25 Years of #ProgressinPlay – Geneva Instruments

Geneva Instruments is a UK company that designs, manufactures and distributes quality handmade brass and woodwind instruments worldwide. As they celebrate 25 years since Geneva Instruments’ formation in 2000, they share how they are working toward a more sustainable future. We spoke to Vincent Eckerman, Executive Director of Geneva Instruments.

In 2025, Geneva Instruments celebrates 25 years – a milestone moment, and one which has given us a moment to reflect. 25 years is a long time; the world has moved on considerably in terms of innovation and technology, yet the health of our planet and the focus on sustainability in business has never been more prominent than before, given continued global warming and the ever increasing possibility that we will breach the 1.5C target established in the Paris Agreement just 10 short years ago.

So, as an SME (a small to medium-sized enterprise), how can we address the growing consumer demand for sustainable products, delivered through a sustainable supply chain at a competitive price without compromise to quality?

At Geneva Instruments, we are immensely proud of our achievements and most importantly the progress that we have made both as a business, but also for those many musicians who have placed their trust in our instruments as they have embarked on their journey to play. We have a strong belief in breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for all, and therefore our celebration supports this mission. Through our #ProgressinPlay campaign, we will be offering all bands an opportunity to win a quartet of instruments, creating much-needed support for bands that are financially constrained.

Sustainability means so much more than reducing emissions and protecting biodiversity. Whilst the immediate focus should be on climate and nature, it is necessary to take a 360-degree approach which includes not just the environment but the people that inhabit our planet and the social, equitable side of sustainability, with education as a key driver to unlock potential. If you look at the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, they include goals dedicated to poverty, wellbeing, education, equality, economic growth, communities & partnership. Whilst it would be easy to shout about our environmental credentials, such as having a European supply chain where our manufacturing generates its own green energy to produce instruments designed to last a lifetime, we are also taking an approach that enables us to support sustainability goals, within a timeframe that works and is sustainable in itself.

As we outlined at the beginning of this article, the world is moving quickly, and consumers are becoming more sustainability-driven and environmentally conscious. Our aim is to ensure we get this right, and we have committed to a 2-year roadmap of progress – hence the campaign #ProgressinPlay.

We are in the first instance focusing our efforts on our Foundation, by creating opportunities for young musicians, many of whom live in deprived areas with a strong brass band heritage, that have already demonstrated their potential, to ensure we can provide instruments that are high quality and thus more sustainable, working in partnership with the Education sector.

Secondly, we are investing heavily in Research & Development, looking at how we can drive innovation in manufacturing to ensure that sustainability remains a focus of our future development, with instruments at an accessible price point, without compromising on quality.

Finally, we are looking at how we can champion those who want to tell their stories to inspire others by working closely with our ambassadors and removing barriers to drive self-belief with a can-do attitude, so every star has an opportunity to shine, regardless of social & economic background.

If we look at Brass banding, including the manufacturing of instruments, it has a very rich heritage, and we don’t want to lose sight of that. Therefore, our aim is not to rush into a sustainability strategy and make unrealistic claims. We appreciate and have learnt from our heritage and foundations, but we know we need to innovate, embrace modern technologies, and work in partnership with others to grow within a changing world, and to work towards a brighter, more sustainable future. We are excited for what comes next.