STRING SWING FEATURE
we got the idea for Ceiling Hangers and now we sell tonnes of them. We don’t often add something to the catalogue that doesn’t stay there.” Walking around the factory, you really get an idea of just how broad the company’s offering is and it’s refreshing to see that most of the assembling is still done by hand. “We have around 30 employees and
one has been here for around 18 years,” Paul reveals. “Everyone is really well spirited and enjoys what they’re doing. We’ve got a great mix of people.” And he doesn’t just mean a great mix of folks within the facility itself. Over the years, Thieman has forged close relationships with people all over the local area, including the nearby Amish community – some of whom make crucial parts, such as the hardwood blocks. But with new machines due to come in that will replace jobs currently done by hand, will some employees soon find themselves surplus to requirements? “We’ll soon have a new machine that bends the wire, welds, powder coats, adds the rubber grips and gets the hangers ready for packaging,” says Paul. “But all this means is that workers can get on with other jobs.” “We always make sure to maintain
positive morale, but it’s not hard as we don’t have to make people work here – it’s a real family atmosphere,” adds Travis. As with so many other companies in the industry, String Swing has had its fair share of trouble with copiers from the Far
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East. Despite admitting it was hard to take at first, Paul Thieman has learnt to deal with it, especially as he knows the ‘fakers’ will never match his product. “I’d go and show the hangers at
Summer NAMM and they’d have them on their booths by the Winter Show,” he admits. “It used to drive me crazy, but it
“
Last year we had a record breaking year – all we’ve ever known is growth. Travis Thieman
doesn’t bother me so much any more. They don’t make them as well as us and our products are guaranteed for life.” Like many innovators, Paul Thieman still spends a lot of time in his workshop coming up with improvements to existing lines and new product ideas. Thieman’s ongoing commitment to solving musicians’ problems and being the source of more industry ‘firsts’ has seen the manufacturer move into new areas of the accessories market. The Guitar Jack and Ferrule Tool lets
guitarist tighten a loose jack plug without having to go inside the instrument and the Pickup Jack Installation Tool offers an easy and intuitive way of installing a pickup. With luthiers showing an interest in these sorts of products, String Swing is now making a name for itself with customers across all areas of the industry.
Much of the
manufacturing is still done by hand
Whereas some accessories companies might churn out swathes of needless products that end up gathering dust in the corner of a store, Thieman and co know that there needs to be a demand before you bring something to market. It’s this sort of careful and gradual expansion of its catalogue that will surely see String Swing maintain its steady upward progression. Sticking to what it does best and expanding its offering sensibly has worked up to this point, so as long as the ideas keep coming, you can expect to see much more of String Swing in the future.
Friends with benefits
25 years ago, in Hall E at Winter NAMM, where all the cool new stuff always is, we first met Paul Thieman, who was showing his innovative CC01 String Swing guitar hanger. We secured UK/Eire
distribution, and that was the start of a relationship, which over the last quarter century has been one of the most enduring and enjoyable our company has with any supplier.
With a focus on total
quality, String Swing products have set a very high benchmark for retail display equipment for musical
instruments, which stores in many countries have taken full advantage of. String Swing instrument hangers provide a safe and secure way for millions of musicians worldwide to keep their precious instruments accessible
In a world where price is so often the driver, Paul has proven that quality is ultimately more important. I look forward to the next quarter of a century or our friendship with the Thieman team.
Dennis Drumm, JHS MD
July 2012 21
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