The most important event of this year was our 30-year anniversary. The party took place at the renewed factory yard and over 800 visitors came to celebrate the occation with us. Not only the yard was renovated, but the factory itself has grown as well. Upturn after recession allowed us to increase production, especially of high-end guitars. An important step for future of Furch guitars was creation of an all solid model 20, based on former 40 series. The quality and price makes this model a perfect alternative for those who start with Furch brand.

For Frankfurt Messe 2010 we prepared official release of Silueton stage guitars besides already presented models of La Gitane (gypsy-jazz guitar) and mandolins. Nevertheless, the most eye-catching newcoming product at our booth was folding guitar Little Jane. The prototype of this František Furch built for his friend and later prepared for standard production.

Already during the year 2008 we started working on several important projects. First of all, we wanted to bring mandolins back in our instrument line. We redesigned the construction of our former mandolins and made them better sounding and better looking as well. The second project we focused on was the gypsy-jazz guitar. Especially for this model we kept details and construction of original gypsy guitars but also implemented our experience with acoustics to provide better resonance qualities. Working on this model was very interesting for us. We also begun working on Silueton stage guitar and special pickup system which would combine advantages of under saddle and magnetic transducer.

The exhibitory guitar collection for Musikmesse 2008 was focused on new details, just not new models. From the spring 2008 Furch guitars are delivered in new kinds of gig-bags and cases, which are specially designed and made exactly to measures of Furch guitars.

According to new informations from all world markets we decided to simplify our model policy. There were little changes done in the popular Durango line and it also expanded. We rebuilt some half-solid models from Millenium line, till now marked as 20-CM and 21-CR. They got specially designed backboard, the typical part of Durango line, and now they belong to this line as the 41-CM and 42-CR. We've also started to produce a new model 42-SF from spruce and maple as the alternative for different color designs. In the Millenium line we offered a new top-level acoustic jazz all-solid guitar A17-23-SF and to the Vintage Bluegrass line was added a new model 33-SR. We don't need to mention small corrections and modifications, the most important is that we have improved and integrated our offer what resulted in good basement for stable model policy for next years.

One of our traditional domestic partners and Furchs brand-dealer, the Rondo Music company with branch stores in Trutnov and Dvůr Králové, celebrated the 15th anniversary of its establishment in June. This great celebration was accompanied by Furch guitars exhibition, bluegrass concert and small party for business partners and friends. Beautiful nature under the Krkonoše mountains, nice town Trutnov, perfect weather . . . many thanks for invitation, buddies!

Rondo Music 15th anniversary expo

At the beginning of July the Furchs garage was opened again on the "Garden" festival, which is always very pleasant and useful. But now it has also one very negative aspect - after our arrival we get to know, that our fellow and owner of the aforementioned garage, mr. Bubeník, suddenly and tragically met his fate when he deceased in spring 2007. We dedicated him one night blues jam session and we will remember him forever as a good man and an excellent friend..

Through the hollidays appeared an unexpectable opportunity how to acquire new premises situated in the historical centre of Brno, and that's why we have moved our show-room to the "Zelný trh" square. New place was adapted very quickly and transfer of the salesroom didn't evoke any problems.

In autumn we didn't try to find any new models for year 2008, because the model policy changes, realized in the spring, turned out to be very perspektive and useful for many next seasons. It gave us more time to extend offer in the way of guitar-tunning and individual accessories for some models. This idea isn't new, but to it's realization helped much end of year 2007, because we found a producer of one very important machine - laser "cutter" (or "carver") controlled by computer. Now is possible to make many kinds of decorative ornaments from different materials and to answer to all markets needs, but the preciseness and the quickness of the laser machine certainly helps in the main manufacture. We also hope that we will be able to start producing of special limited edition every year.

In year 2007 we produced guitar with serial number 30 000!

The German market, in past time so dominant, hasn't executed the optimistic autumn prognosis about the working cooperation process and the market crisis is still unsolved in year 2006. On the other hand the situation in Great Britain, the USA and Canada is suprisingly much more better than we expected. Team of Tech Music Marketing company deserves the main thanks because they have promoted our guitars very properly. We've started a closer cooperation by creating the "Stonebridge®" project : how to introduce product from the Central Europe to all american and canadian customers and show that they can trust its quality and sound purity. The first promo activity was the Stonebridge exposition on the NAMM Winter Show in Annaheim.

