Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman

Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman

Profile:
A vinyl, cassette and CD manufacturing facility that operated in Pitman, New Jersey from 1961 until 1988 and continued to operate under different names until 2011.

History:
Designed by Minoru Yamasaki on a 72-acre site, CBS Inc. (Columbia) officially opened the plant on May 17, 1961 as a high capacity record production facility operated on two shifts by staff of 300 employees managed by Joe Massimino (although the facility actually began limited operations on Oct. 29, 1960, per the booklet that came with The Pitman Family Of Music: Our First 20-Years).

In the fall of 1986, CBS Inc. announced that it would convert the plant to compact disc manufacturing by 1988 and would reach an annual production goal of 20 million units while consolidating its US vinyl record manufacturing business to the Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Carrollton, GA facility.

In 1988, it became part of the Sony Corporation when Sony acquired CBS Inc.'s music business, which ultimately realigned it as a part of the Sony DADC network. During this time it grew into a 500,000 square foot complex with a purported average monthly output of 18 million CDs. DADC, Pitman is the preferred entity for CDs produced by this plant.

Sony DADC closed the facility in early 2011 and migrated the CD manufacturing operations to the DADC, Terre Haute, Indiana facility. At the time of the Pitman plant's closure, its average daily output had decreased to 16,000 CDs.

Pitman Vinyl Record Identifiers:
- CPFR,
- PIT etched (See profile image)
- P hand-etched (and in a rather big size) instead of machine-stamped as up to 1981-82. (See image)
- P or p or CP - Stamped or etched. Pitman, NJ (see image)
- On Capitol Records contract pressings, the number 54 in the runout and a large sized pressing ring (68.5 mm) on the labels.
- 2.69685" (68.5 mm) main pressing ring diameter. A secondary small pressing ring of 14/32" (11 mm) may often be found on Side B.

(Useful tips for correctly identifying Pitman vinyl records)
It should be noted that, in some cases, locating the plant identifier "P" can be challenging.
A good magnification tool is recommended for this task, as the stamping can be very faint sometimes.
The "P" is often inverted at an angle so that it may seem like a "d" when viewed from the disc edge.
The stamp is most commonly found in the near vicinity of the matrix string, sometimes appearing
an inch before it, or directly after it. Many unusual configurations also exist, so check carefully.
Pitman identification is one of the most commonly overlooked in the DB.

IDs in runouts for mastering / metalwork done at Pitman but pressed elsewhere:
Pn = mastered at Pitman, pressed at North American Music Industries.
PXS or P XS mastered at Pitman, pressed at Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria.
PXT or P XT mastered at Pitman and pressed at Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute.

Pitman CD Pressing Identifiers:
Shortly after the plant adjusted to compact disc manufacturing it was acquired by Sony. See DADC, Pitman for correct company name and identifiers.

Miscellaneous:
Customatrix, a division of CBS Inc.'s Columbia vinyl record manufacturing operations, handled the making of metal parts (e.g. mothers, stampers) for many pressings by Columbia's plants, including those used at the Pitman facility. However, parts from other companies, such as Longwear Plating were also used.

The Pitman Plant was known to have pressed for:
-Pitman pressings on PolyGram labels (such as Mercury, Polydor, RSO and Casablanca) from 1979-80 were indicated by a '56' code on the label.
-ECM product (ECM Records) was pressed by Columbia Pitman plant only in the period when Polydor distributed that label.
-A&M Records
-ATCO Records
-ABC Records
-White Whale
-K-Tel - indicated by a '16' code on the label.
-Gordy with metal parts supplied by Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
-Blue Thumb Records
-CTI Records with metal parts supplied by Audio Matrix, Inc.
-Original Sound
The below A&M Records label codes also contribute to pressing plant identification which include the Pitman plant and others;
X = Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Y or y = Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute
Z = Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
W = Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Carrollton, GA
C = Monarch Record Mfg. Co. (pre-1985), Electrosound Los Angeles (1985-86)
B = Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.
R = RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis

