Corporate Site Menu Brand and History Yamaha's history began when its founder, Torakusu Yamaha, repaired a broken reed organ in 1887. Shortly thereafter, he successfully completed the first reed organ. Origins of the Yamaha Brand History of Logo Development of Products More than 130 years after our founding in 1887, we defined the Yamaha Philosophy as the philosophical framework that underpins business management at the Yamaha Group. Furthermore, in 2019, we established our new brand promise “Make Waves” to capture that special moment when our customers’ hearts tremble. Yamaha Philosophy Brand Promise Corporate Chronology 1887 Torakusu Yamaha builds his first reed organ 1897 Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd. (current Yamaha Corporation) is established with capital of 100,000 yen 1900 Begins production of upright pianos 1949 Lists its shares on Tokyo Stock Exchange 1954 Establishes Yamaha Music School and holds pilot classes Produces its first HiFi player (audio product) 1955 Establishes Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Splits off the motorcycle division) 1958 Establishes first overseas subsidiary in Mexico 1959 Begins production of sports equipment Begins production of electronic organ 1960 Establishes Yamaha International Corporation (current Yamaha Corporation of America) 1962 Begins recreation business 1964 Begins production of lifestyle-related products 1965 Begins production of wind instruments 1966 Yamaha Music Foundation is established Expands into Europe with the founding of Yamaha Europa GmbH, in West Germany 1968 Issues shares at market price for the first time in Japan 1971 Begins production of semiconductors 1987 Changes company name to Yamaha Corporation to mark the 100th years in business 2002 Establishes Yamaha Music & Electronics (China) Co., Ltd. Establishes Yamaha Music Holding Europe GmbH (current Yamaha Music Europe GmbH) 2005 Acquires Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH 2007 Establishes music entertainment business holding company 2008 Acquires L. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH Acquires NEXO S.A. 2010 Renews Yamaha Ginza Building, a complex including shopping area, concert hall, music studio etc. Transfers shares of the lifestyle-related products subsidiary Completes integration of Japanese piano factories to Kakegawa 2012 Completes integration of Japanese wind instrument factories to Toyooka 125th years in business (October 12th) 2013 Establishes Yamaha Music Japan Co., Ltd. 2014 Establishes domestic musical instrument and audio equipment production subsidiaries after the split-off and merger Acquires Line 6, Inc. and Revolabs, Inc. 2015 Transfer of semiconductor manufacturing subsidiary 2018 Acquires Ampeg brand Constructs “Innovation Center” research and development base Related Content Corporate Profile Innovation Road Locations Home About Us Brand and History About Us Message from the President Yamaha Philosophy Promises to Stakeholders Corporate Profile Officers Businesses Locations Research and Development Design Brand and History Corporate Museum Investor Relations Management Policy Document & Financial Data Stock Information Learn About Yamaha Sustainability Sustainability Management Activities Report Policies and Guidelines Recruitment I Play Yamaha Yamaha Symphonic Band Musical Instrument Guide Inspired - Tune in to your passion News Releases Products & Services Select Your Location Corporate Site English 日本語 Terms of Use Privacy Policy Accessibility Contact Us © Yamaha Corporation.