Press Release: Kodak's Order Book Surges at Print 05 Trade Show; Displaying the printing industry's broadest portfolio, Kodak draws crowds, exceeds sales goals and successfully launches new products


Sept. 28, 2005--Eastman Kodak Company took almost three times as many orders as expected at the recent Print 05 trade show, this year's largest, most comprehensive event in the world for the commercial printing, package printing and converting industry.

"Print 05 came less than 100 days after we closed our acquisition of Creo, and already the industry could see the power of Kodak's ability to deliver what customers need to grow their businesses and improve profits - whether they are in digital, conventional or blended production environments," said James Langley, President, Graphic Communications Group, and Senior Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "Precisely because of the integrated portfolio of products and services that we now offer, we took $71.5 million in orders. It was a huge success."
At the Print 05 trade show, which ran from September 9-15 in Chicago, Kodak showcased an integrated portfolio of products and services designed to help print providers grow their businesses. The booth featured, under one brand, products and services from Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG). Kodak's product line also won seven 'Must See 'em' awards - more than any other company at the show. The awards recognize the industry's most compelling products and services as selected by a panel of 15 leading industry consultants and trade magazine editors.
Kodak experienced strong demand for digital presses, proofing systems, workflow management software and CTP equipment, as well as new products, such as the KODAK NEXPRESS 2100 plus and 2500 digital production color presses. Kodak also enjoyed strong sales of current products, including version 3.0 of PRINERGY workflow management software; KODAK DIRECTPRESS DI Presses; KODAK APPROVAL proofing systems; and MATCHPRINT VIRTUAL and INSITE remote and monitor proofing systems.
"Print 05 was a highly successful show for Kodak. We exceeded our stretch sales goals midway through the show, and saw strong enthusiasm for the new systems across our product line - from proofing and workflow systems to CTP systems and digital presses," said Kevin Joyce, Managing Director and Vice President, United States and Canada Region, GCG. "At the Kodak booth, print providers found a powerful partner that can deliver solutions across their whole production environment - whether conventional, digital or hybrid, CTP or direct imaging, black-and-white or color, short-run or high-volume."
During the show, the company announced a reseller agreement with Muller Martini to incorporate KODAK VERSAMARK continuous inkjet heads in the MULLER MARTINI Concepta hybrid offset/digital press. Kodak also highlighted the KODAK 1200i wide-format inkjet printer, which is now available through Kodak distribution channels worldwide.
Kodak conducted the first public demonstration of the new Kodak Enterprise Management Solution (EMS), a management information system (MIS) solution specifically designed for the print business workflow, and signed up beta customers in advance of the product's expected release in 2006. EMS was among the seven Kodak offerings that were selected as "Must See 'ems" by PrintCom Consulting and the Graphic Arts Show Company.
Print 05 was the debut of Kodak's new X-speed imaging option for the MAGNUS VLF (very large format), and TRENDSETTER 800 II Quantum thermal CTP devices. Kodak saw enthusiasm for its All-in-One Processless Plate Package, which combines KODAK THERMAL DIRECT non-process plates and the new KODAK MAGNUS 400 CTP imaging device - both launched at Print 05 - and the KODAK PRINERGY Evo PDF workflow, as well as an inkjet proofing device.
"What we saw at Print 05 validates our full-service strategy in the graphic communications market. Customers often came to our booth to see a CTP system, and found themselves learning more about new opportunities in digital presses, proofing or workflow management, for example," Joyce said. "We've expanded our business development services, and are rapidly bringing to market new integrated solutions to ensure that customers can look to Kodak as the best choice to help them grow their print businesses."
About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the leader in helping people take, share, print, and view images - for memories, for information, for business, and for entertainment. With sales of $13.5 billion in 2004, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on four businesses: Digital & Film Imaging Systems - providing consumers, professionals, and cinematographers with digital and traditional products and services; Health - supplying the medical and dental professions with traditional and digital imaging and information systems, IT solutions, and services; Graphic Communications - providing customers with a range of solutions for prepress, traditional and digital printing, document scanning, and multi-vendor IT services; and Display & Components - supplying original equipment manufacturers with imaging sensors, as well as intellectual property and materials for the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and LCD display industries. More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.
(KODAK, APPROVAL, MAGNUS, MATCHPRINT, NEXPRESS, PRINERGY, THERMAL DIRECT, TRENDSETTER and VERSAMARK are trademarks of Kodak.)

Posted: Wed - September 28, 2005 at 09:10 AM          

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