FORM 10-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 2O549


(Mark One)

   [ X ]  ANNUAL   REPORT   PURSUANT   TO   SECTION  13  OR  15(d) OF THE
          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]

         For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996

                                       OR

   [   ]  TRANSITION   REPORT   PURSUANT   TO   SECTION  13  OR  15(d)OF THE
          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

         For the transition period from to


                         Commission file number 0-26902


                          NIMBUS CD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

              Delaware                                  54-1651183
  (State or other jurisdiction of                    (I.R.S. employer
   incorporation or organization)                  identification number)


          State Route 629, Guildford Farm, Ruckersville, Virginia 22968
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (804) 985-1100

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                          Common Stock, par value $0.01
                                (Title of Class)

      Indicate by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes (X)   No ( )

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. (  )

      As of June 6, 1996, there were 8,925,094 shares of the Registrant's common
stock  outstanding  and the aggregate  market value of such shares (based on the
closing sale price of such shares on the Nasdaq National Market on June 6, 1996)
was approximately  $141,685,867. Shares of the Registrant's common stock held by
each  executive  officer and director and by each entity that owns 5% or more of
the  Registrant's  common  stock have been  excluded in that such persons may be
deemed  to  be  affiliates.  This  determination  of  affiliate  status  is  not
necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.


                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

      Certain sections of the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the
year ended March 31, 1996 are  incorporated  by  reference in Parts II and IV of
this Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. In addition, certain sections of the
Registrant's   definitive  Proxy  Statement  for  the  1996  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders to be held on August 6, 1996 are  incorporated by reference in Part
II of this Form 10-K to the extent stated herein.






                                     PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

Overview

      Nimbus CD  International,  Inc.  ("Nimbus" or the  "Company") is a leading
independent  manufacturer  of compact  discs ("CDs") for  distribution  in North
America,  the United Kingdom and continental  Europe.  Having established one of
the first CD manufacturing facilities in the world in 1982, Nimbus was a pioneer
in CD  production,  and  currently  serves a broad base of customers  from three
manufacturing sites in the United States (Charlottesville, Virginia, Provo, Utah
and Sunnyvale,  California) and one in the United Kingdom (Cwmbran,  Wales). The
Company has grown rapidly since its entry into CD production,  driven  initially
by  demand  for  CDs  providing  storage  and  playback  of  pre-recorded  music
("CD-Audio"), and more recently by the rapid emergence of "read only memory" CDs
("CD-ROM"), which permit cost efficient storage and retrieval of any combination
of data, text, graphics, audio and video. Nimbus offers more than 1500 customers
an integrated  range of services  including  pre-mastering  and mastering,  disc
replication and full turnkey services,  including packaging design consultation,
materials  procurement,  packaging assembly and order  fulfillment.  The Company
focuses  its  marketing  efforts  primarily  on  independent  record  labels and
multimedia software  developers who demand a high level of service.  The Company
meets customer  expectations  by providing high quality product at a competitive
price within a short  turnaround  time.  In  addition,  Nimbus is able to access
larger  CD-ROM  customers  not  otherwise  served  by the  Company  through  its
strategic alliance with Stream International,  Inc. ("Stream"), a majority-owned
subsidiary of R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company  ("Donnelley").  The Company intends
to enter into  similar  strategic  alliances  with other  companies  serving the
multimedia market which require CD manufacturing expertise.

      The Company was organized in October 1992 as a Delaware corporation by DLJ
Merchant Banking Inc. and certain of its affiliates (the "DLJ Investors"), along
with  other  investors,  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  the CD  manufacturing
operations  of  Nimbus  Records  Limited  (the  "Predecessor").   The  Company's
principal  executive  office is located  at State  Route  629,  Guildford  Farm,
Ruckersville, Virginia 22968, and its telephone number at this location is (804)
985-1100.  The Company's  Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq  National  Market
under the symbol  "NMBS".  Except as otherwise  noted herein,  all references to
"Nimbus" or the  "Company"  shall mean  Nimbus CD  International,  Inc.  and its
subsidiaries.


Recent Developments

      The Recapitalization

      Pursuant to an agreement dated December 8, 1994, affiliates of both McCown
De Leeuw & Co. (the "MDC Entities") and Behrman Capital L.P. ("Behrman Capital")
acquired approximately 54.5% and 23.0%, respectively,  of the outstanding Common
Stock of the Company and replaced the DLJ  Investors as the  Company's  majority
stockholders through a series of transactions consummated on March 31, 1995 (the
"Recapitalization").  In connection with the  Recapitalization,  the Company and
the holders of the Company's Common Stock entered into a Stockholders  Agreement
which  contained,  among other things,  restrictions on the  transferability  of
shares of Common Stock, registration rights with respect to the Company's Common
Stock and matters related to the Company's Board of Directors.

      The Offerings

      On October 16,  1995,  the Company  declared a 3.76049 for one stock split
which was  distributed  to  stockholders  on October 18,  1995.  Thereafter,  on

                                      -3-

October 30, 1995, the Company  completed an initial public offering of 6,350,000
shares of the Company's  Common Stock at an initial  offering price of $7.00 per
share. Of the 6,350,000  shares of Common Stock offered for sale by the Company,
5,080,000  shares  were  purchased  and  offered  for  sale  to  the  public  by
underwriters  in the United  States (the "U.S.  Offering"),  with the  remaining
1,270,000  shares being  purchased and offered for sale to the public by foreign
underwriters (the "International Offering", together with the U.S. Offering, the
"Offerings").   Contemporaneously  with  the  Offerings,  the  Company  sold  an
additional  500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock in a private  placement
transaction to Behrman  Capital,  a principal  stockholder of the Company,  at a
price per share of $6.55 which was equal to the initial  public  offering  price
less the underwriting  discount (the "Private  Placement").  The net proceeds to
the Company  from the  Offerings  and the  Private  Placement,  after  deducting
underwriting  discounts,  commissions and expenses payable by the Company,  were
$43.7  million.  The Company  used $41.7  million of the net  proceeds to reduce
outstanding indebtedness and $2.0 million for general corporate purposes.

      In addition,  following consummation of the Offerings, the Company and the
MDC Entities  entered into a registration  rights  agreement (the  "Registration
Rights  Agreement"),  pursuant  to which the Company  granted  the MDC  Entities
certain rights to have their shares of Common Stock  registered.  The completion
of the Offerings terminated all of the provisions of the Stockholders  Agreement
except for the registration  rights granted  thereunder to Behrman Capital,  the
DLJ Investors and Chase Manhattan Investment Holdings, Inc.

      The New Credit Agreement

      Upon  consummation of the Offerings,  the Company amended and restated its
existing credit agreement with The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as agent, and the
lenders party  thereto (the "New Credit  Agreement").  The New Credit  Agreement
provides for a term loan of $25.0  million and a revolving  credit  facility the
aggregate  principal amount of which shall not exceed $25.0 million  outstanding
at any time.  Borrowers under the New Credit Agreement are Nimbus  Manufacturing
Inc.  ("NMI") and Nimbus  Manufacturing  (UK) Limited  ("Nimbus UK"), which are,
respectively,   the  Company's  United  States  and  United  Kingdom   operating
subsidiaries.  A portion of the  revolving  loan  commitment  is available to be
utilized  for letters of credit,  a swingline  facility  available to NMI and an
overdraft  facility  available to Nimbus UK. The New Credit Agreement has a dual
currency  option,  which permits NMI to borrow in U.S.  dollars and Nimbus UK to
borrow in pounds  sterling.  Loans under the  revolving  credit  facility may be
repaid and  reborrowed,  subject  to a  schedule  of  mandatory  repayments  and
commitment reductions. The New Credit Agreement terminates on October 30, 2000.

