Well of course, it depends on how much money you think makes anyone rich. At one time we were the biggest cabinet builder in Europe, although in terms of major Industrials, we were tiny. However, we were big enough to attract people form Scandinavia right down to Southern Spain. I always prided myself with dealing at what I called Street Level, always making myself available to anyone. There were rivals, who seemed content to try to leave the Sawdust to someone else and get into that cosy Office, but I never saw it that way, Today, I do what I started all those years ago, and that is making affordable Speaker Systems. In the past, people have compared the cost of ASS cabs to other people who might be making in small Workshops or their Garage, and of course there will always will be someone who is doing a similar thing cheaper. However, the cheaper cabs are usually lighter and don't have the same degree of finish, so that should tell you something. On the pricing front, we were and still are the cheapest if you compare with the likes of Turbosound, Funktion1 EAW or any of the other big boys.
The one advantage I always had over other larger companies is that I remained on my own, without partners. There was me at the top, my Secretary, and everyone else employed was on the shop floor in production. We were never top heavy. a very important thing in a small business. Today, three years after I should have retired, I still have a workshop, separate paint shop and Storage unit. I am doing it in the style that I did it all those years ago. I do my own Fibreglass, Crossovers, wind my own coils, etc, keeping as much in house as I can.
Getting back to part of your original question, regarding pricing. Our costs were determined purely by our overheads and an acceptable margin, and we made money on the back of sheer Volume. Mostly exports in those days.
When I started, it was exciting with new ground to cover and discover, and today it seems strange to be dealing with people who weren't even born when I was making boxes. One last important thing. I have mostly good memories looking back and I have provided my Family with a better standard of living than I would have done, had I remained a Toolmaker.
Peace and goodwill to all speaker builders
Topic Author
