Garwood outsources headphone manufacturing

After just a year of working with Garwood Monitor Systems, pioneer of in-ear monitoring technology, Zirkon has become the sole manufacturer of the Garwood APM Series.

After just a year of working with Garwood Monitor Systems, pioneer of in-ear monitoring technology, Zirkon has become the sole manufacturer of the Garwood APM Series in an initial first build order worth over GBP 80,000.

The relationship, which started in September last year, has allowed Garwood to operate as a more cost effective 'virtual organisation', focusing on developing the business and product sales, whilst leaving the production, manufacture, test and distribution of the APM Series to Zirkon.

Garwood initially approached Zirkon with a design for low volume manufacturing with free issue material.

Demand for the APM Series product has since increased in volume and Zirkon now has responsibility for the sourcing of all material, population of circuit boards, assembly into metal cases, product test and distribution.

Garwood's products users include, Celine Dion, Cliff Richard, Phil Collins and Robbie Williams.

The APM Series, recently used at the opening ceremony of the Tour de France, comprises three products - APM 200/400 main stations, APM 12 dual stereo headphone amplifier and the APM 31 three-channel headphone amplifier.

Using headphones, in-ear monitors or a mixture of both, the APM Series gives the user the benefits of greatly simplified wiring, superb audio quality and individual mix balancing by the musician, along with the freedom from both batteries and mains cables on the stage.

Garwood Monitor Systems managing director, Chrys Lindop said: "We were initially just looking for a company to assemble the APM Series, and our experience with outsourcing work in the past had left us feeling nervous, especially with such a significant project.

So when we first met with Zirkon we had no idea that it would result in outsourcing the whole manufacturing process to them.

Right from the start Zirkon exhibited knowledge, flexibility, and the desire to work as part of the Garwood team, not just as a supplier, and they exceeded our expectations at every turn.

"I feel that the strength of this industry comes from working together for a common aim, and when you trust the ability of someone in the group it leaves you to concentrate on what you do best.

Zirkon brings skills and technology to Garwood that, as a small company, we do not have.

Garwood is now in effect a virtual company - with R and D in London and Holland, administration in Belgium, and sales and marketing in the UK.

When you have the right people doing what they do best, it doesn't matter where they are".

"There are lots of big ideas out there that don't materialise in the market place, because people don't have time to focus on the sales and marketing effort, which must be strong in order to launch a product.

Working with Zirkon gives us the time and energy to go out and sell new products as they come on board".

Tony Inskip, Director at Zirkon said: "We are pleased to have won this contract.

Garwood is a prestigious company within the professional audio market sector, providing a quality product range.

We always try to create a partnership with our customers, and act as an extension of their company.

It's important to communicate openly and effectively to understand what they want to achieve and why.

Having more knowledge of our customers' requirements enables us to provide them with a better solution.

All of our customers speak to the people who are physically working on the project, which means they have integration with Zirkon at all levels, not just with the sales team".

"At Zirkon we work closely with our customers so that we are able to provide not only individually tailored solutions that meet design briefs, but suggest new products and pioneer development for current and future projects.

This means that our customers receive solutions that are more focused, effective and competitive".

Zirkon will be working with Garwood on the future design and development of the APM Series, production of which is projected to dramatically increase in volume over the next twelve months.

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