KMCMusicorp
KMC Music is an owner and distributor of several brands of musical instruments. The company is currently a subsidiary of Canadian corporate group Exertis | JAM.[1]
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Predecessor | Kaman Music Corporation |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Charles Kaman |
| Products | String instruments Brass instruments Percussion instruments Amplifiers |
| Brands | |
| Parent | Exertis JAM |
| Website | kmcmusic.com |
History edit
The company began as Kaman Music Corporation /kəˈmɑːn/, a part of the Kaman Corporation founded by Charles Kaman. In addition to his business interests in aviation, Kaman was a guitarist who came to explore the use of composite materials technologies in guitar building. He and his engineers created the round-backed, composite-body Ovation guitar in 1966.
In January 2008, Kaman Corporation sold Kaman Music Corporation to Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) for $117 million.[2]
In 2011, Kaman Music Corporation and Musicorp, sister companies under the FMIC umbrella, united their sales and catalog divisions as KMC Musicorp.
As of 2018, Hamer has moved its facilities to China.[3][4][5]
In 2014, FMIC sold KMC's Gretsch Drums, TOCA Percussion, Latin Percussion, KAT Percussion, Ovation Guitars, and Gibraltar Hardware brands to Drum Workshop.[6]
In February 2015, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation sold KMC to JAM Industries,[7] which rebranded as Exertis | JAM in 2021.
Brands edit
Some of the companies that are currently subsidiaries of KMC are:[8]
| Brand | Products |
|---|---|
| Ampeg | Bass and guitar amplifiers, pickups |
| Daisy Rock Girl | Electric guitars, basses, ukuleles |
| Hamer | Electric guitars |
| Randall | Guitar amplifiers |
| Remo | Drum kits and heads |
See also edit
- U.S. Music Corporation (also a subsidiary of Jam Industries)
- Ashly Audio (also a subsidiary of Jam Industries)
References edit
- ^ "JAM Industries Rebrands as Exertis JAM and Reaffirms Commitment to Core Values". Yahoo. Yahoo. October 13, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ Chang, Andrea (October 30, 2007). "Fender to acquire music firm Kaman". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Jason Farrell (May 17, 2012). "About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation". Press Release: Fender Musical Instruments Corp. appoints Jeff Quinn as licensing director (May 17, 2012). Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
In 2007, FMIC acquired KMC Music, one of the largest independent U.S. distributors of musical instruments and accessories. In 2011, KMC Music and Musicorp united their sales and catalog divisions as KMCMusicorp, creating a leading wholesaler of musical instruments, accessories and lighting equipment. KMCMusicorp produces and/or distributes Ovation®, Takamine® and Hamer® guitars; Latin Percussion®, Gretsch® Drums, Gibraltar® Hardware, Toca® Percussion, Sabian® cymbals and Genz Benz® amplifiers and more. ...
- ^ . Music Trades. 160 (1): 34. February 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
Abstract: The article discusses the merging of the sales and marketing forces of KMC Music and Musicorp under the KMCMusicorp banner. It notes how the new KMCMusicorp combined the best of both companies' product offerings into a new "1-Stop" catalog that has the most comprehensive range of products such as the Barcus-Berry, C.F. Martin and Dunlop. It indicates that dealers can enjoy KMCMusicorp's 24/7 state-of-the art online environment, more access to brands and streamlined shipping. - ^ . Musical Merchandise Review. 171 (2): 6. February 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
Abstract: The article reports that the sales and catalog divisions of KMC Music and Musicorp, sister companies under the Fender Musical Instruments Corp. (FMIC) umbrella, have joined forces as KMCMusicorp. - ^ "Drum Workshop Purchases Latin Percussion, Toca Percussion, Gretsch Drums, Gibraltar Hardware, and KAT Percussion from Fender's KMC Subsidiary". Modern Drummer magazine. January 7, 2015.
Drum Workshop, Inc. and Fender Musical Instruments have finalized an asset sale agreement to purchase owned and licensed percussion brands from Fender's KMC subsidiary, including Latin Percussion, Toca Percussion, Gretsch Drums, Gibraltar Hardware, and KAT Percussion. Ovation Guitars and exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Sabian Cymbals are also included in the transaction.
- ^ "FMIC Sells KMC Music Wholesale Distribution Business to JAM Industries". Music Inc. Magazine. February 12, 2015.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announced on Feb. 10 that it has completed an asset sale of the KMC Music wholesale distribution business, including the trade name B&J Music, and certain proprietary brands, to JAM Industries, Ltd. JAM Industries is a global leader in the MI, pro-audio and consumer electronics wholesale distribution business.
- ^ Our brands on KMC website, 13 Oct 2019
External links edit
- KMC Music website
- Exertis JAM website
- NAMM.org: Oral History Library interview of Bill Kaman (2007)