Fujifilm UK Is Now Known As Fujifilm Imaging Solutions - UK, Job Cuts To Follow

From 1 April 2021, Fujifilm UK will be known as Fujifilm Imaging Solutions - UK as its been announced that its Photo Imaging, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices business divisions will be merged under one new unit.

Why Fujifilm Imaging Solutions - UK?

Fujifilm Imaging Solutions - UK says that the reorganisation comes as a result of 'significant change and consolidation in the UK and global photo market, accelerated by COVID-19'. For example, over the last year, the UK market for Mirrorless cameras declined for the first time after recent years of growth, and according to CIPA, in general, the global demand for digital cameras has dropped by 40% since the start of April 2020. While in the Optical market, pressure has been put on the sales of cinema and broadcast lenses as many shows/events and films have been postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic.

At the same time, Fujifilm Imaging Solutions - UK say that lockdown restrictions and the unprecedented shift to online across the consumer photography business have also created a 'greater opportunity to directly engage customers with a joined-up approach to sales and marketing'. As a result, Fujifilm UK's photography business will combine the teams behind instax, X Series, GFX, FUJINON and other photo operations.

New General Manager of the Fujifilm Imaging Solutions - UK

The new General Manager of the Fujifilm Imaging Solutions - UK business division will be Theo Georghiades, current General Manager of Fujifilm Electronic Imaging - UK. Neill Harris, current General Manager of Fujifilm Photo Imaging - UK, will leave the business on 31 March 2021 after 23 years with the company. 

It's also been announced that a further result of this reorganisation will be job losses with a number of Fujifilm UK members of staff leaving the business. All staff potentially affected were together informed of the changes on Friday 15 January 2021, with a period of consultation now underway. 

Statement From Yoshi Nakamura, Managing Director of Fujifilm UK

Commenting on the consolidation, Yoshi Nakamura, Managing Director of Fujifilm UK said: "Both photography products and consumers have moved increasingly toward each other in recent years. As a result, staff in our Photo Imaging, Electronic  Imaging and Optical Devices teams have developed closer networks,  collaborations and connected ways of working together to share, knowledge,  skills and experience. 

Despite our UK teams producing great results in the circumstances, the last twelve months has also been difficult for everybody involved in the photography business. It has meant that we have had to carefully consider our future direction, as well as the need greater for operational efficiency, agility and alignment. With this in mind, I strongly believe that the needs of consumers are best met by one single Imaging Solutions team. Across our photography business, I want to firmly connect our photography capabilities together, from taking a photo to creating something magical with it. This is what gives us the edge over our competitors and is a completely unique feature of our business - this is where I intend to focus. 

I am pleased that our new Fujifilm Imaging Solutions - UK team will be led by Theo Georghiades, who has expertly guided the UK Electronic Imaging business over the five years and has also been the driving force behind the Fujifilm House of Photography. At the same time, I’d like to sincerely thank Neill Harris for his incredible service to Fujifilm for more than 20 years, we wish Neill every success for the future and we will miss the great support,  dedication and experience he has provided to the business. 

Realigning our photography business, and consolidating three divisions into a  single Imaging Solutions business division, unfortunately, also means that a number of colleagues will also be leaving Fujifilm UK. Everyone at Fujifilm UK is acutely aware of the impact this has on individuals and their families, particularly during these difficult times. I am grateful for everybody's commitment and service to the company. We will do everything possible to help our employees affected to overcome this period of transition."

The news comes after Olympus also announced at the start of 2021 that the transfer of their imaging business is now complete.