Vinyl Record Industry Fears 'Vinylgeddon' After Fire Burns Down Apollo Masters Plant

[digitalfrost]

https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8550477/vinyl-record-industry-apollo-masters-plant-fire

The manufacturing and storage facility for Apollo Masters Corp. -- a Banning, Calif.-based manufacturing plant that supplies the lacquer used for making master discs, which are then used to create vinyl records -- has burned down in a massive fire, the company confirmed in a statement posted to its official website.

"Unless something happens really quickly, there will soon be Vinylgeddon," said Tamazyan, who estimates that Apollo supplies 80% of blank lacquer master discs globally.

If any of you guys have some records on your buying list, I suggest you get them now.

 

[MattHooper]

I was quite concerned about the effects of the Apollo Masters fire, given I buy lots of vinyl and like to see that industry thrive.

Then the Pandemic hit and I thought...well...perhaps there goes the vinyl comeback. It was hanging by a thread, and now plants and transportation etc will be shut down.

So color me very surprised by this:

Vinyl sales rock on in spite of Covid-19

https://qz.com/1851227/vinyl-sales-rock-on-in-spite-of-covid-19/

Vinyl bounced back in a big way, so it once again by this time has gained over last year's sales!

I did note that all my local vinyl stores remained open - first for ordering over phone or online, and then opened up once this was ok'd here in Toronto. I was also surprised to see MORE record shops open around me during this time. And I'd bought a bunch of vinyl from discogs and my local guy. But, still, I didn't know vinyl had bounced back from the abyss so strongly!

 

[CDMC]

https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8550477/vinyl-record-industry-apollo-masters-plant-fire

If any of you guys have some records on your buying list, I suggest you get them now.

And I just sold off my vinyl. Ohh well. Hopefully the nice dealer I sold it to can make some extra on it.