Note that some releases in the mid 1980s have a ⎊ (upside down triangle in a circle) symbol on record labels. This mark, which helps designate the A side of LPs or 12" singles, also appearing on some CDs and cassette tapes, is found on Pitman and Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Carrollton, GA pressings.
Contact Info:
Lambs & Woodbury Roads
Pitman, NJ 08071
USA
(609) 589-8000
(Contact info now obsolete)
Sites:

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
001 Pere Ubu - The Modern Dance Pere Ubu The Modern Dance (Album) 001 US 1978 Sell This Version
1C8-39913 Herbie Hancock - Hard Rock Herbie Hancock Hard Rock(12", Ltd, Pic) Columbia 1C8-39913 US 1984 Sell This Version
1R1 6108 Johnny Mathis - I'm Coming Home Johnny Mathis I'm Coming Home(Reel, 4tr Stereo, 7" Reel, Album) Columbia 1R1 6108 US 1973 Sell This Version
1R1 7214 Kansas (2) - Audio-Visions Kansas (2) Audio-Visions(Reel, 5" Reel, Album) Kirshner 1R1 7214 US 1980 Sell This Version
002 The Suicide Commandos - Make A Record The Suicide Commandos Make A Record(LP, Album) Blank Records (2) 002 US 1978 Sell This Version
2 BN.31249 Edgar Winter's White Trash - Roadwork Edgar Winter's White Trash Roadwork(2xLP, Album) Epic 2 BN.31249 New Zealand 1972 Sell This Version
2BP 220114 Bessie Smith - Nobody's Blues But Mine Bessie Smith Nobody's Blues But Mine(2xLP, Comp, Mono) Columbia 2BP 220114 Australia 1972 Sell This Version
2 BR 6952 Todd Rundgren - Todd Todd Rundgren Todd(2xLP, Album, Pit) Bearsville, Bearsville 2 BR 6952 US 1974 Sell This Version
2BS 2923 Black Sabbath - We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll Black Sabbath We Sold Our Soul For Rock 'N' Roll(2xLP, Comp, RE, Gat) Warner Bros. Records 2BS 2923 US 1979 Sell This Version
2BS 3140 Little Feat - Waiting For Columbus Little Feat Waiting For Columbus(2xLP, Album, Club, Col) Warner Bros. Records 2BS 3140 US 1978 Sell This Version
2BX 2066 Todd Rundgren - Something / Anything? Todd Rundgren Something / Anything?(2xLP, Album, Pit) Bearsville 2BX 2066 US 1972 Sell This Version
2C 0141 Gregg Allman With Cowboy (6) / Boyer* & Talton* - The Gregg Allman Tour Gregg Allman With Cowboy (6) / Boyer* & Talton* Gregg Allman With Cowboy (6) / Boyer* & Talton* - The Gregg Allman Tour (2xLP, Album, Pit) Capricorn Records 2C 0141 US 1974 Sell This Version
2C 0145 The Marshall Tucker Band - Where We All Belong The Marshall Tucker Band Where We All Belong(2xLP, Album, Pit) Capricorn Records 2C 0145 US 1974 Sell This Version
2C 064-92167 Three Dog Night - Naturally Three Dog Night Naturally(LP, Album) Probe 2C 064-92167 France 1970 Sell This Version
2CA-60018 Ramsey Lewis - Inside Ramsey Lewis Ramsey Lewis Inside Ramsey Lewis (Comp) 2CA-60018 US 1972 Sell This Version
2CH-1514 Chuck Berry - Chuck Berry's Golden Decade Chuck Berry Chuck Berry's Golden Decade (Comp) 2CH-1514 US 1972 Sell This Version
2CH-50030 Various - The Golden Age Of Rhythm & Blues Various The Golden Age Of Rhythm & Blues(2xLP, Comp, Pit) Chess, Chess 2CH-50030 US 1972 Sell This Version
2CH-60006 Muddy Waters - McKinley Morganfield A.K.A. Muddy Waters Muddy Waters McKinley Morganfield A.K.A. Muddy Waters(2xLP, Album, Comp, Mono, Pit) Chess 2CH-60006 US 1971 Sell This Version
2CP 0102 The Allman Brothers Band - Eat A Peach The Allman Brothers Band Eat A Peach (Album) 2CP 0102 US 1972 Sell This Version
