Kodak unveils $28 million expansion at Columbus plant

The Kodak plant in Columbus unveiled a $28 million expansion on Friday, showing off a new manufacturing line that will produce the Sonora Process Free Plates for the first time in the United States.

Amid a trend toward environmentally friendly printing, Sonora plates eliminate the water, chemical and energy required by traditional processed plates without sacrificing quality or productivity. Printers use the plates in a variety of applications, including commercial print, books, newspapers and packaging.

Columbus will serve as the sole manufacturer of all Sonora plates sold in the United States.

Kodak CEO Jeff Clarke and Eastman Kodak Print Systems Division President and Senior Vice President Brad Kruchten joined community leaders, government officials and customers for the event at its Corporate Ridge Business Park in east Columbus.

Clarke said opening the new manufacturing line keeps the imaging technology company on an accelerated pace toward a goal of helping printers become more sustainable with Sonora plates.

"Kodak is committed to providing solutions that increase the sustainability of the printing industry while also reducing printing costs," he said. "This is good business and good for our environment."

To remain competitive in an evolving market, Gov. Nathan Deal said companies such as Kodak need access to high-quality resources that can be found in Georgia.

"Kodak's decision to expand existing facilities here speaks to the strength and vitality of Georgia's business climate and labor force," he said.

The company now has 225 employees but could increase to 240 at full capacity in manufacturing the plates, Kodak spokesman Nicholas Rangel said. The total investment was $28 million, with $13 million in local spending.

With more than a 20 year history in Columbus, Clarke said the company is looking forward to working with the local community to help meet the growing demand for Sonora plates.

"This expansion has accelerated our goal of helping printers become more sustainable with Sonora Process Free Plates," he said.

The average printer using 20,000 square meters of plates saves up to $99,000 annually, the Rochester, N.Y.-based Eastman Kodak said in a release.

While the Columbus plant will supply the Americas, officials said the Sonora plates are manufactured in Germany, China, and the United Kingdom.

This story was originally published August 8, 2015 at 9:20 PM with the headline "Kodak unveils $28 million expansion at Columbus plant ."