FUJI Hunt Photographic Chemicals history

In 1936 it brought in a German emulsion specialist who helped the company produce quality black-and-white photo film and motion picture negative film.

Fuji built a second factory in Odawara in 1938.

In 1945 Allied bombing raids partially damaged two Fuji factories, but recovery during the postwar era involved more than infrastructural repair.

In the meantime, it resumed color research and produced its first color film in 1948.

In 1949 Indian buyers received a shipment of Fuji motion picture film, the company’s first substantial postwar sale.

In the late 1950's, the Company added both a research and development laboratory and a new manufacturing plant at the headquarters in Palisades Park, New Jersey.

Fuji, now able to supply its products in large quantities, introduced its first amateur roll film in 1952.

Following the creation of an export division in 1956, the company began to sell more film overseas.

By 1958 Fuji had introduced three additional black-and-white roll films.

In the later 1960's, Hunt built a photographic chemical manufacturing plant in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

In 1962 it formed the joint venture Fuji Xerox with Rank Xerox of the United Kingdom to sell copiers. (Rank Xerox is an affiliate of America's Xerox and the United Kingdom's Rank Organisation).

In 1965, Hunt Chemical entered the color photo finishing chemical business with the introduction of liquid concentrate developers for film and paper which offered significant advantages over the powder products available at the time.

In 1966 Fuji introduced its first amateur slide film compatible with overseas processors.

In 1972, it marketed the first film under its own brand name.

In 1977 this research led to the introduction of Japan's first eight-inch floppy computer discs.

In 1980 earnings jumped 130%. Silver prices dropped, and sales for magnetic products still grew.

By 1982 magnetic products were already 12 percent of revenues.

By 1983 films were only half of Fuji's business.

Under the Olin Corporation's umbrella in 1984, Hunt developed electrostatic toners for original equipment manufacturers and its photoresist business for the computer industry.

As Fuji stepped up its efforts to reach the professional market in 1986, its market share approached 10 percent.

By 1988 Fuji had achieved its 10 percent share and the exchange rate was favorable for building in the United States.

In 1989, Olin sold the photochemical portion of Hunt, later renamed Fuji Hunt Photographic Chemicals, Inc.

Domestic tariffs were eliminated in 1990, so Fuji’s traditional core business of domestic films may erode.

Fuji also announced plans to open a United States video tape factory in 1991.

By 1992, Fuji was the number one maker of cameras worldwide.

Meanwhile, Kodak charged Fuji in 1993 with dumping color photographic paper in the United States market.

The company was affected overseas by the continuing strength of the yen and at home by unexpected competition, highlighted in 1994 when the largest Japanese supermarket chain, Daiei, began selling store-brand 35mm film made by AGFA-Gevaert.

In 1995 Kodak had 9 percent of this market, versus 70 percent for Fuji Photo Film.

Finally, in 1996, Olin sold the electrostatic toner division to Mr.

Some analysts estimated that in 1997 1.8 million digital cameras were sold, and that number was expected to grow sharply.

Xerox, meanwhile, in the midst of a huge restructuring, sold its subsidiaries in Hong Kong and China to the Fuji Xerox joint venture in late 2000 for about $550 million.

Then in March 2001 Xerox sold half of its stake in Fuji Xerox itself to Fuji Photo Film for more than $1.3 billion in cash, increasing Fuji's interest in the joint venture to 75 percent.

In July 2002 Fuji bolstered its stranglehold on the Japanese photo market by outbidding Kodak for Jusphoto Co., Ltd., one of the nation's leading film-processing chains.

In July 2003, meanwhile, Ohnishi retired as Fuji's CEO while retaining the largely honorary chairmanship.

On the acquisition front, Fuji in November 2004 acquired United States-based Arch Chemicals, Inc.'s microelectronic materials division, producer of semiconductor-related chemical products.

Aided by strong demand for materials used to make flat-panel displays, Fuji saw its net profits increase 2.7 percent in 2005, totaling ¥84.5 billion ($789.7 million). Revenues of ¥2.53 trillion ($23.62 billion) were a slight decrease from the previous year.

Komori was promoted to president and CEO. The new leader quickly set an ambitious goal of doubling profits by 2007, vowing to cut costs by $1.9 billion by then to help do so.

Hunt Imaging, a leading producer of dry and liquid toners and an ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer, continues its 100-year tradition of innovative product development with a complete line of HI-4000 and HI-4100 toners.