MASSIVE LAYOFFS AT KODAK

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle ^ | January 22, 2004 | Ben Rand

[tdadams]

Unfortunately, this is true, and sad. The coming generation of photographers may never know, or be able to utilize, the quality and detail inherent in slow speed films. I miss Agfa 25.

[Born Conservative]

The local Agfa plant closed down last year. They made X-ray film.

Yes, digital imaging has even affected radiology. I work at a fairly large medical center, and all x-rays, MRI's, CT scans, etc. that are done "on campus" are done digitally. There are many advantages: no chemicals, easier to store,and most importantly, the image can be viewed anywhere on the computer network, which encompasses over 20 counties in Pennsylvania. So if a primary care doctor sends their patient to see an on-campus specialist, and a CT scan is done, that primary doctor 100 miles away can pull it up on his or her computer right after it is done. You can also "zoom in" to a specific spot as well as do measurements. The only disadvantage is that it is limited to the resolution of the monitor. The radiologists have high resolution monitors, though, so it isn't that much of an issue. Amazing...

[rdb3]

The middle class in this country is in trouble. Politically, that means the Republicans are also in trouble, and much more so than they think.

I'm by no means a class warrior, but riddle me this: Just whose fault is it that a company and its employees are sufferering because of that company's bad business decisions?

[general_re]

The coming generation of photographers may never know, or be able to utilize, the quality and detail inherent in slow speed films.

I guess the writing's on the wall, now - they may not know film, period, at this rate ;)

[From The Deer Stand]

No one can blame Bush for this, though

Surely you jest. Just wait to hear what Pelosi, Dashchle, Kennedy and other Rats have to say. This is all Bush's fault because less film is sold and more people are going digital.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Yup. Remember Bell and Howell ? They couldn't change, either.

[Just mythoughts]

Wasn't Kodak to get a sweet deal by that representative that Hillary stepped on in the Senate race, in the proposed secret Hillary Care?

This is Hillary's fault for not getting her health care plan passed.

[EdReform]

I remember something about them firing an employee because he refused to participate in Kodak's mandatory "Diversity Day" celebration.

Kodak Employee Fired For Calling "Coming Out Day" "Offensive and Disgusting""

Kodak fires man over 'gay' stance

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Ah! There it is! Thanks Ed

[BadAndy]

"Uh, have you visited upstate NY lately? It is a basket case. This will just make it worse. Everywhere you look are shuttered buildings and crumbling plants with weeds growing up through the empty parking lots. It seems three jobs move out for every one that moves in."

Yea, but we have "Child Health Plus" and no smoking in bars, courtesy of the George Cuomo Pataki administration.

[George W. Bush]

Just wait for the economic calamity when they finally figure out how to construct molecular fabricators - IN THE FUTURE!

Actually, many types of ordinary household electronic devices can already be fabricated using a PC and a 3D 'printer' which uses a set of 'cartridges' of various materials.

First desktop publishing, then desktop video. In 5-10 years, desktop fabrication. You'll buy the raw materials cartidges and pay to download the specs of devices you want to 'print'.

Just wait. It's coming.

Search Google for 'desktop fabrication' and 'printable computers'. We'll see it used first in large corporate prototyping and then in light industrial prototyping application, probably in 2-3 years.

The prototyping capability alone, whether it ever becomes a widespread consumer device, will make a big change in the ability of smaller companies to compete in the market. Think of how desktop publishing and desktop video have changed those industries.

[jobshopper]

I left Rochester 3 years ago, but it appears "Rochester" will be everywhere soon.

I'm still here and work for Kodak. It's 20 degrees, we've already had 100" of snow with another 12" due today - and now more layoffs. It doesn't get better than this (and it's only January).

I left Rochester in 1981 after having worked at both Kodak and Xerox. Rochester was already dying then. General Dynamics had already closed up shop. Xerox was laying off 4,000. And, as the chart shows, Kodak had already lost several thousand jobs. As I recall, in 1971, Kodak Park alone had 50,000 employees.

Regards, Eric

[Voltage]

You mean to say that the market for buggy whips has ended?

[Lael]

I haven't bought a roll of film in over a year. Using a digital camera is the way to go because you can take lots of hi res pictures and only print out the ones you want.

Really???

National Geographic only did their first ALL DIGITAL shoot for the December 2003 editon...the History of Flight.

Had to...military censors, wartime restrictions, reluctance to have the Military develop and control the film, etc., etc., etc.

Film will remain KING for serious Photography...

But remember, KODAK is a Specialty Chemical Company that just uses Photography to peddle Chemicals...not enough volume???

Let Fuji take the business!!

[NY.SS-Bar9]

The point is that due to the crappy business environment in NY, there is nothing to fill the void left when a company leaves.

The only area in the state that is viable economically is NYC and the nearby suburbs. The rest of the state either works for the government or depends on it.

[rdb3]

The point is that due to the crappy business environment in NY, there is nothing to fill the void left when a company leaves.

Yep. Too much government will kill the business environment, one way or the other (Left/Right).

That's why I'm for the separation of business and State.

[theFIRMbss]

>Kodak and Polaroid made bad decisions at the start of the digital revolution and are now paying the price

The executives
made the bad decisions. Now,
the grunts pay the price...

[P.O.E.]

Friend of mine left Buffalo, NY when Quaker Oats laid him off, and he moved to Florida. His words of wisdom on the subject:

"If I'm going to be broke, I'm going to be broke where it's warm"

[Petronski]

Photographic film is obsolete.

[Lael]

The middle class in this country is in trouble. Politically, that means the Republicans are also in trouble, and much more so than they think.

Yup.

Whether or not Greenspan has been successful, [and I think he is], this is the LAST Recovery that can be pulled out like a rabbit from a hat!!!

The only areas of the country barely surviving are the Beltway, New York, Boston, and the Sunbelt, bouyed as it is with American population shifts.

By 2008, expect BIG changes, though NOT necessarily to the Democrats [wrong side of the Culture Wars].