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Old 17th March 2009, 01:10 PM
Ag-Bromide Ag-Bromide is offline
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Exclamation Kentmere News.

See Bob's post for a full transcript of Ilfords statement.
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Old 17th March 2009, 01:27 PM
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Trevor Crone Trevor Crone is offline
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'P.O.P'-RIP Down to my last 20 sheets of 5"x7"

Looking forward to the addition to the Fineprint range
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Old 17th March 2009, 01:28 PM
Ag-Bromide Ag-Bromide is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor Crone View Post
'P.O.P'-RIP Down to my last 20 sheets of 5"x7"

Looking forward to the addition to the Fineprint range
Me too.
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Old 17th March 2009, 03:57 PM
Ag-Bromide Ag-Bromide is offline
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There is seems to be a lot of anger towards Harman Technology about the discontinued products with accusations of asset stripping.
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=46917
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Old 17th March 2009, 04:53 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
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A Sad day but maybe the future is brighterk, if a v.c. version of kentona is released Iwould try it Richard
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Old 17th March 2009, 05:00 PM
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What will be will be. You ain't going to influence it now the decision has been made. Tell the whiners to go and buy some kodak paper instead.
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Old 17th March 2009, 09:10 PM
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It was announced at 11:20am and has already generated 6 pages on the other site. At a quick glance mainly from its U.S. contingent

Mike
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Old 17th March 2009, 09:43 PM
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Ah well, POP we already knew about, Art was already gone over a year ago because of the base being discontinued, so that's really only Kentona that is new.

I for one would like to see a VC version of Kentona, assuming they can retain the qualities of the old paper. I did try it a few times and it reacted very nicely to toning (as you'd expect from the name!).

No mention of Fineprint warmtone so either they have solved their problem or it is going to be reformulated as one of the advertised new papers.

Below is a copy of the press release:
Quote:
HARMAN CONSOLIDATES KENTMERE RANGE:

Leading photo-imaging company, HARMAN technology Limited announces new product development and new supply arrangements for KENTMERE along with three unavoidable withdrawals.

When HARMAN technology Limited acquired KENTMERE PHOTOGRAPHIC in 2007it was always HARMAN's intention to maintain the existing KENTMERE monochrome range.

Recognising the enormous popularity of certain products, it pulled out all the stops to replicate many of the range's coating formulations at its state-of-the-art production facility at Mobberley. It has also used its expertise and infrastructure to increase batch-to-batch continuity and worldwide product availability - and has just launched KENTMERE film along with the existing paper products into the North American market through its US distributor WYNIT Inc and its Canadian distributor AMPLIS.

However, despite its good intentions and its considerable successes, such as the continuation of popular products like KENTMERE VC SELECT , HARMAN's best efforts have in part been thwarted by harsh commercial realities.

Following a decision, which has not been taken lightly, three KENTMERE products are to be withdrawn because they have proven themselves impossible to produce in a way that's either acceptable or economically viable. Contributing factors to this regrettable situation include global supply issues, changing legislation and an increasingly difficult trading climate, not just for HARMAN - but for all manufacturers.

The products concerned are :

KENTMERE CENTENNIAL POP ( Printing Out Paper )

Whilst demanded in relatively small volumes, HARMAN recognises that KENTMERE CENTENNIAL POP has a passionate following throughout the world and so announces with regret that this product can no longer be made.

The most significant reasons for this include the need for extremely elevated temperatures during the mnaufacturing process. There are also chemical additives involved in the coating that HARMAN does not wish to use from an employee health and safety perspective.

To adhere to the required production methods safely, and certainly in a way that at its bare minimum complies with UK health and safety legislation, would necessitate an enormous investment into HARMAN's factory. This cannot be justified due to the low volumes sold. HARMAN did look into the possibility of manufacturing elsewhere but feels it would be unethical and hypocritical to manufacture in a different country where employee health and safety requirements are perhaps less rigorous.

KENTMERE KENTONA

Current stocks of KENTMERE KENTONA - the unique, warmtone, glossy, chloro-bromide, fibre-based paper - are very good, but manufacturing of this product has now ceased as its emulsion cannot be replicated at HARMAN's plant.

The market has long requested a variable contrast version of KENTONA and HARMAN is pleased to announce that its product development department is now working on this as part of the launch of THREE NEW PAPERS within the KENTMERE FINEPRINT VC range. It is anticipated that this new warmtone, glossy paper will be available later in 2009.

THE KENTMERE ART COLLECTION

This range was withdrawn by KENTMERE prior to its acquisition by HARMAN technology Limited because the base substrates involved were no longer being manufactured. Despite extensive research, KENTMERE failed to find a comparable base suitable for quality photo coating.

Whilst HARMAN remains open to appropriate bases becoming available, the length of time since the production of these products means the chances of an economic re-launch at any time in the future is unfortuanately very small.

Speaking of the changes, Steven Brierley, Marketing Director at HARMAN technology Limited said. " The tremendous success we have enjoyed in seamlessly integrating KENTMERE into our business and increasing its availability worldwide has been somewhat tinged by the need to withdraw three products. If anyone was going to maintain them it was going to be HARMAN with our state-of-the-art coating and finishing facilities and our photo-imaging expertise which now stretches back 130 years. We apologise to those customers affected and reassure them that we did explore every feasible alternative before coming to this decision".

Last edited by Bob; 17th March 2009 at 10:02 PM.
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