History

Mastering your craft takes time and we’ve been perfecting ours since 1990.

Our Mission - With our knowledge and passion, we create unforgettable physical and audio experiences, striving to do so as sustainably as possible.

Karen Emanuel

Great British Businesswoman 2021
Engineering and Manufacturing

NatWest Everywoman Award 2018
Overall Winner

Starting with a few thousand pounds from a redundancy pay-out Karen Emanuel has guided Key Production through over 30 years of an ever changing industry.

From one cold dark office and one customer to five locations and over 60 staff, Key Production is now the largest broker in Europe. That first customer is still with us as are some staff that joined us in those early years.

In 2023 the company became B Corp certified. The news sees the group join the illustrious ranks of companies that are focused on social and environmental responsibility and Key has committed to ensure these principles are in place across the business and remain central to its strategy.

In 2024 Karen established an Employee Ownership Trust. Ownership of the company transferred from Karen Emanuel to the Trust on behalf of the staff. Karen remains as CEO and sits on the board of trustees.

Key Production workstation showing laptop, vinyl record, CD and cassette

Peerless project
management

Be it vinyl pressing, CD manufacturing, DVD replication or special packaging, Key’s peerless project management service underpins our unrivalled commitment to consistently deliver, within budget and to deadline, beautifully realised product for the music and media industries.

Colour vinyl pucks and vinyl stampers

Trusted
suppliers

Over many years the relationships Key’s experienced staff have developed with trusted suppliers, both in the UK and worldwide, have allowed us to establish and maintain the highest quality, value and service for our clients.

Ideas in Neon

Fiercely
Independent

We answer only to our clients. A position nurtured and cherished since we picked up our very first customer and always considered a core asset of the company.

Key Production 25th birthday party

Loyal
relationships

We treat our customers the way we would like to be treated. We take an active interest in their projects, we ask for feedback and respond to their needs. We're proud to say that our very first customer from 30 years ago is still with us today.

Timeline

Take a look back at some of the pivotal releases we’ve manufactured over the past 33 years, the tech advances, the formats launched and all the amazing staff that have helped us on our journey.

1990

 

Key Production started in Old Dairy Mews, NW1.
Test Dept Materia Prima  

1991

 
Mercury Rev Yerself is Steam First member of staff: Anna Harvey

1992

Key moves to St Pauls Crescent
Thee Headcoatees Headcoat Girl Lorna C starts for the first time

1993

 

 
Leftfield/Lydon Open Up  

1994

 

Key moves to Hargrave Place
Underworld Dubnobasswithmyheadman  

1995

 

Ash play at Key's 5th birthday party.
The Delgados Monica Webster Paul E & Lisa E join Key

1996

 

 
LTJ Bukem Earth Volume One  

1997

Key Winter Wonderland party with the Dub Pistols.
Danny Rampling Love Groove Dance Party Vol3  

1998

 

 
Eva Cassidy Songbird  

1999

Pearly Kings and Queens party with Chas and Dave & Cuban Brothers.
Darude Sandstorm Kath S joins Key

2000

 

Key move to Jeffreys Place, NW1. Boating on the Thames Birthday party.
Alabama 3 La Peste Lucie, Aston S and Jim C join Key

2001

 
Röyksop Melody A.M.  

2002

 

Acquisition of AtoZ Music Services.
Björk Greatest Hits Paul S, Chris B, Keri K and Jason D join Key

2003

The Darkness play at Key's Friday 13th Birthday Party.
My Morning Jacket At Dawn Lorna T joins Key.

2004

Key Christmas Party Quiz.
The Go! Team Thunder Lightening Strike  

2005

 
Daniel O'Donnell Teenage Dreams John S joins Key

2006

Bowling Party. Bikini Beach Band. Guilty Pleasures.
Embrace This New Day Tony H joins Key

2007

 

 
Glasvegas Daddy's Gone  

2008

 

 
Travis Ode to J. Smith  

2009

 

Set up PIAS production.
Plan B The Defamation of Strickland Banks David G and Tracey join Key

2010

 

Five Day 20th Birthday Party at The Bull and Gate.
Dizzee Rascal Tongue 'n Cheek  

2011

 

Merger with Think Tank Media. Key Christmas Party.
Editors Unedited Box Set  

2012

 

 
Alt-J An Awesome Wave Nathan B and Tanzy B join Key

2013

 

 
Nick Cave Push The Sky Away Alex W, Jack S and Matt B join Key

2014

 

Key move to Tileyard Studios
FKA Twigs LP1 Aude , Julia L and Scott B join Key

2015

 

Key 25th Birthday Party - Key buys Breed Media
New Order Music Complete Steve C, Vanessa, Adam and Breed Media join Key

2016

 

Key buys Modo Design & Production
Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool Modo staff join Key

2017

 

 
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Who Built The Moon? Maria and Karina join Key

2018

 

 
Idles Joy as an Act of Resistance Pete, Alex A and Nick join Key.

2019

 

 
Little Simz Grey Area Ben, Liz, Petra, Yuliya, Catriona, and David DLB join Key

2020

 

 
The Cribs Night Network Sean, Keri K, Julia C and Lou join Key

2021

 

 
Little Simz Sometimes I Might Be Introvert Jodie, Louie, Michelle, Luke, Denis & Sam join Key

2022

 

 
Fontaines D.C. Skinty Fia Chris, Maren, Dan, Carita, Vikesh, Ann, Molly and Andreas join Key