The Avedis Zildjian Company has entered into an agreement to acquire the Mike Balter Mallet Company, the world’s largest percussion mallet manufacturer.
“We’ve long respected Mike as a first call percussionist and drummer who founded his own business to address a void in the marketplace, and grew his company to become the leading maker of mallets worldwide,” says CEO Craigie Zildjian. “Over the past 40 years, Mike has developed the broadest selection of mallets in the industry, including signature series models for such renowned artists as Louie Bellson, Joe Locke, Tony Miceli, Christos Rafalides, Keiko Kotoku, and Emil Richards. We look forward to bringing the Mike Balter brand into the Zildjian family and continuing its legacy of innovation.”
“I have built my company on two major attributes – quality products and great customer service,” states Mike Balter. “In addition, I have always taken personal pride in providing the player with a full palette of musical colors. The Avedis Zildjian Company stands for the same commitment to quality, customer service and their own unique palette of musical sounds. So, I am extremely honored that the Mike Balter name will become part of the Zildjian Family.”
The transition of the Balter brand to Zildjian, to include sales and marketing, will occur over the first half of 2018 allowing the company to offer, in conjunction with its Vic Firth line of products, the most complete and diverse line of mallets for percussionists of all ability levels. In addition, Balter Mallet manufacturing will be moving from Prospect Heights, Illinois to the Vic Firth factory in Newport, Maine.
