Cohort Share Discussion Threads

[diamond1] 02/12/2010 11:43

MASS, a Cohort plc company, is pleased to announce that Team Excalibur, a consortium led by Logica, a leading business and technology service company, and comprising MASS and SRC Inc., formerly Syracuse Research Corporation, has been down-selected by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) as the preferred bidder for Project SHEPHERD.

Project SHEPHERD, previously known as Defence Electronic Warfare Centre Improvement Programme (DEWC IP), is a strategically important programme for the UK Ministry of Defence. It will ensure front line forces are provided with improved Electronic Warfare information to support more effective operations. The provision of such data is central to the MOD's ISTAR (Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance) strategy as it underpins situational awareness and helps enable spectrum dominance. In an environment where defence is being asked to achieve more for less, SHEPHERD will provide the Defence Electronic Warfare Centre (DEWC) with a crucial step-change in automated end-to-end capability to enable more efficient support to the front line.

Under Project SHEPHERD, if awarded the contract Team Excalibur will be responsible for the upgrade of the UK Defence Electronic Warfare Database, as well as providing a suite of state of the art Electronic Warfare Operational Support tools. This is accompanied by process management, workflow and reporting tools to deliver operational efficiencies and integration across the DEWC enterprise. Team Excalibur is formed of leading specialists in their field, with MASS providing advanced data management and SRC providing specialist data analysis tools.

Ed Jones, Managing Director of Logica Space and Defence said "I am delighted the UK Ministry of Defence has selected Team Excalibur as preferred bidder for the SHEPHERD programme. Logica and our consortium partners have been working with the MOD over the last year to demonstrate that we can deliver advanced capability to provide a real step-change in EW Operational Support capability. This is a highly specialised domain, but Team Excalibur has many years of experience working with the DEWC, and this expertise has been recognised through our down selection for this important programme."

Ashley Lane, Managing Director of MASS said " The SHEPHERD programme will deliver a world-leading capability to the DEWC thus ensuring our front line forces have the latest and most up to date electronic warfare protection in theatre. I am very proud that at the heart of this system will be UK technology in the form of our next generation Data Management System."

"Our experience in Electronic Warfare spans more than 35 years, and we are excited for the opportunity to partner with other leaders in the industry," stated Bob Roberts, SRC's president and CEO. "I'm confident that our team will provide exceptional support in helping the UK strengthen their defense in Electronic Warfare."

[diamond1] 26/11/2010 11:05

Reccomended in todays "Moneyweek".

Cohort selected as preferred bidder for "Blue Ribbon" contract for MODs "Project Shepherd"

Solid balance sheet and stuffed full of clever technology.

Chairman previously sold tank maker Alvis to BAE systems. Could do the same with Cohort.

Interims out on 16th December.

Buy now before all the week-end "Moneyweek" readers.

[yoyoy] 28/10/2010 15:06

early October

[geraldus] 27/10/2010 20:30

Good rise today,chart looking good but still low profile - Roll on.Have you being holding long yoyoy?

[geraldus] 27/10/2010 08:13

Todays announcement has hopefully put a floor to the price.

[yoyoy] 27/10/2010 07:24

current consensus is p/e of 6.28x 5.83x for 2011 and 2012

[yoyoy] 27/10/2010 07:18

Getting there

RNS Number : 0440V
Cohort PLC
27 October 2010

?
27 October 2010
AIM: CHRT
PRESS RELEASE
COHORT PLC ("Cohort")
MASS in Preferred Bidder Team for Shepherd
Trading Update - in line with Board Expectations
Cohort, the independent technology group, today announces a contract and trading
update.
MASS in Preferred Bidder Team for Shepherd
Cohort's wholly-owned subsidiary MASS Consultants Limited is part of the team
selected as the preferred bidder for the UK MOD's Project Shepherd. This is the
project formerly known as the Defence Electronic Warfare Centre (DEWC)
Improvement Programme, a strategically important programme for MASS.
If awarded the contract, MASS's advanced data management system will be at the
heart of a significant information management upgrade that Shepherd will provide
for the DEWC.
Negotiations on contract award are expected to take place over the coming
months.
Trading Update
5 months to 30 September 2010
In relation to trading in the current financial year ending 30th April 2011,
Cohort's performance has so far been satisfactory. In the first five months of
the financial year MASS performed strongly and SCS returned to profitability
following its major restructuring This has offset a disappointing performance
at SEA due to slower than expected order intake. At the end of September the
Group had net funds of GBP1.5m (30 September 2009: GBP0.5m) and an order book of
around GBP110m (30 September 2009: GBP54m).
Strategic Defence and Security Review
The Board's initial analysis of the government's Strategic Defence and Security
Review, published on 19th October, is that it is on balance more positive than
negative for Cohort. As far as can be ascertained from information published to
date, none of the main equipment cuts directly affects Cohort's current
programmes.
The positives included the commitment to build seven Astute class submarines,
SEA being the provider of the external communications system for these boats.
The additional GBP650m allocated for cyber and the emphasis on intelligence and
counter terrorism potentially play to the capabilities of all three Cohort
businesses. Both MASS and SCS are well positioned to take advantage of
outsourcing opportunities that may result from the planned cuts in MOD and
service manpower.
Set against this, it is likely that MOD spending will continue to be tightly
controlled, and that there will be further programme cuts, possibly affecting
Cohort, as the detailed consequences of the review are worked out.
SEA
As a result of the slow order intake and disappointing performance at SEA, a
review of management and costs is underway. Andy Thomis has taken over as acting
Managing Director at SEA for this purpose, combining this position with his role
as Group Chief Executive.
Outlook
Based on performance over the first five months the Group is on track to achieve
the Board's expectations for the financial year as a whole, but we remain
relatively cautious in view of the market uncertainties and the trading position
at SEA.
Cohort Chief Executive Andy Thomis today commented
"I am delighted that Cohort is part of the team that has been selected as
preferred bidder for SHEPHERD. It is a demonstration of confidence in MASS's EW
data management technology from one of the world's most demanding customers. If
the negotiation is successful it will ensure the continuation of our long
involvement with this technology area in the UK.
"I am also pleased that the Group's trading performance so far this year has
been satisfactory."

