Proposed Directors of Tirupati Graphite explain why they have requisitioned an GM. Watch the video here.
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Moving nicely now. �400k PAT is a very good result indeed given the below-par H1, and the H2 upturn is very welcome. For a �4.5m m/cap company to introduce and commercialise two new products is a pleasing achievement. For a company this size to roll out the new Novostar product across the entire Sri Lankan Airlines fleet is no mean feat. The new Podstar electronic system is being rolled out in conjunction with React Transport. React sound established and impressive and should bring with them terrific contacts. Their accounts show �332,000 PAT last year (up from �265,000), and their web site states: Http://www.react-transport.co.uk/about-us/ "Our customer base reads like an A - Z of national and international commerce. Current clients include: Blue chip companies across many industry sectors Shower screen and bathroom product manufacturers & distributors High street retailers Printing companies Specialist computer component manufacturers Furniture manufacturers"
Nice update and I think this will be the start of something special. Will not be surprised to see £4 or £5 within the next year - the business is such that the profit margins can become significant, even with small increase in turnover. The management team is very solid as well.
Well, well....an encouraging trading update :o)) �400k PAT for last year is pretty decent value against the �4.3m m/cap. And TST will have made �267k PAT in H2, up from �133k in H1. Average that for this year and add a little growth, and you're looking at say �600k-�700k PAT for 2018. Then there's (a) NovoStar rolling out its front and back office solution across airlines and (b) a completely new product in EPOD also being roled out from Jan 2nd, crucially in conjunction with a partner, React Transport. Pleasing stuff: Https://www.investegate.co.uk/touchstar-plc--tst-/rns/trading-update/201801080700031567B/
You beat me to it this time, Rivaldo. With the way the company is currently structured, a modest increase in revenue could translate into a significant increase in profits. This company will see it's day, esp with the guys in charge.
Interesting news today.... Http://www.touchstar.co.uk/blog/neworders "Influx of orders for Touchstar Warehouse & Logistics 14 December 2017 A strong finish to the year for Touchstar’s warehouse & logistics division Although the market for mobile computing hardware remains a highly competitive one, recent months have seen a multitude of significant orders for Touchstar’s Bradford-based warehouse & logistics division. Newly acquired clients include; Coach House The UK’s largest wholesale and trade-only furniture and giftware supplier, Coach House, has invested in more than 40 TS8000 devices. The TS8000 is a robust and reliable touchscreen device that provides high-speed data capture features, helping to optimise warehouse operations. Accrington-based Coach House selected a model with an extended range scanner to increase productivity and efficiency while reducing chances of user error. Uniserve Independent logistics and trade management provider Uniserve Group has ordered TS8000 devices across its UK and Singapore operations. Formed in 1984, the group remains a privately-owned company. In addition to the Uniserve brands the group also consists of other members include Zenith, James Kemball and Supply Chain Academy. PWS PWS, the market leader in the design and supply of quality kitchen components and work surfaces to manufacturers, retailers and installers, has purchased TS8000 devices to help with its distribution operation. With more than 8,000 products in stock at any one time, a slick distribution service is key to PWS continuing its reputation of being a reliable and innovative business. NGF Europe NGF Europe, a long-standing client of Touchstar, has ordered TS8000 handheld devices with Radio-frequency identification (RFID). NGF is a subsidiary company of the NSG Group of Japan, one of the World's leading manufacturers of glass products for building, automotive and information electronics applications. NGF will use the devices to build towards its goal of becoming the global leader in innovative high performance glass and glazing solutions, contributing to energy conservation and generation, working safely and ethically. Dr Organic Skincare products specialist Dr Organic has purchased a significant quantity TouchStar’s TS7000 vehicle-mounted terminals. The rugged devices offer the highest level of automation and are the ideal industrial terminals for warehouse- and logistics-based vehicle mount and fork lift truck applications. Swansea-based Dr Organic also invested in extended range scanners to further boost the functionality of the terminal. Third Party Products In addition to selling it’s own range of in-house manufactured mobile hardware, Touchstar also supply and support hardware from other leading manufacturers with whom it has established partnerships. For example, Japanese car manufacturer Nissan has invested in 22 Honeywell f
Delivered access control for Apollo Fire, according to website.
