Welsh record label Sain is put up for sale
A Welsh record label which has recorded artists such as Bryn Terfel and Catatonia has been put up for sale.
Directors at Sain Records, which was set up in 1969, said the time is right to sell because they are all "getting on in years".
The company - which employs 24 - is not making the selling price public but the back catalogue alone is thought to be worth a considerable amount.
The aim is to sell it as a going concern so the business can carry on.
Sain began in Cardiff and moved to Llandwrog near Caernarfon in the 1970s.
The first record the label produced was by one of the directors Huw Jones.
"Dwr" (water), was a protest song about the flooding of the Tryweryn Valley near Bala to provide water to the city of Liverpool.
Since then it has recorded hundreds of artists from every musical genre including opera star Bryn Terfel, indie band Catatonia, Welsh singer-songwriter Meic Stevens; folk musician Donal Lunny and harpist Catrin Finch.
It also produces Welsh language DVDs, sheet music and books.
"We're getting on in years and I think it's a good time to sell," said singer Dafydd Iwan, one of the three directors at Sain.
"Although the music industry has gone through a difficult period we're in a position, as a company, now to say we've weathered the storm.
"We know we can live with the digital revolution and we can look to the future with confidence."
The correct buyer was important, he added.
"It's a good time to see if there's anybody out there who wants to run a major Welsh recording company for the future for the sake of the artists and for the sake of the staff - and I'm sure there are people who will be interested."
Mr Iwan acknowledged there was a concern that any prospective buyer would only be interested in Sain's extensive back catalogue and copyrights.
"There is always that danger in this field but I think someone will see that Sain has a central role to play in the future as well as the past and we are looking for those people to help us face the future," he added.