Plasmon plc Share Discussion Threads

[dead-cat bouncer] 13/5/2008 12:11

Cryptic again! Clearly they could be around but if the price drops by 50% then people have lost half of what they have today. There is a market for this stuff, but is it a profitable one?

[timtom2] 13/5/2008 11:33

Someone expects them to be around for quite a few years, interesting to see if that is correct or not.

[mikey_b] 13/5/2008 08:59

That is good news TT2 and yes it does take a long time to get the $$ to the bottom line. I still reckon 4p is on the cards before we see a decent rise.

[timtom2] 13/5/2008 08:49

ps - the sales force are out pushing this stuff. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. The sales cycle can be quite long for bigger configurations but foundations are being laid at prospects now.

[timtom2] 13/5/2008 08:45

aquilla - the cost cuts won't show through yet. A few production layoffs due (may push severeance costs up a little) and some bods may be transferred to Western Digital but don't know which qtr the costs will show through. They hit the new building July onwards and the fixed running costs should be lower thereafter.

Western will not be performing system test - that will still be kept in huse prior to system ship.

Did you know some of the new configurations can sell for > $10M a time? Not sure who would have $10M to splash about but for a system to be available/possible someone must have showed an interest. Only one such system could make a big difference.

[aquilla] 13/5/2008 08:11

Results due next month.
For the doom mongers:
"Execution of the new growth strategy, announced in early
February, is progressing ahead of schedule and underpins the Board's confidence
in the prospects for significant sales growth in 2008/09" (from the April trading update)

[timtom2] 12/5/2008 14:10

Take no notice then DCB.
Either way it make no difference to me.

[dead-cat bouncer] 12/5/2008 13:46

Timtom2 - OK, but it is surely best to reference you comments at the outset. I come here with an open mind but am currently pessimistic. If you report what sort of people (job role) you spoke to in the US and what they actually said then I am prepared to listen - cryptic comments are about a company's prospects are irrelevant.

[timtom2] 09/5/2008 16:52

DCB, remember those stock picks and see what happens to the ones I still hold. Starting with them:

FTC - made a decent sum in short order on run from < 130p and sold at 176p. Didn't want to hold for the £1.20 cash back as I needed the money for another share. There may be a re-entry possible after the cash back as I suspect it will go to undervalued for a while. The runt of the company left-over will be debt free and profitable. All the liabilities now gone. I'm pleased with that one. Have been in and out in the past (over a few years) and well ahead on it.

MDW - Ahead so far as I was in in the really poor share price days. Watch that stock - especially when they get FDA for the bio-scan for PSA test - they also have a Bladder cancer test and 2 other anti-gen tests (not yet known what they are) in the wings. Seriously watch them. Ran fom 7.5p to 14p in Jan on approach for take-over. Quite sure it will return handsomely. They are undervalued and predators in the wings. They've beefed up the board nicely too. Their revenue growth over the past 2 years has been reasonable but the share price yet to respond.

ITM - jury still out. Was doing well until recently, for a combination of reasons, but still high target share price and well funded. Expect news from Roush and Ford this year on H2. They don't need a big sales figure to hit cashflow breakeven. It's disappointing the market doesn't think what I do on that one - yet - but it's not the end. Peter Hargreaves (Hargreaves-Landsdown) has been adding to his holding. Citi stuck the knife in. Interested to see what the product launches bring and looking to add to holding, probably Monday next week. I'm not sure what the short ratio is but it was hammered after the Citi note. A couple of the Brokers still have high target sp's for ITM.

For PLM - I can't point you to a website for what I have heard but I ask questions. Have recently returned from the US where I asked a few questions of people in the Storage market. I've averaged down over a number of buys and the vibe I got from the folk I spoke too was encouraging enough for me not to be too worried. PLM will offer a very good return or crash and burn. Wait and see.

[dead-cat bouncer] 09/5/2008 12:09

TimTom2 - Having read your posts on this board I am rather skeptical of your claim that: "I've heard they are moving very quickly and even this early on the new sales force are making headway." Can you in any way substantiate this assertion?

You have done a lot of research, but that is not the same as knowing what is actually happening with the sales force or indeed the company.

If things are going so well do you think there wouldn't be Plasmon sales guys mopping up the stock? As of today you could buy 375,000 on line at 7.20p, the lowest it has been in history.

I also think OSCA (operations outsourcing programme) is a huge risk. It may deliver eventually but there will be inevitable delays on the way. I'm afraid that this one is performing as badly as your other picks:ITM, MDW, FTC (your post 1630)

[mikey_b] 08/5/2008 22:10

Now yes. If it achieves anything is to be seen. Still waiting for an entry point for a punt.

[timtom2] 08/5/2008 21:58

mikey - have you understood anything about OSCA and what it is intended to achieve?

[timtom2] 08/5/2008 21:57

Moving into smaller premises in Colorado - cash saving.

Plasmon planned for 25% headcount (manufacture and admin) reduction by summer - cash saving.

Move to Platform company organisation - planned for - margin enhancing.

Overall move to becoming sales led - much needed.

I've heard they are moving very quickly and even this early on the new sales force are making headway.

Just hope they can get momentum and keep it going.

[mikey_b] 08/5/2008 14:14

Nothing that generates income. What is the benefit to Plasmon?

