Benedetto Guitars Takes Top Honors for Excellence in International Trade
PRESS RELEASE: SEDA
by Katie Freeman
November 20, 2008
On Friday, November 7, Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced that Savannah-based Benedetto Guitars won the second annual Georgia Featured Export Product Award.
The Georgia Featured Export Product Award rewards small and medium-sized Georgia businesses for their efforts to develop innovative products that will find success in export markets around the world. Entries are judged based on product innovation, market potential and international export efforts.
2008 winner Benedetto Guitars is internationally renowned for their exquisite design and craftsmanship. Already a part of the Smithsonian’s collection, they represent the highest class of jazz guitar. Their diverse product line ranges from one-of-a-kind custom instruments priced at $45,000+ to their professional line priced from $3,000.
Since establishing operations in Savannah in July 2006, Benedetto Guitars has grown from four employees to over twenty full-time craftsmen and is now producing and shipping over 40 handmade instruments per month. Sales revenues have increased a remarkable 98.8% over the same period in 2007.
Benedetto has distributors in nine countries and continually seeks innovative ways to market its products. Recently Benedetto was featured in a prime time Japanese reality show, which was filmed in Savannah and helped the company obtain a key distribution contract. In 2009, Benedetto representatives will exhibit at Musikmesse, a German trade show for the musical instrument industry, to explore other international marketing opportunities.
“With its culture, enthusiasm and charm, Savannah is the perfect fit,” said Chairman and Founder, Bob Benedetto. “We’ve had great experiences bringing our international clients and vendors here, and workforce recruitment is easy because people love Savannah.”
“The Savannah Economic Development Authority and The Creative Coast Initiative (now the Alliance) worked to attract Benedetto in 2006, and we have proudly promoted them as one of Savannah’s most innovative and creative businesses since,” said Rick Winger, President of SEDA. “Their success is a true testament to Savannah’s business assets, which have contributed to their outstanding products and continued growth.”
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Robert Benedetto is widely acknowledged as today’s foremost maker of archtop guitars. Over a prolific four-decade career, he has personally handcrafted nearly 800 instruments, including 500 archtops. In 2006, Benedetto joined forces with Howard Paul to bring Benedetto Guitars to the next level, manufacturing a broad line of more affordable professional instruments without compromising the unparalleled Benedetto worldwide reputation for singular quality. For more information visit www.benedettoguitars.com.
The Georgia Featured Export Product Award rewards small and medium-sized Georgia businesses for their efforts to develop innovative products that will find success in export markets around the world. Entries are judged based on product innovation, market potential and international export efforts.
2008 winner Benedetto Guitars is internationally renowned for their exquisite design and craftsmanship. Already a part of the Smithsonian’s collection, they represent the highest class of jazz guitar. Their diverse product line ranges from one-of-a-kind custom instruments priced at $45,000+ to their professional line priced from $3,000.
Since establishing operations in Savannah in July 2006, Benedetto Guitars has grown from four employees to over twenty full-time craftsmen and is now producing and shipping over 40 handmade instruments per month. Sales revenues have increased a remarkable 98.8% over the same period in 2007.
Benedetto has distributors in nine countries and continually seeks innovative ways to market its products. Recently Benedetto was featured in a prime time Japanese reality show, which was filmed in Savannah and helped the company obtain a key distribution contract. In 2009, Benedetto representatives will exhibit at Musikmesse, a German trade show for the musical instrument industry, to explore other international marketing opportunities.
“With its culture, enthusiasm and charm, Savannah is the perfect fit,” said Chairman and Founder, Bob Benedetto. “We’ve had great experiences bringing our international clients and vendors here, and workforce recruitment is easy because people love Savannah.”
“The Savannah Economic Development Authority and The Creative Coast Initiative (now the Alliance) worked to attract Benedetto in 2006, and we have proudly promoted them as one of Savannah’s most innovative and creative businesses since,” said Rick Winger, President of SEDA. “Their success is a true testament to Savannah’s business assets, which have contributed to their outstanding products and continued growth.”
-###-
Robert Benedetto is widely acknowledged as today’s foremost maker of archtop guitars. Over a prolific four-decade career, he has personally handcrafted nearly 800 instruments, including 500 archtops. In 2006, Benedetto joined forces with Howard Paul to bring Benedetto Guitars to the next level, manufacturing a broad line of more affordable professional instruments without compromising the unparalleled Benedetto worldwide reputation for singular quality. For more information visit www.benedettoguitars.com.
published on 11.20.2008 at 02:17 pm
