Copyright Santa Clarita Valley Signal
When drumming icon Remo Belli first introduced a new synthetic drumhead design in 1957, musicians were quick to embrace a new sound and solution that would revolutionize the drumming industry. Belli’s durable design was better equipped to withstand changes in temperature, humidity and weather conditions — without the skins breaking or losing tuning. As his namesake company continued to expand its product line and market reach, Remo Inc. became a global leader in drum and percussion products. An extensive list of the world’s top drummers now support the brand — such as Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Tre Cool of Green Day, and Alex Gonzalez from Spanish rock band Mana, to name a few. Belli and staff would eventually outgrow its office, warehouse and manufacturing facilities in North Hollywood — even with the company’s expansion across two city blocks and eight buildings. Having the company so spread out “became a logistical nightmare,” Robert Shen, president of Remo Inc., said in a recent interview. After 40 years, it was time to explore options for a new headquarters to support the company’s rapid worldwide growth. San Antonio, Texas was at the top of that list. So much so that paperwork and terms were being finalized for a move. But like a good drummer knows, timing is everything. Doug Sink, Remo’s chief financial officer at the time who was living in Valencia, connected Belli to business-focused organizations such as the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Shen said. It helped solidify a last-minute decision to cancel the move and stay local. “One thing that continuously gnawed at Remo in making the decision (whether) to move to Texas was the fact that we weren’t going to be able to take all of our employees with us,” Shen said. Remo Inc. instead broke ground on a 220,000- square-foot facility in the mid-1990s and moved to the Valencia Commerce Center (VCC) in 1997. VCC has since attracted many more job-producing companies in fast-growing industries such as technology and finance, further contributing to the area’s healthy jobs-to-housing balance. VCC was an important component of a larger vision for Valencia developed throughout the last six decades by Newhall Land and Farming Company (now part of FivePoint). Remo prides itself on its long-tenured employees, Shen said, with many having stayed with the company since transitioning from North Hollywood to VCC. Shen himself has been with Remo for 25 years. “We really treat our employees as our family. I think that helps drive the work ethic and motivation to continue caring about our work — and gives us the drive and passion to do a quality job as well.” Shen stressed the importance of living close to work as an important component of overall job satisfaction. Most of his administrative staff live in and around the Santa Clarita Valley, which helps enable a strong work-life balance. “You get to sleep in a little bit longer, you get home a little bit faster, and you can do things in the latter part of the day,” Shen added. The area’s new homes, top-rated schools, parks, trails, shopping, healthcare and open spaces are also appealing to Remo’s workforce, which includes more than 180 manufacturing professionals and 40 administrative positions. “We have access to a skilled labor force in the Santa Clarita Valley, and can draw from a strong pool of talent ranging from executive positions to factory-level or entry-level positions,” Shen said. After Belli’s death in 2016, Shen and his Remo Inc. colleagues remain focused on making sound business decisions while paying respect and homage to the company’s history and founder. “Our mission is to continue to honor Remo Belli’s legacy and the many ways he helped people. He used music and drumming to improve the human condition and people’s overall health and wellness.” Like a drummer whose beat is foundational to a band playing cohesively together, Shen seems content to chart Remo’s future and write the rest of its song in Valencia.