The second important exhibition is IBMA, where we took part at the first time. Another very important presentation of Furchs guitars took place on well-known musicians meeting named Musikmesse, where everyone was able to check also the first samples from our new and exclusive guitar collection dedicated to the anniversary of the 25th year of existence the Furch brand. Another new products and "surprises" weren't in progress, because Furch® has presented many news during past two years. The first priority of Y'06 is the stabilization of German market and -certainly - to upgrade our position on all markets in the way of better cooperation.

G-25ANNIVERS
Musikmesse 2006	G-25ANNIVERS presented at Musikmesse

I already made a mention of the Furch brand's 25th anniversary. Prepare works began about three months before main celebration. Except all others also the whole place changed its face during this period. New buildings and parts of factory including the courtyard were repaired and all the factory was beautified as well.

• former barn, future cloak-rooms, restrooms, dinig-room etc.
• former shed etc., building owned and exploited by other pearson
• building owned and expolited by other pearson
• office- and meeting rooms
• large yard
• gateway
• "new factory" building, former mill-works and granary
• to-be build (2007-2008): wood storage, drying chamber, product stock, expedition terminal
• former mill-stream, filled since 80's, area exploited as a yard
• "old factory" building, former miller's residence, to be reconstructed, repaired and used as the residence again
• former mill-works, building owned and exploited by other pearson

The anniversary celebration ran from the last of June till the 1st of July. All distributors, business partners, suppliers, elite musicians and other important persons were invited. One part of program for forein guests was a special discussion joined with guided factory tour right in the core of factory, where the process of manufacture was demonstrated and explained. Next intresting activity was trip to Palava upland, where is a nice view of the nature around, connected with visit to the castle in Valtice and also including the moravian wine degustation. The main evening program was composed partly of guests performances and partly of concerts whereon factorys allied musicians were introduced. Breaks were filled by typical moravian dulcimer music band, which was really rarity for guests from foreign countries...

Friday - welcome drink, guided factory-tour and discussion
samples from the "Old Furch expo" (left to right: roundback equipped by plastic top and roundback-dreadnought)
Saturday evening - let's party	Welcome speech, Jana and Frantisek
Chris Rasch (new acoustic)	Roger Schmidt (finger style)
Mr. Masato and Mr. Mizuno (folk)	Petr Muk (new romantic pop)
Andi Almkvist (blues)	Cop (bluegrass)
Cechomor (rock)
Sunday Sunrise

The beginning of summer holidays is regularly dedicated to the "Garden" festival and also in this year Furch® took part again, of course. This traditional "Furch Garage" is the only single, exclusive company's exhibition and selling action in Czech Republic.

The autumn activities are in token of prepairing works for new year. The development of special limited serie for year 2007 is just running and now we've focused on improvement of our model policy due to new informations and indications brought by the model offensive in past 2 - 3 years, which have to be used in practice.

Very important new: miss Mag, our external assistaint, translator and interpreter (also certificated cheese-chopper) is married since October 28th., 2006

Beginning of 2005 was, as always, completely about preparing for the Musikmesse fair. What was new for this time, was introducing of a new line called DURANGO. Till these days, the name Durango was used just for only one model, which was made as a second guitar for traveling and for use in rough conditions. But from introducing on market, DURANGO became a massive hit for it's non-tradicional and thundering sound. Because of this, the decision was to build a comlette line on DURANGO basics. The DURANGO colletion for Musimesse 2005 was preparing under new code name and was completted with new models. One of the new Durangos was made with rosewood body and optionally with coloured top. Also new Jazz guitar was included into the Durango range same as long time awaited come back of Furch's acustic bass guitar. Except this, so many tings happened. For example building adjustments on factory area, this time on the nearby wing, where the reconstruction for offices began.

We went for the 3-day bussines trip to Danmark in the middle of February. There we introduced the slaes-staff into the guitar range and we teached them to understand the Furch's-construction.

