Allow us to invite you on a short trip into the history of the PETROF company. Let us go back together into the past when Antonín Petrof laid the foundations of the factory - now one of the most significant producers of acoustic pianos in Europe - and recall the tortuous destinies of all six generations of the Petrofs and of the master piano-makers who work to this day in this honourable craft and family tradition.
Birth of the company founder, Antonín Petrof
Antonín Petrof goes to Vienna to learn how to build grand pianos at the companies: HEITZMAN, EHRBAR, SCHWEIGHOFER
Construction of first PETROF grand piano; founding of company
Antonín Petrof transforms his father’s joinery workshop into a piano maker’s workshop in the old town behind the Cathedral of Svatý Duch (Holy Ghost)
Austro-Prussian battle at Hradec Králové – production is interrupted
New factory; production of harmoniums
A subsidiary in Temesvar in Hungary is opened
The company starts keyboard production and the construction of action
Start of upright piano production
Export of instruments; service centre and warehouse in Vienna
Antonín Petrof appointed court piano maker for Austria-Hungary
The company is transformed into a limited liability company, and Marie Petrofová is the confidential clerk. Not only the founder, but also his sons Jan, Jan, Antonín and from 1914 the youngest Vladimír (2nd generation) work for the company
After deaths of Antonín Petrof and his wife Marie the company passes to the youngest son Vladimír
Production of electro-pneumatic pianos and later radio-acoustic pianos is introduced. PETROF now exports also to Japan, China, Australia and South America
3rd PETROF generation managing the company; together with STEINWAY PETROF opens office in London
Grand Prix gold medal in Brussels
Nationalisation of company
Founding of Development Department
EXPO Brusel gold medal (PETROF Mondial)
4th PETROF generation managing the firm under Jan Petrof
A new modern research centre is opened with its own large-capacity free-field measuring chamber, the largest of its kind in the Czech Republic
Továrna na pianina, a. s. is established in Hradec Králové
Privatisation of the company by PETROF, spol. s r. o. is finalised
135th anniversary of establishment of the PETROF company
Factory returns to hands of Petrof family
Patenting of Magnetically Accelerated Action (MAA)
Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová becomes company president; company celebrates 140th anniversary
Mgr. Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová is appointed president of the European Federation of Music Instrument Manufacturers – CAFIM
Certificate of European Excellence (EEX)
Opening of the subsidiary PETROF USA
The new generation of grand pianos
Cooperation with an audio-legend Mark Levinson (cabinets for speakers for high-end audio system DANIEL HERTZ)
Introduction of the new upright piano P 127 Next, the new instrument of modern design (Modern collection)
Opening of the PETROF Museum, director Ivana Petrof, the 5th generation of Petrof family
Launch of new premium brand ANT. PETROF; company celebrates 150th anniversary
Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová is named MANAGER OF THE YEAR
PETROF Art Family project (PAF)
Opening of a new cultural centre PETROF Gallery
Anna Prousková, PETROF Gallery director (6th generation of the Petrof family)
