hal9000
Someone on the APUG forums has reported that Forte will be discontinuing its black-and-white production (film and paper) at the end of January. Is this true? Here is the message from APUG:
Dear xxxxxx.
It is with great regret that we must inform you that the owners have decided to permanently cease production of Forte photographic products by 26 January 2007.
The factory, established by George Eastman as a Kodak factory in 1922, and its successors have been manufacturing mainly black-and-white photographic films and papers of superior quality, particularly with a warm tone, across a very wide range.
Over the past decade, demand for black-and-white photographic products has fallen drastically due to rapid technological development, a trend confirmed even by the sales figures for your country.
The factory has been operating with significant overcapacity, on a large site, and with uneconomical infrastructure, resulting in continuous losses.
In view of the above, the lengthy negotiations with several potential industrial investors have failed.
We thank you for your smooth and fruitful cooperation over the past several years, and wish you every success in the future.
Kind regards,
Bä Kummer, General Manager László Varga, Commercial Adviser Edit Stirling, Area Manager Attila Ollá, Area Manager
MirkoBoeddecker
I cannot confirm the exact wording of this statement, but the content does not surprise me given the events at Forte over the last few months.
We haven’t been able to do much so far, as discussions were underway with a potential investor, but it seems they have now pulled out.
Our main problem at the moment is that, right up until November, Forte had always said that everything was fine and that deliveries had been made on time. Consequently, we haven’t even been able to ramp up stock levels as we did during Forte’s last insolvency. So anyone working on a PW should place their order as soon as possible.
I am currently looking into what can still be done. There are still glimmers of hope, but the problem is the sale of the Forte site to an investor.
A possible relocation of production will in any case involve a longer delivery interruption and will certainly also lead to slight product variations.
Best regards,
Mirko
SimonWeber
Oh, blimey!
It’s obviously really frustrating for small-scale users like me (a student) who simply can’t afford to stock up. So I suppose that’s it again for a paper I’d finally found after months of searching, one that I work really well with...
I suppose the only option is to switch to Ilford after all, no matter how much I’d rather not.
Simon
MirkoBoeddecker
Hi Simon,
I agree with you about Forte, but apart from Ilford there are other options too.
Naturally, all the remaining suppliers are benefiting equally from the current situation.
Forte didn’t stand a chance. The new owners were sharp on the deal involving the land and simply waited until a buyer came along.
The business would have needed a fundamental restructuring, but instead everything carried on as it had before 2004, only without maintenance or investment, as no real money was made available.
They really did their best at the factory, but when the owners are pursuing other interests, there’s not much you can do. ;)
Best regards,
Mirko
Stavro
More sad and frustrating news, yet again...
and
"As for Forte, I agree with you, but apart from Ilford there are other options too."
There are actually a few papers in the FOTOIMPEX range, but unfortunately no real alternative to PW14.
I just hope with all my heart that the revival of Agfa Baryt paper works out!
Best regards,
Stavro
MirkoBoeddecker
Stavro,
I'll reply to this in a new post.
Best regards,
Mirko
Urnes
Hi Mirko,
Are there any alternatives to Polywarmton RC? I need a paper that also prints well and, if possible, is nice and heavy with a warm feel. Would Fomatone be a good choice?
Best regards, Sven.
MirkoBoeddecker
Hi Sven,
Fomatone is good for lith printing and also responds well to warm developers, but it’s not quite as brilliant as Forte and, of course, has a completely different tonal quality.
It also comes on standard double-weight paper rather than the 280g paper.
But as a lith printing paper, it’s definitely an alternative worth considering.
Best regards,
Mirko
