OMS introduction letter and links, Sibert's answer (9 October 2026)

OMS (Lou Wullms) sent its introduction letter, filed in
docs/equipment/oms/: wet-room units with reference prices, two 4-cell
configurations (EUR 224,000 basic with two EFS2-200, EUR 311,000 advanced
with one AEFS4-250 and PLC; installation days extra), capacities of 24
and 32 shells in an 8-hour day, utilities, rooms, staffing, used
equipment, and five contacts for buying a cutting lathe. Recorded in
galvanics.md (tables, our reading: the advanced units add up to EUR
314,000, know-how transfer is left out of both totals although CNX has no
plating know-how, the basic set has no passivation unit), the exhibitor
follow-ups, vendor landscape (new section on used lathes and cutting-room
contacts, plus Lou's three websites), supplier map, roadmap items 6 and
13, total investment (basis note only, block unchanged) and the scale
people estimate. Open: forward the letter to Simona, as Lou asked.

Sibert (Ian Locke, 9 October): footprints and formal quotations when we
are ready; settle the pressing side first, hopefully with Pheenix, and
mention his recommendation if we do; impressed by the green-factory
plans (supplier feedback). Open: pass on the recommendation if Pheenix is
chosen.

CNX-01 in proplan: OMS basic and advanced added as options to D-002 with
their reference prices in THB; budget line 3 notes the OMS range.

README.md

@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ The detail lives in dedicated documents:
 - [Galvanics and stamper prep equipment plan](docs/equipment/galvanics.md):
   the metal path from lacquer to press-ready stamper, from vendor
   datasheets: Pheenix Alpha's electroforming range as a second turnkey
-  vendor next to Digital Matrix, OMS as a third named by Sibert, Sibert's
+  vendor next to Digital Matrix, OMS as a third named by Sibert (reference
+  prices for a 4-cell wet room, EUR 224k to 311k), Sibert's
   VSP/VSF/VSC stamper prep line (USD 250k budget for the three confirmed),
   the utilities they need, a first cell-count estimate, and Sibert's
   optical-disc reference material
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ The detail lives in dedicated documents:
   SDMS with integrated cutting automation at a published USD 125k),
   galvanics equipment
   (Plating Power / Digital Matrix, Pheenix Alpha, Optical Media Services),
+  used lathes and cutting-room contacts (via OMS),
   stamper preparation
   (Sibert), bridge stamper service (Stamper Discs), and automated presses
   (Pheenix Alpha)
@@ -204,6 +206,8 @@ docs/
 ├── equipment/
 │   ├── newbilt/           Offers, site requirements, process schematic,
 │   │                      service rates, 2026 product flyers (vendor PDFs)
+│   ├── oms/               OMS introduction letter: wet-room units, reference
+│   │                      prices, capacities, lathe contacts (vendor docx)
 │   ├── pheenix-alpha/     Electroforming range flyers (vendor PDFs)
 │   ├── sibert/            Stamper prep specifications and line-up drawing
 │   │                      (2021 issues in specs-2021/), 2008-09

docs/equipment/galvanics.md

@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ line-up drawing, sent by Sibert's Ian Locke on 5 October 2026, in
 [`sibert/`](sibert/); the April 2021 issues they replace are in
 [`sibert/specs-2021/`](sibert/specs-2021/)), plus Sibert's 2008 to 2009
 optical-disc literature (below). Every figure here is vendor-published, not
-quoted; the only price is Sibert's budget confirmation by email (below).
+quoted; the only prices are Sibert's budget confirmation by email and
+OMS's reference prices in its introduction letter (both below).
 Digital Matrix / Plating Power stays the comparison; its datasheets are not
 in the repo yet (see the
 [vendor landscape](../suppliers/vendor-landscape.md)).
@@ -122,8 +123,9 @@ and refurbishes vinyl electroforming equipment, including conversions of
 CD/DVD electroforming lines to 14" vinyl. The same directory gives
 Newbilt's equipment page as OMS's website, and that page announces new
 Newbilt electroplating equipment with the portfolio "presented here soon";
-whether OMS builds it is not confirmed, so ask both. No OMS datasheet or
-price is on file.
+whether OMS builds it is not confirmed, so ask both. OMS's introduction
+letter (below) presents the units as its own designs (EFS2-200, AEFS4-250)
+and does not mention Newbilt.
 
