Our History
The journey of the five generations of the Petrof family
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 the largest producer of acoustic pianos in Europe - and recall the tortuous destinies of all five generations of the Petrofs and of the master piano-makers who work to this day in this honourable craft and family tradition.
1839
Birth of the company founder, Antonín Petrof
1857
Antonín Petrof goes to Vienna to learn how to build grand pianos at the companies: HEITZMAN, EHRBAR, SCHWEIGHOFER
1864
Construction of first PETROF grand piano; founding of company
1865
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)
1866
Austro-Prussian battle at Hradec Králové – production is interrupted
1874
New factory; production of harmoniums
1880
A subsidiary in Temesvar in Hungary is opened
1881
The company starts keyboard production and the construction of action
1883
Start of upright piano production
1895
Export of instruments; service centre and warehouse in Vienna
1899
Antonín Petrof appointed court piano maker for Austria-Hungary
1908
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, Antonín and from 1914 the youngest Vladimír (2nd generation) work for the company
Jan, Antonín and Vladimír Petrof
1915
After deaths of Antonín Petrof and his wife Marie the company passes to the youngest son Vladimír
1924
Production of electro-pneumatic pianos and later radio-acoustic pianos is introduced. PETROF now exports also to Japan, China, Australia and South America
1928
3rd PETROF generation managing the company; together with STEINWAY PETROF opens office in London
1934
Grand Prix gold medal in Brussels
1948
Nationalisation of company
1954
Founding of Development Department
1958
EXPO Brusel gold medal (PETROF Mondial)
1991
4th PETROF generation managing the firm under Jan Petrof
1994
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
1997
Továrna na pianina, a. s. is established in Hradec Králové
1998
Privatisation of the company by PETROF, spol. s r. o. is finalised
1999
135th anniversary of establishment of the PETROF company
2001
Factory returns to hands of Petrof family
2003
Patenting of Magnetically Accelerated Action (MAA)
2004
Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová becomes company president; company celebrates 140th anniversary
2005
Mgr. Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová is appointed president of the European Federation of Music Instrument Manufacturers – CAFIM
2007
PETROF achieves Certification of European Excellence (EEX)
2008
Opening of the subsidiary PETROF USA
2009
New generation of grand pianos
2009
Cooperation with an audio-legend Mark Levinson (cabinets for speakers for high-end audio system DANIEL HERTZ)
2012
Introduction of the new upright piano P 127 Next, the new instrument of modern design (Modern collection)
2013
Opening of the PETROF Museum, director Ivana Petrof, the 5th generation of Petrof family
2014
Launch of new premium brand ANT. PETROF; company celebrates 150th anniversary
2015
Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová is named MANAGER OF THE YEAR
2016
PETROF Art Family project (PAF)
Argentinian pianist Antonio Formaro, world-leading specialist in works of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
2017
Opening of a new cultural and commercial centre PETROF Gallery
2018
Anna Prousková, PETROF Gallery director (6th generation of the Petrof family)