Focusing on one product and refining its production processes has helped JJ Babbitt Co. of Elkhart establish itself in a specialty niche in the music industry.
It has been 100 years since Jesse James Babbitt began crafting mouthpieces for saxophones and clarinets in his garage in Elkhart. Now the company is looking toward the future by following a course that's brought it decades of success.
“Mouthpieces are the only product we make at JJ Babbitt,” said Rocco (Rocky) Giglio, president and chief operating officer. “That’s all we do and we do it right.”
Babbitt learned his trade being around Elkhart's music industry. In 1919, with the help of his brother, Rollie, Jesse opened his shop.
All mouthpieces made by JJ Babbitt are still manufactured at its Elkhart factory. The company has designed and produced millions of mouthpieces, used in more than 1,000 different models.
Throughout its history, the company has been family-owned and operated. In 1939, Jesse Babbitt’s nephew, Eugene (Bud) Reglein, joined the business, where he worked for more than 65 years.
Reglein designed and built several machines that are still used in the making of the company's products. His son, William (Bill) Reglein, joined the company while in high school and worked in every manufacturing station as well as in shipping, sales and design.
In 1999, Bill Reglein became company president and eventually owner/chairman, serving for 40 years. At that time, he turned the daily operation of the company to his staff, including Rocco Giglio, who joined the firm as vice president of operations.
Giglio, who also is a musician, has 50 years of experience in sales and management in the music industry.
Dominic Massaro, grandson of Bill Reglein, joined the business while in high school. He worked summers until his graduation from Indiana State University in June 2018 and now is learning everything about the making of mouthpieces in the shop and managing the business side of the company.
