I see where you're coming from there -But I think where sub labels have a place is say you have X label going, but have some quality tunes that are a bit different, but you still want to keep X label as having a strong identity. Then I don't see to much problem starting Y label - you then have the reputation of your first label to stand on, but a different style or identity for the second one.

With lots of new labels starting up, I guess it makes it harder (or more time consuming) to search out the best tunes. But then If there's only a few labels everyone has the same tunes and that gets boring. I don't mean that in a kind of elitist "I have this tune 'cos I know this label" kind of way, but there can never be too much good techno, and a bit of variety is nice!!