July 2012

Manuel Rodriguez Guitars Built by Solar Power

Guitarras Manuel Rodriguez & Sons, the 106-year-old classical guitar company now in its third generation of family ownership, is more ahead of the times than ever with its push towards creating sustainable, eco-friendly instruments.

Three months ago, the firm had hundreds of solar panels installed on its Toledo, Spain-situated factory's 10,000m2 roof, producing 100 kilowatts of energy.

Owner Manuel Rodriguez III said: “Currently we have 100kW of capacity, and we use 80% of the energy to build our guitars. We now plan to expand every two years until we get to 300kW or more – we have a very big roof with loads of space!”

The firm are also in the two-year process of applying for Wood Certification from the internationally-recognised Forest Stewardship Council, which will provide guarantees that their instruments are all constructed from sustainable sources.

Another step they are taking is to introduce a biomass heating system to their factory, meaning that heat is provided through burning off their own waste products, without the need for fossil fuels.

And Manuel Rodriguez himself can now get to work sustainably too, thanks to his hybrid Toyota Prius car – which is also fitted with roof solar panels.

Using only the finest woods, and hand forming each to precise tolerances, Manuel Rodriguez develops distinctive guitars fit for the world’s leading artists. Each instrument is as unique and individual as the musician who plays it, and with prices ranging from the hundreds to thousands of pounds, there is a guitar available for every level of player.

> Manuel Rodriguez Classical Guitars

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