Full Compass Systems

Last updated
Full Compass Systems, Ltd.
Type Private
Industry Pro Audio, Video, Lighting, and Musical Instruments
Founded1977;46 years ago (1977)
Headquarters Madison, WI
Key people
  • Jonathan Lipp, co-founder
  • Susan Lipp, co-founder, Chairman
  • Dave Chaimson, President
Products Pro Audio, Video, TV, Photo, Musical Instruments, Lighting and Theatrical, Computers and Software
Number of employees
180
Website www.fullcompass.com

Full Compass Systems is an American retailer of professional audio, professional video, lighting equipment and musical instruments. The company offers more than 100,000 products through 800 manufacturer brands, and it is an authorized service center and parts distributor for many. Full Compass also provides other services, such as computer systems integration and equipment rentals (rentals available in WI only). The company, founded in 1977 by Jonathan and Susan Lipp, is located in Madison, Wisconsin. [1]

Contents

Overview

Full Compass is one of the largest woman-owned businesses in Wisconsin. [2] It has a 140,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters, which serves as a retail store and distribution center for all shipped merchandise, and an 80,000 sq. ft. warehouse. [3] The facility also has two working production studios, a public technology museum, and the "Backstage Bistro," with a full-time kitchen staff that caters to employees and visitors. [1]

The company has approximately 200 employees, and about one-third are highly-trained sales professionals.

History

Early years

Full Compass Systems was founded as a professional sound studio in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1971 by Johnathan and Susan Lipp. Jonathan incorporated Full Compass Systems, Ltd. In 1977 to provide professional sound equipment to a wider market. [3] In 1978, Susan, who had previous marketing, personnel management, and theatrical production experience, joined the company full-time and became President. [4]

1980 to 2000

The company opened its first retail store in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1979 with a staff of four, offering lighting and audio equipment. [5] By the end of the 1980s, the company expanded its product line to video and theatrical equipment, distributing over 350 manufacturers. During the 1990s, Full Compass offered its first color catalog. [6] In 1995, to accommodate its enormous growth, the company expanded into a 72,000 sq. ft. building with a 42,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Middleton, Wisconsin. [7] In 1998, the company formed its Computer Integration department and opened its Compass Xpress division to serve customers in off-hours. [8]

2000 to Present

To address the retail industry's shift to eCommerce, [9] Full Compass began selling products on eBay.com in 2003 and Amazon.com in 2004. The company launched its own eCommerce site in 2006. [5] By 2008, the company's Middleton facility was too small for its required inventory. Full Compass designed and built its current 140,000 sq. ft. headquarters, taking occupancy on July 1, 2009. [10]

Full Compass has a full-time staff of approximately 200. [3] The company releases semi-annual catalogs in Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granada plc</span> Former British mass media company

Granada plc was a British conglomerate best known as the parent from 1954 to 2004 of the Manchester-based Granada Television.

Trek Bicycle Corporation is a bicycle and cycling product manufacturer and distributor under brand names Trek, Electra Bicycle Company, Bontrager, and Diamant Bikes. The company has previously manufactured bikes under the Gary Fisher, LeMond Racing Cycles, Klein, and Villiger Bikes brand names. With its headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Trek bicycles are marketed through 1,700 independently owned bicycle shops across North America, subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, South Africa, as well as distributors in 90 countries worldwide. Most Trek bicycles are manufactured outside the United States, in countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, and China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Glarus Brewing Company</span> Brewery in New Glarus, Wisconsin

The New Glarus Brewing Company is an American brewery founded in 1993. Located in New Glarus, Wisconsin, it is an independently owned craft brewery, whose products can only be found in Wisconsin. New Glarus Brewing Company is the 15th largest craft brewer and 25th largest overall brewing company in the United States, by sales volume.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snap-on</span> American tool manufacturer

Snap-on Incorporated is an American designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-end tools and equipment for professional use in the transportation industry including the automotive, heavy duty, equipment, marine, aviation, and railroad industries. Headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Snap-on also distributes lower-end tools under the brand name Blue-Point. Their primary competitors include Matco, Mac Tools, and Cornwell Tools.