2CP 0108 Duane Allman - An Anthology Duane Allman An Anthology(2xLP, Comp, Gat) Capricorn Records, Capricorn Records 2CP 0108 US 1972 Sell This Version
2CP 0139 Duane Allman - An Anthology Vol. II Duane Allman An Anthology Vol. II(2xLP, Comp, Pit) Capricorn Records 2CP 0139 US 1974 Sell This Version
2CP 0164 The Allman Brothers Band - The Road Goes On Forever The Allman Brothers Band The Road Goes On Forever(2xLP, Comp, Pit) Capricorn Records 2CP 0164 US 1975 Sell This Version
2 CPN 0185 Elvin Bishop - Raisin' Hell Elvin Bishop Raisin' Hell(2xLP, Album, Pit) Capricorn Records 2 CPN 0185 US 1977 Sell This Version
2CX 0131 The Allman Brothers Band - The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East The Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers Band At Fillmore East(2xLP, Album, RE, Pit) Capricorn Records 2CX 0131 US 1974 Sell This Version
2CX 0132 The Allman Brothers Band - Beginnings The Allman Brothers Band Beginnings (Comp) 2CX 0132 US 1974 Sell This Version
2CX0177 The Allman Brothers Band - Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas The Allman Brothers Band Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas(2xLP, Album, Pit) Capricorn Records, Capricorn Records 2CX0177 US 1976 Sell This Version
2DS 2202 Zappa* / Mothers* - Roxy & Elsewhere Zappa* / Mothers* Zappa* / Mothers* - Roxy & Elsewhere(2xLP, Album, Pit) Discreet 2DS 2202 US 1974 Sell This Version
2F 1019 Frank Sinatra With Count Basie & The Orchestra* Arranged & Conducted By Quincy Jones - Sinatra At The Sands Frank Sinatra With Count Basie & The Orchestra* Arranged & Conducted By Quincy Jones Frank Sinatra With Count Basie & The Orchestra* Arranged & Conducted By Quincy Jones - Sinatra At The Sands(2xLP, Album, Mono, Pit) Reprise Records 2F 1019 US 1966 Sell This Version
2FS 1019 Frank Sinatra With Count Basie & The Orchestra* Arranged & Conducted By Quincy Jones - Sinatra At The Sands Frank Sinatra With Count Basie & The Orchestra* Arranged & Conducted By Quincy Jones Frank Sinatra With Count Basie & The Orchestra* Arranged & Conducted By Quincy Jones - Sinatra At The Sands(2xLP, Album, Pit) Reprise Records 2FS 1019 US 1966 Sell This Version
2HS 3350 Fleetwood Mac - Tusk Fleetwood Mac Tusk (Album) 2HS 3350 US 1979 Sell This Version
2HW 3577 George Benson - The George Benson Collection George Benson The George Benson Collection(2xLP, Comp, Club, CRC) Warner Bros. Records 2HW 3577 US 1981 Sell This Version
2JXS-7026 Al Stewart - The Early Years Al Stewart The Early Years(2xLP, Comp, Pit) Janus Records 2JXS-7026 US 1977 Sell This Version
2LS 2644 Deep Purple - Purple Passages Deep Purple Purple Passages(2xLP, Comp, Pit) Warner Bros. Records 2LS 2644 US 1972 Sell This Version
2MS 2024 The Mothers Of Invention* Uncle Meat (Album) 2MS 2024 US 1969 Sell This Version
2MS 2083 The Beach Boys - Carl And The Passions – So Tough / Pet Sounds The Beach Boys Carl And The Passions – So Tough / Pet Sounds(2xLP, Album, Mono, Pit) Brother Records (3), Reprise Records 2MS 2083 US 1972 Sell This Version
2PS 606/7 The Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks 1964-1971 The Rolling Stones Hot Rocks 1964-1971 (Comp) 2PS 606/7 Canada 1971 Sell This Version
