 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Henry
Date: 2004-07-25 01:54
I just read a post on the NG alt.music.saxophone claiming that Steinway is acquiring Leblanc. Any truth to that?
Henry
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Author: Henry
Date: 2004-07-25 02:15
I just looked at Leblanc's website and, sure enough, it's there black-on-white! Leblanc will become part of the Conn-Selmer Division of Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. (Any link to Steinway Pianos?)
Henry
Post Edited (2004-07-25 02:16)
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Author: larryb
Date: 2004-07-25 13:17
According to Steinway's PR (7/22), it's aquiring G. Leblanc of Wisconsin, which sells/markets Leblanc (france) clarinets. Does that mean that Steinway has also aquired the French concern too, or is it still "independent?"
In any event, Steinway's ownership of Selmer hasn't seemed to diminished Selmer France's ability to inovate now and then. And Steinway's stock has been doing well over the past year (though not the past month).
Interesting that corporate Selmer first aquired corporate Steinway in 1995, and then the whole was restructured/named as Steinway, inc. Tells which name carries greater weight.
Here's the PR (hope it's not covered by copyright rules - Mark will know):
[ Use the link http://www.kensei-news.com/bizdev/publish/mi_business/article_26359.shtml instead of copy/pasting the entire article - GBK ]
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Author: LeOpus1190s
Date: 2004-07-25 14:39
If anything selmer clarinets are better far better now than they used to be. Perhaps new funding will provide leblanc with what it needs to improve on its line of professional clarinets.
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-07-25 16:38
Steinway Musical Instruments is indeed the parent company of Steinway the piano makers, of Selmer USA, and soon, it seems, of Leblanc.
However, it is not the parent company of Selmer Paris. Selmer Paris, makers of professional clarinets and saxes, is an independent firm under French ownership.
It will be interesting to see how the purchase of Leblanc affects the relationship between Selmer USA and Selmer Paris. I would assume that Steinway will want to promote Leblanc clarinets and Yanagisawa saxes in preference to the products of Selmer Paris.
I see no reason to suppose that this takeover will have any adverse effects on the quality of Leblanc's product. Steinway pianos are generally considered to be the best that money can buy. Yamaha are a conglomerate, and they turn out some pretty acceptable instruments.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Ralph
Date: 2004-07-25 17:17
David is quite right. Selmer Paris is still a family owned and run business. If you send an e-mail to the Selmer Paris organization, you just may get a response from one of the members of the Selmer family. Selmer USA is the sole distributor of Selmer Paris products in the U.S. It will be interesting to see what happens, if anything, to the relationship between Selmer Paris and the Conn-Selmer Division of Steinway.
Ralph
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-07-25 21:29
Just today, I recieved [inter alia?] a letter from Conn-Selmer [Elkhart] concerning their new Saint Louis "anniversary models" [Sel-Paris], limited edition, only 100 available, Bb [bore14.5 mm/.571"] and A [bore14.55/.573"] . They are of 17/6 keying BUT HAVE the L H Eb/Ab lever !! V G [IMHO]. Have ?reverse-taper? barrels, leather pads, resonators on the lowers, are "rich open-sound, easy blowing
" ,etc , features we have been asking for [again IMHO]. Sounds V G to me, [Disc.] I have no interest in this other than as a prospective buyer. Will be looking forward to a tryout! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-07-25 22:31
What's the problem ... multi-nationals buy out small concerns every day (seemingly). It's how the very rich get even richer, end of story. Probably an odd acquisition, really ... having said that, Steinway have an excellent reputation for manufacturing top notch instruments, of course pianos I'm thinking. Leblanc clarinets are top notch, could be a decent marriage.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2004-07-25 23:24
Bradley i don't think you have anything to worry about. I'm sure Steinway isn't rushing out to have Leblanc completely rework all of their instruments just so they're horrible... even under new management you'll find plenty of A's that were made during the old guards reign in office so to speak. If anything we might be able to look forward to a drop in price though i doubt it.
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Author: hans
Date: 2004-07-26 00:56
Bradley,
Takeovers tend to be more successful if the company doing the taking over knows the product or the market (preferably both) of the takeover target, if there are synergies between the companies, and if they keep key staff (e.g., resist the temptation to reduce costs by firing the only guy who knew how to turn the lights on).
I would guess that Steinway is knowledgable about the music business, so that there should be little cause for concern. Also, as Keil said, there will be plenty of clarinets available that were made before the takeover causes any change in the company's operations
Regards,
Hans
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-07-26 02:14
Actually, I'd love to see Steinway clarinets! Even if they are LeBlanc, slightly improved and rebranded. Perhaps this way LeBlancs will begin to get the credit they desserve.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-07-26 15:34
Ah yes, takeovers. When you think about how many U.S. manufacturers of pianos there have been and that the name Steinway is still active you gotta have some respect for them. I wonder what Vito the father would say?
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-07-26 23:00
I was confused by the thread that referred to the Conn-Selmer division of Steinway. I thought Conn instruments were now made by United Musical Instruments.
Leonard
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-07-26 23:42
leonardA wrote:
> I thought Conn instruments were now made
> by United Musical Instruments.
You are right ... they are ... and UMI is part of the Steinway Musical Instruments group ...
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-07-27 14:23
Small point of clarification (and easily confused as Conn-Selmer hasn't even updated all of their materials) -- UMI doesn't really exist any more. They have integrated all of the brands and distribution under the Conn-Selmer umbrella, and they issue one dealer agreement that covers everything (Conn, King, Selmer, Bach, Emerson, Artley, etc. etc. ad nauseum) except Ludwig-Musser.
I'm assuming once Leblanc is brought into the fold they will follow the same structure, and it will be one more line through the same distribution channels. I sincerely doubt they will be doing a lot of tampering with the instrument manufacturing end of things. Their efficiencies are going to be gained through sales, marketing, backoffice, and corporate, not by sacking a few artisans. Ignoring Steinway itself for a moment, forget not that Conn-Selmer is to trumpets and saxophones what Buffet is to clarinets. These guys do know how to run a company, and to maintain a market leadership position.
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