Altus Flutes
Altus Flutes manufactures handmade professional concert flutes and related instruments in Azumino, Japan, featuring the proprietary Altus Scale and exclusive silver alloys, and sells exclusively through a 23+ country distributor network to professional flutists worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersMount Juliet, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Altus Flutes does
Altus Flutes is a handcrafted flute manufacturer founded in 1981 by Master Flute Maker Shuichi Tanaka in collaboration with British flutist William Bennett, with manufacturing concentrated at its Azumino, Japan factory and US distribution handled from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee by KHS America Inc. The company is a brand within Taiwan-based parent K.H.S. Musical Instrument Co., LTD. Its core products are professional-grade concert flutes organized into tiers — Standard Series (entry-level handmade), Handmade and Legend Series (including the AL and PS lines built on Altus Silver .946 and .997 pure silver respectively), and 14K/18K Gold Series luxury models — complemented by alto flutes, bass flutes, flute d'amores, replacement headjoints (New S, Z, and VA types), customization options, and small accessory/merchandise lines such as sheet music and artist recordings.
Altus's technical differentiation rests on the proprietary Altus Scale developed with William Bennett for in-tune harmonics across registers, an exclusive .946 Altus Silver alloy, seamed-tube manufacturing for AL and 1607 models, powder metallurgy for .997 pure silver PS models, 80% gold alloy solder for tone holes, SP-1 precious-metal springs, wide-rib key construction, and tapered convex/concave key posts. These features are protected through registered trademarks (Altus Scale, Altus Silver) and industrial designs (Z-Cut, VA Type headjoints).
The business model is a wholesale-only hardware sales operation: Altus produces instruments at the Azumino factory and sells exclusively through a 23+ country distributor and authorized dealer network — including Musik Meyer (Germany/Switzerland), KHS America (USA), and Just Flutes (UK) — with no direct-to-consumer sales channel. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; quotes are obtained through distributors. Demand is driven primarily by professional orchestral flutists and advanced students, supported by a deep artist endorsement program featuring principal flutes of major orchestras (London Symphony, LA Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, BBC Symphony) and a Global Brand Ambassador (Paul Edmund-Davies, appointed 2025). Marketing is concentrated on artist endorsements, social media, the annual NFA Convention, and competition sponsorships including the William Bennett Flute Prize at the Royal Academy of Music and the Tampere Flute Fest.
Altus Flutes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Altus Flutes
- Legal name
- K.H.S. Musical Instrument Co., LTD.
- Website
- https://altusflutes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Altus Flutes manufactures handmade professional concert flutes and related instruments in Azumino, Japan, featuring the proprietary Altus Scale and exclusive silver alloys, and sells exclusively through a 23+ country distributor network to professional flutists worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Altus Flutes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Flutes
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instrument Parts, Repair & Maintenance (Luthier, Tech Services, Spares) (MPAIAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF)
Keywords
Where Altus Flutes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mount Juliet
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Altus Flutes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Flute Sales: Altus generates primary revenue from the sale of handcrafted flutes including concert flutes, flute d'amores, alto flutes, bass flutes, and replacement headjoints across multiple series (Standard, Handmade, Legend, 14K Gold, 18K Gold).
- Merchandise (Sheet Music and CDs): Altus sells sheet music through the Altus Music Library and CDs featuring performances by their artist roster including William Bennett, Lorna McGhee, Denis Bouriakov, and Alena Walentin.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Altus Flutes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Altus Flutes manufactures and sells handcrafted professional-grade concert flutes, alto flutes, bass flutes, flute d'amores, and replacement headjoints. All instruments are built in the Azumino, Japan factory using the proprietary Altus Scale co-developed with William Bennett and feature exclusive silver alloys (.946 Altus Silver, .958 Britannia Silver, .997 pure silver). Products are sold exclusively through a global network of authorized distributors and dealers across 23+ countries.
