seeks share of $2-billion market : kodak unveils new line of long-life lithium batteries - lithium battery price
Kodak Company.
, Hoping to collect its sluggish revenue, announced the first 9-volt lithium-
Consumer power batteries began to take up $2 on Thursday. billion U. S. battery market.
N RochesterY.
The company says the new 9-
Volt Untralife power cell is a longer battery
Alternative to traditional 9 Life
Volt alkaline batteries are now available.
They will also spend more money. -
Kodak is priced at $5. 80 for one 9-
Volt lithium battery compared to $3.
The company said it was 50 for its alkaline rivals.
In addition, Kodak will sell a full range of alkaline batteries in the name of Kodak Supralife.
It will import alkaline batteries from Panasonic appliances in Japan, but will be packaged in Newark, New JerseyY.
In the process of entering the consumer battery market, the huge filmmaker also compared his familiar brand name with several other well-known brands, such as Eveready, Duracell and but analysts believe that it could be a profitable move for Kodak as battery sales are growing steadily ---
Whether in the United States or around the world.
It's also in Kodak--
Hit slowly
The growth of photography market and the increase of competition-
Has been cutting jobs to cut costs while moving to a range of high
Technology market.
For example, it has entered the field of experimental biotechnology.
Kodak is expected to announce its $5 acquisition plan.
Billions of battery businesses worldwide this week.
"This is a good move for Kodak," Eugene G said . "
Glazer is an analyst at Dean Witte Reynolds in New York.
"In terms of profit, there will be no profit (from batteries)in 1986 . . .
But at some point in 1987 it should contribute to profits.
"In first quarter of 1986, Kodak's profits fell by 58% year on year.
Revenue for the full year of 1985 was down 65% from the previous year.
In February, the company said it plans to cut 13,000 employees. -
10% of its global workforce.
The second-largest Kodak company will launch new products in the United States. S.
Battery Derby this fall.
Industry analysts say Eveready, which United electric Stone recently sold to Ralston Purina, accounts for more than half of the U. S. market. S. sales.
Darts and Kraft paper owned by King overlord, second
Analysts estimate that rawawatts and others account for just 35% of sales, or 10%.
Kodak aims to open up the high-end market.
Performance batteries account for 55% of 2.
3 billion units were sold in the United States, taking a larger share of the dollar value of battery sales.
"With an annual growth rate of 10% to 12%, high
The performance part of the battery market is one of the main opportunities we see Kodak, "J.
Philip Samper, executive vice president and general manager of the company's photography and information management department.
Kodak says the typical AmericanS.
An average of 10 batteries at home-
At any given time, there is a power supply device and about 22 batteries at hand. Kodak said 9-
Volt power cell for smoke alarms, hearing aids and photographic equipment accounts for about 15% of sales.
The new lithium battery that the company maintains lasts twice as long as the best lithium battery today
Performance alkaline battery with 10-
Annual shelf life (
In contrast, alkaline for two to three years)
And there are gold tips on positive touch points for better conductivity.
The lithium batteries produced by Kodak's Ultra Technologies department are made from three rectangles-shaped 3-
V battery compared to six cylindrical 1. 5-
Volt batteries included in traditional alkaline 9-volt battery. Well-
Wilber J.
Prezzano, vice president of Kodak Group and general manager of photographic products, claims that lithium batteries are such a breakthrough that manufacturers such as Black & Decker are already designing products to take advantage of it.
Kodak has nearly 90% of its batteries sold through retail stores that process photographic products
A distribution network has been set up for its batteries, which will be sold in Kodak's name.
Next year, it will launch batteries worldwide.
The company will support its product promotion for millions of dollars.
Dollar ads for Internet and cable TV, radio and newspapers.
Glazer said: "They have said that in the fourth quarter of this year, their spending on the battery business will be as much as in the fourth quarter on color movies.
He estimated the expenditure to be between $10 million and $20 million.
"This is a big push," said Brian R . "
Fernandez is an analyst at Nomura Securities in New York.
"This should be of great concern to Ralston Purina, as they have just purchased the Eveready division of United carbide, which was not closed until June 30.