Some sad news today. According to published reports, Cinram GmbH in Alsdorf, Germany will cease optical disc (CD, DVD, Blu-ray) production and eliminate 420 jobs by August 1st.

Established in the mid-1970s to produce and distribute vinyl records, Cinram International purchased the operations in Germany from Time Warner in late 2003. Later sold to Najafi Companies in 2012 and then again, along with plants in the the UK and France, to 1847 Partners and the GEM Group at the beginning of 2017, Cinram GmbH filed for insolvency in April after Universal Pictures announced it would not extend its manufacturing and distribution agreements with the company.

Although additional reports suggest the employees’ union is hopeful, the future of the remaining distribution, printing and finishing divisions, as well as their 430 workers, appears up in the air.

For more information visit: www.cinram.de