Sweetwater sells guitars, keyboards, recording equipment, and live sound gear via its catalog, Internet website, and in-house sales force. The company's hundreds of thousands of customers range from Grammy Award-winning producers to Los Angeles and Nashville studios to home music enthusiasts.
The magazine's cover story acknowledged the industry-wide respect the Fort Wayne retailer commands, noting, "Sweetwater dominates an ever-increasing share of the pro audio and recording market through honorable treatment of both its customers and employees." The magazine pointed out that Sweetwater's dedication to customer service is well known, saying, "Musicians, sound engineers, manufacturers, and even competitors know that Sweetwater aims to satisfy customers at all costs."
Sweetwater founder and President Chuck Surack said the award signifies recognition of his fundamental business philosophy. "You just do the right thing for the customer," he stated, pointing out that the long-term result of that principle is a loyal client who feels comfortable doing business with the company again and again.
To that end, the magazine observed, Sweetwater has an on-staff "client amazement specialist" who goes to great lengths to resolve customer complaints and ensure satisfaction. Surack said, "We're interested in developing a long term relationship with the customer, not just one short-term transaction."
The Music Inc. editors said Sweetwater's dedication to employee satisfaction was yet another ingredient to the dealer's strength. "Surack draws qualified professionals from all over the nation, and he retains them with enviable salaries, benefits, and perks," the article observed. "The very title of 'Sales Engineer' lands them added respect, and it suits them well." Most of the sales staff have attended music technology schools or worked as sound engineers.
This combination of assets has led the way to Sweetwater's best sales year in its 27-year history, and is the impetus behind the retailer's planned move to greatly expanded quarters next year. The new location will include a 225-seat auditorium dedicated to employee training, plus a health club and other facilities designed to provide employees with the best working environment possible. The Fort Wayne Business Digest named Sweetwater one of the region's top 50 employers in 2004.
Sweetwater also received the Music Inc. Retailer of the Year award in 1999. In addition, the magazine has cited the company for Customer Service Excellence and Dealer Excellence in recent years.
| ©2013 Sweetwater Sound, Inc. All rights reserved. ======================================================================== Sweetwater Sound, Inc., 5501 US Hwy 30 W, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 USA Phone: (800) 222-4700, Website: http://www.sweetwater.com, General Email: info@sweetwater.com Sweetwater began business 34 years ago in Fort Wayne, Indiana and is the country's most respected dealer in high-technology
equipment for musicians, recording studios, and broadcasters - from microphones and
digital recording systems to electric guitars to electronic keyboards and electronic drums.
Sweetwater customers range from beginners to rock stars. The company's equipment
can be found in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville recording studios, TV and radio
stations all across the country, as well as in tens of thousands of home recording
studios nationwide. Sweetwater is built on a commitment to the highest level of
customer service in the music technology industry.
For further information visit www.sweetwater.com. |