Eastman Acquires S.E. Shires Co.

Eastman Music Company has acquired renowned brass instrument maker S.E. Shires Co. S.E. Shires Co. will continue to maintain and operate its corporate headquarters and production facility in Hopedale, Massachusetts. Current president Steve Shires will remain in his executive role overseeing all day-to-day operations of the company.

“We are honored and excited to be able to give the support needed to Shires’ talented team of craftspeople so they can continue their tradition of building some of the finest horns in the world,” said Eastman’s owner Qian Ni. “Our company is committed to building the best sounding instruments in the world, and we believe that S.E. Shires represents this in the products that they produce and the team that they have assembled under Steve’s leadership.”

S.E. Shires Co., founded in 1995, is one of the industry’s foremost builders of custom trombones and trumpets. Recognized as a leader in brass instrument design, innovation, and construction, Shires maintains a commitment to unparalleled professional quality. S.E. Shires trumpets and trombones are played by many of the top musicians throughout the world.

S.E. Shires will join the 126-year-old custom flute maker Wm. S. Haynes Co. as the second Eastman owned premier musical instrument manufacturer in the Boston area. The William S. Haynes Company was purchased by Eastman in 2004, and currently employs 20 artisan flute makers in their Acton, Massachusetts workshop.