HDC YoungChang (Hangul: HDC영창) is a South Korean manufacturer of pianos and industrial wood working machinery, headquartered in Incheon, South Korea. Young Chang currently holds 50% of the South Korean piano market. The company is among the largest and most automated of the world's piano manufacturers.

Operations[edit]

Young Chang had four manufacturing facilities as of 1999, three producing pianos and the fourth a sawmill producing wood for export from the United States. The sawmill was located in Tacoma, Washington and was established in 1991. Piano manufacturing took place in plants in Seoul and Incheon, South Korea, both established in 1964, and Tianjin, China, established in 1995. The company also maintained a research and development facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. The company's Tianjin manufacturing site is run through subsidiary Tianjin Young Chang Akki Company, Limited, while the Tacoma sawmill is managed through subsidiary Young Chang America Timber, Incorporated.^[1]:E–8

As of the late 1990s, Young Chang, at the time known as Young Chang Akki Company,^[1]:3–1 was among the largest of the word's manufacturers of pianos, alongside Samick, Yamaha and Kawai,^[1]:xiii and one of five multinationals producing pianos.^[1]:3–1 Young Chang reported sales in the United States, China, Canada, Korea and the European Union under its own brand.^[1]:5–14

The company also produces pianos for other companies. For instance, it began producing Cline pianos for Cline Piano Company of Belmont, California in 1992; and began producing Knabe pianos for Music Systems Research of Sacaramento, California in the late 1990s.^[1]:E–8 Young Chang produced pianos for Nakamichi of Hamamatsu, Japan until 1998; the units were modified by Nakamichi before export to the United States.^[1]:E–9 The company had at one time produced Wurlitzer pianos for United States-distribution by Baldwin Piano & Organ, but this relationship was terminated prior to the late 1990s.^[1]:E–9

The company also markets under an alternative brand, Weber, held by subsidiary Weber Piano Company established in 1986. This brand was established specifically for English-speaking markets where a Korean brand name, as opposed to a German or American name, might be a disincentive to purchase.^[1]:E–9

History[edit]

Young Chang was founded in 1956 as a distributor of Yamaha pianos for Korea and other parts of Asia.^[1]:E–8 The company was founded by three brothers, Jai-Young Kim, Jai-Chang Kim and Jai-Sup Kim, as South Korea emerged as a major economy and producer of high quality goods. The first Young Chang factory was built in Seoul in 1964.^[2]

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Young Chang manufactured Squierelectric guitars and basses for Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, and also manufactured acoustic, acoustic/electric, electric guitars and basses under their own 'Fenix' brand.^[3] However, because of the similarities to the Fender brand and instruments, Young Chang could not sell the Fenix instruments due to licensing issues with Fender, and production stopped.^{[citation needed]}In addition to guitars and pianos (vertical and grand varieties), Young Chang produced in the late 1990s harmonicas, reed organs and industrial woodworking machinery.^[1]:E–7

In 1986, the company established Weber Piano Company, which sells pianos under the Weber brand name, which it had purchased rights to use after the demise of the Aeolin Piano Company in 1985. Young Chang subsequently sold this subsidiary to Samsung America in 1987.^[1]:E–9

In 1988, Young Chang established a foundry for production of piano plates in Tianjin, China, to supplement production of this key component, also produced in Korea. The success of this facility was one factor leading to the 1995 establishment of a piano manufacturing facility in Tianjin.^[1]:E–9

In 1990, Young Chang purchased Kurzweil Music Systems, a maker of high end electronic and digital musical instruments.

In 1991, Young Chang invested US$32 million to establish a subsidiary in Tacoma, Washington, Young Chang (America) Timber, to cut and process North American spruce and maple for export to its Asian manufacturing sites.^{[1]:3–5:6–11:E–8}

In 1995, Young Chang opened a new US$40 million factory in Tianjin.^{[1]:2–11:5–5} The Chinese facility allowed Young Chang to start serving the low-end markets, part of a long-term strategy involving shifting production from Korea to China.^[1]:4–12 The quality of pianos produced by this new plant was initially high, but dropped sharply after technicians who had helped set up the production returned to Korea, which had a significant impact on their ability to complete sales.^{[1]:4–15:6–12}

Joseph Pramberger, a former vice president from Steinway & Sons (head of manufacturing) and an experienced piano designer, joined the company in 1995. Pramberger brought many innovations to piano design, including the 'Platinum Touch Action' and the patented asymmetrically tapered soundboard. The Pramberger Platinum series, introduced in 2001, was Young Chang's top-of-the-line for three years. These models incorporated some German materials including Renner action parts. Joseph Pramberger died in 2003, and the following year, his estate sold the Pramberger name to Samick, but his patents and innovations are still exclusive to Young Chang.

The year following the opening of the Tianjin, China factory, in October 1996, Young Chang entered into bankruptcy, emerging in August 1998.^[1]:5–12 Young Chang has more than 2,000 full-time workers, designing and building its upright and grand pianos, and also the electronic Kurzweil Music Systems. Hyundai Development Company acquired Young Chang in 2006.

