What is going on with Kodak?

Kodak Alaris was acquired by a private equity group, what does that mean for film photography? What is a private equity group? Do I even know what I'm talking about? Why do I smell toast? Thanks for watching the ramble!

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Kodak Alaris Press Release:

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[TapticDigital]

Oh man, Kodak has had such a wild history. From devastating themselves with the reluctance to enter the digital market, to their founder and his premature exit. Such a fun rabbit hole to dive into.

[RinoaL]

Although I've hated everything-Kodak almost my entire life, I hope those that like their products still get to buy it.

[lelandfitz]

Wait, Kodak Alaris helps other companies with marketing? "Here is our great history of wrong business decisions, hire us!"

[LensForgotten]

The bankers at private equity don't give a hoot about photography or film. Its just another company on their portfolio to extract profit dividends from.

[AlexConner]

Kodak moments (part of Alaris) just distributes film that's produced by Eastman Kodak. Eastman holds all the film patents, makes the film, etc. but Alaris has the exclusive rights to distribute film to end-consumers under the Kodak brand (except for motion picture film). Should really have no impact on the various other badges of Kodak film (Fuji Color 200/400, etc.) but there may be some bumps in the supply chain for Kodak branded photo film (Gold/Ultra Max/Portra, etc).

[oldnewstock]

Gonna be another private equity kiss of death.

[flyingo]

Thanks for these Monday film news bits.

[sikamankouka]

Thanks for the video! If you didn’t make this, I would have probably never heard about this. Keep it up big man.

[AnnaMariaCobb]

I think it's hilarious that the camera started going out of focus during the description of patco products because my brain did the same thing

[JHurrenPhotography]

As a Canadian and long term customer of MEC, that iconic Canadian gem has been significantly diminished since that company bought em a few years ago. Coincidentally, I just went there today, which is no small feat, as there are about 10(?) locations in the country. Their "rock solid guarantee" was rewritten shortly after the acquisition. But also their acquisition happened shortly after I returned thousands of dollars worth of lightly used outdoor adventure gear... You're welcome Kingswood?

[iansimpson]

Bart Simpson "It wasn't me", Romping Bronco " I went to film school" 🤣

[evanduffy]

As far as I understand, Alaris is the one allowed to license the name "Kodak" which is how they make money to pay back the pension fund. Alaris has basically already run the name Kodak into the ground by selling all sorts of ewaste garbage with the name Kodak on it, so Kingswood Capital is probably looking for a steady income stream from licensing the Kodak name to otherwise crappy products. I HOPE, but this is just speculation, that film has nothing to do with this purchase and will have no effect on film or chemicals, but we may see more crappy ewaste products with the kodak name on them, fine by me if thats the case

[Profy]

I like some of Blackstone's investments. What the fuck do they know about cameras?

[OriginalTLab]

I'm using Kodak Alaris products on a daily basis. The hardware is okay-ish, the software is okay, but the customer support is horrible! I've been thinking about switching to another company, but as long as the hardware is still working, I don't want to make that investment. If I could turn back time, I'd chose Fujitsu instead of Kodak Alaris.
However, that has nothing at all to do with photography 🤪

[pleiadianfrequencies]

Alaris makes software, the marketing is not their product, it's the goal for their clients while using their products. They are digitization company who makes optical devices, scanners and software for digitization of physical docs.=, but they offer the full stack, scanning, storage, distribution and email automation, cloud, ...

[sharkylal]

While moments produces the chemicals and film, Alaris has all the patents and r&d... so Kingswood could release the kodachrome recipe. Both companies are super intertwined because all the intellectual property is under Alaris (patents, software).

[MarksPhoto]

Kodak Moments is not Eastman Kodak. Eastman Kodak company is an actual "film stock" KODK, with a 'film' division(Advanced Materials and Chemicals segment) which produces the film. Alaris sells it to consumers. EK sells directly to cinema markets, and most likely Fuji, Lomo, and others? Ideally, Alaris would have been bought by KODK, bringing everything back in one house, but it wasn't.

[Srulio]

Kodak is riches to rags saga. Kodak lost the plot by clinging to the better buggy whips too long. Film revival can't depend bankrupt companies that get acquired by private equity scrap dealers who squeeze until everything is sold off.

[zachg]

Howdy! Recent and keen camera enthusiest here from SC, Work at thrift store and recently came across a Canon AE-1 in pretty good shape but the winder is stuck and it dosn't work currently. I would love if you would maybe be interested in working on it for me? Obviously would be willing to pay whatever it takes or to even get your opinion, HMU! :)

[MakersTeleMark]

You completely do not understand the kodak entities and what they do. Do even a modicum of research before posting please. Or not.