Yamaha & Paiste Part Ways

Yamaha and Paiste Part Ways

Paiste America, Inc. and Yamaha Corporation of America today jointly announce that their five-year distribution relationship for Paiste products will conclude at the end of 2010.  Paiste America will move to serve its major U.S. retailers directly beginning January 1, 2011.

“We have had an excellent relationship with Yamaha Corporation of America and appreciate their efforts supporting the distribution of our instruments in the past five years,” said Erik Paiste, president of Paiste-America, Inc. “Our heartfelt thanks go especially to Yamaha’s Dave Jewell and the company’s District Managers, who have maintained and upheld Paiste’s market presence in major U.S. dealerships.”

Both companies cite significant changes to the market structures in the United States, along with increased competitive pressures and continued adverse economic conditions, as reasons why they have elected to focus on their own efforts in the U.S. marketplace going forward.

“The percussion industry has experienced many changes over the last five years, to which every company needs to adapt,” said Rick Young, senior vice president, Yamaha Corporation of America. “We enjoyed working with Erik and his team here in California. Paiste is a first-rate company at all levels and their desire to become as close to their customers as possible will increase the level of communication, resulting in positive outcomes for all.”

Paiste retailers in the U.S. who are currently working with Yamaha will continue to do so through the end of 2010. Paiste America will contact them to ensure an orderly transition as the company resumes direct relations from 2011 onward.