Kodak Loses Key Ink Supplier

Eastman Kodak Co.'s on-again off-again business relationship with Collins Ink Corp. is off—again—though seemingly this time for good.

Collins, an Ohio ink manufacturer that is one of Kodak's key suppliers, notified customers this month that it has exited its decade-old contract under which it made most of the inks used by commercial printers that have Kodak's Versamark inkjet digital printing presses.

Also under the contract, Kodak resold the Collins-made inks under its own brand name.

Kodak spokesman Christopher Veronda said Monday that in light of Collins' action, Kodak has increased its internal ink production capacity to supply customers directly.