Lecture, discussion....same like at school	Old haven
Old haven	Queen's palace
Danish sunrise	Two bikers in the paradise: Frantisek Furch and P.O. Smedberg in the H-D shop in Helsinborg

Before Musikmesse,one important thing happened. We received message from Germany, that in ProArte company are some problems and Mr. Toni Grotz, director, one of the owners and also steelstring guitar specialist, is quiting the company. This fact, stand alone, is not looking is quite important, but the law and property compositions, all of this can affect the stability of ProArte and also cause serious problems in export for Furch and Standfort guitars on the German market. Musikmesse fair was quite nervuos what touchs the german market. But except this it was quite succesfull meeting with positive ending. The traditional meeting with the Scandinavien ‚expedition' happened too and was like always, interesting, funny and also important for bussines.

A lot of responses came, as ussual, after some time from end of the fair. We searched new bussines contacts with Italy. Not for the first time, but this time we hope it will be for longer perspective. On the basics from our earlier meetings, we strated maping the South Canada and North half of USA markets. We also have a oportunity to co-operate with one partner in UK. After Musikmesse we were able to move to our new oficces. After moving of all necessary technologies, we also moved our management team, which offices was allocated in the tiny and not very represantating place in our old building.

The summer season began at the festival "Garden"

In the end of August, we finaly find a succesful model for german market. In fact a model for separated functioning export for Furch and Stanford guitars. Only the future will show how we will work there, but we expect the return to past selling-No. will be slow. During the time from March to August the selling calm down so badly in Germany, that none remembers so bad situation what touchs the german market. Actualy it is the biggest decline in our time working in there. Succes on Italian, USA and UK markets is our priority for the autumn 2005 and the year 2006. Existing line 26 will be replaced in 2006. We also planig to introduce our limited edition guitar serie in 2006 too. The year 2006 should be the year of introducing the first and thematical limited serie for 25th anniversary of Furch guitars.

The reconstruction of the "new bulding" has carried on at the start of 2004.At the same time we of course planed our space out, the machinery, equipment, tools etc. was needed and some new employees,too. I must say everyone was looking forward to start in new space because all comfort is much more higher there.

At february 17. was produced the guitar with the production Nr. 18000 – it was D20-CM

Of course the production has carried on and as ussually we were finishing our news to be ready for Frankfurt Musikmesse. Than we definitelly decided to show up a new colection "vintage-bluegrass"(for now we have only two lines)and to introduse new prototypes with nylon strings.There were ready 3models- 2classical quitars educed from the standart 20-CM or 26-CJ and 1 hybrid model educed from F23-CR. The firm reassumes the ex-work experience where were a small offer of quitars with nylon strings educed from our normal models.In Durango line there were offered variants with "cutaway" and 12 strings.The Frankfurt messe was a bit late this year (to compare with the past)at the end of March.Our stand was at the same place as the other last 2 years. And it was showen in the same way. It brothe some good fixing or our contracts-since last year the trade was encriese in Ireland and Scandinavia.

exhibition ground, hall 3	everything arrived, just to install
a bit mess...wait a minute!	shield installed
almost ready – seems to be nice	silent exhibition-day morning...not so much frequented event
news 2004	scandinavian distribution network party (right P.O.Smedberg – exclusive importer for Scandinavia, left Tomas Danko – retail seller in Stockholm)
jamm session with irish friends	most beautiful girl at the show – miss Magda, our english speaking assistaint
male staff – from left to right: František Furch, Uwe Kuehn, Christian Rasch, Jiří Macháček	Christian and Uwe at work...

During the fair-time we started the moving to the new space. We managed not to stop the production. After moving of all technologie-centres to a new space we made another moving-in our ex-bulding. The technologie and the vorking points that stayed in the "old factory" we moved and reorganised so they can be used more effectively and comfortabely. It looks perfectly. If we manage to do another steps-to join the whole area in one, to rebuild one building to a social part and a wooden multi-store and the other one to a office and representative meeting rooms, then the firm will have a wonderfull area. In May we infolded some new employees to complete our team and since June we started to increase the capacity.

