J. D'Addario acquires HQ Percussion Products

J. D'Addario & Company, Inc., has announced that on Jan. 2, 2004, they acquired HQ Percussion Products, acknowledged brand of percussion practice pads and related accessories.
"HQ opens a new door for JDC in the percussion market because of its influence on the entry-level player, the reputation it has among pros, and the name recognition it will provide to JDC within the educational and overall percussion community," says Mike Russo, Chief Operating Officer of J. D'Addario. "The addition of HQ to the JDC product family reinforces our commitment to be the #1 accessories manufacturer in the market."
Rob Birenbaum, the successful owner of Drum Headquarters, with two stores in St. Louis, MO, founded HQ Percussion Products in 1988. Since that time, HQ has introduced a multitude of practice device innovations. HQ products are marketed under the names RealFeel (practice pads), SoundOff (drum set silencers) and ShineOn (cymbal polish).
Rob Birenbaum chose J. D'Addario & Company to continue the legacy of HQ Percussion due to his experience as a retailer and his feeling that D'Addario is uniquely skilled at manufacturing, packaging, marketing, and distribution. Birenbaum stated, "I am very proud of what HQ did during the past 15 years, but I truly believe that we took this thing about as far as we can and J. D'Addario is the ideal company to take it to the next level. I look forward to their stewardship with great excitement and anticipation."
In order to not affect delivery or customer service for current HQ customers, JDC will keep HQ's St. Louis distribution warehouse open through February 2004, and complete a full transition of distribution to JDC's Farmingdale headquarters by March 2004.
Rob Birenbaum will work with JDC as a consultant and Evans Brand Manager Michael Robinson will direct and execute all HQ Percussion marketing strategies as HQ Brand Manager. VP of Marketing John Roderick adds, "Marketing the HQ brand will be a blast! We have several cool pad ideas in the works; the HQ brand name and Rob's experience will allow us to really launch these with gusto."