Fender had enlisted the help of Fujigen, the firm that made Fender’s guitars in Japan, and the two companies had formed a joint venture, F&F, to develop a guitar manufacturing facility at Ensenada.
Key people were brought in from Fujigen’s plant in Japan to train workers at the new Mexican guitar factory, modeling the processes and layout on the factory back in Matsumoto.
Bill Mendello, who was CEO at Fender in 2011 when we talked, told me about the transition.
“Fujigen brought their machinery with them, plus five or six people,” he said. “We opened up our Mexican operation, and Fujigen trained the people, using their techniques. So the manufacture of guitars in Mexico was more Japanese-like than it was US-like. We had a few people from the USA help them, but for the most part the training, the techniques, the painting – all were Japanese.”
Now you know why The Mexican stuff is as good as the USA!
Key people were brought in from Fujigen’s plant in Japan to train workers at the new Mexican guitar factory, modeling the processes and layout on the factory back in Matsumoto.
Bill Mendello, who was CEO at Fender in 2011 when we talked, told me about the transition.
“Fujigen brought their machinery with them, plus five or six people,” he said. “We opened up our Mexican operation, and Fujigen trained the people, using their techniques. So the manufacture of guitars in Mexico was more Japanese-like than it was US-like. We had a few people from the USA help them, but for the most part the training, the techniques, the painting – all were Japanese.”
Now you know why The Mexican stuff is as good as the USA!
