To get to know the people behind the companies with whom we are organizing the live event "Dutch-Made Percussive Innovations" a little better, we have given them the opportunity to share some information about themselves and their company. In this blog, you will find the story of Wouter Menken, the face and owner of Kuppmen Music.
Company and Product Innovation
1. Can you tell the story behind your company? What inspired you to start it?
In 2015, I started searching for the people behind the "forgotten company" Carbostick.
I had been drumming with carbon fiber sticks from Carbostick until January 2014, when Carbosticks and Carbo-Rods suddenly disappeared from the stores. Why were such great sticks no longer being sold?
After a long search, I discovered the name of the man who had invented Carbosticks and Carbo-Rods—Peter Kuppers, living in East Bavaria. He turned out to be someone with brilliant ideas, golden hands, and a deep love for drums. His carbon fiber sticks and rods had already been a great success in the drumstick market for years. But in 2013, he was forced to close his company for personal reasons.
When I met Peter, we discovered that we shared the same ideas about music and drumming. Peter was eager to bring his sticks back to the market, so we decided to do it together under the name Kuppmen (Kuppers and Menken) Music.
2. What makes your product unique or innovative compared to traditional products?
Our sticks have the same weight, balance, and rebound as wooden sticks. They have all the familiar qualities of wood but last significantly longer—up to 10 times longer than wooden drumsticks.
Our carbon fiber Drumrods even last up to 30 times longer than wooden rods.
3. How do you approach innovation in the percussion industry? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
The production of our sticks and rods is based on the manufacturing method of Carbostick. Both products are made in a specific mold. After that, many additional steps are required before the sticks and rods can reach our customers.
In terms of innovation, we have recently introduced the TwigStik Flat and TwigStik Spring. Both models are a variation of our rods, but they are unique because there’s nothing like them on the market. They are two fantastic products that allow drummers to explore new sounds on their drum kits. They are also very interesting for percussionists.
4. What are the core values or mission that drive your company's growth and product development?
I am always looking for ways to innovate and improve our products. I use my own creativity for that, but I also love listening to drummers.
Industry and Market Insights
5. What trends do you see shaping the future of the percussion industry, and how are you positioning yourself to capitalize on them?
The percussion industry is quite traditional. You can see this with drumsticks as well. Wooden sticks have been around since the beginning of drumming. However, more and more drummers are looking for alternatives, and that’s where they come across our sticks (and rods). For roughly twice the price of a good wooden stick, you can get our carbon fiber stick that meets all the requirements of a drumstick and lasts many times longer.
6. How do you see Dutch percussion companies influencing the global market?
I have to admit I don’t follow how other Dutch percussion-related companies are expanding globally. We ourselves are always looking for new distribution partners in countries where Kuppmen is not yet active.
Personal Leadership and Vision
7. What do you enjoy most about leading a company in the percussion industry?
Being able to express my own creativity, collaborating with our distribution partners, and of course, being in contact with and interacting with drummers all over the world.
8. Can you share a moment or achievement that has been particularly significant for you or your company?
That would have to be meeting Peter Kuppers. Without him, Kuppmen Music wouldn’t exist today. But hey, it also wouldn’t exist without me either!
Collaboration and Sponsorship
9. Why did you decide to sponsor this event, and what does it mean for your company to be involved?
I met Dirkjan van Groningen years ago at the Adams Drumworld Festival. We had a good connection and kept in touch occasionally. When Dirkjan asked me if I was interested in collaborating on his project, I said yes almost immediately. It’s great to support it, and at the same time, it helps increase awareness of Kuppmen and our products.
10. How do you see the importance of community and collaboration within the percussion industry?
The drumming community is large and quite intense, much more so than the guitar, bass, or keyboard communities. Drummers are passionate about their instruments and love to meet other drummers and gain knowledge. There’s very little jealousy among drummers, and as far as I know, percussion manufacturers are also supportive of each other. So, you could say the percussion industry is a great industry to work in.
Want to win a Kuppmen product?
Do you want a chance to win one of the great prizes Wouter is giving away during our event "Dutch-Made Percussive Innovations"? Then sign up now for the live event where we will launch our new percussion publications for 2025 in a spectacular way. Only people who have registered will have a chance to win one of the great prizes. Sign up now!
