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They had plans and intentions alright. The good folks from Bosie NY can elaborate them in detail.

I do hope someone elaborates on this!

Marcus

Long story Oz.

Distribution changes happen all the time in this business for a variety of reasons. This includes dealers changing lines as well as mfg's changing dealers. Just because something seems obvious doesn't mean that it is.

post deleted - intended as a PM.

Most european dealers, except Germany and other one I think, will be gone for next 2010 year, switching the business to local Yamaha wholesalers. That will be a quite different approach to the market passing from the final customer to the retailer, which will open a door for future much cheaper instruments.

Rich said, "Interestingly, one of Yamaha Corporate's first moves was to buy a factory that Bosendorfer had been leasing for years. This was an expensive endevour and would only pay off if Yamaha Corporate intended to keep the brand in this facility long-term."

It was my understanding that Bösendorfer always owned the factory (and its contents), just that Yamaha capital allowed them to purchase the land it was on (which they had been leasing)...

Jeff said:


Yes, you are correct Jeff. It was a purchase of land that had been leased. Thank you for the clarification.

What a sad thread. The innuedo here has no supporting facts whatsoever and looks like warmed over FUD.

Bosendorfer's, while they may not be for everyone are remarkable pianos and a three hour trip is nothing for someone seriously evaluating one. Rich at Cunningham's is just an added bonus to round out the experience and make it worth the trip.

As an outsider it seems to me that Bosendorfer is in very good hands. If one reads the strategic vision and capabilities of the various companies that were looking to acquire you would see how it all makes sense.

Father,

Aside from the usual fluff, has Yamaha detailed how Bosendorfer fits into its strategic vision? If so, could you provide a link?

Turandot,

How does one measure fluff beyond Yamaha's reputation and track record for sustainable brands? Seems like access to capital and safe harbor are good for any acquiree of Yamaha too, also combined with the prospect of maintaining independence. On the other hand one could divine insights from chat room chatter

Hmm..I sure hope nobody at Audi reads this thread. They will really be upset that "the magic is gone" and they didn't get the memo!

Those magical pianos of 20 years ago were made when Bosendorfer was owned by Kimball International, makers of the Kimball piano. Apparently somebody considers that a much more logical fit.

Geez, a guy can't even ask a question around here.

I'm waving a white flag Eric.! Enough already! (That was pretty funny though!!)

I was not paying any attention to the doomsday foolishness. Quite honestly I was asking father for a link because I know he reads company reports. I've read a few Yamaha corporate reports myself in which they write about attention to their established markets and plans for increased penetration into others, even mentioning percentage gains they are targeting. But I've never seen anything specific to Bosendorfer in these market targets.

It's perfectly clear what Brodmann's strategic vision of the intended purchase was. That's a no-brainer. Yamaha's motivation seems less clear (at least to me). I guess we could all agree that both the Yamaha and Brodmann vision were better than BAWAG's though.

BTW, who's Mr. Johnson and who is Brahms?

Hi William,

When I read here: [url=http://www.news.at/articles/0804/30/195471/japanische-ouvertuere-boesendorfer-so-yamaha-turnaround][/url] :
..and
...and
...

I would dare to conclude it is Yamahas's intention with a 'two brand strategy' of making Bösendorfer it's premium brand to mainly compete (?against Steinway) in the market of the concert pianists and striving to crank up the production numbers into the 500 - 600's.

But as always you will have to do some work too: take your best German form under the dust!

schwammerl.

Now I never studied German, but from what I can understand, there is a political cat fight going on between Yamaha and Bosendorfer and some Cannibals (spelt Kannibalisiert in German) and some harsh words were swapped between the fighting groups (Fukutome - which is spelt differently in English!). I am not sure how it all ends, but I think that advice was to wear a wooly sweater!

Marcus

Marcus,

This is not how I read this text.

It says that a 'two brand strategy' will be consitently deployed as to avoid the Austrian brand name would be cannabalized.

For me this seems like a wellthought choice.

schwammerl.

Schwammerl is right: the text very clearly states that the aim is to avoid canibalisation of the Bösendorfer brand.

Luc,

Thanks for the text. I was in no way questioning Yamaha's strategic vision, and I never assumed that Yamaha bought a debt-ridden underperforming company so they could shut it down and retain its name for branding purposes. That makes no sense (as others have said).

I'm curious how the vision will take shape in insignificant minor markets such as China and Russia. I'll just have to wait and see.

Things seems to be a bit chippy here although Eric's remarks that he edited out were really funny.




Well, there are the usual plaudits for Rich G. from the usual quarters. Other than that, I'd replace 'divine' with devein.

Oz Marcus: thank you for your "translation." It was a first for me--I laughed out loud at something on Piano World because it was hilarious!

Thanks for the more accurate translation guys, I guess I was on the wrong track altogether;-)

M