Surface Transforms Share Discussion Threads

[rivaldo] 03/1/2018 11:33

Good spot longshanks (I'd forgotten that Bentley are a VW subsidiary). Certainly interesting, as is the RNS wording "as the Company moves onto the next stage of its development."

[longshanks] 02/1/2018 12:28

And as if to highlight the forthcoming sea change in the company profile, we now have a full time Finance Director.The new appointment comes from Bentley Motors, themselves part of VAG - a group that buys many thousands of carbon ceramic disks each year. Coincidence? I don't know - but I suspect not totally.

[longshanks] 29/12/2017 16:50

Responsibilities include:"Carry out internal and supplier audits to ISO 9001, IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3."Our time is coming...

[longshanks] 29/12/2017 16:47

ST are recruiting again:hTTps://surfacetransforms.com/job-list/2017/12/07/quality-engineer"As part of a further expansion of the Quality Team at Surface Transforms, we are now looking for a dynamic and reliable individual to join as a Quality Engineer. "

[regandharry5] 28/12/2017 15:31

Just needs to gain 100%, then it'll be back to where it was a few months ago.

[quemaster] 28/12/2017 15:14

Share price starting to surge on this breaking "Electric Vehicle" news! :-)

[longshanks] 28/12/2017 12:22

Just need Tesla to follow suit....

[rivaldo] 28/12/2017 11:30

Obviously the share price isn't going to zoom up on this news. However, it's proof once again that SCE's brakes are being used at the top level of their sector, and usually such usage becomes incorporated in greater and greater depth into that sector over time.

Proof of the business model is extremely important.

Happy New Year to all, even Toffeeman despite his absolutely pointless comment. It's not often I respond personally, but that post takes the biscuit! Talk about Scrooge.

[knownowt] 28/12/2017 11:24

I agree, but it still raises further the company's profile as yet another very high performance car prefers to run with our discs.

[toffeeman] 28/12/2017 09:51

A nice to have but meaningless in terms of share price impact

[knownowt] 28/12/2017 09:42

Thank you, Rivaldo; a great spot

[rivaldo] 28/12/2017 09:23

Great to see SCE brakes in this new $1.2m electric (super)car from Nio in China - the EP9:



Extract:

"Speaking of which, the EP9’s brakes are totally bespoke for the application. The automaker partnered with noted brake specialist Alcon to create new Surface Transforms carbon ceramic brake discs. The end result is twice the brake torque capability of a modern GT3 race car, with the front rocking large 408 mm by 40 mm (16.1-inch by 1.6-inch) discs, while the rear gets 408mm by 36 mm (16.1-inch by 1.4-inch) discs. Calipers at both ends are 6-pot units. To keep the discs nice and chilly, there’s also carbon fiber air intakes that feed them with fresh atmosphere."

[longshanks] 22/12/2017 14:53

Merry Christmas all. Looking forward to some early contract news in the New Year!!

[toffeeman] 21/12/2017 12:15

Until it doesn't :)

[markm1980] 21/12/2017 12:08

This really is a stock that requires infinite amounts of patience!

[bdaonion] 21/12/2017 11:44

Merry Christmas to all, and let's look forward to the "jam tomorrow" in 2018, the prize many of us have been dreaming of, apart from a White Christmas at this time of year, for many years.

[longshanks] 21/12/2017 11:37

Welcome to the forum bagpuss

[bagpuss67] 21/12/2017 10:26

Just bought c50k shares. Pleased to get on board.

[spookies] 05/12/2017 10:24

Had a little dip to add to my holding.

[fillspectre] 29/11/2017 22:55

I stated in an earlier post directed at sate_uk that I was choosing to keep the faith. I am. However that faith is being tested. I couldn't make the AGM but I suspected as Longshanks reported it would be a more sombre affair. I think the reality is that other than the move into Knowsley being further advanced - that it doesn't feel like too much progess has been made on the OEM contracts. I suspect it will feel like this until right before an RNS announces a contract win (which correct me if I'm wrong Longshanks was exactly what you said at the July Investor day). I do wonder if this is just par for the course for gaining OEM contracts but it is so frustrating as a shareholder. Even more frustrating is that the VDA 6.3 certification story appears to be evolving - not a blanket coverage - but an individual award from each OEM and also two parts to the test. We've all been talking up the VDA 6.3 certification because it was stressed at the 2016 AGM - now it appears its significance is less - which saps confidence. People on this board have described this Company as a "jam tomorrow" Company and it is hard to argue against this view given past performance.
Longshanks also mentions that Management whilst displaying frustation with OEM delays also appeared relaxed - perhaps in relation to the current cash balance and run rate. That is one criticism I feel I would have of the Company is at times the language is too relaxed - almost along the lines of we have missed one model of car but it is ok as we will be on for the next.
I come back to - VDA 6.3 certification is subject to OEM timing as are contracts - but completing OEM cell 1 to as far as they can go without a specific contract in mind is.
We should still expect an RNS in 2018 along the lines of "OEM cell 1 has been fitted out and commissioned as far as possible and now stands ready in anticipation of our first OEM contract. Management are fully confident that OEM Cell 1 and the Company could be audited by either OEM3 or OEM5 and receive the appropriate VDA 6.3 certification."
Do you agree Longshanks or is this not how it is going to work. FS

[rivaldo] 29/11/2017 16:05

Many thanks from me also, much appreciated. Happy to hold for the long (but hopefully quicker than that!) haul given the large potential upside and the commitment to date from the various OEMs, which should translate into contracts at some point.

[timbo003] 29/11/2017 09:39

ditto

I couldn't make it yesterday, so many thanks to both of you

Interesting comments regarding OEM5 and useful to have actual numbers for the AM production run.

[bdaonion] 29/11/2017 09:30

Many thanks to Longshanks and Graham1TY for your reports from the AGM. Puts a much clearer picture of the importance/timing of the VDA completion.

[longshanks] 29/11/2017 07:59

I agree with what you say GTY.The key issue is that there are two separate qualification processes for German OEMs. One is around testing the product on the model to meet performance criteria whilst the other is around ensuring the manufacturing process meets industry best practices including a fully documented audit trail.It was also clear that the VDA audit team will be a different group of people to those doing the product testing.The réticence of the BoD on when these qualifications will be met I felt was more to do with being wary of losing further credibility should the process be delayed into say Q3 2018.The important point was that once the statistical analysis required to satisfy the salt test has been completed, OEM 3 will be pushing to have remaining barriers (including the VDA 6.3 audit) completed quickly.As mentioned previously, there is still clear commitment from OEM3 to the relationship and both parties are working hard to ensure series nomination for the 2019 model.Unrelated to this but one snippet that DB raised was that OEM3 currently buy 100,000 CC disks p.a. rising in the near term to 160,000 disks. There is some evidence that Brembo/SGL will struggle to meet rising demand due to production constraints and a lack of investment in new facilities.