Touchstar Technologies were the recent recipients of the ‘2017 Consulting Elite Award’ from the prestigious Worldwide Business Review (WBR). WBR is a magazine and online facility targeted at “leading CEOs, executives, innovators and leading professionals from across the corporate landscape and around the world”. The magazine has a printed circulated of some 70,000. Mark Hardy, CEO of Touchstar and pictured here with the award, commented: “Over the past three decades Touchstar has received many awards. However, these have generally been in recognition of our prowess in hardware development or solutions provision. This particular award was in recognition of our competency in IT consultancy and I’m particularly proud of that accolade. We have a very diverse client base consisting of large and small organisations within multiple sectors such as logistics, oil & gas and aviation. Regardless of the nature of the client or industry our approach is consistent. Every project commences with a scoping exercise that will determine the exact business need and then seek to match this with an appropriate solution. The quality of our initial consulting service is derived from our low staff turnover and the huge body of IT knowledge that we have acquired as a result. Touchstar clients are assured of a fit-for-purpose solution and trouble-free project implementation and it’s nice that the wider business community recognises that.”
At one point, I was being offered a premium to the bid to sell 20k. I maintain my faith in the management.
Good to see the CEO topping up. A �10k purchase isn't huge for a CEO, but then he already has over 5% of the company and TST is so illiquid it's not exactly easy to get hold of stock: Https://www.investegate.co.uk/touchstar-plc--tst-/rns/director-pdmr-shareholding/201710101101492013T/
next half it would be nice to have the full year results written by someone other than a small, not very bright, child!
2 trades, net sell about £6.3k, SP down 5.43%. Goodness, these little ones bob about.
What is distinctive about your solutions? The inherent flexibility in the Azure platform has enabled us to incorporate system attributes that are of tangible benefit to the airline operator. We are able to maintain a genuinely agnostic stance with regards to hardware provision, which provides multiple choices for the airline operator. The system can interface with all data access points including smart phones, tablets and seatback IFE. The NovoStar system is scalable and modular in nature. We can offer implementation of standard modules or additional bespoke development to facilitate additional system functionality. The NovoStar system offers inherent platform stability with measurable and proven minimisation of downtime disruption. The NovoStar Hub facilitates multi-party system connectivity such that all relevant users including passengers, crew, airline executives and travel-operator vendors can access the components that are pertinent to them. Can you tell us about any airlines that use your solutions? TouchStar, under our former Novo IVC brand, were the first company to deliver a complete computerised on-board Point of Sale solution back in 1985. Current clients include Monarch, Thomas Cook, Sri Lankan and Condor.
Patrick Clark, General Manager of TouchStar's OnBoard division, was recently interviewed by Henry Canaday, a journalist with 'Low-Fare & Regional Airlines' magazine. What ancillary solutions you offer airlines? The adoption of Novostar’s ‘Hub’ Middleware solution allows airline operators to access invaluable customer profiling data. Combining passenger information with sales history creates a database that enables crew to employ modern in-flight retail practices. Understanding the individual passenger provides a more personalised transaction experience encouraging higher value sales. At the point of sale, engaging with the passenger, making the sale and completing the payment process are all made easier by the adoption of the correct choice of mobile hardware combined with the latest innovations in payment technologies. NovoStar is our flexible and cost-effective sales and payment processing tool, capable of optimising the ancillary revenue opportunity in both the on-line and off-line environment. With the Novostar system, crew are able to secure payments on a tablet, Smart phone or dedicated POS terminal. Payment methods can include credit cards, debit cards (for certain countries), vouchers, Air Miles, cash or contactless cards (NFC). How do these solutions work? The NovoStar system is a portfolio of optimised system components, based around our NovoStar Hub middleware product. The Hub provides seamless interfacing to front-end POS hardware & software and all major back office business systems. It is based on the standard Microsoft Azure platform, providing an immediate level of assurance to airline IT personnel. System reliability, redundancy, security and future enhancement are all effectively underwritten by the Microsoft Corporation’s own development effort. The integrated tools, pre-built templates and managed services associated with Azure make it easier for us to build and manage enterprise, mobile, and web applications faster. How do they improve revenue or profit for the airline? Some of the many ways that the Novostar system enhances the ancillary revenue opportunity include using customer purchase history and social data to construct a personalised selling proposition and equipping the crew with modern hardware & software tools that provide excellent ease of use. Less time spent with the administration of the sale means more genuine selling opportunities. Combining passenger data with payment data helps to eliminate fraud and reduce the frequency of disputed transactions in-flight. Our system identifies passengers with historical high spend by name, enabling crew to target these customers for upsell opportunities and seat upgrades. · Intelligent data also helps the airline operator to avoid waste, an obvious and invaluable cost reduction consideration.