      Amendment to the Donnelley CD-ROM Agreement

      In  April  1994,  the  Company  entered  into a  strategic  alliance  with
Donnelley  (the  "Donnelley  CD-ROM  Agreement"),  pursuant to which the Company
established a multi-line CD manufacturing facility in Provo, Utah, and Donnelley
purchased 286,128 shares of the Company's Common Stock for an aggregate purchase
price of $1.0  million.  In April 1995,  as  permitted by the  Donnelley  CD-ROM
Agreement,   Donnelley  assigned   substantially  all  of  its  rights  in,  and
obligations  under,  the Donnelley  CD-ROM  Agreement (as assigned,  the "Stream
CD-ROM  Agreement") and transferred its shares of Nimbus Common Stock to Stream,
Donnelley's  majority-owned  subsidiary. The Stream CD-ROM Agreement, as amended
and restated on April 1, 1995,  requires  Stream,  for a period of six years, to
purchase  23  million  discs  in  fiscal  1996  and 24  million  discs  annually
thereafter  for a fixed price per disc which is subject to  possible  reductions
based upon changes in the cost of  manufacturing  CD-ROM  discs,  and to use all
commercially reasonable efforts to promote and sell CD-ROM products manufactured
by the Company.  During fiscal 1996, Stream purchased discs from the Company for
an aggregate  purchase  price of $20.1  million  which  accounted for 17% of the
Company's revenues.

                                      -4-


      Acquisition of HLS Duplication, Inc.

      As part of its strategy to broaden its customer  services and to establish
a  presence  on the West  Coast  of the  United  States,  the  Company  acquired
substantially  all of the assets of HLS Duplication,  Inc. ("HLS") on August 31,
1995,  for a  purchase  price of  approximately  $5.15  million  in cash and the
assumption of certain liabilities. HLS is a Sunnyvale, California-based supplier
of turnkey services to CD-ROM customers.  HLS also offers fulfillment  services,
such as pick, pack and ship services,  in addition to drop shipments and has the
capability to offer electronic  order intake,  either directly from the customer
or via the Internet and inbound telemarketing.

      Marketing 3-D id(TM) Technology

      In  June  1995,  the  Company  and  Applied   Holographics  PLC  ("Applied
Holographics")  entered into joint venture arrangements in both the U.S. and the
United Kingdom to market  patented  technology to imprint  holograms onto CDs in
order to provide  customers with an effective piracy  deterrent  without loss of
data capacity or playing time.  This  technology is marketed  under the name 3-D
id (TM) and allows for a  holographic  image to be either (i) mastered on those
areas of a CD that do not contain data including the inner mirror band or unused
outer  portions of the disc (the  "Security Band Process") or (ii) embossed over
the entire surface of a CD using  specially  designed  embossing  machinery (the
"Edge-to-Edge  Process").  The Company  believes that the  Edge-to-Edge  Process
cannot be  duplicated  without  the  embossing  machinery  and the  Company  has
received  patents for certain  mechanical  aspects of that machinery.  The joint
ventures   are  preparing  to  license  3-D  id  (TM)  technology  to  other  CD
manufacturers.  The  joint  ventures  will  collect  a  royalty  fee for each CD
produced by other  manufacturers  using 3-D id (TM) technology with all royalty
revenues split equally between the Company and Applied Holographics.


Industry Overview

      Since its  introduction  in 1982, CD technology has evolved from serving a
narrow set of applications  to becoming the preferred  medium for the storage of
digital  information.  On a cost per  megabyte  basis,  CDs  continue to compare
favorably to  available  alternatives  for  high-capacity  applications  such as
floppy disks,  magnetic tape and hard drives.  As a result, CD technology is the
dominant format in the audio market and is a leading  technology in data storage
and  retrieval  markets.  The video market is the next  logical  extension of CD
technology.

      CD-Audio Market. The established market for pre-recorded music represented
the first  major  application  of CD  technology.  In the six years  ended 1995,
worldwide  sales  of  full  length  pre-recorded  music  (CD-Audio,  LPs,  audio
cassettes) grew from  approximately 2.7 billion to 3.5 billion units, a compound
annual growth rate of 5.3%.  Over the same period,  full length  CD-Audio  sales
more than  doubled  from  approximately  900  million to 2.0  billion  units and
short-play CD singles contributed  approximately 300 million additional units in
1995, up from 90 million units six years earlier.

      Consumer  acceptance of CD-Audio has been driven by its  superiority  over
other formats in terms of sound quality,  random  accessing and indexing of data
and by the market  penetration  of CD players.  CD-Audio has become the standard
for home audio  systems and  significant  market  expansion  has  resulted  from
increased sales of in-car and portable players, which grew by approximately 600%
in the United States between 1991 and 1995. In the United States and Europe, the
major world markets in which the Company participates, approximately 250 million
CD-Audio  players  were  in  use in  1995,  representing  household  penetration
(including multiple ownership by individual households) of approximately 98%. By
the year 2000, the Company  estimates that 415 million  CD-Audio players will be
in use,  representing  household  penetration  (including  multiple ownership by
individual households) of more than 150%.


                                      -5-



      CD-Audio   manufacturing  is  dominated  by  manufacturing   organizations
affiliated with the five major  international music companies:  Sony,  PolyGram,
Warner, BMG and EMI.  Collectively,  the CD manufacturers  affiliated with these
five organizations (the "Music Company  Manufacturers")  produced  approximately
54% of the 1995 world output of  CD-Audio,  primarily to meet the needs of their
affiliated   record  labels.   The  independent   record  labels  accounted  for
approximately  28% of 1995  CD-Audio unit sales.  These  companies are generally
serviced by  "non-affiliated"  or  independent CD  manufacturers,  including the
Company, because of their smaller average unit runs and their greater need for a
broad range of services, such as pre-mastering and mastering,  disc replication,
packaging and shipping,  in addition to short turnaround times. The five largest
independent CD manufacturers,  including the Company, produced approximately 14%
of worldwide  CD-Audio output in 1995. In 1995, the Company  believes it was the
fourth among the five largest independent CD-Audio manufacturers.

      CD-ROM  Market.  CD-ROM is an extension of CD  technology  which  provides
storage and retrieval of any  combination  of data,  text,  graphics,  audio and
video.  CD-ROM is  ideally  suited to  applications  involving  storage of large
amounts of stable  information  in a form which can be  distributed to a diverse
user  population.  CD-ROM was  introduced  in the late 1980's and was  initially
limited to business and professional applications such as library references and
parts  catalogs.  Increasingly  widespread  presence of personal  computers  and
CD-ROM drives has created a consumer  marketplace  for  applications  created by
software  developers,   game  developers,   data  base  publishers,   multimedia
publishers and developers of "edutainment" products.

