Crutchfield
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Crutchfield, is a consumer electronics company specializing in audio/video equipment for the automobile. It currently offers many consumer electronics items from mobile to electronics and high fidelity components for the home. It was created in 1974 by Bill Crutchfield, founder and CEO. It is based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
[edit] History
The company was created during the restoration of classic sports cars by Bill. Unable to find anyone to upgrade the car stereo in a Porsche 356 coupe he was preparing to sell, he realized the need to fill for this type of DIY project.
The first year of sales in 1974 were scant and in 1975 Crutchfield contacted several hundred customers and catalog readers by means of a mailed questionnaire. It asked them to respond with what was wrong with the business, questionnaires showed that customers were intimidated and not familiar with audio equipment. The catalog was quickly updated with information for readers to make them comfortable with car stereo equipment and increased phone in support services and user instructions to increase customer confidence. The company has cataloged and diagrammed over 10,400 vehicles to provide detailed information for DIY stereo installation.
The company continues to emphasize information and customer service over low margins.
[edit] Company Growth
Since 1974 the company has expanded it's Charlottesville facility into 1.5 million cubic feet headquarters, with a satellite facility in Norton, Virginia and retail storefronts in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, Virginia.
