Three of the UK’s biggest independent record distribution companies – Secretly Distribution, Beggars Group and Cargo Records UK – have partnered to form a new joint group, Cargo Independent Distribution (CID).
The new venture will be headed up by Cargo Records UK founder and CEO Phil Hill, who will maintain a controlling interest in the new company. CID will now take on UK distribution duties for Cargo’s full roster, including labels such as Hyperdub, Fire Records, Sub Pop and Planet Mu.
The merger will see CID provide physical distribution and sales support to Secretly’s labels including Dead Oceans, Jagjaguwar and Numero Group, while the new company will also provide sales representation for Beggars Group and its various labels, including XL Recordings, Rough Trade, 4AD, Matador and Young.
“All of us at Cargo are really excited for our new partnership with two of the most important independent music companies in the world, who continue to remain fiercely independent and committed to preserving a totally independent UK distribution outlet,” Hill said in a statement.
Darius van Armen, CEO of Secretly Distribution, added: “The team at Cargo Records UK has faithfully championed outlier labels, artists and records for nearly three decades – including being the very first distributor to order records from Jagjaguwar – and now we have the great privilege of partnering with them in their next chapter. All of us at Secretly are very excited to be working with Cargo Independent Distribution, to help safeguard an independent route to market in the UK and Ireland.”
Paul Redding, Beggars Group’s CEO, said: “We live in changing and challenging times. Integral / PIAS have handled our sales brilliantly for decades, but right now we see it as crucial that a new independent route to market is established. We very much look forward to being part of a bright new future.”
