Music Trade Review
Issue: 1923 Vol. 76 N. 20 - Page 7
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
MAY
19, 1023
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
Standardization Within the Factory
How Eliminating a Multiplicity of Styles Leads to Speedier and Less Costly Production—The Plan Used in
the Factory of the Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., Under the Direction of S. E. Secoy—But
Two Sizes of Uprights Produced, and but Two Actions Used
Standardization within the piano industry,
that is, a more general agreement among manu-
facturers regarding dimensions of the instru-
ments they produce, is to-day a topic of utmost
importance for the betterment of the industry
in general through a lowering of manufactur-
ing costs and greater facility of receiving sup-
plies when ordered. Hut there is another side
of standardization which in itself is as impor-
tant, and which as yet does not receive the dis-
cussion which the former side of this question
arouses. That is standardization within the
individual factory itself.
The average piano factory has always been
prone to produce a large number of styles. Part
of this tendency has been due to a demand
from many dealers for some slight divergencies
from the standard line of the manufacturer, and
the latter's fear that, if he refuses to comply
with such specifications, he will lose that deal-
er's business. As a result, following the pres-
sure that is brought to bear on the home office
by the traveler who in too many cases follows
the path of least resistance, a new style is cre-
ated, although but a few of them can be sold
during the course of a year. This process is
many times repeated.
A second factor in creating this condition is
the feeling of the manufacturer that he must be
in a position to offer a wide line if he is to
have a wide distribution, forgetting, as he does,
that one of the most remarkable things in
American merchandising is the uniformity in
taste that prevails in the great domestic market
of this country.
A large number of styles in a piano factory
lead directly to a slowing up in the forwarding
process, which tends constantly to disorganize
the entire plant. It lias been no uncommon
thing in the past to see a number of orders in
the shipping room awaiting completion, here
short one instrument, there short two instru-
ments, and in another short three instruments,
have standardized the instruments they pro-
duce and have shown their dealers the obvi-
ous advantages of this, not only to the factories,
but to the dealers themselves. As a result they
are in a position to fill orders more rapidly and
at the same time lower manufacturing costs
to a certain extent, which, in turn, is reflected
in their wholesale prices.
One factory where this process of standard-
ization has been carried to a high degree is
that of Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., New
Castle, Ind., under the direction of S. E. Secoy,
the general manager-.qf that concern.
"Standardization within the factory," said
Mr. Secoy recently to The Review representa-
tive, "has proven highly successful in the Jesse
French factory. We believe that we have car-
ried it as far as is possible and that we have
standardized every part of the piano where it
is practical to do so.
"At the present time there are ten styles of
pianos in various case designs made in the
Jesse French plant. These, we find, are suffi-
cient in number to meet the requirements of
our dealers, no matter where they may be
located. The Jesse French line is wide enough
to satisfy the varying tastes that must be met
in a distribution that is country-wide and which
also exists in many foreign countries as well.
"This, Of course, is the basis of our stand-
ardization plan.. All uprights in the line arc
made in two sizes—four feet four inches high
and four feet seven inches high. This contrib-
utes considerably to a standardization in the
case department, ornament being a matter of
but slight importance.
"In all of these models we use the one scale,
which permits us to use one standard set of
keys. You can imagine the simplicity this
brings about in stock inventory and the facility
in always being ready to meet the demand from
current stocks.
"There are but two actions used, one for all
opment cannot be worked out and where the
same advantages cannot be enjoyed. Standard-
ization within the factory, just as standardiza-
tion in the industry itself, is merely a matter of
S. E. Secoy
taking a fresh viewpoint, disregarding tradition
and applying to the problem a sense of organi-
zation. In the Jesse French factory this has
been done with success.
SIX CHRISTMANS FOR COLLEGE
Wilson College, Pennsylvania, Equips Music
Department With Pianos of Christman Make
Six Christman pianos arc being installed in
Wilson College, Pennsylvania, on the recom-
mendation of Dr. Orlando A, Mansfield, Fellow
of the American and Canadian Guild of Organ-
ists. Dr. Mansfield, who is a prominent figure
in this country, as well as in England, where
he was born, is a staunch admirer of the
Christman instrument, which he has personally
used in his studio for five years.
