Piano Covering - How the Intricate Dimensions of a Piano Cover Become Reality
I recently had a chance to tour the factory of the company who makes about eighty percent of the piano covers for our customers.
This is part of an annual visit to the plant that I like to make so that I can be sure I know the people who we deal with on a daily basis by name and, more importantly, that they know me.
This trip has enabled me to receive exceptional attention to any issues that have arisen and assured me that I will continue to receive that kind of support going forward.
It makes a great deal of difference to be dealing with that type of supplier, one who says they will go above and beyond the call of duty to have a satisfied customer and who always follows through on the commitment.
This year I really wanted to spend time with the team that makes the piano covers.
I think many of our customers have the illusion that piano covers are in stock and are ready to go as soon as they are ready to order the product.
That is only the case for a handful of the piano brands.
We typically have Steinway covers in stock and will have a good number of Knabe and Chickering models and sizes as well, but other models and sizes are typically made to order within about 48 hours.
There just isn't the sales volume to be able to make them to stock.
As I watched the manufacturing and sewing process and asked questions of the team making the covers I was amazed at their knowledge of the materials and the pianos themselves.
I asked them what the number one issue they face when making a piano cover and they responded in unison...
patterns and correct sizes.
Patterns and Correct Sizes.
Most piano covers are made from a pattern that already exists.
When an order is placed for a cover the team at the plant will pull a pattern made of paper that has the outline of the top of the piano with the brand and the model number clearly marked in the middle of the pattern.
For each model that they have made before, multiple copies of the pattern exist so that several can be made at the same time.
The team told me that, while they have made piano covers for about every brand and model of piano, they still get custom sizes on a very regular basis, as many as two to three a day during the busy season.
The tricky part of making a custom piano cover for a size they have not made before, they told me, is getting the pattern to be right the first time.
When I asked how they do that they told me one word - communication.
When the need to make a cover that has not been made before arises they ask the customer to tape paper together on top of the piano so that it hangs over the edges of each section of the piano.
They then ask the customer to simply trace the outer edge of the piano using a marker or heavy pen/pencil on the paper and to send it in.
They take the pattern provided by the customer and make a pattern for their use directly from the pattern the customer provided.
It always fits exactly the way the customer wants it to fit and the benefit to the company is that they now have a perfect-fit pattern for the piano brand and model that can be used again for the next customer.
Very Impressive.
This is part of an annual visit to the plant that I like to make so that I can be sure I know the people who we deal with on a daily basis by name and, more importantly, that they know me.
This trip has enabled me to receive exceptional attention to any issues that have arisen and assured me that I will continue to receive that kind of support going forward.
It makes a great deal of difference to be dealing with that type of supplier, one who says they will go above and beyond the call of duty to have a satisfied customer and who always follows through on the commitment.
This year I really wanted to spend time with the team that makes the piano covers.
I think many of our customers have the illusion that piano covers are in stock and are ready to go as soon as they are ready to order the product.
That is only the case for a handful of the piano brands.
We typically have Steinway covers in stock and will have a good number of Knabe and Chickering models and sizes as well, but other models and sizes are typically made to order within about 48 hours.
There just isn't the sales volume to be able to make them to stock.
As I watched the manufacturing and sewing process and asked questions of the team making the covers I was amazed at their knowledge of the materials and the pianos themselves.
I asked them what the number one issue they face when making a piano cover and they responded in unison...
patterns and correct sizes.
Patterns and Correct Sizes.
Most piano covers are made from a pattern that already exists.
When an order is placed for a cover the team at the plant will pull a pattern made of paper that has the outline of the top of the piano with the brand and the model number clearly marked in the middle of the pattern.
For each model that they have made before, multiple copies of the pattern exist so that several can be made at the same time.
The team told me that, while they have made piano covers for about every brand and model of piano, they still get custom sizes on a very regular basis, as many as two to three a day during the busy season.
The tricky part of making a custom piano cover for a size they have not made before, they told me, is getting the pattern to be right the first time.
When I asked how they do that they told me one word - communication.
When the need to make a cover that has not been made before arises they ask the customer to tape paper together on top of the piano so that it hangs over the edges of each section of the piano.
They then ask the customer to simply trace the outer edge of the piano using a marker or heavy pen/pencil on the paper and to send it in.
They take the pattern provided by the customer and make a pattern for their use directly from the pattern the customer provided.
It always fits exactly the way the customer wants it to fit and the benefit to the company is that they now have a perfect-fit pattern for the piano brand and model that can be used again for the next customer.
Very Impressive.
Source...