Article
Consumer Goods New Mexico

Global Research is Instrumental for Guitar Manufacturer

Model DC Canton Custom Guitar is a custom six-string guitar

Canton Custom Instruments, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a producer and designer of custom six, seven, and eight-string guitars, and four-, five-, and six-string bass guitars. Canton received a Matrix + 3 Country Reports on the trends in the musical instruments market from the Rural Export Center. RAISE Research is an in-depth market research service provided through the U.S. Commercial Service (CS). Canton Custom Instruments received a customized Potential Partner List, which provides them with credible potential partners in two countries of their choosing. The Potential Partner List service included: 1) A Potential Partner List of 37 potential importers/dealers of guitars in two countries, 2) feedback from in-country CS offices on the identification of potential buyers/partners/distributors, 3) a list of relevant trade shows, and 4) recommendations for the best next steps and potential action items.

“It has been a great business move for me to be able to work with RAISE,” said Rick Canton, Owner of Canton Custom Instruments. “I choose two key countries to do research on and to generate potential business contacts. What RAISE did was nothing short of amazing. My business is now set up to expand into many sections of the two countries which could create a solid customer base for years to come. I am very grateful to have been able to work with the REC & I look forward to working on more projects with the REC in the near future.” 

U.S. Commercial Service partnered with the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Office of International Trade to provide a grant for Canton Custom Instruments through the Small Business Administration (SBA) STEP Grant.

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