About us

American Plating and Manufacturing Company (APM), based in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the largest domestic manufacturers of band instrument parts and accessories in the United States. It has been manufacturing items for the music industry with fine plating finishes for nearly 120 years. We are a third generation, family-owned business that focuses on craftsmanship and quality.

APM was founded in 1902. The first generation owner, Charles Urban Sr., had begun his career in the music industry at the age of 14 when he got a job at a music store in Europe to supplement his family's income.

APM originated as a specialist in plating and lacquering fenders for horse-drawn buggies and early model cars. With Charles Sr.'s interest in music, the business advanced its core skills of polishing, plating and lacquering in the 1920's into repairing brass brand instruments.