With the help of wife Madge, his new business steadily began to take off, and soon his home address was no longer capable of holding the now-considerable throughput of musical merchandise which by this time included some self-branded lines, and so the first of various local storage premises were acquired by means of expansion. At one time, these included the town's old cinema and car park, plus the police station next door!

In late 1965 and now firmly established as a limited company, JHS joined the burgeoning government-inspired export market drive by securing their first international customers, reinforced by a company presence at the following year's Frankfurt Music Fair, since which time the company has attended annually with an ever-stronger presence.

JHS was one of the first companies to appreciate the manufacturing benefits of a truly international catalogue, and since those early steps abroad, imported merchandise has taken precedence in the JHS catalogue, with the Far East and the USA playing a prominent role in providing JHS with catalogue supply.

Worldwide Leader
Substantial growth with loyal staff and a sound customer base has seen John Hornby Skewes become a leader in worldwide distribution of musical merchandise, instrument amplification and pro-audio equipment. That effective early decision to carry self-branded merchandise continues to this day too, and JHS also have international distribution for their comprehensive signature Fret-King electric guitars, Encore and Vintage acoustic and electric guitar and bass range, Antoni stringed instruments, Kinsman cases and Odyssey brass and woodwind instruments. Today, their catalogue carries some of the music industry's biggest names such as the truly innovative Ovation roundback guitar range, for whom JHS are sole UK and Eire distributors.

Many other JHS-branded instruments and accessories also feature throughout the music product range, from brass and woodwind, to percussion. In fact, browsing through this year's JHS catalogue range reveals over 4000 products under some 50 brand names, with a customer base covering over 30 different countries.

Nowadays, a huge, purpose-built warehousing complex spread over a four-acre site on the outskirts of Garforth means that this company, now the largest family-owned independent musical merchandise distributor in the UK, will continue to thrive and expand.

JHS is actively involved on a demonstration and promotion basis in the many music and consumer shows which take place throughout the UK and the world every year. Plus, as a further means of product promotion, JHS have also organised their own annual trade-only exhibition show, the JHS Event, over recent years as an effective focus of presentation for the company's extensive catalogue. This is held on the company's Garforth premises, and the continuing success of the JHS Event means it has quickly become an established part of the music business calendar, attended by a significant number of names from both the retail trade and music press.

Gear
Ever aware of the need for continuous product promotion in an increasingly competitive market, JHS launched "Gear", a musicians' magazine distributed free to a huge customer database as well as throughout the UK in the vast majority of music shops. With a print run of over 120,000, "Gear" has already enjoyed considerable success both with readers, customers and trade alike.

John H Skewes

Over the past 41 years, John Skewes has become established as a figurehead in the British musical instrument industry. He was elected president of the Association of Musical Instrument Industries in 1987/88. John continues his work in this area with an active role in the (now) Musical Industries Association, forwarding his ideal of promoting healthy trading practices backed up by positive innovation. He also sits on the Board Of Management of the Music Trades Benevolent Society.
As far as hobbies are concerned, he is a keen golfer and is a past captain of Garforth golf club, and the President of M.I.G.S., the Musical Industry Golf Society.

The Directors of John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd.

Mr John Hornby Skewes Chairman.

Mrs Madge Skewes Deputy Chairman.

Dennis Drumm Joined as Area Sales Manager in 1980. Became the Executive Director 1985, a main board Director in 1987, and in April 2003 was appointed Managing Director.

Linda Drumm (nee Skewes) Joined after graduating in 1973. Director since 1979.

Karen Malcolm Commenced July 1987. Director since 2003.

Peter Rayner Joined in 1985 as Company Secretary and Financial Director since 1986.

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All products contained within the JHS website are available throughout the United Kingdom and Eire from all good music stores.

Please note, as trade only distributors we do not sell direct to the general public.

Specifications, colours and pricing are subject to change without prior notice.

Please contact your local music store. If you experience any difficulty in obtaining the products you require please contact us at webinfo@jhs.co.uk Please include your name, address and postcode.