A “catastrophic” fire Feb. 6 that devastated a Banning manufacturing plant could have a chilling effect on vinyl album production.
Apollo Masters makes lacquer that smooths master discs, the templates used to press vinyl copies. With its factory and warehouse on Lincoln Street virtually destroyed, some industry insiders fear a lacquer shortage will disrupt the supply chain.
In a statement on Apollo Masters’ website, the fire was described as having caused “catastrophic damage.”
“We are uncertain of our future at this point and are evaluating options as we try to work through this difficult time,” the statement read. No one was injured in the blaze.
Dennis Callaci, general manager of Claremont retailer Rhino Records and Riverside’s Mad Platter, said the vinyl records’ supply chain had already been slowed by another problem in the last year. Orders that used to take a week for delivery now can take a month or longer, he said, due to a shift in facilities.
“This will indeed have an effect on us. It’s a huge concern,” Callaci said. “I’m glad everyone at the fire is OK, but it was just another kick in the gut, another bad hand of cards we’ve been dealt.”
Executives in the recording industry say there are just two companies that make the lacquer used for master discs. The second is MDC, a Japanese company.
“Unless something happens really quickly, there will soon be Vinylgeddon,” Gil Tamazyan — founder and president of the Los Angeles-based pressing plant Capsule Labs, told Billboard. He estimates Apollo supplies 80% of blank lacquer master discs globally.
Apollo Masters could not be reached for comment.
The vinyl format has seen exponential growth in recent years as music fans opt for more authentic sound and collectible albums with bold artwork. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, 16.7 million records were sold in 2018, with a retail value estimated at $420 million. Billboard reported in January that 26% of all physical albums sold in the U.S. in 2019 were vinyl.
Lacquer production concerns could be eased if a new company steps in and utilizes some of Apollo Master’s technology or if there are new ways to improve the coating process.
“It was not the only place that makes it, but it is a very specialized product,” Callaci said.
Ben Blackwell, who along with rock guitarist Jack White co-founded and co-owns Nashville-based independent record Third Man Records, said his company used Apollo’s product but only to infill occasional shortages. Others that relied on it exclusively will have a problem, he said, but he added that was too soon to call it an industry-wide catastrophe.
“People will be affected, but to what effect it remains to be seen,” Blackwell said.
"Factory" - Google News
February 13, 2020 at 07:27AM
https://ift.tt/2UNjmfG
Banning factory fire could spark ‘Vinylgeddon’ album stall - Press-Enterprise
"Factory" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2TEEPHn
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Banning factory fire could spark ‘Vinylgeddon’ album stall - Press-Enterprise"
Post a Comment