veteran leadership brings the company into its 90th year - Music Inc ...

SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE
S
THE BRAND
BUILDER
Beyond the keyboard, Korg
USA connects customers
with creative tools
For many in the music
world, the name “Korg”
immediately brings to
mind visions of Triton
synthesizers, Kaoss Pads and
other high-tech, creative tools.
But if this year’s voting dealers
have anything to say about
it, the company is much, much
more than such products — as
iconic and ubiquitous as they
are — might imply.
In fact, Korg USA recently
began distributing products
for Ashdown Engineering and
will exhibit the British bass amp
designer and manufacturer for
the first time at Winter NAMM
2014. The company has also expanded
its role in the Canadian
market, pushing such brands as
Blackstar, Lâg, and HK Audio.
Dealers are taking notice of the
company’s ever-expanding host
of offerings. “Great new products
at great price points,” gushed
one voter.
Korg USA President, Joe
Castronovo, affirmed that “the
premium brands we represent all
have a keen ability to produce innovative
new products that either
fill or offer a whole new creative
approach to making music. We
strive to bring those products to
market at a fair price.”
A second voter praised not
only Korg USA’s outstanding
selection, but also its
desire to constantly improve its
overall service.
“We are fortunate to have a
lot of seasoned employees who
are extremely dedicated to serving
our dealers,” Castronovo said.
“And we continually challenge
ourselves to improve upon processes
and utilize new technologies
that will
Joe Castronovo and
Ashdown’s Mark Gooday
benefit the
customer.
At the same
time, we regularly
seek out
brands to distribute
that offer
a breadth
of high-quality
products we
can be proud
to represent.”
–MG
POSITIVE DIRECTION
Products from KHS America continue to improve —
while improving bottom lines
For the second year in a
row, nominating retailers
praise KHS America
for its top-notch service
and continual upgrades. “Jupiter
has been improving its product
quality for years,” said one.
Lately, KHS has paid particular
attention to details like
trombone slides, valves and
finishes, and consumers have
taken notice. “Jupiter, Mapex
and Majestic are now accepted
and even preferred among pro
players, students and schools,”
said Tabor Stamper, president.
Tabor Stamper
“In addition to quality, we have
also focused on line-logic and
pricing strategy, as well as
service for our retail partners.
No matter which portion of the
company that our dealers and
end consumers touch, our goal
is that they walk away with a
positive customer experience.”
The Mt. Juliet, Tenn.-headquartered
distributor has also
added several brands to its
portfolio. Besides Jupiter wind
instruments, Mapex drums,
Majestic concert percussion,
Altus flutes and Walden guitars,
KHS now distributes BG
Accessories, Vandoren, Dennis
Wick, Rico, Remo and Innovative
Percussion. In October,
it also introduced a new line
of proprietary stands
called NOMAD featuring
color-coded packaging.
“Our goal with these
additions is to become a
better partner to our dealers
by providing more of
the products they need
and want while complementing
our own brands,” Stamper said.
In its management, KHS has
striven to harness the power
of its collective talent, creating
alignment throughout the
organization and helping everyone
understand the company
direction. Retailers have taken
note of these improvements as
well. “They have an improved
focus on who they are, what
their brands stand for and how
they can best serve their dealers
and end-users,” said one
nominator. –JJ
66 I MUSIC INC. I DECEMBER 2013