Dr. Mansfield was for years professor of
music in Wilson College and still serves in an
advisory capacity there, although since 1918 he
has held the position of professor of theory and
organ in Hrenau College, Gainsvillc, Ga.
NEW MUSIC STORE IN K0K0M0
KOKOMO, I NIL, May 15.—A new music concern
called the Carlin-Quick Music Co., has been
recently formed here and will open an up-to-
date music shop at 110 East Superior street
in the near future. L. G. Carlin and W. L.
Quick are the partners of the firm.
The Plant of Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., New Castle, Ind
these held up completely until the missing pi- our straight pianos and one for all our player-
anos could come through. Through the pres- pianos. Again, this places us in a position
sure from the front office on the manufactur- where delays, etc., can hardly happen—in fact,
ing end, such instruments arc usually given I know they don't happen from my own ex-
right of way, with the result that the even flow perience.
of regular styles is disturbed and further de-
"In all our pianos we use the one set of bass
lays in shipments are in store for the future. strings. This is in both player and straight
The dealer is demanding his instruments—prob-
instrument, regardless of their height. This
ably he has three or four customers waiting, has again simplified our problem of stock and
something that always happens when there is reduced delays from that cause to a minimum.
a delay-—and 1 he does not feel in the best of
"I might say here that we use the same scale
humor with the manufacturer when a competi- in all our uprights that is used in our five-foot
tor carries off the sale.
eight-inch grand piano.
Is this condition necessary? Actual experi-
"Finally, we make but two styles of backs,
ence by a number of manufacturers has proven one with veneered posts and one without."
that the necessity is largely imaginary. They
There are no factories where a similar devel-
WITH AMPICO ROLL DIVISION
J. Milton Dclcamp, sales manager of the Am-
pico roll division, announces an addition to the
local -sales force in the person of Henry de
Vernero. The latter was formerly manager of
the music roll department of a New York store.
DONENS MUSIC CO. CHARTERED
PORTCHKSTER, N. Y., May 14.—Corporation pa-
pers for the Donens Music Shop have been
filed here by J. M. and H. Rosen and I. Donen.
The company will be capitalized at $24,000
Peck & Schmidt, of Portchestcr, will act as at-
torneys.
MAY
19, 1023
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
Standardization Within the Factory
How Eliminating a Multiplicity of Styles Leads to Speedier and Less Costly Production—The Plan Used in
the Factory of the Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., Under the Direction of S. E. Secoy—But
Two Sizes of Uprights Produced, and but Two Actions Used
Standardization within the piano industry,
that is, a more general agreement among manu-
facturers regarding dimensions of the instru-
ments they produce, is to-day a topic of utmost
importance for the betterment of the industry
in general through a lowering of manufactur-
ing costs and greater facility of receiving sup-
plies when ordered. Hut there is another side
of standardization which in itself is as impor-
tant, and which as yet does not receive the dis-
cussion which the former side of this question
arouses. That is standardization within the
individual factory itself.
The average piano factory has always been
prone to produce a large number of styles. Part
of this tendency has been due to a demand
from many dealers for some slight divergencies
from the standard line of the manufacturer, and
the latter's fear that, if he refuses to comply
with such specifications, he will lose that deal-
er's business. As a result, following the pres-
sure that is brought to bear on the home office
by the traveler who in too many cases follows
the path of least resistance, a new style is cre-
ated, although but a few of them can be sold
during the course of a year. This process is
many times repeated.
A second factor in creating this condition is
the feeling of the manufacturer that he must be
in a position to offer a wide line if he is to
have a wide distribution, forgetting, as he does,
that one of the most remarkable things in
American merchandising is the uniformity in
taste that prevails in the great domestic market
of this country.
A large number of styles in a piano factory
lead directly to a slowing up in the forwarding
process, which tends constantly to disorganize
the entire plant. It lias been no uncommon
thing in the past to see a number of orders in
the shipping room awaiting completion, here
short one instrument, there short two instru-
ments, and in another short three instruments,
have standardized the instruments they pro-
duce and have shown their dealers the obvi-
ous advantages of this, not only to the factories,
but to the dealers themselves. As a result they
are in a position to fill orders more rapidly and
at the same time lower manufacturing costs
to a certain extent, which, in turn, is reflected
in their wholesale prices.