 What it adds: a third galvanics vendor next to Digital Matrix and Pheenix,
 named by a supplier who knows Lou Wullms and has installed equipment at
@@ -149,9 +151,121 @@ will work on the project. Company details as OMS gives them:
 
 Alexander has replied to confirm (October 2026), with the split Lou asked
 about: Simona covers management and the audio side, Alexander the
-technical side, so galvanics questions go to Alexander. **Next step: wait
-for his material**, then file it here and answer the OMS questions below
-from it.
+technical side, so galvanics questions go to Alexander.
+
+#### OMS introduction letter (9 October 2026)
+
+Lou Wullms sent his material two days later: an introduction letter to
+Alexander and Simona, filed as
+[`oms/OMS_Introduction_letter_2026-10-09.docx`](oms/OMS_Introduction_letter_2026-10-09.docx).
+He asks Alexander to give Simona a copy so that she can work through the
+figures. **Open:** forward the letter to Simona. It is an introduction,
+not an offer: the prices are "for reference only", final pricing comes
+with an official quote, and a dedicated offer needs our plans first. Lou
+would rather explain the options in Baarlo, where the equipment can be
+seen.
+
+Background, as Lou gives it: from 1986 to 1994 at Philips' optical-disc
+equipment business (ODM, then OD&ME and ODME, the company later called
+Toolex Alpha); two years setting up a CD plant with mastering and
+electroforming at WPME in Kaarst, Germany; then OMS, for service to the
+optical-disc industry; involved in setting up Mimeos, a CD and later DVD
+stamper service that closed in 2012; in vinyl stamper production since
+2015. OMS runs an independent stamper service for vinyl plants and builds
+the wet-room equipment to its own designs.
+
+The wet room for a turnkey line, with the letter's reference prices:
+
+| # | Unit | What it does | EUR, reference |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| 1 | Wet bench | Cleaning, rinsing, soaking, wetting and pre-treating the lacquer | 20,000 |
+| 2a | Silvering booth, manual (\*) | Silvering the lacquer | 16,000 |
+| 2b | Silvering booth, automatic/manual (\*) | The same, automatic | 22,000 |
+| 3 | Pre-plate, 4 positions (\*) | First plating of the silvered lacquer at lower temperature and current | 45,000 |
+| 4a | Electroforming unit EFS2-200, 2 cells | Fast plating; the basic unit | 55,000 each |
+| 4b | Electroforming unit AEFS4-250, 4 cells with PLC | The advanced unit | 155,000 |
+| 5 | Cleaning / passivation | Extra cleaning of the stamper at high temperature and current; passivation | 25,000 |
+| 6 | Spin dryer | Spin-drying DMMs, lacquers and stampers; scuffing (pre-treatment) of DMMs and lacquers | 14,000 each |
+| 7 | Know-how transfer, including training at OMS | | 10,000 |
+| 8 | Silvering recipe | | 5,000 |
+
+(\*) Not needed for stampers made only from DMMs: these are the lacquer
+path. The model names of the electroforming units come from the
+letter's expansion lines.
+
+The letter totals two configurations:
+
+| | Basic | Advanced |
+|---|---|---|
+| Units | 1, 2a, 3, 2 × 4a, 2 × 6, 8 | 1, 2b, 3, 1 × 4b, 5, 3 × 6, 8 |
+| Cells | 4 (two EFS2-200) | 4 (one AEFS4-250, PLC) |
+| Total in the letter | **EUR 224,000** (~USD 259k) | **EUR 311,000** (~USD 359k) |
+| One 8-hour day (30 min lunch included) | "7 runs should be possible", then counted with 6: 6 × 4 = **24 shells** | 8 × 4 = **32 shells** |
+| Doubling | 2 more EFS2-200, EUR 110,000, "over 50 stampers a day" | 1 more AEFS4-250, EUR 155,000, "over 68 stampers a day" |
+
+USD at the [total investment](../finance/total-investment.md) rate of
+1 EUR = 1.155 USD. Reading the letter:
+
+- **The sums.** The basic total adds up; the advanced units add up to EUR
+  314,000, not the 311,000 stated. A re-quote point.
+- **Know-how transfer is left out of both totals**, with the note that
