Fujifilm expands digital photo printing and fulfillment in Greenwood

"In response to the rapid growth of the personal photo products market, we’re designing the new Fujifilm Greenwood lab from the outset with digital fulfillment as its primary purpose," says John Prendergast, vice president, Printing Services Group, Fujifilm U.S.A. Inc. "We will begin operations in the fall of 2009 initially producing personal photo gifts for both retail delivery and direct mail to consumers." Over time, the lab will expand its digital products and services as the market continues to grow.

"Greenwood offers a number of advantages," says Shin Kataoka, president of Fujifilm Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc., and head of operations at Greenwood. "Its central location and proximity to raw materials will enhance efficiencies. In addition, Fujifilm is already a well-established corporate citizen in South Carolina and has become a model of sustainability for our company globally." Fujifilm’s Greenwood complex is the largest Fujifilm manufacturing operation in the country and the largest Fujifilm distribution center in the world. When fully staffed, the new lab is expected to bring up to 185 full-time positions to Greenwood.

In recent years Fujifilm has consolidated its photo processing operation to better serve the changing needs of its customers in the shift from analog to digital imaging. The creation of this new lab, focused on digital fulfillment and located in a well-established Fujifilm community, emphasizes Fujifilm’s commitment to the photo printing and fulfillment business and to continuing to invest in the technology and infrastructure necessary to serve the changing needs of this market in the future.

Fujifilm began manufacturing operations in South Carolina in 1988. The Greenwood manufacturing complex is currently comprised of five high technology manufacturing plants, the Greenwood Research Laboratories, and the largest Fujifilm distribution center in the world. The 500-acre complex currently manufactures digital and conventional pre-sensitized printing plates, QuickSnap one-time-use recyclable cameras, and color photographic paper.