By: Jim Rosenberg Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging Inc. on Tuesday announced that it will not fill orders for imagesetter film after next March.
Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., Konica is believed to have at least half the U.S. market share for imagesetter film. It largest customers include News Corp., whose Dow Jones & Co. plants across the country are beginning a phased transition to computer-to-plate output, bypassing the filmsetting stage, as much or most of the industry already has.
Film and plate manufacturer Southern Lithoplate, Wake Forest, N.C., plans to sell page film indefinitely. "I'll sell it as long as anybody wants film," said Sales and Marketing Vice President Steve Mattingly. "My suppliers have film for decades to come, he added.
Agfa Graphics North American Marketing Director Susan Wittner said the prepress equipment, software and consumables supplier has no cut-off date for supplying film, which is manufactured by Agfa's separate Materials business.
"We're continuing to do development in the film area," said Wittner, calling it "a very valuable area for Agfa."
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