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0 pointsryao7mo ago0 comments

They did do more than just chemicals for film, but then decided to spin off the business so that they could focus on the film business:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastman_Chemical_Company

One really must admire their determination to throw all of the life boats overboard to go down with the film ship. Every time they have a chance to save themselves if they move away from a single minded focus on film, they discard the opportunity. They just needed to mimic Nikon and Canon to stay in business, but refused to do even that.

The only way I see Kodak having a happy ending would be if Eastman Chemical purchases their former parent company to put it under sane management.

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actionfromafar7mo ago

That's way too simplified. There's no "just" mimic Nikon and Canon and every other company which tried that died or pivoted away from the try.

LudwigNagasena7mo ago

It makes sense to spin off a successful subsidiary into a separate company and bankrupt the unsuccessful parent company. ECC net income is four times Nikon's and one third of Canon's, so it fits right in the middle. Seems like a happy end for Kodak stockholders beyond the sentimental value of continuity of brand.

vkou7mo ago

Survivorship bias. There's no shortage of dead companies who did try to pivot, and, as it turns out, it's harder to become successful in a new field than just saying 'We're trying something new, boys!'

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