Harman Technology Invests in Analog Film Production Future

Harman Technology, the company behind Ilford, Kentmere, and Harman Photo films, released a series of videos detailing its film manufacturing process at its factory in Mobberley, UK. The videos reveal that film production is a complex blend of chemistry, engineering, and constant iteration, with color film requiring multiple layers of emulsions that must be precisely aligned. Managing director Greg Summers announced a major investment to double production capacity and build redundancy into the system, addressing the challenge of aging machinery—some from the 1980s—that can no longer be repaired with off-the-shelf parts. Harman is designing bespoke machines from scratch, combining traditional mechanical principles with modern automation. The company is also focusing on knowledge transfer, hiring young talent to work alongside industry veterans. The investment aims to meet growing demand from new and returning film photographers, ensuring the medium's future. Harman emphasizes that film is an art form worth preserving, despite the difficulty and cost of production.