January 16, 2024 I Acquisition
GEWA Music Acquires Gretsch Drums Global License
GEWA has acquired of the global licensing rights for Gretsch Drums from Drum Workshop (DW) and the Gretsch family. This move solidifies GEWA music’s position as a leading developer and manufacturer in the drum industry. Building on its existing European distribution responsibilities for Gretsch Drums since 2015, GEWA music now extends its reach globally, encompassing development and manufacturing in the U.S. and China, as well as worldwide marketing.
Tracing its history back to 1925, GEWA music is nearing a century of development, production and distribution of musical instruments. Since the early 1980s, GEWA music has been committed to drum development and production with its own manufacturing facilities in Asia. Today, GEWA music is divided into five divisions: GEWA Keys, GEWA Strings, GEWA Winds, GEWA Guitars and GEWA Drums, with each division specializing in the development, production, and marketing of specific instruments and related accessories. The acquisition of the Gretsch Drum license marks the realization of a dream to operate as a developer and manufacturer in all segments.
In an official company statement, GEWA music extended its gratitude to DW for its long-standing partnership.
“We are very proud of the work we have done to grow the Gretsch Drums brand since we acquired the Gretsch license in 2015,” said Chris Lombardi, CEO of DW. “GEWA Music has been successfully distributing Gretsch Drums in Europe for many years and will be an ideal partner for the Gretsch family to take over the exclusive manufacturing, distribution, and marketing license globally.”
“We are pleased to announce that effective January 16, 2024, all worldwide marketing, manufacturing, and distribution of Gretsch Drums will be managed by GEWA music,” said Fred Gretsch, owner of the Gretsch brand. “Dinah and I first visited the GEWA music headquarters in Germany in early 2016. As the new distributor for Gretsch Drums in Europe, we were enthusiastic to view their operations in person. In the years since, they have grown the Gretsch Drums business in Europe by an order of magnitude. This newly-signed worldwide agreement will surely allow them to do the same around the world. Congratulations to the GEWA music worldwide team from the Gretsch family.”
“GEWA music and the Gretsch family are eagerly anticipating a successful future and are excited about the joint opportunities arising from this significant collaboration,” said Hans-Peter Messner, CEO and owner of GEWA music. “GEWA music will continue to maintain all international distributions of Gretsch Drums for the foreseeable future.”
The Gretsch Drums factory in Ridgeland, South Carolina, which was previously managed by DW, will be taken over by GEWA music USA. Instruments manufactured in the U.S. will be directly supplied to North American retailers or shipped to foreign distributors. Hal Leonard will continue to act as the U.S. distribution partner for Gretsch’s popular priced drums produced by GEWA music in Asia.
