Fujifilm Announces Partnership With Hallmark Refining

In keeping with its unwavering support of the silver halide photo imaging business, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Hallmark Refining, Inc. of Mt. Vernon, Washington. This agreement designates Fujifilm as Hallmark’s sole national distributor for all varieties of Hallmark silver recovery equipment and metallic replacement columns, and allows Fujifilm to provide, through Hallmark Refining, competitive column and electrolytic flake silver refining services to most of its customers.

“Timing is right for Fujifilm to expand our silver halide product offerings and services to our customers, and we’re proud to enter into this agreement with Hallmark Refining, a leader in this field for more than 30 years,” said Bob Harvey, Director of Marketing, Chemicals Group, for Fujifilm’s Imaging Division. “FUJIFILM has a long and positive history of providing high-quality color film, silver halide paper emulsions and photo processing chemicals to our customers. Given the current market, we believe the need exists to expand our silver imaging solution offerings to our customers to include economical silver recovery equipment and services as well. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for our customers who choose to continue offering silver halide imaging products to remain in the silver halide photo processing business.”

Silver prices are as high as they have been since the 1980s, and it is an excellent source of revenue for large and small photo processing operations alike. By entering into this partnership with Hallmark, Fujifilm ensures that customers receive competitive prices and timely returns for recovered silver. Although Hallmark will continue to refine silver sent directly to them by most Fujifilm customers, customers will benefit from the new Fujifilm/Hallmark partnership by entering into refining agreements directly with Fujifilm.

“We at Hallmark are looking forward to a strong and beneficial relationship with Fujifilm. Our commitment to the silver halide side of the photo industry is as strong as ever and we believe this strategic alliance will provide the best opportunity to optimize service to our mutual silver halide customers,” says Mark Osborn, director of sales for Hallmark.

As part of this Strategic Partnership, Fujifilm will immediately begin stocking and shipping almost all of Hallmark’s silver recovery equipment and metallic replacement columns from its three regional warehouses across the United States. Combining equipment and replacement column orders with film, silver halide emulsion and chemical orders to meet prepaid freight deliveries will help eliminate extra freight charges. In addition, when and if required, silver recovery equipment can be serviced through Fujifilm’s Technical Support Hotline and extensive field technical support network, at the same time as all other Fujifilm equipment installed in the lab.

For additional information please contact your local FUJIFILM Sales Representative or email ChemMarketing@fujifilm.com.

About FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc.
FUJIFILM U.S.A. Inc., is a marketing subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, providing digital and analog photographic Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media and Motion Picture Film products and services to consumers, professionals and businesses. For more information on Fujifilm U.S.A. products, customers can call 800-800-FUJI or visit www.fujifilmusa.com . To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm U.S.A. via RSS, subscribe free at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss .

About FUJIFILM
Fujifilm Corporation brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of imaging industries including medical, life sciences, consumer electronic, chemical, graphic arts, information systems, photography and office products based on its vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. It was ranked number 15 for U.S. patents granted in 2006, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ended March 31, 2007, had global revenues of $23.6 billion. Fujifilm ADRs (American Depository Receipts) are traded in the U.S. on the NASDAQ exchange (NASDAQ:FUJI). For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.

About Hallmark Refining, Inc.
Since 1972, Hallmark Refining Corporation has earned a reputation for refining capabilities and for innovative design and manufacturing of silver recovery equipment.

Hallmark Refining Corporation operates as a secondary refiner (TSDR), processing silver and gold bearing industrial scrap, some high grade concentrates, with a special emphasis on silver from the Photographic Industry.

Hallmark has developed products and programs for all segments of the Photographic Industry that allow each lab to maximize recovered silver returns and comply with discharge limits. Many On-site treatment options are available with ’state of the art’ equipment that meet legal waste discharge requirements.