Surface Transforms Share Discussion Threads

[cheese666] 03/8/2020 11:05

For me, a part of SCE's appeal is that as cars visually and technically merge together through safety legislation and fuel efficiency dictates, factors that have always defined cars no longer exist (think V6, V8, V10, V12 engines being replaced by 4 pot turbo's and electric or hydrogen). Then extras such as ceramic brakes will be more prized and will be used as a defining selling point even more than they are now. As was mentioned in the recent presentation, ceramic brakes can be used for more than just maximum stopping power, so have an application as a smaller disk on a cheaper city car, a maximum range electric or Hydrogen car, electric commercial vehicles where mileage really is important and so on.
It seems that we will see a handful of large OEM's selling drivetrains to smaller manufacturers and even a return to coach-built cars. If this is the case it further underlines the need for those customers to have a way of defining their car from the opposition and having the best brakes, in whichever format, could be something appealing for them.

[longshanks] 31/7/2020 12:33

The price has near doubled since the placing, so it is little surprise to see some profit taking. It is as always a two way street though and the current price still, for me, represents good value and I intend to buy more myself.

The fact that ST is a premium race market supplier augers well. Sales to enthusiasts are growing and the team has done exceptionally well in this regard. The company is an OEM supplier like Brembo but it is the racing pedigree that Brembo prizes and stands to lose ground on.

When I invest long term, I like the product to stand out. This one ticks all the boxes.

[bones] 31/7/2020 11:43

A large amount of buying at 24.4 today (small 8k mini top up from me confirmed that is the offer price available). Seems the dealers have obtained a large supply from somewhere, maybe a placee turning round their shares for a decent payday? The demand to buy is impressive though.

[quemaster] 30/7/2020 17:57

I also liked this comment regarding OEM3..........

"to put that into more detailed terms we've completed benchmark test sizing of disc and are now moving on to application specific testing on dynamometer that is aimed at a particular car model. This means we are now talking about particular platforms and particular programmes with the customer and running tests on a particular disc designs which we hope demonstrate that we achieve the requirements to pass the test in application."

[bones] 30/7/2020 14:42

Re previous post, some excerpts with bullish talk in the answers:

”...What I can say in response to the question is - big picture - is that it really would be simpler to give you a short list of who is not testing our product. The length of the list is a serious resource challenge for us. We can also say that all, and I did say all these tests are going well and we expect to announce wins in the current financial year.”

”...I want to repeat this point, OEM3 wants a second source but only if the second source achieves their customer requirements. Therefore it's up to the us to meet these requirements and lets not also forget that in support OEM3 is spending a lot of money in testing to achieve this object of having an alternative supply.”

”...So to come back to your question, yes, Tesla don't have ceramics right now, but they and all electric car manufactures can see the benefits of ceramic brakes and therefore we all see electric vehicles as very, very good news for the ceramic brakes market.”

”...Now, to make a smaller size, isn't a big development for us so one of the key advantages over our competitor is that we can make a generic blank and we can cut that blank to any size we want. As we said, there's no tooling so limited development costs. We consider this advantage significant in the medium term and are therefore very comfortable with our cost reduction programme and its alignment to the volume/pricing curves we have agreed with our customers and we expected to maintain a very good margin.”

[bones] 30/7/2020 00:06

Yes, when listening real time, it was the Q&A answers that got the juices flowing! Reading them back reinforces the underlying excitement that the directors were doing their best to suppress (as Brits are apt to do).

[quemaster] 29/7/2020 22:10

"silly bummers" sounds like a six year old's first attempt at swearing.

Good to read the Q&A, it's left me feeling more optimistic about the potential size and number of contract wins possible this year.

[jerarnie1] 29/7/2020 15:52

Confirmation the Q&A's are now available on the site :-) (and I've checked!)

[jerarnie1] 29/7/2020 13:47

I should have said 'apparently' !I have emailed Investor Meet as the Q&A tab is blank now I've checked it too - apologies

[longshanks] 29/7/2020 13:25

I got an email to that effect too, but there was no content when I looked.

[jerarnie1] 29/7/2020 12:35

Q&A's now available at Investor Meethttps://www.investormeetcompany.com/login

[rivaldo] 29/7/2020 12:03

Someone's keen this morning - 140,000 shares bought in three tranches. There must also be a line of stock available as it's not normally possible to buy that many without the price moving up nicely.

[longshanks] 28/7/2020 10:22

Interesting article comparing amongst others the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S.

Worth noting the comments about the Model S looking a little tired and in need of improved braking. Watch this space, I feel.

[longshanks] 28/7/2020 08:21

Tesla, whilst wanting to save the planet, are also keen to be a commercial success and provide customers with affordable vehicles.

I am sure they are considering CC brakes but that the initial supply will be as an option on the forthcoming Model S Plaid. They could well extend application to make them fitted as standard on this and other models, but the redesign involved would take several more years. That may, in part, explain the delays in the new roadster release.

The benefits of having such a relationship would however be significantly greater than just the anticipated income.

[fillspectre] 28/7/2020 05:37

amt not sure how much upgraded OEM cell 1 can be? It is brand new apart from the very front end! Have you been to Knowsley? Fils

[trickydicky1] 27/7/2020 18:08

Are you thinking of a Bedouin tent? I think that is top of the range insofar as tents are concerned.

[amt] 27/7/2020 17:56

If they get a deal with Tesla the manufacturing facility will need a major upgrade.

[swiss paul] 27/7/2020 07:49

I thought they would have been a sponsor on the formula 'e' programme, now that would be interesting

[supernumerary] 26/7/2020 19:58

toffee - that's interesting - I wasn't aware of all the history. What happened to F1 - do they mandate a brake supplier these days? Formula E would be a real coup!

[toffeeman] 26/7/2020 18:46

Almost 18 years ago..................

Very different today (TG)


robinbell 4 Oct '02 - 00:04
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Surface Transforms is developing and manufacturing a new generation of carbon fibre reinforced ceramic (CFRC) materials for use in brake, clutch and other non-friction applications. The materials are characterised by their ability to withstand very high temperatures (up to 3000 degrees C) whilst being lightweight (70% lighter than steel), and have applications in a number of markets including aircraft, Formula 1, high-speed rail, road cars and heavy goods vehicles. New markets for the material continue to be explored, including non-friction market applications such as those now being developed for a division of a major Aerospace company.

Formed in 1999, the origins of the company date back to 1992 when the business was founded in order to exploit new patents relating to materials and processes obtained from ICI Plc. The business soon became involved in a DTI sponsored LINK programme for the development of a novel low cost manufacturing process for carbon composite brakes for very high speed trains.

The company has set up links with a major global manufacturer of aircraft
braking systems and is also developing and pilot manufacturing brake pads and discs for use on high performance road cars. It has now finished development on its Formula 1 brake products and a number of leading F1 teams are currently evaluating the materials.

In 2002, the company began supplying test pieces to a division of a major
aerospace company for a rocket propulsion system. Initial results from test results have been highly encouraging, and further testing has now been commissioned. The market for this material is valued at GBP2m per annum for a particular engine application.

[toffeeman] 26/7/2020 18:39

I heard him say that the company WAS talking to Tesla - did I hear wrong?

[swiss paul] 26/7/2020 17:12

Dont worry there was not much to add into the Q&A. Seemed to be focuused on - is Tesla talking to us, which DB generally said we dont comment on speculation. He did state the list was longer on who is v whose not talking to us.
Question was asked about developing products outwith brakes as a lot of EV now comprises of carbon.Defirintely no as they have their hands full with brakes.

My POV is that we need to remember in the very early stages of the co we looked at all sort of product including bullet proof vests.