Company Profile
The genealogy of Makin organs can be traced back to the first experiments of synthetic organ tone made by Compton Organs Ltd, the famous pipe and electronic organ builder, whose farsighted founder, John Compton experimented with synthetic generation of organ tone back in the 1920’s. Makin itself was founded in 1970 when it acquired part of Compton Organs Ltd and continued with the innovation started half a century earlier.
Since then Makin has built and maintained an excellent reputation for supplying organs of the highest quality and providing a caring relationship with customers once the organ has been built and installed. Indeed the majority of new installations are as a result of recommendations from satisfied customers. Makin continues to offer a complete service to its customers employing enough staff to cover the whole country. From the initial digital sampling of organ pipes to the final installation and ongoing after sales service work, Makin experts are on hand to ensure that the organ is installed, voiced and cared for thereafter in an efficient and professional manner.
Makin puts great emphasis on utilising the very latest technology. In the 1970’s the Compton electrostatic mechanical generator system was replaced by the revolutionary analogue design which, in time, transformed the role of the pipeless organ from that of a second best alternative to being a first rate choice.
In the 1980’s the ‘Bradford’ digital system came to the fore which by the early 1990’s was replaced by digital sampling. Since then major technological steps have been made with ‘real time’ sampling techniques resulting in the organs we produce today in the Westmorland Custom range. However, the story won’t stop here, since Research & Development continues to be a vital element in the continual success and indeed expansion of the company, with twelve full time staff being involved in that part of the business. Indeed it is only with using the latest digital technology and techniques that Makin stays ahead of the competition and offers customers the benefits of ever improving tonal quality with ever more realistic pipe organ sounds. Our latest ‘MultiSamples’ technology where each individual note has a separate sample exemplifies how our research continues to keep us at the forefront as the market leader.
Makin is a financially stable company which is professionally managed and run by organists for organists, so you can be sure from the first contact with us that our experts will speak and understand your language.
Managing Director, Dr Keith Harrington joined Makin Organs in May 2004 bringing with him many years experience in the chemical software industry in a wide range of roles encompassing Sales, Marketing, Business Administration and Customer Support. Keith fell in love with the organ at a young age and started his organ study with Reg Holmes at Norbury St Thomas, Hazel Grove where he was in the choir. For fifteen years he was organist and choirmaster of St Matthew’s Parish Church, Edgeley and classes himself as an average parish organist. After an exhaustive search of the all competition, he purchased his first home practice instrument, a 3 manual drawstop organ with a custom specification, from Makin back in 2001. Sometime later after taking over as MD, Keith upgraded to a 4 manual drawstop organ with 75 stops. After seeing and playing so many organs in America whilst on business, he joined the AGO. In his spare time Keith is involved heavily in the local community and is on the Governing body of two local schools, teaches Business Studies classes and thoroughly enjoys making high quality traditional wooden furniture in his own workshop.
Richard Goodall is the Makin Senior Organ Consultant, based at our Mixbury showroom where he is responsible for sales to customers south of Birmingham. After obtaining his MA in Music from Oxford, and his ARCO, he became well-known amongst church musicians as a member of the Publications Department at the RSCM during its time at Addington Palace. Since then, Richard has worked within the musical instruments industry, including time with another digital organ manufacturer, as well as a major multi-national company. Richard’s previous church appointments have included Watford Parish Church, and St Mary's Parish Church, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, as well as nearly five years spent as Director of the University of London Church Choir. Having also served until recently on the RSCM Oxfordshire Area Committee, Richard has been Organist and Choir Director at St Margaret's Church in Oxford since the autumn of 2003.
Corbie Harrington came to Makin in September 2004 and became Financial Controller in January 2005. She brings with her considerable IT experience from a number of roles with small companies and notable bookkeeping skills with charitable organisations. Corbie is also responsible for the QA and testing of all instruments prior to installation and occasionally forms part of the installation team. Corbie was a church treasurer for a number of years and well understands the financial challenges that face PCC’s and the like. Corbie has a musical background in terms of solo instruments and until recently a contralto in choir of St Matthew’s Church, Edgeley.