If only :) http://www.touchstargroup.com
Poor systems and the resulting fulfilment issues need to be fixed as digital savvy customers have high expectations and are unlikely to return if their order is not carried out in a satisfactory manner on the first attempt. This also includes the handling of returns and exchanges, so retailers need to ensure they can handle returns just as smoothly as other orders. It’s incredibly easy to return an item and then take your business elsewhere, so retailers need to do all they can to retain their customers by demonstrating a well-oiled returns system. The best online retailers have upped their game with many offering next day or even same day delivery, some even offer a choice of specific time slots. Orders are delivered correctly first time, every time, as any problems often lead to end users complaining on social media and potentially damaging the brand. Younger shoppers in particular have become more demanding in the digital age, with more convenience, longer hours, better loyalty schemes and easier delivery options high on their list of priorities. The latest WMS systems offer years of experience and refinement in tackling these issues and many others. What’s more, they are scalable for peak periods and overall business growth, and can also be tailored to provide each retailer with a personalised solution that works for their own warehouse environment and unique customer demands. A well-implemented WMS can be the platform for growth that many warehouse operators are looking for. It also helps businesses to create sustainable growth, rather than throwing resources at problems and running into issues at slower times of the year. Many businesses also find that a WMS system drives more efficient processes, meaning that they can often achieve much more without the need to hire additional staff (and invest in training for new staff) or move to larger locations. Technology today is helping businesses do more with less. Freeing up space not only means that retailers will have to pay for additional storage, but many are even offering excess warehouse space to other businesses. An effective WMS will empower managers to make the critical decisions to improve their business. Merging computer software, hardware and all peripheral equipment together will improve operations, assist with inventory management, help with control over the warehouse space, keep labour costs down and reduce losses. What’s more, one of the best reasons to make use of the latest technology is increased customer service. By allowing the business to better track, respond to and deliver goods to the end consumer a modern WMS will increase satisfaction and likelihood of repeat business, all of which will continue to drive future success.
Another blog dated 07th Aug: How to drive growth and value with a warehouse management system It’s no surprise that a high proportion of retailers recognise the importance of effective warehouse management. In today’s digital world, this management requirement often leads to investment in technology and warehouse management systems (WMS). When examining the role of technology in handling warehouse management and supporting growth, a survey from Internet Retailing discovered that almost 60% of retailers are using an in-house warehouse management system (WMS). What’s more, almost half rate WMS as nine out of 10 in terms of importance to their business success. At a basic level, the benefits of implementing or upgrading an existing WMS include: Insight: Ensure items at low stock levels are staged and put away first, reducing the impact of out-of-stocks and inefficient fulfilment processes. Storage: Know the location of all items within the warehouse. Route operatives to the right location, set up picks in the proper order to minimise travel time and increase the number of orders they can pick each day. Picking: Improve error proofing and productivity in the picking process. Workers receive picks on a rugged mobile device that routes them to the proper location. Scanning items verifies that the right item at the right quantity is picked. Packing: Ensure the accuracy of each order that is picked and reduce material costs by determining the right sized shipping carton. Dispatch: See that each order is properly packaged and shipped to the right destination and delivered on the right date. But many warehouses, with a WMS or not, still experience some key pain points, led by a fear of a loss of sales and reputation due to having warehouse management processes that are not fit for purpose. Although an effective WMS is key to achieving many businesses goals, it’s often not placed as a priority. Budgets are also often diverted to more customer facing improvements, such as marketing for example. Although this can result in an upturn in sales, it will also exacerbate any issues in the warehouse and lead to a struggle to keep up with demand. This can hurt customer service, and become a major roadblock to achieving long-term success. Additionally, a quarter of retailers experience an increase of more than 50% in order volume during peak periods, such as Christmas. So how can we not only deal with intense pressure but also remain profitable? Poor systems and the resulting fulfilment issues need to be fixed as digital savvy customers have high expectations and are unlikely to return if their order is not carried out in a satisfactory manner on the first attempt. This also includes the handling of returns and exchanges, so retailers need to ensure they can handle returns just as smoothly as other orders. It’s incredibly easy to return an item and then take your business elsewh
Someone posted about a new contract on ADVFN. Does anyone have any info on that?
