I can still remember when I was a little kid; the only brand of camera that I know is Kodak. We even use it as a verb for taking a picture such as “Can you Kodak me please?”. Perhaps the term would really have evolved into an acceptable verb if Kodak Company has retained its status as the world’s leader in photography as the term “google” is now an acceptable verb for searching something in the google website.
Before the age of digital imaging market has emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000, Kodak Company had a dominant market share in photographic films, paper and cameras. It’s only real rival has been Fuji Photo of Japan. However, in recent years Kodak has suffered huge losses due to the rapid growth of digital cameras and mobile phones with cameras. It has even stopped manufacturing the traditional film cameras in the United States and Europe. Its share price in New York Stock Exchange has plummeted by almost more than 5 times from US$83 in May 1997 to just US$15 in May 2008. The company announced sweeping job cuts, slashed dividends and came out with a plan to focus on digital imaging.
Do you think Kodak’s strategic positioning in the digital imaging market already too late? There are already many competitors in the digital imaging market these days and it may take them a long period of time to recover. However, for me I would still make a buy recommendation on their share especially now that it is in its all time low. There could still be a chance though as their distribution network all over the world is still efficient and their product image is still prominent in the market place. Who knows they might be able to find a niche in the digital imaging market in the near future and I would still be able to ask someone to take me a “Kodak” (now used as a noun) from my Technologically Advanced Digital Kodak Camera!
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Ako, Kodaker! Maniniyut bah!
Although I agree that its not too late for Kodak to make a come back, I won’t be looking towards buying a piece of it any time soon. Indeed Kodak still has that name and quality that go along with its brand. Their move to go digital is a little late but not too late, sure they lost their edge but ask anyone over 25 and they probably have heard or used some Kodak product before. On the otherhand, ask some 18 or less teens and not a lot could share the same experience. Kodak better think of something, a next step to the digital imaging maybe, if they wanna stay in the game. The Kodak name ain’t gonna last forever, once the next generation grows up they will be just another old brand that they’re parents use to buy.
I think Kodak should focus on their digital imaging products. Their cameras are still popular and regularly receive positive reviews.
I agree to both of you. Kodak should focus more on improving their digital imaging products to survive because at the moment they’re busy with different supplementary products that other companies are already successful of. If you look at their website, they also manufacture and sell printers, scanners, inks, cinema and tv products.
I think so Kodak can still have thier “Kodak Moments” in digital imiging industry, they just need to have a good grip at the dynamic world of advance technology. And sometimes they need to think of something extra out of ordinary present trend yet inventing products that makes life easier.