Rochester, N.Y. - Marshall Boxes started small. The company was started in Rochester in the 1920s by a man who made specialty boxes out of the back of his pick-up truck.
Jeff Skuse's grandfather bought the company in the late 40s and started doing business with Eastman Kodak and other companies.
The company made specialty packaging for Kodak to ship its large products, including printers, motion picture film and kiosks.
Kodak was a major customer for this small company until about five years ago. Now the orders are smaller, but they're still coming in.
Jeff Skuse says his company has diversified to make up for lost business. They now make the same specialty boxes and pallets for former Kodak companies, like Carestream Health and also for companies like Xerox.
But Skuse says even in bankruptcy, Kodak remains a loyal customer.
The company still owes Marshall money, but the business relationship continues and the box company is paid for all the new work it does for Kodak.
Skuse says Kodak still needs the specialty packaging and relies on Marshall for its high quality products.
They use only the best wood and lumber and have found their niche making pallets and crates sturdy enough to hold large shipments.
Skuse says his hope is that Kodak can emerge from bankruptcy and get the cash it needs to pay its creditors and grow the business.
He tells us, "Everybody's connected to Kodak. We're hoping for the best for them, for our business, and for the Rochester community."
