Martin Guitars, the choice of musical legends Elvis Presley, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, John Lennon, and many others, have been proudly Made in Lehigh Valley for nearly two centuries. 

Why did the company put down roots here? What makes the Lehigh Valley so special that a global brand has remained here for generations? How has Martin shaped the community—and how is it preparing for its future here?

Those questions were at the heart of the conversation at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Fall Signature Event, “Lehigh Valley: Making Products & Making Places.”

The story of C.F. Martin & Co., the maker of Martin Guitars, was among those shared on Nov. 11 at Archer Music Hall in downtown Allentown. The event celebrated the innovation, resilience, and community spirit that has shaped the Lehigh Valley’s economic renaissance.

Thomas Ripsam, President & CEO of C.F. Martin & Co., joined leaders from other global brands based in Lehigh Valley – Crayola, Lutron Electronics, Mack Trucks, and Olympus – for a panel discussion about why the Lehigh Valley is such a draw for iconic makers.

Here’s why Martin Guitars are Made in Lehigh Valley.

From Germany to German-Speaking Lehigh Valley

In 1833, German immigrant C.F. Martin established his guitar-making business in New York City. Six years later, he moved the company to the Lehigh Valley at the suggestion of his wife Ottilia after she visited some family friends who lived in the Nazareth area. He set up shop in German-speaking territory on the outskirts of Nazareth, in the enclave of Cherry Hill. Nazareth at the time was a closed community that was not open to the Martin family because they were not Moravians. Martin later joined the Moravian church, according to the Moravian Archives.

In 1859, C.F. Martin & Co. moved into the borough.

“And since then, that's been the home of the Martin family,” Ripsam said during the panel discussion at LVEDC’s Fall Signature Event. “The company is owned by the Martin family, it’s six generations. I think the average family-owned business lasts something like between two and three generations. So, six generations of family-owned is really spectacular.”

“We have generations of coworkers, families that have worked with Martin a long time. They are totally entrenched in the community. A big part of our values is that if you work for Martin, you have to actively participate in the community. We donate time, we donate a lot of money. We participate in various organizations … giving back is a big deal for us, and we believe strongly in that.”

Built on People

“The history has always been crafting the highest-quality products. And so where does it come from? Ultimately, it comes from the people,” Ripsam said.

“The human touch is very important along the whole process of building our guitars, which takes about 300 steps. So, the human touch and the experience to actually produce something that's great sounding, looks incredible, is flawless, it really takes experience … these people, they’ve honed their craft over a long period of time. And that's the essence of what makes us great.”

Secret to Success

“You have to stay relevant by having a really good pulse on what's going in the world, and then you have to evolve,” Ripsam said.

“The people that work for us, they can't just be focused on the company, inwardly focused. They have to be outwardly focused as well ... because if they don't know what's happening in Japan with guitars, we may just become irrelevant very quickly in that part of the world.

The secret to Martin Guitar’s success?

“Be rooted in a home location, in who you are and what you do, and really play the long game,” Ripsam said. “Because in my mind, that's how you create something that's unique and differentiated.”

Vibrant Community & Manufacturing Foundation

In an interview with LVEDC following the Fall Signature Event, Ripsam elaborated on the advantages the Lehigh Valley offers to Martin Guitar and other manufacturers.

“Here in the Lehigh Valley, we have a vibrant community, and that means people care for the Lehigh Valley. People care for each other,” he said.

“There's a great manufacturing base. So many manufacturers are here that represent different sectors. So, for us as a manufacturer, it's really important to have that broader foundation, with other manufacturers here, and with access to universities that offer programs and curricula that link to manufacturing. So, I think there's just a great environment for somebody like us to be here, to live here, for our people to have a great quality of life.”

Lehigh Valley Connects to the World

Being in a location within a day’s drive of one-third of U.S. consumers, and with access to international airports and ports, is key for Martin Guitar, Ripsam said. 

“We import a lot of materials from all over the world. We also export our guitars and strings and other products all over the world. So, I think the location is important to have connection to the world, and the Lehigh Valley definitely has that.”

Editor’s Note: In the coming weeks, LVEDC will be publishing articles about the history and innovation occurring at the other companies highlighted at the Fall Signature Event – City Center Group, Crayola, Lutron Electronics, Mack Trucks, and Olympus Corporation of the Americas.

LVEDC’s Fall Signature Event also included: 

• Remarks from J.B. Reilly, President of City Center Group that developed Archer Music Hall. He explained how the venue was created to be a centerpiece of Downtown West, a live-work-play neighborhood that was honored last year with an award from the Urban Land Institute.
• An audience-participation Lehigh Valley trivia contest, hosted by Grover Silcox, five-time Emmy Award-winning on-air host and reporter at WLVT PBS39. The winners received Lehigh Valley gift baskets with prizes donated by Archer Music Hall, Mack Trucks, and Martin Guitar.
• Music by singer and guitarist Sam Houseal, an employee of Martin Guitar who performed on stage.
• Caricature sketches by artist Alexander Clare, using Crayola products.
• Product displays by the featured companies.

The sponsors of LVEDC’s Fall Signature Event, “Lehigh Valley: Making Products & Making Places,” were:

Presenting Sponsor: Highmark Blue Shield

Venue Sponsor: City Center Group

Platinum Sponsors: Crayola and Freshpet.

Cocktail Sponsor: Klunk & Millan Advertising.

Gold Sponsors: Alvernia University, B. Braun, J.G. Petrucci Company, Inc., Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, and St. Luke's University Health Network.

Silver Sponsors: Archer Music Hall, BMI Mergers & Acquisitions, Boyle Construction, BSI Corporate Benefits, Comcast, Julabo USA, Lutron Electronics , Marshall Industrial Technologies, NJM, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, OraSure Technologies, Inc., QNB Bank, SERVPRO Team Davis, and TWG Security.