Nicky Howarth joined Makin straight from leaving school and has steady moved up in the ranks in the twenty five years since. In her current role as PreSales Manager she overseas the installation of loan, demonstration, hire and purchased instruments. Nicky remains a firm favourite with customers who enjoy her pleasant and efficient manner.
Administration Manager Jo Swain joined Makin in 2005. She has many years experience of administration within a number of different companies and as you will discover she is a delight to speak to on the telephone. As PostSales Manager at Makin she is responsible for all customer care. A pianist to a high standard, maybe she will take up the organ as well?
James Harker joined Makin in early 2006 as Organ Consultant and is responsible for sales to customers north of Birmingham up to and including the Shetland Isles. James is well known in the organ world having been an apprentice at Nicholson’s where he learnt significant voicing and design skills, and subsequently as Organ Scholar at both Newcastle Cathedral and Malvern Priory. More recently he was Assistant at Doncaster Minster and Director of Music at Marsden Parish Church before taking up his present appointment as Director of Music at St Mark's Parish Church Glodwick, close to the Makin Organs Head Office. In addition to his wide practical experience and gifts as a performer, James brings with him considerable knowledge in the tonal design of organs, including the characteristics of historical specifications by the major British and European organ builders. Moreover, and given his background, James has now taken on the responsibility of Principal Voicer for the company, including the tonal finishing of all Westmorland Custom installations.
As Maintenance Manager, being with Makin since 1985 it is often said that what David Fetterman doesn’t know about Makin Organs simply doesn’t need to be known. An ever popular member of the team with customers, David takes the lead on servicing work north of Birmingham and plays a vital role in the training of new staff engineers and the continual assessment and monitoring of our third-party engineer network. David is also responsible for working closely with our partners at Johannus for the development of new components and systems for our organs and for the development of QA and QC procedures.
Chris French joined Makin in September 2003, after a number of years experience in various electronics industries in a variety of customer facing roles. On completion of extensive initial product training in Shaw, he is now based in our southern office at Mixbury. Chris is responsible for the maintenance and servicing of organs that are south of Birmingham. Chris was not musical in the past, but his role has ignited an interest in music, and he now has an ambition to learn to play the organ.
Danny Devall joined Makin after leaving school in August 2010 as a Trainee Engineer. In addition to shadowing the Makin team of Engineers, Danny will also be learning how to voice our instruments as he is a good organist with an ear for how an organ should sound and will be helping out at our Open Days and RoadShows.
Geoff Ashton is a Member of the Institute of Business Consulting and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. He has been Makin’s Financial and IT Consultant for a number of years and has significant business experience in a variety of companies from the smallest local business up to multi-national companies. His career has encompassed many aspects of sales, training, finance, accounting and general management. Currently he is working on the on-going development and implementation of our Management Accounting, Forecasting and Contact Management systems. His hobbies include Amateur Radio and Hill Walking.
Installation Manager, Steve Lanyon joined Makin straight from college some 30 years ago as an apprentice where he learned significant electronic skills in building the organs of the day. Steve now spends much time on the road visiting customers and prospective installations since he is now responsible for the organisation and planning of all installations from start to finish. In this role, he liaises closely with sales and office staff to ensure that the installation process is smooth. He always works to ensure that all customer needs, requirements and expectations are met and indeed exceeded.
Robert Slater has a lifetime of experience as a cabinet maker and polisher which has been invaluable to Makin through the years. He specialises in the production of speaker enclosures made to specific and exacting designs by church architects and organ advisors. He is frequently involved in the installation of new and modified instruments where his craftsman’s skills can often come to the fore by adding unique finishing touches.
Graham Slater has been installing Makin organs for the last ten years, and has been involved in literally hundreds of installations from the smallest home instrument through to the largest cathedral organs. His background as a highly skilled cabinet maker has been a significant bonus to the company when on site modifications to speaker enclosures become necessary. Graham has no fear of heights and is often found at the top of the tallest scaffold tower.