Toured McDermott Cue factory today

[Mantool]

I would consider myself to be a " B " level player. I live near the McDermott factory. The only cues I have ever owned have been McDermott's. I am thinking of purchasing a new cue. I was torn between the McDermott Voyager or the Schon STL-9. Schon is also close to where I live. I have always told myself that my next cue would be a Schon. Best production cue out there right!!!! Today I was just looking around the McDermott show room, and the guy I was with asked if McDermott did factory tours. With a little hesitation, the salesman said sure. WOW! What a clean place. I felt as if I was in a factory, but everywhere I looked there were cue sticks. I thought, how could anyone consider this work. The environment was very pleasant. Good lighting, nice tools and happy workers. I was amazed at the amount of wood they had on hand. The best way to describe it would be to consider yourself in a Home Depot isle and both sides of the isle have 2' by 2' plywood boxes from floor to ceiling with all kinds of exotic woods in them. Very nice finishing department. I was amazed at the amount of glue that is used to put together a cue. It was nice to see how much of the cue is made by hand.

After my pleasant experience with McDermott, I will be purchasing the Voyager! I have dealt with the staff there many times when getting new tips put on or just shopping around. NEVER have I had a bad experience.

 

[ArizonaPete]

Thanks for the post - I thought it was very interesting and would love to go on a tour of their facility. I own 2 McDermott's and think they're a great cue. Good shooting with your new cue.

 

[CrownCityCorey]

Factory Tours

Factory tours are tha nuts!

I think if you go to the Derby City Classic, the Diamond folks shuttle people to the Diamond Plant for factory tours.

Of course we at Tiger Products also give tours of our Burbank, Ca factory.

 

[Cuaba]

I toured McDermott about 10 years ago. The place was modern, clean, and well organized. Everyone was happy & friendly.

Good to know they are still going strong.

 

[softshot]

The McD website has a video tour of the factory that I found entertaining. I'd love to see it in person.

 

[HollyWood]

the usa factory-wis.

Sounds like you saw them working on some high end stuff. But is the low end stuff produced there? You didn't mention the (I-shafts) Just wondering. How many employes at this time? Thank you for sharing your tour experience. Thanks mark

 

[Mantool]

Sounds like you saw them working on some high end stuff. But is the low end stuff produced there? You didn't mention the (I-shafts) Just wondering. How many employes at this time? Thank you for sharing your tour experience. Thanks mark

Yes, I did see many cues that looked to be in the $200 to $300 range. The cue that I saw the most of was the February cue of the month. The Double Diamond. See photo.

I did not see much of the I-shafts in the factory or in the show room. I was not looking very hard though. The area that the shafts are made is quite large. It looked as though a women was running that department. Sorry I don't have much info on the I-shafts.

I would have to say there were 3 to 4 people in the sales/office. About 10 people in the factory. Each stage of the cue seemed to have it's own specialist. Everyone seemed to look real knowledgeable and very good at what they do.