Zytronic Share Discussion Threads

[1pencil] 08/8/2020 08:41

Additional background on 3M move, some general thoughts/comments.

looking through their 2019 annual report shows sales of $9.6 billion for 'Transportation and Electronics' business, this is one of four divisions which incorporates display electronics.

Overall the sector decreased by 5% during this period generally attributed to automotive, production issues and China, electronics declined by a slightly higher figure of 6% as below:

"Sales decreased 6 percent in 3M’s electronics-related businesses, with decreases in both display materials and systems and electronics materials solutions. Electronics-related growth was impacted by soft consumer electronics and factory automation end markets in addition to channel inventory adjustments"

I was keen to see just how much turnover 3M has within display, unfortunately this information is not disclosed (received quite a curt reply from 3M investor relations on this topic!)

A general guesstimate could be based on 3M's leading position within display, perhaps a third at roughly $3 billion?

How much of this can be picked up by the smaller players remains to be seen, but for Zytronics it wouldn't take much to tip the needle.

pages, 33. 34 3 M Annual Report 2019

[zeit1] 07/8/2020 15:03

No-touch touchscreens have been around for some years.
hxxps://www.walkermobile.com/Touch_Technologies_Tutorial_Latest_Version.pdf
See page 14. Zytronic touchscreens have been able to sense fingers remotely for the past 20 years.

[bookbroker] 07/8/2020 10:08

Know a few sheep that have had it!

[jamessmith23] 07/8/2020 09:55

I know several people that have had it.

[bookbroker] 06/8/2020 23:29

Bywell obsessed with AI, we do not need it, otherwise why bother shagging when a machine can brainwash your missus into believing she is receiving it.

[1pencil] 06/8/2020 23:09

Zytronic are already touting for business via social media, this could be a fantastic opportunity for smaller players to take up the slack.

crystball, emailed the company this evening.

[buywell3] 06/8/2020 23:03

============ A TOUCHLESS SCREEN that utilizes AI ============


University of Cambridge engineers have created what they believe is:

The Worlds First ---- No - Touch (ie touchless) screen

The creation will use artificial intelligence (AI) to tell where someone is pointing as cars rely less on switches and buttons, with controls increasingly on a central screen.

This is where the future lies IMO ---- the touch screen will become a dinosaur

Then also --

There are other applications including facial recognition coupled with voice and AI
which are working in many places already.

ATM's Are Transitional Market's

Transitioning towards extinction

AI is the future

Technology without people not turning up for work or going sick , robotics and machine technology that learn on the job 24/7

No unions
No sickness benefits

The service industry , cars/transport and retail are all seeing big AI inroads IMO
first , but all others will and are adopting AI as of now.

There will be robotic machines cooking and serving humans as a result of Covid-19

Most smaller restaurants / cafes / pubs / coffee shops / and general eateries and drinkeries of any sort are going to go bust.

As are most small businesses of any sort for that matter

Plus lots of medium sized listed companies and some big names

Automation to reduce humans in food preparation and interacting with other humans in the sales /purchase process will be seen as being preventative regarding virus transmission.

Also robotics will ultimately be cheaper and more efficient than staff

Payment will be automated , facial recognition

Orders will be by audio command or pre-ordered via mobile along with payment

Touchscreens are now olde hat but will still have a limited market for a time

So workforce needs a cut by 50% IMO

dyor

[buywell3] 06/8/2020 22:19

The decision was made so as to allow the 3M Display Materials & Systems Division to focus on more significant growth areas.

This supports buywells' arguments

ZYT now has too many people employed IMO in a decreasing market place

Too much plant and machinery that will soon have to be sold/marked down on BS if retained

Savings need to be made fast and a strategy for redirection of the company explained

Staying as is = Dinosaur event

IMO dyor

[crystball] 06/8/2020 22:17

Thanks for posting this 1pencil. I wonder when we will next get an update from Zytronic?

