Third Man Records Opens New Vinyl Pressing Plant in Detroit
Top photo by David Guralnick, The Detroit News. Photo above courtesy Third Man Records/Detroit Metro Times.
We're all in favor of positive things happening in Michigan right now. Between the ongoing Flint water crisis and Kid Rock being floated as a 2018 Senate candidate, the Great Lakes State could use some good news.
That's why it's so awesome to hear that Third Man Records, the brainchild of Jack White, has just opened its new vinyl pressing plant in Detroit.
As Detroit News reports, the new facility is set in a 10,000-square-foot warehouse in the back of Third Man’s Cass Corridor retail store, and is one of around just 20 functioning vinyl record plants in the United States.
"Third Man Pressing houses eight brand new presses that can pump out a total of about 5,000 records per eight-hour shift, or a record roughly every 45 seconds," Detroit News reports. "Eventually the plan is for the plant to be up and running around the clock, 24 hours a day, and to employ about 50 people making $15 an hour with benefits."
Kudos to White & Third Man for making $15 wages a reality. Michigan law states that minimum wage sits at $8.90, and with benefits that seems like a pretty sweet gig. Not to mention you get to wear awesome Third Man jumpsuits and work in what sounds like a pretty beautiful record plant.
"The floor is a blinding yellow, like a cartoon sunbeam," Detroit News says. "The lighting is as bright as a Hollywood set. A huge mural by Detroit artist Robert Sestok adorns the back wall, and the MC5’s 'Kick Out the Jams' blasts out of a set of stereo speakers overhead."
Third Man already has another vinyl pressing plant in Nashville, but this new one sounds like something special. Those lucky enough to be in the Motor City this weekend can go to the plant's grand opening on Saturday for a bunch of festivities, including live performances by The Mummies and the chance to buy some ultra-rare records that are being made just for the day, including colored pressings from famous Michigan acts like The White Stripes, The Stooges, MC5, and more. Check out the full list over at Third Man and start drooling.
Group tours of the factory are said to be a happening in the future, so if you're ever in the Motor City, definitely make it a priority. For now, it's great to see White continuing to bring such special pieces of his unique success back to the city where it all started.
