A Czech company is betting that the music industry is headed for the past.
SEV Litovel makes turntables—record players—which surprisingly, is a growth industry in this digital age.
The company made 32,00 turntables in 2009—and 125,000 in 2016.
SEV Litovel has a global distribution deal with Austria’s Pro-Ject Audio Systems and built its headquarters there.
The company has received awards in the Hi-Fi category of the European Imaging and Sound Association.
SEV Litovel sells turntables costing from US$200 to US$10,000.
Heinz Lichtenegger, director of Pro-Ject Audio Systems, said in 10 years 80 percent of music will be streamed.
He believes the other 20 percent will be analog records played on turntables.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said vinyl revenues in the United States in 2015 were US$416 million.
This is the highest revenue from records since 1988.
It’s a lifestyle thing, said Lichtenegger. “People search for things which make their life again more enjoyable, more slower.
“Turntables means you listen to music relaxed. You have to take time for your music, you don’t click for the next song, you have to listen to the whole record, you have to clean the record, you have to care about the record.
“It is like with a good wine, you select the right glass, the right temperature, the right food. People want again slower motion in the world.”