Pianos Toronto: Used Pianos Sale, Pianos for Sale
February 22, 2012, 15:57
Pearl River
The Pearl River Piano Group is China's largest piano manufacturer and lays claim to the largest piano factory in the world. The company was established in 1956 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Pearl River is also the fastest-growing piano company in the United States and Canada, with over 300 dealers and growing.
World's Largest Chinese Piano Manufacturer
Since 1956, Pearl River Piano has operated several factories in Guangzhou, China, including the world's largest piano factory. Recently a new state of the art woodworking facility has been completed to prepare the company for the next generation of manufacturing.
Core Building Features
Pearl River pianos feature hardwood rims, sand-cast plates, and lower tension scales, features found on the world's best pianos such as Steinway, Bosendorfer and almost all other top tier pianos. These features are considered to be important to protecting the long-term durability of the piano's tone, which can be affected over a period of time by changes to the soundboard's "crown", a problem which is thought to occur more rapidly on pianos that do not have these core features.
Most Pearl River Pianos are considered entry level pianos; however, some are manufactured to higher specifications with better materials. To improve product design and manufacturing efficiency, Pearl River automated and installed computer-generated design equipment. To boost quality, they brought in a raft of foreign industry executives as consultants and forged a $10 million joint venture with Yamaha in 1995. "We can study good management concepts," says Tong Zhi Cheng, CEO of Pearl River.
Pearl River also releases special edition pianos, including the Butterfly Grand which is 198 centimeters and available in Silver or Blue and Pink finishes. Pearl River also produces a Ritmuller, a higher end piano, for the Asian and European markets.
Pearl River Connection with Yamaha & Steinway
The Yamaha Connection
Yamaha formed a joint venture with Pearl River in 1995 to establish a factory to build pianos for the Chinese market. This factory is located east of Guangzhou in an 'economic development zone,' approximately 35 miles from the Pearl River factory.
This factory produced two models for the Pearl River Piano company: The UP125M1, and the Ritmuller UP126R. Ritmuller is a brand name belonging to Pearl River. Ritmuller brand pianos sport upgraded cabinetry, a different plate, upgraded felt and several different scale designs. Both Product Lines are marketed in the United States by retail piano stores.
After learning and emulating Yamaha's production processes, the Pearl River Piano company ousted Yamaha's ownership of the factory along with the backing of the Chinese government. Despite Pearl River's frequent marketing as having been "Designed by Yamaha", the two corporations have no ongoing partnership and Pearl River's pianos have no affiliation with Yamaha Corporation.
The Steinway Connection
Pearl River also manufactures three models for Steinway's "Essex" brand piano line, including two grand pianos and an upright.
On May 1, 2005 Steinway & Sons and Pearl River Piano Group, Ltd. released a joint announcement of the signing of an agreement. The companies began development work on several new models of the Essex piano line, designed by Steinway & Sons for affiliate company Boston Piano Co., Inc. The new line of pianos reached the marketplace early in 2006. This was Steinway's first such venture in China and Pearl River's first OEM relationship with a Western piano maker.
Essex pianos are manufactured in their factory in Guangzhou, China.
Taken from Wikipedia