The company, now traded as Ilford Photo, produces high quality monochrome photographic products.

The plant's production of photographic products slowed through the 1990s and ceased entirely in 2000.

But chemical film and other photographic products still pay the bills.

Yesterday, shares of the world's largest maker of photographic products finished at $41.50.

Members can get discounts on a variety of photographic related products and services.

It was the first product sold by Agfa and is the oldest photographic product still available (2012).

By 1971 the company had more than 600 employees and was trading pharmaceuticals, engineering, photographic products, construction equipment and home appliances.

The company is the world's largest maker of photographic products and derives about 40 percent of its revenue from foreign sales.

Analysts said the cutbacks represented a fundamental recognition by the company that it could not force rapid growth in photographic products by spending money.

He fought for commitment by Olympus to enter the market in high-resolution photographic products.