Just noticed this, which was of interest to me since HP's scanner division is here in San Diego:
==== Kodak moving from lagging film business to computer printers San Diego Union, 8/22/03
NEW YORK Eastman Kodak Co. said yesterday it would push aggressively into the commercial printer market, pitting itself against the likes of IBM and Hewlett Packard Co., as it moves further away from its shrinking consumer film business.
Kodak based in Rochester, N.Y., said it had hired a 30 year veteran of HP, James Langley, to run its new commercial printing unit, which also will compete against Xerox Corp. and Canon Inc.
"It puts us in the game," Kodak chief executive Daniel Carp said. He added that the company has been working for several years on developing the business, which includes machines that print such things as books, brochures and fliers.
"We are more convinced than ever of the opportunity in this area," Carp said, adding that Kodak also sees growth in digital imaging, health imaging and commercial imaging. Kodak is realigning its businesses for the second time in two years as new President Antonio Perez focuses more on digital technology and less on traditional consumer film.
Perez, who headed HP's San Diego operation, is trying to generate growth in new businesses as sales of consumer film drop and become a smaller part of Kodak's business. Kodak has struggled to remain profitable as consumers abandon traditional film for digital cameras and price competition increases with Japan's Fuji Photo Film Co.
Last month, Kodak reported a 60 percent drop in profit and said it would cut up to 9 percent of its work force, or 4,500 to 6,000 jobs.
Kodak has long been in the commercial printing business with its NexPress digital printing system joint venture and with its Kodak Polychrome Graphics, one analyst said. But the division has never been a unit with its own leader.
"This indicates that they are committed to it, that they see it as a growth opportunity and that they are putting the resources behind it, as opposed to just being in the business," said Ron Gilboa, director of printing and publishing consulting service Cap Ventures Inc. in Norwell, Mass.
Kodak shares gained 31 cents, or 1 percent, to close at $28.54 yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock fell sharply in June after the company halved its profit outlook for the most recent quarter, and is down almost 19 percent for the year.
Don Williams La Jolla, CA