ElkRiverHarmonicas
525 posts
Aug 05, 2010
11:27 AM
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I just now realized that this press release kind of takes the thunder out the planned announcement of my new position with HH. I am in Michael Peloquin's old job. Michael is moving on to this ultra cool position that is so awesome, it won't be announced for a few more weeks.
Here's the release:
Harrison Harmonicas to enter full production mode
Handmade processes will continue
For more information, contact:
Contact David Payne, director of media and client relations (b-radical@harrisonharmonicas.com)
August 5, 2010
ROCKFORD, Illinois - Founder Bradley Harrison announced today that Harrison Harmonicas, the sole harmonica manufacturer in the United States, will be entering its planned full-scale production mode at its Rockford factory in the upcoming weeks.
Harrison's first offering, the B-radical, hailed as a benchmark of technological advancement and design, began production in February.
"We knew right away from the incredible response to our pre-order sale that a full-production scenario was crucial to meet demand," Harrison said," However, at the same time, we were unwilling to rush production if it meant sacrificing quality. We have and always will remain steadfast in our vow that no harmonica leaves our facility unless it is absolutely perfect."
Harrison said the full production mode isn't the introduction of automated processes, but people. While production has been slow in the meantime, the company has spent months assembling and training the perfect team.
"We appreciate our clients so much. They have been so patient with us," he said. "Once everything is in place, we will be producing harmonicas like never before, but the quality will be unchanged.
"We've spent a lot of time selecting the best people possible. We want to provide not just jobs, but careers. We're a family here at Harrison Harmonicas. We aren't training people to be assembly-line workers, at least in the traditional sense, but masters of the Harrison method. For each B-radical, we spend more on labor than the actual retail cost of most harmonicas. That's not going to change," he said.
Harrison Harmonicas melds 21st Century technologies with the same Harrison method's techniques that made the founder's custom harmonicas world renowned.
Among Harrison Harmonicas' many advanced technologies it uses to craft each instrument, is a process for lengthwise milling reeds - the first advancement in how harmonica reeds, strips of metal that vibrate to give the harmonica its sound, since 1878. The traditional method of horizontal milling weakens reeds and shortens reed life.
"We are incredibly proud of how we make our reeds, which are the heart, body and soul of the harmonica," said David Payne, director of client relations. "We aren't the first to think of lengthwise milling. Harmonica makers have been trying to do this since at least the 1930s. We thought outside of the box and were able to create our own 21st-Century technologies to pull it off."
Located in Rockford, Illinois, Harrison Harmonicas is the United States' only harmonica manufacturer and was named by Businessweek Magazine as one of America's Most Promising Startups.
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www.harrisonharmonicas.com
"There are only two things money can't buy - true love and homegrown tomatoes." - Lewis Grizzard
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bluemoose
255 posts
Aug 05, 2010
11:37 AM
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Great news and congrat's on the new role Dave.
Hummmm...."Michael is moving on to this ultra cool position that is so awesome"
Now what would be the coolest job in a harmonica company??? I know! How about a guy that drives around the country and hand delivers the orders. You get to sit down and have a beer with the person, watch them open up the parcel and then have a jam session.
Now that would be a cool job.
moose.
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mr_so&so
350 posts
Aug 05, 2010
11:57 AM
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Congratulations, Dave. I hope everyone who has pre-ordered gets theirs soon. I'll be part of the second wave of orders, I think.
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Rubes
90 posts
Aug 05, 2010
12:00 PM
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How are the D's looking....? :~)
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Tuckster
695 posts
Aug 05, 2010
1:25 PM
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I knew it was only a matter of time. I just didn't count on this much time.
Congratulations on your promotion. Hope that doesn't mean you're a spin doctor. :)
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eharp
739 posts
Aug 05, 2010
5:37 PM
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nice commercial.
it seems to me that a new company that is having difficulties meeting current demand, as some folks are still waiting after more than a year, would try to get current first and then quietly ramp up.
if you get folks all hyped up, again, and then have trouble making orders, it wont be good for business, will it?
and i think many of us are a little curious why one of the early members of the family isnt there any more. or at least i am curious.
i still wish you well as i would truly love an american made harp.
just making conversation.
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Greg Heumann
695 posts
Aug 05, 2010
5:56 PM
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This is great news though I share eharp's concern. If the press release said "it has happened" it would more encouraging. "In the upcoming weeks" is extremely vague. Can you be any more specific?
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/Greg
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rbeetsme
293 posts
Aug 05, 2010
6:08 PM
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Great news Dave, I'll be watching the mailbox.
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eharp
740 posts
Aug 05, 2010
6:37 PM
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that aint gonna get you your harp(s) any faster, rbeetsme.
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
527 posts
Aug 05, 2010
7:48 PM
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Greg, we are shooting for the beginning of Sept. Rbeets, you'll probably be done before then.
Rubes, the Ds are pretty sweet.
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www.harrisonharmonicas.com
"There are only two things money can't buy - true love and homegrown tomatoes." - Lewis Grizzard
Last Edited by on Aug 05, 2010 8:22 PM
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slobie
23 posts
Aug 05, 2010
7:53 PM
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i ordered one right in the beginning and waited 9 months for it and it never showed up all i got was another excuse every few weeks . even if they were giving them away i dont want one !!!
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Rubes
92 posts
Aug 05, 2010
9:22 PM
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Hi Dave,does 'pretty sweet' mean I should expect mine sometime soon?
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jbone
372 posts
Aug 06, 2010
4:27 AM
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slobie, i'll wait for yours. anyone else who's lost patience, just let Harrison know to send yours to me and forget about it. i promise to give them a good home and lots of exercise.
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Chickenthief
48 posts
Aug 06, 2010
9:24 AM
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Hi Dave,
Sounds like you guys are hard at it. I preordered too and I'm thinking that all things considered slow ain't so bad in this case. Doing it fast doesn't look like doing it right. If I can wait one year for a custom then I can wait for a B rad too. I've got plenty of otb stuff that needs to get practiced on in the meantime.
I'm thinking that if you can make a few adjustments to where you are able to more accurately predict your delivery dates and maintain the high level of workmanship that you are already known for that your waiting times might actually grow or stay about the same but anyhow, it's a harmonica. It's not a pizza.
Last Edited by on Aug 06, 2010 9:36 AM
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Todd Parrott
149 posts
Aug 06, 2010
10:06 AM
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I hope my decision to endorse Hohner doesn't mean that I won't get the D I was promised. I still think you guys at Harrison are doing a great work.
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barbequebob
1089 posts
Aug 06, 2010
10:37 AM
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Todd, just remember this: when Muddy Waters signed his endorsement deal with Guild in the 60's, which outfitted him and his entire band with everything other than drums and harmonicas, in the studio he still used his trademark '56 Telecaster and once the deal had run its contracted course, he immediately went back to using the Tele and his Super Reverb amp.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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jonlaing
40 posts
Aug 08, 2010
4:08 PM
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So, if I just ordered mine less than a month ago, should I still expect a six month production period, or are things running faster now? I'm totally prepared to wait, I was just curious.
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bluesharper
77 posts
Aug 09, 2010
8:59 AM
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Congrats on the new job mr. Director ;P
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