The most important company in the vinyl record industry burns down
On February 5, 2020, the Apollo Masters facility was gutted by a huge fire that seems to have started in their chemical mixing area.
Apollo Masters is one of two companies in the world (the other is Japan’s MDC) that made the lacquer-coated aluminum discs used to cut record masters. From what I’m reading, 70 to 80 percent of the lacquers used in the music business were made by Apollo...and MDC says they can’t increase their production any.
I suspect that if Apollo reopens it won’t be in California; lacquer is a very environmentally UNfriendly product. The state had grandfathered in the old factory, but they won’t do the same for a new one.
https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2020/02/10/27960294/how-will-the-fire-at-apollo-masters-affect-the-local-music-industry
