Why are Lee filters back ordered?

For those who are still waiting in line to receive their filters, here's an explanation why.

http://www.leefilters.​com/camera/

There are some great videos online too of how the ladies make them. Such a great small British business.
Here's one:
http://www.photography​courses.biz/lee_filter​sa.html

I suspect with the events in Japan the last few months have probably seen an increase in filter orders - as hobbyists to pros can't get at lenses or bodies, a shift to expanding other expensive areas is likely.

Interesting too that even as photoshop and hdr techs advance the demand for quality filters keeps increasing

Personally I'm waiting to see if they can get filter holder+filters big enough for the superwides - 8-16mm

I can't believe the amount of manual labor they are using.. looks like their process may not have changed at all in the last 30 years. I'm all for quality craftsmanship, but I think they could reduce their prices (and backorder time) a bit with some automation..

mwolfe wrote in post #12657561
...but I think they could reduce their prices (and backorder time) a bit with some automation..

Highly likely, and it would probably bring more consistency, but this is craftmanship, it's really great to keep these sort of companies. They could ship it all out to a foreign land and have it done en-masse by machines on the cheap but this way it's a quality item. Whilst there is demand they will keep making them this way I'm sure.

There is also the fact that automation isn't cheap as they'd likely need custom machines to keep up the quality of their product. That would be a big single investment and they might just not feel strong enough as a company to really make such a bold move when their market could collapse out from under them (esp these days with such fast advances in camera tech)

Indeed, and they're running a successful business so who am I to suggest changes.

You just don't see much completely manual manufacturing these days, that's all!

neat video, i had no idea that's how they were made.

^I have to agree with Anke. You don't see these types of companies anymore. I assume Singh Ray has the same type of process when making GND filters.