Britain’s sole trombone manufacturer is aiming to hit the right note in China.
Rath Trombones, based at Honley, has provided instruments for renowned musicians including the Count Basie Orchestra, the Berlin Opera and the world-famous Black Dyke Mills Band.
Now the company, which makes 20 different models of the instrument, has teamed up with overseas trade specialist Chamber International and its China affairs associate, Matthew Grandage, to help the firm gain a better understanding of Chinese business culture.
Rath Trombones founder Mick Rath and his wife Nikki, who employ nine skilled craftspeople, already sell their instruments to 25 countries and have dealers in the USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Exports account for more than 60% total sales.
Mick, who started playing the tuba when he was aged 11, said: “Ours are high-quality instruments made by British craftspeople. This, and the fact that a modular design enables customers to interchange components to ensure a perfect instrument for most trombone players, gives us wide appeal to players and dealers overseas.
“The trombone market is fairly small and we need to export to keep growing. We cannot rely on the UK alone to sustain business and exporting enables us to take advantage of fluctuating economies and exchange rates.
“We’ve been trying to get into China, a large and increasingly wealthy market with good arts funding, for some time. However, a lack of understanding of Chinese business culture, which is very different to ours, is holding us back.
“Matthew is helping me understand this and, if it enables us to sell there, it can trigger a further 25% sales growth. We could end up exporting 75% of our products.”
Rath Trombones was founded in 1992 and developed a number of prototypes before creating its first professional standard instrument by 1996. The company began exporting in 1997,
Since then, instruments have also been bought by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Military School of Music, the Scots Guards, the Royal Marines Band, the US and Norwegian armed forces, the London Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony orchestra, Welsh National Opera and Grimethorpe Colliery Band.
Said Matthew: “Visiting Rath Trombones’ factory is a privilege – you know you’re meeting top craftsmen in their field. Professional musicians will recognise and value that quality as it transcends international boundaries.
“But quality and craftsmanship don’t make export success automatic.
“Mick Rath understands that every country has its own culture when it comes to purchasing and China is no exception. Understanding this is often the difference between success and disappointment in overseas markets. That’s why Mick sought Chamber International’s advice and we are proud to be a part of Rath Trombones’ exciting export journey.”
