Yamaha buys out Kemble family

Yamaha has acquired the minority shareholding in Yamaha’s UK music and pro audio subsidiary, Yamaha-Kemble Music UK Ltd, buying up the shares previously owned by the Kemble family.
 
Yamaha’s European Holding Company, Yamaha Music Holding  Europe Gmbh (YMHE) will now own 100 per cent of the company’s shares and it is planned to change the company name this autumn to Yamaha Music (UK) Ltd.
 
Since the establishment of YMHE in 2002, Yamaha’s European operations have been working ever more closely together. Yamaha decided to obtain full ownership of its European subsidiaries, so as to “increase the speed and flexibility of response to the fast changing business environment,” a formal statement announced.
 
There are to be no changes in the UK management, with Andrew Kemble continuing as joint managing director and board director and Roy Kemble as administration director and company secretary. Brian Kemble also continues as joint managing director of the unaffected Kemble & Co Ltd. In addition, as part of the development of Yamaha’s European management structures, Andrew Kemble has been appointed to the position of a vice president of YMHE.
 
Commenting on these changes, Andrew Kemble, on behalf of the Kemble Family said: “The Kemble Family has been privileged to enjoy a very special relationship with Yamaha and its top management over no less than 40 years. This relationship has moved through several stages, from independent importer through to minority shareholder since the mid 1980s. We see this change not as the end of the story, but as the beginning of an important new chapter, as Yamaha evolves its European management. We are delighted, as individuals, to continue to be part of the Yamaha family.”
 
Matt Oike, President of YMHE, also commented; “The UK has been one of Yamaha’s most successful markets and we recognise the enormous contribution made by the Kemble family. I am sure that the Kembles will continue to play an important part in Yamaha’s European operations in the future, as they have in the past.”

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