Upholding tradition since 1926
1919
A forester by trade, Anton Strasser chooses a physically less demanding profession following a war injury. Aged 22 he begins his second apprenticeship – this time as an accordion maker – under Robert Zechner.
1926
On completing his apprenticeship he establishes the Strasser accordion company in an abandoned garage in the Austrian city of Graz.
Around 1939
Increasing sales necessitate a move to larger premises. Anton Strasser modernizes his business, emphasizing the change with a new company logo and slogan: “Harmonica production with electric machines”.
I remember that workshop well: A long shaft with belt pulleys ran through the entire machine room and, via leather belts, powered five to six machines that were spread throughout the room.
Ernst Strasser Senior
Accordion diversity
All kinds of accordions were built: Schrammel accordions, chromatic accordions with buttons and keys, and, in particular, that traditional diatonic alpine accordion, the “Steirische Harmonika”. With their lightweight construction and the many technical improvements made by Anton Strasser, the company’s instruments soon count among the most popular accordions far beyond Strasser’s home town, with exports to the Netherlands and the USA already gathering pace.
World War 2
Because material – especially metal for the reeds – is hard to obtain, production dwindles during the war years. The workshop is affected by bombing to such an extent that Anton Strasser temporarily moves his workshop into the attic of his home. At the end of the war customers also come to the new address, bringing parts of old accordions, and often gifts in the form of food.
1949
Anton Strasser finally obtains reeds again from the former Soviet zone in Germany. With two employees he manages an annual output of up to 150 instruments.
1956
Anton Strasser dies unexpectedly. His wife continues to run the company.
I was 18 years old at the time and had just completed my trade exam," says Ernst Strasser senior. “Although I had all the relevant skills, I had never built a 5-row keyboard. With commitment and hard work I managed to maintain and expand my customer base.
In the sixties I created a new model that had a look similar to the classical accordions. It became a best-seller, because in those jukebox days people were ashamed to play traditional-looking alpine accordions. I had one employee in those days.
1960
The old makeshift workshop is getting too small. As young master, Ernst Strasser senior decides to build new, modern premises with a floor area of 160 m2 – an impressive size at the time. Nothing can stand in the way of modern production.
To meet demand from growing exports, the workforce increases to five people. The increasing popularity of the Styrian accordion results in delivery times of up to two years for a new instrument.
1974 - 1980
Ernst Strasser junior begins his apprenticeship as an accordion maker in his father’s company. Following his training and apprenticeship he completes his master’s exam.
The premises are again expanded, this time to almost 500 m2. New employees are taken on. With continuous improvements the instruments matures to count among Austria’s top quality products.
1993
The aluminium mechanism was one of the few components that Strasser bought in. In 1993 Ernst Strasser junior starts development of the SKL treble mechanism with its in-house developed cone-mount arrangement.
1995 - 1997
The company’s floor space is expanded to 700 m2. Annual production lies at 700 accordions.
Developed jointly by well-known artist Mag. Ebner and Ernst Strasser junior, the Creativ series is launched and becomes Strasser’s figurehead model.
Ernst Strasser junior takes over the company’s management.
1999
After years of experiments and testing the patented SKL treble reed mechanism is ready for series production. Built into all Strasser accordions as of January 1999 it allows a much better quality control.
May 1999
Construction of a new, modern production facility begins. After 7 months’ construction and only 2 weeks’ moving, the new site is taken into operation.
The new production facility
is built to the latest standards and furnished with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery. This further raises the already unsurpassed quality standard of Strasser accordions.
On an area of 1200 m2 a new dimension in the world of alpine accordions has been created, where visitors can follow the creation of a Strasser accordion from its single components to the finished product.