Product overview
Altus Flutes is a handcrafted musical instrument manufacturer producing a comprehensive portfolio of professional-grade flutes. The product line centers on concert flutes organized into tiers: Standard Series (entry-level handmade), Legend Series (flagship models including PSII pure silver and ALII Altus Silver), and 14K/18K Gold Series (luxury instruments). Complementary products include Flute d'Amore (Bb/A), Alto Flutes (various configurations), Bass Flutes, and replacement Headjoints (New S, Z, VA types). The company offers extensive customization options including engraving, precious metal plating, and specialized key mechanisms. Supporting merchandise includes sheet music and artist CDs. All instruments feature the proprietary Altus Scale developed with William Bennett, emphasizing in-tune harmonics and balanced registers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Altus Standard Series Flutes Entry-level to intermediate handcrafted flutes including A9, A10, A11, and TSII models with various silver compositions and tone hole configurations. Targeted at advancing students and early-career flutists.
- Altus Legend Series Flutes Premium handmade flagship flutes including A12-A15, PSII (.997 pure silver with powder metallurgy), and ALII (.946 Altus Silver with seamed tube). These are the most sought-after models among professional flutists worldwide.
- Altus 14K Gold Series High-end flutes crafted from 14-karat gold with drawn or soldered tone holes, models A52-A57, targeted at top-tier professional flutists seeking luxury instruments.
- Altus 18K Gold Series Luxury flutes crafted from 18-karat gold, models A72-A77, representing the top-tier of Altus's handcrafted concert flute offerings.
- Altus Flute d'Amore Specialized curved alto flute in Bb or A pitch, model 1009, offering a warm, expressive tone color distinct from standard concert flutes. Targets flutists seeking specialized tonal palettes.
- Altus Alto Flute Larger-format flute pitched in C with various configurations including straight/curved headjoints and ergonomic designs, models 817-1025. Targeted at orchestral and ensemble flutists needing extended range.
- Altus Bass Flute Bass flute pitched in C with extended lower register, model 823. Targeted at professional flutists requiring the bass voice in ensembles and orchestral settings.
- Altus Headjoints Replacement and upgrade headjoints available in New S Type, Z Type, and VA Type designs, each offering distinct embouchure characteristics and tonal properties. Targeted at flutists seeking tonal customization or replacement parts.
- Altus Merchandise Supporting products including sheet music library, CDs featuring artist performances (William Bennett, Lorna McGhee, Denis Bouriakov, Alena Walentin), and the Altus Music Library. Targeted at the flute community and Altus enthusiasts.
- Altus Ring Key Patches Innovative aluminum tape patches for ring keys that maintain correct harmonic structure while providing comfortable finger placement on open-hole keys. Targeted at flutists with open-hole flutes.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40+ years of flute manufacturing excellence since 1981
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Altus Flutes
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Altus Flutes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Altus Flutes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Paul Edmund-DaviesflagshipInternationally acclaimed flute player and educator Paul Edmund-Davies serves as Global Brand Ambassador. Former Principal Flute of London Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra (20+ years), teaches at Royal Academy of Music. Partnership launched at 2025 NFA Convention in Atlanta.
- KHS Musical Instrument Co., Ltd.coreKHS is the parent company and brand owner of Altus Flutes. The company was co-founded by Shuichi Tanaka (Master Flute Maker) and Wu Hsieh of KHS. KHS handles global manufacturing and distribution operations including facilities in Taiwan and the Azumino Japan factory.
- Musik Meyer GmbH (Germany/Switzerland)coreRegional distributor for Germany and Switzerland operating from Industriestrasse 20, managing Altus sales and support in the DACH region.
- KHS America Inc. (USA)coreUS distributor managing Altus sales and support from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Operates store locator of authorized dealers and handles warranty registration for US purchases.
- Just Flutes (UK)coreUK-based distributor and retailer located at 46 South End, Croydon. Partner in the Altus William Bennett Flute Prize at Royal Academy of Music.