In the beginning of July the traditional exposition of Furch guitars during the music festival named "Garden" (realized in small town Namest) came true. Because of fact that there is no representative music trade fair organized in Czech Republic, company made the decision and starts presenting their products on this festival few years ago. This fair is one of the most favourited by the visitors and also most probably the Czech biggest open air festival of country, folk, tramp songs and related styles. Our attendance on this fair in earlier years was closer to sales and the guitar collection was not consistent. In the year 2004 at the first time our expo-collection for Garden was taken from Frankfurt. That means that the collection was complete and fully representative. It is delightfull, that the 'Furch's garage' is the well known place in Namest and has it's permanent visitors. It is one of the few places in Czechia, where you can practically test the complette sample collection of the Furch's instruments, which also contains the top class, and jam till you die.

Staff at work...........

In autumn we went for bussines trip to North Ireland(Ulster). Theres no other word for their conutry, architecture and everything, what we saw there, than the word FANTASTIC.

glenn	view to the Middle-Ages (medieval view)
glenn	Sheep-island (amphibious sheep-species?)
no comment......	Old Bushmills distillery - licensed by the king since 1608
God save the Queen,......and Eire.....and all of us

At the beginning of the year we are preparing for the introduction of new products – as usual – at the musical instruments trade fair in Frankfurt.

Our first hot new product is a simplified model listed as DD20-CM "Durango". Our aim is to offer a Furch guitar with a price tag around 8.000,- Kč on the czech market and give foreign competition a counterattack towards their discount models. This is especially true for the german market. Hit by a depression and pessimism it was recently flooded by the whole range of modified and simplified models with the aim to keep up the sales at any cost. Furch cannot ignore this trend and must react.

Durango is a model from the category "traveller", a guitar suited for the owners of higher class instruments who need a second one for the purpose of travelling or other activities in which case the original more valuable instrument would be threatened by a damage.

Another new product – a pack of new products in fact – is a complete collection of mandolins. Mandolins have not been manufactured by Furch for more than 2 years. Since spring 2003 they are back in the production and are made in 3 versions (A, F a D) and 3 quality lines.

As an added bonus a 6-string mandolin with a guitar tuning is also available. This one is useful for the guitar players who occasionaly need a typical mandolin sound in particular parts of their songs or sequences. Third new product is an arch top jazz guitar which also disappeared from the Furch catalogue nearly 2 years ago. So far only the basic model is being introduced but it will be supplemented with another 1 or 2 models in the future. Arch top guitar will enrich a Stanford line as well of course.

Very promising new product seems to be an attractive maple version of "23" line models. At the trade fair this was introduced as a "blonde". Other coloured versions as "amber", "vintage violin" or "old brown burst" are also on offer. In case of sufficient demand other attractive colours are possible for this model.

Trade fair has brought us new promising contacts in Japan and Ireland.

At the beginning of summer a new development has started on a first model from the independent branch of a Furch label aimed at the "vintage - bluegrass". This small collection of models should offer to the customer guitars in a style of old, used instruments with patina. Fashion of "vintage" is clearly felt recently and the instruments of this type are very beautiful and "trendy". This new product will not be included in the current collection but will have its own label. Only the future will tell if this sprout will live and proliferate or die. Similar enlargement of the collection is prepared for the label Stanford but this may be available later.

Parallel to this, other prototypes of the new products are being tested. – an idea of a small child guitar a prototype of which exists for nearly 2 years has been resurrected and introduced in Frankfurt 2002 under a name "Little Jane". Last but not least this new product is in fact a comeback – a classical guitar with nylon strings.

In the second part of 2OO3 we realised our biggest change in our firm existence.We managed to buy another bulding from the orgin area MILL. and we started the reconstuction for our production needs.The bulding where the firm was, and still is, that is a part of one wholle area of the mill witch was built in the 15th century. After tha world war II and mainly during era of communism the mill was set aside and the area was used in a different way. Each bulding were exploited by different users and the wholle area lost its round off and estetic price.

