Right in Bloomfield resides the largest U.S. distributor of musical instruments and accessories, KMC Music Inc., formerly Kaman Music Corporation.
It’s hard to imagine that the company traces its roots back to 1964 and the uncanny entrepreneurship of a partially deaf aerospace engineer from West Hartford, Charles H. Kaman, developer of the Ovation roundback guitar.
In 2007 after many years of successful business, KMC went through a big change- it was no longer a part of the Kaman family business. The company was acquired by the privately-held Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), which is considered to be the world’s largest manufacturer of guitars, basses, amplifiers and related equipment.
“KMC Music has been successful over the years because we have been innovative,” said Paul Damiano, senior vice president, sales and marketing, KMC Music Inc. “We have constantly adjusted our strategies to address a very dynamic and rapidly evolving environment. We plan to continue to adjust our plans to keep ahead of the marketplace trends, and not follow trends.”
Damiano credit’s KMC’s resilience with its ability to survive the crushing economy, even when sales have suffered.
“KMC Music has weathered the turbulent economic times better than many in the music business. We have done that by working closely with our retail music store customers and keeping a very close eye on expenses and we have seen sales volumes drop. We feel we are very well positioned as we all look forward to the USA recovering from one of the worst economic recessions of all time.”
Another reason for KMC’s success is that it has always kept an eye on small businesses such as Gretsch, a family-owned, 125 year-old drum company it partnered with in 1990 that is considered to be the oldest drum manufacturer in the U.S.
“Bloomfield, Connecticut is known as the number one distributor of percussion products in the U.S. and worldwide. It’s why we picked (KMC) as our partner and why we’re here 10 years later celebrating 10 years of success,” said fourth generation Gretsch owner, Fred Gretsch. “Through KMC, Gretch drums are also made in Taiwan and China, an area where KMC music excels is internationally. One of the reasons we partnered with them 10 years ago is because they’d be able to broaden the scope of the product to a wider range of customers.”
In the 10 years since the partnership, Gretsch says his business has increased 10 fold.
In 2005, KMC purchased Musicorp headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. Musicorp is the second largest U.S. Distributor of musical instruments and accessories after KMC, according to Nikki Nearing, spokesman for KMC Music. Nearring said it was this acquisition that made the company the largest distributor of musical instruments and accessories in the U.S.
KMC operates out of two warehouses in Portland, Tenn., and Ontario, Calif. According to Nearing, consumers recognize KMC mainly by its proprietary brands, which account for more than half its revenue — among them Fender guitars and accessories; Ovation and Takamine guitars; Gretsch drums; Genz Benz amplifiers; and Becker for school instruments — which they can purchase from music stores around the world.
“KMC pays particular attention to their business partnerships with dealers,’’ Nearing said. “District sales managers visit dealers to assist in merchandising and properly presenting the product — a benefit both to the retailer and product brand.’’
Joanna Smiley writes the weekly Local Insight column. Reach her at jsmiley@HartfordBusiness.com.