References[edit]

1. ^ ^{abcdefghijklmnopqrst}Lundy, David; Dominque, David; Pogany, Peter; Sastrum, Carl; Watkins, Ralph (May 1999). Pianos: Economic and Competitive Conditions Affecting the U.S. Industry (Publication 3196)(PDF) (Report). U.S. International Trade Commission. Investigation No. 332-401. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
2. ^Piano : an encyclopedia (2. ed.). New York [u.a.]: Routledge. 2003. p. 442. ISBN0-415-93796-5. first1= missing last1= (help)CS1 maint: Extra text: authors list (link)
3. ^Blue Book Of Electric Guitars 9th Edition Zachary Fjestad, Edited by S.P. Fjestad ISBN1-886768-57-9

External links[edit]

See also[edit]

• Young Chang G-185 grand piano walnut 6'1'

  6'1' Young Chang Grand piano. Very good condition. Recently tuned.

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  Near new condition used console piano in a natural wood furniture cabinet. providing the highest level of service, and the highest quality new and used pianos. State Board of Equalization.

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  This is a beautiful YOUNG CHANG grand piano has ebony satin finish. 1985 YOUNG CHANG 6' 1' GRAND PLAYER PIANO. make / manufacturer:Young Chang. This piano is also equipped with PianoDisc CD player system so you can also enjoy listen to live piano performance in your own living room.

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• Young Chang Upright Piano U107

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  FINELY CRAFTED YOUNG CHANG PIANO. TIMELESS BEAUTY!!! TOOK LESSONS ON IT 20 YEARS AGO AND HAVEN'T USED SINCE. PIANO WOULD LIKE TO BE PLAYED!!!! ITS JUST BEEN SITTING QUIETLY IN MY HOME FOR MANY YEARS. ONE OWNER. From very clean and smoke-free home. WITH ORIGINAL BENCH.

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  52' UPRIGHT PROFESSIONAL YOUNG CHANG PIANO in EXCELLENT CONDITION. It has been tuned twice a year and maintains its tuning beautifully.

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  Young Chang model U-131 full sized professional upright with matching bench. Compared to Yamaha U1, has strings 10% longer. Just cleaned, tuned and polished by RPT. Light wear, perfect soundboard, tight tuning pins, holds tune well.

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  Young Chang Piano U121 professional upright in good condition.

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  Young Chang Mahogany Upright Piano with Matching Bench & Covers. Condition is Used. Local pickup only.

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• Young Chang Upright Piano & Piano Bench w/Storage ~ 88 KEYS - Original Owner!

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• Chocolate Brown Young Chang Upright Piano with Bench and Lamp

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• Young Chang Y-118R Designer Upright

  Young Chang vertical pianos are constructed using all top quality materials by skilled artisans. These newly designed pianos are noted to have exceptional tonal quality and evenness of touch and sound throughout the entire range of the keyboard.

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• Young Chang Model PF110 , Console Piano Oak Satin FinishHeight - 46' with bench

  The Young Chang PF110 is part of the Young Chang Professional Artist series of pianos. This piano is the perfect fit for a smaller living space or where noise is a concern. Solid Spruce Soundboard. Oak Satin Finish.

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• Young Chang Hopper Piano Organ Company Model# PF116MO Retail over $5000 heavy

  Young Chang Hopper Piano Organ Company Model# PF116MO Retail over $5000 heavy. Condition is Used. Local pickup only great proce change only 999 i need the funds you arw getting a work of art here for a steal of a deal at 4000 less then retail and there is nothing wrong with it maybe needs to be retuned i hear you need to do that after every moving but every key works perfectly and sounds out of this world very very nice high end piano here

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• 52” Professional Upright Young Chang Piano

  Beautiful upright piano. Perfect for anyone interested in a great starter piano. I original owner from 1986. Storage bench is included. Located on Hilton Head Island. Young Chang F-116, you wont see one this nice for this price.

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• Young Chang Upright Console Piano & Wooden Storage Bench PF110 Walnut One Owner

  It is in excellent shape, other than a few small nicks which I have pointed out in picture #8. It could use a tuning. Local pickup only.

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• By owner black Young Chang U-107A Console Piano

  By owner black Young Chang U-107A Console Piano. Condition is Used. Local pickup only.

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• Piano, Young Chang, Upright, Cherry with Bench, Sheet Music, Piano Books

  Excellent condition Young Chang upright piano model F-108. Beautiful cherry finish (water stain on lid easily repaired).

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• Young Chang Black Lacquer Piano & Bench, on piano dollies, easy to move REDUCED!

  Good piano. Kept in tune. Heavy duty commercial dollies secured to the piano make moving easy. Two keys to lock the keyboard. Dehumidification bar installed.

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• Young Chang Console Piano - Black Laquer

  Young Chang Console Piano - Black Laquer. Condition is Used. Piano is in excellent condition. Selling because no one plays in household anymore.

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