New Management at Gibson

[J185-4Me]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

So, Fred, how will this affect the production management team at the Gibson Montana acoustic guitar factory in Bozeman? I presume that Don Ruffato and his colleagues in Montana will keep doing what they do, but whenever there’s a house cleaning at the top, there are always changes further down the chain of command: the new broom sweeps clean, and all that.

Have you heard anything about that yet, or is it still too soon to tell?

Having witnessed former CEO Henry Juskiewicz’s sometimes borderline pathological behavior over the years, now that he’s gone I have this image of his former underlings bursting into song and singing “Ding, Dong, The Witch Is Dead!” and holding a spontaneous celebration, just like the Munchkins in “The Wizard Of Oz.”

Gibson Employees React To Henry The J’s Departure



Henry Juskiewicz Leaves The Premises

Wade Hampton Miller

Wade,

I've heard nothing, and I haven't solicited any thoughts from the folks in Bozeman. (Been too busy, working and stuff.)

Their distance has somewhat insulated them from Henry the J -- "somewhat".....

Rather than the Oz clips above, I would have postulated HJ in one of the thousands of "Hitler finds out" parodies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQDB...YpTqe-r7o3K6pV

Fred

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

I'm guessing building parts off shore then assembling them in Nashville to maximize profit is a more likely scenario.

Can you say Martin Shenandoah...?

[sabatini]

I hope Gibson succeeds under their new owners. I am skeptical based on personal experience of working for a company that was bought by vulture, I mean venture, capitalists. It wasn't pretty.

[cuthbert]

Sure he's better than Henry J....not that it's difficult!

[Charmed Life Picks]

As they say, "The proof is in the pudding." However, I know a few folks who have friends on the inside of both Epiphone and Gibson in Nashville, and if their descriptions are close to accurate, morale has been at an all-time low for years at that company. I can't imagine it getting worse.

I remember seeing an interview with Ren Ferguson years ago where he said Henry once told him, "Don't get too attached to those things. They're just boxes."

scott memmer

[Mr. Jelly]

Like I always say "Time will tell". So we'll see.

[The Bard Rocks]

I had one experience with KKR and don't ever want to have another. They are what it was said they are; they'll milk the last dregs from Gibson and scrap them. The name Gibson is too iconic to disappear; it may end up like Recording King, National and others, making new guitars but with the old name the only connection to the original company.

My prediction. One I don't like to make.

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by J185-4Me

Well, the announcement has finally come down about new management at Gibson.

https://markets.businessinsider.com/...eam-1027645290

New CEO hails from Canada (not that that matters, per se)!

I guess we'll have to see how these folks do; those who care about 'The Gibson' will be watching closely!

Fred ("make mine sunburst")

Just watched this TED talk with JC Curleigh from when he was with Levi brands. It looks like the Gibson board wanted to find someone else to eventually take Henry's vision of turning Gibson into a lifestyle brand and make that work. In years to come, after they lift the company out of bankruptcy, I don't see why they couldn't do that. The idea itself was never bad, just the leader behind it. The new CEO has a great track record; a true leader and a fan of the product line. I'm staying optimistic and look forward to where this leads

If you're curious to know a bit of how JC Curleigh thinks I recommend watching this:
https://www.ted.com/talks/james_curl...a_global_brand

[frankmcr]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Would have been nice if he’d of put some acoustics in his PR pic, though...

"Gibson . . . oh right, they're the company that makes SGs . . . "

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

Folks, KKR is running things. I can assure you that no one at KKR is thinking long term. Their business model is to flip the company in three to four years. This means maximizing profitability in any way possible. Cutting costs is #1 on the list.

What you read is a PR release designed to give Gibson fans hope. Yesterday the guy was wearing Levis, today a hip jacket designed to say "I'm one of you guys."

The only way Gibson fans win is if making great guitars and selling them at a reasonable price makes KKR more money. I'm guessing building parts off shore then assembling them in Nashville to maximize profit is a more likely scenario.

It appears you have some business acumen.

Originally Posted by frankmcr

"Gibson . . . oh right, they're the company that makes SGs . . . "

I thought that picture was not the best choice either, especially since the LP and acoustics were missing from it.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

...I thought that picture was not the best choice either, especially since the LP and acoustics were missing from it.

Am I the only one who thought this guy was trying to channel Pete Townshend when he took that pic...?

[6L6]

I wish them well.

As is the case with Martin, their biggest competitor will be used Gibsons. That's a VERY tough competitor.

[uriah1]

How about a brand inspection policy. (new)

I can't tell you how many new J45's I have tried and they are all different. Crap setup or something wrong.
Yea, perhaps 1 out of 3 are nice, but, who wants to drive all over to different shops.
.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by uriah1

How about a brand inspection policy. (new)

I can't tell you how many new J45's I have tried and they are all different. Crap setup or something wrong.
Yea, perhaps 1 out of 3 are nice, but, who wants to drive all over to different shops.
.

They sort of skipped around that part in the news release. Them mentioned quality but not an "improvement" in quality. Of course, they wanted the news release to be as positive as possible. I wouldn't expect a whole lot of change in the instrument division for the first 6-12 months.

[bostosh]

Iconic brands and babyboomers

Check the Harly-Davidson story for parallels