E.K. Blessing Co. Inc. Elkhart, Indiana
Instruments in current production are tested by Mr. Johnson’s son, Randy; newly developed ones are further evaluated by professional musicians.
The sixty or so employees have almost all been trained within the firm itself.
We prefer people who know nothing about anything; that way we can get them used to our methods! We have very little turnover because of our good retirement scheme.
Assembling a trumpet
Mr. Merle Johnson
Final fitting of valves
All sales are handled by dealers, with whom there is a constant exchange of information on the state of the market.
Mr. Johnson explained to me that the business was founded by Mr. Eno K. Blessing, who emigrated to the States from Germany in the thirties. He started building valves, for Conn among others. The first Vincent Bach instruments are also said to have come from his workshop. After Blessing’s death in 1953 his sons carried on the business, although having little success from their association with the Richards Music Co., an association abandoned a few years later. In 1964 the firm was taken over by Mr. Merle Johnson, who by that time had already been an employee of the company for ten years. He is responsible for its current success.
If we’re still here, it’s thanks to the quality of our instruments,” he said and, thinking of the future, added, “Continue to improve our products as much as possible and give the dealers even more service — if that works, everything else will take care of itself!
E.K. Blessing Co. Inc.
1306 W. Beardsley
Elkhart, Indiana 46514, USA
Interview with Merle Johnson, owner
Employees: approximately 60
Sales: through dealers
Repairs: only own instruments.