KAWAI
The Future of the Piano
After investing many years leading the Research & Development effort for another Japanese piano company, Koichi Kawai (front row center with glasses) and seven kindred colleagues formed the Kawai Musical Instrument Research Laboratory in Hamamatsu, Japan.
The first Kawai Grand Piano was produced in Hamamatsu, Japan. Koichi Kawai's dream to build the world's finest pianos had begun.
Company name changed to Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Company
Production capacity increases to 75 upright pianos and 10 grand pianos per month.
Koichi Kawai receives the prestigious "Blue Ribbon Medal" from the Emperor of Japan, becoming the first person in the musical instrument industry to receive such an honor.
Koichi Kawai died suddenly in October of 1955 at the age of 70. Succeeding him at the helm was 33-year-old Shigeru Kawai who would lead his family's company into the realm of modern manufacturing.
Believing that music education was the key to any instrument purchase, Shigeru Kawai built a network of Kawai Music Schools. And since these schools would require teachers, he created the Kawai Academy of Music to train qualified music teachers to staff the newly established schools.
Kawai joins the electronic world by releasing its first non-acoustic musical instruments.
Kawai opens a piano factory in Maisaka as the main assembly plant.
Shigeru Kawai inaugurates the Kawai Piano Technical Center to train service technicians in the art of caring for pianos.
Kawai America Corporation is established in 1963 -- followed by Kawai Europe, Kawai Canada, Kawai Australia and Kawai Asia.
Kawai boldly pioneers the use of ABS composite material in upright pianos.
ABS composite material is utilized in Kawai Grand Piano actions for the first time.
Opening in 1980, the 300,000 square-foot Ryuyo Grand Piano Factory was built at a cost of $50 million. Ryuyo embodies the perfect "marriage" of hand-craftsmanship and advanced technology. It is equipped with the most sophisticated piano-building tools available and is staffed by the most knowledgeable and experienced piano personnel in the world.
Opening in 1980, the 300,000 square-foot Ryuyo Grand Piano Factory was built at a cost of $50 million. Ryuyo embodies the perfect "marriage" of hand-craftsmanship and advanced technology. It is equipped with the most sophisticated piano-building tools available and is staffed by the most knowledgeable and experienced piano personnel in the world.
Digital pianos are added to expanding line of Kawai instruments.
In 1989, the presidency of the company was passed to Shigeru's son, Hirotaka Kawai. Hirotaka began with a pledge to carry on the commitment to excellence established by his father and grandfather.
Kawai America Manufacturing is established in Lincolnton, North Carolina.
Kawai becomes the first company in the piano industry to receive ISO 14001, the world's most prestigious certification for environmental excellence.
Having spent nearly 50 years leading the Kawai company, chairman Shigeru Kawai unveils his personal legacy to the piano world -- the Shigeru Kawai Grand Pianos.
Kawai introduces the revolutionary Millennium III Action featuring components made of ABS-Carbon, a new composite material created by the infusion of carbon fiber into our existing ABS Styran.
For three straight years beginning in 2005, the Kawai RX Series Grand Pianos received the prestigious "Acoustic Piano Line of the Year" award from Musical Merchandise Review (MMR) magazine.
Beginning in 2009, the K-3 Professional Upright Piano wins MMR Magazine's Dealers' Choice "Acoustic Piano of the Year" award in four consecutive years.
Current President of Kawai, Hirotaka Kawai, is awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
Current President of Kawai, Hirotaka Kawai, is awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.
The Kawai MP Series Digital Pianos is awarded the MMR Dealers' Choice "Pro Digital Piano Line of the Year" award.
The Kawai MP Series Digital Pianos is awarded the MMR Dealers' Choice "Pro Digital Piano Line of the Year" award.
The Kawai CN Series digital pianos win the MMR Dealers' Choice "Home Digital Piano Line of the Year" award and the Music Inc. "Product Excellence" award in the same year.
At the 2014 NAMM Show (the 2nd largest music products industry trade show), the Kawai CS10 hybrid digital piano wins the coveted Music Inc. "Editor's Choice" award.
A new subsidiary company, Kawai Pianos Russia, is established in Moscow.
Kawai introduces introduces a brand new line of professional grand pianos -- the GL Series.
Kawai introduces introduces a brand new line of professional grand pianos -- the GL Series.
Kawai Musical Instruments (China) Co., Ltd. is established in Shanghai.
Kawai Piano Gallery of Dallas becomes the 2nd Kawai retail store to be opened outside of Japan.
Kawai Piano Gallery of Dallas becomes the 2nd Kawai retail store to be opened outside of Japan.
