Gibson Guitar Corp. announced on Wednesday it has acquired jukebox and vending machine maker Deutsche Wurlitzer from a subsidiary of the Nelson Group.
Financial terms of the deal between Nelson Group Overseas and Gibson were not disclosed but the agreement concludes several years of litigation between the two companies regarding the use of the Wurlitzer name, company officials said in a news release.
"We are pleased to have the Wurlitzer brand unified and positioned to move forward, continuing and expanding its successful legacy," said Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar.
The Wurlitzer company was founded in 1856, importing musical instruments and opening sales outlets, and began the production of pianos in 1880.
The company later dominated the jukebox-making market with its introduction of the "Model 1015" in 1946, and today has developed new technologies for jukeboxes and also manufactures vending machines.
Deutsche Wurlitzer, with a manufacturing plant and headquarters in Hullhorst, Germany, employs over 260 people worldwide and has distribution and sales offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom.
Gibson intends to have Deutsche Wurlitzer continue at its current locations and plans to grow the business through broader international distribution and product development, officials say.
The Nelson Group, a privately held business based in Australia and New Zealand, acquired Deutsche Wurlitzer in 1985.
"We are confident that Gibson Guitar will preserve and enhance the company's established tradition and we wish them every success in the future," said Trent Karoll, joint managing director of the Nelson Group.
Gibson, which makes acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos, was founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and has been headquartered in Nashville since 1975.
Besides Wurlitzer, the company's family of brands includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts and Kramer.
