Jurgen sold Pianoforte Supply to Dale Erwin. He seems to have dropped quite a few items.
"We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same." - Carlos Casteneda
Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2023 09:27
From: Bill Ballard
Subject: Schaff Announces Purchase of Pianotek
I didn't mean to imply that Piantek's demise was because of a financial emergency. They've provided great services and materials over the decades, and the folks involve richly deserve this retirement. The same goes for Schaff, another stellar provider. There's nothing predatory about their absorbing Pianotek. They are the people who make Jane Mark, and Bob's retirement possible.
And there are plenty of other vendors, medium and small size who still thrive, Brooks LTD and PianoForte Supply being two excellent examples. (…and that doesn't include the online drop-shippers.)
Bottom line, Pianotek's arrangement with Schaff is a happy sign of a heathly piano repairing/rebuilding community.
------------------------------
William Ballard RPT
WBPS
Saxtons River VT
802-869-9107
"Our lives contain a thousand springs
and dies if one be gone
Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
should keep in tune so long."
...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
+++++++++++++++++++++
Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2023 01:34
From: David Love
Subject: Schaff Announces Purchase of Pianotek
According to my brief communication with them they just wanted to retire, nothing nefarious-or health driven. I'm sorry to see then go but I'm glad that Schaff is picking up their inventory and hopefully some of there more unique products. I got to know some of the folks at Schaff back in the 70s when I was learning the trade and they were in Chicago not far from where I lived at the time They are a great help to me then and continue to provide excellent service. Glad they are still here and hope they remain.
------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320
Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2023 23:27
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Schaff Announces Purchase of Pianotek
I don't know, but maybe they just wanted to retire. They clearly had a lot of equity as evidenced by all of the affection expressed above. Hopefully they sold that to Schaff for a tidy sum. They've been working 50 weeks a year, in Michigan, maybe they want to fly south every once in a while.
Also, there are in fact, quite a few smaller and niche suppliers, look around, I can think of more than a half dozen off the top of my head, some are relatively new businesses.
------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal RPT
Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7129
Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2023 21:44
From: Bill Ballard
Subject: Schaff Announces Purchase of Pianotek
The irony is that as much as we are a niche corner of the economy and we enjoy our local, small business suppliers, what we see here is the same trend now at large in the country: small business disappearing and markets are consolidated into fewer and fewer choices. Not that we should feel at the mercy of Schaff, but still, it is the only one of that size. Our niche trade is not immune from the economic forces which drive companies to buy out their smaller competitors.
------------------------------
William Ballard RPT
WBPS
Saxtons River VT
802-869-9107
"Our lives contain a thousand springs
and dies if one be gone
Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
should keep in tune so long."
...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
+++++++++++++++++++++
Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2023 09:07
From: Shawn Bruce
Subject: Schaff Announces Purchase of Pianotek
On May 30,2023, Schaff Piano Supply Company purchased the assets of Pianotek Supply Company. We are currently relocating the inventory to our Lake Zurich facility and will be processing orders as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience during this time.
Sincerely,
Robert Johnson
President
info@schaffpiano.com
847-438-4556
------------------------------
Shawn Bruce
Marketing Manager
Piano Technicians Guild
Kansas City KS
(913) 276-5205
------------------------------