
1939
T.J. Getzen leaves the Holton Company after nearly
ten years as plant superintendent to start his own business. The Getzen
Company, Inc. is born in a converted dairy barn behind the Getzen family
residence at 329 East Geneva Street, Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Although manufacturing
is still to come, T.J. and his three employees focus on band instrument
repair.
1946
Branching out from the band instrument repair business, the Getzen
Company produces its first trombones. The trombones roll off the line
in the summer of 1946. Only about 1,000 trombones are produced in
that first
year.
1947
Following the success of the first trombones, T.J. Getzen again
decides to expand and begins producing trumpets and cornets.
1949
Seeing an ever-expanding market and opportunity, T.J. Getzen
expands the product line once again and starts the manufacture
of piston bugles.
The bugles are designed for and used by many Drum and Bugle Corps
gaining popularity in the country at this time.
J. Robert Getzen, son of T.J., is appointed plant superintendent of the Getzen Company after 10 years of experience within the factory. This marks the start of the long standing family tradition that is still seen within the company today.
1950 - 1958
Over the decade the Getzen Company grows to 80 employees.
With the increase in employees comes an increase in production numbers
as well
as in quality. This increased quality quickly moves the company into
the higher ranks of the industry with its well respected line of student
band instruments. The competition even notes the quality of the Getzen
instruments. Vincent Bach, president of the Vincent Bach Corporation,
says in 1956 "They certainly are very beautiful horns, and Getzen
can be proud of being able to turn out such a fine instrument…"
1959
J. Robert Getzen follows the same footsteps as his father and
resigns as the plant superintendent of the Getzen Company to start his
own business.
Allied Music Corporation is opened in a 3,000 square foot building just
a mile away from the Getzen Company at 530 South Highway H in Elkhorn,
WI. The entire company consists of Robert, one employee, and zero customers.
1960
After 21 years of business, T.J. Getzen sells the Getzen Company
to Milwaukee attorney Harold M. Knowlton. Shortly after the purchase,
Mr. Knowlton moves the company from its original home in the old "barn" to
another facility at 211 West Centralia Street.
1962
With the help of Carl "Doc" Severinsen and many other
well know professional musicians, the Getzen Company begins to design
and manufacture a complete line of professional trumpets, cornets, and
fluegel horns. The success of the company's student line of instruments
is easily carried over to the new professional line.
1963
The entire Getzen factory, with exception of the offices
and some storage areas, is destroyed by a late night fire. The fire began
at
12:30 am and burned until after 2:00 am. Due to the quick spreading
of the flames and the extensive smoke and water damage, the factory
is all but a complete loss. Almost immediately after the flames are
extinguished plans were being made for the construction of new factory.
Just a month after the devastating fire, the new Getzen factory is under construction on the same site as the destroyed building. By early December things are moving so smoothly that a target date of January, 1964 has been set for the resumption of manufacturing in the new facility.
Meanwhile, Allied Music Corporation is seeing continued success. Both its customer base and full time staff continue to grow.
1964
A mere five months after the tragic fire destroyed the Getzen
Company, the new factory opens. At first the production is limited to
few select
models, but after a few months production is back up to full capacity.
1965
Again history repeats itself and another Getzen leaves the company
to start his own business. Don Getzen, son of T.J., resigns as Executive
Vice-President of the Getzen Company and founds D.E.G. Music Products
in Lake Geneva, WI.
1966
After seven successful years at the helm of Allied Music, Bob
Getzen once again works with his brother Don as Allied begins the
manufacture of piston bugles for the D.E.G. Music Products Company.
1967
Following the success of Allied Music Corporation, Bob Getzen
founds Allied Supply Corporation. Allied Supply specializes
in replacement band
instruments parts, cases, and band instrument repair tools
and seeks to fill an obvious void in the industry. Despite serving
band instrument
repair shops throughout the world, Allied Supply consists of
a few rows of shelving located in the shipping department of Allied
Music.
At the same time, Bob begins the further expansion of Allied Music. The first being the creation of the Allied Music Repair School. The program is designed to teach individuals the finer points of band instrument repair. Each participant goes through a 48 week course that covers all of the necessary steps needed to repair any brass or woodwind band instruments. Many of the graduates go on to open their own repair shops, most of which are still in business today. Second is the expansion of the repair business to include a second facility in Santa Rosa, California. Unfortunately, the distance between the two locations made management of the western Allied Music very difficult and it only operated for three years until being closed down.
1972
Following the initial success of its piston bugles, Allied Music
begins to produce a full line of trumpets, cornets, trombones, and
marching brass instruments for D.E.G. History is again repeating itself
with the
company shifting from instrument repair to instrument manufacturing.
1974
Allied Supply Corporation has grown to occupy its own department
within the Allied Music building. Now with both companies growing
larger by the year, Bob Getzen decides to sell Allied Supply to his
two sons
Thomas R. and Edward M. Getzen. Both sons have several years of
experience working for both Allied Music and Allied Supply and are eager
to
take over control of Allied Supply. The tradition of the family in
the business
continues to grow with this, the third generation.
1980
Continuing to grow, Allied Supply now occupies several hundred
feet within the Allied Music building. The increased space is
needed to house
the constantly growing product line as well as the increasing
staff size.
