New operation address, production and further steps of TETENAL

[snusmumriken]

Just received this email:

<<
Dear valued business partner, dear customer!
As the world continues to evolve, we strive to keep our business aligned with the ever-changing global landscape. We want to keep you up-to-date with the current status of our company, as we take a step towards a new and improved future.
Firstly, we are excited to announce that we have relocated our administration office to Hamburg. This decision was made in order to better serve our customers across the region, and streamline our operations.
Our new address is as follows:
TETENAL 1847 GmbH
Kallmorgen Tower Hamburg
Willy-Brandt-Str. 23
D-20457 Hamburg
We are confident that this relocation will have a positive impact on our business, and ultimately enhance our ability to provide you with exceptional products and services.
Secondly, we are in the process of relocating our production facilities. We are currently in negotiations with two European production companies that will produce our products according to our formulas. This is an exciting development that will help us improve the efficiency and quality of our production process, and provide our customers with even better products.
However, we regret to inform you that the company Norderstedter Chemiewerke (NCW), our former partner, has filed for insolvency and is no longer associated with our company. We understand that this news may cause concern or confusion, and we want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to minimize any impact on our business and customers.
As a result of this situation, both existing and new orders will take a little while to be produced. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your patience during this transition period. Please be assured that we are doing everything in our power to ensure that your orders are fulfilled as soon as possible.
We understand that these changes may be unsettling, but we want to assure you that our commitment to you remains unwavering. We deeply appreciate your understanding and patience, and we are committed to continuing to provide you with the high-quality products and services you have come to expect from us.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our customer service team, who will be more than happy to assist you. We want to thank you for your ongoing business and support, and we look forward to serving you from our new locations.
>>

 

[mshchem]

This isn't good news

 

[richyd]

Not good news indeed. Tetenal E6 and C41 kits have been unavailable for months. Bellini must be taking the slack and also have a 5ltr E6 6 bath kit. Also Jobo have introduced a 2.5 ltr C41 and 6-bath E6 kit but that seems to be only available in Germany. I liked the Tetenal 3 bath, the results were good and as my Jobo processor has only 4 bottle holders for a six bath I would have to add some other heating receptacle. Looks like I'll be trying the Bellini kit.

 

[miha]

This isn't good news

+1

I wish @AgX would jump in and tell us more.

 

[Anon Ymous]

+1

I wish @AgX would jump in and tell us more.

He was last seen on the 4th of January.

 

[MattKing]

I think @Henning Serger might be even more helpful.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

I think 99% of the customers never visits Tetenal so I don't know how we are helped by moving their office to an expensive location in downtown Hamburg.

I think it's better for them to have their office close to the production, so employees from different departments have a talk with each other at the coffee machine. "This new, cheaper source of compound X is really shit, come, have a look" works better than an email to an anonymous purchaser.

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

I think 99% of the customers never visits Tetenal so I don't know how we are helped by moving their office to an expensive location in downtown Hamburg.

I think it's better for them to have their office close to the production, so employees from different departments have a talk with each other at the coffee machine. "This new, cheaper source of compound X is really shit, come, have a look" works better than an email to an anonymous purchaser.

There is no longer any production.... so this move makes sense and the remaining employees do not need to commute so far.

 

[miha]

I guess it's Calbe now coming to the rescue.

Company - Calbe Chemie Englisch

Calbe Chemie GmbH produces innovative products which make the processing of nearly all commercially available light-sensitive materials possible. In Calbe, the production facilities extend over an area of approx. 50,000 m² which include covered hall areas of about 6,000 m².

www.calbe-chemie.de

 

[BMbikerider]

The old Tetenal company has split into two with the German side still in Europe, but it has broken away from the UK division or the the UK division has broken away from the parent company, I don't know which. but is now trading under the new name of:- https://duplhi.co.uk/

Their website is up and running, but some of the items are still shown as not available, but at least they are still listed which has to be a positive note on a new website

 

[MattKing]

The old Tetenal company has split into two with the German side still in Europe, but it has broken away from the UK division or the the UK division has broken away from the parent company, I don't know which. but is now trading under the new name of:- https://duplhi.co.uk/

Their website is up and running, but some of the items are still shown as not available, but at least they are still listed which has to be a positive note on a new website

It looks like that references the former Tetenal UK, which became independent from Tetenal proper in 2019.
Their website makes no reference to manufacturing capacity - just sales and distribution.
Tetenal was a major distributor as well as a manufacturer - at one point the major source for Kodak colour paper and photochemistry in Europe.

