MI Pro

And while the usual plethora of product launches was a major feature, the news of Gibson merging with the TC Group had people wondering which of the two might be the daddy.

Meanwhile, Fender’s purchase of the Kaman group and addition of European distribution of Taylor Guitars left nobody in any doubt who the Scottsdale giant wants us to think the daddy is.
And yet, I find myself getting most excited by the fact that MI Pro has completed its second retailer survey.

Last year we came in for a bit of stick. “Hardly representative,” said some; “Simply incorrect” said others. There wasn’t much we could say at the time, other than it was what it was: a snapshot of the opinion of 100 MI stores at a moment in time.

This year, we had last year’s figures to look back on – and whaddayaknow? Largely different shops and, with a few exceptions, largely the same results. A couple of surprises here and there, of course, but by and large the second step in the pattern has emerged.

Last year, in the Best Supplier category, it was Yamaha that accumulated the most votes – and well deserved it was too. If there is one company that does more than anyone to encourage music playing off its own back, it is Yamaha – and I doff my hat to the company now.

Second to Yamaha last year was Sutherland Trading – which surprised many. This year Sutherland managed to turn the tables. Sutherland is a very different organisation to Yamaha, but it does some things in very similar ways. First, it does its best. It doesn’t try its best – it does it. Second, it accepts that mistakes are made, and so is always ready to listen. And to communicate.

There are some companies out there becoming very big – and you can tell that by being big, they feel best. Well, none are bigger than Yamaha in the world. You might also say that not many are much smaller than Sutherland in the world. But the fact is, the dealers like them both because they do things right. That’s got to help business, hasn’t it?