Is Importa Out Of The Netherlands Closing Its Doors?

Someone on another board has posted that Importa, who supplies Philatelic and Numismatic products, will be closing its doors on Nov 30th of this year.

I have asked for a link but nothing yet.

If anyone from the Netherlands can confirm this or a link to the article, I would greatly appreciate it.

TY

Here's a link to the site of a Dutch stamp dealer posting the news. It's in Dutch but with Google translate you might be able to make something of it. http://www.poststempel.nl/nieuws.html


Summary: The company will produce its line of products as long as their existing supplies of materials will allow them. All production will stop 30 November 2015. Availability of their products depends on the stock available from re-sellers. Possibly the most important bit: they are looking for a company that wants to take over the production of their pre-printed albums.

Thank you, greatly appreciated.

It is unfortunate but a lot of companies are cutting back as well due to increased costs and decreased demands.

Dutchman1948, I have no idea if you speak the language, but the link that SWH provided states the reason for the end of Importa is twofold. Most important is the fact that the owner (!) is getting too old to continue the business, and the second reason is a lack of able employees.

Peter.

The reason is threefold: declining demand. Let's hope that a buyer is found for the pre-printed albums so that collectors using them can continue to do

Ja, sorry. And thank you, SWH! I was born and lived for 25 years in Driebergen-Rijsenburg; I guess I was your neighbor! I remember two things, you guys had a public swimming pool where I learned to swim in the late 40's and later in the 60's I worked for a TV place called Triezenberg!

Peter

It appears the 2 sons took it over in 1991 from their father, no idea how old they are.

As far as stamp albums go, it appears they only carry Netherlands and some of the old colonies. Their prices are compatible with Davo who carry a similar line and many more countries.

I have never seen an Importa album so can't say how they compare, how complete they are, or how popular they are.

I also don't believe they have a North American distributor (I am not sure). Very few of their products are on ebay and most are stock books from overseas

Why is maybe irrelevant, it is more that they will be gone unless someone buys them.

@ Petert4522 'I was born and lived for 25 years in Driebergen-Rijsenburg'

Peter

This is amazing. I have lived in Driebergen-Rijsenburg from age 14 to age 18. So we have been not just neighbors, but close neighbors, only separated in time. Where did you live? I lived at Hydepark which is actually just outside of Driebergen in Doorn. But Hydepark being closer to Driebergen we were more focused on Driebergen than Doorn. Most of my friends lived in Driebergen. At a later age I have returned to the region to settle in Zeist. Wow some coincidence......

SWH, I lived in Rijsenburg on the Diederichslaan, across from the RK church. Yes, I know where Hydepark is, although in my days that was just a country estate. I think it is now a new development?

Peter

Peter

So familiar. The RK seminar that used to be there no longer exists. It is now an apartment complex. The park around it has been left intact though.

Hydepark is indeed a former country estate. In WWII it was a German HQ, then bombed by the English. After WWII is became a church property - sold for 1 Dutch guilder as many of these estates were at the time. The grounds were largely left intact but several church related buildings were set up on the former estate. Also a number of houses for church employees such as my father who was a minister in the church. The estate has never been open to the public - which in a way is a shame because in the late 19th century it was the biggest estate on the 'Utrechtse Heuvelrug'.

So how does the 'new world' compare to good old Driebergen?

The "new world" does not really compare, and that's why I sometimes am a bit homesick! Been back several times, but since both of my parents have passed and I have no more relatives in Driebergen I guess I won't be back any more>
I did go to Hydepark quite a lot, since I was in the electronics business and did audio work there. I do not remember exactly what, but I must have met your dad at one time or another!

Peter

I house my Netherlands used collection in the Importa Standard album. I just ordered supplements for 2012, 2013 and 2014. From the news article on this development, it appears they may release the Netherlands supplements for 2015. I hope that is the case. It seems like moving to a Netherlands Davo album would be an option for the future.