Entertainment Distribution Company GmbH (EDC), the largest, fully integrated optical disc manufacturing and distribution site in Europe with head office in New York, has a new Managing Director & CEO, John Fitzgerald, appointed by EDCI Holdings.

Fitzgerald has over 30 years of international professional experience and, most recently, he served as managing director of Cinram GmbH.

The company was established in 2005 following the acquisition of the manufacturing and distribution facilities of the Universal Music Group. In May 2007, it changed its name to Entertainment Distribution Company from Glenayre Technologies.

Headquartered in New York City, EDC employs approximately 1200 people. In Europe, EDC provides supply chain services to music, video and interactive media customers across the continent from a dedicated 792,000 square foot center in Hannover, Germany.

Following the 31 December closure of EDC's UK disc manufacturing facility in Blackburn, a new, smaller company has announced its intention to fill the gap left by the big name. Former EDC manager Grant Mitchell has established Quick Discs, a CD brokering service aimed primarily at the music industry.

Story filed 19.01.10