PIAS Issue Warehouse Update

Distributors vow to return

PIAS has issued a new statement clarifying reports surrounding a recent warehouse blaze.

In one fell swoop, a handful of rioters in London could leave British independent music devastated. A warehouse owned by Sony DADC was burned to the ground in Enfield, taking with it countless stock.

The warehouse was being used by distribution company PIAS, who deal with hundreds of tiny independents. Issuing a list of those affected by the blaze, the labels involved read like a who’s who of British music.

The damage could well be insured, but the lost stock could leave a black hole in the finances of many labels. With some living from month to month, the shortfall in cash could be extremely damaging.

With AIM urging music fans to aid their favourite labels by purchasing music online, PIAS spokesperson has taken the step of issuing a new statement to clarify incorrect reports and thank fans for their kind words.

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Following the dramatic news of yesterday and our note about how PIAS is carrying on its business, I feel I need to clarify and add on a few matters.

The news broke through Twitter that the “PIAS warehouse had burnt out”. It is extremely important for everyone to understand that PIAS has no warehouse as such in the UK and that PIAS sub-contracts its physical distribution with SONY DADC in Enfield and it is their warehouse which unfortunately went down in flames.

Many people called me to ask whether any of our staff had suffered from the blaze and if we were ok. We are. Thank You.

As you have noticed in our last note , Sony DADC have been remarkably quick and efficient to put together a contingency plan that should allow us to ship to stores sometime next week. We are impressed by their efficiency and that is good news.

These times are difficult for us, our artists, our labels and the whole indie sector which we vastly represent but we are determined to come out of this setback in the best way possible.

The PIAS team has been working around the clock to limit the damage . We know that the livelihood of many talented, passionate and hard working music people, artists and small and bigger labels is at stake and depend on our actions and those of Sony DADC.

We have been getting a lot of words of support and offers of help and that truly helps.

Thank you to everybody who cares and supports PIAS and the indie sector.

Kenny Gates, Founder & CEO, PIAS and all the PIAS team.

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