Bertus Distribution
Bertus Distribution is a Netherlands-based wholesale distributor of physical music (vinyl and CDs), distributing 400,000+ SKUs from major and indie labels to 2,500+ retail accounts across 70+ countries through 14 European offices and its My Bertus B2B platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersCapelle Aan Den Ijssel, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Bertus Distribution does
Bertus Distribution is a Netherlands-based wholesale distributor of physical music products (vinyl records and CDs), founded in 1971 as a record store in Rotterdam and now headquartered in Capelle aan den IJssel. The company operates as the distribution arm of Artone Group and serves as an intermediary between record labels (including all three majors — Sony Music, Universal Music, Warner/ADA — plus indie labels such as Beggars, Domino, Fuga, V2, Music Brokers, and Mascot) and more than 2,500 retail accounts across 70+ countries. Bertus also owns and operates in-house labels (Music On Vinyl, Music On CD, V2 Benelux) and, following its 2022 merger with Record Industry, holds in-house vinyl pressing capacity marketed externally as the Partners in Vinyl service.
The core technology and commercial platform is My Bertus, a B2B e-commerce system that gives retailers 24/7 access to a 400,000+ SKU catalogue, with integration capabilities for customer POS, webshop, and stock systems. Sales are driven by approximately 40 commercial staff across 14 European local offices (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Nordics and the Baltics), supplemented by an international partner network. Bertus generates revenue through transaction-based distribution fees on third-party label product, margin on its own in-house label releases, and vinyl pressing services sold to other labels. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, negotiated by account type, volume, and label relationship.
Bertus' strategic position rests on three reinforcing pillars: a pan-European direct sales footprint that is difficult to replicate, exclusive distribution mandates from major and key indie labels that lock in supply and demand on both sides, and a vertically integrated stack (pressing plant → in-house labels → distribution → retail) created through the 2022 Record Industry merger.
Bertus Distribution firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bertus Distribution
- Legal name
- Bertus Groothandel en Distributie B.V.
- Website
- https://bertus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bertus Distribution is a Netherlands-based wholesale distributor of physical music (vinyl and CDs), distributing 400,000+ SKUs from major and indie labels to 2,500+ retail accounts across 70+ countries through 14 European offices and its My Bertus B2B platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bertus Distribution industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Music Distribution Services
- NAICS
- Record Production and Distribution (51225)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mechanical Licensing (MLC/Local Equivalents, D2C/Streaming Mechanical) (MPAIABAD)
Keywords
Where Bertus Distribution is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Capelle Aan Den Ijssel
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices12 records
Markets served
Bertus Distribution business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Physical Music Distribution: Bertus distributes physical music carriers (vinyl records, CDs) through an extensive network of retailers. The company serves as an indispensable link between record labels and suppliers on one hand and retail accounts on the other.
- Exclusive Distribution Services: Bertus represents national and international indie and major labels on an exclusive basis for sales and distribution to retail. They handle the complete distribution pipeline from their central warehouse.
- In-House Label Sales: Bertus develops, markets and sells their own label productions including Music On Vinyl and Music On CD, which are exclusively available through Bertus.
- Vinyl Pressing Services: Through partnership with Record Industry, Bertus offers vinyl pressing capacity to third-party labels as part of their 'Partners in Vinyl' service.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | B2B Distribution Services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Bertus Distribution product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bertus Distribution is a wholesale music distribution company that distributes physical music carriers (vinyl records and CDs) from a central warehouse in Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands. The company serves as an indispensable link between record labels and retailers, offering exclusive distribution services for major and indie labels, operating in-house record labels (Music On Vinyl, Music On CD, V2 Benelux), and providing vinyl pressing capacity through the Partners in Vinyl service in partnership with Record Industry.
