Loewen Piano House Now Distrib-
uting Pearl River Piano Brands
Pearl River Piano Group has announced the
signing of a new agreement with B.C.-based
Loewen Piano House for the distribution of
Pearl River, Ritmüller, and Kayserburg pianos
throughout Canada. Established in 1956,
Pearl River Piano Group is one of the largest
piano manufacturers in the world, producing
over 150,000 pianos a year, with a global
market share of over 30 per cent.
“Loewen Piano House has always been
the gold standard in Canada for their ap-
proach to excellence, service, and community
support. We couldn’t be more excited to
begin this partnership in a country that has
such a great potential for growth,” says Pearl
River’s Global Director of Sales and Market-
ing, Leng Tshua.
Loewen Piano House was formed in 1936 and was the first piano distributor to introduce pianos from Japan and Korea to the Canadian
marketplace after World War II. Its headquarters in Richmond, BC includes a 4,000-sq.-ft. music education facility, a 6,000-sq.-ft. showroom,
and an 8,000-sq.-ft. professional performance hall.
“With the addition of Pearl River, Ritmüller, and Kayserburg, we are fortunate to now represent the world’s finest piano brands, and we are
looking forward to raising their visibility throughout Canada,” says Luke Ma, managing director of Loewen Piano House.
For more information, contact Loewen Piano House: 604-688-4835, [email protected], www.lowenpianohouse.com.
TODD SCHWEINBOLD
St. Louis Music Names New Sales
Manager for Alvarez
Guitars & Combo
St. Louis Music has announced that Todd Sch-
weinbold has been appointed sales manager for
Alvarez Guitars and Combo. As sales manager,
Schweinbold will be handling all aspects of sales
and brand adoption on a global scale with a
focus on domestic national/key accounts and
international distributors.
“I am excited for the opportunity to work
closely with our Alvarez partners domestically
and internationally to position the brand as one
of the top acoustic guitar brands. I look forward
to developing and executing brand strategies to
maximize Alvarez Guitars and Combo products
in the marketplace,” says Schweinbold.
A banjo and guitar player himself, Schwein-
bold has a two-decade career in sales, including
many years with clothing brand Vans.
For more information, contact St. Louis
Music: 800-727-4512, info@usbandsupplies.
com, www.stlouismusic.com.
Gibson Temporarily Closes Facilities, Gives $1,000 to Each Hourly
Worker
Like many manufacturers, Gibson has closed its Nashville factory until further notice
due to the COVID-19 situation. At the time of the closure on March 23 rd , there were no
reported cases of coronavirus across the Gibson employee base, according to the company.
The Nashville facility closed following Mayor John Cooper’s “Safer at Home Order,”
which will extend until at least the end of April. Gibson also took the preventative step to
temporarily close its Montana facility, despite there being no government request. Gibson’s
team at the Nashville headquarters will be working remotely during the foreseeable future
to provide the appropriate levels of service across all functions. Gibson’s leadership has also
decided to provide all Gibson hourly factory workers with a $1,000 support payment to
help get through this difficult time.
For more information, go to www.gibson.com.
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE 13