      Worldwide  CD-ROM  demand was estimated to be 30 million units in 1992 and
grew to 525 million units in 1995, a compound  annual  growth rate of 160%,  and
the Company expects it to grow to approximately  1.15 billion units in 1997. The
market for  business-oriented  applications  is large and growing as a result of
the demand for software and other  database  products.  The consumer  market has
emerged  within  the last two years and is  expected  to  demonstrate  continued
substantial  growth.  This market has two primary segments:  proprietary  CD-ROM
game  players  such as "Sega  Saturn,"  "Sony  Playstation"  and  "3DO" and home
applications for personal  computers  equipped with CD-ROM drives. In the United
States and Europe,  the markets served by the Company,  the Company  expects the
installed  base of CD-ROM  drives to grow from 29 million in 1995 to 110 million
by 1999.

      The Music Company Manufacturers  collectively produced in excess of 28% of
the 1995  worldwide  output of CD-ROM  units.  The five largest  independent  CD
manufacturers, including the Company, collectively produced approximately 27% of
the 1995 worldwide output of CD-ROM.  The remaining 1995 CD-ROM worldwide output
was  produced  by  approximately  150  small  to  medium  size CD  manufacturing
operations. Nimbus is the third largest CD-ROM manufacturer in North America and
the fourth largest in Europe.

      CD-ROM orders  typically  involve  smaller  production  runs than CD-Audio
because CD-ROM is generally produced for more specialized applications.  Because
it is an established independent  manufacturer with the ability to produce small
runs  efficiently,  the Company believes that it is strategically  positioned to
better  serve  the  needs of  CD-ROM  customers,  who  generally  require  short
turnaround time with a high degree of customized services.

      DVD Market.  The Company  believes  that the digital video disc ("DVD") is
the next logical  extension of CD  technology.  The new DVD format is capable of
holding a full length motion picture (135 minutes) on a  standard-sized  CD with
video and audio quality superior to current  videocassette  technology.  DVD has
far  greater  information  density  as well as a new  playback  technology.  Two
leading DVD formats emerged during the early development of this technology, led
by Philips-Sony and Toshiba-Time Warner.  Following concern over a "format war",
the  two  groups  agreed  on a  single  format  capable  of  meeting  all of the
technological   goals   using  a   two-sided   disc   design.   The  Company  is
technologically  capable of manufacturing the DVD format and expects to have the
capacity  to  offer  manufacturing  services  in  anticipation  of  a  late-1996
worldwide introduction.


                                      -6-


      Initially,  the primary application for the DVD format will be traditional
motion pictures. Unlike videocassettes, DVD offers no image or sound degradation
with normal use, greater storage capacity,  indexing and random access and lower
manufacturing  cost. The storage  capacity of the DVD format will also allow for
added features such as multilingual  voicetracks,  CD-Audio  soundtrack  albums,
director's notes,  story-based games and other CD-ROM applications.  The Company
expects that DVD players will become widely  available at retail prices  ranging
from $500 to $800 with an initial  industrywide  catalog of more than 250 motion
picture  titles.  DVD is expected to compete most  directly  with the market for
videocassette sales  (sell-through)  which in 1995 was estimated to total almost
900 million units across the three major world  regions of the U.S.,  Europe and
Japan.

      DVD-ROM Market. The Company believes that the expanded information density
afforded  by DVD  will  be  employed  by  CD-ROM  content  owners  who  wish  to
incorporate a significant  video component in their material.  As a result,  the
introduction   of  DVD-ROM   product  is   expected   to  occur  in  early  1997
simultaneously  with the  availability of DVD-ROM drives to the consumer market.
The Company  believes that the new DVD-ROM drives will initially retail for less
than $300.  Game and multimedia  developers are expected to lead  development of
DVD-ROM products.


Business Strategy

      The  Company's  objective is to increase  sales and  profitability  and to
maximize  return to its  stockholders  by  leveraging  its position as a leading
independent  manufacturer  of CDs. The Company's  strategy for  achieving  these
objectives includes the following:

      Aggressively  Expanding its Position as a Leading  Manufacturer of CD-ROM.
CD-ROM is currently the Company's fastest growing product.  CD-ROM customers are
often specialized  software  developers and providers of digital information who
are unable to manufacture CDs in their own facilities.  In addition, the markets
for these applications are highly competitive and time-sensitive.  Consequently,
CD-ROM  customers  typically  demand high quality service with short  turnaround
times.  The Company  believes  its  ability to meet these needs has  resulted in
Nimbus  becoming the third largest CD-ROM  manufacturer in North America and the
fourth largest  CD-ROM  manufacturer  in Europe.  In order to expand this strong
market  position  to a wider  range of  potential  customers,  the  Company  has
increased the size of its CD-ROM sales and marketing  organizations  both in the
United States and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Nimbus' agreement with Stream
has  enabled  the  Company to  develop  relationships  with many of the  world's
largest  hardware and  software  companies.  In addition,  the Company will take
advantage of its technological  expertise to produce DVD-ROM product for content
owners and developers.

      Targeting Selected Customers in the CD-Audio Market.  CD-Audio  production
provides the Company with a strong, stable revenue base. The Company's marketing
efforts will remain focused on independent record companies (the fastest growing
segment of the  recording  industry)  that value the  Company's  high  levels of
service  including  rapid  turnaround,  inventory  tracking and  control,  print
material procurement,  specialized packaging and fulfillment.  In addition,  the
CD-Audio  and CD-ROM  markets are  beginning to  converge,  as record  companies
introduce Enhanced CD or CD Extra (i.e., CD-ROM with an audio component, such as
a music video) which not only can be played in a standard  audio CD player,  but
includes  special CD-ROM  information  for users with computers  equipped with a
CD-ROM  drive.  The Company also intends to exploit its CD-ROM  expertise in the
marketing of CD Extra formats to existing and new customers.

      Capitalizing  on the Development of DVD. The Company is well positioned to
participate  in the emerging DVD market.  The Company has acquired the equipment
necessary to manufacture the bonded two-sided disc format.  In addition,  Nimbus


                                      -7-


representatives have been active participants in industry forums involved in the
review and  development  of format  standards and  manufacturing  protocols.  By
combining a direct sales effort targeting  independent motion picture production
companies  and  strategic  alliances  with  multimedia  companies who require CD
manufacturing  expertise and provide access to potential customers not otherwise
served by Nimbus,  the  Company  intends to pursue a strategy  in the DVD market
similar to the one it has utilized in the CD-ROM market.

      Expanding the Company's Service Offerings. The Company continues to expand
its value-added  service  offerings which  complement its core CD  manufacturing
capabilities.  This strategy is demonstrated by the Company's acquisition of HLS
(which now operates as Nimbus Software Services, Inc.) which enabled the Company
to expand its ability to provide customers with turnkey  services.  Such turnkey
services include packaging design consultation, materials procurement, packaging
assembly and order  fulfillment.  The addition of these turnkey  services allows
the  Company's  customers  to  "one-stop  shop"  and  to  better  control  their
inventories  through  real-time  access to a single source for their finished CD
product.

