Yamaha Corporation of America has been quietly building its musical empire in Buena Park.
Last year, the North American arm of Japan’s Yamaha Corp. bought music software maker Steinberg Media Technologies from Mountain View’s Pinnacle Systems Inc. for $28.5 million.
Earlier this year, Yamaha struck a deal with Swiss cymbal company Paiste AG, whose U.S. arm is based in Brea, to distribute cymbals.
In August, Yamaha bought the rights to Rogers Drum Co. at the bankruptcy auction of Brook Mays Music Co., a Dallas music store chain. Drumming legends Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson played Rogers drums.
Yamaha plans to add to the Rogers line and offer the drums to more stores, said Tom Sumner, vice president of Yamaha’s Pro Audio & Combo division.
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Rogers drums: Buddy Rich played |
Up to now, Rogers only was sold in about 60 Brook Mays stores in a handful of states. Those stores are closing.
Yamaha is looking to sell Rogers drums through stores that sell its guitars, keyboards and other products. They include those of Guitar Center Inc. and Sam Ash Music Corp. as well as smaller stores.
The Buena Park unit counts estimated yearly sales of about $800 million and is the largest instrument company in the U.S.
Yamaha has four units in Buena Park: band and orchestral products, piano, professional audio equipment and consumer products, which sells instruments through Best Buy, Costco and others.
The industry is consolidating as business owners near retirement and sell to larger companies such as Yamaha, Sumner said.
Distribution deals such as the one with Paiste also reflect a trend.
“You get the benefits of having a whole portfolio of products,” Sumner said.
The music industry is growing, with sales expanding 6% in 2005, according to Music Trades magazine.
The U.S. makes up 43% of the global market, followed by Japan at 16% and Britain at 7%, according to NAMM, the industry’s trade group.
NAMM holds a yearly trade show at the Anaheim Convention Center, with the next one set for January.
Drum sales have been among the fastest growing for the past two to three years, Sumner said.
More baby boomers and females are playing, according to Yamaha.