+  electroplating know-how "is already present at your facility". That is
+  not the case for CNX: nobody on the team has run a plating room. With
+  the EUR 10,000 item (training at OMS included) the totals are EUR
+  234,000 and 321,000, ~USD 270k and 371k (our reading).
+- **The basic set has no cleaning/passivation unit** (item 5). Ask how
+  parts are passivated between generations without it.
+- **Installation is extra**: training and start-up on site at EUR 1,200 a
+  day each, travel days at EUR 600, all other costs invoiced on top.
+- **Used equipment** is also on offer ("good used/pre-owned equipment").
+- **Finishing is not OMS's scope.** For back-polishing, centre punching and
+  forming/trimming the letter points to Sibert and Ian Locke as the
+  reference, as Sibert pointed to OMS for electroforming.
+
+What it changes in the plan:
+
+- **Price.** A complete 4-cell wet room at ~USD 259k to 371k, depending
+  on the configuration and the know-how item, is at or below the low end
+  of the USD 320k to 650k galvanics block in
+  [total investment](../finance/total-investment.md). Neither includes
+  water treatment (its own block) or installation days. Reference prices,
+  so the block stays until quotes exist.
+- **Capacity.** 6 to 8 runs in a 7.5-hour working day is roughly an hour a
+  run, which matches the 1 to 1.5 hours per part the cell count below
+  assumes. Full capacity needs 8 to 20 parts a working day, so either
+  4-cell configuration covers it on one shift, and the doubling options
+  buy headroom only. This is the first vendor figure on cycle times.
+- **Staff.** One person runs about 20 stampers a day; from about 30 a day
+  it takes two. Lou asks for people who work accurately and precisely,
+  attentively, and like clean work. At the plant's 8 to 20 parts a day that
+  is one operator per shift ([scale](../scale.md) people estimate).
+- **Utilities and rooms.** Compressed air, a demineralised-water system,
+  waste-water collection or treatment, and cooling water, which Lou says
+  can be passive, with no active chiller (he expects this needs more
+  discussion). The Pheenix PDPU asks for 12 to 20 °C cooling water, so
+  whether passive cooling holds at 30 °C and more ambient is a question for
+  Lou. Space beyond the wet room: an acid cabinet with fume extraction for
+  mixing chemicals, storage for stampers, lacquers and DMMs, a quality
+  room with turntable, speakers and inspection microscope, spare parts and
+  consumables. Smaller items: a drill stand for removing lacquer from the
+  back of lacquers, lab ware (glass and PP ware, temperature sensor,
+  density meter, pH meter), and a laundry washing machine and a concrete
+  mixer for cleaning the anode baskets and anode bags.
+- **Data.** The AEFS4-250 has a PLC: programs of up to 20 steps, each step
+  setting time, voltage, current, flow and rotation; an automatic wake-up
+  function and pump-curve calibration; a modified cell flow that allows
+  higher current "without stretching the bath solution". Lou calls it very
+  energy-efficient with extremely low maintenance (vendor claims). The
+  protocol is not stated, so the [digital factory](../digital-factory.md)
+  RFQ clauses apply. The letter mentions no PLC for the basic EFS2-200,
+  which would keep galvanics a manual check-in station.
+- **DMM.** The lacquer-path units (2a or 2b, and 3) are EUR 61,000 to
+  67,000 of either configuration; a plant cutting only DMM would not need
+  them, which bears on the Sillitoe DMM question in the
+  [vendor landscape](../suppliers/vendor-landscape.md).
+- **Cutting lathes.** The letter ends with five contacts for buying a
+  lathe, second-hand included; they are in the
+  [vendor landscape](../suppliers/vendor-landscape.md#used-lathes-and-cutting-room-contacts-via-oms).
 