1. former barn, future wood storage - drying chamber and cloak-rooms, restrooms (building owned by other pearson, sale in progress)
2. former shed etc., building owned and expolited by other pearson
3. building owned and expolited by other pearson
4. former barn, future office- and meeting rooms
5. large yard
6. gateway
7. "new factory" building, former mill-works and granary
8. former mill-stream, filled since 80’s, area exploited as a yard (some rests of the mill-machinery are saved – see photos)
9. "old factory" building, former miller’s residence and mill-works
10. former mill-works, building owned and expolited by other pearson

"old factory" front – former millers residence	"old factory" yard (small)
dislocation – view from the small yard	"new factory" area – view from the roof
large yard	"new factory" front
"new factory" back view	"new factory" (view from the large yard)
future office and meeting rooms	future wood storage -drying chamber and restrooms
other area-buildings (aren’t exploited by Furch)	other area-buildings (aren’t exploited by Furch)
rests of the mill-machinery allocated in the territory of the former mill-stream	rests of the mill-machinery allocated in the territory of the former mill-stream

The FURCH firm exploited the front part (former living part) for the manufactories since 1992. Next mills bulding will be left as they are. Finally in fall 2003 the firm was ablle to buy a 4-floors bulding in a back part.Until December we managed to finish the reconstuction of the first floor(the ground floor) so we could celebrate the New Year's Eve there.

Apart from trying to meet the full production another unexpected problem arose. Czech currency was getting stronger each day. We had to explain that it is impossible for us to calculate prices according an Euro zone key quite simply because our currency hasn't got a fixed exchange rate to Euro. Solution was a compromise. Wondering what is going to happen to our production costs and prices when we join EC and how the customers will react.

Frankfurt trade fair has moved to a new hall. Luckily organizers kept the acoustic instruments from the loud expositions and so the customers could choose their instruments in peace. Furch presented new model "23" aimed to be a future bestseller. Unfortunately we are again on the lookout for a responsible distributor in Italy and France. Strangely enough several years in a row we've been having many interested parties; initial negotiations made, models for testing provided and it always finished in a dead point. Not unlike the last year we are slightly skeptical...why cannot these two contries follow the example of Germany and Scandinavia is a mystery!

We have made a contract with a producer of Elixir strings and from April onwards Furch will be a distributor of this brand in the Czech Republic.

Production is increasing step by step and by the end of midseason should double the one in 2001. A considerable cutdown in the production schedule has already been felt in the recent time.

During summer 2002 we managed to check the possibilities of a new technology and since the second half of the year we have stabilized our production at 11 pcs./day. In comparison to a previous period it means a real growth of cca. 90% (!!!). Our firm thus managed to offset the delay from the past days and reduce delivery terms. Gone is the once common 1/2yearly waiting period. Unfortunately in spite of the original expectation distribution of Elixir strings failed. Our firm of course keeps using these strings for the production but as far as the distribution on the czech market the current status quo is maintained. Still 2002 has become a kind of a breakthrough. Our firm has „cleaned its desk“, has reached increased quality, shortening of delivery terms, a product design was unified...

Just before Christmas firm had another reason to celebrate - a guitar model OM21-CR with production number 15000 left the premises to find its home in faraway Sweden.

New square bracing construction was tested and is getting ready for the market.

World premiere of this construction called "Furch square bracing - revolution" took place without any media attention in the Anaheim trade fair in January 2001. And yet it is only a few miles to Hollywood! Company paid its novice toll because the placement of Furch exposition was unsuitable. Trip to USA was in many respects very inspiring amongst others by the fact that we could visit Bob Taylor company in San Diego. We were slightly nervous from high expectations....we saw beautiful high-tech workshops, storage rooms, lots of space...a joy to behold. But we were leaving with a good spirit of knowing that we can also make good guitars.

Just a shame when thinking where we could have been if it wasn't for the bloody February 1948!

Frankfurt trade fair organizers separated for the first time this year acoustic guitars from other instruments and created a so called Acoustic village. This, as it turned out, was a very good idea. The atmosphere was more intimate with noise level much reduced and thus more pleasant for the customers and the business partners than the main halls 8 and 9.

We have managed to make new contacts of which the most promising is a new partner in Italy, Greece and France. We continue to cooperate with existing clients and expect to accelerate sales in Scandinavia as the Swedish partner extends his service to Denmark, Finland and Norway.

Activities in the last two seasons were to be vital and radical. Inspiration from the trip to USA coupled with growing demands from the customers in Europe lead to a complete technology remake. History is full of ebb and flow. Changes should have been vital and radical many times before. It was different this time. Changing guitar construction. Modernizing technology. Increasing efficiency. Time sequencing of the workplace. Saving on space. These were the priorities.

