August 20. 2019 (Kansas City, MO) – Finalized on May 16, 2019, Kansas City-based U.S. Brasswind manufacturer, Best American Craftsmen (B.A.C.), purchased California-based Kanstul Musical Instruments Company. The acquisition included all tooling, fixtures designed specifically for the production of musical instruments and Kanstul’s existing inventory of spare parts.
The acquisition was especially attractive because of the extraordinary scope of Kanstul’s line, encompassing a wide variety of horns, from piccolos and trumpets to tubas. “We’ve always been a smaller ’boutique’ company,” said B.A.C. Founder and President, Mike Corrigan. “We’ve started to grow over the last couple of years and we’re very proud of the instruments we’ve already developed and stand by their designs as near standard-setters in the industry. But this acquisition will definitely expand our product range, give our customers many more options, reach a wider range of musicians, and prime the pump for us to greatly expand our U.S. production.”
Kanstul’s departure from the market will leave a void, particularly in international markets that B.A.C. hopes to fill. Some of the distributors that represented Kanstul no longer have access to quality American-made products. “We’ve wanted to expand our international distribution in a controlled way to meet the demand without compromising our products’ quality. With the additional tooling and some efficiencies that it will facilitate, we’ll be able to scale to that level,” said Corrigan.
Currently, B.A.C. Musical Instruments and its parent company RMI, LLC, also based in Kansas City, MO, is made up of 23 full and part time employees working in custom and OEM manufacturing, distribution, retail and repair aspects of the musical instrument industry. This acquisition and the subsequent expansion of manufacturing space and equipment is anticipated to provide opportunities to increase manufacturing, management and sales jobs by 50% over the next several years.
B.A.C. Musical Instrument’s skilled manufacturing workforce currently produce some of the highest quality, custom instruments on the market today. These men and women service a wide range of musicians from intermediate and educational players to some of the most successful level of professionals with some of today’s most relevant artists and performing ensembles. The company is looking forward to developing new and better techniques and skill sets to drive production of our expanded line into the future, while still respecting our past.
To accommodate the new expansion and recently acquired assets, B.A.C. will be converting storage space into manufacturing space. The manufacturing facility will be moved from a warehouse space that is 6,000 square feet to a space that is 9,000 square feet. By expanding the manufacturing space by a third, B.A.C. will improve workflow and grow production capabilities by 200%.
“I’m very pleased to welcome the expansion of Best American Craftsmen (B.A.C) musical instruments here in Kansas City. In addition to the economic benefits this development will stimulate, it will bring Kansas City’s commitment to the arts to the international stage“ Mayor Quinton Lucas said.
“B.A.C. Musical Instruments is excited to bring instrument manufacturing that has been in place for 107 years in California to Kansas City. Because of the vibrant and rich arts scene in Kansas City, paired with the deep-rooted jazz history Kansas City possesses, I can’t imagine a better city to invest in with our growing manufacturing facility,” said Corrigan.
“As Kansas City, MO continues to grow and attract new businesses, the EDC is proud to support companies like B.A.C. Musical Instruments to expand and invest in our City. We look forward to having B.A.C. contribute to our community growth and manufacturing expertise”, said Greg Fliram, Interim President & CEO of the Economic Development Corporation.
A number of partners worked together to assist B.A.C. Music Instruments with its expansion into Kansas City, MO: The City of Kansas City, Missouri; Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri; The Missouri Department of Economic Development; Missouri Partnership; and the US Commercial Service.
“The expansion of B. A. C. into Kansas City is the kind of good news we believe we will continue to see as we move forward in developing our workforce and strengthening the economy,” Governor Parson said. “We appreciate the company’s commitment to Kansas City residents and many others as it helps us create quality jobs here in Missouri.”
The State of Missouri and City of Kansas City, Missouri have offered an economic incentive package that the company will receive once they meet certain capital investment in innovation and renovations, as well as job creation criteria. These include tax incentives, workforce recruitment assistance and additional resources to find partnerships, funding, and global expansions.
“We are very excited to work with B.A.C. Musical Instruments and for them to represent our City nationwide and globally through this successful new expansion. I hope B.A.C. continues to use every resource available to them. They are a great example of why KCMO is now a destination, and no longer a fly over City.” said Narbeli Galindo, Economic Development Corporation Director of International Affairs for Kansas City, Missouri.
About B.A.C. Musical Instruments
An American owned and operated musical instrument company that manufactures Custom Trumpets and Trombones in the heartland. B.A.C. Custom Division is one of the last factories left to preserve an American legacy of instrument building. In addition, B.A.C. Music has designed and developed a line of high- quality entry level “Apprentice Series” and professional level “Artist Series” horns that are produced, imported and offered at an affordable price.
B.A.C. also partners with System Blue, providing distribution, quality control and brasswind consulting for the popular line of marching brass and percussion instruments. B.A.C. also heads up the product design, development and quality control of the Canadian Brass Collection mouthpiece line, working closely with the celebrated ensemble’s artists and distributing its products throughout North America.
About the Economic Development Corporation
The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC) is a recognized economic development leader. With a mission to provide job growth, job attraction, entrepreneurship, public financing, international business development, and real estate development support services. It serves as a resource and advocate to cultivate the competitiveness of business locating or expanding to the City of Kansas City, Missouri.