 ### Cycle times and cell count
 
@@ -190,7 +304,9 @@ first version of this page assumed 2 to 3 hours per part and concluded
 that the high end needed two. One PASU, one PPPU (pre-plate is for the
 masters, 2 to 4 a day at full capacity, and the unit takes four at once)
 and one PMPB cover the rest. Ask Pheenix for measured cycles at the
-plant's thickness before this goes into a budget.
+plant's thickness before this goes into a budget. OMS's letter (above) is
+the first vendor figure: 6 to 8 runs on 4 cells in a 7.5-hour working day,
+roughly an hour a run, which fits these times.
 
 ## Stamper prep: the Sibert VS line
 
@@ -222,7 +338,9 @@ What this changes in the plan:
   2026) that a budget of USD 250k covers "all 3 auto-machines"; Ian
   Locke's own time, spare parts, shipping and travel come on top. This is a
   budget confirmation, not a quote: Sibert offers a fully itemised
-  quotation once we go ahead. It sits above the 60k to 170k estimate in
+  quotation once we go ahead. Ian Locke repeated on 9 October 2026 that
+  equipment footprints and formal quotations follow when we are ready, and
+  advised settling the pressing side first. It sits above the 60k to 170k estimate in
   [total investment](../finance/total-investment.md), which carries the
   difference in its not-yet-rolled-up table until the next re-base.
 - **Single-phase power.** All three run on 115 to 230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, ~2.5
@@ -340,10 +458,17 @@ goes ahead.
   works or a regional partner); the roughness the VSF reaches; crated
   sizes and weights (the VSC is now 1 t); what it installed at Pheenix in
   January 2025, and whether Pheenix sells Sibert machines with its line.
-- **OMS (Optical Media Services)**: equipment range and datasheets, a
-  budget for one line next to Pheenix and Digital Matrix, installations and
-  service in Asia, stamper service prices and turnaround, and whether it
-  builds the electroplating equipment Newbilt announces.
+- **OMS (Optical Media Services)**: a dedicated offer once we send our
+  plans (lacquer, DMM or both; parts per day; shifts), ideally after seeing
+  the equipment in Baarlo (the February 2027 Europe trip could fit);
+  datasheets for the EFS2-200 and AEFS4-250 (dimensions, empty and filled
+  weights, power, cooling water); how parts are passivated in the basic set
+  without the cleaning/passivation unit; the advanced total (the units add
+  up to EUR 314,000, the letter says 311,000); whether passive cooling holds
+  at Thai ambient; the AEFS4-250's PLC protocol and tag list; the used
+  equipment on offer; installations and service in Asia; stamper service
+  prices and turnaround; which water-treatment partner his customers use;
+  and whether OMS builds the electroplating equipment Newbilt announces.
 - **Press vendors** (Newbilt, Pheenix, M-Tech): the stamper centre hole and
   edge form each mould expects, so the punch size and coiner tooling can be
   ordered to match ([pressing line](pressing-line.md)).
@@ -362,6 +487,12 @@ goes ahead.
   Medstead, Hampshire, UK, by the email signature (the specification
   sheets still carry the older Alton address); sales@sibert.co.uk,
   ian.locke@sibert.co.uk.
+- [`oms/`](oms/): OMS's introduction letter of 9 October 2026 (Word;
+  sent as "Introduction letter BUILDFOR.LIFE.docx", attached to Lou
+  Wullms' email of the same day): wet-room units with reference prices,
+  two configurations, capacities, utilities, staffing, used equipment and
+  lathe contacts. Optical Media Services B.V., Tangweg 16, Baarlo,
+  Netherlands.
 - [`sibert/sps-optical-disc-2009/`](sibert/sps-optical-disc-2009/): SPS
   punching and finishing literature (2008 to 2009), the punch-and-die
   return form, and the Blu-ray stamper characteristics paper (2008).

