Havelock Europa Share Discussion Threads

[rose57] 30/10/2017 11:30

The new team must make some big early calls, to demonstrate that they mean business and to get this business moving again.
As a result of such calls, it should be clear to all ,that non performing elements currently within the business will no longer be tolerated.
It is important that they engendour a positive attitude , and to remind everyone of just what a proud business that Havelock is.
Prudent forecasting/budgeting must be prepared , and costs brought below the revenue lines, taking account of the existing reality of the business.
If the repeated mistakes of past management are understood and remedial steps taken, then this business will prosper.

There should be no further aspirational/ wish list statements made, and from now steady delivery to achieve what the business is capable of.The new managenent have very good credentials, and as long as they do not repeat the mistakes of the past, then we can be reasonably confident of the future for this business,
There is all to play for, and in my opinion this will be a fundemental point of change .

[pied wagtail] 30/10/2017 09:57

TT2 FYI, because as usual you are in a small world of your own with thoughts and ideas that do nothing but spread malicious gossip and fake news on this chat forum , nearly everybody is now taking the option of allowance as it is more economical to get the allowance and buy your own car , hence all the new motors in the car park

yes monthly salary's are been paid as that is part of the working life scenario

The option of working hours were given to all employees to start early on week days and finish early on a Friday . maybe not the ideal situation but FACT

[diku] 29/10/2017 08:31

Buying shares in such companies is like supporting insiders lifestyles...they just plod along hoping for the best....

[truthful tommy2] 27/10/2017 14:30

Nothing changes. Its fair to say that Havelock are struggling yet the offices empty at lunch time on a Friday. Top of the range and very expensive company cars get ordered.
Monthly salaries still got paid this week to the same incompetent personnel.

[my retirement fund] 27/10/2017 13:06

Baited with what ? Cat food ?

[gleach23] 27/10/2017 12:35

Could be the sound of bated breath ahead of next Tuesday...

[capricious71] 27/10/2017 12:29

All quiet because they've probably found quality companies to invest in and sold this one.

[pied wagtail] 27/10/2017 08:38

All quiet on here at the moment

[rose57] 15/10/2017 18:33

It is important that management have a clear understanding of the likely business that can be connverted from the quote pool.The Company made statements in June 2017 , stating that they were hopeful that the business in the second half would pick up, and the results broadly in line with expectations ie an overall profit for the year.To be so far of the mark , and in such a short period , this smacks of gross incompetence.Similar statements have been made for 2018,and this is sounding ike a wish list from a team that do not know and understand their own business
The new team cannot make the same mistakes again.
Clearly forecasting and proper budgetary control is a major problem and the FD must ensure that misleading figures and statements are no longer put out by this business.
The company make great products and have undertaken some brilliant work over the years.
To date, management has sadly let the business down, unable or unwilling to take hard decisions to ensure the survival of all.
The new team must not fall into the same trap, and this must come through from the planning events shceduled to take place this month.........no more aspirational words and much more tangible action and delivery is now needed. If this happens, then success will follow.

[gleach23] 12/10/2017 13:02

not me jbarker

Just noticed the after hours RNS yesterday re Mr Patterson increasing his holding by 200k. Along with AB it's good to see these 2 major stakeholders recently increasing their stakes.

[jbarker5555] 12/10/2017 12:33

Is anybody going to either of the presentations? :)

[rose57] 09/10/2017 11:07

The previous management were not up to the task of identifying and taking necessary decisions to reflect the current reality of the business. Non performing parts of the business must now finally be dealt with for the good of all stakeholders. Costs must be brought below revenue lines and the new FD will have to measure up to the challenge.The new CEO is reputed to have the professionalism and courage to take necessary decisions to to turn this business around.It is important that there is a clear and realistic business plan to get this business moving again and to manage expectations.This is all about now finally getting this business right sized, and moving forward.The sales team needs to perform better and the pipe line for new business significantly improved in all three areas of the business.The existing culture of blaiming everything and anyone for the business failure , triple whammy etc must now stop . It is managements responsibility to manage the business properly and they are responsible for the success or failure of the business.

