<html><head><style type="text/css"></style></head><body><div style="font-family:garamond, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: garamond, new york, times, serif">Dean, I enjoyed your ironic, honest, seldom-explored view of ownership.  The same perspective could be used on many social issues--but that's a topic for another list.  I don't really want to open a can of worms on this list. . .</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: garamond, new york, times, serif"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: garamond, new york, times, serif">Richar<BR><BR></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: Dean May <deanmay@pianorebuilders.com><BR>To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><BR>Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 7:56:12 AM<BR>Subject: RE: NAMM Report<BR><BR> <DIV>Of course our factories are not owned by the government. Its just that the<BR>state gets a hefty cut of every transaction, of all the wages paid, of all<BR>the securities sold, of any profit left over, plus it regulates to the<BR>smallest detail every facet of production, employee management, factory<BR>design, factory location, etc. Let's not forget that these days when a new<BR>factory comes to town it actually can negotiate to get big bucks (taken from<BR>the taxpayer) as a free gift for start up capitol or other tax incentives.<BR>But we can feel good that at least our companies are not "owned" by the<BR>government and we have "free" markets in this country, right? <BR><BR>Dean<BR><BR>Dean May             cell 812.239.3359 <BR><BR>PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 <BR><BR>Terre Haute IN  47802<BR><BR>-----Original Message-----<BR>From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf<BR>Of Frank Emerson<BR>Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:54 PM<BR>To: Pianotech List; pianotech@ptg.org<BR>Subject: RE: NAMM Report<BR><BR>Rob Goodale wrote:<BR><BR>>The award goes to Hailun from China, <BR><BR>As designer of new models for Hailun, I thank you for your high praise of<BR>our product.  <BR><BR>> it is reported to be the only piano factory not owned by the government. <BR><BR>Actually, there are over 180 piano manufacturers in China, and many of<BR>these are privately owned.  Of these 180 companies, only four have been<BR>awarded the "China top brand" award.  Hailun is the only privately owned<BR>piano company to receive this award.  It is noteworthy that a privately<BR>owned company would receive this award from the Chinese government, in<BR>competition with many Chinese government owned companies.<BR><BR>>removing the mute rail for tuning takes 10 seconds.<BR><BR>10 seconds, max.  No tools.  Just lift it out.<BR><BR>Frank Emerson</DIV></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: garamond, new york, times, serif"><BR></DIV></div></body></html>