The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1908)

Edison Phonograph Monthly, Dec, 1908 Factory Activity As was to be expected, the tremendous efforts that have been put forth at our factory during the past three months resulted during November in making a marked gain on the orders in hand for combination Phonographs, Attachments and Amberol Records. The gain on combination machines was such that by the middle of December every order received prior to the first of the month will be filled complete. After December 15th we expect to keep up with machine orders unless there should be an unusually quick revival of general business throughout the country. Even then we shall have little trouble in meeting demands. Our factory organization is again back to its old efficiency and the weekly productions can be largely increased at short notice, if necessary. The trade will have little apprehension about our ability to fill machine orders fully and quickly, although it will not be wise for any Jobber to let his stock run low on this account. It should be borne in mind that business of all kinds is going to increase steadily and all should plan for a rising and not a falling market. Experience for several years past has shown us that after the January stock taking there comes a period of two to three weeks when the orders exceed our factory capacity. This may be the case in 1909, so don't bank too much on our output (large as it may be) to keep your stock replenished at short notice. Be on the safe side and keep ordering ahead. Excellent progress was also made with the shipments of Amberol Records. The last shipments were made on the original orders and many additional orders were filled. For a time there was a doubt as to whether we could get out the orders for December Amberols on time, but luck and good management were on our side and the last of the December advance orders for both kinds of Records went out on November 21st. The last shipments went to New York and nearby points, so that the goods reached Jobbers in time for re-shipment to Dealers on November 24th. This is a closer schedule than we care to have, but it is heaps better than being late. As more and more Phonographs are being equipped with attachments, and an increased number of combination machines get into the hands of the public, the demand for Amberol Records grows. More and more Dealers are putting in a complete stock of Amberol Records and by playing them on their demonstration machines are making much enthusiasm among Phonograph owners. All of this is creating a demand for Amberol Records that is little less than remarkable considering the short time that the Record has been on the market. Strangely enough there has as yet been no falling off in the advance orders for two-minute Records. Judging by the total advance orders from Jobbers, the new Record is creating just so much new business. The work of manufacturing attachments is not so satisfactory as the machine and Amberol situation. It is in this department that the extent of the interest of the public in the new Record is shown. During November as many as 3,000 attachments were made and shipped in a single day and the total shipment for the month reached figures that would not be credited if told. Yet the month closed with as many orders ahead as were on the books November 1st. This is likely to be the case for many months, possibly being more aggravated with the certain improvement in business conditions. The November shipments would have been greater than they were but for our inability to get additional machines for making certain parts and but for the trouble in making the fine point for the new Model H reproducer required to play the Amberol Records. All the work on these points is done under microscopes and the hands work in three shifts of eight hours each, the depaitment working without a break from 7 o'clock Monday morning till midnight Saturday. The department is now the show place of the factory for activity, character of work and number of hands employed. Taken as a whole our factory may be said to represent the advance guard of Phonograph optimism, for its present activity is but a reflection of what must be the condition of the entire trade within a few months. Here's a New Year Resolution I will read the Edison Phonu^raph Monthly every month and pass it on to the members of my sales force. And I will make use of all of the suggestions in it that will help increase my sales of Edison Phonographs and Records.