Electronics manufacturer Kodak, best known for its range of consumer cameras, has announced that it will drop out of the consumer inkjet printer industry in 2013, in an effort to streamline operations and reduce overall costs.
“Kodak has continued to manage its Consumer Inkjet business for profitability, and the company announced today that, starting in 2013, it will focus that business on the sale of ink to its installed base, and wind down sales of consumer inkjet printers. Kodak expects that this decision will significantly improve cash flow in the U.S. beginning in the first half of 2013”, the company said in a statement.
Kodak recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will cut products it sees as not contributing towards the overall health of the business.
“Kodak is making good progress toward emergence from Chapter 11, taking significant actions to reorganize our core ongoing businesses, reduce costs, sell assets, and streamline our organizational structure,” said Antonio M. Perez, Kodak Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
He added that discontinuing the consumer printer range will boost that strategy. “Steps such as the sale of Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging, and the Consumer Inkjet decision, will substantially advance the transformation of our business to focus on commercial, packaging & functional printing solutions and enterprise services. As we complete the other key objectives of our restructuring in the weeks ahead, we will be well positioned to emerge successfully in 2013.”
Kodak also assured consumers that they will still receive the same level of service, even when the printers are officially laid to rest.
“Kodak remains committed to its significant installed base of consumer inkjet printer customers, who recognize the value proposition of affordable ink, high-quality output because of Kodak’s unique pigment-based inks, and advanced features including cloud printing. The company will provide its customers and retail partners the same level of service and support they have come to expect from Kodak,” the statement concluded.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
