Company MD Chris Black has said the year saw Sound Leisure produce more jukes than ever before, and mark new sales victories in new markets across the world.

Sound Leisure managing director Chris Black has seen in the New Year by reflecting on how 2024 was the year the Leeds-based jukebox manufacturer “really got rocking again”. 

In a post to LinkedIn last week, Black admitted that the pandemic had put a crimp in the company’s momentum, but said that the road back to recovery had made for “a fun few years,” with the last 12 months seeing staff turn in a performance which had “been nothing short of outstanding.” 

“The team in the factory have manufactured more jukes in 2024 than they have done for almost a decade,” Black declared. “Our hospitality operating division has grown and beaten target again, in addition to laying down some great foundations for 2025 and beyond. Meanwhile, the Children’s play division has also made great inroads into retail and hospitality and looks set for a great 2025.”

Indeed, 2024 was a year of significant milestones for the juke specialist: with new business inroads made in the United States, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, and a thriving export business to over 20 international markets. 

Meanwhile, Sound Leisure jukes continue to make regular high-profile appearances, with classic models showing up in both Strictly Come Dancing and in the latest Venom movie. But Black said the “icing on the cake” had been when the company had managed buy back its first ever classic juke from its original owner – over 40 years after it left the production line. N001 now sits in “pride of place” within the SoundLeisure reception area. 

“All in all 2024 was an exhausting but a great year,” he added. “It is quite daunting to think that we have to do it all again in 2025, but better. Next week we roll up our sleeves and off we go again.”