August Förster

In 1862, he built his first factory on the outskirts of the town, on a street now known as “Jahn Street”. This workshop gradually developed into a modern factory.

In 1915, his two grandsons, piano maker Gerhard Förster and merchant Manfred Förster, continued the management of the company founded by their grandfather. Thus, during the 1920s and 1930s, instruments such as the quarter-tone piano and the Electrocord were created.

In 1972, as part of the final nationalization measures, the company was transformed into a state-owned enterprise under the name “VEB Flügel- und Pianobau Löbau”. Under the direction of Wolfgang Förster (son of Manfred Förster), the company was integrated into the “Deutsche Piano-Union Leipzig”. Although the dominant ideology at the time sought to eliminate the Förster name, the character of the Förster brand was preserved thanks to export successes.

In 1976, the family name was reintegrated into the company name, which then became “VEB Förster Pianos Löbau”.

Despite numerous awards for excellence and medals received by various grand piano models at major international trade fairs of the time, the Förster company—like all enterprises in the GDR—also faced difficulties in obtaining subcontracted components. Nevertheless, its importance as a source of foreign currency enabled it to partially rely on Western suppliers. For this reason, Renner piano actions have been used since 1987.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Wolfgang Förster succeeded in re-privatizing the company in 1991.

The general economic recession at the beginning of the 1990s led to restructuring in both production and personnel. The following years were characterized by significant investments aimed at preserving and further developing the tradition-rich production site.

Before his daughter Annekatrin Förster took over the succession, Wolfgang Förster managed the company from 1996 to 2008.