[PIAS], Europe’s leading independent music group, has selected arvato as its exclusive supply chain partner for the UK and Ireland. arvato will provide a full order-to-cash service for the business, which represents more than 160 leading independent record labels across the UK. “We were looking for a reliable partner that could to help us achieve efficiencies, but it was critical that we could also trust them with the close relationships we’ve developed with the UK’s independent music retailers,” said Richard Sefton, Director of Sales & Distribution, [PIAS].
[PIAS] Artist & Label Services selected arvato due to its proven expertise and experience in the entertainment industry, which includes shipping box sets, vinyl and other limited edition products for some of the world’s biggest artists. arvato’s 16,500 sq m Milton Keynes facility also houses its supply chain partnerships with Sony Music, Universal Music UK and Warner Music, enabling [PIAS] to benefit from economies of scale. “We were impressed by arvato’s clear understanding of the nuances and challenges of music distribution and the leading role it’s playing in how the industry responds to the changing demands of customers,” said Sefton.
The three year partnership includes warehousing, order-management, pick, pack, ship, reverse logistics, invoicing and cash collection. It will see arvato ship CDs, DVDs and vinyl by artists such as Adele, Alt J, Arctic Monkeys and Ghost Poet. [PIAS] Artist & Label Services operation covers a range of over 7,000 products and will be fully integrated into arvato’s commercial and warehouse management systems at its state-of-the-art distribution facility in Milton Keynes.
“[PIAS] is a trusted brand among music fans around the world and this partnership will provide them with a cost-effective and comprehensive order-to-cash solution, allowing them to concentrate on what they do best – finding and bringing musical talent to market,” explained Markus Schmücker, Managing Director, Supply Chain Solutions, arvato UK & Ireland. “We’re really excited to add this leading independent music brand to our client portfolio.”
