Yamaha acquires Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH

Yamaha acquires Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH

Yamaha Corporation acquires Vienna based 170 year old piano manufacturer

Yamaha acquires Bösendorfer: Vienna piano manufacturer L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH founded in 1828

L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH was founded in 1828 in Vienna (Austria), and is one of the world’s most respected piano manufacturers. Bösendorfer was sold to a US wood manufacturing company, later by an Austrian Bank, which itself was acquired by a US investment fund, and as a consequence the Japanese company Yamaha acquired 100% of L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH. The acquisition was announced on 21 December 2007, and is expected to be completed early in 2008.

Yamaha acquires Bösendorfer
Yamaha acquires L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH

L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH

L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH was founded on 25th July 1828 in Vienna (Austria) by Ignaz Bösendorfer.

The company gained the distinction “k.k. Hof-Claviermacher” (Piano Maker by appointment to the Royal and Imperial Court of Austria) in 1839, and in 1858 was elevated to the title “Kammerlieferant des Kaisers”.

Franz List, who was known for his vigorous key play, played largely on Bösendorfer Pianos which could cope well with Franz List’s forceful style.

The company went through many difficulties caused by the wars.

1966 the company was sold to the US company Kimball International.

2002 the company was acquired by the Austrian Bank BAWAG. BAWAG itself went through a crisis and was acquired by the US fund Cerberus, leading to the sale of L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH to Yamaha.

Founded: 25 February 1828
Employees: 180
Net sales: approx. € 13.5 million (Fiscal Year 2006)
Total assets: approx. € 15.7 million (Fiscal Year 2006)

Yamaha Corporation (ヤマハ株式会社) TSE 7951

Yamaha Corporation (ヤマハ株式会社) (Tokyo Stock Exchange TSE 7951) was founded on 12 October 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha (山葉寅楠) as Nippon Gakki Company, Limited (日本楽器製造株式会社) (= Japan Musical Instrument Manufacturing Corporation) in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka-Prefecture, as a manufacturer of musical instruments.

Revenues: YEN 432 billion (US$ 4 billion) (FY ending March 2015)
Employees: 19,967 (March 2015)

Products include:

  • musical instrument
  • electronics
  • motorcycles
  • power sports equipment

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