Jamaican vinyl pressing plant founded by Bob Marley set to reopen

Thanks to a new partnership with Sunpress Vinyl in the US, Tuff Gong will be getting some major renovations and upgrades with a view to open up in the spring. The improvements come after increased demand from musicians and record labels the Caribbean - and even as far away as Asia and Europe.

"Bob Marley’s vision was that of a one stop record production, manufacturing and distribution facility," says TG's general manager Marie Bruce. "The interest in owning music in vinyl format has experienced eight consecutive years of growth, and Tuff Gong is happy to rejoin this movement."

Tuff Gong was founded in by the reggae legend in the '70s - as well as vinyl manufacturing facilities, it houses "a recording studio, mastering room, stamper room, cassette plant, wholesale record shop, booking agency, [and] offices for Rita Marley Music and Ghetto Youths International."

In recent months vinyl sales have continued to surge upwards, outstripping digital downloads and reaching a 25 year high in the UK. It's not just Jamaica that's looking to match demand either - America’s biggest vinyl record manufacturer is doubling its production capacity.