2RS 2237 Gordon Lightfoot - Gord's Gold Gordon Lightfoot Gord's Gold(2xLP, Comp, Pit) Reprise Records, Reprise Records 2RS 2237 US 1975 Sell This Version
2RS 6307 The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland (Album) 2RS 6307 US 1968 Sell This Version
2RS 6334 The Pentangle* - Sweet Child The Pentangle* Sweet Child(2xLP, Album, Pit) Reprise Records, Reprise Records 2RS 6334 US 1968 Sell This Version
2RS 6482 John Renbourn John Renbourn(2xLP, Comp, Pit) Reprise Records 2RS 6482 US 1973 Sell This Version
2RS 6484 The Beach Boys - In Concert The Beach Boys In Concert(2xLP, Album, Pit) Reprise Records, Brother Records (3) 2RS 6484 US 1973 Sell This Version
2 SFS 6012 Richie Havens - Richie Havens On Stage Richie Havens Richie Havens On Stage (Album, Single) 2 SFS 6012 US 1972 Sell This Version
2SR 3590 Talking Heads - The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads Talking Heads The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads(2xLP, Album, Pit) Sire 2SR 3590 US 1982 Sell This Version
2SS 0101 Various - Disco Boogie Various Disco Boogie(2xLP, Mixed) Salsoul Records, Salsoul Records 2SS 0101 US 1977 Sell This Version
2T-522 Various - All This And World War II Various All This And World War II (Album) 2T-522 US 1976 Sell This Version
2T-540 Various - The Songs Of John Lennon & Paul McCartney Performed By The World's Greatest Rock Artists (The Soundtrack From All This And World War II) Various The Songs Of John Lennon & Paul McCartney Performed By The World's Greatest Rock Artists (The Soundtrack From All This And World War II) (Album) 2T-540 US 1977 Sell This Version
2T-541 John Williams (4), The London Symphony Orchestra - Star Wars John Williams (4), The London Symphony Orchestra John Williams (4), The London Symphony Orchestra - Star Wars (Album) 2T-541 US 1977 Sell This Version
2 THS 12/13 The Moody Blues - This Is The Moody Blues The Moody Blues This Is The Moody Blues (Comp, Album) 2 THS 12/13 US 1974 Sell This Version
2TS 2106 Jethro Tull - Living In The Past Jethro Tull Living In The Past (Comp) 2TS 2106 US 1972 Sell This Version
2W 1555 Peter, Paul And Mary* - In Concert Peter, Paul And Mary* In Concert (Album) 2W 1555 US 1964 Sell This Version
2WB 3500 Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac Live Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac Live(2xLP, Album, Pit) Warner Bros. Records 2WB 3500 US 1980 Sell This Version
2WS 1555 Peter, Paul And Mary* - In Concert Peter, Paul And Mary* In Concert (Album) 2WS 1555 US 1964 Sell This Version
2WS-1830 The Grateful Dead - Live/Dead The Grateful Dead Live/Dead (Album) 2WS-1830 US 1970 Sell This Version
2WS 1868 The Association (2) - The Association (2) "Live" (Album) 2WS 1868 US 1970 Sell This Version
2WS1935 Grateful Dead* - Grateful Dead Grateful Dead* Grateful Dead(2xLP, Album, Pit) Warner Bros. Records, Warner Bros. Records 2WS1935 US 1971 Sell This Version
2WS 2701 Deep Purple - Made In Japan Deep Purple Made In Japan(2xLP, Album, Gat) Warner Bros. Records 2WS 2701 US 1973 Sell This Version
2WS 2809 Seals & Crofts - I And II Seals & Crofts I And II(2xLP, Comp, Pit) Warner Bros. Records 2WS 2809 US 1974 Sell This Version
2WS 1555 2W 1555 Peter, Paul And Mary* - In Concert Peter, Paul And Mary* In Concert(2xLP, Album, Gat) Warner Bros. Records 2WS 1555 2W 1555 US 1964 Sell This Version
