| A Brief History-Renner The inventor of the | | | | light the plant and to power about 300 motors running |
| much-relied-upon Renner piano action was Louis | | | | the individual machines. The complexity of action |
| Renner. He began producing piano actions on a very | | | | production is particularly apparent when considering |
| small scale in October of 1882. At that time, action | | | | that 5,700 sections and small parts, springs and strips |
| manufacture centered around hand¬crafted | | | | must be assembled for one single piano action. It is |
| production. The history of the Renner Company is | | | | scarcely possible to enumerate the number of motions |
| intertwined with German piano production and | | | | and work stages leading to the end product. Renner is |
| increasing specialization in piano making. When the | | | | a typical example of German precision industry as |
| company moved into a new factory building in 1902, | | | | recognized throughout the industrial world. The most |
| Renner employed a Staff of 35. By 1911, the total had | | | | modern machinery ensures the highest possible |
| risen to 100, and a new wing had to be added to the | | | | standard of precision and the reliability of the individual |
| plant. In addition, since 1906, Renner had also been | | | | sections. The Renner factory was almost completely |
| producing hammers as well as actions. Production | | | | destroyed in 1944. However, by 1948, the company |
| became increasingly mechanized. Only the most | | | | was once again producing piano actions, initially for |
| important production stages required skilled | | | | Germany and later internationally, as piano |
| craftsmanship, although careful quality control | | | | manufacturers abroad relied once again on Renner. |
| guaranteed a superior product. The number of | | | | Expansion was necessary in 1960 and again in 1974, |
| employees had risen to 175 by the First World War. | | | | when a new plant was opened in Odenheim, where |
| Labor-saving methods were developed as new | | | | the entire processing of raw wood, the hammer |
| machinery became available. Hundreds of electric¬ | | | | glue¬works and other pre-assembly sections are |
| motors drove specialized production lines, and grand | | | | now located. The major wood storage yard at Renner |
| pianos actions were being manufactured as well. | | | | holds more than 2,000 cubic meters of wood. In 1991 |
| All action production was now performed under one | | | | Renner opened a third plant in Zeitz near Leipzig |
| roof. Labor-intensive Manufacture The number of | | | | where their upright action manufacturing plant stands |
| employees rose to 400 in the 1920s and 1930s, and | | | | today. |
| the plant covered 5,000 square meters. A resident | | | | Please don't hesitate to call us for anything at 800.595. |
| steam ¬turbine power plant produced 410 hp to | | | | |