Vinyl presses on last leg? Pressing limitations st

I read an interesting article in the German magazine, Stereo, about the demise of the manufacturing pressing capabilities of the vinyl pressing plants. According to the article, many plants are scrounging to find replacement parts, particularly, Neumann cutting heads and transcribers, and are using other non-repairable press machines as donors to maintain pressing capabilities of the ones they can. This is transpiring during the resurgence of vinyl as the major labels and studios are finally recognizing the value of selling music on vinyl providing another source venue to gain income. The Stereo article also states that plants cannot exist forever without new replacement parts, or a newer plant being built, which both cost money. Money no one wants to throw around because of the costs. So, it is estimated that the plants will start to show signs of critical cutting and pressing weaknesses in addition to wear and tear in the next 5 years.

The Stereo magazine mentions that only 4 experts exist in the world that know how to fix and rebuild Neumann cutting heads, Al Gundy (USA), Dr. Gotz Corinth (Mainz), Flo Kaufmann (Firm Vinilium, Switzerland) and Roberto Barbolini (Italy). Each one of these experts is held in high regard and is equivalent to someone knowing how to rebuild a very fine mechanical watch from years gone by.

Two managers of pressing plants, one in California, RTI, (Hermmann Hoffmann) and the other in Germany, Pallast, (Holger Neumann), stated their concerns about the presses and cutting heads. Pallast can fix about 90% of their stuff today and estimate that in 4-6 years things will be critical without new machines and then they might have to close down some presses. RTI, responsible for Org, Mobile Fidelity and Classic Records (interesting, since herr Jacobs sold Classic), has also predicted that a day will come that they will not be able to fix the problems and shut down the presses. One thing is for sure, pressing and cutting defects will be higher as the machines are run into oblivion without external help. Are the defects we are seeing today the signs of these issues?

Please tell me to go back in my vinyl cave and not worry bout this. I looked forward to retiring and still buying brand new reissues.

I hope someone steps in to ensure that this is not the case in the not to distant future.

V/r
Audioquest4life