[geraldus] 23/10/2010 09:09

Yes yoyoy,got aboard on Monday after the announcement.Been watching it fall for a while,could still be a falling knife though with defence being out of favour. - Geraldus Spotts.

[yoyoy] 23/10/2010 07:48

So there is another holder!

[geraldus] 22/10/2010 20:15

Nice gain on the week for me.I think this is one of those unloved stocks,hopefully a re-rating now due.Cheap if it can achieve its earnings.DYOR

[yoyoy] 18/10/2010 07:40

life goes on.

Contract win

"18 October 2010 AIM: CHRT

PRESS RELEASE

COHORT PLC ("Cohort")

SEA Wins €5million EarthCARE Satellite System Contract





Cohort, the independent technology group, today announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary SEA has secured a €5million contract to design and build the Atmospheric Lidar (ATLID) Command and Data Management unit, part of the ATLID instrument to be flown on the EarthCARE spacecraft in 2013.



The ATLID instrument measures the reflected signals from an ultraviolet laser to determine the chemical constituents of the atmosphere. SEA's customer is the instrument prime contractor, EADS Astrium SAS in Toulouse. The EarthCARE satellite is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and is the third ESA Earth Explorer core mission.



This work builds on SEA's existing roles on the EarthCARE spacecraft as the prime contractor for the Broad Band Radiometer instrument (announced in March 2008) and also the provider of the Multi Spectral Imager Instrument Control Unit (announced in July 2010). Overall SEA has secured well over €20 million worth of contracts in respect of the EarthCARE mission.



Commenting on the contract, Andrew Thomis, Chief Executive of Cohort plc, said:



"This is another important and welcome programme win for SEA's Aerospace Division building on its key role in ESA's EarthCARE mission.



"It also demonstrates how Cohort as a whole continues to have success in diversifying and growing its revenues into sectors such as space."

[cnx] 14/4/2010 19:57

as i read the announcement #60 million is total vale not chrt share......there are other partners

[towpath2] 14/4/2010 11:05

Try not to adopt your worst fears lads,just be encouraged if we get some rising tops and bottoms.The board has the will and determination.It will be up from here,dependant upon the level of demand of course.

[value viper] 24/3/2010 10:11

hhmm. bad news in the price ? can it recover ?

[cnx] 20/3/2010 09:27

this is old news but the shares have dropped from 150p (original announcement) to 82p (today) which seems steep. but as you ask what else is hidden?

[pugugly] 18/3/2010 13:41

Disaster. Management have really messed up - Overstated revenue and profits. Loss making contracts. I wonder what else is hidden?

Yet another example of consolidation failure.

[stoneme] 18/12/2009 08:15

pleasing to see Directors agree with me that these prices are a bargain!

Stone

[stoneme] 15/12/2009 19:31

HARGREAVE HALE LIMITED

These guys obviously like them increasing holding from 1.95m to 2.73m on the drop! ;o)

Agree though - FD's on a sticky wicket!

Stone

[stoneme] 15/12/2009 19:27

VV - I think you may need to take in to account the fact that this overstatment of revenue may run back beyond just last year as stated in the RNS. . Let's say it was on a linear basis. . So take 2/3rds the drop this year!?

Also - they are growing at a handsome rate across their other products.

I was very happy to add to these on the drop and will hold for the Div.

Stone

[cnx] 04/12/2009 12:02

seems a big drop for a third of last years profits

[value viper] 03/12/2009 15:57

OUCH ; these supposedly robust (decent) AIM co's. First Aero Inventory and now look at this. Very disappointing and doesnt do anything for the image of AIM imv.

[investinggarden] 12/11/2009 11:41

Arming your portfolio

[walker10] 04/2/2009 00:41

This could be good for business where the USA goes the UK follows:

"Dedicated electronic warfare specialties will be established for commissioned officers, warrant officers and enlisted soldiers as part of an ongoing effort to make EW a core competency for the active and reserve components.

Under plans now being developed, an electronic warfare structure will be established throughout the force, from service component commands down to battalion level, according to a worldwide directive recently issued by the Army".



Mass offers:

Based upon our unique and extensive expertise in EW, MASS can offer specialist EW training courses specifically targeted on the following areas:

Tactics and Countermeasures Development
EW Operational Support (EWOS)


Our Tactics and Countermeasures Development training is designed to give the student the necessary knowledge and skills to develop effective counters to threat weapon systems.