I figured my other post was old enough that I’d make another. Photoklassik International posted this on Facebook, if you haven’t already seen it I reproduce it below:
“The final English press release:
Acceptance by the Insolvency Administrator of the offer by the employee-led New Tetenal !
NEW TETENAL – The employee-led initiative has made an offer to purchase the collection of recipes, the brand and the production assets of its former employer.
The insolvency administrator, Dr. Sven-Holger Undritz, was delighted to accept the offer of the founding team in the offices of White & Case in Hamburg today. The insolvency administrator’s and the founding team’s attorneys have set the roadmap for the next steps as a result of today’s decision. Since the announcement of the liquidation of Tetenal Europe GmbH in January and the subsequent launch of the employee-led initiative helmed by Stefania Grimme, Carsten Gehring and Burkhardt Mueller to rescue the analogue photo chemistry pioneer, the initiative has received overwhelming support from former employees, analog photography enthusiasts from around the world and large commercial customers of TETENAL Europe Gmbh.
“These calls of solidarity and pledges of loyalty further motivate us as we move forward with a revitalized NEW TETENAL.” says Stefania Grimme
Industry partners from all around the globe, ranging all the way from California to Tokyo are signaling their support to establish NEW TETENAL as an innovative and reliable partner in Germany addressing the global photo chemistry community. Several commercial discussions have started.
At this point, the formalities of the business activities of NEW TETENAL are being established. Following the previously announced end of production by the insolvent TETENAL, the operations of the new company are scheduled to begin from the 1 April 2019.
“However from the beginning of March, it will be possible for existing customers and other commercial partners of NEW TETENAL to place orders which are a prerequisite for starting the production by the new start-up company on the 1stof April.”
add Carsten Gehring and Burkhardt Mueller
“What does NEW TETENAL stand for?” is a frequently asked question posed to the founding team. “We respect the heritage and the responsibility for 172 years of photo history that we inherit. Together with the global photo community and commercial partners from the analogue photo industry, we will relaunch proven products to ensure reliable sustainable supply for film and photo studios, while developing new business models, products and services” notes Burkhardt Mueller.
“The supply and support to the international subsidiaries of our previous employer will be continue under NEW TETENAL without interruption,” adds Norbert Koester-Beestermoeller.”
So, business as usual! And there was absolutely no need to worry. Tetenal’s website is, for the moment, only in German, though they should have an English version at some point. What this means for the digital side of the business I’m not sure, so Epson inks and papers are still in jeopardy I suppose, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care about that because I’m even using Epson brand products this semester in the Advanced Photo class.
I’m glad that the photochemical side is under the control of the employees though, as they would appear to have a genuine enthusiasm for film and the chemicals they make. Also, I think that it’s even more important now that Ferrania get its act together, because the interconnected ecosystem thing is somewhat problematic, with Tetenal making chemicals for Kodak and Ilford, etc. I’d hate to think of the chemical imaging industry as one big game of domino rally just waiting to fall, and Ferrania are certainly forward-thinking in that aspect. But for now, all’s well. Life is good.
Film forever.