- McChord FlutesminorCollaboration with McChord Flutes for custom engraving projects. Lindsey McChord custom engraved keys, lip plate, and crown of an AL Altus Silver flute for an Altus artist.
- Royal Academy of MusiccorePartnership for the Altus William Bennett Flute Prize competition for young flute talent. Additionally, several Altus artists serve as professors there including Paul Edmund-Davies (Charles Nicholson Chair).
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Altus Flutes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Muramatsu Flutes: Japanese handmade professional flute maker with comparable premium positioning, silver and gold SKUs, and endorsements from top orchestral flutists. Directly competes with Altus in the global handmade pro flute market.
- Powell Flutes (Verne Q. Powell): Historic American handmade flute maker (est. 1927) producing handmade pro flutes. Comparable in craftsmanship, premium positioning, and professional customer base to Altus.
- Miyazawa Flutes: Japan-based handmade flute manufacturer offering professional concert flutes in silver and gold, directly comparable in product tier, craftsmanship, and target customer.
- Sankyo Flutes: Japanese flute maker producing handmade professional flutes, directly comparable in product category, target customer, and craftsmanship profile to Altus.
- Haynes Flutes: Long-established American handmade flute maker (est. 1888), direct competitor in the handmade professional flute tier with comparable pricing and customer overlap.
- Nagahara Flutes (Samuel Coler / Kanichi Nagahara legacy): Japanese-American handmade flute workshop producing a small annual volume of premium pro flutes, overlapping Altus on price, craftsmanship, and professional customer base.
- Brannen Brothers Flute Makers: Massachusetts-based maker of handmade professional flutes. Competes with Altus for the same principal flutist and soloist customer segment in North America and globally.
- Pearl Flutes: International flute maker offering intermediate and professional handmade flutes at varied price points. Comparable in product range and customer overlap with Altus's Standard and Legend series.
Broad incumbents
- Yamaha Flutes: Global musical instrument giant with a flute line spanning student through professional tiers. Overlaps with Altus in the upper professional segment but at much broader scale and through mass-market distribution.
Others
- KHS Musical Instrument Co. (parent context): Taiwan-based diversified musical instrument group that owns Altus Flutes alongside other brands. Relevant as the corporate parent, distributor, and operational backer; not a competitor but defines Altus's strategic position.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Altus Flutes social profiles
Digital presenceAltus Flutes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Altus Flutes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Altus Flutes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Altus Flutes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Altus Flutes
What does Altus Flutes do?
Altus Flutes manufactures and sells handcrafted professional-grade concert flutes, alto flutes, bass flutes, flute d'amores, and replacement headjoints. All instruments are built in the Azumino, Japan factory using the proprietary Altus Scale co-developed with William Bennett and feature exclusive silver alloys (.946 Altus Silver, .958 Britannia Silver, .997 pure silver). Products are sold exclusively through a global network of authorized distributors and dealers across 23+ countries.
Is Altus Flutes a public or private company?
Altus Flutes is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Altus Flutes founded?
Altus Flutes was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Altus Flutes based?
Altus Flutes is headquartered in Mount Juliet, United States, in the North America region.
How does Altus Flutes make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Flute Sales are the primary driver. The others are merchandise (Sheet Music and CDs).
Who are Altus Flutes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Muramatsu Flutes, Powell Flutes (Verne Q. Powell), Miyazawa Flutes, Sankyo Flutes, Haynes Flutes, Nagahara Flutes (Samuel Coler / Kanichi Nagahara legacy), Brannen Brothers Flute Makers and Pearl Flutes. Yamaha Flutes is listed as a broad incumbent. KHS Musical Instrument Co. (parent context) is listed as an others.
Does Altus Flutes have an API?
No public API is recorded for Altus Flutes.
What industry is Altus Flutes in?
Altus Flutes's product category is Professional Flutes. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAG, Instrument Parts, Repair & Maintenance (Luthier, Tech Services, Spares), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAF, Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads). Its NAICS code is 339992 and its SIC code is 3931.