2XS 1942 Colosseum - Colosseum Live Colosseum Colosseum Live(2xLP, Album, Pit) Warner Bros. Records 2XS 1942 US 1971 Sell This Version
2XS 6329 Lenny Bruce - The Berkeley Concert Lenny Bruce The Berkeley Concert(2xLP, RP, Pit) Reprise Records, Bizarre Records 2XS 6329 US 1969 Sell This Version
2XS 6454 The Kinks - The Kink Kronikles The Kinks The Kink Kronikles (Comp) 2XS 6454 US 1972 Sell This Version
2XS 6476 Kenny Rogers And The First Edition* - The Ballad Of Calico Kenny Rogers And The First Edition* The Ballad Of Calico(2xLP, Album, Pit) Reprise Records 2XS 6476 US 1972 Sell This Version
2XS 6480 Neil Young - Journey Through The Past Neil Young Journey Through The Past(2xLP, Pit) Reprise Records 2XS 6480 US 1972 Sell This Version
2Z8-1281 New York Port Authority - I Got It New York Port Authority I Got It(12", Single, Promo) Invictus 2Z8-1281 US 1977 Sell This Version
2Z8-2283 The Isley Brothers - I Wanna Be With You / Rockin' With Fire The Isley Brothers I Wanna Be With You / Rockin' With Fire(12", Single, Pit) T-Neck 2Z8-2283 US 1979 Sell This Version
2Z8-2773 Dan Hartman - Instant Replay Dan Hartman Instant Replay(12", Single, Pit) Blue Sky 2Z8-2773 US 1978 Sell This Version
2Z8 3671 Edwin Birdsong - Phiss-Phizz / Goldmine Edwin Birdsong Phiss-Phizz / Goldmine (Single) 2Z8 3671 US 1979 Sell This Version
2Z8 3679 The Force (8) - Rock Your Baby The Force (8) Rock Your Baby(12", Single, Promo) Philadelphia International Records 2Z8 3679 US 1979 Sell This Version
2Z8 3682 The Jones Girls - You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else The Jones Girls You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else(12", Single) Philadelphia International Records 2Z8 3682 US 1979 Sell This Version
2Z8 3692 Dexter Wansel - I'll Never Forget (My Favorite Disco) Dexter Wansel I'll Never Forget (My Favorite Disco)(12", Single) Philadelphia International Records 2Z8 3692 US 1979 Sell This Version
2Z8 3697 Frantique - Strut Your Funky Stuff Frantique Strut Your Funky Stuff(12", Promo) Philadelphia International Records 2Z8 3697 US 1979 Sell This Version
2Z8-4279 Sarah Dash - Sinner Man Sarah Dash Sinner Man(12", Single, Pit) Kirshner 2Z8-4279 US 1978 Sell This Version
2Z8-5515 Brainstorm (5) - Hot For You Brainstorm (5) Hot For You(12", Pit) Tabu Records 2Z8-5515 US 1979 Sell This Version
2Z8 9028 The Beach Boys - Here Comes The Night The Beach Boys Here Comes The Night (Single) 2Z8 9028 US 1979 Sell This Version
#3 Jeannie C. Riley - Harper Valley P.T.A. / Yesterday All Day Long Today Jeannie C. Riley Harper Valley P.T.A. / Yesterday All Day Long Today(7", Single, Styrene, Pit) Plantation Records #3 US 1968 Sell This Version
3 Freddie Munnings And His Silver Slipper Orchestra* - Calypso And Goombay Rhythms Freddie Munnings And His Silver Slipper Orchestra* Calypso And Goombay Rhythms(LP, Album, RE) Bahama Records Ltd, Bahama Records Ltd 3 Bahamas, The Unknown Sell This Version
3C 8185 The Ray Conniff Singers* - Christmas With Conniff The Ray Conniff Singers* Christmas With Conniff(LP, Album, RE) Columbia 3C 8185 US Unknown Sell This Version
3C 33191 Andy Williams - Christmas Present Andy Williams Christmas Present(LP, Album, RE, Pit) Columbia, Columbia 3C 33191 US Unknown Sell This Version