docs/finance/total-investment.md

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ July 2026; the underlying THB estimates are unchanged, because EUR/THB at
 |---|---|---|---|
 | Newbilt semi-auto line, full Duplex | 350k – 370k | 11.5M – 12.2M | 2024 quote EUR 200,500 (~USD 232k) + quoted 2nd press/extruder ~USD 115k; expired, needs re-quote |
 | 2 automated presses (Pheenix AD12) | 580k – 920k | 19.1M – 30.5M | unverified ~USD 340k/press indicative + delivery and commissioning |
-| Galvanics line (Digital Matrix or Pheenix Alpha) | 320k – 650k | 10.7M – 21.4M | six-figure-USD turnkey inference from vendor research; the Pheenix range (2024 flyers, [galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md)) is unpriced too |
+| Galvanics line (Digital Matrix or Pheenix Alpha) | 320k – 650k | 10.7M – 21.4M | six-figure-USD turnkey inference from vendor research; the Pheenix range (2024 flyers, [galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md)) is unpriced too; OMS's reference prices (letter, 9 October 2026) put a complete 4-cell wet room at EUR 224k basic to 311k advanced (~USD 259k to 359k; ~270k to 371k with know-how transfer), installation and water treatment extra: at or below this block's low end, kept until quotes exist |
 | Zero-discharge water treatment (ZLD) | 90k – 240k | 3.0M – 8.0M | utilities CSV option row |
 | Stamper prep (Sibert VSP, VSF, VSC) | 60k – 170k | 1.9M – 5.7M | estimate kept until the re-base; Sibert has since confirmed USD 250k for the three (its time, spares, shipping and travel extra), the difference is in the table below |
 | Mastering and cutting room (Agnew or Sillitoe lathe system, cutter amps, console, room treatment) | 290k – 580k | 9.6M – 19.1M | estimate, bespoke market; the Sillitoe SDMS lists at USD 125k for lathe, head, amplifier and automation (ex tax, shipping), which makes the low end reachable; band kept until both quotes exist |

docs/roadmap.md

@@ -52,8 +52,9 @@ These three run in parallel and gate everything downstream:
 6. **Galvanics quotes**: Digital Matrix, and Pheenix Alpha in the same
    conversation as item 5 (it builds the electroforming line too), plus
    OMS (Optical Media Services), named by Sibert as the alternative to a
-   Pheenix turnkey line (first contact from Lou Wullms 7 October 2026;
-   Alexander has replied; OMS sends material to calculate from next), and
+   Pheenix turnkey line (reference prices of 9 October 2026: EUR 224,000
+   basic and 311,000 advanced for a 4-cell wet room, installation extra; a
+   dedicated offer needs our plans, ideally after a visit to Baarlo), and
    Sibert's itemised quotation for the stamper
    prep machines (a USD 250k budget for all three is confirmed, its time,
    spares, shipping and travel extra); equipment data in
@@ -86,7 +87,8 @@ These three run in parallel and gate everything downstream:
 12. Secure the site (lease preferred for the phased entry; purchase only
     with land privileges under BOI)
 13. Order long-lead items: mastering lathe (Agnew or Sillitoe, both built
-    to order, see [vendor landscape](suppliers/vendor-landscape.md)),
+    to order, or second-hand through the contacts OMS named, see
+    [vendor landscape](suppliers/vendor-landscape.md)),
     stamper-prep machines, first utility packages
 14. Engage Stamper Discs for the bridge-stamper relationship with written
     turnaround SLAs, and settle where lacquers are cut meanwhile: SST in

docs/scale.md

@@ -215,7 +215,11 @@ small against the connection, but its own feeder and meter.
 Rough mature-operation headcount (estimate): 4 to 6 press/finishing
 operators per shift, 2 to 3 galvanics, 1 to 2 mastering/cutting engineers,
 1 to 2 QC, 2 maintenance, 3 to 5 admin/sales/logistics. Roughly **15 to 25
-people** across shifts at maturity, fewer than half that at launch.
+people** across shifts at maturity, fewer than half that at launch. For
+galvanics, OMS's rule of thumb (one person runs about 20 stampers a day,
+two from about 30) against the 8 to 20 parts a day at full capacity
+points to one operator per shift
+([galvanics and stamper prep](equipment/galvanics.md)).
 