1985
After 25 years of success as the President and owner of
the Getzen Company, Harold Knowlton sells the company to Charles
F.
Andrews.
1988
After more than 49 years in the industry, Bob Getzen sells Allied
Music Corporation to his sons Tom and Ed. Despite being semi-retired,
Bob continued to play a crucial and invaluable role in the company for
many years until his passing in February of 2003.
1989
Facing ever crowded factory space, Allied Supply moves
out of the Allied Music building and into its own quarters
next door.
The
new Allied
Supply building is over 9,600 square feet and is a vast
improvement from the companies humble beginnings.
Another big step is taken at this time as Allied Music begins production of the first Edwards Trombones. Through the Edwards Band Instrument Company they hope to produce a trombone that meets the demanding needs of the world's best professional trombonists. This is the first step towards the making of arguably the world's best trombone.
1990
After years of building horns for D.E.G., Allied Music begins
the production of its own line of instruments. They work hand in hand
with
the famous brass quintet, The Canadian Brass, to design and manufacture
instruments that will be played and marketed by the group.
Quickly outgrowing its new location and needing to expand to better meet the needs of its customers, Allied Supply again expands and adds a case warehouse. The addition of the warehouse takes the total square footage of Allied Supply to more than 11,000 square feet.
1991
After several years of production problems and financial hardship
the Getzen Company, under the direction of Charles Andrews, declares
bankruptcy. Shortly thereafter, Allied Music Corporation, owned and
operated by the grandsons of the Getzen Company's founder, purchases
the assets
of the Getzen Company out of Federal Bankruptcy Court and after 31
years the company is once again in the hands of the Getzen family.
The employees and equipment from the Getzen Company are immediately moved from its old location on Centralia Street to its new home on Highway H. Following the move, the Getzen Company is made the parent manufacturing company and Allied Music is named a wholly owned subsidiary and repair division.
An 18,000 square foot addition is built onto the Allied Music building. The new construction effectively doubles the size of the factory in order to accommodate the new equipment and employees from the Getzen Company. Once the addition is completed, the Getzen Company and Allied Music operate together splitting resources and personnel between new horn manufacturing and instrument repair. As Tom and Ed pledge to improve the quality of the instruments they produce, the long journey to return the Getzen Company to its former greatness begins.
1992
Following the success of the Edwards Trombones, the Getzen Company
seriously enters the trombone market with a new line of completely
redesigned professional trombones. The ever improving production quality
is being
noticed in the market as the Getzen Company begins to regain respect
as an instrument manufacturer.
1993
Tom and Ed decide to discontinue the Allied Music Repair School,
choosing instead to focus the necessary resources on new horn production.
1994
Again facing space restrictions, Allied Music discontinues its reed
instrument repair services. Now the main function of Allied
Music is
the repair of brass instruments.
1995
Following suit with the repair
school and its reed instrument repair, Allied discontinues its brass
instrument repair service.
Allied Music
is now dissolved and all of its resources and employees are dedicated
to the Getzen Company.
Meanwhile, the Getzen Company continues to regain the respect it once had within the industry as the production of higher quality instruments and the introduction of new models goes on.
1999
After more than two decades in business together Tom Getzen purchases
Ed Getzen's shares in both the Getzen Company and Allied Supply. Tom
becomes the sole owner and President of both companies.
2000
After years of expansion, Edwards outgrows its corner of the Getzen factory. The Edwards play testing and sales facilities are moved to their own building while the production of Edwards instruments remains in the Getzen facility.
2001
After 23
years away from the Getzen Company, "Doc" Severinsen
rejoins the Getzen family. Together with Doc, the Getzen Company announces
the production of the new Severinsen Custom Trumpet. The Getzen Company
is once again producing some of the finest instruments in the world.
2002
The long standing tradition of the family in the business continues
to this day with three of Tom Getzen's children, the fourth generation,
being employed by the company.
2003
Once again, Doc Severinsen chooses to leave the company opting instead to pursue
the manufacture of his own line of trumpets. The 3001 & 3001LE trumpets
are renamed "Artist Model" and moved into the Getzen Custom Series line of
trumpets which is rapidly gaining popularity and respect through out the market.
2004
The drive to produce the best instruments on the market continues with the introduction
of several new instruments. An all new small bore flugelhorn, a new orchestral
C cornet, and a new Eb cornet targeting brass band players. These new models
added to the improved designs of existing models demonstrates to many why the
Getzen Company has a prominent position among the world's top manufacturers.
2007
Continuing with their dedication to improve, Getzen proudly introduces
the all new Eterna Proteus to the extremely popular Eterna line of instruments. At
the same time, Getzen partners with Griego Mouthpieces and Blackburn Trumpets
to include top of the line aftermarket accessories as standard fare. A
custom Griego Mouthpiece with every Custom Series trombone and a set of
Blackburn leadpipes with each 940 Eterna piccolo.
2008
The long standing family tradition at the Getzen Company is carried
on today with the involvement of two of Tom Getzen's four children. Brett
Getzen, Tom's second oldest, is involved in many aspects of the company
from production to sales as the Special Projects Manager. Tom's
youngest, Adam Getzen, runs the company's plating department. Together
the two make up the fourth generation of Getzens in the industry and they
are striving to ensure its continued success for generations to come.