Factory Questions

       The following list of questions are usually answered on the tours; however, I want to keep them in mind. Some questions are pure curiosity, although most relate to analyzing the environmental quality of the process and product.


Questions for Piano Manufacturers (Germany/Austria):
-          Wood:
o   Where does the wood you use come from?
o   How old are the trees you use?
o   Is the style of the cut quarter- or plane-sawn?
o   Do you replace solid wood components with composites?
o   Have you changed your species mix within the past twenty years?
-          Policies:
o   Is there mandatory recycling of packaging?
o   Have you encountered issues with the LACEY Act when exporting to the U.S.?
o   Have you endorsed the Green Dot System?
o   Has there been a reduction of waste? Of greenhouse gas emissions?
o   Are the domestic materials certified as harvested sustainability?
o   What mode of transportation is used to ship the pianos?
o   Have you introduced any renewable energy resources for the factory?
-          Waste
o   Do you use your wood waste? If so, for what purpose?
-          Artificial/Other Materials
o   What kind of glue are you using? PVA or water-based?
o   What artificial materials (and lacquers) are used?
o   Where do the materials being used come from? Felt, metal, etc.?
-          Packaging for Transportation
o   Are mostly paper products used to package the pianos? Any plastic?
-          Additional Questions
o   Is there a Life Cycle Assessment of your pianos?
o   What are the steps of training? How long do they take?

Curious to Discuss:
-         In your opinion, what minimal parts must something have in order to be called a piano?
-          What is the most requested alteration of the piano made by professional pianists like to customize?
-   What musical skills did you have before working?

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