Photo Credit: Markus Spiske
The Japanese company behind turntable accessory manufacturer Jelco is shutting the company down, according to recent reports.
The news comes according to a report from Analog Planet, who published an internal email from Takako Ichikawa, president and CEO of Jelco’s parent company.
It’s worth noting that at this time, the Jelco website does not mention shutting down. It only mentions being unable to accept new orders because of the pandemic. Still, several industry figures report hearing the same news. The email from Ichikawa Jewel Co. Ltd is as follows:
Dear Sir,
It is with deepest regret to inform you of this sad announcement. The novel coronavirus pandemic continues to have a significant impact on our production lines, and so I have decided to terminate our business effective immediately.
For the past few years, [Jelco] has endured a decline in labor productivity due to health issues arising from our aging skilled engineers.
Furthermore, due to our obsolete mechanical equipment, performing maintenance on them has become difficult. I sincerely ask for your understanding of the following points:
- No new orders will be accepted
- Repair of products will not be accepted
I would like to thank everyone for their warm support that was extended to us throughout the years. I would also like to express in writing my deepest gratitude for your kindness and wish you all the best for your continued development.
Sincerely yours,
Takako Ichikawa
President & CEO
ICHIKAWA JEWEL Co. LTD.
The closure, if confirmed true, is bad news for anyone interested in quality tonearms. Jelco is often the go-to brand for enthusiasts, and it makes tonearms for many companies in the analog audio industry. Two of the most well-known tonearm models were the Sumiko MMT and the Linn Ittock II tonearm.
It sounds like once the current stock is gone, it’s gone for good. Also, given that no repairs are being issued for current products, DJs might want to stock up.