 ## Money (cross-references)
 

docs/suppliers/equipment-suppliers.md

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ Cutting service (until the in-house room runs):
 | Supplier | Location | Offering | Notes |
 |---|---|---|---|
 | Schallplatten Schneid Technik (SST) | Frankfurt am Main, Germany | Lacquer cutting for pressing (7"/10"/12"), dubplates, half-speed, locked-groove and inside-out cuts; two Neumann cutting rooms; independent since 1969 (SST website, checked October 2026) | Already cut lacquers for Poy Records (POY003, 005, 006, 013, per SST's archive); met in Haarlem and offered help (email, 7 October 2026); on good terms with ResurRec; Daniel Krieger (MD), daniel@sst-ffm.de, mail@sst-ffm.de, +49 69 57 50 57. See [vendor landscape](vendor-landscape.md#lacquer-cutting-service-schallplatten-schneid-technik-germany) |
+| Used lathes and cutting rooms (contacts via OMS) | Germany, Switzerland | Railroad Studio Tracks (complete cutting studio for sale, October 2026), Mike Papas, Andreas Bauer (AB Mastering), Flo Kaufman (flokason), Martin Sukale | Leads from Lou Wullms' introduction letter, unverified; details in the [vendor landscape](vendor-landscape.md#used-lathes-and-cutting-room-contacts-via-oms) |
 
 ## 2. Silvering and Electroforming (Galvanics)
 
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ Suppliers identified:
 |---|---|---|---|
 | Plating Power / Digital Matrix Corp. | Farmingdale, NY, USA | VLSS silvering, VLPP pre-plate, VLFP 2/4/6-cell electroforming, EC-1000 passivation, control rings | No water treatment or metal recovery in their scope; no SE-Asia distributor; alex.greenspan@digmatrix.com |
 | Pheenix Alpha | Sweden | PASU automatic silvering, PPPU pre-plating (four masters), PDPU dual-cell electroforming (up to 200 A per cell), PMPB passivation, cleaning and drying bench (nickel and DMM) | 2024 flyers in [`../equipment/pheenix-alpha/`](../equipment/pheenix-alpha/), summarised in [galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md); prices unpublished; PLC with network access; no water treatment in the flyers; same vendor as the AD12 presses (section 5), so one quote can cover both; info@pheenixalpha.com |
-| Optical Media Services (OMS) | Baarlo, Netherlands | Vinyl electroforming equipment, new and refurbished (including CD/DVD lines converted to 14" vinyl); independent stamper service from lacquers and DMMs | Named by Sibert after Haarlem (good equipment, very familiar with the Asian market); no datasheet or price on file; possible link to Newbilt's announced electroplating equipment, unconfirmed ([galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md)); first email from Lou Wullms 7 October 2026, Alexander replied to confirm, calculation material to follow; Lou Wullms (technical), lou.wullms@gmail.com, +31 6 5490 3443; Wilma Peeters (accounting and logistics), wilmapeeters6@gmail.com; office +31 77 477 8054 |
+| Optical Media Services (OMS) | Baarlo, Netherlands | Vinyl electroforming equipment, new and refurbished (including CD/DVD lines converted to 14" vinyl); independent stamper service from lacquers and DMMs | Named by Sibert after Haarlem (good equipment, very familiar with the Asian market); introduction letter of 9 October 2026 in [`../equipment/oms/`](../equipment/oms/): reference prices EUR 224,000 for a basic 4-cell wet room (2 × EFS2-200) and EUR 311,000 advanced (AEFS4-250, PLC), installation days extra, used equipment on offer ([galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md)); possible link to Newbilt's announced electroplating equipment, unconfirmed; Lou Wullms (technical), lou.wullms@gmail.com, +31 6 5490 3443; Wilma Peeters (accounting and logistics), wilmapeeters6@gmail.com; office +31 77 477 8054 |
 
 Open: industrial water-treatment vendor for the zero-discharge system;
 clean-room design/build contractor; fume scrubbing.
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ Suppliers identified:
 
 | Supplier | Location | Offering | Notes |
 |---|---|---|---|
-| Sibert Instruments | Medstead, Hampshire, UK | VSP punch, VSF back-finisher, VSC coiner; a fully automatic VSPa punch also exists | Current specifications (2022 and 2023) and line-up drawing in [`../equipment/sibert/`](../equipment/sibert/), summarised in [galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md): single-phase 115 to 230 V, 6 to 8 bar air, 200 / 250 / 1000 kg, line 4958 × 833 mm, no data interface listed; budget of USD 250k for all three confirmed by email (October 2026), its time, spares, shipping and travel extra, itemised quotation on request; confirm no overlap with press-integrated forming before buying the VSC; sales@sibert.co.uk, Ian Locke (ian.locke@sibert.co.uk) |
+| Sibert Instruments | Medstead, Hampshire, UK | VSP punch, VSF back-finisher, VSC coiner; a fully automatic VSPa punch also exists | Current specifications (2022 and 2023) and line-up drawing in [`../equipment/sibert/`](../equipment/sibert/), summarised in [galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md): single-phase 115 to 230 V, 6 to 8 bar air, 200 / 250 / 1000 kg, line 4958 × 833 mm, no data interface listed; budget of USD 250k for all three confirmed by email (October 2026), its time, spares, shipping and travel extra, itemised quotation and footprints when we are ready (Ian Locke, 9 October 2026, who advises settling the presses first); confirm no overlap with press-integrated forming before buying the VSC; sales@sibert.co.uk, Ian Locke (ian.locke@sibert.co.uk) |
 
