Contact information is to be found here
The idea of making guitar picks started in 2000
Today, Pickfactory has grown to be a competitive supplier of guitar picks, supplying thousands of customers worldwide.
The story
I, Raymond Holmen, worked as a production manager/tool maker at DEKA AS, a supplier of moulds and injection moulding for thermoplastics. As a guitarist in the band Back To Basic (a band with 3 guitar players), I saw our need for picks was huge. After some discussion with my fellow musicians, I found that there was certainly an interest in personalized guitar picks.
In 2001, I did a prototype mould with the name “Back To Basic” engraved. We were probably the only band in Europe with engraved picks (raised letters). They were great!
But the idea was to make some money, too. I had to make new moulds for printable picks, which meant picks that were plain on both sides. In May 2001, I added the gauges 0.50, 0.70, 0.88 and 1.00, and I started offering picks to friends and friends’ friends.
I started using the plastic resin from DEKA’s stock. Even though this was limited to 3 colors, the quality
was among the best. DEKA had great experience using the Delrin 500 for other applications, and the processing went well.
The printing was done with a Switz half-automatic hot-stamping machine that I also borrowed from DEKA.
In 2002/2003 something happened. Sales were increasing, and so was my idea of making a living from this. I
expanded the color range and in March 2003 made a huge decision. I said, “I’m gonna make a living out of this!” Well, my friends and family supported this, but did they really?
I focused on this business, as much as I could, all the time. I dreamt about picks every night, trying to figure out new products and how to increase sales.
By Autumn 2003, sales were climbing. I made deals with large companies, supplying famous international bands with guitar picks. This, plus a few famous bands and artists from Norway, made the customers trust Pickfactory more than ever. The biggest order so far was done; I delivered 95.000 picks in 9 days. Small businesses are often very flexible 🙂 Since the beginning, tons of picks has left this small factory.
When the shit hit the fan (added 2020)
Then it almost stopped. After my divorce in 2011 life got hard and I was unable to focus at my business. A friend betrayed me, took some of my ideas and started a competive business behind my back… It was hard times. With good help from family and friends I got trough it..
At this time I was offered job in a shop nearby and I accepted that job. I really had no choice. I needed something steady and reliable in my life. Working in this shop was like starting a new chapter in my life and I enjoyed it!
The guitar pick business was downscaled, the webshop not active. But I still manufactured and shipped some guitar picks every month. I could not let down my old customers..
Today I still work in this shop in my hometown. Selling TV, computers, musical equipment and cellphone accessories. And musical instruments of course 🙂
After my divorce, my music business finally escalated and became a significant part of my income. I’m now part of an duo who travel around eastern Norway, entertaining at weddings, pubs and all kinds of partys.
Pickfactory rising
Pickfactory webshop has been down for years. Now it’s time to bring it back to the scene again. This site is growing now, slowly but steady. We are back offering quality guitar picks at good prices. If you don’t find what you are looking for today, please check back later or just contact us.