Satisfactory news from IlfordPhoto

[Jeff Bannow]

Great news. Any idea what this statement might entail? “We have many things due to be launched in 2013 and are very excited about the future.”

Yeah, I'm very intrigued now ....

[bsdunek]

I certanly am glad that they are doing well. I'll continue to use mostly their products.

[andrew.roos]

Congratulations to Ilford.

[madgardener]

Maybe they will have color negative and positive film?

[FredW]

Good news indeed.

[polyglot]

Looks like a lot of diversification into non-photographic areas. Good strategy for the longevity of Ilford if/when the decline of demand for B&W film/paper outstrips their market-share gains.

[Athiril]

10% profit is quite healthy for any company.

[Mark Fisher]

Interesting contrast with Kodak. I think the reason that Ilford is successful is that they are the right size for the market. Kodak is simply too big to support the sales they can realistically expect from film. Ilford is the right size and their market is no longer contracting (I think!). Kodak sales, with their reliance on movie film, will likely continue to shrink. I suspect that for films like Tri-x and Tmax to survive, the Kodak film group will need to be much closer to the size of Ilford to be viable long term......a tough pill to swallow unless the division is sold.

[Andre Noble]

Good news Ilford, don't expand the product line to every whim, keep the product line tight and you will stay in business.

[Argenticien]

I hope I'm not being too maudlin, or naive, but here goes: Ilford seem to try to make a few good products, release it in the market, and say "we think it's good, now buy it on its merits or don't." People who are serious about high quality and fair market competition on that basis respect that. So no wonder that it's working out well! Kodak always seemed to have a gimmick or a razor and blade strategy (offer at a loss cameras in yet another new film format, to rope you into buying their film). Plus Ilford are just refreshing compared to all the other companies on Earth right now selling you (a) things you don't want bundled with what you do; or (b) what you want but in package 18 times the size you need so you essentially prepay them and incur the inventory carrying cost; or (c) only low-quality goods made in sweat shops even if you're able and willing to buy a high-quality product. Yes I know it's not fair to compare Ilford (selling to almost entirely hobbyists, often wealthy) to telecoms companies or Ikea who have to serve the entire public. But I've done it nevertheless! Anyway, go Ilford!
--Dave