EU Accordion Production More Valuable Than Acoustic Guitars

[donn]

Compared to the figure of €6.7m in imported accordions in 2015, European production value for accordions was €45m, with €15.6m in exports. Of that €45m, Italy produced €28m and Germany €15m. As far as my analysis goes, it suggests that a fairly robust accordion industry remains--although all of these are small numbers in the great scheme of world trade and the levels of employment that these industries can support.

Do we have an idea how much of a European made accordion is made in Europe? My guess is that theyre made pretty much from scratch in Europe - theyre not like electric appliances or motor vehicles - but I bet someone here would have a more informed perception.

 

[debra]

...
Do we have an idea how much of a European made accordion is made in Europe? My guess is that theyre made pretty much from scratch in Europe - theyre not like electric appliances or motor vehicles - but I bet someone here would have a more informed perception.

First of all, a European made accordion is not the same as an accordion with a European brand name. Hohner has a factory in China where lower-end models are produced. Not everything that goes into these accordions may be made in China, but I bet most of it is.
I heard that celluloid is all produced in China. It may be further processed in Italy before being wrapped around the wooden boxes. I also heard that even Russian accordion makers use celluloid that has gone from China through Italy and then to Russia. They also use Italian buttons (on CBA) but who knows where these buttons are really produced...
Apart from the celluloid the things in a European made accordion that are not European will be smaller components. Reeds are almost all European, and made from European steel. While an accordion is made from scratch most of the parts are not produced in the same factory or workshop as where the accordions are assembled. When you watch videos from say Pigini, Bugari, Mengascini, etc. about their accordion production parts of these videos are not from their own factory. They will show how reeds are made for instance, but they do not produce their own reeds. They do not make their own keys, buttons, register switches or even switch mechanmisms. But who knows where all of these things are made...

 

[Deleted member 48]

Yes, I also think modern accordion industry is global and complex with multiple actors and factors.
It is hard work analysing this and using isolation and vatiation in all elements

Very few are allowed inside peeping and checking the data and finance in detail.

I think it can help to have a helicopter view.
A few German articles and theses have been published online on the globalisation and possible future of the accordion industry adapting to global clients and markets.
eg Alexander Braunschmid on the potentials of the Castelfidardo accordion industry.
There is another I posted the link in an earlier post.

 

[donn]

First of all, a European made accordion is not the same as an accordion with a European brand name. Hohner has a factory in China where lower-end models are produced. Not everything that goes into these accordions may be made in China, but I bet most of it is.

Would these appear under the column of European production value for accordions was €45m? I suppose they would?