Statement Regarding ILFORD Photo / POLAROID

[Simon R Galley]

Dear All,

I have been out for a few days and several of you have sent me PM's re POLAROID : Please see below :

April 18th, 2008, Mobberley, Cheshire UK and Minnetonka, MN, USA -- HARMAN technology Limited and its monochrome brand, ILFORD Photo and Polaroid Worldwide have been in discussions about ILFORD Photo taking on production of Polaroid's black and white professional instant sheet film. Despite their best efforts, together the prospective partners have determined that they can not find a commercially viable way forward.

HARMAN's Chairman and Managing Director, Phil Harris said. " The processes involved in the manufacture and assembly of professional instant sheet film products are very demanding and it would require substantial investment to re-establish them at HARMAN technology's site in Cheshire, England. When compared with current and projected sales for the products, it was clear that such an investment could not be justified."

Phil Harris continues: " While we had hoped to work together on continuing the production of instant sheet film, it is cost prohibitive to meet the declining demand. As a company, we are saddened that such an inspirational form of expression will disappear, but we will always remain staunchly committed to the long term future of monochrome photography in all its facets and we will continue to do everything we can to support it".


Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

[David A. Goldfarb]

Thanks for taking a serious look at it at least and keeping us up to date.

[Sino]

Sad news, although well expected and justified, Simon. All the best.

-Sino.

[david b]

yeah....thanks for seeing what could be done. It's a real shame.

[Photo Engineer]

It was a great effort Simon and truly appreciated. I used a lot of Polaroid products over the years. They will be missed, and it would have been great to see Ilford involved. Maybe Kodak would take it up. Hah, not in a million years after the lawsuit.

Ron

[arigram]

[SuzanneR]

Bummer, of course, and not entirely surprising, but I think we all appreciate the effort Ilford made in looking into it.

[Alex Hawley]

Thanks for your efforts Simon. At least the possibility was duly explored and I know that alone cost some money to do.

[fschifano]

I didn't expect it to happen either, but at least you guys explored the possibility.

Fuji? You guys already make instant film. Take on Type 55?

[keeds]

Thanks for trying...