3FS 2300 Frank Sinatra - Trilogy: Past, Present & Future Frank Sinatra Trilogy: Past, Present & Future(3xLP, Album, Club) Reprise Records 3FS 2300 US 1980 Sell This Version
3XX 2737 Various - 50 Years Of Film - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Recordings Of The Great Scenes And Stars From The Warner Bros. Classics, 1923 To 1973 Various 50 Years Of Film - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Recordings Of The Great Scenes And Stars From The Warner Bros. Classics, 1923 To 1973(3xLP, Album, Comp + Box) Warner Bros. Records 3XX 2737 US 1973 Sell This Version
4 John McLaughlin - Devotion John McLaughlin Devotion (Album) 4 US 1972 Sell This Version
4B1 Broadside Big Brass Bed Band* - Dylan Fantasy Broadside Big Brass Bed Band* Dylan Fantasy(7", Mono, Styrene) In Records (11), In Records (11) 4B1 US Unknown Sell This Version
4 B 445 G.L. Crockett - It's A Man Down There G.L. Crockett It's A Man Down There(7", Styrene, Pit) 4 Brothers 4 B 445 US 1965 Sell This Version
4C006-60563 Patti Smith Group - Because The Night Patti Smith Group Because The Night(7", Single) Arista 4C006-60563 Belgium 1978 Sell This Version
4M-45134 Johnny Cash - What Is Truth Johnny Cash What Is Truth(7", Mono, Promo, Styrene, Pit) Columbia, Columbia 4M-45134 US 1970 Sell This Version
4R9-02753 Angela Clemmons - Give Me Just A Little More Time Angela Clemmons Give Me Just A Little More Time(12") Portrait 4R9-02753 US 1982 Sell This Version
4R9-03574 Eddy Grant - Electric Avenue Eddy Grant Electric Avenue / Time Warp (Single) 4R9-03574 US 1982 Sell This Version
4R9-04086 The Russell Brothers - The Party Scene The Russell Brothers The Party Scene 4R9-04086 US 1983 Sell This Version
4R9-04971 Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun Cyndi Lauper Girls Just Want To Have Fun(12") Portrait 4R9-04971 US 1984 Sell This Version
4R9-05011 Cyndi Lauper - She Bop Cyndi Lauper She Bop 4R9-05011 US 1984 Sell This Version
4R9 05106 The Limit (2) - Say Yeah The Limit (2) Say Yeah (Single) 4R9 05106 US 1984 Sell This Version
4R9-05122 Sade - Hang On To Your Love (12 Sade Hang On To Your Love (12" Version)(12") Portrait 4R9-05122 US 1984 Sell This Version
4R9-05172 The Elvis Brothers - Don't Take My Guns Away The Elvis Brothers Don't Take My Guns Away(12", Single) Portrait 4R9-05172 US 1985 Sell This Version
4R9 05331 Nicole* - Don't You Want My Love Nicole* Don't You Want My Love(12") Portrait, Portrait 4R9 05331 US 1986 Sell This Version
4R9 05375 Sade - Never As Good As The First Time Sade Never As Good As The First Time(12") Portrait, Portrait 4R9 05375 US 1986 Sell This Version
4R9-05949 Nicole* - Housecalls Nicole* Housecalls(12") Portrait 4R9-05949 US 1985 Sell This Version
4S-45084 Mornin' - Cheatin' On You / Let Me Love You Mornin' Cheatin' On You / Let Me Love You(7", Single, Pit) Columbia 4S-45084 US 1970 Sell This Version
4S-45106 Jerry Naylor - But For Love / Angeline Jerry Naylor But For Love / Angeline(7", Styrene, Pit) Columbia 4S-45106 US 1970 Sell This Version
4S-45110 Ronnie Dyson - (If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can't I Touch You? Ronnie Dyson (If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can't I Touch You? (Single) 4S-45110 US 1970 Sell This Version
4S-45125 Mark Lindsay - Miss America Mark Lindsay Miss America (Single) 4S-45125 US 1970 Sell This Version