I posted this on another forum. Oddly it got no responses which leads me to believe people don't believe me, they already know, or they don't care given that NSM will be destributing themselves.
Any way today I got an email from a rep I always communicate with at the Crucible service center in texas. She stated that the service center has had a bid for their company by SB industries. It will go to auction mid December, and will finalize (hopefully) by the end of December. They are trying to work things out with the new mill and want to continue working with knifemakers as has been done in the past. The details will hinge on SB industries acquiring the service center, Crucible, and NSM. If this all goes through NSM may be a competitor or a supplier to the service center. that is all I know.