NT to buy, even very small amounts. Interesting.
Hands-free control: Making drivers’ lives easier Today’s delivery drivers have a lot to think about while they’re on their rounds: multiple mobile devices, confusing paperwork, navigation systems and more. It needn’t be the case, however. Technologies like those provided by TouchStar can be used to bring everything together, reducing the risk of human error and boosting overall productivity. There are few better examples of this than the new TS3200 – a powerful mobile computer that packs all the functionality your drivers need into a single tablet-sized package. And, as feature-packed as it is, the unit’s biggest selling point – for many customers at least – is its hands-free integration. Let’s take a closer look at how it could benefit you. Making and taking calls The TS3200 comes with a standard SIM card slot, meaning it can be used by the driver to make and take phone calls. This means there’s no need for additional mobile devices to be used in the fuel delivery truck, and no need for an additional SIM card and number. Convenience is undoubtedly the main benefit here, with drivers able to call contacts directly from the delivery screen. What’s more, these calls can be made safely while the driver is on the move, with Bluetooth hands-free pairing making communication both simple and secure. More control over drivers As is the case with most of our equipment, the hands-free compatible TS3200 mobile computer can be configured to your requirements – and its phone call capabilities offer a notable example. It’s possible to restrict the calls that are made from the device, to eliminate any timewasting or non-work-related communications. It could be that you upload a barred numbers list from the control centre application, or that you set the system up to allow only calls to customers on the delivery schedule. Once again, this helps to keep everything simple and your drivers on track at all times. Easy to set up and use With its ultra-convenient hands-free capabilities, the TS3200 mobile computer is easy to set up and use, so you can be confident that your drivers are going about their days productively and effectively. The system can be paired, via Bluetooth, with most hands-free audio interfaces – and this process only has to be completed once. After a link is established for the first time, it’s simply a case of having the devices switched on and close by. This saves more time for your driver. Add to this the use of an innovative quick-release mechanism and a user-friendly interface, and your drivers are sure to take to it without any hassle. We’re here to help you TouchStar’s various logistics technologies have been designed to boost productivity across your delivery business – in vehicles, warehouses and back at base. The TS3200 mobile computer is no exception.
Rivaldo, my take was that the management are trying really hard to make it a success. They are really looking to innovate and cement their position in the market. Keen to get the word out, which explains the presentations. I am travelling at the moment but will put the notes on when I get back. I have another buy order for £4500 which I am hoping will get filled later today.
Great post Bio_tango, many thanks. Any other info or impressions gleaned from the presentation? I'm extremely interested as I agree there could just be big upside here as I like the "new" management and the way they're going about things. Here's the official launch news for the new Android tablet: Http://www.touchstar.co.uk/blog/ts3200android "New TS3200 Rugged Android Tablet 14 July 2017 TouchStar launch the ultimate shock-absorbent tablet for the Fuel Delivery Industry Manchester, UK – 14th July, 2017: TouchStar Technologies PLC, specialist in the design, supply and support of rugged mobile computers, has announced the release of the TS3200 tablet mobile computer. Drawing on over thirty years of experience of manufacturing mobile technology, TouchStar has built the TS3200 around three core principles: durability, safety and ease of use. Designed to be rugged from the inside-out, each of the TS3200’s components are housed in an ultra-shock-absorbent rubber matrix. This unique approach to shock dispersal differentiates the TS3200 from its competitors by placing durability at the heart of the device, rather than adding a boot or bumper as an afterthought to the standard tablet. The result is unparalleled protection from shockwaves and vibration that can dramatically reduce the lifespan of crucial hardware. Operations Director, Jon Hall, added: “In making the TS3200 we changed our approach. We designed the tablet to be slimmer, smarter and stronger than its competitors starting from the inside out.” The cradle’s revolutionary magnetic dock and lock system facilitates one-handed docking, locking and rapid removal in landscape or portrait orientation. Once docked, the TS3200 becomes the nerve centre of in-cab operations with minimal dashboard clutter and maximum driver visibility. Going mobile is effortless due to the lightweight, ergonomic shape and 7” glare-proof screen. Operational in even the harshest environments, the TS3200’s IP65 rating provides full protection against dust, water and oil ingress. It is fully compliant with the ATEX IECEx directive, allowing safe use in potentially explosive environments, such as fuel distribution. The unit can also withstand drops of up to 1.5m on to concrete and operate in temperatures of -20o C to +50o C, marking it as the most rugged terminal in its class. The TS3200 runs on Android 6.0.1, with additional features including front and rear-facing cameras, a high specification barcode imager and 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communication systems. For further information visit http://www.fuel-logistics-it.com/solutions/mobile-computers/atex-in-vehicle/ts3200-android "
Just an example of how the management are trying to optimise the revenue stream: They mentioned the airline case study whereby they were previously charging £10200 per annum for device application fee. They have optimised the system by now providing both the back office based solution and application software as a complete and more attractive solution - now earning £46000 per annum. On a different note, they have also launched the TS3200 rugged android tablet last week, the most rugged terminal in its class. This will re-rate, a question of time and seriously believe we could see 400p to 500p, if management are able to implement their plan.
