Our History



1803

1803

Antoine Courtois brand created in Paris.


1825

1825

The French instrument maker Denis Buffet-Auger sets up his workshop in the heart of Paris. He rapidly becomes well-known in the musical community by producing excellent 13-key clarinets.


1836

Jean-Louis Buffet, Denisíson, marries Zoe Crampon in 1836 and creates the famous Buffet Crampon brand name.


1837

1837

Gustave-Auguste Besson (1820-1874), an acoustic science genius, created the Besson brand.


1850

This year saw the establishment of the Buffet Crampon workshops and factory in Mantes-la-Ville (Yvelines, France)


1925

1925

Julius Keilwerth created is own saxophone’s brand.


1930

The Keilwerth brand build its first factory in Graslitz (Germany).


1981

Buffet Crampon joins Boosey and Hawkes.


2005

The year was marked by the creation of the group Buffet Crampon.


2006

The Buffet Crampon Group acquired two famous brass instrument brands: Antoine Courtois Paris and Besson.


2010

The company continues to pursue its strategy of industrial independence, and through a new acquisition of a factory in Germany (Markneukirchen), it is able to develop new models of oboes and clarinets for students. The group, under the leadership of its Chairman, Antoine Beaussant, continues to grow in the wind instruments sector, with the entry into the group of two new brands: Schreiber and Julius Keilwerth.


2013

Buffet Group acquires B&S GmbH, the German family-controlled company founded 250 years ago and which is the leading German brass instrument manufacturer. B&S, Hans Hoyer, Melton Meinl Weston and J. Scherzer now join Buffet Group’s prestigious brands.


2014

2014

Jérôme Perrod appointed CEO of Buffet Group. Jérôme Perrod comments, “I am glad to join such a prestigious company whose history goes back several centuries and I look forward to being part of its future. Supported by the extraordinary know-how of its highly professional teams in France and Germany, Buffet Group has the foundation needed to accelerate its growth, both in Europe and globally”.


2015

Buffet Crampon brand celebrates it’s 190th anniversary with musicians and friends from the entire world at Maison de la Radio in Paris


2016

Buffet Crampon acquires Verne Q. Powell Flutes, American manufacturer of professional flutes based in Boston, Massachusetts (USA). The group provides now the complete catalog of professional wind instruments, with the acquisition of this 10th iconic brand.