The Seller Of Life And Dreams
Finweek English|1 June 2017

Some people may believe that music is a luxury, but for those to whom it matters, such as the Heuer family, it’s more of a necessity.

Glenneis Kriel
The Seller Of Life And Dreams

When it comes to selling, repairing and tuning musical instruments, the company W Heuer has established itself as one of the leaders in South Africa. The business did, however, have modest beginnings with Wolfgang Heuer initially travelling all over the Cape to tune and repair people’s pianos in their homes. His wife, Nora, also played a major role in the success of the business by not only supporting him, but even helping him with the repairs, which they at first did at their house. She also did the company’s books until a ripe old age.

Hans Heuer, one of Wolfgang’s sons, who today owns the business in conjunction with his brother, also Wolfgang, tells us more about establishing the business.

W Heuer was started by your father, Wolfgang Heuer. What did he do before establishing the business and what type of person was he?

My father was born in Kiel, Germany, in 1910. He became involved in the family’s piano business in Dortmund from a young age. It was started by his uncle in the early 1880s. He qualified as a piano building master in tuning, repairing and preparing grand pianos for concerts.

His career was interrupted by World War II. And after the war, work was so scarce in Germany that he and my mother, Nora, emigrated to SA together with my older sister, Traudel and my brother, Wolfgang Jr. A friend arranged for a job for him as workshop foreman at the former piano business, R. Muller.

My father was passionate about all musical instruments. He always said that he sold and serviced “living” things: not something that you simply buy and use up, but something that enriches your life. His endearing personality made him very popular among his customers and business partners.

When and why did he decide to start his own music business?

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FINWEEK ENGLISHView all
THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES
Finweek English

THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES

As the Covid-19 pandemic abates, finweek takes a look at the financial performance of some of the largest players.

time-read
7 mins  |
5 November 2021
The effect of Gilbertson's departure
Finweek English

The effect of Gilbertson's departure

With Ntsimbintle Holdings now the major shareholder of Jupiter Mines, it could change SA’s manganese industry.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
Making money from music
Finweek English

Making money from music

Why investors are increasingly drawn to the music industry.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
Conviction is key
Finweek English

Conviction is key

Sandy Rheeder plays a critical role in Mukuru’s mission to open up financial services to the emerging consumer market in Africa through tailor-made technology solutions and platforms.

time-read
5 mins  |
5 November 2021
The post-pandemic toolkit
Finweek English

The post-pandemic toolkit

How CFOs can use technology to support growth.

time-read
4 mins  |
5 November 2021
Big city living exodus
Finweek English

Big city living exodus

Mini cities like Waterfall City and Steyn City are redefining city-style apartment living.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
Big compact, big value
Finweek English

Big compact, big value

Handsome, with a hefty level of standard specification, the roomy Haval Jolion compact crossover is a great value proposition.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
On barriers to entry
Finweek English

On barriers to entry

There are various ways in which a company or sector can achieve competitive dominance. They usually make for good investments.

time-read
2 mins  |
5 November 2021
Fear and greed in one index
Finweek English

Fear and greed in one index

To buck the trend, when markets are hot or cold, is a tough thing to do. However, it can deliver solid returns.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021
Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon
Finweek English

Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon

Vantage Data Centers plans to invest over R15bn for its first African data centre facility in Attacq’s Waterfall City.

time-read
3 mins  |
5 November 2021