Partnership between Ilford and Oji Paper goes from strength to strength

Ilford, a major player in the development and manufacture of photo quality media for inkjet printing and photographic processes, is now in the final stages of part one of its expansion program currently underway in Switzerland. Part two of the investment program will begin in early 2007.

The manufacturing site in Marly, Switzerland – where the Ilford-branded Galerie paper is made – produces over 100 different types of inkjet photo media and professional color photographic media. With over 400 employees, the site makes enough coated paper per year to encircle the world once over. Thanks to Oji's backing, Ilford has further advanced its technological capabilities and its coating processes resulting in increased capacity and a streamlined converting and packaging operation. Furthermore, Ilford has invested in several strategic R&D projects combining the strength, market knowledge and experience of Oji and Ilford: from the tree plantation and the manufacture of paper pulp in Japan to the complicated coating and finishing process in Switzerland.

‘I'm delighted to see how Ilford is thriving since Oji's acquisition in 2005,’ said Dai Jones, managing director of Ilford. ‘This demonstrates how well established the Ilford name is in the Imaging market. With the ongoing dedication of its customers and the backing from Oji, the company will continue to build on its legacy, ensuring its performance meets the requirements of tomorrow's marketplace.’

‘The continuous drive of Ilford to improve product performance was just one of the key reasons that we acquired all the assets of Ilford Imaging Switzerland GmbH in 2005,’ said Kimiyoshi Uranishi, the CEO of Ilford Imaging Switzerland GmbH. ‘We are heavily investing in the company's manufacturing facilities in Switzerland as we believe ILFORD has a strong future in the development and production of inkjet and color products. This strategic alliance will help position us as the leading worldwide manufacturer of photographic quality media.’