      Maintaining  its  Position  as a Leader in  Manufacturing  Efficiency  and
Technical  Expertise.  The  Company  continues  to invest in, and  maximize  the
efficiency  of,  equipment,  systems,  processes  and  personnel to maintain its
position as a low-cost  manufacturer  of CDs.  From fiscal 1991 to fiscal  1996,
production  yields have  increased  from 40% to 92%,  while pressing cycle times
have fallen from  approximately  seven seconds to less than five seconds.  Discs
produced  per  employee  have risen from 56,100  discs in fiscal 1990 to 148,300
discs in fiscal  1996.  The  Company is  selectively  implementing  dual  cavity
pressing which will further increase manufacturing efficiency.

      Marketing  Holographic  CDs. In its effort to respond to  customer  piracy
concerns and needs,  the Company has entered into joint venture  arrangements in
both the U.S. and the United  Kingdom to market  patented  technology to imprint
holograms  onto CDs in order  to  provide  customers  with an  effective  piracy
deterrent  without loss of data  capacity or playing  time.  This  technology is
marketed  under the name 3-D  id(TM) and allows for a  holographic  image to be
applied using the Security Band Process or the Edge-to-Edge Process. The Company
believes  that  the  Edge-to-Edge  Process  cannot  be  duplicated  without  the
embossing  machinery and the Company has received patents for certain mechanical
aspects of that  machinery.  The joint ventures are preparing to license 3-D id
(TM)  technology to other CD  manufacturers.  The joint  ventures will collect a
royalty  fee for each CD  produced  by other  manufacturers  using  3-D id (TM)
technology  with all  royalty  revenues  split  equally  between the Company and
Applied Holographics.

Customers

      The Company  maintains a diverse base of over 1500 customers.  The Company
believes that its high quality  manufacturing  capability and effective customer
service have contributed significantly to the loyalty of its customer base. As a
result  of the  dynamic  nature  of the  CD-ROM  market,  the  number  of CD-ROM
customers is growing,  the type of CD-ROM  customers is changing and the size of
the orders is increasing.  In addition,  the Company  maintains a stable base of
CD-Audio customers.

      In April 1994, the Company  entered into the Donnelley  CD-ROM  Agreement,
pursuant to which the Company established a multi-line CD manufacturing facility
in Provo,  Utah, and Donnelley  purchased 286,128 shares of the Company's Common
Stock  for an  aggregate  purchase  price of $1.0  million.  In April  1995,  as
permitted by the Donnelley CD-ROM Agreement,  Donnelley  assigned  substantially
all of its rights in, and obligations  under, the Donnelley CD-ROM Agreement and
transferred   its  shares  of  Nimbus   Common  Stock  to  Stream,   Donnelley's
majority-owned  subsidiary. The Stream CD-ROM Agreement, as amended and restated
on April 1, 1995,  requires  Stream,  for a period of six years,  to purchase 23
million  discs in fiscal 1996 and 24 million  discs  annually  thereafter  for a
fixed price per disc,  subject to possible  reductions based upon changes in the
cost of  manufacturing  CD-ROM  discs,  and to use all  commercially  reasonable
efforts to promote and sell CD-ROM products manufactured by the Company.  During
fiscal 1996,  Stream purchased discs from the Company for an aggregate  purchase
price of $20.1 million which accounted for 17% of the Company's revenues.


                                      -8-


Services and Marketing

      The Company  provides its CD-Audio and CD-ROM customers with an integrated
range of services  including  pre-mastering and mastering,  disc replication and
full  turnkey  services,  including  packaging  design  consultation,  materials
procurement,  packaging assembly and order fulfillment. The Company has designed
its  operations to efficiently  produce a wide range of run sizes.  Although the
Company can produce large run sizes efficiently, its ability to provide discs at
competitive  prices for  smaller  order  sizes with  short  turnaround  times is
particularly  attractive to independent  record labels and the Company's  CD-ROM
customers.  The  Company is  equipped  to provide  product in a wide  variety of
packaging configurations which enables customers to design finished products for
the most effective retail marketing presentation. The Company works closely with
its  customers  to ensure  that  label  film  which is used to  produce  printed
material on the disc and print  material to supplement  the packaged  product is
ordered and  delivered  on time.  The Company  also stores  print  material  for
customers to facilitate timely and cost-effective reordering.

      CD-Audio.  The  Company's  marketing  strategy  has focused  primarily  on
independent  record  labels who utilize the  Company's  ability to offer full CD
manufacturing services. In the United Kingdom, in addition to independent record
labels, the Company has attracted substantial business from United Kingdom-based
major record  labels which  accounted  for  approximately  19% of the  Company's
fiscal 1996 unit production in the United Kingdom.

      In the United States,  the Company  maintains  CD-Audio sales offices near
Charlottesville,  Virginia,  in  Gardena,  California  and in Short  Hills,  New
Jersey. The sales representatives are responsible for maintaining  relationships
with their existing  customers and developing  new business  relationships.  The
sales  representatives  are  supported  by a  customer  service  staff  that  is
responsible  for ensuring that each order is processed on a timely  basis,  that
all  required  support  materials  are in place  and  that  quality  levels  are
achieved.  Customers in the United  Kingdom and Europe are serviced by sales and
customer service  representatives  based at the Company's Cwmbran  manufacturing
facility as well as a sales representative in London.

      CD-ROM.  In 1986,  the  Company  formed a CD-ROM  division  to explore new
applications for CD technology and to cater to special  requirements of "CD-data
product" clients.  The Company believes it is a leading supplier of services and
discs to CD-ROM developers, publishers and resellers.

      The Company provides  complete CD-ROM services to customers from technical
and  business  consultation  on the use of data  and  applications  through  the
conversion of raw data to the  replication  of  information on disc. The Company
satisfies customer  requirements for regular CD-ROM updates, data conversion and
indexing, authoring,  pre-mastering and data verification.  Value-added services
such as artwork service for printed material and specialized  packaging are also
provided.

      The  CD-ROM  sales and  marketing  organization  in the  United  States is
organized  geographically  with sales  offices near  Charlottesville,  Virginia,
Atlanta,   Georgia   and   Gardena   and   Sunnyvale,   California.   The  sales
representatives  are supported by a customer  service staff that is  responsible
for ensuring that orders are filled on a timely and accurate basis. In addition,
marketing   support   personnel  assist  with  new  prospects  and  new  product
development.

      The CD-ROM  sales and  marketing  organization  in the  United  Kingdom is
organized  around market  segments.  Sales resources are split into three market
areas:  hardware/software  developers,  games and game  developers  and database
publishers.  A sales and  marketing  executive  directs  the sales team which is
supported  by a  marketing  assistant.  The  United  Kingdom  CD-ROM  sales  and
marketing  organization  develops  markets  within  continental  Europe and will
continue to do so until the demand for products  dictates that a separate  sales
force is needed.


                                      -9-


      Holographic  CDs.  In June 1995,  the  Company  and  Applied  Holographics
entered into joint venture  arrangements in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom
to market patented  technology to imprint holograms onto CDs in order to provide
customers with an effective  piracy  deterrent  without loss of data capacity or
playing time. This technology is marketed under the name 3-D id (TM) and allows
for a  holographic  image to be applied to a CD using either the  Security  Band
Process or the Edge-to-Edge  Process. The Company believes that the Edge-to-Edge
Process cannot be duplicated without the embossing machinery and the Company has
received  patents for certain  mechanical  aspects of that machinery.  The joint
ventures   are  preparing  to  license  3-D  id  (TM)  technology  to  other  CD
manufacturers.  The  joint  ventures  will  collect  a  royalty  fee for each CD
produced by other  manufacturers  using 3-D id (TM) technology with all royalty
revenues split equally between the Company and Applied Holographics.

