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1300 112620

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Wertheim piano is proudly Australian owned with strong German Heritage

John Martin

John Martin

CEO

My name is John Martin, the proud owner of Wertheim Piano International. In collaboration with our esteemed international piano designer, Delwin Fandrich, I oversee the entire manufacturing and distribution process of Wertheim pianos.

My passion for crafting musical instruments goes back to when I was just 7 years old and successfully built my first banjo. To my amazement, it actually worked, allowing me to play songs on it.

Read more about John Martin...

Since the age of 14, I have been an active musician, proficiently playing piano, organ, drums, guitar, and saxophone. In 1970, I established my initial music shop in Swan Hill, Victoria, and later expanded to Deniliquin, Albury, Bendigo, and Melbourne. Additionally, I was a partner in a piano workshop located in Melbourne.

In 1996, I founded the World of Music marketing and buying group, which grew to include 52 stores in Australia and 12 in New Zealand. Through this venture, I collaborated with both Australian and international musical instrument wholesalers and retailers, implementing effective marketing and business programs to bolster opportunities in the industry.

In 2002, I acquired the Wertheim piano business, commencing piano manufacturing in Korea and China. By incorporating components and technology from Australia, Korea, China, Germany, and the USA, we ensure the highest quality and performance in each Wertheim piano.

Originally crafted in Germany since 1875, Wertheim pianos have a rich legacy. The brand also established a state-of-the-art piano factory in Melbourne in 1908. As a Performance/Quality/Value piano with German heritage and Australian ownership, Wertheim pianos expanded their sales from Australia, China, and New Zealand to other international markets in 2010.

Continuously striving to enhance the customer experience, Wertheim remains dedicated to pioneering new piano designs. Our revolutionary Wertheim/Fandrich series elevates piano manufacturing to new heights, imbuing upright pianos with the grand piano’s exquisite performance.

With over 50 years of experience in the piano industry, I remain fueled by the desire to create Wertheim pianos that bring immense joy and satisfaction to piano enthusiasts. I genuinely believe that music has the power to transform lives. If you’re seeking more fulfillment in your life, a Wertheim piano can infuse it with the magic of music.

A Brief History

The Wewrthiem company was established in Germany in 1875.

Hugo Wertheim migrated from Frankfurt, Germany to Melbourne Australia. He opened two piano showrooms in Bourke & Collins Streets, selling Wertheim Pianos that were produced in Germany. On the 21st of October 1908, he opened a state-of-the-art piano factory in Richmond, with the factory’s foundation stone being laid by Prime Minister Alfred Deakin. Wertheim pianos were the first pianos ever manufactured in the state of Victoria – they were a popular, all-purpose piano, renowned for their ability to stay in tune for long periods of time and for requiring little maintenance.

Success

The business became very successful and the Wertheim family enjoyed celebrity status in Australia. Wertheim Street in Richmond (on the northern boundary of the Bendigo Street Factory) was named in honour of the Wertheim family, and their pianos were proudly featured at the iconic Tivoli theatre and endorsed by celebrities such as Dame Nellie Melba, who was known to frequently request that Wertheim pianos be used in all her performances.

The Great Depression of 1929

However, the Great Depression of 1929 saw a declining demand for pianos, and the Wertheim factory – once the largest piano factory in Australia – was forced to close its doors in 1935. The factory was sold to canned-food giant Heinz, who remained there into the 1950s. In 1956, the factory was taken over by Channel 9 Studios, where some of Australia’s most iconic shows – including ‘The Don Lane Show’, ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday’, and ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ were filmed.

Enter, John Martin

In 2002 John Martin acquired the Wertheim Piano business and commenced piano assembly in Korea and China using the very best acoustic piano components from Germany, USA, Japan, Korea, and China.

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Today

Today, all styles of Wertheim Pianos – upright piano, grand piano and baby grand piano – are favourites among international recording artists, concert pianists, sound engineers, piano technicians, and music schools. Most recently, Wertheim pianos have been embraced by the legendary Melbourne music studio Studio 52, and the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music.