Massive preparation was quite unexpected and took the whole summer. First stage production halted and the reconstruction started. After three weeks the finishing line has stopped as well so far working with stocked material. In a month the whole production technology was turned upside down. Specialized workplaces were created with the aim to increase effectivity. Many new machines and technology were added. The building inside was never the same anymore. Period of testing was to follow shortly. No need to rush anything...another testing, recording and calculations. By the end of the year the primary phase is finished. Next year the full production will be counted on.

Due to an extensive technical and technological changes "square bracing" technology has been postponed indefinitely and the construction returned to more traditional "x-bracing" though slightly modified. "Square bracing" technology thus remains in a prototype stage and later it will be decided of its future.

Based on the experience of 1999 the company made the Millennium collection its first priority. Based on customer feedback - both from the field and from our shop in Brno we decided to provide a sales and merchandising support for our retail customers. Display and merchandising also took prominent place in the company's priorities and merchandising panels were created for a small number of secreted customers. This gave the opportunity to show the entire Furch production, including the top range products.

This support is being extended to six customers - 2 in Prague and 1 each in Ostrava, Ceske Budejovice, Hradec Kralove and Dvur Kralove. Time will show if and how to extend this merchandising support. One should add that guitars Furch and Stanford are available across the whole of the Czech republic, in addition to this selected number of special customers.

From an international point of view, the most important event was the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany. Our own stand contained the most extensive display to date and also included frequent live performances from Teagrass - a top Czech group.

Based on the feedback of our business partners from abroad, the exhibition was successful and we gained several new customers as well as continuing our existing business relationships.

The hot news of summer 2000 is a new design of the top desk of our guitars and currently we are testing prototypes.

Guitars with brand new square bracing top are being tested in summer/autumn 2000. In some cases the players don't know what's new about their guitar. The purpose of this was to get the most convincing judgement unbiased by the players attitude towards the new construction.

Technology testing is under way. Cooperation with the domestic and foreign dealers is limited by one single factor a capacity of production. Company is urgently seeking better and bigger production rooms. Unfortunately all of the possible options are beyond the scope of F.M.I.

Meanwhile rather unexpected boom of sales on the German market took place. It was the new Stanford F1Stage. This model was to satisfy an increasing demand for the general purpose stage guitar with reduced body. It has to be said that this type of model was in the company's catalog in 1994(!) when the model DX.62 was introduced. Well...one cannot be a prophet.

In October company started some negotiations with Fishman Transducers about the exclusive representation for the Czech Republic. These were successful and since November F.M.I. is an official dealer for the Fishman products. Storage and distribution is based in Brno - city icluding the product manager office.

Our company decided to start the new millenium in style: by entering the unknown territory. It was decided to exhibit for the first time in the trade fair NAMM in Anaheim near L.A. California.

By the end of January a new and complete guitar serie of 2nd generation - Millenium was introduced.

Change of design of the newest generation of guitars brought a significant shift in the quality of sound and the durability of structure design, too. People present at the promotion proved that fact unanimously. Simultaneously, the new line of Stanford guitars designated to be exported only was introduced onto Czech market. As an exhibition joint venture with the strongest foreign partner both product lines in full were introduced at Frankfurt fair by the beginning of March.

There has been a very favorable response to new models. We at Furch Musical Instruments fully trust our products and craftsmanship. And we've got really weighty arguments for that to say. That is more than 9, 000 guitars played by musicians in the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, France, USA, Slovakia, Denmark, Norway, Taiwan, Slovenia, Lithuania and God only knows where else.

The first half of 1999 was in the shadow of a reduced demand both in the domestic and export markets. We needed to look to our own internal resources in order to find new customers. This led to an appointment of a salesman who made direct sales calls in all the regions of the Czech republic. Thus we managed to keep our production facility running and sell complete production with no delays. Additionally, steps were taken to further improve the production technology and efficiency.

During autumn, F.M.I. took part in a Musical Trade Fair in Prague with a resulting increase in sales and also in some very interesting market feedback. Nevertheless we came to an inevitable conclusion that the Millennium collection for 1999 did not satisfy the demands of the marketplace and the rest of 1999 was spent on a total redesign of the Millennium 2000 collection, which was subsequently presented to the key customers at the end of the year.

