According to Billboard, EMI Music is thinking of outsourcing a bulk of its distribution operations in the US. Sources say the major will keep sales and digital distribution in house, but is looking to hand over the 'pick, pack and ship' part of its CD distribution operations to a third party.
If true, the decision will be just the latest attempt by EMI to hand over the manufacture and distribution of its physical product to other companies, including rival record companies, part of the major's move away from being a primarily CD-based company to being a more diverse recording rights and artist relations organisation. EMI has already handed over its US manufacturing to Universal, while in South-East Asia, Warner is now handling their distribution. Here in the UK, EMI's distribution will be handled by logistics firm CEVA as of next year.