 ## 4. Stamper Service (bridge / overflow, until in-house galvanics runs)
 

docs/suppliers/making-vinyl-europe-2026-exhibitors.md

@@ -54,6 +54,16 @@ traceability spec, the steam decision, the Thai PVC lead, the 50/50 fleet).
     advice on OMS and Pheenix is noted; we get back to him when there is
     news, with the aim of working together. The itemised quotation has
     not been requested yet ([roadmap](../roadmap.md) item 6).
+  - Ian's answer (9 October 2026): take our time; he will supply
+    equipment footprints and formal quotations when we are ready. Get the
+    pressing side resolved first, "hopefully with Pheenix" (in his view
+    they make the best presses, with robust international support), and
+    if we go with Pheenix he asks us to mention his recommendation. He
+    expects to work well together once the "green" factory is further
+    along and says he is very impressed with those plans: supplier
+    feedback on the [sustainability](../sustainability.md) plan, not buyer
+    validation. **Open:** if Pheenix is chosen, mention Ian Locke's
+    recommendation to Pheenix.
 - **Pheenix Alpha follow-up** (Robert Gunnarsson, CEO, to Simona and
   Alexander, email 5 October 2026; Simona replied on 9 October with
   Niklas Poblenz copied):
@@ -77,8 +87,22 @@ traceability spec, the steam decision, the Thai PVC lead, the 50/50 fleet).
   project too. Contacts: Lou Wullms for technical matters, Wilma Peeters
   for accounting and logistics. Alexander replied to confirm: Simona
   covers management and the audio side, Alexander the technical side.
-  OMS's material is the next step. Details in
+  Details in
   [galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md#a-third-candidate-optical-media-services-oms).
+  - *Introduction letter* (9 October 2026): reference prices for a 4-cell
+    wet room, EUR 224,000 basic and 311,000 advanced, installation days
+    extra; capacities of 24 and 32 shells in an 8-hour day; utilities,
+    rooms and staffing; used equipment also on offer; and five contacts
+    for buying a cutting lathe
+    ([vendor landscape](vendor-landscape.md#used-lathes-and-cutting-room-contacts-via-oms)).
+    Lou asks for a copy to go to Simona so she can work through the
+    figures (**Open:** forward it), and would rather show the equipment
+    in Baarlo before making a dedicated offer.
+  - *Links* (separate email, same day): vinyl-pressing-plants.com, a
+    directory of cutting studios, electroforming houses, pressing plants,
+    brokers and machine makers; cdvdpacking.com, a dealer in used CD, DVD,
+    vinyl and solar production machines; and lathetrolls.com for
+    questions on the process.
 - **SST** (Daniel Krieger, Schallplatten Schneid Technik, Frankfurt, to
   Simona and Alexander, email 7 October 2026):
   - SST's archive shows it cut the lacquers for Poy Records POY003, 005,
@@ -95,8 +119,8 @@ traceability spec, the steam decision, the Thai PVC lead, the 50/50 fleet).
     ([vendor landscape](vendor-landscape.md#lacquer-cutting-service-schallplatten-schneid-technik-germany)).
 - **Filed since**: the Newbilt flyers
   ([pressing line](../equipment/pressing-line.md)), Sibert's current VS
-  specifications and line-up drawing (with the 2021 issues kept), and
-  Pheenix Alpha's electroforming flyers
+  specifications and line-up drawing (with the 2021 issues kept),
+  Pheenix Alpha's electroforming flyers, and OMS's introduction letter
   ([galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md)).
 
