You assume that KBLB only has one partner. I hope that is not true.
MtM can only sell their products in the ASEAN region. That leaves out a lot of the world. The US, for example. I hope that Polartec might want to use our silks, but this hasn't been discussed much over the past two years. If KBLB is limited to selling silks in the ASEAN region, it will miss out on some potentially large markets.
Let's return to the issue. KBLB wants to improve their standing with shareholders. Most of us believe that KBLB wants to uplist to NASDAQ, for example. If shareholders don't believe in the company, that process will be difficult. Reporting news about production will help shareholders have confidence that KBLB can produce and therefore sell silk.
You suggest that KBLB wants to wait to tell the world it can produce in support of MtM and the products they want to make. For the sake of argument, let's assume that MtM wants KBLB to wait until they have enough product to start their campaign, whenever that may be. MtM announces their new BoxerThongs (tm) for men.
The question would immediately be raised: can KBLB produce enough MS to supply the heavy demand for mens BoxerThongs. KBLB says "Yes! Over the past 12 years, we have managed to produce 2 metric tons of MS."
The market is not going to understand KBLB's business model very well. If they had talked about production for a long time, showing that they were steadily building capacity and producing without a hitch, those questions would not be asked.
MtM should want KBLB to be seen as being capable of sustaining production. Here's how it might work:
May: KBLB reports that it has produced its first metric ton, fully reeled, and on the way to a customer.
June: KBLB reports that it has produced its second metric ton, fully reeled, and on the way to a customer.
July: KBLB reports that it has produced another 1.5 metric tons, fully reeled, and on the way to a customer.
Speculation starts to build. Is this all going to MtM, or are different customers involved? Coyly, KBLB doesn't say who the lucky customer(s) are.
August: the first prototype BoxerThong is revealed at a WWW event. One of their stars talks about the advantages of a BoxerThong: "When things get all sweaty and nasty, you can count on the support of your BoxerThong to keep things tight!"
September: Noted designer Joesephene Smosephene talks to World Textile News about the new SpydaSilk samples she is seeing. "This fabric is amazing! What a great hand. SpydaSilk takes dyes very well. This will be on all the best fashion runways for the Spring collections."
October: KBLB reports a comparison of the strength of DS with Brewed Proteins from Spiber and whatever Bolt has to offer, showing that DS is much stronger and, pretty much, better in every way.
November: The official product launch of BoxerThongs is disrupted by WWW fans chanting "Box Er Thongs" loudly. Preorders for the Christmas delivery are sold out in minutes.
In short, we are talking about a buzz campaign, not a buzz event. KBLB needs to establish its own reputation independent from that of MtM. That will help broaden the applications of DS and MS. Demonstrating an ability to produce commercial scale quantities and the ability to scale up production is important to help investors and customers know that KBLB will be able to meet demand.
If Kings/MtM has Thompson on a short leash and won't allow him to talk about production until it is good for their company, Thompson is playing a weak hand. Silence right now is not good for KBLB.
Unless they have a secret to hide.
