Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
Volume 99. Number 2
February, 1940
Established 1879, and published monthly by Henderson
Publications, Inc., at Radio City. 1270 Sixth Ave., New York,
U.S.A. 1 Year $2, Two Years $3. Carleton Chace, Executive
Editor. Also Publishers of Radio-Television Journal & The
Talking Machine World. "Musical Merchandise" and
"Parts" for wholesalers.
Only trade publication in the piano business.
Awarded five medals for "the best" in journalism.
MEDALS AWARDED THE. MUSK TRADE REVIEW
A novel room setting window display of The Corley Co., Richmond, Va.,
featuring a Wurlitzer Kordevon Console.
T
HERE has been but little
change in contour of the piano
business since the new era of
1936, nor has there been any
comment of the "situation" in piano
production. So it can be asked: "Just
where is the piano business going and
what has been accomplished industry-
wise during the past 5 years?"
O
N manufacturing, what is the
industry net profit, minus the
losses of those going out?
Have mfrs. charged off so
much depreciation during 1930-35,
that a minimum of depreciation was
charged during 1936-39, thus making
it seem that mfrs. have made certain
profits but with proper charge-offs the
result might be close to a loss, in spite
of increasing business? What have
been the improvements in factory pro-
duction methods to bring these on par
with the efficiency of other industries?
Has man-power been improved so it
rates well, or has lack of skilled factory
personnel been a factor on reducing
net profits?
A
RE obsolete factory methods
being used because of old
i type buildings, or would
' r a t i o n a l investments in
equipment permit more net? What are
the standards of production in each
factory department for the most effi-
cient factory, and how do the other fac-
tories compare to this? What types of
pianos give the most net, or are we
judging only from the over-all picture?
Are present facilities taxed beyond
sound efficiency? What plans could be
used for leveling out production, and
would industry action add to the net?
Accounting for the vagaries of human
nature, what is the difference in results
from the most skilled plant and the
worst? Could freight classifications
both incoming and outgoing be im-
proved, either by designation or by
larger orders?
s
O many of these factory produc-
tion questions can be asked, and
no proper answer secured, that
we think study of manufactur-