Hi,

Can anybody please tell me if there is an FAQ, document, book, or
website out there that explains the basics of setting up a 1-hour Photo
Lab from scratch and/or the cost analysis for such a lab (ignoring the
cost of the premises and of labour).  Text that also discuss the
consumables needed to run the lab would also be great.

The reason I need this information is because I work for a very small
printing house in West Africa and we are thinking of diversifying into
the field of photo processing.  As we have virtually no experience in
this field, we really need to read a lot on the subject before we invest
what little capital we have.  All we know at the moment is that we are
looking to setup a lab capable of processing 15-25 rolls/hr (135, 110,
and APS films) with prints ranging from 6 x 4 up to 8 x 10.  If all goes
well, we will most definitely want to add support for digital cameras
and media (this I understand could be very expensive indeed), so
equipment capable of being upgraded to handle these will be a major
bonus.

Because of the financial constraints, we will be looking to acquire used
equipment from the US or Far East - sorry, but with current FX rates
Europe is just too expensive to consider.

I hope I am not asking for too much here.

Thanking you,
Mus.