[1pencil] 06/8/2020 22:15

Zytronics mentioned in this article;


“In the US market, there are several more niche touch solution providers that rely solely on 3M for their p-cap components. We know this because they often purchase from us when they have a lead time issue with 3M. I expect the impact in large format p-cap touch is that you will see social media flooded with the likes of Displax, Zytronics, and several Asian manufacturers offering their product as the alternate to 3M.”

“What it means to the OEM component suppliers: they will have reduced competition. What it means to the OEMs of touch solutions will vary widely. If 3M was your sole component supplier, you will either scramble to find a new supplier, or you will exit the market. Like all changes in the market space, some will win … some will lose.”

[1pencil] 06/8/2020 21:58

Interesting development picked up from Zytronic social feed.

Two schools of thought perhaps, on the positive side Zytronic has lost a major competitor, as a negative may be the overall market is stagnating for touch.

Either way. it's likely to have an immediate effect as customers will most likely stop placing orders with 3M prior to Oct 2020 deadline.

3M has decided to exit the 3M Touch Systems business

[netcurtains] 29/7/2020 09:22

ZYT - could be benefiting from NETNETs being a bit in vogue at present...
People looking for next EVE or FCCN etc etc.

[1pencil] 27/7/2020 15:43

Not sure about the console type but one of their main products within gaming is the J curve screen below:



Featured t last years game show



"Also on display will be the top-performing Muso Curve-43 Portrait Cabinet. Continuing much of the stunning design of the Muso Triple-27, this cabinet features a vertical 43-inch J-style curved LCD monitor that creates a breathtaking display. The Muso Curve-43 features an impressive portfolio, including the Legend City and Wheel of Prosperity family of games."

[netcurtains] 27/7/2020 10:38

This is the question that needs addressing:

gambling machines for social and medical reasons are probably realistically dead (or should be). So what I would like to know is what percentage of Zytronic's turnover is not related to gambling screens?

Eg we've read about: bike hire screens, ATMS, ordering terminals in retail outlets, car hire, car charging points etc etc - do these screens MINUS gambling screens amount to a viable business going forward?

(One area NOT mentioned in "sectors" is "gaming consoles" - I would have thought touch screens could be a massive hit with gamers - the games console market possibly could be the future for this company - I say this because Virtual Reality is not growing enough traction - the market is still flat screen and touch would add significant value to the game console.).

[netcurtains] 27/7/2020 08:23

buywell3 - a touchless screen is "emperors new clothes" - People like to touch for certainty ... touchless is mechanical science being out of touch with social science. I would not invest in touchless screens... In car you'd better of using voice activation (Bixby) .

[buywell3] 27/7/2020 08:07

============ A TOUCHLESS SCREEN that utilizes AI ============


University of Cambridge engineers have created what they believe is the first “no-touch touchscreen”.

The creation will use artificial intelligence to tell where someone is pointing as cars rely less on switches and buttons, with controls increasingly on a central screen.

This is where the future lies IMO ---- the touch screen will become a dinosaur

Then also --

There are other applications including facial recognition coupled with voice and AI
which are working in many places already.

dyor

[netcurtains] 27/7/2020 07:45

gambling machines for social and medical reasons are probably realistically dead (or should be). So what I would like to know is what percentage of Zytronic's turnover is not related to gambling screens?

Eg we've read about: bike hire screens, ATMS, ordering terminals in retail outlets, car hire, car charging points etc etc - do these screens MINUS gambling screens amount to a viable business going forward?

One area NOT mentioned in "sectors" is "gaming consoles" - I would have thought touch screens could be a massive hit with gamers - the games console market possibly could be the future for this company.

[1pencil] 25/7/2020 17:48

(679)

There's no doubt they will take a hit H2 due to Covid, but how much of that is already on the price?

Overheads are quite low with no debt and ownership of manufacturing premises, fixed assets of 6m GBP plus cash 12.4mGBP is around the current market cap.

Depends on how you read it I guess, but personally see it as a positive that the lights are still on.

From the Chairman's statement in May.

"However, we were expecting an upturn as the year progressed, and in February and March the order book and sales improved considerably and until the impact of COVID-19, we were well on track for a second half at significantly improved levels."