Competition

      The  Company  believes  that  the  principal  competitive  factors  in the
CD-Audio and CD-ROM  markets are service,  price,  quality and  reliability  for
timely delivery of product. The Company believes that it competes favorably with
respect to each of these  factors.  With  increased  production  capacity in the
market,  CD prices  have  declined  and CD pricing  has  become an  increasingly
important  factor in obtaining  sales.  The Company believes that the quality of
its  products  and  services  and its  ability  to  accommodate  tight  delivery
schedules offset, to some extent,  the price competition  currently  existing in
the market.

      In addition to the Music Company Manufacturers,  the Company competes with
independent  manufacturing companies or groups of companies in both the CD-Audio
and  CD-ROM  markets.  In the  United  States  CD-Audio  market,  the  Company's
competitors include Disctronics,  Inc. ("Disctronics"),  Disc Manufacturing Inc.
(a subsidiary of Quixote  Corporation)  ("DMI"),  JVC America,  Inc. ("JVC") and
Denon  Electronics  Inc. In 1995, the Company  believes it was the third largest
independent  manufacturing  company in the United States CD-Audio market. In the
European CD-Audio market, the Company's  competitors  include  Disctronics,  MPO
Disque Compact ("MPO"),  Europe Optical Disc and CD Plant  Manufacturing A.B. In
1995, the Company  believes it was the third largest  independent  manufacturing
company in the European CD-Audio market. In the United States CD-ROM market, the
independent  manufacturers  who compete with Nimbus include DMI, KAO Infosystems
Company ("KAO") and JVC. In 1995, the Company believes it was the second largest
independent  manufacturing  company in the United States CD-ROM  market.  In the
European  CD-ROM  market,  the  Company's   competitors  include  KAO,  MPO  and
Disctronics. In 1995, the Company believes it was the second largest independent
manufacturing   company  in  the  European  CD-ROM  market.  The  Music  Company
Manufacturers,  as well as several of the independent manufacturers,  are larger
and have greater financial resources than the Company.

      Other existing  technologies  also compete with the Company's  products to
deliver digital information. Portable media, such as digital audio tape, digital
compact cassette and the mini-disc have been introduced  commercially,  but have
failed  to  achieve  widespread  consumer  acceptance.  In  addition,   one-time
recordable  CDs  ("CD-R")  are  available  and are often  used by the  Company's
customers  to  submit  material  for  mastering.   CD-R  equipment   retails  at
significantly  higher  prices  and  CD-R  blank  discs  are  significantly  more
expensive to manufacture.  The Company does not expect any of these technologies
to expand beyond their current market niches in the near future.

      Electronic  on-line  delivery  of digital  information  through  cable and
modem,  satellite  transmission  or through the  Internet are  potential  future
competitors  to  CD-ROM.   The  Company  believes  that  current  and  projected
transmission  speeds and infrastructure  limitations of on-line delivery systems
will prevent them from replacing CD-ROM in the foreseeable  future. For example,
a conventional modem operating at a data transmission speed of 28.8 kilobits per
second  would  take  approximately  two days to  download  an entire  CD,  which
currently  has a capacity of 650  megabytes.  In  addition,  future  advances in


                                      -10-



CD-ROM technology such as higher speed drives and greater data compression could
improve CD-ROM's advantages over potential competitive technologies.

The CD Manufacturing Process

      The CD manufacturing  process,  used in each of the Company's  facilities,
consists of three stages: (i)  preproduction,  (ii) replication and printing and
(iii) packaging and fulfillment.  Except for  preproduction,  the  manufacturing
process is the same for both CD-Audio and CD-ROM.

      Preproduction.  Preproduction of CDs consists of three distinct processes:
pre-mastering,  mastering and  electroplating.  Through these  processes,  metal
stampers are created  which contain the bytes of data in a digital  format.  The
metal stampers are then mounted in the plastic  injection  molding  equipment to
create the disc.  The  preproduction  process is  critical to  establishing  the
quality of the final product.

      For  CD-Audio,   the  pre-mastering  process  consists  of  reviewing  the
customer-supplied material to ensure that no discernible defects occurred during
the recording process. Once the material has passed the quality control process,
the editor  creates a table of contents to indicate  the start and stop times of
each audio track and downloads the data into a digital data format to be used in
the mastering process.

      CD-ROM  preproduction begins with the customer data supplied in any number
of approved input media. The data is processed through a pre-mastering  computer
system where the data is formatted into the desired  CD-ROM  structure to ensure
that the finished disc will be compatible  with the intended  operating  system.
The  CD-ROM  pre-master  is then  downloaded  to a digital  data  cartridge  for
mastering.

      The  mastering  process  forms the  master  image of the CD from which the
polycarbonate  replicas are molded. A laser beam recorder  transfers the digital
information from the data cartridges onto a photo-sensitive coating applied to a
glass  mastering  substrate.  This process  creates the "glass  master" with the
characteristic CD pits etched in the photo-sensitive  coating. The Security Band
hologram can also be mastered onto the glass substrate at the same time that the
content is mastered.  The mastering process is critical to product quality.  Any
defect on the master will be replicated on all production discs; therefore,  the
mastering process takes place in a class 1000 cleanroom,  an environment free of
microscopic  contaminants  which can obscure large amounts of data.  The Company
uses  the  Nimbus-Halliday  laser  mastering  system,   manufactured  by  Nimbus
Technology & Engineering,  Inc., a former affiliate of the Company.  The Company
believes this mastering system is the only available  technology  currently able
to master DVD formats.  Each of the Company's senior technical managers has more
than 10 years of experience with the equipment,  which the Company believes will
enable it to achieve maximum  definition and resolution from this system.  Using
an electroforming  process, the glass master yields nickel stampers in the image
of the master.  These stampers are mounted in the injection  molding machines to
replicate CDs. The Company's  extensive  experience  with the system has created
yields in excess of 90% and a reputation for producing high quality stampers.

      Replicating  and  Printing.  The  replication  of  CDs  utilizes  a  fully
integrated line process which  incorporates a plastic  injection  molding press,
metalizing   equipment  and  lacquering   machinery.   High  quality,  CD  grade
polycarbonate  is injected into the mold cavity where the metal stamper has been
mounted.  The Company's state of the art technology allows for press cycle times
of less than 5 seconds per disc.  The Company  has begun  utilizing  dual cavity
molding which permits a single press to generate two discs each cycle. The clear
polycarbonate  disc  containing all of the digitized data is then covered with a
metallic  coating to provide for  reflection  of the  reading  laser beam in the
player.  Using equipment  designed and manufactured by the Company, a thin layer
of lacquer  is  applied  over the metal to protect it and to serve as a base for
printing on the disc. If a customer has requested an edge-to-edge  hologram,  it
is at  this  stage  in  the  process  that a  holographic  shim  containing  the
customer's  unique art work will be used to emboss the  hologram  onto the disc.
The disc is then  re-metalized  and lacquered to enhance the holographic  image.
The Company has organized each of its replicating  facilities to incorporate its
uniquely  designed in-line  manufacturing  cells.  This system permits decreased


                                      -11-


manning levels,  higher operating  efficiencies and reduced capital expenditures
necessary to fund a line extension.  In addition,  it provides automatic in-line
inspection for faster response to quality issues thus improving productivity.

