Walter Piano Company Tour

[Greg Newell]

Terry,
         Our chapter also just came back from a tour in New York that was 
rather informational. I would love to see the Walter factory again. The 
hospitality of Mr. Walter and the ease with which he answered questions and 
his entire staff was quite refreshing. This in contrast to Steinway who 
would not allow any pictures to be taken and skirted answering quite a few 
questions. I personally find the factory tours to be beneficial from a 
learning standpoint in that they give me great ideas on how to streamline 
my own operations. Regarding the Walter tour I was greatly encouraged to 
see how much care went into each step of the manufacture. You can tell that 
they are proud of their work. These tours also show different constructions 
more easily than inspecting a finished piano because you can see the pieces 
as they are added. The first tour I ever took was of the Everett factory in 
South Haven Michigan soon after Yamaha took them over. I remember that one 
being instrumental in teaching me the basic order of construction. I also 
remember the cool idea the Japanese brought to the plant. they feed the 
wood chip into the furnace to economize on heating the factory. No Waste! I 
believe that i could tour factories many times over and get something new 
from them each time. Kind of like revisiting the same old topics on 
pianotech forum over and over again. To everyone still wanting to learn I 
suggest, go and go again! As many times as you have the opportunity.

Greg Newell

At 09:55 AM 6/9/2002, you wrote:
>Tell us a little bit about it. I assume you think it is worthwhile being 
>that you would consider going back? I have never had a factory tour 
>anywhere and don't really know what to expect. Is it of good educational value?
>
>Terry Farrell
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 9:42 AM
>Subject: Re: Walter Piano Company Tour
>
>
> > Terry,
> >          Though I have taken that tour once with our local PTG chapter, I
> > would love to do it again. Count me as a definite maybe.  Already quite a
> > bit of time off work you know.
> >
> > Greg Newell
> >
> >
> >
> > >>I called the Walter Piano Company in Elkhart, IN yesterday and told them
> > >>I would really like to tour their facility. The guy I talked to said 
> that
> > >>they would be happy to accommodate tours July 1, 2 and 3 - that's the
> > >>Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday following the Chicago convention. I am
> > >>planning on heading toward Detroit after the convention, so it's 
> right on
> > >>my way. I'm planning on doing it - likely Monday. Anyone else wanna take
> > >>the tour? Elkhart is about 135 miles east of the convention site.
> > >>
> > >>Terry Farrell
> > >>
> > >
> > >Greg Newell
> > >mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net

Greg Newell
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net