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JHS and Fender announce Ovation handover

Rob Hughes Feb 12 2008, 5:45pm

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Concrete date set for switchover of UK and Eire Ovation and Adamas distribution

John Hornby Skewes & Co will be handing over distribution of Ovation and Adamas in the UK and Eire to Fender GBI on August, 1, 2008.

This is the first announcement of a concrete date that the industry has received, as to the handover of distribution of any of the Kaman lines.

Fender Musical Instrument Corporation’s ongoing acquisition strategy recently resulted in the purchase of Kaman Musical Instruments, owners of the Ovation and Adamas brands, amongst others. This strategy also includes incorporating the Ovation brand into the distribution activities of Fender GBI for the United Kingdom and Eire markets. JHS has been the exclusive trade distributor of Ovation and Adamas guitars in the UK and Eire since March 1996.

“Our relationship with John Hornby Skewes & Co has been a successful and immensely enjoyable one over the many years we've worked together, and has provided us all with a paramount example of a well-run, professional, musical instrument distributor”, commeneted John Shand, managing director of KMI. “Moreover, we have made many close friends at JHS and wish them nothing but the best for the years ahead.”

Dennis Drumm, managing director of JHS reflected: "It's been an absolute pleasure to work with Kaman over the last 12 years. They have some great people, many of whom have become more friends than associates and we wish all at Kaman well under their new proprietorship. I'm certain that FMIC and Fender GBI will pay as much attention to an important global brand like Ovation as they do to all their brands."

Jon Gold, FMIC's Vice President of International Sales & Marketing said of the changeover, “We are very fortunate to be taking over the stewardship of these great brands in such good shape.