AOMC Members Tune Up Opportunities in Athens for November Quarterly Dinner

For more than 50 years, Stewart-MacDonald has supplied the world’s instrument makers and repair shops with the widest selection of innovative lutherie tools, parts, books and videos available – all backed by an impressive 100% satisfaction guarantee.

StewMac founded in 1968 and is primarily known as a “one-stop” source for its branded, niche products. Key products include specialized tools, tuners (including Waverly, Sloane, and Five-Star brands), pickups and electronics, as well as finishing supplies and how-to materials.

Brock Poling, VP of Marketing at StewMac lead our AOMC group on full tour of StewMac’s historic Athens facility prior to our November Quarterly Dinner.

The building on Shafer Street in Athens was built in 1904 and StewMac moved in during the ‘80s. The property underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2018.

Our tour began on the first floor in the wood shop with CNC machines and guitar molds. They source the wood and have their own off-site sawmill. They also utilize custom machinery for side bending and that has reduced their breakage rate. They also assemble Waverly tuners on the first floor.

Their business is primarily direct to consumer with approximately 150,000 active customers.

The second floor houses their warehouse of over 7,000 different skus. Brock said they process around 1,000 orders per day—that will double over the holiday rush.

Shipping stations are also on the second floor. Orders ship all over the world.

They’ve kept a lot of the historical characteristics of the building including the exposed brick, wood floors, beams, and freight elevator.

The third floor houses overstock inventory and an impressive video studio. In 1984, the company made videos on VHS cassette tapes. In 2005, they started a YouTube channel. They currently have 373,000 followers and craft about 50 videos per year in the studio. The video studio has a fully functional workshop for diy and how-to videos as well as a performance space.

StewMac’s fourth floor is for marketing, purchasing and office area. The open concept workspace has a kitchenette and lounge area.

If you weren’t able to attend the AOMC tour, Driftwood Guitars posted a great video tour of the StewMac facility

StewMac employs upward of 130 people. There is no specialized knowledge needed for warehouse or assembly positions. But woodshop jobs require woodworking and machining skills.

The group then met at Athens Country Club for a buffet dinner. AOMC Director, James Ruble shared several innovative trainings that are underway. He also requested that members help to expand AOMC by introducing the coalition to potential new members.

AOMC President, Linn Yost was appreciative of the great turnout for the event and reiterated that by saying, “You ALL are AOMC. You are what makes this progress happen.” He also challenged members to take a larger role in local schools in order to lay the groundwork for the next generation of manufacturers.

The Director of Ohio MEP, Aaron Patrick spoke on cultivating sustainable partnerships. Ohio MEP’s mission is to help small to medium manufacturers increase sales, create jobs and generate cost savings. They do this through an affordable consulting service. “We’re listening and providing solutions,” he stated. He also reiterated that there is ODMC funding from Ohio’s MEP for Tooling U and other outreach opportunities.

New to the position, Shawn Stover, Ohio Means Jobs Workforce Enforcement Manager spoke about changing lives with opportunity. “We want to help people excel and have a career where they can support their family,” he said. He also invited everyone to stop in and visit their office on Union Street, in Athens.

Don Hackney, Export Assistance Advisor for Ohio University was the final speaker of the evening. He spoke about their Ohio Export Internship Program that trains students in the spring for a summer internship opportunity. They’re looking for companies for the 12-week summer internship placements. The intern wages are 50% reimbursed. The program is designed for companies looking to export for the first time or to improve their current export initiatives.

To learn more, review this informational flyer or visit: eip.development.ohio.gov