Kodak and Collins Inkjet Settle Former Dispute Over Versamark Inks

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—October 26, 2015—Eastman Kodak (NYSE: KODK) and Collins Inkjet, a Cincinnati-based company, reported settlement of an ongoing court case brought by Collins against Kodak, concerning the use of Collins inks on Kodak Versamark printheads.

While terms of the settlement remain confidential, Collins’ ink will now be approved for use in Kodak Versamark systems, such as the D-series and 6240 range of imprinting solutions. Kodak will offer full refurbishment services for Versamark printheads without regard to whether Kodak or Collins inks are being used. Customers with or without current contracts are free to choose either Kodak or Collins inks, without impact to the quality, price or speed of printhead refurbishment services that Kodak offers.

In order to facilitate speedier set up of custom color inks and to aid switchover from ink to ink, Kodak will expand the ink index files for its DH90 and DH91 printheads to support a range of Collins inks.

Commenting on the settlement, Philip Cullimore, president of Kodak’s Enterprise Inkjet Division said, “I am delighted with the settlement we have reached with Collins. We have a long-standing relationship with Lawrence (Gamblin, CEO of Collins Inkjet) and his company, based on our ability to solve customer problems with innovative inkjet solutions—solving our disagreements that have occurred over the past couple of years has been a key objective for me, in order to enable us to get back to jointly innovating new variable data solutions for our customers around the world.”

Lawrence Gamblin, CEO of Collins Inkjet stated, “Since 1990, Collins Inkjet has manufactured a wide-range of standard and custom inkjet inks for Kodak Versamark equipment. This settlement represents great news for our customers, in removing confusion over the use of our inks in Kodak Versamark printheads and Kodak’s policy of refurbishment. In working with Kodak as a supplier of approved inks, Collins brings thousands of individual formulations each targeted towards customers’ applications and desired performance qualities, expanding the type of work that can be created on Kodak’s systems. I am delighted that Philip (Cullimore) and I have managed to get our business relationship back to the customer-focused level that we had previously enjoyed.”

About Kodak
Kodak is a technology company focused on imaging. We provide—directly and through partnerships with other innovative companies—hardware, software, consumables and services to customers in graphic arts, commercial print, publishing, packaging, electronic displays, entertainment and commercial films, and consumer products markets. With our world‐class R&D capabilities, innovative solutions portfolio and highly trusted brand, Kodak is helping customers around the globe to sustainably grow their own businesses and enjoy their lives.

About Collins Inkjet
Collins Inkjet has over 25 years experience creating innovative solutions for industrial inkjet customers and OEMs. Collins is a vertically integrated high volume formulator and manufacturer of water, solvent, UV curable inks and is at the forefront of EB curable inkjet development. More recently Collins expanded its offerings to include printheads, printhead refurbishment and printer development. Collins takes a straightforward approach to its business. It pursues mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with its OEM partners, distributors and customers by continuing to invest in R&D and focus on providing unmatched customer service. Collins remains focused on helping customers and OEMs create new market opportunities and expand the reach of high-speed inkjet printing.

Source: Kodak.