Apollo plant fire.

[Maistrow]

The Apollo lacquer disk plant in Banning burnt down today. Here is a link;
https://patch.com/california/banning-beaumont/fire-rips-through-banning-commercial-structure


[Note by admin: If you wish, there is now a separate section for discussing the Apollo situation that will only be viewable by members who are logged in.]

https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewforum.php?f=34

[jamesk]

This really sucks. In a perfect world Apollo licenses or even better open sources their process/formula so the industry doesn't suffer too much.

[andybee]

there are thousends of jobs behind the laquer manufacturing process!

[jonty2k]

Another article regarding the fire here :-
https://pitchfork.com/news/devastating-manufacturing-plant-fire-threatens-worldwide-vinyl-record-supply/

[emorritt]

Yes, it would be nice to have both the Audiodisc and the Transco formulas, but the equipment is a major undertaking. Much more than just having the formulae. How do you even get in touch with MDC? Never seen a website or other information.

[Steve E.]

I'm stickying this topic. I don't even know how to begin to take in this information.

Has anyone here talked to Sam and Terry? I just talked to Sam a week ago.

Apollo message 2020 02.jpg

"To all our wonderful customers. It is with great sadness we report the Apollo Masters manufacturing and storage facility had a devastating fire and was completely destroyed. The best news is all of our employees are safe. We are uncertain of our future at this point and are evaluating options as we try to work through this difficult time. Thank you for all of the support over the years and the notes of encouragement and support we have received from you all."

[Steve E.]

https://thevinylfactory.com/news/apollo-transco-vinyl-lacquer-fire/

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/apollo-masters-fire-vinyl-records-lacquer-production-949648/

https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2020/02/07/apollo-masters-fire-vinyl-records/4692215002/

"Since the incident, MDC has responded to a bombardment of phone calls, explaining that they will not be accepting any new customers. "
https://www.residentadvisor.net/news/71906

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/major-vinyl-production-catastrophe-apollotransco-lacquers-burns

[SopranoC]

As I wrote in other posts, I heard about a new company in italy ready to produce lacquers discs.
Hope this helps to solve the problem.

[Steve E.]

I have set up a separate section for discussing the Apollo situation that will only be viewable by members who are logged in:

https://www.lathetrolls.com/viewforum.php?f=34

Scroll down below the announcements and you'll see the topic(s).

I don't know if this is necessary, and eventually I may combine any threads there with the other "Members Only" section. Still, this seems like a good option. Of course it's fine to keep posting in this thread too.

[luke13]

I am in contact with the italian company that work to re-activate an old plant to produce laquers and probably will be ready in 2-3 months. They will make a limited production, probably no more than 1000 pcs in one year. Talking to our customers' pressing plants managers this fact will bring:
- increase of prices of the records pressed
- increase of the minimum order quantity of records pressed. The idea is to increase the minimum number of pieces that can be ordered, it will be difficult to press 50-100 pieces and probably it will go to a minimum of 300-500 pieces. This could be very interesting for those of us who produce small press runs.
-Someone talks about returning to the DMM currently used by a few (if I'm not mistaken, the GZ does it)

[SopranoC]

Spoke with the Italian company, name is www.mvmasters.it

[Maistrow]

This site has been hacked. Here is a message I got when I clicked on the link;

Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to www.mvmasters.it. If you visit this site, attackers could try to steal information like your passwords, emails, or credit card details.

[handcut]

This site has been hacked. Here is a message I got when I clicked on the link;

Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to www.mvmasters.it. If you visit this site, attackers could try to steal information like your passwords, emails, or credit card details.

More often than not that appears because the security certificate has expired so I went ahead and clicked through. You're not missing much:

MV_Masters.png

[SopranoC]

I saw, but wrote an email and they said that in few weeks everything will be ready, website too

[Aussie0zborn]

I am in contact with the italian company that work to re-activate an old plant to produce laquers and probably will be ready in 2-3 months. They will make a limited production, probably no more than 1000 pcs in one year.

Are you sure their target is 1,000 pieces per year? At USD $40 each, that wouldn’t cover the rent or even one salary. Please confirm.

[saff]

The email I received from them claimed 25K discs per month. I'll believe it when I see it etc but that would be great, assuming they are good lacquers. Time will tell.

[misjah]

How many did Apollo make per month? (before QC rejected 50%)

[luke13]

My contact is not MV Masters, I don't know this company and if they can produce laquers or not. Produce laquers is not simple and I think you know how many process and steps needs to produce one single disc. There is no new industrial plants to produce this product. Need to find a company that have an older machine and reactivate it. I am in a direct contact with an italian company that works to re-active an old industrial line to produce laquers.
For a good part of the production we already have a supply contract for some of our customers in Europe, while for the remaining part of production it will be free to be sold to those who need it. When the production line is fully operational, we will know how many laquers will be available for purchase.When we will have good news we will informe you.

[Aussie0zborn]

I am in a direct contact with an italian company that works to re-active an old industrial line to produce laquers.

I hope this is correct. I started cutting records in the mid '80s and there were no lacquers coming out of Italy since then.

[Steve E.]

I'm unsticky-ing this topic. I figure, it's been a year.