20 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • MAY 2019
PRESS BUSINESS
LI MUSIC ACCESSORY MANUFACTURER HITS HIGH NOTE
continued from page 19
Gutterman Funeral Homes are one of the largest family owned funeral homes in America. Since 1892 the Gutterman family has instilled dedicated service with a
personal touch to the Jewish community which has now spanned over 120 years. Still today, commitment to excellence and knowledgeable funeral directors is
what separates our chapels from all the rest.
Most recently we have taken the steps to become more of a resource and asset to families NOT only at the most emotional time of need, but rather years ahead of
time. We have found some of the most sought after requested referral sources to direct you to in order to help start or compliment your estate planning, begin your
Medicaid application or to nd professional home care aides to protect the aging in place or nd you assisted living, nursing home or Hospice placement services.
By Pre-Arranging funeral services with us, you will help secure your wishes on permanent record by locking in on today’s “out of pocket expenses” controlling your
spending and option of payment plans. Initial consultation is at no obligation and can be discussed at one of our chapels or in the comfort of your own home. Call
now to inquire how we can help direct you in order to save you time and monies with all of your unique estate planning needs.
Call our Main Ofce to schedule your personal, condential appointment. Christopher M.Tombline Executive Manager of Gutterman Funeral Homes
516.764.9400
1895 Flatbush Ave. 1 Block north of
Kings Highway
One of the biggest headaches, D’Addario
says, is rampant counterfeiting.
Several years ago, D’Addario’s father,
Jim, then the CEO, identified China as
the main culprit in schemes that damaged
the company’s reputation. The
quality of the counterfeit strings was
incredibly poor, Jim D’Addario says.
In most cases, Chinese string manufacturers
make low-quality strings,
and copy D’Addario’s packaging.
Another major issue is the tariff war
between the U.S. and China. When
President Donald Trump in March
imposed sharp tariffs on China, the
Chinese responded. The Chinese
response has negatively impacted
D’Addario, because its strings make
use of steel.
And, while D’Addario is growing, it
may not be able to continue to add to
its employee base, which stands at
about 800 on Long Island now, most
of them in manufacturing. That’s
because of minimum wage rates,
which are expected to rise to $15 an
hour on January 1, 2020. D’Addario
says the company may even have to
reduce staff.
The company has enlisted the support
of members of Congress to help
in its war against counterfeiters,
who D’Addario said now include several
other Pacific-Asian nations. The
company is also looking for ways to
maintain employee growth and deal
with tariffs.
The U.S. government, and some
Chinese leaders, say they are trying
to crack down on counterfeiters.
But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
recently told a business group that
Chinese counterfeit goods and products
“remain persistent problems.”
The company traces its roots back to
the late 1600s. The D’Addario family
of string-makers was based in the
small Italian town of Salle. But a
massive earthquake devastated the
town in 1905, and two brothers-in-law,
Rocco and Carmine D’Addario came
to Astoria, Queens to continue their
business. They opened a small string
shop behind their family home.
New popular music in the 20th century
made guitars highly popular. In
1974, the company decided to make
strings under its own name, after a
brief partnership with another company,
Martin Guitars.
D’Addario’s sales are about $180
million a year, up from about $120
million a decade ago. The privately
held company does not release its
net income. It has about 1,200 employees
worldwide, with operations
in Europe. It also produces cables,
earplugs, electronic tuners, picks,
drumheads, drumsticks, and reeds
for woodwind instruments.
John D’Addario recalls being 7 years
old when he first visited the company,
with his father, Jim. After working for
a few years in the cosmetics industry,
he began working full time for the
company in 1996.
“We’re going to innovate new products,”
D’Addario says. “The company
is devising ways to keep abreast of
the digital music business, and it is
also looking to open more overseas
offices, particularly in the Pacific
Asia region, even though much
counterfeiting takes place there.”
Nonetheless, D’Addario says, “By
2030, two-thirds of spending by
the middle class will come from the
Pacific-Asia region. I see massive
opportunities there.”
"We’re going to innovate new products,"
says John D’Addario III.
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
