Slingerland Drums Submitted by: Jim Ford - 08/04/03 8:59 pm

This is awesome! I'm a drumming fanatic and finally something cool comes along. They've converted the Baldwin Piano factory into a Gibson Guitar and Slingerland Drum plant. Why is this so cool? It's 2 miles from my house! Check out the article I've reprinted from the Log Cabin Democrat. A new look, new products and new skills. Changes are abundant at the former Baldwin Piano Co., beginning with a new name. Now under the name of Gibson Slingerland Division, the Conway-based factory has done an about-face in its production, abandoning its piano manufacturing in favor of turning out top-line drum sets and bass guitars. The wave of change has been a challenge on the factory floor, where employees have had to learn new manufacturing skills. It has also been a challenge for the front office, albeit one that has been met enthusiastically by General Manager Don Kremer. "We're just starting out right now," said Kremer, looking out over a factory floor that used to contain various piano parts waiting for assembly. Those parts have been replaced with drum hoops and bass components, formerly unfamiliar items that will soon become the norm. The change came after Gibson head Henry Juszkiewicz acquired the Baldwin company about two years ago. Citing a drop in piano sales, Gibson moved to consolidate piano production in its Trumann (Poinsett County) factory, opening the door for Kremer to oversee a new line of instruments. And the excitement has been palpable. "It's going to be exciting to have these two new lines," said production manager Phyllis Bradshaw. "There's going to be work for some of those who lost their jobs in the consolidation." Despite having to learn the ins and outs of making new instruments, the factory was able to retain most of its workforce. Those jobs that were lost with the piano business have a chance to be slowly reincorporated, according to Kremer. "It's a very different business," said Kremer. "Although we have skilled workers at the plant, it's a different process altogether." The difficulties of the transition are eased by the retail promise of the two instrument brands. Slingerland drums have been long regarded as a top name in the industry, having been favored by several top-name bands, including the 1980's hair-metal favorites Twisted Sister. The Tobias bass line has carried a similar pedigree, carving out a reputation among musicians of several calibers. "If you are a drummer or a bass player, you know what those names are," said Kremer. "The basses are known for their design. Bass players love them." Kremer added that along with manufacturing the instruments, the factory will also be importing them. "Not only will we be building drums and basses, we will be importing drums and basses," said Kremer. "In three months, this place will look very different."

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Jim Ford - 08/05/03 3:58 pm

Yeah, Gibson bought out Baldwin last year. Actually, the news in Conway last year was that Fender bought them out. Does Gibson own Fender too?

John Ford - 08/05/03 3:55 pm

I didn't know Gibson owned Balwin Piano. There's a billboard I see around Nashville taling about Baldwin, that's why. There's a Gibson building in Railroad Gulch that I've just recently become aware of. I'll have to check it out.

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