Slimmed-down Kodak Trims Workforce Again

The workforce reduction represents Kodak's "largest layoffs since it ended its Chapter 11 bankruptcy 12 months ago," local media reported

Jill Jusko

Oct. 2, 2014

The Eastman Kodak Co. (IW 500/233) (KODK) has shed thousands of jobs in the past few years in its efforts to emerge from bankruptcy as a leaner, stronger company focused on printing technologies.

On Oct. 1 the photography pioneer reported plans to add 85 more positions to that number, with 70 of those eliminated positions located in Rochester, N.Y., according to the local Democrat & Chronicle.

Kodak's headquarters is located in Rochester.

The workforce reduction represents Kodak's "largest layoffs since it ended its Chapter 11 bankruptcy 12 months ago," the Democrat & Chronicle said.

The company, which was founded in 1888, filed for bankruptcy in January 2012 and emerged in Sept. 2013.

Just how much leaner is Kodak these days? It employed a workforce of 8,800 worldwide at the end of 2013, according to the Associated Press.

At its height in the 1980s, the company employed as many as 145,000 workers, and at the time of its bankruptcy filing had a workforce of 19,000.

About the Author

Jill Jusko

Bio: Jill Jusko is executive editor for IndustryWeek. She has been writing about manufacturing operations leadership for more than 20 years. Her coverage spotlights companies that are in pursuit of world-class results in quality, productivity, cost and other benchmarks by implementing the latest continuous improvement and lean/Six-Sigma strategies. Jill also coordinates IndustryWeek’s Best Plants Awards Program, which annually salutes the leading manufacturing facilities in North America.

Have a story idea? Send it to [email protected].