Main CMI building in Melbourne.

This whole article came about because of a few postings in the Gear Plus forum whereby members were discussing the Australian Wharfedale distribution (CMI).

We had never visited CMI (Central Musical Instruments) and so, were extremely pleased when we were offered an all expenses paid visit to the office, warehouse, show room and training complex.

We were picked up from the airport by our local contact and traveled directly to Altona North via the new ring road (freeway). None of us had been before and were unfamiliar with the route so, as we turned off the freeway, the poor unfortunate holding the map was asked where to turn. The smart arse reply that came back was "There's a couple of forty foot containers, just follow them". We still looked up the map but laughed our heads off later when we noticed that the same two container trucks actually did go to CMI.

For those that don't know Melbourne, Altona North is not a trendy suburb. It's definitely a nuts and bolts, warehouse and factory type place. CMI on arrival is not startlingly impressive. Just a bloody big warehouse with an office section at the front covered in aqua blue paint. It has a constant busy feel with cars and trucks moving around.

On entering the building you get a mixed sense of the workings. Busy, organized and extremely active but with a controlled casualness about it. We were greeted by Graeme Mitchell (Marketing Manager) who introduced us to a number of the staff. He then handed us across to Peter Trojkovic (Chief Education Officer) for an inspection of the site. We donned the appropriate lime green safety jackets (emblazoned with CMI logo) and headed off for the tour.

The spare parts section was the first port of call. It consumed more space than most companies have in their whole warehouse. Speedy Spares don't carry as much as these guys. And it's obviously a waste. A lot of the boxes had dust over them. They plainly had not seen much light for a while. Our conclusion is that CMI might be carrying more spares than they really need but it does give you the warm comfy feeling, they have them if you need them.

Then we moved on to the warehouse. The place is big, bloody big. We wandered up and down each of the isles with Pete pointing and telling us how much of this gets sold and how much of that. Have to say that after pacing along isles and isles of cardboard boxes for ages, we were starting to become slightly restless. For some strange reason, another two groups of people were being shown through at the same time. Every now and then we would pass at the end of an isle and wave to each other as if tourists. We bet they were thinking the same as us, why don't these guys provide golf buggies to ride around this place.

Now, as we strolled around the warehouse we were taking a mental note, not much Wharfedale. We had seen a few boxes but not what you would expect from the reports we had been given about turnover. Back in the staff cafe, over a cup of very average coffee, we politely broached the question, "Why is there so little Wharfedale". Expecting to be handed a line about turnover exceeding supply, we were surprised to be told "We haven't finished the tour yet".

Wharfedale is housed in its own warehouse. Once again, bloody big. It's in the same street just further along the road. When we walked in we couldn't believe our eyes. Eight enormous bays of cardboard boxes containing mostly loudspeakers along with other Wharfedale bits. Peter just smiled and said "I have no idea where this stuff goes. It just keeps coming in and going out". We stood there, absolutely gob smacked.

First isle of the Wharfedale warehouse.

Then Peter surprised us yet again by announcing they had only recently taken over another warehouse, directly opposite the main site so they can expand the range and bring in more product. Have to tell you, we were in awe. The only way Peter could have impressed us any more was if he bent over, dropped his pants and shit gold bars.

Then just as we thought our endless walking was over, Peter insisted we follow him to another section, the red light district. We say red light because the place was full of cardboard boxes all done up in Red. It was the (secret) new line of EVP-X speakers. Due for release soon, the outer packing looks great. Retailers are going to love them because they make an excellent display on their own.

The new EVP-X speaker systems

So, still sworn to secrecy, we dragged one of the boxes out to have a prod. Typical of the new Wharfedale's, the new boxes are well finished with all the right bits in all the right places. They are functional, practical and excellent value for money. We didn't get to rip this one apart this time but have been offered a loan and will make the effort in the future, then let you know the results.

As we said, we were sworn to secrecy because the official release date for these is not until next month when CMI are having a big bash for all their dealers (also a secret at the moment - unless you read Gear Plus). Apparently, they will be having a full band (John Farmhands backing band we think), lots of grub, overseas technical experts from Germany and England, "correctly" attired hostess ladies and a surprise. We didn't find out what the surprise was but one of the guys in the cafe suggested that it involved, in part, one of the "special" hostess rub her fun parts on Tony Curini's perfectly trimmed head.

Our name is down for an invite to the event. We strongly suggest you quickly suck up to somebody at CMI and ensure you get yours.