One factory where this process of standard-
ization has been carried to a high degree is
that of Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., New
Castle, Ind., under the direction of S. E. Secoy,
the general manager-.qf that concern.
"Standardization within the factory," said
Mr. Secoy recently to The Review representa-
tive, "has proven highly successful in the Jesse
French factory. We believe that we have car-
ried it as far as is possible and that we have
standardized every part of the piano where it
is practical to do so.
"At the present time there are ten styles of
pianos in various case designs made in the
Jesse French plant. These, we find, are suffi-
cient in number to meet the requirements of
our dealers, no matter where they may be
located. The Jesse French line is wide enough
to satisfy the varying tastes that must be met
in a distribution that is country-wide and which
also exists in many foreign countries as well.
"This, Of course, is the basis of our stand-
ardization plan.. All uprights in the line arc
made in two sizes—four feet four inches high
and four feet seven inches high. This contrib-
utes considerably to a standardization in the
case department, ornament being a matter of
but slight importance.
"In all of these models we use the one scale,
which permits us to use one standard set of
keys. You can imagine the simplicity this
brings about in stock inventory and the facility
in always being ready to meet the demand from
current stocks.
"There are but two actions used, one for all
opment cannot be worked out and where the
same advantages cannot be enjoyed. Standard-
ization within the factory, just as standardiza-
tion in the industry itself, is merely a matter of
S. E. Secoy
taking a fresh viewpoint, disregarding tradition
and applying to the problem a sense of organi-
zation. In the Jesse French factory this has
been done with success.
SIX CHRISTMANS FOR COLLEGE
Wilson College, Pennsylvania, Equips Music
Department With Pianos of Christman Make
Six Christman pianos arc being installed in
Wilson College, Pennsylvania, on the recom-
mendation of Dr. Orlando A, Mansfield, Fellow
of the American and Canadian Guild of Organ-
ists. Dr. Mansfield, who is a prominent figure
in this country, as well as in England, where
he was born, is a staunch admirer of the
Christman instrument, which he has personally
used in his studio for five years.
Dr. Mansfield was for years professor of
music in Wilson College and still serves in an
advisory capacity there, although since 1918 he
has held the position of professor of theory and
organ in Hrenau College, Gainsvillc, Ga.
NEW MUSIC STORE IN K0K0M0
KOKOMO, I NIL, May 15.—A new music concern
called the Carlin-Quick Music Co., has been
recently formed here and will open an up-to-
date music shop at 110 East Superior street
in the near future. L. G. Carlin and W. L.
Quick are the partners of the firm.
The Plant of Jesse French & Sons Piano Co., New Castle, Ind
these held up completely until the missing pi- our straight pianos and one for all our player-
anos could come through. Through the pres- pianos. Again, this places us in a position
sure from the front office on the manufactur- where delays, etc., can hardly happen—in fact,
ing end, such instruments arc usually given I know they don't happen from my own ex-
right of way, with the result that the even flow perience.
of regular styles is disturbed and further de-
"In all our pianos we use the one set of bass
lays in shipments are in store for the future. strings. This is in both player and straight
The dealer is demanding his instruments—prob-
instrument, regardless of their height. This
ably he has three or four customers waiting, has again simplified our problem of stock and
something that always happens when there is reduced delays from that cause to a minimum.
a delay-—and 1 he does not feel in the best of
"I might say here that we use the same scale
humor with the manufacturer when a competi- in all our uprights that is used in our five-foot
tor carries off the sale.
eight-inch grand piano.
Is this condition necessary? Actual experi-
"Finally, we make but two styles of backs,
ence by a number of manufacturers has proven one with veneered posts and one without."
that the necessity is largely imaginary. They
There are no factories where a similar devel-
WITH AMPICO ROLL DIVISION
J. Milton Dclcamp, sales manager of the Am-
pico roll division, announces an addition to the
local -sales force in the person of Henry de
Vernero. The latter was formerly manager of
the music roll department of a New York store.
DONENS MUSIC CO. CHARTERED
PORTCHKSTER, N. Y., May 14.—Corporation pa-
pers for the Donens Music Shop have been
filed here by J. M. and H. Rosen and I. Donen.
The company will be capitalized at $24,000
Peck & Schmidt, of Portchestcr, will act as at-
torneys.
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