By Jin Lu

Early in 2024, the Hailun Piano headquarters exhibition hall launched with an online press conference that captured global attention. Founder Chen Hailun, clad in a sharp black suit and a crisp white shirt, used Hailun's official Douyin platform to unveil the company's plans for 2024.

"Advancing Chinese manufacturing on the global stage has always been my mission," Chen declared, reflecting the core values of Hailun Piano.

For four consecutive years, the publication Piano Buyer has ranked Hailun Piano as a top-tier brand in its global quality and value assessment, placing it alongside leading European and American counterparts. This recognition highlights not only Hailun Piano's exceptional quality but also the growing competitiveness of China's manufacturing.

Meticulous Craftsmanship

Throughout its history, Hailun Piano has embraced "Chinese heritage, world-class excellence, and a century of craftsmanship" as the cornerstone of its corporate culture. Every Hailun piano is meticulously crafted—from material selection to production, tuning, and delivery—ensuring world-class quality.

"Our goal is not only to present Chinese manufacturing on the global stage but also to instill pride in our craftsmanship among the Chinese people," said Chen.

Hailun Piano's connection with the Olympics is well-established. The Hailun piano used in the Beijing Olympics Countdown Celebration serves as a testament to product excellence and the company's ambition.

In March 2007, after evaluating numerous brands, the Chinese Olympic Committee selected Hailun Piano for the Beijing Olympics Countdown Celebration at Tiananmen Square, setting rigorous production standards and delivery deadlines. Chen understood the critical importance of ensuring this project was executed flawlessly.

The day after signing the agreement, Chen returned to Ningbo to assemble a special team dedicated to the project. Hailun's top employees worked around the clock in the workshop for three months.

"Our goal is to produce pianos that bring honor to our nation, utilizing the finest materials, exceptional craftsmanship, and precise technical standards within the tightest deadlines," said Chen.

By July, the production team was working tirelessly day and night. In August, the piano made its debut on Tiananmen Square as scheduled.

With outstanding performances by Chinese pianist Lang Lang and Swedish pianist Vills Robert, the Hailun Piano showcased its exceptional sound quality at the concert. This performance elevated the piano's reputation, leading numerous performance groups to seek its use. As a result, this piano has become Hailun's traveling ambassador, constantly making appearances across various locations.

Global Impact

Hailun Piano has set a new standard for emerging Chinese musical instrument brands. Its story is inspiring more Chinese companies to expand internationally, meet global standards, and strive for excellence in quality.

The Wiener Musikverein in Austria, celebrated for its prestigious musical heritage, annually hosts performances by world-renowned musicians and orchestras.

In 2005, Hailun Piano joined the ranks of century-old brands such as Steinway and Bechstein at the Wiener Musikverein, securing a place of permanent residency. This accomplishment is a source of immense pride for Chen.

The Hailun HG178 piano made history as the first Asian piano to be featured at the Wiener Musikverein. On this occasion, Susanne Riess, former Vice-Chancellor of Austria, praised the achievement, stating, "Pianos made in China can rival the world's top piano brands."

Hailun Piano's presence in Vienna not only underscores its exceptional craftsmanship but also represents a significant milestone for a Chinese brand. A century ago, pianos were imported from Europe to China; today, Chinese pianos have made their mark in Europe.

Through its expertise and dedication to quality, Hailun Piano demonstrates China's manufacturing prowess on the global stage. The company's transformation from a downstream supplier to an international brand is largely attributed to its committed R&D team, which has developed cutting-edge technologies. Even now, Hailun Piano continues to invest in recruiting foreign experts, whose technical guidance drives further innovation and knowledge sharing.

Chinese Pride

"Piano culture originated in Europe and is deeply rooted in the West. Chinese piano compositions are relatively scarce, with pieces like the 'Yellow River Cantata' and 'Butterfly Lovers' standing out as notable adaptations," said Chen Hailun. "We are currently exploring partnerships with universities to create new piano scores. As the 'king of instruments', the piano can act as a gateway for bringing more Chinese compositions to a global audience."

Expanding a country's cultural footprint is a long and challenging journey. In the global piano sales rankings, Hailun has consistently ranked fourth, with hopes of climbing to third this year. Chen envisions that within the next five years, Hailun Piano will solidify its position as one of the world's leading brands, while continuing to broaden its reach in international markets.