OREGON'S MOST REMARKABLE HIDDEN INDUSTRY
Portland is home to one of the world’s most concentrated communities of independent music manufacturers. Most people have no idea. This is why that matters — and what we’re doing about it.
The Numbers Tell a Remarkable Story
The 2024 Oregon Commercial Music Economic Impact Study identified Oregon as having more than twice the national average concentration of musical instrument and equipment manufacturers. Further research reveals something even more striking about Portland specifically.
4×
The national average concentration of music manufacturers in the Portland metro area
Hundreds
Independent instrument, gear, and pro audio manufacturers identified across Oregon and SW Washington
Only U.S. City
Capable of producing a complete professional backline — drums, cymbals, guitars, basses, violins, brass, microphones, synths, pedals, amps, and recording gear
Global
Oregon-made products in the hands of musicians, studios, and venues around the world
The Opportunity
Other Oregon industries have grown stronger through collective identity, coordinated promotion, and strategic public investment. Oregon’s music manufacturing community has reached that same moment.
Export Growth
Oregon’s instrument and pro audio companies are globally competitive but often resource-constrained in reaching international markets. Coordinated export support and reverse trade missions can accelerate growth significantly.
Workforce Development
A recognized manufacturing cluster creates pathways for workforce training, apprenticeships, and partnerships with Oregon’s universities and trade programs — building the next generation of makers.
Tourism & Destination
Instrument and gear events consistently attract enthusiastic audiences from across the region. Portland can become a recognized destination for music manufacturing — generating visitor spending and national attention.
Business Recruitment
A visible, well-supported cluster attracts new manufacturers to Portland — companies that want proximity to peers, suppliers, and a community that understands what they build.
What We're Building
Music Craft NW is the first public milestone in a longer strategy — a four-part effort to document, convene, measure, and grow one of Oregon’s most distinctive traded-sector industries.
Document the Community
Develop the first comprehensive directory and database of Oregon’s music instrument, professional audio, and music technology manufacturers. More than 150 have been identified and verified — and we suspect there are more.
Bring the Community Together
Launch Music Craft NW as Oregon’s annual manufacturing summit — bringing together industry, suppliers, educators, buyers, workforce partners, policymakers, and media around a shared identity.
Build the Evidence Base
Use the resulting data to support development of Oregon’s first Music Instrument & Audio Manufacturing Cluster Report — providing a credible roadmap for future economic development investment.
Create Long-Term Infrastructure
Build the framework for coordinated export promotion, workforce development, business recruitment, supply chain collaboration, tourism strategy, and industry expansion that helps this community thrive for decades.
Sought Outcomes
What This Makes Possible
A coordinated industry can pursue opportunities no single manufacturer can reach alone. This is the working agenda.
Founding Council
Help Shape the Oregon Music Manufacturing Initiative
We’re assembling a small Founding Council of people with expertise in manufacturing, economic development, exports, workforce development, research, and public policy — people who understand that industries which organize and become visible create more opportunity for everyone in them.
This isn’t a volunteer ask. It’s an invitation to help found something — to bring your expertise to a project with real policy potential and lasting impact on one of Oregon’s most distinctive industries.
Ready to Be Part of This?
Whether you’re a manufacturer, researcher, policymaker, funder, or simply someone who believes Oregon’s makers deserve more visibility — there’s a place for you in this initiative.
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Jupiter NEXT. Please park in
loading zone on E Burnside St.
Jupiter NEXT
900 E Burnside St
Portland OR 97214
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800 E Burnside St
Portland OR 97214
503.230.9200
