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The Last Record Pressing Plant In The UK Saved

The Last Record Pressing Plant In The UK Saved

The former EMI record pressing plant is now owned by a company called The Vinyl Factory.Established in 2001 The Vinyl Factory Group bought the old EMI manufacturing complex in Hayes which was being sold and the plant was scheduled to close.The manufacturing plant had been set up by EMI in the 1970's after moving from it's old plant,also in Hayes.The plant still presses 10,000 records a week.Some interesting points about the plant include the fact that the vinyl passes through the factory untouched by human hands (the vinyl comes straight out of the stamper and slides into the inner sleeve).Some of the machines are the ones installed by Roy Matthews when the factory opened and therefore would have pressed the original Dark Side Of The Moon.There is also no releasing agent used to get the pressed as albums from the stampers.

The Vinyl Factory Group encompasses a record label,the vinyl pressing plant,the record shop Phonica and music magazine FACT,in addition to all of it's visual arts commissions,exhibitions and collaborations between musicians and contemporary artists.

The Vinyl Factory record label releases limited editions made in collaboration with both artists an musicians.Releases to date include Massive Attack,Pet Shop Boys,Bryan Ferry,Florence And The Machine and many others.The Vinyl Factory now presses over 50% of the UK's vinyl.

11th Aug 2016

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