Kodak customers in UK will see no change, says US parent company

It's business as usual for Kodak customers in the UK.

Although the troubled photographic company has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 status in the US, Kodak said that its non-US subsidiaries are not affected by this move.

Kodak explained that its international operations will therefore continue as normal. It also reiterated that it will continue to honour all obligations to customers and suppliers.

Philip Cullimore, Kodak's Europe managing director said: "Our European business is not affected by the decision that has been taken by our US parent company to file for voluntary Chapter 11 business reorganization for US businesses."

Eastman Kodak once dominated the photographic industry and was a household name. It was also the first company to develop a digital camera in 1975 but didn't manage to make this development a consumer staple as it had done with its other cameras.

According to analysts, the 131-year-old company's troubles are due to the fact that it has failed to keep pace with its competitors on the digital front.

The legal move in the US is a way to help the company continue operating by allowing it to reorganise its business operations. The company has been given a date of 2013 in which to put in place reorganisation. But the stay of execution means Kodak can continue to trade as normal while it attempts to do this.

Warranties and other technical help and support services for Kodak customers in the UK are therefore still valid.

"Since we are continuing to operate our normal business, customers should continue to expect that we will fully maintain warranties, rebates, and other customer service programs going forward – both for our commercial customers and for consumers who purchase Kodak products from retailers," the company said.