      Printing,  which is the final production  process, is performed in batches
off-line in order to take  advantage  of the high speed  nature of the  printing
process while avoiding  production delays typically  required for printer setup.
The  Company's  printing  equipment  includes  both  screen and offset  printing
processes,  each capable of five color printing.  The dual infeed  capability of
the printers  effectively doubles the capacity of each printer. As a result, the
Company  has been able to reduce  labor and  required  capital  while  improving
production  efficiency.  The  Company  produces  its own screens and can reuse a
screen up to four times. High demand colors are purchased  pre-mixed in order to
reduce ink waste.  Automated  label  inspection and print quality  assurance are
integrated  with the screen  printers to ensure  high  quality and to reduce the
need for manual quality inspection.

      Packaging and Fulfillment.  The Company maintains equipment to provide for
most customer requested packaging  configurations and effectively uses temporary
labor  provided by local  agencies  as well as local  packaging  contractors  to
manage  unique,  manual  pack  operations.  Currently,  the  standard  packaging
configuration is a jewel box with customer supplied print material on the bottom
and top  sides of the  box.  The  jewel  box is  generally  shrink  wrapped  for
protection. Product is generally shipped by common carrier; however, the Company
will provide other methods of transport to ensure that critical  delivery  dates
are met.  The  Company's  acquisition  of HLS  expanded  the  variety of turnkey
services offered to customers, including packaging design consultation, material
procurement,  packaging assembly and order fulfillment. The Company also has the
capability to offer electronic  order intake,  either directly from the customer
or via the Internet, and inbound telemarketing.


Suppliers

      Although  the  Company's  practice is to seek  reduced  costs and enhanced
quality by  purchasing  from a limited  number of  suppliers,  all raw materials
needed to  manufacture  the  Company's CDs are readily  available  from numerous
sources of supply at competitive prices. The principal raw materials used by the
Company to  manufacture  CDs are CD grade  polycarbonate,  aluminum,  UV curable
lacquers and ink, all of which are available from multiple  commercial  sources.
The Company maintains  multiple sources of jewel boxes and trays for each of its
manufacturing facilities.


Seasonality

      The  Company's  sales are  seasonal,  with peak  sales  activity  normally
occurring in the third fiscal quarter as retail chains increase inventory before
the holiday season.

Geographic Segments

      The summary of the  Company's  operations  by  geographic  area for fiscal
years  1996,  1995  and 1994  set  forth  in Note 14 of  Notes  to  Consolidated
Financial  Statements  on  page  23 of  the  Company's  1996  Annual  Report  to
Stockholders is hereby incorporated by reference.


                                      -12-


Employees

      As of March 31, 1996,  the Company had 871 full-time  employees,  of which
approximately 604 were hourly employees and 267 were salaried employees. None of
the  Company's  employees  is  represented  by a labor  union or is subject to a
collective bargaining agreement. The Company considers its employee relations to
be good.


Patents and Trademarks

      The Company,  like most other CD manufacturers,  uses patented  technology
primarily  under  nonexclusive  licenses  from  the  holders  of  patents  which
generally  provide  for the  payment of  royalties  based upon the number of CDs
sold.

      The Company regards the design of some of its  manufacturing  equipment as
proprietary  and attempts to protect it with a combination  of trade secret laws
and nondisclosure agreements with key employees.  There can be no assurance that
such  measures  will  provide  meaningful  protection  for the  Company's  trade
secrets, know-how and other proprietary information.


"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995

      The statements  included or  incorporated  by reference into the Company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings and shareholder  communications which
are not historical facts are  forward-looking  statements that involve risks and
uncertainties,  including,  but not  limited  to,  the  effect  of  changing  CD
technology and the possibility  that, over time, CD technology could be replaced
by another form of information storage and retrieval technology,  the dependence
of the Company's growth  prospects on the development of new  technologies  that
achieve market acceptance and create new demand for CDs and related services and
the  highly  competitive  nature  of the CD  manufacturing  industry  which  may
adversely affect prices for CDs and other aspects of the Company's business.


ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES

      The Company's  headquarters is located off US Highway 29 in  Ruckersville,
Virginia, which is approximately 20 miles north of Charlottesville, Virginia and
approximately  100 miles  south of  Washington,  DC,  on a  25-acre  site with a
107,000 square foot facility,  all of which the Company owns in fee simple.  The
facility has the capacity to produce  155,000  discs per day  utilizing 12 press
lines. The Company also owns an additional 237 acres of surrounding farmland.

      The  Company  leases  approximately  42,000  square  feet  of  office  and
manufacturing  space adjacent to Donnelley's  operating facility in Provo, Utah,
primarily  to  satisfy  its  production  requirements  under the  Stream  CD-ROM
Agreement.  The  lease  expires  in May 2000.  The  facility  currently  has the
capacity to produce 145,000 discs per day utilizing 10 press lines.

      As a result of the HLS acquisition,  the Company leases 82,000 square feet
in Sunnyvale, California which includes administrative and sales offices as well
as turnkey operations. Although, this facility currently has no CD manufacturing
capabilities,  the Company intends to install pressing lines and other equipment
during fiscal 1997.

      The Company also leases  sales  office  space in Gardena,  California,
Short Hills, New Jersey and Atlanta, Georgia.


                                      -13-


      The Company's United Kingdom manufacturing facility is located in Cwmbran,
Wales,  which is 165 miles west of London.  The 30,000  square foot building was
constructed  in 1986 and a recent  addition has added 25,000  square feet.  This
facility's disc production capacity is approximately 233,000 discs per day using
15 press lines, of which two have twin cavity molding capability.  The Company's
United  Kingdom  subsidiary  also  leases four  12,000  square  foot  warehouses
pursuant to three leases which are in the same  industrial park and are used for
packing services,  warehousing and shipping.  One lease expires in November 2001
and the other two expire in 2011.

      The  Company's  manufacturing  facilities  are equipped  with  specialized
equipment and utilize extensive  automation for the manufacture of its products.
The Company  believes  that its property  and  equipment  are in good  operating
condition and that its facilities are adequate to meet its current requirements.


ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      On March 18,  1996,  the  Company  received  notification  from the United
States  Environmental  Protection  Agency ("EPA") alleging that the Company is a
Potentially Responsible Party ("PRP") for cleanup of surface water contamination
at the Cherokee Oil Company Site (the "Site") in Charlotte, North Carolina which
was used by the Company for disposal of certain  byproducts of its manufacturing
processes.  Subsequently,  the United States  Department of Justice notified the
Company  that it intends to seek  recovery  of the  approximately  $6.0  million
environmental  clean-up costs incurred at the Site from the Company and 46 other
PRPs,  each of which is  considered  to be jointly and  severally  liable.  At a
meeting held June 27, 1996,  the EPA  indicated  that it intends to allocate the
clean-up  costs  among the PRPs based on the volume of product  disposed  at the
Site by each PRP. The EPA has preliminarily  determined that the Company's share
of the  clean-up  costs,  based on the EPA's  estimate of the volume of material
contributed  by the Company to the Site, will be approximately 5% of the overall
cost.  Management  of the  Company  intends  to  challenge  the  EPA's  basis of
allocation;  however,  management  of the  Company  believes  that the  ultimate
settlement  of this  matter will not have a material  adverse  effect on the the
Company's financial position or results of operations. 

