Sabian Timeline
1968: Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada becomes home of a new Zildjian factory. They produce the AZCO series there.
1975: K. Zildjian series starts production in Meductic.
1977: Avedis Zildjian appoints oldest son, Armand, as the new President of the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Company.
1979: Avedis Zildjian dies.
1981: On December 31, Robert Zildjian, Armand's younger brother, takes over the K. Zildjian facility in Meductic. He rebrands it - Sabian - from letters of his children's names: SAlly, Wilson (BIlly), and ANdy.
1982: 1st availability (except the U.S.A.) The first two lines are AA and HH.
1983: 1st U.S.A. industry appearance at Summer NAMM that year.
1984: Introduced the B8 series.
1985: Acquired the Charles Alden Music Company, Inc of Walpole, Massachusetts, for the purpose of distribution.
1986: Sabian entered into a partnership with Hohner Inc., for the purpose of distributing their products. Sonor's products were to be distributed as well. The new group was known as H.S.S. - Hohner Sonor Sabian. In addition, products by Vic Firth, Calato, Pro-Mark, and Remo were to be included in the distribution agreement.
1988: H.S.S. completed expansion of its warehouse facility in Ashland, Virginia, U.S.A..
1989: Andy Zildjian promoted to the position of Manager of Sales, Promotion, and Artist Relations at the company's USA (East Coast) office/depot in Hanover, Massachusets, U.S.A.. New office facility opens next to the factory.
2013 Robert "Bob" / "R.Z." Zildjian passes away on March 28, at the age of 89, at his home in Brunswick, Maine.
2015 Sabian begins direct distribution to the United States.11
Oct. '82 ad "NOT AVAILABLE IN U.S.A"
Jan. '83 ad "NOW AVAILABLE IN U.S.A"
1983 magazine ad
1983 ad
Sources:
11 The Daily Gleaner Staff, "Sabian LTD. to sell its cymbals directly to the U.S.", The Daily Gleaner, March 12, 2015, D4
