WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED IN / 2021
C. F. Martin & Co. remains forever committed to being a socially responsible organization, and we want to share that commitment with the world. To that end, we have developed this annual impact report, which details some of our efforts to care for our employees, our local and global communities, and the environment. This report will serve as a framework to advance these efforts and provide an update of annual progress.
/ 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 / OUR MISSION 3 / A LETTER FROM THOMAS RIPSAM 4 / CULTURE 7 / COMMUNITY 15 / ENVIRONMENT
A LETTER FROM THOMAS
RIPSAM
Dear Martin Community,
One reason I was so excited to join this incredible organization last year is the pure sense of pride and passion that is evident in its employees, loyal customers, and business partners across the globe. The company recognizes this and makes every effort to share its success through ongoing programs supporting local and global communities, our colleagues, and the environment. While we will always strive to do more, the company is doing some fantastic work, and I am so proud to share our efforts through this annual impact report.
Sincerely, Thomas Ripsam President and CEO
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For nearly two centuries, the one constant that has made C. F. Martin & Co special is its people. Without the dedicated employees who show up every day and take pride in making the best acoustic guitars and strings in the world, we would not be thriving today. And we know this will be true for centuries to come. So, it is no surprise that nurturing our company culture is at the top of our priority list. Here, we will share a few programs in place to ensure our co-workers’ well-being.
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Martin’s wellness program incentivizes employees to participate in wellness activities by reducing their healthcare premiums by for an average annual premium reduction of27–78% $479.96. ENCOURAGES EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE AND BE HEALTHIER. Martin implemented SAFE WORK PLAN POLICIES and Procedures and ESTABLISHED A COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM. / 5 COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Martin strongly encourages our colleagues to find creative ways to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability in all aspects of the business. As part of this continuous improvement program, the company offers a rewards and recognition system for participants.
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At C. F. Martin & Co., we know that we would not be successful without the tremendous support of our customers and the many organizations we partner with to produce our instruments and strings. We are also incredibly grateful to all the musicians across the globe who put their trust in our instruments to bring joy to the world through their music. With this gratitude, we feel a deep sense of commitment to giving back to our local community and the greater music community. Here, we share a few organizations that we supported in 2021.
Established in 1996, the Foundation focuses on the core principles of supporting Martin Guitar’s engagement with nonprofit music, arts, education, environmental action, and human service organizations. In 2021, C. F. Martin & Co. donated to the Martin Foundation, and the Martin Foundation has provided$1,175,000 63 GRANTS TOTALING $399,200.
FEATURED CHARITIES
ARTSQUEST MUSIC MAKER RELIEF FOUNDATION
They’re dedicated to providing access to exceptional artistic, cultural, and educational experiences that help drive economic development. ArtsQuest’s events and programming attract nearly 2 million people annually while generating a $165 million economic impact in the Lehigh Valley. A rtsQuest.org
Tending to the roots of America’s oldest musical traditions by giving senior artists creative support, business opportunities, and human services. They’ve helped more than 500 artists representing much of the history of American music.
M usicMaker.org
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RAINFOREST ALLIANCE THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY
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This group has preserved more than 190,000 acres of California mountains, valleys, desert, river, and oceanfront land since 1995 while providing free outdoor education to more than 65,000 kids each year. W ildlandsConservancy.org An environmental group based on a simple but powerful idea: by acting collectively, we can create a world where people and nature can thrive together. R ainforest-Alliance.org
They do the vital work of obtaining food and distributing it to people in need through a network of 200 nonprofits in the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania. shfblv.org
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK WORLD FOOD PROGRAM USA
It’s the biggest humanitarian organization on earth that’s on track to feed 120 million people in 80 nations this year alone. Their lifesaving work earned them the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. wfpusa.org
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BEYOND THE BARS WOODY GUTHRIE FOUNDATION
This community-based nonprofit seeks to break the cycle of incarceration with middle school to high school age youth through music education and career planning.
B eyondTheBarsMusic.org
Since 1972, this foundation has worked to meet two goals. The first is providing funds for research, to support caregivers, and to cure Huntington’s Disease. The second is creating a library and research center to house and share Woody Guthrie’s creative legacy. With those goals met, they continue to represent and administer the estate of one of America’s most important and influential folk musicians.
W oodyGuthrie.org
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Martin supported this environmental organization by donating guitars to be signed and auctioned off at concerts to
REVERB.ORG RAISE AWARENESS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Uniting around the music we love, tackling the environmental and social issues we face, REVERB is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to empowering millions of individuals to take action toward a better future for people and the planet.
REVERB .org
GUITAR DONATIONS
in 2021 to local and national nonprofits to help them raise money for charity.
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MARTIN DONATED 33 GUITARS
Martin created a custom ukulele to accompany the OCTOBER 2021 SPACEX expedition that sent the first all-civilian crew into space. IT WAS AUCTIONED OFF AND
$15K FOR ST. JUDE
RAISED
CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL.
Protecting the environment is of utmost importance to C. F. Martin & Co. Whether it is supporting reforestation projects, using alternative tonewoods, minimizing waste, or saving energy throughout our facilities, we keep sustainability at the forefront of every decision we make. We were the first guitar manufacturer to implement an environmental policy in 1990, achieving Forest Stewardship Council ® (FSC ®) Chain-of-Custody certification
(License Code FSC-C008304). Ever since, we have collaborated with numerous organizations such as the Clean Cruiser Project, Rainforest Alliance, and Reverb.org, because we strive to be good stewards of the planet and because at Martin, every day is Earth Day.
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Martin planted TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BIRCH & MAPLE TREES
to support the Wildlands Conservancy in Pennsylvania. We also planted tens of thousands of mahogany, cedar, cocobolo, rosewood, and teak trees in Nicaragua.
PLASTIC REDUCTION
Martin reduced single-use plastic stretch wrap
shipping guitar pallets by replacing them with reusable canvas pallet wraps.
2021,
for
In
2.5 TONS OF STRETCH WRAP WERE ELIMINATED.
INITIATIVES / 16
In 2021, we devoted the entire issue of our journal to Martin’s sustainability efforts. In support of this, we encouraged readers to enjoy the digital version of the journal, and we reduced the number 70%, SAVING 1.4 MILLION SHEETS OF PAPER. / 17
EARTH GUITAR
Martin developed a guitar to bring
STRING RECYCLING
CLIMATE
Martin partnered with D’Addario on the Playback string recycling program. Recognizing a growing need in the industry, D’Addario developed the program as a means to recycle guitar and orchestral strings, which are not accepted through municipal recycling programs. With over 3.9 million strings recycled to date, Playback has been widely successful, offering local string recycling centers at dealers, or the option to mail in used strings. The collaboration is a precise pairing, aligning with Martin’s commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility.
| PL AYBACK.DADDARIO.com
AWARENESS TO THE
CRISIS . IT'S FSC® CERTIFIED and it’s the FIRST 100% PLASTIC-FREE ACOUSTIC GUITAR. / 18 OVER 3.9 MILLION STRINGS RECYCLED
C. F. MARTIN & CO.® / IMPACT REPORT / 2021
