Pearl River Piano Group
The Pearl River Piano Group (广州 珠江 钢琴 集团 有限公司) is the largest manufacturer of pianos in China and operates its manufacturing facility in the Pearl River Delta, the largest piano factory in the world. The company was founded in 1956 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Pearl River is also the fastest growing piano trade group in the U.S. and Canada with more than 300 dealers (2007).
- 2.1 manufacturing
- 2.2 Environmental Certification
- 4.1 OEM supplier
- 4.2 Relations with Yamaha and Steinway 4.2.1 Yamaha
- 4.2.2 Steinway & Sons
Production, materials
Pearl River can produce more than 100,000 pianos a year and exports them to more than 80 countries.
Since 1956, Pearl River Piano operating seven factories in Guangzhou, including the world's largest piano factory. In November 2009, a new timber production was opened.
Production characteristics
Pearl River Pianos have housing from hard woods, sand -cast frame and scales from low voltage, features that are also found in the world's best pianos by Steinway, Bösendorfer and almost all other high -class pianos. These properties are considered to be important to ensure a long life of sound characteristics. This sound characteristics are influenced by the bias and exaggeration of the curvature of the soundboard under the pressure of the string tension. Pianos that do not have these properties, are said to have a tendency to problems with the sound attitude.
Most pianos of Pearl River are considered as beginner pianos. However, some models are equipped with superior specifications and materials, such as the Essex pianos, a brand owned by Steinway & Sons. To improve the product development and the efficiency of manufacturing, Pearl River automated in manufacturing and installed CAD-CAM technology. In order to improve the quality, presented to an international consultant and included beziffertes with $ 10 million joint venture with Yamaha from. " We can not assume good management concepts by leading companies in Japan ," said Tong Zhi Cheng, CEO of Pearl River.
The company also publishes special pianos, such as the " butterfly wings " (Butterfly Grand) with 198 centimeters in length and in the colors silver, blue and pink available. The former Göttingen tradition Ritmüller brand is now also used for pianos from Pearl River. You marked instruments at the upper end of the production range of Pearl River, but the relatively low price range.
Certifications
Production
1998 Pearl River Piano was awarded the ISO 9001 certification for its complete line of upright and grand pianos, with all its components. The ISO 9001 certification is awarded by an independent auditing organization after a lengthy audit process, which includes the supply of materials, parts production, assembly and service. Pearl River was the first piano construction companies in China, which was awarded this qualification.
Environmental certification
Pearl River has recently been certified according to ISO 14001, according to a standard that assesses the environmental activities of the company. Again, Pearl River was the first Chinese piano construction company that managed this qualification.
The name " Pearl River "
Pearl River was until recently in the United States is not a familiar name; entry into the piano sales in the U.S. took place only in 2000. Since then, the piano sales of the Pearl River in the United States rose rapidly, and today holds Pearl River a considerable market share in the pianos under $ 15,000. Pearl River was the first Chinese piano construction company that distributed its products under its own name.
Other instruments
Pearl River is also one of the world's biggest Guitar and Violin Makers and is a premier supplier of popular guitar brand " First Act " that are found in the target chain stores. The company also sells drums and brass instruments worldwide.
In China, the Pearl River guitars produced under the trade name " Kapok Guitar" (红棉).
OEM supplier
The three largest piano retailers in the United States chose Pearl River as their finisher from: Jordan Kitts Music, Sherman Clay and Schmitt Music. These three providers use their own brand names ( Henry F Miller, Christofori ) on the front of pianos and use in individual cases, small modifications in comparison to the Pearl River pianos, which are distributed by Ontario, Canada from.
Connections to Yamaha and Steinway
Yamaha
Yamaha went to Pearl River in 1995 formed a joint venture to build a factory for the Chinese market. This factory is located east of Guangzhou in a development zone, about 50 kilometers from the Pearl River factory.
This factory produces two models for Pearl River: the UP125M1 and Ritmüller UP126R. Ritmüller is a brand name that is now part Pearl River. Ritmüller pianos have improved housing, another frame, better felts and various other specifications of the scale designs. Both product lines are marketed to the United States in piano retail.
After Pearl River had learned the production processes of Yamaha, Pearl River Piano dissolved the ownership by Yamaha with support from the Chinese government. Although Pearl Rivers Marketing claims that the pianos "Designed by Yamaha " are, the two companies have no other partnership, and the pianos of Pearl River now have no more connection with Yamaha.
Steinway & Sons
Pearl River also manufactures three models of Steinway " Essex " series: two grand pianos and a piano model.
On 1 May 2005 Steinway & Sons and Pearl River jointly announced the signing of an agreement. The company began to develop a new range of Essex pianos. The construction took over Steinway for the subsidiary " Boston Pianos ", the production is based at Pearl River in China. The new line of pianos came in spring 2006 on the market. This was the first production activity of Steinway in China and the first OEM contract manufacturing of Pearl River for a Western piano construction companies.
Essex pianos are manufactured in the factory in Guangzhou.