Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, with a premier acoustic craftory in Bozeman, Montana, Gibson continues a legacy of world-class artisanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product innovations that are unrivaled among musical instrument companies. Gibsonhas been in major investment expansion mode and prioritizing the acoustic facility and its skilled artisans in Bozeman who create our world-renowned acoustic guitar collections. For more than a century, Gibson acoustics have been played by the most talented and influential music artists who continue to shape sound through modern music.
In Bozeman, Montana, Gibson carries on a tradition of acoustic instruments that dates back to the 1890’s. The world has changed, but this art has stayed much the same: Gibson acoustic guitars deliver a clear, rich sound from carefully chosen tonewoods crafted to improve with age and fit each dovetail neck joint by hand. While production of Gibson Acoustics started in Kalamazoo, MI and moved to Nashville, TN for a period, Bozeman was identified as an ideal location for the new acoustic facility after Gibson purchased the Montana-based Flatiron Mandolin company in 1987. The relatively stable and dry climate in Bozeman is advantageous in building acoustic guitars, which can be greatly affected by swings in temperature and humidity. The early days in Montana marked the rebirth of Gibson’s flat-top guitars in the eyes and ears of artist, dealers, and fans.
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To meet the booming demand for guitars, Gibson invested in construction to double the size of the acoustic craftory. With more machine shop and manufacturing space, expanded Gibson Acoustic Custom Shop capabilities, and a new artist showroom, the modernized facility enables Gibson to increase production of its world renowned acoustic guitar models (J-45, Hummingbird, Dove, SJ-200, and more) and expand innovative offerings such as the new Gibson Generation Collection, without compromising on conditions of quality.
“Gibson acoustic guitars have earned their iconic status over many generations and across many genres of music,” says James ‘JC’ Curleigh (President and CEO of Gibson Brands). “This iconic status has turned into exceptional demand over the past few years. We recognized that we had an opportunity and an obligation to find a way to make more guitars by expanding the legendary Gibson Acoustic Craftory right here in Bozeman, Montana. We are proud of the expansion and excited for the future.”
Last week, Gibson opened the doors of its world-renowned acoustic guitar facility in Bozeman to celebrate the completion of a factory expansion which doubled the size of the facility which was originally built in 1988. Gibson global leadership and the local Gibson Bozeman teams were on hand with local Montana business leaders and ambassadors, and our skilled artisans who create our world-renowned acoustic guitar collections to view the new craftory. Gibson is a preferred employer globally and with the massive expansion will be adding up to 100+ job opportunities and recruiting top talent on the local and national level. Gibson Acoustic in Bozeman currently employs 230 people.
Following are photos from the Gibson Acoustic expansion celebration in Bozeman, MT, and a glimpse inside the craftory:
Above: the Gibson team cut the ribbon to open the newly expanded Gibson Acoustic factory in Bozeman.
Gibson Bozeman team.
Above: (L-R, back row) Richard Walbe (Training Coordinator), Adam Dieckman (Materials Manager), Tiffaney Loomis (Shipping Manager), Colin Beck (Engineering Manager), Patrick Hansen (QC Manager), Nick Codding (Production Manager) and (L-R, front row) Margaret Hawthorne (Human Resource Business Partner), Josh Taborski (Facility Director), and Jackie O’Reilly (Controller).
Above (L-R): Anne Rohosy (Chief Human Resources and Impact Officer, Gibson Brands), James “JC” Curleigh (President and CEO, Gibson Brands) and Jeremy Freckleton (Chief Production Officer, Gibson Brands).
Gibson leadership and Montana Ambassadors Association.
Above: (back row L-R) Anne Rohosy (Chief Human Resources and Impact Officer, Gibson Brands), and Montana Ambassadors Brian Arthur, Tyler Delaney, and James Thompson, James “JC” Curleigh (President and CEO, Gibson Brands) and Jeremy Freckleton (Chief Production Officer, Gibson Brands), (front row L-R) Montana Ambassadors Jami Lorenz, Suzi Berget White, and Angela Mcgrath.
Above: (L-R) Thad Beaty (Sugarland), Gibson ambassador Amanda Stewart, and Annie Clements (Maren Morris) performed for guests during the Gibson expansion grand opening.
Above: Gibson acoustic guitars in the binding process.
Above: A Gibson SJ-200 in Rosewood Burst makes its way through final set up.
Above: a Gibson SJ-200 receives a Rosewood Burst finish.
Above: Gibson Acoustic factory finishing area.
Above: an artisan neck fits a J-45 Deluxe Rosewood.
