At the other end of the technological range, Métronome were one of the first companies to engage with touchscreen technology. As many companies have discovered to their cost, that’s a challenging field, especially when every potential customer is carrying a benchmark for touchscreen performance in their pocket. But both look at and operate the AQWO and you’ll soon realise that Métronome’s screens are bigger, more sophisticated and more reliable than most, a superiority that they are confident of maintaining.
Perusing the price lists for both Kalista and Métronome throws up one other unusual trait. As well as the latest products, the company keeps the previous models available, as long as there is a remaining demand. That might seem odd at first, but given the modular/expandable nature of many of the individual units, it actually offers customers considerable reassurance in the on-going value of their investment. So, for example, consider someone who has invested in the Kalista DreamPlay ONE or CD and wants to now add the matching streaming chassis. Look in the price list and you discover that, despite the arrival of DreamPlay X and XC, with their inbuilt streaming functionality, the separate, stackable DreamPlay STREAM is still available, maintaining the upgrade path for his (or her) existing unit(s). With digital products at this price level, that longevity and continuity is both unusual and to be valued.
Emerging from the Covid shut downs, I asked how the pandemic had impacted the company. The answer is that in real terms the affects are more operational than structural. They lost a couple of staff during the Covid period and those posts haven’t been filled, maintaining a manageable head-count of nine. However, demand is such that they may have to consider expansion, both in terms of staff and accommodation. The purpose-built facility was designed to allow for just that eventuality, but walking through the premises, you discover the biggest single impact of the Covid era. Métronome has always followed a policy of maintaining available stock levels, in the sales channel and at the factory. It’s a policy that is reflected in the size and capacity of the storage area and goods outward bay. Except that these days, more and more of the racking is occupied with parts, components and metalwork, a necessary investment if you are going to maintain ready stocks and a prompt delivery policy. It’s a clear reflection that component lead times, material costs and parts availability have all suffered in recent years. Languishing a long way behind the automotive, medical electronics and computer industries creates a new and harsh reality for small-scale, specialist manufacturing. And those challenges extend beyond the availability of digital components and chips into the realms of raw-materials, casework and sub-assemblies, all of which have suffered in terms of price and availability. It’s a situation that has impacted the entire audio industry, but seeing those racks stuffed with parts really brings home what it means to small businesses and the steps necessary to meet market demand.
