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Gulbransen Head Shows Faith in Future of
Piano Business by Announcing New Plant
Showing conclusively his faith in the
piano business, not only at the present
time but in the future, and also that he
believes that there is an opportunity
the company, which was founded by
the late A. G. Gulbransen. it was found
that the firm has produced more than
600.000 instruments, and the pianos be-
been guided by Mr. Zack, George Mc-
Dermott, vice-president, and E. P. Wil-
liams, salesmanager. The policies of
this triumvirate, which have brought
about the continued success of this en-
terprise, are not only well-known
throughout the industry, but have many
times brought commendations not only
from the hundreds of dealers who han-
dle the Gulbransen line but also from
those who are considered competitors.
Today the Gulbransen line is handled
by the most representative dealers
throughout the country, who have not
only found the line profitable but have
always appreciated the wholehearted co-
operation of the Gulbransen Company
in promoting their welfare as well as
that of their own product.
M. F. Martin Retires After
51 Years in Piano Business
S. K. / a r k . I'rexirtent of the (•ulbmnspn Co., looks over artist's drawing of new iiullirunsen plant.
for increased production of pianos,
which, when the emergency period is
over, will be necessitated by increased
retail sales, S. E. Zack, president and
treasurer of the Gulbransen Co., Chi-
cago, 111., is announcing this month an
expansion program which will include
the erecting of a new million-dollar
plant in Melrose Park Northwest, a
Chicago suburb.
The factory is to be built on a plot
consisting of 250,000 square feet. This
is equivalent to a city block, but the
location is 7 miles farther northwest
than the present site. It will be a single
story building, and will be so built as
to create greater efficiency and economy
in manufacturing processes. In addition
to the grounds upon which the factory
will be built, 125.000 square feet of
land has been leased adjacent to the
plant. This has been done so as to pro-
vide ample area for greater expansion
in the future.
Among the new features in the plant
will be a new system of dry kilns and
production facilities of numerous pat-
ented devices which are already in use
at the present site. There will be an
inside loading platform for rail, car
and trucks, a fine cafeteria, speaker
system for piping music and inter-
communication messages, glazed brick
glass to permit the utmost use of natural
light, and an indirect lighting system
for precision work.
Delving somewhat into the history of
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, 1951
ing produced today are being built by
men who were also producing pianos
in the early days of the firm and know
well the specific quality requirements
which are demanded not only by the
executives of the company but also by
the hundreds of dealers who handle the
Gulbransen line throughout the country.
No company has a more diversifier!
line than the Gulbransen Company,
which is constantly working on new
ideas and new models so that their deal-
ers may have something unusual to
show and present to their long line of
prospects.
Many of the innovations which have
been successfully produced by the com-
pany have been the brainchild of Ernest
Okeson. factory superintendent, and a
skilled draftsman, who, among other
things, built the scale and the design
for the Diacron console which is now
being produced in seven models. This
instrument features a scale described as
the newest and most advanced step in
spinet and console piano manufactur-
ing. It maintains the keybed on a con-
stant level, thus holding proper action
regulation for an indefinite and greater
length of time. It keeps the piano in
proper tune. The bass strings, 3 inches
longer than conventional, provide deep-
er and more resonant tone of grand-like
quality.
Nothing in the last 20 years has re-
flected more the steady success of the
Gulbransen Co., whose destinies have
After 51 years of activity in the piano
business. M. F. Martin, Gulbransen Pa-
cific Coast representative has decided to
retire.
Born on a farm at Perrv. Kansas on
M. F. MARTIN
March 1, 1873. When 18 years old went
to Kansas City. He rented a piano and
learned piano tuning from my brother
John Martin, who was already tuning
pianos.
For several years John and he worked
for John Holt, who was manager of
Story & Clark branch house in Kansas
City; later he was manager of the Cable
Company in Kansas City and then in
business for himself. From there John
and he joined J. W. Jenkins Sons Music
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