KHS(Mapex) just acquired Hohner inc USA

[Sticks4drums]

Just found out that Mapex USA owns Hohner USA, the people that make Sonor.

KHS America, Inc. has announced plans to acquire Hohner Inc. from Matth. Hohner GmbH in Trossingen, Germany. Hohner, Inc. is the exclusive North American provider of Sonor drums. Transfer of ownership will take place on January 12, 2015.

For over 150 years it has been Hohner’s declared mission to “bring the joy of music making to people all over the world, to provide them with the best possible instruments so that they can discover their own musical creativity, and experience the emotional and communicative power of music.” As legacy brands, Hohner and Sonor have long been recognized as leaders in innovation and quality.

By integrating the iconic Sonor name with other brands such as Mapex drums, Majestic concert percussion, and Hercules stands, KHS America will be positioned to provide an even wider portfolio of drums and accessories.

“We’re very excited about the opportunities this acquisition creates for KHS and Hohner brands,” said Tabor Stamper, president of KHS America. “Both the collections of brands and the teams that manage them complement each other in almost every way. Although it will take time to fully integrate the two companies, we look forward to this process, and we’re extremely confident that the combined brand strengths and team talents will result in continued growth and enhanced business value for our retail partners.”

“We at Hohner are equally excited about this opportunity for both our companies,” said Clay Edwards, president of Hohner, Inc. “Together, we can do more for our dealers and consumers, as well as the advocacy and growth of music education, than either of us could have done alone.”
Article Credits: OfficialDrummer News Crew/ MapexUSA / KHS Music

[drummer]

Dang, a whole lotta changes going on in the drum industry!

[late8]

Wow!! Mapex and Sonor together....great news for us drummers!!

[xsabers]

KHS has been making SONOR's best selling drums for years. Actually at the same facility where MAPEX drums are produced.

[MDK]

2 great drum manufacturers, and the 2 companies who's kits I currently own. I do hope Sonor does not change their badges to look like Mapex's...LOL Sorry I could not resist.

[Sticks4drums]

2 great drum manufacturers, and the 2 companies who's kits I currently own. I do hope Sonor does not change their badges to look like Mapex's...LOL Sorry I could not resist.

And I hope Mapex's finishes don't start getting as ugly as Sonor's.

[signia fan]

Well, at least the Sonor name doesn't sound like a feminine hygiene product

[Sticks4drums]

Well, at least the Sonor name doesn't sound like a feminine hygiene product

Get your head out of the gutter!

[kay-gee]

Well, at least the Sonor name doesn't sound like a feminine hygiene product

Ha ha ha ha ha awesome!

all the best...

[Marius84]

Nice to see both of my kits are now in the same family . Allthough it didn't come as a huge shock to me, Mapex has been making Sonor Force drums for quite a while, as said. They also share a lot of the same hardware principals, like hexagonal L-arms for toms etc.

[Ricardo]

In the 70s, the Hohner Clavinet was a keyboard that every band had to have.
Still love them to this day.
Listen to the beginning of this song and you will know the sound :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLEKSQDoTiI

The Clavinet is an electrically amplified clavichord that was manufactured by the Hohner company of Trossingen, West Germany from 1964 to the early 1980s.

[late8]

Learn something new everyday. I didn't know Mapex was making Sonor drums.

[xsabers]

Just to be clear, KHS does not own SONOR. Hohner is the U.S. marketing and distribution arm of the German instrument maker, Matth. So KHS will be marketing and distributing SONOR drums among other things. This has not been one of Hohner's strong suits anyway. Hopefully this will breathe new life into the equation.

[xsabers]

Learn something new everyday. I didn't know Mapex was making Sonor drums.

My Force 3000 kit was made in the KHS factory, the same as my Mapex Meridian and Saturn. Made to SONOR specs however, and not a rebranded MAPEX.

[xsabers]

And I hope Mapex's finishes don't start getting as ugly as Sonor's.

Really?

[late8]

My Force 3000 kit was made in the KHS factory, the same as my Mapex Meridian and Saturn. Made to SONOR specs however, and not a rebranded MAPEX.

How many kits do you own?

[Sticks4drums]

Really?

That one looks good. I was more just funnin with MDK, but I do find many of their high end finishes are a little out there.

[xsabers]

How many kits do you own?

I sold the SONOR kit as it was redundant. Had the Meridian Maple and while it has fewer rack toms, it also has 18" and 22" bass drums so it's quite flexible for different stages. I miss the SONOR though...

So let's see, in no particular order:
MAPEX Saturn (6-piece; 2-up, 2 down)


MAPEX Meridian (4-piece plus extra bass drum)


REMO Bravo II (5-piece)


SONOR Panther (German made 5-piece 1990s Beech, black hardware, restoration project)


SONOR Champion (German made 5-piece early 1970s Beech)
Same wrap as the Panther with chrome hardware and shorter toms.

[kay-gee]

The foremost Hohner product is the harmonica "Marine Band"

all the best...

[N2Bluz]

The foremost Hohner product is the harmonica "Marine Band"

all the best...

Yep. Harps are the first thing I think of. I've seen Hohner guitars and also drums marketed under the Hohner name.

[late8]

Well, at least the Sonor name doesn't sound like a feminine hygiene product

Ha ha ha ha ha awesome!

all the best...

Just for the record fellas. Let's play fair. That's Spaun that did that...not Mapex

[kay-gee]

Just for the record fellas. Let's play fair. That's Spaun that did that...not Mapex

Yuck! That's gotta be the most disgusting drum finish I've ever seen.

I thought signia was referring to Mapex (Playtex)

all the best...

[N2Bluz]

Just for the record fellas. Let's play fair. That's Spaun that did that...not Mapex

Ohhhh.......you went there

[late8]

Ohhhh.......you went there

[with my best 5th grader impression] "well....signia fan started it...."

[Sticks4drums]

[with my best 5th grader impression] "well....signia fan started it...."

I have been through too many of these pile on's. Late 8 just jumped in to deflect some of the negativity. We could all learn a lot from him.