Sub-Zero is an American brand of residential major kitchen appliances including refrigeration and wine preservation products built in the USA by the Sub-Zero Group, Inc. based in Madison, Wisconsin. The company also manufactures kitchen appliances under the Wolf brand name, and dishwashers under the Cove brand name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Lee Music</span>

Tom Lee Music is a musical retail company, Tom Lee Music Hong Kong was founded in 1953 by Thomas T.V. Lee. Tom Lee Music Canada was founded in 1969 and operate independently from the Asia operation. The Canadian head office is located in Vancouver. Tom Lee Music Hong Kong has 15 stores in Hong Kong and 1 in Macau. The thirty thousand square feet flagship store in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of largest musical instruments and accessories retailers in South East Asia, offering the most extensive range of product including pianos, guitars, amplifiers, percussion, electronic keyboards, music publications, professional and personal audio products. Tom Lee Music also offers the Yamaha Music Program. In 1960, Tom Lee Music became the exclusive distributor of Yamaha musical instruments and audio equipment in Hong Kong. The Canadian operation operates 12 locations across Canada under the Tom Lee Music and Steinway Piano Gallery names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audiovisual</span> Electronic media with both a sound and a visual component

Audiovisual (AV) is electronic media possessing both a sound and a visual component, such as slide-tape presentations, films, television programs, corporate conferencing, church services, and live theater productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob's Red Mill</span> Brand of whole-grain foods

Bob's Red Mill is an American brand of whole-grain foods marketed by employee-owned American company Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods of Milwaukie, Oregon. The company was established in 1978 by Bob and Charlee Moore.

Ring Power is a privately held heavy equipment corporation headquartered at the World Commerce Center in St. Johns County, Florida, midway between St. Augustine and Jacksonville.

Action Advertiser, originally Action Advertising Co. and now officially known as Action Publications, is a newspaper based out of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin which features only "good news" along with retail, display and classified advertising. All Action products are free and delivered to homes in Fond du Lac, Dodge and Green Lake Counties, respectively. Action Publications newspapers, Action Sunday and Action Advertiser are offered on Sunday and Wednesday. The Fond du Lac Reporter, Action Publication's sister paper, offers a daily news product.

Seton Identification Products is a supplier of safety, labeling and signage products based in Buffalo, NY. Seton manufactures and distributes workplace safety equipment, facility marking applications, and traffic & parking signage, as well as warehouse and facility security products. It sells 57,000 products and has subsidiaries in 14 countries. It is a subsidiary of Brady Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Foster & Smith, Inc. was an American mail order and e-commerce pet supply corporation based in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. The company funds PetEducation.com, a "resource for any pet owner who is seeking information."

Annin Flagmakers is an American corporation based in Roseland, New Jersey. The flagmaker was founded by Alexander Annin in 1847 and incorporated on January 10, 1910. Annin Flagmakers produces American flags, state flags and national flags of all United Nations members. Annin is a wholesaler that sells through a network of independent dealers and through mass market retailing chains. Annin is a private company owned by the Beard and Dennis families. While sales are not reported, industry estimates are between 75 million and 100 million dollars annually for Annin & Co.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Vollrath Company</span> American manufacturing company

The Vollrath Company is an American company based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin that manufactures stainless steel and aluminum equipment and smallwares, and deep draw stainless steel items, for commercial and institutional foodservice operations.

Golfsmith International Holdings Inc. was an American golf specialty retailer based in Austin, Texas. Each store, along with golfsmith.com, housed a wide selection of golf clubs, shoes, apparel, gadgets and gear from all the major brands as well as proprietary offerings. They also offered custom club fitting, lessons and services for golfers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nisbets</span>

Nisbets is a British multi-channel retailer of catering equipment and supplies. It develops, retails and distributes commercial kitchen equipment, catering supplies and other hospitality products to hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, schools and colleges.

SWARCO McCain, Inc., is a privately held American manufacturing company headquartered in Vista, CA.

Displays2go is a manufacturer and e-commerce retailer of point-of-sale displays based in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Rice Lake Weighing Systems is an American multinational industrial scale manufacturer headquartered in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. An ISO 9001 certified company, Rice Lake Weighing Systems manufactures industrial scale and process-control equipment for a variety of industries including agriculture, food and beverage processing, forestry, pharmaceuticals, retail, transportation, logistics and waste.

Adorama Camera, Inc is a camera, electronics, and film equipment retailer launched in 1974. Apart from their online shopping websites they have a large multi-floor Chelsea store, which is located at 42 West, 18th Street, New York City, New York.

References

  1. 1 2 Newman, Judy (2009-10-07). "Growth at Full Compass leads to new $13.5 million building". Wisconsin State Journal.
  2. Zaferos, Barb (2011-07-22). "Top-of-the-List - Women-owned businesses, software companies". The Business Journal.
  3. 1 2 3 "SBA 100 - Full Compass Systems".
  4. Newman, Carlise (1999-06-27). "Lipp takes family approach to build audio firm". The Business Journal.
  5. 1 2 "Full Compass Systems - Company History".
  6. Hawkins, Lee Jr. (2000-09-10). "Microphones help entrepreneurs amplify sales". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 1D.
  7. "News Release - Full Compass Celebrates Grand Opening". 1996-01-25.
  8. "Full Compass Systems - Integration".
  9. "History of Ecommerce".
  10. "Full Compass Systems Begins Move to 140,000 SF Facility". 2009-06-17.
  11. "Full Compass - Catalog".