Bob,(posted 8240 days ago)Kodak's only 'commitment' -- legally, morally or otherwise -- is to their shareholders. Period. If their black and white product line is a drag on their bottom line (and I would bet the house that it is) than it's the obligation of the CEO and the board to either ditch B/W or figure out some way to make it less of a financial drain on the company.
Rumor has it that Verichrome Pan costs Kodak more per unit to produce than Tri-X and Pan-X. Now I shoot mainly VP and I'll miss it as much as anyone else. On the other hand, Kodak is a publically traded company and has a fiduciary responsibility to it's shareholders that outweighs whatever dubious responsibilities it has to you or I as black and white photographers. Sorry but that's reality.
Now in light of all that, if Kodak is triming down it's black and white product line but is investing in a new manufacturing facility for it's remaining product line, I can't see that as anything but a positive development in the long run.
Just my opinion.