Nothing But Vinyl Since 1949
United Record Pressing has seen a lot over the last 70 years. From pressing the first Beatles 7” to outgrowing three facilities, United hasn’t lost what has kept it alive and thriving: our passion for also keeping music alive on vinyl records.
Founded in 1949 in Nashville, TN, the company was known for pressing one million records per month and for its astounding and unique history. United also boasts a storied collection of pressing a variety of influential musical titles, including many of the Motown hits and album covers such as Bob Dylan's “Highway 61 Revisited,” Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue," and Jay-Z's " The Black Album."
Yes, it’s an exciting time for vinyl due to its recent revival, but we’re proud to say we haven’t gone anywhere. It is our steadfast belief in the vinyl format that has now made us the largest manufacturer of vinyl records in North America, and we are grateful to be a trusted partner to both major and independent labels and artists around the world.
1949
First Record Pressing Plant in the South
The original record pressing plant was formed post-war as an off shoot from Bullet Records, one of Nashville's first independent record labels. During the 50s, the company changed its name to Southern Plastics, Inc., and also focused on the manufacture of seven-inch 45-rpm singles. The first seven-inch 45-rpm single records had been released by RCA on March 31, 1949, and before long, the seven inch was the unit of choice of jukebox manufacturers and became the primary means of disseminating the hippest music of that era.
1962
453 Chestnut Street & The Motown Suite
Southern Plastics was doing well in the early '60s, turning out one million disks a month while also securing a contract with Motown Records to press all of the company's singles. They outgrew their old facility and decided to build a new plant just south of downtown of Nashville. In the design for the plant, the aim was to have space for production, administration and hospitality. There were few accommodations available to African Americans during this time in the South, and with top clients like Vee Jay Records and Motown, United created what we now call the "Motown Suite," an apartment located above the factory to host black artists and music executives. The set of rooms - previously known as the “United Hilton” - included a living room, a bedroom with two twin beds, a full bathroom, and a fully equipped kitchen complete with a push button stove.
The interior design of the suite still remains intact today and continues to be a space for album release parties, shoots and meetings.
The interior design of the suite still remains intact today and continues to be a space for album release parties, shoots and meetings.
1970s
Company Name Changed to United Record Pressing
After a couple changes in management and ownership, two key figures from the original Southern Plastics – John Dunn and Ozell Simpkins – formed the new company of United Record Pressing and repossessed the plant and the presses. Many major record companies began to phase out their in-house pressing facilities, so business at United Record Pressing was brisk, enabling it to become the largest independent record pressing plant in the Southeast.
1980s
Compact Discs
During the 1980s, the company pressed its last notable string of successful single releases with the gold and platinum selling songs of Lionel Ritchie. However, during the latter part of that decade, the compact disc was making significant inroads into the market and in 1988, CD sales overtook those of vinyl for the first time. A small niche consumer base for vinyl persisted. It included DJs, whose dance-floor sounds necessitated the manipulation of discs on turntables, and rap and hip-hop artists who required the format for their “scratch” techniques.
1990s
Additional Presses
United struck a deal with another Nashville pressing plant, Dixie Record Pressing, which was winding down its business, and purchased its pressing machines. At that point, United Record Pressing - which had previously been dedicated to pressing 45 rpms - began to press ten- and twelve-inch records as well. A few year after, another deal was made with Universal Music regarding their pressing plant in New York State, and United decided to also buy their pressing machines, doubling the capacity of the plant.
2000s
The Rise
The market for vinyl began to regain lost ground. Techno, hip-hop and dance club records continued to be a mainstay, as were those supplied to jukebox vendors who used 45-rpm singles in their machines. In addition, demand for LPs began to rise again. Since the mid-2000s, many new releases within all genres of music have been issued on vinyl alongside CD and digital versions. United Record Pressing has also pressed new versions of classic albums by artists such as Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Johnny Cash, and Jimi Hendrix.
2008
URP Music Distributors
United became a one-stop shop in the addition of URP Music Distributors, the wholesaler and distributor division. URPMD is an official Record Store Day distributor and carries more than 11,000 titles each year.
2010
Launch of 453 Music
United released its first record on its own record label - 453 Music. The label started a 12” EP series called Upstairs at United, which features notable acts recording live direct-to-analog tape in the Motown Suite's record release room above the original, historic United Record Pressing plant. Some artists on the catalog include Brendan Benson, Cory Chisel, Bobby Rush, The Smoke Fairies, Keane, and more.
2014
World's Fastest Record
On April 19th, 2014 — RECORD STORE DAY — URP worked with Jack White in delivering the World's Fastest Studio-to-Store Record to fans in Nashville!
2017
United Moves to Larger Facility
In order to streamline processes and optimize quality, output, and turnaround times, United purchased and consolidated operations into one new facility located on Allied Drive in Nashville. The new plant is a significantly larger, more modern operation - enabling an increase in United's capacity and was needed to keep up with the rapid demand for the company's vinyl record pressing services.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator, et al. United Record Pressing Plant, 453 Chestnut Street, Nashville, Davidson County, TN.