If Kodak Goes Bankrupt, What Happens Next?

Last week’s Wall Street Journal article contends that Kodak is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Kodak would not comment on what it considers rumors, and that’s fair given that the Journal’s story was based on unnamed sources, but last fall under similar circumstances Kodak put out a press release denying any intention to declare bankruptcy. This time around the rumors are looking like a distinct possibility.

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Konica Minolta and Kodak to partner in cut sheet

Konica Minolta and Kodak have announced that they are deepening their relationship in the monochrome and colour cut sheet digital printer markets. The move comes hot on the heels of Heidelberg’s revelation that its digital printer partner was to be Ricoh.

Under the terms of the Kodak-Konica Minolta deal Kodak will support its range of mid- to high-volume Nexpress and Digimaster machines with Konica Minolta light production and mid-volume bizhub Press and Pro machines in some sales territories. Konica will extend the territories where it sells Kodak Digimaster and NexPress machines. Read more »

George Will and the Blues Brothers

I was in Los Angeles Monday at the Konica Minolta “Power of Performance” Conference & Product Expo. About 30 analysts have been invited to report on this event that this year is bringing together Konica Minolta dealer and direct sales channels in one giant lollapalooza held from May 2-5 at the JW Marriott Hotel at L.A. Live (next to the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles). About a thousand people are here and we’ve just completed the first day which started with presentations from Konica Minolta executives, continued with a keynote from conservative commentator George Will, and has finished up with a rousing performance by the Blues Brothers (Dan Ackroyd and Jim Belushi) at nearby Club Nokia. I think from the A-list entertainment line-up you can see that Konica Minolta is going all out for this event, but the real risk, as Konica Minolta Business Solutions, USA Senior VP and CEO Rick Taylor put it, was getting all of the dealer and direct sales people in the same room for the first time. This strategy, however, has enabled Konica Minolta to bring a consistent message to the two groups that most need to hear it, despite the fact that by their very nature they are often in conflict.

Konica Minolta Power of Performance attendees take a break from the morning's festivities

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Did Kodak Say It Was Going to Divest NexPress? No!

The Wall Street Journal reported today that Kodak was planning to “seek partners to share the costs or possibly sell” the Kodak Gallery and NexPress businesses. In a conversation that I had with Kodak this morning, it became clear that the Wall Street Journal had misinterpreted Kodak’s statements and jumped to an incorrect conclusion about divestment. During the investor conference Kodak did say that it needed to transform and position its Kodak Gallery and NexPress businesses (it made the same point about image sensors and OLED businesses). Kodak, however, says that no mention was made of divestment. For NexPress, Kodak said that it intends to explore partnerships and alliances, as well as look at segmentation and licensing opportunities. Read more »