Product overview
Bertus Distribution operates as a music distribution and fulfillment company offering a platform-plus-services model. The core offering includes sales and distribution of physical music products (vinyl and CDs) through their B2B e-commerce platform My Bertus, complemented by exclusive distribution agreements with major and indie labels (Sony Music, Universal Music, Warner/ADA, Beggars, Domino, V2, etc.). In-house label operations include Music On Vinyl (vinyl-only releases), Music On CD (classic albums on CD), and V2 Benelux. Additional services encompass vinyl pressing through partnership with Record Industry, promotion services, and a catalog of approximately 400,000 products distributed across 2,500+ retail accounts worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Music On Vinyl: One of the biggest vinyl-only labels, releasing classic and special edition albums on vinyl
- Music On CD
- V2 Benelux
- Partners in Vinyl
- My Bertus
Products and services
- Music On Vinyl Vinyl-only record label operated by Bertus, developing, marketing and selling one of the biggest vinyl-only catalogs with exclusive releases developed by Bertus.
- Music On CD CD label operated by Bertus ensuring that 'forgotten gems' and classic albums remain available on CD format, making classic albums from all genres accessible.
- V2 Benelux Record label operating independently in Benelux, France and Germany, providing extensive expertise in promotion of artists and new releases after becoming part of Bertus family in 2007.
- My Bertus B2B Platform B2B e-commerce platform providing 24/7 access to product information, prices, availability, order placement, order status tracking, and contact with Customer Care team for music retailers.
- Exclusive Labels Distribution Exclusive distribution services for national and international indie and major labels including Beggars, Domino, Fuga, V2, Music Brokers, Mascot, Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner/ADA, handling complete sales and distribution pipeline.
- Sales and Distribution Comprehensive sales and distribution service with approximately 400,000 different products spanning all genres, from indie bands to major artists, with extensive distribution network and local representation across Europe.
- Partners in Vinyl (Vinyl Pressing Service) Vinyl pressing partnership with Record Industry in Haarlem, offering production capacity to Bertus and other third-party labels as part of the 'Partners in Vinyl' service.
- Promotion Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Products available for purchase in over 2,500 accounts worldwide
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Bertus Distribution
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bertus Distribution technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Bertus Distribution partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Record IndustrycoreIn April 2022, Bertus and Record Industry merged on all levels of expertise. Record Industry is a vinyl pressing plant based in Haarlem. This partnership gives Bertus more control over their own vinyl productions and enables them to offer vinyl pressing capacity to third-party labels through their 'Partners in Vinyl' service.
- V2 BeneluxcoreV2 Benelux became an independently operating part of the Bertus family after a successful management buy-out in 2007. The label operates partly from Hilversum and partly from Bertus offices. V2 Benelux provides extensive expertise in promotion of artists and new releases in Benelux, France and Germany.
- Music On VinylcoreOne of the biggest vinyl-only labels, Music On Vinyl was founded in 2009 by Bertus and Record Industry. The label develops and releases exclusive vinyl productions.
- Music On CDcoreMusic On CD label ensures that 'forgotten gems' and classic albums remain available on CD. Launched in 2013 to serve consumers seeking physical CD releases of music that may no longer be widely available.
- H'Art MusikminorIn the early 1980s, Bertus partnered with German company H'Art Musikvertrieb to serve the German market in Europe. This was Bertus' first step towards establishing a local foothold in Europe.
- BeggarscoreBertus represents Beggars (and associated labels) on an exclusive basis for sales and distribution to retail in their territory.
- DominocoreBertus represents Domino on an exclusive basis for sales and distribution to retail in their territory.
- Sony MusiccoreBertus handles distribution for major catalogue from Sony Music as part of their exclusive distribution services.
- Universal MusiccoreBertus handles distribution for major catalogue from Universal Music as part of their exclusive distribution services.
- Warner/ADAcoreBertus handles distribution for major catalogue from Warner/ADA as part of their exclusive distribution services.
- FugacoreBertus represents Fuga on an exclusive basis for sales and distribution to retail in their territory.
