Two distinguished bodily music distribution firms, each headquarted in Germany, have merged – leading to a brand new firm below The Orchard.
SPV Distribution and Membran have united to type OPEN (Orchard Bodily European Community GmbH), which The Orchard described in a press launch as a “new best-in-class bodily distribution entity” working below its international umbrella.
Exhausting rock label Napalm Information beforehand owned SPV Distribution; it’s understood that The Orchard and Napalm will now co-own OPEN.
Austria-headquartered Napalm itself is a long-time consumer of The Orchard.
In June, Napalm appeared on an inventory of Sony Music‘s “choose investments” from the previous yr, indicating that Sony/The Orchard had possible acquired a minority stake within the firm.
(Final little bit of housekeeping: SPV Distribution is separate to SPV’s recorded music labels, which stay absolutely owned by Napalm and can now be serviced by OPEN.)
In a media launch saying OPEN at this time (September 9), The Orchard stated: “This strategic alliance [between SPV Distribution and Membran] considerably expands one of many world’s largest unbiased file distribution networks, bolstering scale and attain throughout the UK, Europe, and Asia for on-line retail, unsolicited mail order, and brick-and-mortar shops.”
Frank Uhle, at present Managing Director of SPV, will lead OPEN as Managing Director.
Michael Kirschnick, Senior Finance Director for The Orchard GmbH, will oversee finance and accounting operations for OPEN as a part of his ongoing remit.
Manlio Celotti will proceed his position as a key senior advisor to The Orchard, advising on strategic and operational points and supporting high-level consumer and account relationships.
“The creation of OPEN marks a pivotal second for unbiased bodily distribution,” stated Uhle.
“By bringing collectively the strengths of SPV and Membran, we’re establishing a formidable community that ensures our artists and labels obtain unparalleled content material implementation, provide chain optimization, and expanded label companies, all powered by The Orchard’s strong ecosystem.”
Added Kirschnick: “This alliance is a testomony to our enduring dedication to the unbiased music sector.
“In an more and more consolidated market, OPEN stands as a beacon for unbiased content material, offering stability and expanded alternatives for our companions.”Music Enterprise Worldwide