[truthful tommy2] 04/10/2017 15:35

Only when the currant overpaid managerial workforce has been removed along with some very incompetent PMs. The correct budgets put in place, accurate forecasting,real QS not the currant Excel spread practices. There are some very competent experienced PMs working hard but are held back due to greed and self preservation. Remove that and Havelock Europa will move forward dont and it will be gone.

[clocktower] 04/10/2017 13:39

Maybe AB will make an offer for all the shares before long - what was the highest price he has paid over the pass 12 months?

[neverforget] 04/10/2017 12:27

Sonce ab has been here we are on our 3rd chairman, 3rd FD and 3rd CEO. The only ned to survive is RS who I know Ab rates highly
So maybe 3 is the magic number

[rose57] 04/10/2017 11:23

Provided the new man learns from the mistakes of others, and properly deals with the costs structure, this business will succeed.He comes from outside, and should not be burdened by legacy issues and see things with fresh eyes. He will have to quickly identify non performing elements and to get the business right sized reflecting the current business realities.The new FD will hopefully make a better fist of budgeting , forecasting, cash flows and cost controls , than previously.
The visicous cycle of playing catch up in the second half year,must be addressed, and existing or new product lines brought in for the first half.Somehow the new man, must change the current attitude of the enevitability of losses,and this must be changed.
There are some great people and talents in this business, especially the craftmen and others at the delivery end ,with some excellent work delivered over a half centuary.
Now is the time to get this business moving forward again, and with the right attitude and leadership , success will follow. I believe that this is a great time to get into a business which will be once again, be profitable and proud.There is everything to play for!

[neverforget] 04/10/2017 10:19

At 20% with the shareholder base pretty much has a final say. Will try to get in touch but can't seem to reach his mobile but will try email.

[neverforget] 04/10/2017 10:18

He,s been here a long time. Ex NED. Ex printing business and just this year sold design business to american company for £33m. Look at the dismissal of EP and GF and all the old mob and you see it ties in with his time as NED. Think he is happy with current team otherwise why buy more?

[pugugly] 03/10/2017 20:54

Andrew Burgess - Anyone know which Andrew Burgess this is and his other business interests ? Thanks in advance.

[clocktower] 03/10/2017 18:34

AB trying (rightly so) to protect his interests,hopefully he will also act in the interests of minority PI stakeholders and not solely to safeguard his own position, which at this time must be well underwater. The sooner he takes control the better imo but I hope he does not go down the route of de-listing, which I seem to recall (maybe wrongly) he advocated some while ago.

[gleach23] 03/10/2017 17:49

yup...so he's bought about 400k shares since the last notification of his on 10th April and this bunch was almost 60% cheaper than back then. I imagine the bulk of the 400k has been bought in the last week

[neverforget] 03/10/2017 15:09

well we know where AB is he has just bought another 1% of the company. Either believes in the management or building his stake further to take control.

[neverforget] 02/10/2017 06:21

2.3m forecast year end loss.

[goodoldays] 01/10/2017 11:53

So the much hyped and anticipated September strategy announcement has now been put back to the end of October. Another month of speculation and uncertainty!!!! I feel sorry for what is left of the workforce, no doubt the more able employees will be out searching for jobs. The only positive to the situation is that the current shareholders are not likely to sell due to the low price, I congratulae those that have stayed faithful, I hope they are eventually rewarded.

[lefrene] 01/10/2017 10:16

clocktower, fair point about retail, but the bigger the business gets the more distant/remote the decision makers are, and the less likely to have coalface skills/knowledge.

I happen to know a very competent woman who was a department manager at Macy's in Hartford CT, she was interesting to listen to, really understood the fickle public, and her dept made very good profits, but she got made redundant by a 'clever' new blade at HQ.

She did get snapped up very quickly by another large retailer as a trouble shooter for struggling stores, which she continued with until recent retirement. One fascinating thing she showed me, was a walk around the large Mall where the Hartford Macy's is located, it held about 60 good sized outlets. "So how many retailers do you think are here?" "About 60 I said". "There are just 4 different businesses here," she replied!

As for HVE it looks like someone thought they knew more than they really did, probably didn't have a well rounded skill set, and essentially carried out an experiment based on their own ego. The share price suggests that the cap will be passed around soon if it's going to be kept on the road.