History

Josef Raffin, born on May 24, 1932 in Ueberlingen on Lake Constance, learned everything there was to know about the occupation of Organ Builder. Following his master training in Ludwigsburg and having successfully completed his master examination in Stuttgart, Josef Raffin set up his own business on January 2, 1960. He and his brother-in-law took their toolboxes and at first began to produce boats, small furniture articles, and kitchen furnishings. Upon acquisition of the machinery required for building church organs, the organ parts could be manufactured in series fashion, and these were then delivered to domestic and foreign organ building operations. In the beginning of the 70‘s, he was given the task of restoring a barrel organ, and this provided him with the motivation to develop a barrel organ himself. This resulted in the 20 Series-Player Organ, still loved today, which comprised the first production line with 13 organs in 1977.

Meanwhile, this program has grown: From the portable music box with 31 pipes up to large concert organs with trumpets which can accommodate up to 124 pipes, barrel organ admirers will find everything the heart desires. The high-quality hand-made Raffin barrel organs are distributed throughout 20 countries in the world. In recognition of his achievement, Josef Raffin was awarded the "Oscar Europe" in 1988 in a celebratory ceremony in Rome.

Josef Raffin has focused much of his attention in the last few years on the musical arrangements, which are primarily distinguished by his extraordinary musical fantasy. The result is that there are meanwhile in the range of 170 different music rolls produced in-house for both organ types (R20 & R31). New musical arrangements, new organ types, technical improvements, and untiring attention assure that this small business has a bright future.

In 1997, the home-owned business was converted into a corporation. Josef Raffin, along with his two sons-in-law, Wolfgang Kaupp and Rafael Engeser, manage the business. While Josef Raffin focuses mainly on new developments, the 2^nd generation is responsible for the technical and commercial areas.

There are also the two Raffin´s daughters Gudrun and Friedlinde who are actively involved. Gudrun Kaupp has contributed her experience in a positive way in the tape-production for years and Friedlinde Engeser has devoted herself to the music arrangements since 2003. It is useful to her that she has got an education as organist and violinist.

Josef Raffin´s long-felt want came true in the year 2002. In time for his 70th birthday he was able to present a new product - in fact a flute-clock with a nice and mellow sound, beautifully finished with masterly skill. Apart from Germany these electronically controlled flute-clocks have also been sold to Switzerland and the United States.

In November 2004, the Raffin family will celebrate another anniversary: Josef & Theresia Raffin will celebrate their golden wedding with their large number of relatives.

Next year, Josef Raffin will be able to look back on 45 years of successful work, built up on long-standing experience proceeding with new ideas courageously in the future.