 

[Photomultiplier]

Please consider the following related thread, especially the first post:

New operation address, production and further steps of TETENAL

Just received this email: >

www.photrio.com

Seems like the production was separate from the Tetenal company itself and they are looking for a new partner to do the manufacturing.

No need to spread panic with bankrupcy.

 

[snusmumriken]

Please consider the following related thread, especially the first post:

New operation address, production and further steps of TETENAL

Just received this email: >

www.photrio.com

Seems like the production was separate from the Tetenal company itself and they are looking for a new partner to do the manufacturing.

No need to spread panic with bankrupcy.

Also my post #29 on this thread

 

[Hassasin]

Seems like new culture here is discuss gaskets blowing all over the place. As drama unfolds new "about dead" threads too. Maybe that is just for fun. I am still on cliff's edge over the centred horizon, so can't focus on this for now. I know I have contributed quite a thought to Tetenal's announcement.

 

[koraks]

Posts #15 through #18 were merged into this thread.

 

[pentaxuser]

Yes in relation to Ilford there are surely a number of questions on which we need answers before we can conclude anything

1. How much of Ilford chemistry is currently supplied by Tetenal? If its none then presumably that settles whether Iilford has a chemistry problem. If we know that Tetenal supplied Ilford with its chemistry then how much of it was supplied by Tetenal?

2. Has Tetenal ceased all its chemistry production and if so, has some other company stepped in and if so can it now supply Ilford with its needs?

3. What kind of a timescale does current Ilford chemistry stock cover, a month, 2 months etc before it has a problem

4. Who else makes chemistry that Ilford can make a contract with ?

Just some questions that immediately spring to my mind on which we need answers before we can even begin to draw any conclusions about llford's situation

So if anyone knows of any pertinent incontrovertible facts that will help clarify what, if any, problem Ilford may be facing with its chemistry stocks then please let him/them inform us

pentaxuser

 

[mshchem]

Sell liquid concentrates in Jobo bottles. People would go nuts! Buying 12x1L please

 

[ADOX Fotoimpex]

What do you mean by that?
Tetenal is bankrupt again? No production means no products on the shelves...

It is all written in Tetenal´s announcement published here in the first post.
What is left of them has moved to an office space in downtown Hamburg. They are looking for contract manufacturers in Europe (so aparently not Germany) for their chemistry because the company who was supposed to be their new production arm (right next to their old address in Norderstedt) went into receivership. And yes, this is the reason why currently there are no products on the shelve. In the future there will be because they found someone making their chemistry for them. We hope to have Tetenal chemicals again in the later summer.

 

[removedacct2]

They are looking for contract manufacturers in Europe (so aparently not Germany) for their chemistry

for C41 I bought always the Fuji or the Compard/Digibase chemistry, because they are with bleach and fixer, instead of the blix sold by Tetenal.
Digibase is Hans O. Mahn reseller (ie. Maco/Macodirect), who have their business also in Hamburg area. I often suspected that they get their chemistry from Norderstedter Chemie like Tetenal, but the Digibase kits are like the Fuji one: bleach and fixer separate, instead of the blix soup.
Maco do also sell kits under the brand name "Rollei", these are with blix, so possible it was just the same thing sold by Norderstedter Chemie to Tetanal, but they also sell a Jobo kit similar to the Compard/Digibase and Fuji ones, with separate bleach and fixer, and this Jobo kits have a "Made in Japan" on the box label....

I asked sometimes elsewhere if Calbe Chemie Gmbh, still manufactures photochemistry but never could have an answer, otherwise outside Germany and in Europe there's the plant manufacturing the Fuji kits. It's in Antwerpen or in nearby Saint-Niklaas, and I wonder if it is not a former Agfa-Gevaert plant.
Then there is the Kodak Flexicolor LORR chemistry, it comes in bigger containers, it's meant for mini-labs, but usage in small tank, yet not the best for occasional hobbyist. I have no idea where KodakAlaris do get this.
So then "somewhere in Europe and not in Germany" means Belgium and if any, the plant used by KodakAlaris (unless it was Norderstedter...), or also, if different, the manufacturer of Bellini kits.

 

[koraks]

there's the plant manufacturing the Fuji kits. It's in Antwerpen or in nearby Saint-Niklaas, and I wonder if it is not a former Agfa-Gevaert plant.

