Amy's Blog : Hope

A Banner Year

Amy Unger — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:45:00 GMT

About a year and half ago, I posted a picture taken of Klipsch Employees circa 1975. This was taken a mere one year later, and you can see the head count nearly doubled. I'm not sure what attributed to the surge... either business more than doubled that year, or perhaps the earlier picture was taken on late a Friday afternoon and half the crew had already snuck out. Hard to say.

Home of the Klipschorn

Amy Unger — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:44:00 GMT

I blogged a while back about two vintage "Klipsch & Associates" signs that were uncovered at the plant in Hope (here and here). They have since been retouched, framed, and hung with pride at our engineering facility in Indianapolis, serving as a reminder of our roots for future Purdue graduates. I mean, employees.

Of course, if someone took "Inquire Across the Street" literally, they'd find themselves at the vending machines. Which I'm sure the engineers have been quick to point out.

Slug Bug!

Amy Unger — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:07:00 GMT

I really like something about this photograph of the plant in Hope, but can't quite put my finger on it. "Genuine" is a word that comes to mind.

Or maybe I'm simply remembering the bright red VW Beetle I had in high school, and how fun it was riding through town watching people punch each other in the arm.

Watermelons and Speckled Butter Beans

Amy Unger — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:04:00 GMT

Hope's annual Watermelon Festival was held the weekend before last, and I can honestly say I've never heard of a speckled butter bean until I saw this picture:

I think even I might have success catching a fish from here:

These are not scarce in this part of the country. I'm sure I'll see hundreds of them this weekend at our own Indiana State Fair, but I still love looking at them. There's just no green quite like it:

And finally, it is my pleasure to introduce Danny, our very own shipping supervisor from the warehouse in Hope, selflessly flipping burgers for the Hope Band Boosters concession stand. I've never officially met Danny, nor do I know much about him, except that he is a hard worker, relentless teaser, and and likes to make fun of me when I cash in 50 cent words.

Thanks, Sharyl, for sending along the great pics!!

Happy Anniversary, Dwight!

Amy Unger — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:35:00 GMT

Daily Photo

It was one year ago today that Dwight set off on his North American Tour to visit some of our favorite forum members. Which is amazing to me since I've only received 8 photos so far. Talk about your lag time!

But thank goodness those who did send me a photo sent me several, so I can pick up the slack with a bonus here and there. Like this one taken by fini in Napa Valley. Lovely.

Blogging, and a Bonus Dwight Photo

Amy Unger — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:29:00 GMT

Daily Photo

I'm going to blog about blogging today. That sounds so weird...especially if I had said it just a few years ago. It actually sounds a little painful.

I was told this morning that I need to do more blogging, if you can believe that. I love doing this, and the fact that it's part of my job makes it even cooler. So hopefully I'll be able to post a lot more Klipsch-related things, as well as semi-personal things, since I can allot more time to my little corner of the internet.

What I want to ask, and why I'm blogging about blogging, is what do you want to hear about and/or see? Send me suggestions either by email or in the comment section of this entry.

In the meantime, and since the ducks have been MIA for two months now (FINI!), here is a bonus photo from forum member Daddy Dee's visit with my fine-rubber-feathered friends at the Klipsch distribution center back in March.

I See You!

Amy Unger — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:15:00 GMT

Daily Photo

Evidence that Roy does indeed smile on occassion, even when he is not fishing for bass.

Thanks for the photo, Trey!

Meet Sherry, Materials Manager, and Jerry, Plant Manager, Hope, Arkansas

Amy Unger — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:20:00 GMT

Daily Photo

If you have enjoyed a Klipsch product made in Hope dating from today back to the early 80s, you should thank these kind folks, because chances are, they had something to do with it.

Sherry, caught here looking as annoyed as I do when someone looks over my shoulder, has been with the company going on 28 years, having started with Pro Final Assembly. Now responsible for managing the materials used to build our fine products, as well as scheduling those builds, she and I have become fast friends since I announced Heritage products can be special ordered in most any wood veneer. I hear she's also having fun with the new Palladium line. Hang in there, Sherry!

Jerry is proof positive that if you stick with something long enough, and you're a highly likeable person, you too can achieve greatness. Starting in the cabinet shop back in 1981, Jerry has worked his way through the ranks to emerge as the manager of our plant. His lofty status hasn't seemed to have gone to his head, however, since I hear he can be found bowfishing in his free time. Not a bit of pretentiousness in that, unless of course he's doing it from his yacht.

Dilbert and Dwight Resurface! ...and Meet Roy, Horn Expert

Amy Unger — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:25:00 GMT

Daily Photo

The long lost ducks managed to curb their renegade ways and keep a lunch date with Roy Delgado at Hope's Amigo Juan's. Perhaps they are the inspiration for his next horn design? I have to assume the sad face is because the ducks had to bid him farewell en route to their next destination.

Roy is a 21 year member of the Klipsch family, and Principle Engineer for Commercial Design and Manufacturing. I think the longer you work here, the longer your title becomes. You can sometimes catch Roy lurking on the forum making off-hand remarks, and even though he likes to try to make it appear otherwise, he really knows his stuff. After all, his designs have been patented...

In addition to being a horn genius, if you get past the dry-wit, you'll find Roy to be a very thoughtful and caring person. A genuine apprentice to PWK, there's no BS about him.

Photo courtesy of DaddyDee. Next stop: Connecticut!

Meet Martin, Mill Supervisor, Hope, Arkansas

Amy Unger — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:54:00 GMT

Daily Photo

Hope be warned! Lurking among you is my shutterbug counterpart, assisting in camera ambushing at the factory.

This friendly face belongs to Martin (pronounced Marteen), who is working on an RC-64 in the finishing department. Originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, Martin has made his way to Hope via California on what I'm guessing has been a long, interesting journey, dating back to 1984 upon his arrival in the US. Martin has been a member of the Klipsch family for 8 years, and has recently fulfilled his lifetime dream of becoming a US Citizen, along with his wife. If you ever find yourself in Hope, be sure to pass along your congratulations by taking him out for a round of chicken nuggets.