Succeeding in the current piano retailing market seems like it requires a lot of heavy lifting, but a clever inventor has made one aspect of the job a lot more manageable.

Kevin Oberholtzer, owner of Lake Geveva based Holzter, LLC, has trained his creative ingenuity on the laborious task of moving grand pianos. A professional piano mover and wholesaler, Oberholtzer devised a way to transport the critical smaller parts of the instrument without the need for bulky moving accessories and difficult maneuvering. His patent-pending Holzter Grand Piano Pods offer excellent protection of grand piano legs, pedal lyre, and hardware. The Holzter (as in 'holster') replaces traditional moving pads, tape and straps with four lightweight, easy-to-carry pods.

Moving and storing a grand piano has historically relied on use of multiple blankets and pads to wrap legs, pedals, and hardware, an approach that doesn't ensure protection from scratches, gouges, moisture, or the loss of parts. National and local transfer companies, movers, retailers, and homeowners have all struggled with these liabilities, which, according to Oberholtzer,

his invention handily eliminates.

The Holzter's form-fitting "pods" separately cushion the legs, pedal lyre, and hardware within a soft, fleece interior that is sandwiched between three layers of ultra-light, closed-cell padding, all encased in a tough, luggage-type exterior.

Since most moving pads are blue, there's no particular way to identify what might be wrapped inside any given pad. This poses a problem because typically a moving company is transporting more than just one piano on the same truck at a time. It's difficult to quickly identify which pieces belong to which piano. The Holzter addresses this problem with an ID window sewn into each set. To further eliminate confusion, the Holzter also comes in a variety of colors.

The Holzter contains four quick-connect pods---three leg pods and one pedal lyre pod with a hardware pouch, rod sleeves, and a large identification window. All pods can be clipped together to create one secured, carrying bundle.

For more information on the Holzter Grand Piano Pods, contact Holzter, LLC at 877 657 7200 or visit the website at www.holzter.com

Reprinted With Permission From The September 2004 Issue Of The Music Trades