 The briefing below is kept as written before the show.

docs/suppliers/vendor-landscape.md

@@ -110,7 +110,8 @@ console, spares and service terms. At the Sillitoe list price the cutting
 room is a smaller decision than the 290k to 580k USD line in
 [total investment](../finance/total-investment.md) assumed, which makes
 it, alongside galvanics, a candidate for moving earlier than Phase 5 in
-the [roadmap](../roadmap.md).
+the [roadmap](../roadmap.md). A second-hand route exists too:
+[used lathes and cutting-room contacts](#used-lathes-and-cutting-room-contacts-via-oms).
 
 ## Lacquer cutting service: Schallplatten Schneid Technik (Germany)
 
@@ -137,6 +138,44 @@ Lacquer travels worse than nickel (production timeline), so a Frankfurt
 cut fits a European stamper service (Stamper Discs, OMS) better than
 plating in Thailand.
 
+## Used lathes and cutting-room contacts (via OMS)
+
+Lou Wullms' introduction letter (9 October 2026, filed in
+[`../equipment/oms/`](../equipment/oms/)) closes with five contacts for
+buying a cutting lathe, a second-hand route next to a new Agnew or
+Sillitoe. As the letter gives them (phone numbers and emails are in the
+letter):
+
+- **Railroad Studio Tracks** (Germany, between Cologne and Aachen; owned by
+  John Cremers, with his son Moritz Cremer in charge): selling its
+  complete cutting studio "at this very moment". The website
+  (railroad-tracks.de) did not load for checking (October 2026).
+- **Mike Papas**: sometimes has a cutting lathe for sale.
+- **Andreas Bauer**, AB Mastering (Andreas Bauer Medientechnik,
+  Tiefenbach, Germany): could help with a lathe. His site (abmastering.com,
+  checked October 2026) offers lacquer cutting on a Neumann VMS-80, master
+  checks, one-off dubplates, and help choosing a pressing plant with
+  quality control.
+- **Flo Kaufman** (flokason, Switzerland; spelling as in the letter): very
+  highly respected in the cutting world and, Lou warns, always very busy.
+  His site describes handcrafted audio gear.
+- **Martin Sukale**, Ramona Records GmbH, Hamburg, a good friend of Flo
+  Kaufman's. ramonarecords.com led to the site of Discosville, a vinyl
+  pressing plant, when checked (October 2026); confirm his current company
+  before writing.
+
+What it means: a complete used studio could put a working cutting room in
+place well before [roadmap](../roadmap.md) item 27, at a price still to be
+asked. A used lathe still needs a head, amplifiers, service and a cutting
+engineer, so compare it as a whole room, like the new systems above.
+
+Lou also recommended three sites for finding vendors and answers:
+vinyl-pressing-plants.com (directory of cutting studios, electroforming
+houses, pressing plants, brokers and machine makers), cdvdpacking.com (a
+dealer in used CD, DVD, vinyl and solar production machines; its
+categories include mastering and galvanics, and pressing lines, checked
+October 2026) and lathetrolls.com (questions on the process).
+
 ## Silvering and electroforming equipment: Plating Power / Digital Matrix (USA)
 
 [Plating Power](https://www.platingpower.com/) is the vinyl brand of Digital
@@ -166,9 +205,12 @@ who makes good equipment" and very familiar with the Asian market. A
 directory listing points OMS's website at Newbilt's equipment page, which
 announces new Newbilt electroplating equipment; whether the two are linked
 is unconfirmed. Simona and Alexander met Lou Wullms in Haarlem; he wrote
-on 7 October 2026 and Alexander has replied; material to calculate from
-follows, no
-datasheet or price on file yet. Details, company data and open questions
+on 7 October 2026 and Alexander has replied. On 9 October OMS sent an
+introduction letter with reference prices: EUR 224,000 for a basic 4-cell
+wet room (two 2-cell EFS2-200 units) and EUR 311,000 for an advanced one
+(one 4-cell AEFS4-250 with PLC), installation and water treatment extra,
+used equipment also available. For stamper finishing the letter points to
+Sibert, as Sibert pointed to OMS. Details, company data and open questions
 in [galvanics and stamper prep](../equipment/galvanics.md).
 
 ## Stamper preparation: Sibert Instruments (UK)