Soon, they'll only have the Learjet left.
KODAK DR: "ROCHESTER, N.Y., December 22
Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced today that, consistent with its previously announced intention to sell non-core assets
to sharpen the Company’s focus on its digital growth initiatives and accelerate Kodak’s transformation to a digital company, it has agreed to sell its Eastman Gelatine Corporation business to Rousselot, part of the Vion Food Group. Financial details were not disclosed. Subject to customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close within 30 days.
About 95 Eastman Gel employees associated with the business will continue with the business following the closing. Included in the sale is 575,000 square foot of production space in Peabody, Mass. Eastman Gel has been successfully managing the transition of the photographic market by increasingly expanding its sales into non-photographic categories, such as the pharmaceutical, edible protein and food/confectionary categories. “Eastman Gelatine is a business that is well-positioned in this industry,” said Brad W. Kruchten, President, Film, Photofinishing and Entertainment Group, and Kodak Senior Vice President. “This sale is another step in our value creation program for our shareholders and enhances Kodak’s financial position.” Kruchten noted that Rousselot is positioned to help Eastman Gelatine continue the recent growth in its sales outside the photographic industry. “Rousselot is an ideal acquirer of Eastman Gelatine because it is strategic to them and the company is committed to growing the business for the benefit of customers and employees,” Kruchten said. “I’m very pleased that we have such a favorable outcome for all of our constituents.” Dirk Kloosterboer, Vice Chairman of the Vion board, welcomes the acquisition of Eastman Gel as an important opportunity to strengthen Rousselot's position in both growing pharmaceutical markets and its current position in North America. "This acquisition contributes to our strategy of worldwide presence in gelatine and proximity to customers,” Kloosterboer said. "
This is what our marketing-speak to plain english translator says. Quote from Kodak's press-release:
" These actions, which the company has already begun, include more tightly focusing its portfolio of investments, intensifying its emphasis on generating cash, and further streamlining its cost structure. Additionally, today the company announced that where permissible by law its executives would not receive a salary increase in 2009 and that it would temporarily suspend for 2009 the company’s U.S. 401(k) match. Based upon the current outlook, company management also does not expect a payout
"Kodak has succumbed to its financial pressures and filed for Chapter 11 business reorganization in New York. The iconic photography company isn't dead yet, however, just very broke."
Is Kodak aware that people are writing eulogies left and right? Is the company even aware of its death? No, not really, according to them they are 'restructuring' and 'focusing on core strategies' and 'enforcing the transformation to an all digital company' and stuff like that. Kodak, welcome to the purgatory, Agfa and Polaroid will be your guides.