02/17/05

MAPEX USA INVESTS OUT WEST

Roger Ma (left) and Kelly Hsu (right) of KHS visit with Mapex Dealer Glenn Noyes of West LA Music (center).

Following a hectic Winter NAMM convention and showcase, Mapex USA seized the opportunity to gain invaluable face-time and R&D input from key Western Region dealers.

In addition to the overwhelming feedback offered on the convention show floor, Mapex felt strongly that visiting these dealers personally in their retail stores would provide them with valuable insight.

Scott Sasser, Mapex USA National Sales Manager, Kelly Hsu, Director KHS Marketing & Logistics Center and Roger Ma, Mapex International Marketing Director conducted extensive dealer visits from San Diego through Sacramento.

Roger Ma commented, “The opportunity to learn from some of the most influential dealers in North America is critical to the continued success of Mapex worldwide.”

Dealers offering specific R&D/Marketing input included, Darren Carr of West Coast Drum, Santa Ana, Pat Emmett of Jim’s Music, Irvine, Frank Uberti of Music Mart in Solana Beach, Glenn Noyes of West LA Music, Los Angeles, Stan & Jerry Keyawa of Professional Drum Shop, Hollywood, Mike Ray of Mike’s Drum Shop, Santa Barbara, Paul Batres of San Jose Pro Drum, San Jose, and Creed Maggoria and Robbie Lucero of Skip’s Music, Sacramento.

Among topics discussed were emerging design elements, finishes and color trending, creative hardware development and player education. Logistics and distribution from the new KHS Marketing Center facility in Corona, CA was also presented. To the satisfaction of all Western Region Mapex Dealers, Mapex products will be shipped from a new distribution center convenient to the Los Angeles area, Rocky Mountain States and Pacific Northwest. All dealers in the region will benefit from increased availability in the United States, and dramatically reduced freight & delivery times within the Western United States.

Kelly Hsu left no question in the dealer’s minds that, “Mapex USA has continued to make significant investments in raw material acquisitions, product quality, cost containment, and marketing.”

As a result, Mapex USA has been able to satisfy dealers requests for product development, availability, and profitability without any pricing increases from 2004 to 2005 or any mid-year 2005 price hike.

“The level of investment that Mapex is injecting into North America is staggering. We know how important North America is to growth in the overall world market and we are continually amazed with how responsive our parent company is,” remarked Scott Sasser. “With no apologies, we’re now obliged to be highly critical of how the percussion industry does or doesn’t react to factors that influence our dealers’ livelihoods on a daily basis. Their commitment to success through a solid independent dealer base, honest product innovation, and a higher expectation of quality is very liberating.”

From their family-owned ISO certified facility and global commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing to class leading entry-to-elite instruments, Mapex drums represent the combination of cutting edge construction, modern design elements, and a total-quality philosophy.