Rethinking British Guitar Case Manufacturing in a Changing Market
At Munson Guitars, we’ve always taken pride in crafting high-quality instruments, and just as importantly, in supporting other British manufacturers who share our commitment to excellence. That’s why the recent news about Hiscox Cases relocating their manufacturing operations from the UK to Poland came as a blow for British guitar case manufacturing.
For years, Hiscox has been our go-to supplier for guitar cases, not just for their durability and quality, but because they were made in Britain. That mattered to us. Supporting local industry isn’t just a patriotic gesture; it’s an ecosystem of shared values, reliable relationships, and ethical, traceable production.
But now we find ourselves at a crossroads.
The Challenge: Quality, Cost, and Conscience
With Hiscox no longer manufacturing in the UK, we must choose between continuing to buy from them abroad, sourcing from a different international supplier, or bringing case production in-house.
Each path has its pros and cons. Continuing with Hiscox might maintain the quality we’ve come to expect, but it challenges our commitment to supporting British manufacturing. Exploring other suppliers, whether in the EU, Far East, or elsewhere, raises important questions about quality assurance, ethics, environmental impact, and cost.
The U.S., while home to many reputable case makers, is increasingly difficult to navigate due to tariffs and political uncertainty, particularly with the Trump administration and a return to protectionist trade policies.
Looking to Asia offers attractive pricing, but often come with trade-offs in terms of labour ethics, sustainability, and carbon footprint. That doesn’t sit comfortably with us, or we suspect, with many of our customers.
The Opportunity: In-House or In Collaboration?
Then there’s the third option: build our own cases. This would undoubtedly be the most costly route in the short term. Our volumes are relatively low and economies of scale matter. But there’s a compelling upside however, custom-fit cases can be designed specifically for each instrument we make. That’s something off-the-shelf cases, even from top-tier suppliers, can’t match.
We’re also considering something bigger: what if we weren’t alone?
What if boutique guitar builders across the UK formed a cooperative to manufacture high-quality, British-made cases together? Pooling resources could help offset tooling and production costs, make bulk material sourcing viable, and ensure enough volume to justify local manufacturing. All the while keeping quality and craftsmanship front and centre.
It’s not a small undertaking. But neither is giving up on British guitar case manufacturing.
What’s at Stake for British Guitar Case Manufacturing
According to the UK Manufacturing Statistics 2024 report by Make UK, manufacturing contributes £224 billion to the economy and supports 2.5 million jobs. Yet Britain continues to lose manufacturing capacity, particularly in specialist sectors, as businesses chase cheaper overseas production. Once that capacity is gone it’s incredibly hard to bring back.
Musicians and builders alike understand the importance of integrity in design and production. Our community values instruments that are made with care, by people who care, and that same ethos should extend to everything that comes with the guitar, including the case it lives in.
Where Do We Go From Here?
There are no easy answers and we don’t claim to have them all. What we do know is that this decision, about a “simple” guitar case, has wider implications for craftsmanship, sustainability, and the future of UK-based instrument making.
So we’re opening the conversation. If you’re a UK-based luthier, case maker, or boutique builder and want to explore the idea of a cooperative, or if you’ve found solutions of your own, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s save British guitar case manufacturing.
Sometimes a challenge is an ending. But it can also be the start of something better.