Martin Guitar production Bang miyeon, choi hyunuk, kwag sooyeon, ku changwon

contents Martin guitar? Process of producing Martin guitar Features of producing Martin guitar Operational challenges – recommendation Technical challenges – recommendation Other recommendation

1. Martin guitar? Top quality guitar company from 1833 Prices are from about $300 to about $12,000

Top Quality 1. Martin guitar?

2. Process of producing martin guitar 1) Raw material – Wood Peru Mahogany American Maple Spanish Cedar 2) Neck Support - Grain runs along with the annual ring of the tree

2. Process of producing martin guitar 3) Cut wood into thin slats by machine 4) Carving Neck by CNC machine 5) Machine makes the hole and human inspects it 2. Process of producing martin guitar

2. Process of producing martin guitar 6) Carving exact frets by machine 7) Mahogany blocks – made by CNC machine 8) Flexible Line – made by machine 2. Process of producing martin guitar

2. Process of producing martin guitar 9) Bridge – made by CNC machine, similar to the neck 10) Body – made similarly to CNC, but are in bed 11) Body Back – Very same operation as body, but separate piece of wood 2. Process of producing martin guitar

2. Process of producing martin guitar 12) Brace – needs good skills, takes delicate touch by master 13) Lining Rim – all by hand 14) Fiber – black, white, ivory binding or decorating edge of guitar Fit into the slot perfectly accurate 2. Process of producing martin guitar

2. Process of producing martin guitar 15) Fitting the neck – uses special device to check the exact position of the neck 16) Tuning machine – fixed to the head by hand 17) String Line – carved by hand 18) Inspecting 2. Process of producing martin guitar

3. Features of producing martin guitar 1) Manual labor > Mechanization Internal plant isn’t mechanized and has separated parts unlike other factories Still uses draft knives, files and their hands to make guitars Machines are used only in dangerous process Manual labor Mechanization

3. Features of producing martin guitar 2) Factory > Workshop Factory contains heavy equipment used for assembly line production – can produce adequate amounts of guitars, whose demand can’t be afforded by small workshop 3. Features of producing martin guitar

4.1 Operational challenges 1) Adjusting to Changes Mandolin Ukulele

2) Distribution problem Early, C.A. Zoebisch & Son was the sole distributor of Martin Guitars Frank Martin made extensive sales trips where he personally sold the majority of the company’s output to music dealer Now, the company uses optimal selling method – The products are sold at only authorized stores and online 4.1 Operational challenges

4.2 operational challenges - recommendation 1) Adjusting to Changes – Electronic guitar The competitive brands of quality guitar give weight to producing electric guitars. 1. didn’t devote themselves to produce electric guitars 2. didn’t try to produce them continuously new product development department long term project

Too few shops in Asia! 2) Distribution problem – need more authorized shops in Asia Authorized shops in North America Too few shops in Asia! 4.2 operational challenges - recommendation

5.1 Technical challenges 1) T-cross Bar Problem During the World War II, metal supply was in shortage Replaced T-cross bar with a similarly shaped piece of ebony, but it was more prone to neck–angle problems After the war, the steel T–bar found its way back into production, only to be replaced in 1967 by a square steel tube In 1985 the Martin Company introduced adjustable reinforcing (truss) rod

2) Rosewood Supply Problem Until the mid 60’s, Martin had always purchased rosewood in log (or "timber") form in Brazil In mid 60’s, the Brazilian government placed an embargo on timber shipments The company began importing rosewood from India The new three–piece back D–35 was a major success 5.1 Technical challenges

3) Dreadnought Body Style Originally devised in 1916 as a collaboration between Martin and the Oliver Ditson Co., the dreadnought body style was larger and deeper than most guitars Greater volume and louder bass made the guitar more useful as an accompaniment instrument for singers of the day Today the "dreadnought" size and shape is considered one of the "standard" acoustic guitar shapes 5.1 Technical challenges

4) 14 Fret Neck Innovation After the Great Depression in 1929, Martin’s sales decreased drastically Martin changed the conventional 12 fret neck to 14 fret neck, which allowed easier access to higher notes Great players like Leroy Powell, Al Esposito welcomed the change 5.1 Technical challenges

5.2 Technical recommendation - Comparison with Cort 1) Martin’s specialty: Handmade Cort operates highly mechanicalized company But there are also operations by hand So Martin should keep their handmade policy

2) Making Body Martin’s process of making body part is too inefficient Like the machine of Cort, Martin should implement some new machines to higher the production rate 5.2 Technical recommendation

3) Making Neck Martin’s process of making neck part is too inefficient Like the machine of Cort, Martin should implement some new machines to higher the production rate 5.2 Technical recommendation

4) Gluing Bracers Martin’s process of gluing bracers is all by hand But this gluing process is much more efficient by machine, and it does not lower the quality, if not highering it Like the machine of Cort, Martin should implement some new machines to higher the production rate 5.2 Technical recommendation

5) Using efficient line Martin’s whole process is too long in distance – there are too much time wasted by moving the parts Martin should change the composition of the company to be more efficient 5.2 Technical recommendation

6. Other Recommendation Adopting Meister System Germany’s Porsche uses this system Come down by education of apprentices from medieval Zunft Martin can adopt this system to train apprentices into masters