Wick, Wedgwood and Besson sites - click to visit

The collapse over the New Year 2005/06 of UK instrument maker Besson sent ripples through the industry.

Denis Wick contacted ITG News to reassure us that despite the "horrifying descent" of Besson Musical Instruments Ltd. into administration, business is carrying on as before and that all distribution is now being handled by Wick's own company, Denis Wick Products Ltd. The website at deniswick.com now offers details of Wick products and contact information for trade enquiries: online purchasing is "coming soon".

Wick added, "I am very sorry that Besson, with whom I have been associated for more than 35 years, has suffered in this way. This iconic company has a unique heritage of association with the British band movement. I am sure we all hope that it will emerge after these years of trial and tribulation to continue its fine tradition." Wick's statement may be read in full in a press release on his web site.

Denis Wedgwood the cornet and trumpet maker also gave his views on "Boosey & Hawkes (Besson) – The True Story". In a blistering survey of Besson's decline Wedgwood asks the question, "What happened to the world-wide reputation of the famous British Musical Instrument Company?" and provides a number of answers, under headings like "Finance Department Design", "Quality Control" and "D Stock" (which latter he describes as "An interesting exercise in reverse quality control.") Wedgwood lays the blame for Besson's decline firmly at the door of its former management, writing, "It’s said that the ‘death of a company’ is when management has got rid of the ‘old gaffer’ who could remember trying something twenty years before that didn’t work." Readers who wish to see Wedgwood's piece in full will find his whole text by going to www.themouthpiece.com (free registration required) and entering his name in the search box.

Besson's brand and certain assets were acquired by Buffet Crampon in January 2006. The website, under Buffet's management, tells us "The tradition will continue" and in a press release the company explain that manufacturing will restart over the coming months. The website is currently marked "New site coming soon" and visitors are invited to join a mailing list to be kept up to date with the Besson site's progress under its new management.

Websites:
Denis Wick
Wick press release about Besson

Denis Wedgwood
Themouthpiece.com (registration required)

Besson