Samick
Encyclopedia
Samick is the name of a Korea
-based musical instrument manufacturer, one of the largest in the world.
The name refers to the entire Samick Musical Instruments, which owns several manufacturers of pianos, guitars, and other instruments. The company started as 'Samick Pianos' in 1958, manufacturing pianos sold under the Samick name.
, Indonesia
. This factory produces the majority of instruments that Samick makes.
With factories in various Asian countries, Samick manufactures a large share of all electric guitars on today's market, mostly for other brands.
North American operations are performed from its newly constructed (completed July 2007) North American Corporate Headquarters, located in Gallatin, TN. This 214000 sq ft (19,881.3 m²) facility is responsible for all administrative activities for the North American market, as well as acting a distribution center for both its guitars and acoustic/digital pianos. The facility recently began the manufacture of a small number of acoustic pianos, which will be sold under the Knabe brand.
. Some other Samick-built guitars are sold under Epiphone
, Squier
, Washburn
Hohner
and many other brands. Recently have signed their first signature to Michael Graham of East Coast Ambitions with a signature Samick F100.
Recently Samick introduced the JTR Design Guitars. These instruments are the result of the arrival of the famous guitar maker J.T. Riboloff at Samick Indonesia.
J.T. Riboloff made his reputation as head of the Gibson Custom, Art, and Historic division for more than twenty years. The custom Les Paul guitars he made for Slash are among his most celebrated design.
brand.
In 2004, Samick gained controlling interest in competitor Young Chang
, but an anti-trust rulings in the U.S. and Korea ended the merger a year later. Samick also sells pianos to the German C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik
who is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
. Major shareholders are Karl Schulze and Samick (19,5%) of South Korea
.
In addition, Bechstein and Samick have a joint venture
factory in Shanghai
, China
. In October 2008, Samick announced its purchase of Seiler
, another German piano company, that is generally agreed to compete with Bechstein at both price point and overall quality. The announcement raises questions about continued viability of relationship between Samick and Bechstein.
In late 2009, Samick acquired a 16.5% share of Steinway Musical Instruments
. By November, 2010, Samick's share in Steinway Musical Instruments increased to 32%.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
-based musical instrument manufacturer, one of the largest in the world.
The name refers to the entire Samick Musical Instruments, which owns several manufacturers of pianos, guitars, and other instruments. The company started as 'Samick Pianos' in 1958, manufacturing pianos sold under the Samick name.
Operations
In 1992, Samick built its P.T. Samick factory in Cileungsi, near BogorBogor
Bogor is a city on the island of Java in the West Java province of Indonesia. The city is located in the center of the Bogor Regency , 60 kilometers south of the Indonesian capital Jakarta...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. This factory produces the majority of instruments that Samick makes.
With factories in various Asian countries, Samick manufactures a large share of all electric guitars on today's market, mostly for other brands.
North American operations are performed from its newly constructed (completed July 2007) North American Corporate Headquarters, located in Gallatin, TN. This 214000 sq ft (19,881.3 m²) facility is responsible for all administrative activities for the North American market, as well as acting a distribution center for both its guitars and acoustic/digital pianos. The facility recently began the manufacture of a small number of acoustic pianos, which will be sold under the Knabe brand.
Guitar manufacturing & OEM supply
Samick Musical Instruments have always made a wide range of guitars, from starter models to professional instruments. The Samick Artist series, for example, are known as high-quality guitars; they were made under the Samick name from the mid-1980s till the late-'90s. Since 1999 the electric guitars made by Samick no longer carry the Samick name; they are now called Greg Bennett GuitarsGreg Bennett Guitars
Greg Bennett Guitars are produced by Samick Music Corporation.After 40 years of producing guitars, Korean musical instruments manufacturer Samick hired industry veteran Greg Bennett to give their guitar line a radical makeover, with the goal of improving appearance, sound quality, and build...
. Some other Samick-built guitars are sold under Epiphone
Epiphone
The Epiphone Company is a musical instrument manufacturer founded in 1873 by Anastasios Stathopoulos. Epiphone was bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Company, which also owned Gibson Guitar Corporation, in 1957. Epiphone was Gibson's main rival in the archtop market...
, Squier
Squier
Squier is a musical instrument brand name owned by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.-History:Fender, under the ownership of CBS, acquired the Squier brand name in 1965 when it bought a USA based string making firm , but it lay dormant for many years...
, Washburn
Washburn Guitars
Washburn Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer. It was established in 1883 in Chicago, Illinois. Washburn is a part of U.S. Music Corporation.- History :...
Hohner
Hohner
Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG is a company specialising in the manufacture of musical instruments. Founded in 1857 by Matthias Hohner , Hohner is identified especially with harmonicas and accordions. The Hohner company has invented and produced many different styles, and most of the...
and many other brands. Recently have signed their first signature to Michael Graham of East Coast Ambitions with a signature Samick F100.
Recently Samick introduced the JTR Design Guitars. These instruments are the result of the arrival of the famous guitar maker J.T. Riboloff at Samick Indonesia.
J.T. Riboloff made his reputation as head of the Gibson Custom, Art, and Historic division for more than twenty years. The custom Les Paul guitars he made for Slash are among his most celebrated design.
Piano manufacturing & brand management
Samick also has a wide range of pianos. Its acoustic piano brands include Samick, Pramberger, Wm. Knabe & Co., Kohler & Campbell, and Gebrüder Schulze; and it has digital piano brands of Kohler, Samick Digital, Symphonia. Samick recently announced the discontinuation of the Sohmer & Co.Sohmer & Co.
Sohmer & Co. was a piano manufacturing company founded in New York in 1872. Sohmer & Co. marketed the first modern baby grand piano, and also manufactured pianos with aliquot stringing and bridge agraffes, as well as Cecilian "all-inside" player pianos and Welte-Mignon-Licensee reproducing pianos....
brand.
In 2004, Samick gained controlling interest in competitor Young Chang
Young Chang
Young Chang is a Korean manufacturer of pianos and industrial wood working machinery, headquartered in Incheon, South Korea. Young Chang also currently holds 50% of the Korean piano market....
, but an anti-trust rulings in the U.S. and Korea ended the merger a year later. Samick also sells pianos to the German C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik
C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik
C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG is a German manufacturer of pianos, established in 1853 by Carl Bechstein.-Before Bechstein:...
who is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Frankfurt Stock Exchange
The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is the world's 12th largest stock exchange by market capitalization. Located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange is owned and operated by Deutsche Börse, which also owns the European futures exchange Eurex and the clearing company...
. Major shareholders are Karl Schulze and Samick (19,5%) of South Korea
Economy of South Korea
South Korea has a market economy which ranks 15th in the world by nominal GDP and 12th by purchasing power parity , identifying it as one of the G-20 major economies. It is a high-income developed country, with a developed market, and is a member of OECD...
.
In addition, Bechstein and Samick have a joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
factory in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. In October 2008, Samick announced its purchase of Seiler
Seiler
Seiler is a surname, and may refer to:* Jack Seiler* Lewis Seiler* Reinhard Seiler* Sonny Seiler...
, another German piano company, that is generally agreed to compete with Bechstein at both price point and overall quality. The announcement raises questions about continued viability of relationship between Samick and Bechstein.
In late 2009, Samick acquired a 16.5% share of Steinway Musical Instruments
Steinway Musical Instruments
Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. is a musical instrument manufacturing conglomerate.Through acquisitions and mergers, the company has acquired a large number of musical instrument brand names and manufacturing facilities...
. By November, 2010, Samick's share in Steinway Musical Instruments increased to 32%.