Additionally, it was recognised that the display of the products plays an ever increasing role in the sales policy and in a location which is more accessible than the factory in Velke Nemcice. In November 1999 a new dedicated showroom was opened in the centre of Brno, giving a complete selection of the Furch current production. At any given time more than 100 guitars are available for sale, together with specialist advice given by experienced staff. A repair service, sales of accessories and credit facilities are also offered.

An additional bonus - towards the end of the year - was a new contact with a business partner in Great Britain which together with the new designs and a new showroom were seen as the positive contributions of 1999.

Again, the strategy had its say. The company participated at the Frankfurt music fair again. And again, the success came out. Cooperation with a strong Swedish partner seemed to be very promising. STANFORD guitars that replaced original Furch instruments sold in Germany marked a really solid start in a short time. At the turn of spring and summer, Furch Musical Instruments were trying to revitalize dying business in Italy. That's why company exhibited at the fair in Rimini. Reaching the top limit of possibilities, the production boosted up to fifty guitars a week. However, the financial situation improved rather slowly. That was the reason why there was a need to employ hard economic measures. At the same time, a decision to build company existence on the new basis emerged. Final touching up on a completely new line of guitars (already under way) was accelerated and a new prototype was introduced at the Czech fair Muzika Praha. Presentation of new line of products bearing the name "Millenium" was planned for the beginning of 1999.

On account of above mentioned economical factors Furch Musical Instruments is canceling participation at the Frankfurt and Praha music fairs and exhibits later in autumn fair in Wroclaw, Poland. The guitar line was to stay with no changes. There was a steep fall of demand for "roundback", once hot item. Beside the Czech market, the great and steady demand was also in Netherlands, Switzerland and especially in Poland. Some stagnation showed up in Germany. That was obviously connected with the market strategy of local representative not the product itself. On the contrary, a new partner entered scene in Austria. The company was working on the parallel line of guitars of different character and more conservative design. Some finishing touches were put to it gradually. A new German partner introduced new product line onto the German market. That product line was sold under the name of "Stanford". Forced by coming crisis the company began to solve its economic problems intensively. Strict terms of payment were to be introduced shortly. In the course of year the production was equipped with new technologies, new employees were hired - there were 25 of them by the end of March 1997 - the production capacity was about 40 guitars a week. By the end of the year that was brought up to more than 50 instruments a week. Furch Musical Instruments extended instrument guaranty from one to two years.

The season started with own exposition at Frankfurt's fair. The company was well received by broad public. We introduced samples from entire line of products including few really "hot" items to prove that "we can make it tick". Cooperation with French, Italian and Polish partners followed right away. Furch guitars received very good welcome in Germany - They ended up with very good rating. The top of the line model D.63 LUX tested by Fachblatt music magazine was called "the wolf in sheep's clothing". The best was to come yet - Furch guitars have just literally invaded Poland. To support such a wonderful start, company participated at the national fair in Wroclaw. Production came up to 30 guitars a week. There was emerging so far unknown specific Czech phenomenon of that time - many customers ceased to pay their invoices or just paid very late. In short time, pending claims and debts accounted to the sum of a few million Czech crowns. Not only external pressure, also some internal problems add up to the seriousness of that situation. Regardless that the company continued to improve its products to be received home and abroad as those of very good quality and fully competitive.

F.M.I. altogether with the importer introduced complete line of wooden acoustic guitars including commercially successful LUX modifications.

The position onto local market as well as the one at the Muzika Praha fair was proved to be steady.

Exportation to Holland and Switzerland started. Production reached 25 guitars a week. A new technology and higher quality had its say. The problem of preliminary material preparation, quality of varnish and neck design was solved. Unfortunately, not enough of attention was paid to the company economy. Due to the fact that customers still had to wait 1/2 year to get their instruments - that was considered to be the main trouble - the main problem seemed to be the production capacity. Company started to use a new, very successful logo.

In spring, Furch Musical Instruments company together with its German partner hit the exhibition at Frankfurt's fairground. For the first time were presented three categories of solid wooden guitars and acoustic bass guitars as well as traditional "roundbacks".