No, it's Fuji Hunt, which derives its name from the origins of that plant, the American firm Hunt Chemistry. It changed hands in the early 1980s or so and then ended up being acquired by FUJIFILM. It doesn't ever seem to have been associated with Agfa-Gevaert.

Then there is the Kodak Flexicolor LORR chemistry, it comes in bigger containers, it's meant for mini-labs, but usage in small tank, yet not the best for occasional hobbyist. I have no idea where KodakAlaris do get this.

'Kodak' Flexicolor is a 100% Chinese product made by SinoPromise.

 

[Arcadia4]

Presently there is no shortages of Ilford Chemistry in the UK and it maybe they hold a reasonable buffer stocks (no pun intended). Its no secret that Tetenal were their photochemistry manufacturer, and no doubt are aware of Tetenal 1847s plans to find a replacement manufacturing partner. One presumes Norderstedt demise was financial, or at least cashflow, and so it seems quite possible replacement product may go up in cost.

In the case of Kodak B&W chemistry - Is it not now produced by or for Sinopromise (rather than KA who tetenal did manufacture for) . However the supply has gone somewhat downhill since.

Tetenal own brand is largely sold out.

Theres quite few other photochemistry brands available (e.g. Fotospeed as the other volume brand in UK) , but aside from those from companies with known capability such as Bellini, not clear how many actual manufacturers stand behind brands like Fotospeed ?

 

[removedacct2]

No, it's Fuji Hunt, which derives its name from the origins of that plant, the American firm Hunt Chemistry. It changed hands in the early 1980s or so and then ended up being acquired by FUJIFILM. It doesn't ever seem to have been associated with Agfa-Gevaert.

No what? I wrote nowhere that Fuji is associated with Agfa-Gevaert. You please quote where I stated that.

I am talking about the issue mentionned by ADOX: productions places for photochemistry. Tetenal he mentions, is looking for a plant to manufacture the C41 kits, right?

yes I know about Fuji X-Press Hunt kits and I use then since very long. It IS MANUFACTURED in BELGIUM.
I did just finish part of a kit the other day. So I get grab one of the empty and cleaning bottle and hold it in front of the pc display showing this very thread in the background. You can see the current page and "koraks". It writes down on the label "FUJIFILM Belgium NV" and "Manufactured in Belgium" :

That's why I was wondering on the side if this was not a former Agfa-Gevaert plant, because in the processes of business acquisitions/sales plants change banners while still manufacturing same stuff.
NOT AGFA-GEVAERT, but maybe a former plant of them.
You are probably aware that ownerships and manufactures are not always the same thing. Like for instance in the case of, ha!, Tetenal-Norderstedter.

'Kodak' Flexicolor is a 100% Chinese product made by SinoPromise.

it has been long since I hold a jar/container/bottle and docs of Kodak Flexicolor, but, and this I mentioned in an another older thread about HC-110, the HC-110 sold by SinoPromise in Europe is MANUFACTURED in GERMANY. Of course the fact that HC-110 is or was (at the time I bought this bottle) manufactured in Europe, doesn't mean that the Kodak Flexicolor LORR kits are also manufactured in Europe, but it illustrates that SinoPromise ownership alone doesn't imply manufactured in China.

Same, i grab and hold my current HC-110 in front of the display where this thread happens:

see, Made in Germany:

 

[removedacct2]

so Tetenal is looking for some industrial/manufacture to produce the C41 kits.

I was thinking that if in Germany then Calbe Chemie could be a candidate or? Because that was part of their line in the past. But if as Mirko/ADOX here seems to understand they search in Europe but not Germany, then there is Belgium where such plant(s) are already in use.
We still don't know where Hans O. Mahn and Bellini get their kits from, and the Jobo ones sold by Hans O. Mahn (and others) are "Made in Japan".

 

[Arcadia4]

That's why I was wondering on the side if this was not a former Agfa-Gevaert plant, because in the processes of business acquisitions/sales plants change banners while still manufacturing same stuff.
NOT AGFA-GEVAERT, but maybe a former plant of them.
You are probably aware that ownerships and manufactures are not always the same thing. Like for instance in the case of, ha!, Tetenal-Norderstedter.

In the case of Fujihunt kits - this is produced in a fuji owned facility in Sint Niklaas, Belgium, theres even a 4min video tour of the whole site on their website

What We Do | FUJIFILM Belgium NV

www.fujifilm.com

 

[David Brown]

Seems like new culture here is discuss gaskets blowing all over the place. As drama unfolds new "about dead" threads too.

I've been here almost 20 years. It's always been this way.