Independent distributor Proper Music Group has signed a deal to manage physical distribution in the UK for independent label Hospital Records.
Proper will also manage shipping to Europe for drum and bass specialist Hospital – holding finished goods and fulfilling orders from its London warehouse into the label’s network of overseas partners.
Hospital is currently celebrating its 20th year as a label, with a roster which includes London Elektricity – whose founding members also started the label – as well as Danny Byrd, Netsky and Camo & Krooked.
The Proper agreement, commencing end of September, will also cover experimental imprint, Med School.
Latest accounts show the year to 31st March 2015 was one of Proper’s best yet with profits of £200,000 – nearly three times that of the previous year – and an overall turnover of over £21 million.
Meanwhile, Proper has appointed Dan Gilbert in the newly created role of Dance Specialist Sales Representative.
With a background in retail, Gilbert previously managed a dance specialist record shop, Massive Records.
Gilbert also spent time as Head of Independent Sales at Amato and has been a touring DJ for over 15 years.
Chris Goss, Managing Director, Hospital Records (pictured, main), said: “We’re delighted to be starting a new relationship with Proper this Autumn.
“Hospital’s commitment to providing quality, creative physical records is inspiring.”
Drew Hill, Proper Music Group
“After so many years of hard graft and good times with our friends and supporters at SRD, who have played a significant role in the growth of our label, Hospital are looking forward to building on that success with Drew and his team, and their expanding facilities and operations.
“I’d also like to say how good it feels to meet a chairman (Malcolm) whose record collection is the dominant feature of his office.”
Added Drew Hill, Managing Director of Proper Music Group: “Working with as distinguished a label as Hospital is going to be great and their commitment to providing quality, creative physical records is inspiring. I also couldn’t think of a better person to head up our dance sales than a DJ with retail experience.”
Dan Gilbert, Sales Representative, Proper Music Group, commented: “I’m excited to be joining Proper at a time when the business is not only expanding, but also diversifying its reach across different genres.
“Even though I come from an electronic music background, it’s also great to see indie shops that were specifically dance in the past, now expanding into other areas, as DJs continue to play more eclectic sets and the record buying public follow suit; Proper’s hugely varied catalogue is in a great position to capitalise on this.”
Other dance labels at Proper include Skint Records (Fatboy Slim), Olsen Records (Todd Terje), as well as Styles Upon Styles, Principe Discos and Prah Recordings, among others.
Proper start internal fit out work on its new UK warehouse next month, before a planned move in January 2017, increasing capacity fivefold.Music Business Worldwide