In that time there were 15 employees producing about twenty guitars a week. The demand was much higher than the production was. That's why the owner highlighted the importance of production volume. Furch guitars were sold out 1/2 a year prior to their actual production. Despite of such a long delivery term they still were in higher demand. The main prove was the feedback of the exposition at the Czech Musical Instruments fair in Praha.

Trademark Furch has became rather steady name on the Czech market. Sole strategic reasons were those to drive along the road to foreign markets. The reason was to lower economic dependency on local - until then steady - market where only smaller businesses encountered the fact of life that everything is not that all right the way it seemed to be like.

In 1993 the company already employed twelve people and its weekly production came to ten guitars. Need for space was even bigger thus resulting in renting of an old mill building. The company moved after rebuilding and modification of the interior. Musical instruments began to be delivered all over the Czech Republic and demand grew higher than was the production capacity. Furch Musical Instruments were presented at international fair in Frankfurt am Main in Germany for the first time but as the part of exposition of some supplier. Decision to switch towards development of further new guitar models to be built entirely of wood was about to be made. That was due to the fact of momentarily shortsightedness to be focused at the "roundbacks" only.

Prototypes were ready right in the beginning of summer. At the same time we began the cooperation with our German partner and our company launched small series of products to be sold on such a key market.

Details were finalized while stepping onto the new market requiring higher quality standards.

Fortunately the years 1986-1987 brought a light loosening of steel communist fist. Even the Czech harsh communist gerontocracy couldn't ignore Mr. Gorbachov's "perestroyka" forever. The mentioned loosening of regime brought on certain development of minority of music genres that could finally hit the stage. That was the turning point. Result was soon to come - market for Furch guitars started to grow steadily.

By the end of 1988 and beginning of 1989, there was some relax in the air of private business. That resulted in relaxing manners for Mr. Furch's workshop, too. After the "velvet revolution" in November 1989 all walls were torn down and the beginning of 1990 meant the official foundation or if you wish, registration of FURCH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS company

There were first two employees and the instruments reached official market network for the first time in company history. Hungry market eagerly swallowed tide of imported multi-production guitars of no good quality, not to mention their zero value. Furch guitars were real top-notch instruments at that time and company production couldn't satisfy demand of crowd of musicians. In the short time more new employees were hired and the company moved from the family garage into rented commercial space at former school.

The first musical instruments signed Furch were created in 1981. At that time Frantisek Furch then a banjo player - who is the owner of present company - played for several years with various country and blue-grass bands.

After he returned back from the military service the band line-up got steady, so they step ahead towards the quality of their music. Any future development of promising group of young musicians had unfortunately encountered a phenomenon, better to say a real, nowadays rather strange and banal looking problem that was - a quality of musical instruments then. Well, there is a certain need to realize one important thing. The scenario was placed in the time of deep socialist culture under the tough Czechoslovak communist regime that was officially boasting with propaganda of lush life what in fact provided people with very reduced, let's say almost no supplies of anything needed for their everyday life. Musicians had to find an alternative to their problems with quality of musical instruments. One way was to build the wanted instrument just by yourself. And that was highly demanding solution requiring certain prerequisite - a strong, skilled craftsmanship. Frantisek Furch was the one who selected the last but definitely not the least one. First of all he built himself a banjo. All his luthier experience was based upon some TV shows, photos and a few real instruments seen "live" so far.

The next to come was a very popular and demanded "roundback" - the Ovation style guitar in 80's. He trusted his own skills and it paid back soon. During the short time the "word of mouth" came 'round - somebody started to produce great sounding home-made guitars. Owing to that sort of chain-reaction promotion, Furch guitars began to be really "in" and so appraised. Beside his main profession, Mr. Furch decided to devote his skills and craftsmanship to production and improvement of his starting model. We are sorry to remind you one more time that that was a time of "deep socialism" in Czechoslovakia. Any private venture was strictly forbidden. Anyone who police accused and charged with the "not-permitted enterprise and for enriching him/herself" has got a life-long lasting sign - sort of brand like a cattle.

As time passed by, a few dozens of guitars had been created in a small garage below the family house. Those instruments were mostly to reach above average and the top musicians of the Czech music scene then.