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Although I have been unable to collaborate this news Freetime hobbies have stated that Artwox are closing down. If this is true its a real shame as they are one of the leading providers of ship etch sets and especially laminate decking. Its not a big surprise that some companies are starting to struggle as the etch set market once dominated by Eduard and Aber is getting rapidly overcrowded Jase “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
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Joined: 31/05/2010 Posts: 5,679 Points: 17,011 Location: Wiltshire
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It would not come as a surprise and to be honest i would not be surprised to see more go the same way. If you take eduard for instance they used to be (for me) just about affordable. Not bought any for a while but have a couple of new year projects planned and was shocked to see some of their new "big ed" sets are not far off £100. Nothing much different to what they have supplied over the years in terms of the number of parts so why the massive price increases? What has changed i wonder? We have not left the eu yet so why are prices at the level they are. If its a case of low sales so increase the price to make up the difference many of these manufacturers will fold. I guess though with the company you mention its a fairly limited area for sales ie you must have the base kit to then want the updates - and it comes down to how many base kits are people buying? What would be good to see is them teaming up with the kit manufacturers and maybe offering the base kit as a "premium" kit with the extras included. Happy Modelling
BUILDING: Hachette Spitfire Mk 1A, Constructo Mayflower SUBSCRIPTION COMPLETE (Awaiting building): USS Constitution, Sovereign of the Seas, 1:200 Bismarck (Hachette) COMPLETED: Porsche 911, E-Type Jaguar, Lam Countach
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birdaj2 wrote:It would not come as a surprise and to be honest i would not be surprised to see more go the same way.
If you take eduard for instance they used to be (for me) just about affordable.
Not bought any for a while but have a couple of new year projects planned and was shocked to see some of their new "big ed" sets are not far off £100. Nothing much different to what they have supplied over the years in terms of the number of parts so why the massive price increases?
What has changed i wonder? We have not left the eu yet so why are prices at the level they are. If its a case of low sales so increase the price to make up the difference many of these manufacturers will fold.
I guess though with the company you mention its a fairly limited area for sales ie you must have the base kit to then want the updates - and it comes down to how many base kits are people buying? What would be good to see is them teaming up with the kit manufacturers and maybe offering the base kit as a "premium" kit with the extras included.
It could be raw material costs perhaps, but you are right the the price of etch is on the increase. but also Model kit suppliers are adding more etch as standard making the model builder pause and ask if they need to spend the same amount as the base kit again on more etch. Trumpeter will supply 3 to 4 sheets of etch now and some of their big kits are RRP£200-£300 then you spend the same in etch. but I always look for upgrades so there is a market just a lot of players and options now - to much competition “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
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Seem’s a little odd considering they released a new range as recently as November, though Artwox is not actually closing but are concentrating on other things, likely that the wooden deck market isn’t producing the turnover they would like..
ArtwoxModel Nov 2017 new items are released. 1/350 Scale Masking sheet series AM10020 Italian Heavy Cruiser Zara (For Trumpeter 05347)-Deck masking sheet AM10020A Italian Heavy Cruiser Zara (For Trumpeter 05347)-Woodendeck,maskingsheet,planking masking PE AM10021 French Navy Strasbourg Battleship (For Hobbyboss 86507)-Deck masking sheet AM10021A French Navy Strasbourg Battleship (For Hobbyboss 86507)-Rail PE,Woodendeck,maskingsheet,planking masking PE AM10022 DKM Bismarck (For Revell 05040)-Deck masking sheet AM10022A DKM Bismarck (For Revell 05040)-Woodendeck,maskingsheet,planking masking PE AM10023 HMS Lord Nelson (For Hobbyboss 86508)-Deck masking sheet AM10023A HMS Lord Nelson (For Hobbyboss 86508)-Woodendeck,maskingsheet,planking masking PE AM10024 HMS Agamenon (For Hobbyboss 86509)-Deck masking sheet AM10024A HMS Agamenon (For Hobbyboss 86509)-Woodendeck,maskingsheet,planking masking PE
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Truly hope your right and Free time hobbys have thier facts wrong “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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The official word..Artwox are pursuing "other business" it seems..
After years of providing excellent wood decks and other aftermarket accessories for modelers, Artwox has decided to close their doors to pursue other business.
So grab what you need while you can!
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Sad news “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
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 Rank: Super-Elite        Groups: Registered, Forum Support Team, Administrators, Global Forum Support Team, Moderator, Official Builds Joined: 09/11/2012 Posts: 8,520 Points: 24,651 Location: East midlands
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Tomick wrote:The official word..Artwox are pursuing "other business" it seems..
After years of providing excellent wood decks and other aftermarket accessories for modelers, Artwox has decided to close their doors to pursue other business.
So grab what you need while you can!
More bad news for the Hobby modeller. Good job I ordered the deck kit for my Merit USS Hornet CV8 Yesterday. Regards delboy271155 (Derek) COME BACK GUY FAWKES "YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU"
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