Marina uses but she is the best damn guitar play I ever heard. Guppies from Outer Space Rule! And Maggie likes her too. click here for better pic.
Posted on 02/04/2004 2:39:17 PM PST by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
U. NAZARETH TWP. -- C.F. Martin & Co. Inc. -- more commonly known as Martin Guitar -- boasts it has been crafting its trademark instruments in the United States.
That's about to change.
The company plans to ship production of its DXM series to its plant in Navojoa, Mexico, later this year, CEO Chris Martin said Tuesday.
"It's going to be labeled 'assembled in Mexico,'" Martin said of the guitar line.
Some 50 workers at the company's facility in Upper Nazareth Township who make the DXM model will be assigned to work on other products, Martin said. The transformation is expected to happen in the fall.
"Change is difficult, and we decided to make this change ourselves," said Martin. "It's better than having something uglier being forced upon us."
At least one worker said the company is turning its back on its made-in-America business legacy -- a point echoed by the head of the area chamber of commerce.
Martin said a combination of rising operating costs and greater competition in guitar-making overseas forced the decision.
The company, which recently celebrated a milestone by making its 1 millionth guitar, employs about 200 people in Mexico out of a total work force of 800 employees. Workers in Navajoa turn out strings, mandolins and smaller guitars known as "Backpackers."
Martin has operated in Mexico sine the early 1990s, when the North America Free Trade Agreement took effect.
Martin admitted it took a while to alleviate fears about any layoffs for employees in Nazareth.
He insisted the move would not result in job cuts, and he expects the company will see an increase in orders this year after lagging sales during 2003.
One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said Martin officials brought in Mexican workers last fall to learn how to craft full-size guitars. He said company supervisors misled employees about whether the guitars would wind up being made in Mexico.
Martin described the DXM model as one of the "least expensive, lowest parts" of its guitar line. The worker, however, said DXM production helped carry the company during last year's sales decline, because it's a quality alternative to more expensive Martin brands.
The employee said workers have taken the news hard.
"We hate to see the Martin name made in Mexico, really hate to see that," he added. "It's just a very sad day."
On its Web site, the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce lists the community as being home to Martin Guitar.
"Needless to say Martin and Nazareth are synonymous," said Bill Brackbill, who is chamber president.
Brackbill said the decision by Martin is symptomatic of a greater concern -- local jobs being shipped overseas.
"Outsourcing to foreign companies seems to be a standard of business today," Brackbill said. "I think someone has to take the bull by the horns and just work with businesses to keep those jobs in the United States."
Martin said companies in today's global business environment can strike a satisfactory balance and keep jobs despite economic and competitive pressures.
"The critical point here is we made a commitment to our co-workers to keep them here in Nazareth," Martin said.
Anthony Salamone can be reached at 610-258-7171, Ext. 3603, or by e-mail at tsalamone@express-times.com.
What's your price range? There are still some excellent small companies in the US making wonderful mandos for not all THAT much...
Marina uses but she is the best damn guitar play I ever heard. Guppies from Outer Space Rule! And Maggie likes her too. click here for better pic.
There was an amazing video on YouTube of Gatton, Albert Lee, and Vince Gill trading solos on Rodney Crowell's song "One Way Rider." (Unfortunately it's now gone). Guitar pickin' heaven.
I don’t think it matters where the DXM’s are made. They sound like crap here and south of the border.
Why shouldn’t the Martin employees give their jobs to Mexicans, we seeem to be giving the country to them?
I think I have seen the youtube video you are talking about. It is truly amazing.
Yep, that YouTube clip you linked to is from the “Telemaster” DVD. I find myself watching it more for enjoyment than for instruction, but it’s still worth the price of admission. He tends to rush through some pretty complicated stuff, but his teaching style is relaxed and friendly. .....it’s like you’re sitting in his living room.
Good news -- someone posted it again yesterday. (I just posted a response a couple minutes ago).
Please elaborate, I've never heard of this...?
Cheers!
But my list of "guitars owned" has changed completely since that old 2004 post! ;)
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