The talking machine world (Jan-June 1927)

January 15, 1927 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 75 Factors That Brought an Outstanding Success to a Portable Manufacturer "Confidence Plus Common Sense" Is the Slogan Upon Which O. L. Prime, President of Carryola Co., Started the Business and Following It Has Brought Success Under the heading "Producing 200,000 Portables in a Single Year," H. D. Leopold, advertising and sales promotion manager of the Carryola Co. of America, Milwaukee, gives the following interesting resume of Carryola activities the past few years and the company's plans for the coming year: Confidence plus ordinary common sense will carry you most anywhere you want to go. Three years ago had one forecast that some day a single manufacturer would develop an annual outlet for 200,000 portable turing experience that the Carryola Co. was formed. Starting just two and one-half years ago in part of the Prime plant, the first portable was developed. Mr. Prime and his associates had much to learn about this new business, and they proceeded slowly. At the end of fourteen months the volume had outgrown the original plant, and a fine new daylight factory, with 60,000 square feet of floor space, was purchased. During the past year an average of approximately 600 portables have been built every business day. Plans for 1927 are even more ambitious, and it is almost an assured fact that during the latter part of the new year the plant's capacity (2,000 instruments per day) will be taxed. To become the world's largest portable manufacturer in two years is a man-sized job. It required endless hard work, and the development of a real sales organization. In direct charge of this part of the operation is Don T. Allen, vice-president of the Carryola Co. and of the Prime Mfg. Co. Mr. Allen is to-day one of the outstanding personalities in the industry, and he is known from coast to coast among the trade. He is a real student of matters phonographic, and his guiding genius has contributed much to the present position now enjoyed by Carryola. Harry G. Wild, secretary and treasurer of Don T. Allen manufacturing superintendent; H. K. Drotning, engineer and inventor, and Gene R. Driscoll, special representative, men of ability and wide experience in the field. World-Famous Artists in Atwater Kent Concerts O. L. Prime phonographs such statement would have brought a broad grin from practically the entire industry. To-day you could run your 1927 prediction to 300,000 without causing a ripple. Retail music merchants today have discovered an astounding market for portable phonographs. They find this small musical instrument a yearround seller, producing gratifying results and additional record volume that heretofore was almost completely overlooked. Nineteen hundred and twenty-six marked the first real milestone in large-scale portable selling. During this period the Carryola Co. of America has shown a 70 per cent gain over the previous twelve months. Its production has advanced steadily and consistently, with less than a 10 per cent variation between months, until at the close of 1926 it totaled 200,000 instruments. As stated originally, "Confidence plus ordinary common sense will carry you most anywhere you want to go." It was upon these premises that O. L. Prime, president of the Carryola Co., started his portable business. For years he has been successful as a manufacturer of railroad supplies, operating the Prime Mfg. Co., and it was upon the basis of this manufac Huge Plant Devoted to Carryola Production both companies, is an experienced manufacturing executive and is an active member of the directorate. The Carryola organization, is rounded out by George P. Hough, sales manager; Fred Busche, The Atwater Kent radio hours since the last issue of The Talking Machine World offered exceptional talent. Mme. Ernestine SchumannHeink, contralto, on December 9, presented a program of real enjoyment. Appearing with Mme. SchumannHeink on the program was Miss Florence Hardeman, violinist. The hour on December 26 was fittingly devoted to a Christmas program b y Betsy Lane Shepherd, soprano; Elsie Baker, contralto; Arthur Hackett Granville, tenor, and William Simmons, baritone, assisted by the Atwater Kent Orchescontralto, and Louise tra. Louise Homer, Homer Stires, soprano, presented the first program of the new year. January 9 Edward Johnson, tenor; Editha Fleischer and the Atwater Kent Orchestra, were the artists. METAL DIAPHRAGMS Our first Metal Diaphragm was Patented May 8th, 1900, and used by one of the largest Talking Machine Companies and we have been making them ever since. We are also makers of The MOBLEY REPRODUCERS Used by some of the leading manufacturers. We shall be pleased to take care of your requirements in this line. MOBLEY MANUFACTURING CO. ROSLYN, PA.