Snippets of information on the Internet reveal that this came about because Winsor and Newton is a part of ColArt. The W& N paint manufacturing factory in Harrow was closed in 2012, and production transferred to the Lefranc & Bourgeois factory in France. As of the time of writing the Cotman and Galeria ranges are now manufactured in China.
Humbrol paints -- popular with model makers -- followed a different path a number of years ago, but also ended up being manufactured in China. Then, users started to complain about quality control in the Chinese-made paints. Some paints were so viscous as to be unusable. Other tinlets contained paint with poor covering power. Matt paint dried satin or gloss. Not at all like the old reliable Humbrol paint from Marfleet, Hull. Thankfully, Hornby Hobbies (the owner of the Humbrol brand) took notice of the adverse comments, and brought paint production back to the UK -- and quality seems to have since improved.
Hopefully, Winsor and Newton have done their research, and will not repeat the Humbrol mistakes. With its quality somewhere between artists' and students' watercolours, Cotman may not be unduly affected by the move to China. But it would be a pity if in the pursuit of profits for shareholders, the Winsor and Newton reputation for reliability and quality is lost.
5 comments:
As an ex-employee of W&N/Colart some of this information may have changed over the past few years.
W&N has been owned by Colart since the early 1990s. Colart is/was a part of the Beckers group, more widely known for its industrial coatings, and as such, was just another small wheel in the Beckers portfolio. Before Colart W&N was owned by Reckitt & Colman (from the mid 1970s?).
W&N has always been W&N, only the ownership of the company has changed hands.
Thank you Anonymous. Yes, https://www.endole.co.uk/company/00016193/colart-fine-art-graphics-limited?page=contacts suggests that W&N Ltd came into existence at the end of 1979 as a part of Reckitt & Colman -- and perhaps the name Colart was derived from Colman in August 1990? It seems that both Colart and The Beckers Group are currently owned by Lindéngruppen.
I ought to add that Humbrol is not the same company as it was, as it went into administration in 2006 and certain assets were acquired by Hornby Hobbies. Chinese manufacture of paint happened under Hornby.
I have always used Winsor and Newton paint but won't buy any new Cotman now as I have found the quality to be awful. Winsor and Newton, bring production back to the UK please! I don't agree that "WN have always been WN" - ColArt have been responsible for the closure of the historic Harrow plant and many changes.
I use to only buy Windsor Newton Watercolors. I tell my students the same. One of my student came to me saying he won't buy it because it says made in China. I was shocked! I will no longer promote Windsor Newton. Bad move guys!
Thank you for your comment Anonymous. I was considering whether to post your comment, as it seems to be more about the country in which the paint is manufactured, rather than the ensuing quality. Unlike Hornby Hobbies and their Humbrol paints range, ColArt appears to be aware of the importance of quality control! If it helps, I believe that the more expensive Winsor and Newton Professional Watercolours (formerly Artists’ Watercolours) are still made in France?
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