standing order.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[brbo]

Fact is, Kodak would do probably anything to keep their coaters as busy as possible.

This "new" film from Yashica...

https://photorumors.com/2019/04/05/coming-soon-yashica-35mm-photographic-negative-film/

... definitely looks like it's made at Kodak.

On the other hand, Fuji stopped supplying film that was sold under AgfaPhoto brand by Lupus Imaging.

 

[ptpdprinter]

... definitely looks like it's made at Kodak.

Why does it look like it is made at Kodak rather than Fuji?

 

[brbo]

Why does it look like it is made at Kodak rather than Fuji?

The film rebate?

 

[Ambro51]

I wonder if the Kodak Instant film could be reintroduced along with an instant camera line. Yes they got into expensive legal trouble with poloroid. But maybe this could be ironed out now. Printing is a dying trade too.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I am so sorry for my horrible English. I am not a native speaker.
What I meant was that they received several requests from different potential high-volume customers.

Cheers, Jan

Don't apologise for a minor word issue, your English is excellent and you use it well to help others. Thanks!

 

[brbo]

I wonder if the Kodak Instant film could be reintroduced along with an instant camera line. Yes they got into expensive legal trouble with poloroid. But maybe this could be ironed out now. Printing is a dying trade too.

Highly unlikely. Even more after they licensed out their name for this:

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbre...9/kodak-smile-instant-camera-printer-ces-2019

 

[KM-25]

Who here is not interested in the future of Kodak?

A lot of us are and in some cases, really depend on the products. But your track record on quite often being the bearer of bad news is unmistakable, would you not agree?

None of this is in our control, only our passion for the craft is. I would love to see you turn to a new outlook / chapter.

 

[HHPhoto]

A lot of us are and in some cases, really depend on the products. But your track record on quite often being the bearer of bad news is unmistakable, would you not agree?

None of this is in our control, only our passion for the craft is. I would love to see you turn to a new outlook / chapter.

+1.

Cheers, Jan

 

[jarski]

A lot of us are and in some cases, really depend on the products. But your track record on quite often being the bearer of bad news is unmistakable, would you not agree?

...

Don't shoot the messenger as the saying goes. I would have lost news without this thread, and spent my time merrily reading how digital apocalypse is nearing 😛

 

[Skiff]

A lot of us are and in some cases, really depend on the products. But your track record on quite often being the bearer of bad news is unmistakable, would you not agree?

None of this is in our control, only our passion for the craft is. I would love to see you turn to a new outlook / chapter.

I completely agree. His track record is very clear: Always the focus on negative aspects, whether it is Kodak, Fujifilm, recently Tetenal, labs and so on. And unfortunately often mixed up with some misinformation as well.