Sweetwater 2025 Impact Report: Living the Mission of “Doing the Right Thing”

FORT WAYNE, Indiana. [Thursday, March 26, 2026] – The 2025 Impact Report from Sweetwater has been released. Sweetwater was founded on the belief of always doing the right thing, and this detailed report provides information on how the organization is carrying out its mission. This year’s report focuses on company-wide efforts to positively impact the environment, its employees, the communities it serves, and its industry partners. 

“Sweetwater’s impact extends well beyond the music, sound, and stories our customers help bring to life,” explained Mike Clem, CEO of Sweetwater. “It’s also evident in the way we support our employees and our communities, how we invest in our partnerships, and safeguard the environment we all share. These values have defined Sweetwater for over 47 years, and they continue to guide and inspire us.”   

Our People 

Sweetwater has received national and international accolades for its workplace, culture, and emphasis on professional development for its employees. Highlights of the company’s 2025 efforts include: 

• Global recognition for workplace culture: Sweetwater was ranked as a Top 10 North America Inspiring Workplace and a Top 15 Global Inspiring Workplace in 2025. 
• Received 13 national Comparably Awards, including Best Company Culture, Best Company Perks & Benefits, Best Company Career Growth, and Best Company for Diversity. 
• Enhanced professional development initiatives contributed to a 38% increase in internal promotions during 2025. 
• Wellbeing events: Hosted over 30 wellbeing and social events, such as the third annual Be Well Expo, which saw a 34% increase in attendees. 

Our Community 

Sweetwater believes in serving others. Being involved in the community means in the company’s own hometown, as well as in communities throughout the country. Key moments of community involvement by Sweetwater in 2025 included: 

• Funding music initiatives: In 2025, Sweetwater donated more than $1 million in funding, gear, and volunteer support to the communities it serves. 
• Save the Music partnership: Sweetwater focused on opportunities to expand music programs into 42 schools throughout the United States. 
• The gift of music: In partnership with Free Guitars 4 Kids, Sweetwater distributed over 200 guitars to youth impacted by the LA fires and offered support to Guitars for Vets, giving free lessons and instruments to our nation’s veterans. 
• In its home region of Northeast Indiana, Sweetwater helped launch new and expanded music programs with the Rescue Mission, Easter Seals ARC, and Josiah White’s. 

Environmental & Supply Chain Responsibility  

Innovation is at the heart of Sweetwater’s business practices, and finding new ways to positively impact the environment and support a sustainable future are key initiatives. In 2025, Sweetwater focused on meaningful progress in the following areas: 

• Focus on recycling efforts: Throughout 2025, Sweetwater recycled 797 tons of cardboard and 43 tons of plastic. 
• Harness the power of the sun: Over 93,000 feet of solar panels at Fort Wayne’s Fulfillment Center generated over 1.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity in 2025. That is enough to power 130 US homes for an entire year. 
• Waste reduction through String Recycling Program: In partnership with D’Addario, the Sweetwater Guitar Workshop recycled 372,194 strings in 2025. 

To learn more, the 2025 Sweetwater Impact Report is available on the company’s website at Sweetwater.com/environmental-social-responsibility/.