The death of Gerhard Förster in 1966 brought about the first changes in ownership. The taking over of the company by Wolfgang Förster, whose father Manfred had died in 1952, brought about many problems. The enormously high inheritance taxes could only be paid by allowing the government to purchase shares in the company.
During the last wave of government nationalization in 1972, the company was transformed into the state owned VEB Flügel-und Pianobau Löbau. Still under the management of Wolfgang Förster, the company was annexed be part of the German Piano-Union Leipzig. Even though the ruling ideology of the time tried to push the Förster name into the background, the character and brand name Förster was sustained due to its successful export business.
The family name was added back into the company name in 1976 and it was re-named VEB Förster Pianos Löbau.