[hang] 08/5/2008 14:10

Things are happening on the quiet................


Western Electronics Announces Manufacturing Agreement with Plasmon
Western Electronics (Western) (www.westernelectronics.com) has announced a manufacturing agreement with Plasmon LMS, Inc. (Plasmon) to help with base level assembly of Plasmon's GX and G chassis for its line of archival storage libraries. Western Electronics was selected as one of Plasmon's manufacturing partners following an evaluation of Colorado based Contract Electronics Manufacturers by Plasmon. We are excited about partnering with Plasmon on the base level assembly of these components, and look forward to continuing a strong relationship moving forward

Meridian, Idaho (PRWEB) May 8, 2008 -- Western Electronics (Western) (www.westernelectronics.com) has announced a manufacturing agreement with Plasmon LMS, Inc. (Plasmon) to help with base level assembly of Plasmon's GX and G chassis for its line of archival storage libraries. Western Electronics was selected as one of Plasmon's manufacturing partners following an evaluation of Colorado based Contract Electronics Manufacturers by Plasmon.

Western Electronics began the qualification of the GX product line in January of this year. The qualification for the Enterprise G Series is underway and is expected to be released for production in June.
"Western Electronics matched our selection criteria for a manufacturing partner with its strong capabilities and team commitment," said Carol Couch, Senior Vice President, World Wide Operations of Plasmon.

"We are excited about partnering with Plasmon on the base level assembly of these components, and look forward to continuing a strong relationship moving forward," said Rob Subia, President and CEO of Western Electronics. "We believe that Plasmon is an excellent fit for our portfolio of service offerings, and we are pleased to have been selected to help with this piece of the manufacturing for their world-class line of archival storage chassis and related products."

Western Electronics is recognized as a full service contract electronics manufacturer providing design-for-manufacturability/testability, procurement/supply-chain management, printed-circuit-board assembly, wire-harness and cable assembly, box-build and upper level assembly, logistics and end-order-fulfillment, and now conformal coating services. Our market focus is small to medium size OEM companies, who require a high level of quality, delivery, flexibility, and responsiveness in the outsourcing of product sub-assemblies or product assembly.

About Plasmon
For more than 20 years Plasmon has been the trusted source for professional archive solutions with demanding commercial and public sector organizations worldwide. Plasmon's UDO Archive Appliance and G-Series libraries provide unmatched data longevity and unquestioned record authenticity for the long-term access and preservation of valuable business information. Plasmon solutions enable companies to meet regulatory obligations and manage risk associated with record retention, while providing competitive advantage through fast access to archived data. Founded in 1984, Plasmon is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: PLM). Worldwide headquarters are in Cambridge, United Kingdom, and U.S. headquarters are located in Broomfield, Colorado. For more information, visit www.plasmon.com.

Plasmon and UDO are registered trademarks of Plasmon Plc. Copyright 2006

For additional information on Western Electronics
Contact:
Mike Ebert
Western Electronics-Idaho
[phone]

Paul Ratner
Western Electronics-Colorado
[phone]

For additional information on Plasmon LMS, Inc.
Contact:
Terri Black
Vice President of Marketing; Plasmon
[phone]

###

Post Comment:
Trackback URL:

[pinkfish] 29/4/2008 12:16

Only time will prove it one way or another. The free float is small and has reduced as a % of the total. This will help on even the sniff of good News. ;-)

Either a complete disaster or a turn-around to remember.

[mikey_b] 29/4/2008 11:41

I predicted 4p quite a while back but I'll go along with those thoughts and adjust to 2-3p

[dead-cat bouncer] 29/4/2008 11:35

I don't think it is a lousy product, it just needs to be owned by a much larger player so that costs are kept down. At the moment the re-financings are being caused by losses and the need to show customers that the company has a long term future.

[timtom2] 28/4/2008 22:57

50 year life for a start. That costs.

[mikey_b] 28/4/2008 22:19

Do I have to explain again. I wrote at length a technical aspect of why I thought these guys are behind the curve. Look at the SP, it speaks volumes.

Why hanover etc invested? No idea, pretty stupid move at the moment if you ask me. From 80p+ to 7p? You are not seriously telling me they made the right move and I am wrong are you???? FFS.....

Due diligence..hmmm well long lunches and large expense accounts for sure. Due diligence I doubt it.

Also, maybe you can tell me what is wonderful about expensive 60k optical discs when I can get a terabyte HD for a few £££. Go for it. (It may be 60M I can't recall but pretty dire compared to the modern storage capacities and at current prices even worse investment).

[timtom2] 28/4/2008 22:14

There is more going on than we know and the investments made are not as a consequence of "have to be seen to be doing it" or "have no choice" or "in for a penny in for a pound".

Take a look at the patent portfolio.

[aquilla] 28/4/2008 17:25

Mikey, Dead Cat Bouncer, can you explain, if PLM have such a lousy product, why Hanover and Invesco both made very sizeable investments in the company in the May 07 placing and Hanover went on to purchase another 26.8 million in the recent placing earlier this year. Moreover GAM International increased its stake from 4% to nearly 11% in March of this year. 5 directors also topped up in the recent placing. Surely these people have carried out due diligence and feel the company has something to offer? Could they all have got it wrong??