      The  Company  is,  from  time to  time,  involved  in  litigation  that it
considers to be in the ordinary course of business.


ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

      No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996 to a vote
of the Company's security holders.














                                      -14-



                                    PART II.

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Market and Price Information

      The  information  required by this section is incorporated by reference to
the section  entitled  "Common Stock  Information"  appearing on the back inside
cover of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders.

Number of Stockholders

      As of June 6, 1996,  there were 104 record holders of the Company's Common
Stock.


Dividends

      The  Company has not paid any  dividends on its Common  Stock,  intends to
retain all earnings for the operation and expansion of its business and does not
anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the New
Credit Agreement  restricts the Company's  ability to pay dividends.  Any future
determination as to the payment of cash dividends will depend upon the Company's
results of  operations,  financial  condition and capital  requirements,  lender
consent  under the New Credit  Agreement and such other factors as the Company's
Board of Directors deem relevant.


ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

      The  information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
section entitled "Selected  Financial Data" appearing on page 9 of the Company's
1996 Annual Report to Stockholders.


ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
         AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

      The information  required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
section entitled  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition
and Results of  Operations"  appearing on page 10 of the  Company's  1996 Annual
Report to Stockholders.


ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

      The information  required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  and the related notes  thereto,  Report of
Independent  Accountants and the Supplementary  Quarterly Consolidated Financial
Data on pages 17 through 24 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders.


                                      -15-


ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
         AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

      None.

      With  the  exception  of  the  information  specifically  incorporated  by
reference from the 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders in Parts II and IV of this
Form 10-K, the Company's 1996 Annual Report to  Stockholders is not to be deemed
filed as part of this Form 10-K.






    





                                      -16-


                                    PART III.


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

      The information  required by this item concerning the Company's  directors
and executive officers is incorporated by reference to the information set forth
in the sections entitled  "Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors" and "Executive
Officers  of the  Company"  on pages 5 through 8 and pages 10  through 11 in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on August 6, 1996 which will be filed with the Commission  within 120
days after the end of the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      The   information   required  by  this  item   concerning   the  executive
compensation  is  incorporated  by reference to the information set forth in the
section  entitled  "Executive  Compensation"  on  pages  12  through  22 in  the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on August 6, 1996 which will be filed with the Commission  within 120
days after the end of the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
         MANAGEMENT

      The information required by this item concerning the security ownership of
certain  beneficial  owners and management is  incorporated  by reference to the
information set forth in the section entitled  "Securities  Ownership of Certain
Beneficial  Owners  and  Management"  on  pages  3  through  5 in the  Company's
definitive  Proxy  Statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  to be
held on August 6, 1996 which will be filed with the  Commission  within 120 days
after the end of the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.



ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

      The information required by this item concerning the certain relationships
and related  transactions  is  incorporated  by reference to the information set
forth in the section entitled "Certain  Relationships and Transactions" on pages
22 through 25 in the Company's  definitive  Proxy  Statement for the 1996 Annual
Meeting  of  Stockholders  to be held on August 6, 1996 which will be filed with
the Commission  within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996.








                                      -17-


                                    PART IV.


ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

      (a)  The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:

           1.    Financial Statements.  The following consolidated
                 financial statements, and the related notes thereto,
                 of the Company and the Report of the Independent
                 Accountants are incorporated by reference to pages
                 13 through 24 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report
                 to Stockholders:

                      Report of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P, Independent
                      Accountants.

                      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1996 and 1995.

                      Consolidated  Statements  of Income  for the  three  years
                      ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

                      Consolidated  Statement  of  Stockholder's  Equity for the
                      three years ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

                      Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows for the three years
                      ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.

                      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


           2.    Schedules.


                      Report of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P, Independent
                      Accountants.

                      Schedule I   Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

                      Schedule II  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

                 All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable
                 or required, or because the required information is included in
                 the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes.


           3.    Exhibits.  The exhibits listed on the accompanying
                 index to exhibits immediately following  this Item
                 14 are filed as a part of, or incorporated by
                 reference into, this Form 10-K.

      (b)  Reports on Form 8-K.  No  reports  on Form 8-K were filed  during the
           last quarter of the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.

      (c)  Exhibits.  See Item 14(a)(3) above.

      (d)  Financial Statement Schedules.  See Item 14(a)(2) above.



                                      -18-


                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant  to the  requirements  of Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                     NIMBUS CD INTERNATIONAL, INC.



Dated: June 28, 1996                 /s/ L. Steven Minkel
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     L. Steven Minkel

                                     Executive Vice President, Chief
                                     Financial Officer and Secretary



      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated on June 28, 1996.


                                     /s/ Lyndon J. Faulkner
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Lyndon J. Faulkner
                                     Chairman of the Board of
                                     Directors, President, Chief Executive
                                     Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

                                     /s/ L. Steven Minkel
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     L. Steven Minkel
                                     Executive Vice President and
                                     Chief Financial Officer
                                     (Principal Financial Officer)

                                     /s/ Gary E. Krutul
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Gary E. Krutul
                                     Controller (Principal Accounting
                                     Officer)


                                     */s/ Charles Ayres
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Charles Ayres
                                     Director

                                     */s/ Darryl G. Behrman
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Darryl G. Behrman
                                     Director

                                     */s/ Grant G. Behrman
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Grant G. Behrman
                                     Director

                                     */s/ Robert M. Davidson
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Robert M. Davidson
                                     Director


                                      -20-


                                     */s/ David E. De Leeuw
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     David E. De Leeuw
                                     Director

                                     */s/ Anthony V. Dub
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Anthony V. Dub
                                     Director

                                     */s/ Robert B. Hellman, Jr.
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Robert B. Hellman, Jr.
                                     Director

                                     */s/ David E. King
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     David E. King
                                     Director


                                     */s/ George E. McCown
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     George E. McCown
                                     Director

                                     */s/ Glenn S. McKenzie
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     Glenn S. McKenzie
                                     Director

                                     */s/ David B. Wilson
                                     -------------------------------------
                                     David B. Wilson
                                     Director

- - ------------
* By L. Steven Minkel as Attorney-in Fact.



                                      -21-


                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


The Stockholders and Directors
Nimbus CD International, Inc.:


Our report on the consolidated  financial statements of Nimbus CD International,
Inc. and subsidiaries has been  incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K from
page 24 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996. In connection with our audits of such financial  statements,  we
have also  audited  the related  financial  statement  schedules  listed in Item
14(a)(2) of this Form 10-K.

In our opinion, these financial statement schedules, when considered in relation
to the basic  financial  statements  taken as a whole,  present  fairly,  in all
material respects, the information required to be included therein.


