Music Trade Review

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MAY
5, 1923
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Advantages of Piano Standardization
While Retaining the Style and Musical Individuality of the Instrument, a Greater Standardization of
Dimensions Would Lead to Lower Manufacturing Costs, Which in Turn Will Affect Every Branch
of the Industry—Details of What It Can Bring to the Manufacturers
The recent articles in The Review, dealing
with the question of standardization in manu-
facturing the piano, have largely treated this
subject purely from the technical standpoint;
that is, they have been confined to discussion
of the necessary modifications in styles and di-
mensions to make a degree of standardization
possible. That progress can be made along
these lines has been shown in detail, and that
this can be accomplished with but slight and
unimportant alterations in the average instru-
ment, without in any way impairing its style or
musical individuality, is apparent.
What are the broad advantages of standard-
ization? These are many and varied, sufficient
in number and importance to warrant the man-
ufacturer modifying his methods to obtain them.
The direct advantages, of course, are for the
manufacturer, but in their eventual effects the
dealer and the ultimate buyer participate as
well. In an industry such as that of manufac-
turing pianos the supply man also benefits di-
rectly if standardization is carried widely
enough for him to be able to reduce the num-
ber of sizes and styles that are called for in the
product which he manufactures.
A Summary of Advantage
Recently the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States made an exhaustive study of this
question, based on a large number of indus-
tries. Its summary applies as well to the piano
manufacturer as it does to any other—in fact,
the piano manufacturer, and thus the entire in-
dustry, perhaps has more to gain through stand-
ardization than many other different manufac-
turers, primarily because the tendency towards
that end is still in the embryo state in the in-
dustry.
The direct gains to the piano manufacturer
through standardization are less capital tied up
in raw materials, semi-finished stock, finished
stock, special machinery, storage floor space and
parts. In a factory where such a comparatively
large amount of floor space is required per unit
of production, as is the case with the piano
plant, a reduction in the amount required or a
higher productive capacity upon the same
amount, which in the long run is the same thing,
soon reflects itself in a lower manufacturing
overhead.
The second advantage leads to more econom-
ical manufacture through larger units of pro-
duction, larger runs and less frequent changes,
higher rates of individual production per work-
er, more effective stock control, better and sim-
plified inspection, and less idle equipment or a
lower amount of equipment due to increased
production. Economies in buying also come
under this head through greater ease in secur-
ing materials from the supply men and in car-
rying stock, and throu-gh lowering the amount
of stock necessary to'carry due to the greater
certainty and speed in deliveries. A third econ-
omy is in the clerical department through sim-
plified and more accurate costing systems, and
the use of standardized material inventory ac-
counts.
Its Effect on Labor
Standardization is a factor of considerable im-
portance in making factory labor more efficient,
a need that at no time was ever greater than
at present in the piano industry. This it ac-
complishes by simplifying their training, by
increasing their earnings through greater pro-
ductive ability and by giving them greater skill
induced by repetitive processes. These factors,
in turn, lead to a solution, to some extent at
least, of the problem of obtaining skilled help.
These advantages are obtained directly from
Economic and Industrial Significance
The economic and industrial significance of
standardization, as it is applied to the piano in-
dustry, is as yet not so widely appreciated. It
enables the buyer and seller to speak the same
language and makes it possible to make com-
petitors do likewise. If a few of .the largest
producing units in the industry were to stand-
ardize case dimensions, for instance, as has been
outlined previously, it would not be long be-
fore many other manufacturers would be com-
pelled to fall in line through • force of circum-
stances alone.
It brings about a better quality of product
through permitting the manufacturer to concen-
trate on better design and through his being
able to apply some of the economies in manu-
facturing overhead to the general betterment
of his product.
Standardization tends directly to lowering
unit costs and thus lowering ultimate prices to
the buying public, which in turn is reflected in
a wider field of possible sales, an advantage that
means increased volume of business and greater
profits to dealers and manufacturers alike.
Stock carrying is simplified by its develop-
ment, not only with the manufacturer, but with
the dealer as well, thus eliminating or at least
modifying wide fluctuations of demand, a prob-
lem of increasing importance to the piano in-
dustry at the present time. Where it prevails
to any extent deliveries are quicker and a norm
of production and demand tends to develop.
This, in turn, is followed by an ability to esti-
mate ahead and to be guided on future require-
ments with some degree of accuracy.
Concentrating on Essentials
It concentrates the attention of the industry,
and thus the individual manufacturer, on essen-
tials developing a lower selling expense, which
to-day is one of the leading economic problems
before the piano manufacturer and dealer. The
cost of distribution in all lines at present is
receiving an increasing scrutiny on the part
of the ultimate buyer or organizations which
represent his interests and, as a consequence,
waste in this direction can no longer be disre-
garded.
In fact, in summing up, it may be said that a
further development of standardization in tTie
piano factory would profoundly affect every side
of the industry, from the supply man right down
to the customer who goes into the retail ware-
rooms to purchase an instrument. And, what
is more important still, this benefit is within the
reach of the industry and is perfectly practical.
BUTLER BRAMBACH WINDOW DISPLAY
HENRY DREHER LOOKING FOR STOCK
Simple Setting for Brambach Wins Wide Atten-
tion in Marion, Ind.
Cleveland Piano Man States the Chief Problem
Is to Secure Sufficient Instruments
a degree ot" standardization both within the
factory and the industry. Standardization with-
in the factory, of course, is a problem that is
the individual concern of each manufacturer,
and thus can best be left to his own individual
solution. But standardization within the in-
dustry, that is the elimination of odd dimensions
which are of no importance towards the ulti-
mate quality of the instrument or towards its
individuality, is a problem that must be solved
in common by the manufacturers and one of
the most important confronting the industry at
the present time. As has been outlined pre-
viously in The Review, this end is possible of
achievement, for, after all, it is a technical prob-
lem, much simpler of solution than many of
those which the industry has already solved.
It is here that the Association must fulfill its
true function if it is to justify its existence and
the expense involved therein. l»ut before the
Association can do this the individual members
of it must be in a frame of mind whereby they
will be willing to sacrifice some pet but unim-
portant theories or quibbles, not only for their
own benefit, but for the benefit of the industry
of which they are a part.
The accompanying photographic reproduc-
Henry Drehcr, head of the 15. Dreher's Sons
tion of the Brambach window display recently
Co., Cleveland, was in New York this week on
made by the Butler Music Co., of Marion, Ind., a still hunt for instruments with which to meet
is perhaps one of the simplest
window displays that have
come to our notice.
It
proves conclusively that a
dealer does not have to go
to any very great expense
in order to perfect an ef-
fective and pleasing window
display.
Too many merchants are
forming a habit ot almost
permitting the main object
of their display to be over-
shadowed by a myriad of
voluminous and fantastic
odds and ends in the way
of decorations and side at-
tractions. In this very ap-
propriate display the Bram-
bach baby grand is silhou-
etted by an unobtrusive
background and its attrac-
Brambach Display of Butler Music Co.
tiveness undoubtedly augmented by the sim- the heavy demand for pianos and players that
exists in the Cleveland territory just now. Mr.
plicity of the flowery display.
That this display attracted more than the usu- Dreher stated that all business in his city just
al amount of attention and admiration is at- now was on the boom and the chief difficulty
tested to by the Butler Music Co., which reports of the piano merchant was to make deliveries
great interest shown by the people of Marion of pianos, rather than the selling of them to his
in the Brambach baby grand.
customers.