Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
A full-cycle vinyl record production facility with a capacity of up to 120,000 units per year has been launched in Novosibirsk. The investor invested approximately 160 million rubles of its own funds in the project, which was used to purchase imported equipment and premises. The company sources raw materials from Italy and uses domestic technology. Within five years, the company plans to capture up to 50% of the Russian record production market, with sales estimated at at least 600,000 units per year. Experts believe the manufacturer's plans are achievable, but caution that to guarantee success, the company requires a sound business strategy and a willingness to engage with the music industry.
A full-cycle vinyl record production facility has been launched in Novosibirsk. JSC Novosibirsk Record Plant is owned by Russia's oldest music label, Melodiya (Moscow-based JSC Firma Melodiya). The 600-square-meter production facility, located within the city limits, currently employs seven people. Initial production capacity is approximately 120,000 records per year, with the potential for subsequent expansion. Total investment in the project amounted to approximately 160 million rubles, which was used to purchase the premises, raw materials, and equipment.
As Roman Abramov, the plant's Operations Director, told Kommersant-Siberia, the decision to open a production line was made due to increasing consumer demand for records. "The market has been driven in recent years by the growing number of vinyl enthusiasts and the growing market for high-quality record playback equipment. We were able to set up production from scratch in a relatively short period of time, and it is now operating successfully," he said. The plant's production machine was imported from Hong Kong, with Sweden and Switzerland being the primary suppliers of equipment. Raw materials for the records are from Italy, and the technology used is domestic.
"During Soviet times, vinyl was produced in the USSR, and music lovers sometimes had complaints about its quality. Now we've chosen the best vinyl—Italian—it's noiseless and ideal for sound recording. We plan to purchase colored vinyl. Then we'll be able to experiment with color editions," said Karina Abramyan, First Deputy General Director of Melodiya.
The plant plans to release tracks from both the Melodiya catalog and commissioned by musicians, labels, agencies, and others. The first record from the new production was "Autogenic Training for Alcohol Abusers," a 1980s album developed by doctors at a Yalta sanatorium. The batch also included David Tukhmanov's "On the Wave of My Memory," the album "Disco Alliance" by the Latvian band "Zodiac," and an album by the VIA "Dos-Mukasan."
The launch of its own enterprise will allow the company to capture 30-50% of the vinyl record market in Russia within five years, after which the manufacturer plans to begin exporting, the company said.
Alexander Balakin, head of sales at Yekaterinburg-based vinyl record manufacturer M9 LLC (Muzilla Production), believes the company's plans are entirely feasible—he estimates annual demand growth in the domestic market at around 20%. "Demand is growing; records are being ordered not only by vinyl fans, but also by young artists, as well as by ordinary consumers and organizations as merchandise or gifts. Our current production capacity is approximately 50,000 records per month," he commented.
Russia's largest vinyl record manufacturing plant, Ultra Production (part of Multimedia Holding CJSC), is booked with orders from domestic artists for two to three years in advance, according to a Kommersant source in the music market.
Kommersant's sources in the music market estimate annual sales of domestic and foreign-produced vinyl records in Russia at between 600,000 and 1.3 million. "Our main suppliers were partners in Austria and England, and two Russian distributors who shipped shipments through other countries," says a representative of a vinyl record store. From Austria, goods were shipped via Berlin and arrived within eight days, he explains.
Mikhail Burmistrov, CEO of Infoline-Analytics, notes the timely launch of vinyl record production in Novosibirsk. He notes that demand for vinyl in Russia has been growing at double-digit rates in recent years, and production capacity is insufficient, while imported products are becoming more expensive despite the strengthening ruble.
"Until recently, Russia essentially had only one full-cycle plant, Ultra Production, with a capacity of around 200,000 units. Combined with Muzilla Production near Yekaterinburg and the Melodiya plant in Novosibirsk, it now has the potential to supply up to 50% of the domestic market," the expert predicts.
According to his estimates, in 2025, demand for vinyl records in Russia will exceed 1 million units, and taking into account purchases in cross-border trade, 1.2 million units.
Among the project's risks, Anastasia Vladimirova, Managing Partner of IPM Consulting, cites dependence on imported equipment and raw materials. If any difficulties with payments arise due to the tightening of sanctions, the company risks being left without supplies and components. "We should also expect increased competition from other manufacturers or imports, which are traditionally high for this product category. A sound business strategy, an understanding of its target audience, and a willingness to engage with representatives of the music industry are essential for the company," the expert believes.
Lolita Belova, Kommersant, December 11, 2025
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
