WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14 (update: Nov 2016)

BJohnson · Post by **BJohnson** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 8:51 am

I have just heard from WEM that they will be closing on Friday 28 Nov 14.

Sad Loss.

Edit by Timmy C, November 2016: Lots have changed since this was announced. Richard Harding at Tom's Modelworks is continuing the PE line (still being sold under the WEM label and site, but now in USD: https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/), while Peter Hall's Atlantic Models and Mike McCabe's Starling Models are producing/selling the 1/350 and 1/700 resin stuff, respectively.

Christian M. · Post by **Christian M.** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 9:19 am

BJohnson wrote:I have just heard from WEM that they will be closing on Friday 28 Nov 14.

Sad Loss.

Ehm ... I hope this is not a bad and late 1st April joke that they will close?
Will be not only a sad, but a bigger loss for us shipbuilders!

BJohnson · Post by **BJohnson** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 9:46 am

Believe me I would not joke about this. I have just had an email regarding an order I have just placed stating that they were closing. I queried it and got the following reply' I can confirm White Ensign Models will be officially shut down as of Friday.'

I am desolate.

Christian M. · Post by **Christian M.** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 9:55 am

Oh my god ... not to say something other which needs to be censored!

All these people using their paints (fortunately not me) will be kicked in their stern then ... not to mention all the great PE sets and other things they offer!

PetrolGator · Post by **PetrolGator** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 9:59 am

You know, it's entirely possible WEM is shutting down ON Friday and not for good. I'd imagine news of this gravity would be passed down in more than an email to a customer.

BJohnson · Post by **BJohnson** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:09 am

PetrolGator wrote:You know, it's entirely possible WEM is shutting down ON Friday and not for good. I'd imagine news of this gravity would be passed down in more than an email to a customer.

We can hope

BJohnson · Post by **BJohnson** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:12 am

The original message:

However, due to
unforeseen circumstances we will be closing the company down as of 28/11/14
and therefore we are no longer taking backorders.
I apologise for the inconvenience of this and wish you luck in finding the
item you are looking for.

Christian M. · Post by **Christian M.** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:15 am

PetrolGator wrote:

You know, it's entirely possible WEM is shutting down ON Friday and not for good. I'd imagine news of this gravity would be passed down in more than an email to a customer

I hope so ... I really hope so!

BUT I learned in the past some few years ago with an other issue of a local shop, that this could happen this way.

P.S.

I don't know if it is something with my (silly and unchangeable) explorer settings here at work only, but their homepage isn't reachable for me ...

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/

EJFoeth · Post by **EJFoeth** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:32 am

I hope they're not closing; that would be awful...

smoke · Post by **smoke** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:49 am

But their homepage works and there is nothing posted about this issue.

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/

Quaestor · Post by **Quaestor** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 10:50 am

Before we all get our knickers in a twist, let's hold off for something from John on this thread.

BJohnson · Post by **BJohnson** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:27 am

Just received - I have just seen the forum that has been posted and can confirm we are closing for good as of Friday. We are taking order up until then and there will be a banner on the website stating this shortly.

PetrolGator · Post by **PetrolGator** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:51 am

Yeah... I just confirmed this through another vendor. WEM is closing. Damn. Wow.

EJFoeth · Post by **EJFoeth** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:58 am

This is really sad

Dan Banks · Post by **Dan Banks** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:20 pm

Very sorry to hear this, are their plans to continue products or future plans under new ownership?

Dave Rowe · Post by **Dave Rowe** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:35 pm

I am gutted. Very sad news.

Quaestor · Post by **Quaestor** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:49 pm

Ouch. That well and truly sucks. And we were all of us blindsided, were we not?
I have to wonder how badly their overall biz has been impacted by the way in which the "authorities" have made it impossible (or close to it) to ship small quantities of Colourcoats outside the UK. Although I'm quite used to it, governmental stupidity never ceases to amaze me.
If I want to stick with enamels, I guess I'll have to learn to mix my own after my (ample) supply of Colourcoats runs dry.

firemagi · Post by **firemagi** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:00 pm

Noooooooooo..

So sad to hear this, been buying from them for years..

To John and the rest of the crew, you will all be sorely missed and I for one wish you all the best for any future endeavours.

Steve

Christian M. · Post by **Christian M.** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:02 pm

Well, those many guys using WEM colour coats got a real kick into their stern now.
We can of course speculate like mad for all the reasons, but this silly order of "authorities" about sending Enamels outside the UK is for sure one bigger brick part in the wall.

Again, very sad for me too ... and stocking up my modelling budget now to get all these needed things from shops having WEM to make stock.

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Tue Nov 25, 2014 1:10 pm

That is frankly a punch in the gut. I've ordered from WEM since starting this hobby in 2002 and have considered myself a loyal customer, because of their stellar customer service and their grassroots engagement with the community. The first few years, they *were* my gateway into the hobby. ^$&**!

The Ship Model Forum

WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14 (update: Nov 2016)

WEM Closing Operations as of 11/28/14 (update: Nov 2016)

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM

Re: WEM