REGISTER to explore one of the most renowned and traditional pressing plants in Europe. Originally founded in 1958 the plant was named Artone, after their record label, manufacturing only 7" records at that time. In 1966 CBS bought a 50% share in Artone and started a printing company that year to make their own sleeves too. In 1968 the pressing plant opened its own cutting room and in 1969 CBS (Columbia) took over full ownership. In the seventies, CBS pressed more than 50 million records every year. Over 35 million copies of Michael Jackson's album "Thriller" were pressed in Haarlem in the eighties. The plant's main focus was pressing the CBS catalog. CBS merged with Sony Music in 1988, and the plant became Sony's main vinyl production facility in Europe. In June 1998 Ton and Mieke Vermeulen took over the plant and re-named it Record Industry. Since then, much effort, energy, and knowledge have been invested in maintaining and developing the machinery, combining new techniques with existing ones and Record Industry became a driving force in the European vinyl community.
The tour will take app. one hour. You will see the factory and the famous and breathtaking studio Artone with its vintage gear. Each slot will accommodate 10 people maximum. The meeting point will be the main entrance of Record Industry at Izaak Enschedeweg 13 - a 10-minute cab ride or a 20-minute walk through Haarlem from the main city center. Please make sure to arrive in time for your desired slot.
