…Kodak Says “We’re Not Dead Yet” — Despite the Headlines
If you caught the headlines this week from CNN or CNBC, you might have thought Kodak was about to go the way of Blockbuster — lights off, doors locked, “Thanks for the memories” sign on the door. On Wednesday, news outlets reported that Kodak’s own earnings report included a not-so-cheery line saying it didn’t have “committed financing or available liquidity” to cover debts due in the next 12 months. Translation: the company’s bank account situation looked a little… tense.
But before anyone could start hashtagging RIP Kodak, the 133-year-old photography giant clapped back with its own press release. The message? Relax — we’re not going anywhere. No bankruptcy, no shutdown, no final roll of film. Instead, Kodak says it’s got a plan: repay, extend, or refinance the looming debt before it’s due and walk into next year with a healthier balance sheet.
Part of that plan? A $300 million cash infusion in December 2025 from terminating its pension plan — which will cover a big chunk of its $477 million term debt. After that, it’ll work on tackling the remaining $177 million in debt and an additional $100 million in preferred stock. Basically, they’re treating this like a marathon, not a sprint — knocking out the biggest obstacles first, then pacing themselves to the finish line.
Of course, Kodak has been here before. The company famously filed for bankruptcy back in 2012 after digital cameras and smartphones bulldozed the film market. But here’s the twist: in recent years, Kodak’s been getting an unexpected assist from Gen Z. Turns out, young people are falling in love with “retro” tech they never grew up with — think compact cameras, film rolls, and even those wonderfully grainy prints your parents used to keep in shoeboxes.
So while Kodak’s balance sheet still has some drama ahead, the brand’s story isn’t over. If anything, they’re proof that in business — just like in photography — timing, patience, and a little bit of nostalgia can keep you in the frame.
About the Author
