Kodak to expand digital printing service

Managing director Preecha Prasatwattana, who assumed the position in April, yesterday said Kodak would install digital-printing kiosks in four Thailand Post branches in Bangkok next month.

If the service proves popular, it may be expanded to other post offices.

Kodak will also increase its picture kiosks to 550 by year-end, from 400 nationwide now. It also has 400 Kodak Express Colour Labs.

Digital printing now contributes half of the company's total revenue, while the rest comes from digital-camera sales.

The digital-printing market has boomed in recent years, with people taking pictures with not only digital cameras, but also camera phones and printing them out at a kiosk or labs.

Although the digital-camera market saw sales drop 20-25 per cent in the first seven months of the year, Kodak's first half digital-printing revenue rose 35 per cent year on year.

"We've so far maintained our market share of 50 per cent in the digital-printing business," Preecha added.

At present, digital printing business contributes 50 per cent of total revenue, while the rest is from Kodak's digital camera.

He added that market value of Thailand 's digital camera during January to July this year dropped by 20-25 per cent from the same period last year. However, Kodak could maintain its market share of 7-8 per cent and ranked in the top five of the market.

Kodak expects its revenue to show flat growth from last year, which Preecha denied disclosing the revenue figure.