Nordiska Pianofabriken was founded around 1921 in Stockholm by Emanuel Lager. In 1926 the factory moved its operations to Vetlanda. Their pianos justifiably earned wide recognition in Europe for consistently reliable quality pianos. Later, in 1952, premises were built on Brogårdsgatan where the business was conducted until the end of 1988.
The involvement of German piano designer Dotzek from 1958 boosted further the design and manufacturing processes - all of which resulted in their being rated by the German trade magazine ‘Music Instrument Industry’, in the top 10 piano makers globally.
The workers enjoyed working at the factory - so much effort was made to keep industrial relations in good shape! Harmony in the work force always bodes well - particularly in a piano factory!
In 1980, Emanuel's son Birger Lager and his sons Kennet and Torbjörn became sole owners of the business. About this time there were more than 120 employees producing about 4,000 pianos a year.
From 1967 to 1988, some Nordiska instruments were also manufactured by Nordiska Piano KG in Kronach, Upper Franconia.
Alas! like so many other European manufacturers, Nordiska could not compete with the Asian manufacturers, where production costs were significantly less. Sadly production in Sweden ceased around 1988 when the Dongbei Piano Group of China acquired the company's assets.
The scale designs and manufacturing equipment was relocated to the Yingkou Piano Factory in Liaoning, China. Producing the Nordiska Pianos in China, Nordiska retained its high European quality standards while benefiting from lower production costs in China.
© Steve Burden
