BAND ACCESSORY MANUFACTURER CELEBRATES THREE GENERATIONS OF FAMILY OWNERSHIP

        American Plating & Manufacturing Company (APM), based in Chicago, has just celebrated its 100th Anniversary as a musical product manufacturer. APM is one of the largest domestic manufacturers of band instrument parts and accessories, having been founded in 1902. The first generation owner, Charles Urban Sr., had begun his career in the music industry at age 14 when he got a job at a music store to supplement his family’s income.

        APM originated as a specialist in plating and lacquering fenders for horse-drawn buggies and early model cars.With Charles Sr.’s interest in music, the business advanced in the 1920’s into repairing and re-commissioning brass band instruments, including plating, polishing and lacquering. During WWII, APM was one of a few authorized businesses to repair musical instruments used in all branches of the Armed Services. APM later began manufacturing band instrument parts as a by-product of instrument repairs, and the company eventually ceased instrument repairs in order to focus on band instrument component/accessory manufacturing.

        In 1958, Charles Urban Sr. retired and Charles Urban Jr. took the helm of APM. Charles Jr., himself a clarinet and saxophone player, spent his career working with his dad at APM. Charles Jr. is credited with working with the various OEM instrument manufacturers to develop a “standard” line of music lyres. Charles Jr. also provided the vision and commitment for a complete modernization of APM’s manufacturing facilities, which now reside only a short distance from the company’s original location.

        The company’s current president, Karl Urban is the grandson of Charles Urban Sr., and is the third generation owner of the Chicago-based firm. Karl, who holds a master’s degree in engineering management, cut his teeth in manufacturing while working for G.E. and then as a supply chain business consultant. Karl also plays the clarinet and is an avid collector of vintage gramophones. Karl had long been involved on the Board of APM, and realized his goal of owning the company when he acquired APM from his father, Charles Urban Jr., in December 2000.

        APM uses a combination of manual and automated processes to manufacture a variety of musical instrument parts and accessories, including: lyres, ligatures, mouthpiece caps, valve cleaners, Steven Steels, American Fifes and American Song Whistles. In recent years, APM has adapted its plating technology to incorporate specialty plating for the electrical power transmission industry.
        APM’s customer base can be found across the U.S., Europe and Asia. Major customers for whom APM works with include: Conn-Selmer, Yamaha, Rico, and LeBlanc. APM also manufactures a great deal of private label and aftermarket accessories for wholesale to distributors.

        From horse drawn carriage fenders in the Midwest to the global supply of high quality musical instrument parts, APM has demonstrated the flexibility to meet its customers’ evolving needs, and to move into new product lines, precisely because it is a family owned company.