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Monday of this week Bechstein took over Bohemia pianos. I don't know if there will be a change
of name or marketing, but I would guess there will be. I'm sure lots more to follow.

We are submitting this message as the manufacturer's representative for North America. The message below comes directly from Bohemia, thus, please note the signature, Marcela Schramlova and Stanislav Kremenak

"Bohemia Piano: Vince Grantano thinks that he knows everything better than the manufacturer. He has nothing to substantiate his false statements on. Absolutely nothing has changed for Bohemia Piano in the Czech Republic. Bechstein is and has been a minority shareholder for some time and that is no secret. Even the trade magazines reported about this cooperation between two European Piano Manufacturers.

Vince Grantano should think twice before he spreads false information.

The Bohemia Piano line is being produces the same as it has been, we are not becoming extinct. Actually, we just added the new model 173 to our collection, which will be available this spring.

Marcela Schramlova / Stanislav Kremenak"

German American,
Since this is your first post to the forum maybe a better way to start out would be to introduce yourself and tell us what your affiliation to the piano industry is. You certainly come off quite accusatory to VG and provided no basis for your statements.

Rich

Rumours, rumours, terrible roumours....

I somehow was under the impression that Bohemia had actually bought out Bechstein......


Norbert

German American Trading Inc. is the US importer/distributor(?) for Bohemia pianos.

Dear German American Trading,

Vince has shown himself to be an honorable and forthcoming member of this industry (and this forum) for years. I appreciate your correcting a mistake and this forum will always welcome true and accurate information, but your post needn't have been so personal.

Misinformation happens and Vince has been spot on more than most.

Welcome to the forums.

Would any one care to see Steve Cohen's post dated today 4/16/07,and tell me Bechstein did not buy Bohemia?

There is also a press release from C. Bechstein Pianoforte AG from 12 April 2007 (together with release of financial figures) that the contract were signed beginning of April. The information is also available in the letter to share holders published with the financial report for the year 2006 which came out about a week ago.

I originally wrote:



Dear Vince,

Apparently, you know better than the people that actually handle the product! I have set up a Vince Grantano shrine in my basement.

You mean you were right afterall?

Imagine that...

I'm not convinced that Vince was right.

Apparently the final buyout took place in early April. Vince posted that it had happened in February.

Vince = Seer, Sage, Soothsayer --- kinda like Carnac the Magnificent!

I do acquisitions as a significant part of my profession. I gather this deal closed in April. In that case, it is certain that a contract was signed several months earlier. It takes a while to get all the paper done etc.

Likely, Vince heard (correctly) that the deal was coming down, and made his statement. It was likey as true as anything else, and far more true than the vituperative nastiness that followed from "representatives" of the Bohemia company.

The fact that apologists for the latter wish to continue this assault is pathetic, transparent and embarassing. I'd be ashamed. But then...I'm not an apologist, and I'm not beholden to anyone in "the industry." I just happen to know how deals work....

Vince is owed an apology, imo. Not only by the Bohemia company (which certainly won't get any of my business, with representatives publishing angry tyrades like that), but also from the people here who somehow find it in their interest to continue the nonsense... I suspect Vince is not holding his breath.

Onward and upward...