Polychrome's joint venture was a big event for the company. The fact that Kodak and Polychrome arranged 50:50 partnership indicated our strength in our standing and we should be proud of the outcome. In the detail of the joint venture, however, there were many personal hardship through "streamlining" (reduction in personnel and plant/office shut down),
Al Wierling sent in his experience at that time.
Here is my perspective and some pics of the last days of Polychome in Florida. I realize that others may have seen these events differently, but this is how I saw the demise of Polychrome as a stand alone company.
In January of 1998, we became officially Kodak Polychrome Graphics. In February of the year, we had our first joint meeting with our new Kodak partners at the downtown Atlanta Marriott Hotel. As I recall the attendees included sales, tech support and product managers from the Southeastern region. We were scheduled for two days of presentation about the new company and our array of products. Surprisingly to me, the first day and a half were all about Kodak with nary a mention of Polychrome. On the second afternoon the Polychrome part started and was even cut short due to attendees flight times. All the presenters were staking out their claim for a job and their product in the new company. During the meetings there were bickerings about who would sell what products and the role of Pitman, the favored Kodak dealer. Very disappointed, I left feeling like I would be now working for "KODAK Polychrome" Graphics.
Shortly after that we were advised that KPG would be evaluating all positions and would likely make some layoffs. We had three sales positions in South Florida and curiously all three of us were each invited to a private lunch with Pete Stephens, the local Pitman manager.
Back in Tampa, Dick Hall, himself a former Kodak employee was lamenting the demise of Polychrome, so he decided to hold a goodbye Polychrome party in Tampa in May 1998 and invited only the Polychrome employees. Dick was very proud of the success we had in Florida and had a cake decorated saying "to the best damn team a Kodak Polychrome will ever have. Their Loss!!"
Two weeks after the party, the layoffs came down, with most from the Polychrome side. I was laid off with a generous termination package and KPG had arranged a job for me at Pitman. After two weeks of consideration I said no and found employment elesewhere.
Dick Hall at his best
Al + Pat Wierling
Balfe Bradley + Wife
Wyatt Gordon + wife
John Sturgis + friend
Jim Hewitt + ???
+
Sandy Humphlies + ?+ Barbara Homer
Mrs Ferraiuolo, Wierling, Hall