“Modern Piano Moving is dedicated to being the best. Beginning with your initial office contact, follow-up and scheduling; and continuing through the physical move at the origin and destination, we are committed to providing you the highest level of customer satisfaction and a sincere thanks.”
Modern Piano’s Timeline
1935
Modern Piano was established as the first piano only moving company in St. Louis, Missouri. Built on a strong reputation for quality care and professional service, Modern Piano Moving prospered.
1985
Russell Vitt, a native to St. Louis, purchased Modern. Already in the furniture moving business, operating Red Bird Moving, Russell knew what it took to meet the customers’ needs.
1990
Russell started A-Alliance of Service Professionals, a not-for-profit organization designed to help single item shippers (pianos, antiques, art, one room of furniture) locate companies who could best handle their needs. While customers welcomed the new service, moving companies ignored the moves or failed to pay for them. To keep his customers happy, Russell started his own long distance moving company, Modern Moving Systems.
1995
It was evident there was a need for a specialized, pianos-only nationwide mover. To test the water, Russell traveled to the area most likely to support an exclusive piano mover, the eastern coast from Virginia to Maine. After only 30 days it was obvious the need was there. Modern Piano Moving became the first door-to-door nationwide piano mover.
1998
Russell moved his headquarters to the virtual center of the country in Sullivan, Missouri. Just 2 miles from Interstate 44, Modern’s new 29-acre home was a breath of fresh air. Focused on quality, Modern’s first climate controlled warehouse was built with full insulation, plastic sheeting in the walls to prevent high summer humidity, and a humidifier added to twin furnaces to maintain a constant climate.
1999
Modern added a full service shop with twin 80 ft heated bays to maintain the truck fleet. While completing a move from Virginia to North Carolina, Russell met the sales manager of Volvo Trucks during the move of his wife’s piano. Impressed with the care and concern shown, a week later he offered a show truck (used in the 1998 Super Bowl) to Russell for a two-year test drive. Impressed with the quality, safety features, turning radius and driver comfort, Modern began upgrading its entire fleet to Volvo.
2000
Modern Piano Moving added its first satellite location in Virginia: a 17-acre horse farm just 60 miles from Washington, D.C. Crews could live there at a reduced rate. This location has a converted dairy barn that could be used as a climate-controlled warehouse.
2001
Modern Piano Moving added locations in California (Sacramento/San Francisco area) and Colorado (Denver/Colorado Springs area). Both 10-acre properties received a climate-controlled warehouse.
2002
Modern Piano Moving added locations in Indiana (Chicago-land area) and Georgia (Atlanta/Chattanooga area). Climate-controlled warehouses were added to the 15–44 acre locations. Now the pride of the company, crewmembers could work and live within 550 miles of their home base on the east and 850 miles on the west, making trips shorter and time away from families easier.
2003
Modern Piano Moving added enhanced training, upgraded equipment, and focused on improving service. Jobs completed with claims were reduced to 2% (industry average is 20%). Climate-controlled trailers were added to the fleet. All straight trucks received heaters. Satellite vehicle communication and tracking was added, along with software-driven GPS units. The website was upgraded to meet the needs of internet shoppers, and a two-family modular home was built at Sullivan to allow drivers to live close.
2005
Modern Piano Moving built a new office on its Sullivan campus and added 17 acres. The new office included new computer/telephone/satellite TV systems, upgraded internet/security service and three more customer service employees. A new warehouse in Virginia was added, as well as the first new Volvo 780.
2007
Modern Piano added three new Volvo 780s to the fleet. Modern operated between 4–7 full-time professional crews throughout the United States. Modern began carrying shuttle vehicles on each tractor-trailer to allow for moves in areas where large trucks could not get close enough to the house. This was an instant success and surprised many clients who thought, “there is just no way.” Modern completed more than 2,500 long-distance piano moves.
2008
Modern continued its success during the rough economic climate by offering timing and flexibility pricing options. Modern expanded its area of coverage to include Canada, Hawaii and virtually anywhere in the world.
2009
Modern Piano Moving welcomed the opportunities and challenges to better serve its valued customers. The website was updated in October 2009 featuring an affiliate section that supports many of the key players in the piano industry. Customers can locate professional tuners, technicians, restorers, instructors and piano stores close to their hometown.
2012
Modern Piano Moving expanded its warehouse at the Missouri location, adding an additional 5,000 square feet and a 24/7 video surveillance system. The company upgraded to a new state-of-the-art phone system and installed a brand new internal network and servers.
2013
Modern Piano began overhauling its existing website to meet the needs of growing technology, introducing a new online quoting system. A mobile site that is iPhone and Android friendly was launched. The goal is to stay cutting edge and keep up with the trends of growing technology.
2014
With 2015 on the horizon, Modern prepared to upgrade its Volvo fleet. The company achieved 14% growth by the end of 2014, setting record sales numbers. More drivers and office personnel were hired to handle the growing demand, and new software was being developed for an almost paperless system by the end of 2015.
2015
2015 was another record-setting year for the number of pianos moved. Modern added two new trucks (2015 and 2016 Volvos) to the fleet and created new jobs within the company to meet customer needs.
2016
Modern Piano Moving added additional storage capabilities with expanded operations in Schuylkill Haven, PA and Daytona Beach, FL. Order software was updated to a more efficient and “green” system. Another new tractor trailer, three new shuttle vehicles and a 2017 Ford Transit shuttle were purchased to support crew comfort and ensure reliable, safe transport of precious cargo.
The domain names modernpiano.com and pianomover.com are one and the same.
