The skilled craftsmanship drives every step at Steinway & Sons, from bending wood to smoothing Sitka spruce soundboards. Hammers and chisels notch bridges to let piano strings vibrate freely.
For 30 years, Bernard Craddock has been one of roughly 200 workers handcrafting pianos at Steinway & Sons in Astoria, Queens, New York. “Everybody has a specific job here,” he said. “My job is to set this straight for the hammers to hit the strings.”
Steinway & Sons thrives in U.S. manufacturing because it focuses on premium quality rather than mass production. Skilled craftsmanship allows the company to serve high-end markets willing to pay top prices. A Steinway grand piano costs between $90,000 and $200,000, supporting domestic production despite high U.S. costs.
Most U.S. manufacturers compete on price, which has become more challenging due to tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper. However, Steinway’s focus on skilled craftsmanship, premium products, and locally sourced materials helps maintain operations.
President Trump’s trade policies aim to boost U.S. manufacturing jobs, but experts note uncertainty still slows new hires. Steinway avoids these issues by relying on skilled craftsmanship, which cannot be replicated elsewhere. CEO Ben Steiner said, “Unless you focus on quality and innovation, you cannot survive in the U.S. market.”
The factory uses Sitka spruce, sourced from Alaska’s limited growing regions, and each piano takes eleven months to build. Workers complete only four or five pianos daily, reflecting the time-intensive nature of skilled craftsmanship.
Maintaining a consistent workforce is crucial. The factory has operated almost continuously since 1873, pausing only during the Great Depression and World War II. Senior craftsmen train new generations to preserve techniques, ensuring Steinway’s legacy continues.
Skilled craftsmanship, combined with top-tier pricing and domestic sourcing, enables Steinway to remain a bright spot in U.S. manufacturing. The company demonstrates that focusing on quality and skill can sustain domestic industries.
Steinway & Sons’ model highlights the potential for other U.S. manufacturers to succeed by prioritizing talent, innovation, and craftsmanship over sheer volume.
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