Anyone else attended the event last Tuesday. Very informative session, further confirming my confidence within the management. Slightly unhappy with the way the booking was handled though - not sure whether fault lies with TST or WHI.
Good coverage here in this new article: Http://citywire.co.uk/money/four-shares-the-pros-are-trading/a1029970?ref=citywire-money-latest-news-list#i=3 "Touchstar Citywire A-rated income investors David Horner and David Taylor have upped their stake in mobile business computing specialist Touchstar (TST), after its shares fell back slightly from a five-year high. The managers increased their stake in the business to a little over 10%. At a share price of 97p, the position is worth £621,000. Over the past year, the shares have risen by 61.7%. The position is the second largest in their £4.8 million Chelverton Growth trust, a specialist investment fund that holds micro-cap businesses. Touchstar has slid a little since climbing to 113p in April, the highest price demanded for the shares since mid-2012. The company, which provides tech support to warehouse, logistics and delivery staff, completed a major overhaul of its business in 2016, but was hit by a profit warning at year-end. House broker WH Ireland upgraded it to a buy in January, on a price target of 119p. "
Http://www.touchstar.co.uk/blog/karndean-designflooring-decision-based-upon-touch "Karndean Designflooring decision based upon TouchStar's superb post-sale support 28 June 2017 Karndean Designflooring decision based upon TouchStar's superb post-sale support Karndean Designflooring is a global leader in flooring design with operations in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. Karndean started as a small family business in 1973, and has since grown into one of the world’s most renowned and respected luxury flooring companies. The business remains family owned, allowing it to stay true to its roots and focused on its customers. By offering a wide range of colours, textures and finishes, Karden products allows its customers to create looks that are unique to their home or business and are guaranteed to last. Challenges Karndean had been using RF units in its warehouse to carry out general tasks such as order picking and pallet tracking. But eight years after launch the businesses decided they had been used for as long as they could be and were coming towards the end of their lifecycle. The main driver for change was that Karndean had come to the end of its support contract. Spare parts for existing units were becoming harder to source and repairs were unavailable, so the decision was made to upgrade. Solutions After contacting a few suppliers and reviewing various options, Karndean decided that the products presented by TouchStar offered the best value for money and also came with the best support package – including a minimum of ten years of support for repairs. Touchstar offered a selection of devices that were robust enough to fit into Karndean’s fast-paced warehouse environment. Karndean narrowed the choice between a couple of products and to help them decide, TouchStar loaned out units to test in the warehouse so Karndean could get a feel for the products. Karndean then decided to invest in rugged TouchStar TS8000 handheld devices based on the feedback from its warehouse team. The TS800 is packed with features, including a 3.5” colour touchscreen, 3M camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and several different scanning options. Touchstar assisted with configuring the devices and provided the additional support required to get up and running. Results and benefits The new devices have been a great success and have delivered the reliability, accuracy and efficiency improvements that Karndean required. Since the devices have been deployed, Karndean has had one instance of accidental damage. After it was reported to TouchStar, the issue was dealt with it in a timely manner and the device was back up and running in the warehouse within a week. Richard Crook, operations director of Karndean, commented: “These devices and the support we’ve received, from the initial meeting to installation and live running, has met all our expectations. etc"