- Music BrokerscoreBertus represents Music Brokers on an exclusive basis for sales and distribution to retail in their territory.
- MascotcoreBertus represents Mascot (and associated labels) on an exclusive basis for sales and distribution to retail in their territory.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bertus Distribution competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kudos Records: Kudos Records is a UK-based physical music distributor specialising in vinyl, CD and DVD distribution to independent retailers. It is a direct European peer to Bertus in the indie physical distribution space.
- MVD Entertainment Group: MVD Entertainment Group is a US-based distributor of physical music (CD, vinyl, DVD) and video to retail and wholesale channels. It is comparable to Bertus in product mix and B2B distribution model, with a North American rather than European focus.
- Revolver Distribution: Revolver Distribution is a UK-based independent physical music distributor supplying vinyl and CD to record stores across Europe. It is a direct peer to Bertus in indie physical music wholesale and distribution.
- Coda Music Distribution: Coda Music is a Dutch physical music distributor providing wholesale and distribution services to retailers across Europe, operating in the same geography and customer base as Bertus.
- Amped Distribution: Amped Distribution is an independent UK-based physical music distributor serving record shops and labels with vinyl and CD distribution. It is comparable to Bertus as a specialist indie-focused physical distributor in the European market.
- Rough Trade Distribution: Rough Trade Distribution is a UK-based physical music distributor serving independent retailers across Europe with vinyl, CD and catalogue. It mirrors Bertus's model of serving indie stores with a wide physical catalogue.
- PIAS: PIAS is one of Europe's largest independent music distribution companies, providing sales, distribution and label services across physical and digital formats. It is the closest direct peer to Bertus in terms of European indie-label distribution footprint.
Broad incumbents
- Ingrooves: Ingrooves, owned by Universal Music Group, is a global music distribution and marketing company offering physical and digital services to independent labels. It is a broader incumbent in the same exclusive-distribution value chain as Bertus.
- The Orchard: The Orchard, owned by Sony Music, is a global music distribution platform providing physical and digital distribution to independent labels and artists at much larger scale than Bertus. It competes for the same indie-label mandates.
- Believe Digital: Believe is a Paris-headquartered global digital and physical music distributor serving independent artists and labels across multiple continents. It is a broader incumbent competing with Bertus for indie-label partnerships, but with a much larger digital focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bertus Distribution social profiles
Digital presenceBertus Distribution financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bertus Distribution leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Bertus Distribution subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Bertus Distribution funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bertus Distribution M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bertus Distribution
What does Bertus Distribution do?
Bertus Distribution is a wholesale music distribution company that distributes physical music carriers (vinyl records and CDs) from a central warehouse in Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands. The company serves as an indispensable link between record labels and retailers, offering exclusive distribution services for major and indie labels, operating in-house record labels (Music On Vinyl, Music On CD, V2 Benelux), and providing vinyl pressing capacity through the Partners in Vinyl service in partnership with Record Industry.
Is Bertus Distribution a public or private company?
Bertus Distribution is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Bertus Distribution founded?
Bertus Distribution was founded in 1971. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bertus Distribution based?
Bertus Distribution is headquartered in Capelle Aan Den Ijssel, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Bertus Distribution make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Physical Music Distribution is the primary driver. The others are exclusive Distribution Services, in-House Label Sales and vinyl Pressing Services.
Who are Bertus Distribution's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kudos Records, MVD Entertainment Group, Revolver Distribution, Coda Music Distribution, Amped Distribution, Rough Trade Distribution and PIAS. Broad incumbents are Ingrooves, The Orchard and Believe Digital.
Does Bertus Distribution have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bertus Distribution.
What industry is Bertus Distribution in?
Bertus Distribution's product category is Music Distribution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIABAD, Mechanical Licensing (MLC/Local Equivalents, D2C/Streaming Mechanical). Its NAICS code is 51225 and its SIC code is 7822.