                                                     COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
Richmond, Virginia
May 23, 1996



                                      -22-



                          NIMBUS CD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
                          (Dollar amounts in thousands)

                            CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS





                                                                   March 31,            March 31,
                                                                     1996                 1995
                                                                   ---------            ---------
 
                         ASSETS
Cash     .......................................................$         2            $      1
Prepaid expenses................................................        149                  20
Other assets....................................................      5,652               1,053
Investment in subsidiaries, at equity...........................     37,834              30,642
                                                                    -------             -------
     Total assets...............................................    $43,637             $31,716
                                                                    =======             =======

                        LIABILITIES
Accounts payable................................................         23                 642
Accrued expenses................................................        548                 591
Notes payable to subsidiary.....................................                         38,603
                                                                    -------             -------
     Total liabilties...........................................        571              39,836
                                                                    -------             -------

                STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares
     authorized; no shares issued or outstanding................
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares
     authorized; 38,973,173 shares issued; 20,829,962
     and 13,804,962 shares outstanding..........................        390                 390
Paid-in capital.................................................     66,734              41,275
Retained earnings...............................................     22,794              15,287
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.............        241                 220
                                                                    -------             -------  
                                                                     90,159              57,172

Treasury stock, at cost 18,143,211 and 25,168,211 shares........    (47,093)            (65,292)
                                                                   --------             -------
     Total stockholders' equity (deficit).......................     43,066              (8,120)
                                                                   --------            --------
         Total liabilties and stockholders' equity..............   $ 43,637            $ 31,716
                                                                   ========            ========



The information  regarding  long-term debt and credit agreements of subsidiaries
contained  in  Note 8 of the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  is
incorporated herein by reference. Nimbus CD International,  Inc., has guaranteed
the repayment of the outstanding debt of its subsidiaries.



                                      -23-



                          NIMBUS CD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
                          (Dollar amounts in thousands)

                     CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME For the
                fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994



                                                                            1996            1995        1994
                                                                           -------        -------     ------
 
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of applicable income tax......     $ 7,507        $ 8,200     $ 3,946
                                                                           =======        =======     =======

                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
           For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994



                                                                            1996            1995        1994
                                                                          --------      ---------    --------
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income          .............................................    $  7,507      $   8,200    $  3,946
     Less undistributed earnings of subsidiaries......................      (7,507)        (8,200)     (3,946)
     Write-off of public offering and acquisition costs...............                      1,005
     Change in:
         Prepaid expenses.............................................       (129)           (13)           5
         Accounts payable.............................................       (619)            530         104
         Accrued expenses.............................................        (43)         (1,227)      2,546
         Other assets    .............................................         20              73         (37)
                                                                          -------       ---------    --------
                Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities...       (771)            368       2,618
                                                                          -------       ---------    --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     (Payment) refund of costs related to proposed acquisition........                        112        (459)
     Advances to subsidiaries, net....................................     (4,267)           (483)         (3)
     Purchase of property and equipment...............................        (14)                        (33)
                                                                          -------       ---------    --------
         Net cash used in investing activities:.......................     (4,281)           (371)       (495)
                                                                          -------       ---------    --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
     Issuance (repurchase) of common stock............................     44,886          24,055      (1,863)
     Proceeds from issuance of warrants...............................                      1,750
     Proceeds from exercise of stock options..........................                      1,168
     Purchase of treasury stock.......................................                    (65,292)
     Payment of costs related to initial public offering..............     (1,230)           (281)       (415)
     Collection on note for sale of common stock......................                                    155
     Proceeds (repayments) of loans from subsidiaries, net............    (38,603)         38,603
                                                                          -------       ---------
         Net cash provided by financing activities....................      5,053               3      (2,123)
                                                                          -------       ---------    --------
                Increase in cash......................................          1
Cash, beginning of year  .............................................          1               1           1
                                                                          -------       ---------    --------  

                Cash, end of year.....................................    $     2       $       1    $      1
                                                                          =======       =========    ======== 


The information regarding related party transactions contained in Note 12 of the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is incorporated herein by reference.




                                      -24-


                          NIMBUS CD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                   SCHEDULE II

                        Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                                 (In thousands)





                                               Additions--
                                  Balance at   Charged to    Acquisition                                Balance
                                   Beginning   Costs and         of        Deductions                   at End
Description                         of Year     Expenses      Business     Write-Offs(1) Adjustments(2) of Year
- - -----------                       ----------   -----------   ------------  ------------- -------------- -------
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts:

Fiscal year ended March 31, 1996    $  1,989      $  1,268          $50      $  1,246      $    (47)  $  2,014

Fiscal year ended March 31, 1995    $  2,518      $    514                   $  1,043      $     77   $  1,989

Fiscal year ended March 31, 1994    $  1,812      $  1,141                   $    435      $    (15)  $  2,518



(1)   Represents accounts written off as uncollectible, net of collections
      on accounts previously written off.

(2)   Represents foreign currency translation adjustments of foreign subsidiary.




                                      -25-



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number                      Exhibit Description
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.1      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
         Form S-1, Registration No. 33-75632 ("Registrant's 1995 S-1")).
 
3.2      Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         3.2 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

4.1      Form of Certificate Representing Common Stock (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

4.2      Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Nimbus CD International,
         Inc., Nimbus Manufacturing Inc., Nimbus Manufacturing (UK) Limited, The
         Chase Manhattan Bank, as agent, and the Lenders party thereto
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.1     Limited Liability Company Agreement of 3dcd, L.L.C. dated as of June
         28, 1995 between Nimbus Manufacturing Inc. and Applied Holographics
         Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's
         1995 S-1).

10.2     Co-operation Agreement dated June 28, 1995 between Nimbus Manufacturing
         (UK) Limited and Applied Holographics Embossed Limited (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.3     Stockholders Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
         Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.4     Employment Agreement dated as of April 1, 1993 between the Company and
         Lyndon J. Faulkner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
         Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.5     Employment Agreement dated as of November 9, 1992 between the Company
         and L. Steven Minkel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to
         Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.6     Employment Agreement dated as of March 8, 1993 between the Company and
         Robert J. Headrick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
         Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.7     Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
         10.7 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.8     Amended and Restated Agreement by and between the Company, Nimbus
         Manufacturing Inc. and R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company dated as of April
         1, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Registrant's 1995
         S-1).

10.9     Amended and Restated 1995 Nimbus CD  International,  Inc.  Stock Option
         and Stock Award Plan.


10.10    Form of Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10.10 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).


                                      -26-


10.11    Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 31, 1995 among Nimbus
         Software Services, Inc., HLS Duplication, Inc., Nimbus Manufacturing
         Inc. and Steven R. Sherman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11
         to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.12    Nimbus CD  International,  Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee
         Directors  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Registrant's
         1995 S-1).

10.13    CD Disc License Agreement by and between U.S. Philips Corporation and
         Nimbus Records Inc. dated as of December 1, 1986 (incorporated by
         reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.14    CD Disc License Agreement by and between Philips Electronics N.V. and
         Nimbus Manufacturing (UK) Ltd., dated as of August 31, 1994
         (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

10.15    Patent License Agreement by and between Nimbus Manufacturing Inc. and
         Thomson S.A., dated as of October 1, 1994 (incorporated by reference to
         Exhibit 10.15 to Registrant's 1995 S-1).

11.1     Computation of Net Income Per Share of Common Stock.

13.1     Portions of the 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended
         March 31, 1996 expressly incorporated herein by reference.

21.1     Subsidiaries of the Registrant

24.1     Powers of attorney from officers and directors of the Company signing
         by an attorney-in-fact.

27.1     Financial Data Schedule










                                      -27-