Full legal name:Polygram Manufacturing & Distribution Centres GmbH. Operating under this name from January 1993 until March 1999.
Distribution and manufacturing company with a CD manufacturing plant in Langenhagen, Germany.
Even though there was no vinyl pressing in Langenhagen anymore, recording, vinyl mastering and lacquer cutting was undertaken by the "PolyGram Recording Services", and is identifiable by a 3 20 in the runouts. In 1996, the recording services moved into a new building on the company premises in Langenhagen, called Emil Berliner Haus.
CDs are identifiable by SID Mould code "IFPI 01xx", some also by the 8-digit serial# [50xxx xxx] or [50xxxxxx] as part of the matrix # and /or by "MADE IN GERMANY BY PMDC" in mould hub. Serial numbers [50xxx xxx] and [50xxxxxx] may be entered as a catalog# for PMDC, Germany in LCCN. If "Made in Germany by PMDC" is printed on the CD, be aware, the mould of the CD doesn't credit a succeeding plant.
Don't credit PMDC, Germany based entirely on the presence of a mould SID code beginning with 01xx or the 8-digit serial#, because preceding and succeeding plants (label, Universal M & L, Germany, label) used that code and/or serial# as well, and PMDC was often repressing CDs but left the old artwork of the preceding plants. The 8-digit serial# rarely appeared on CDs manufactured for PolyGram labels (majority of PMDC discs have no plant # in matrix).
CDs with "MADE IN GERMANY BY PMDC" in capital letters have an additional letter, e.g., A, B, C, etc. on the opposite side of the inner CD ring (see e.g., release).
A mould hub stamp "MADE IN GERMANY BY PMDC" on the inner ring was used between 1993 and beginning of 1999, correlating with matrix numbers 5034x xxx to 5080x xxx.
Releases with a PMDC stamp and matrix numbers smaller than 5034xxxx should be considered repressings.
The stamp font changed in late 1997: new font vs. old font.
In January 1999, the stamp was shortened to "MADE IN GERMANY". PMDC, Germany can only be credited when in conjunction with matrix numbers between 5080x xxx and 5084x xxx (because the successor Universal M & L, Germany also used this hub stamp).
Renamed to Universal Manufacturing & Logistics GmbH (Universal M & L, Germany), effective April 1, 1999.
Former plant name: PRS Hannover (September 1991 - December 1992).