About Kodak

The Kodak's origin started with Eastman Dry Plate Company, founded in 1881 by inventor George Eastman and businessman Henry Strong. The Eastman Dry Plate Company was responsible for the first cameras suitable for non-expert use, such as the Brownie and Instamatic. The Kodak Company attained its name from the first simple roll film cameras produced by Eastman Dry Plate Company, known as the "Kodak" in its product line. The company remains the largest supplier of films in the world, both for the amateur and professional markets. Kodak has also diversified into various other imaging-related industries (such as medical imaging), and continues to work at gaining a stronger foothold in the fields of digital photography and imagery.

Kodak is the world’s foremost imaging innovator. With their sales of $13.3 billion in 2006, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak’s system of digital and traditional products and services to take print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere. Businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; creative professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading Healthcare organizations rely on Kodak’s innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise.

Many digital cameras of Kodak earlier were designed and built by Chinon, a Japanese camera manufacturer. In 2004, Kodak Japan acquired Chinon and many of their engineers and designers joined Kodak Japan. In July, 2006, Kodak announced that Flextronics would manufacture and help design their digital cameras. As part of its move toward higher end products, Kodak announced in September 15, 2006 that the new M8 camera from German manufacturer Leica will incorporate Kodak's KAF-10500 image sensor. This is the second recent partnership between the two companies.

On January 13, 2004, Kodak announced it would stop producing traditional film cameras in the United States, Canada and Western Europe. By the end of 2004, Kodak ceased manufacturing cameras that used the Advanced Photo System and 35mm films. Production of film continued. These changes reflect Kodak's new focus on growth in digital markets. In an effort to reduce costs, Kodak accompanied its shift toward digital products with a series of layoffs and facility closures, cutting 12,000 -15,000 jobs around the world, a 20-25 percent reduction in its workforce. Kodak owns the Visual Effects Film Post Production Facilities "Cinesite" in L.A. and London as well as LaserPacific, a postproduction facility in Hollywood. Kodak also owns pro -tek Media Preservation Services in Burbank, CA. Pro -Tek is the world's premier film storage vault.