Journeo Regulatory News (JNEO)

15 July 2010

21st Century Technology plc

("21st Century", "the Company" or "the Group")

Pre-close Trading Update

21st Century, the vehicle installation service provider supplying public transport CCTV and other monitoring systems, today issues the following pre-close trading update ahead of its unaudited results for the six months to 30 June 2010, which will be announced on 15 September 2010.

The Group has performed well over the first six month of the year with profit after tax from continuing activities currently ahead of management expectations. The Company has continued the roll out of EcoManager with Arriva UK Bus and delivered its first series of EcoManager units to Arriva in mainland Europe. The Company has also won new on vehicle CCTV business with First Group UK Bus. The final tranche of the bank term loan was repaid in February.

The Company is working hard on its strategy to drive growth through developing its existing business in the UK and expansion into mainland Europe and will provide an update on progress in the second half of the year.

Ends

Notes to editors:

Launched in 1993, the Company began as Toad plc and was originally focused on the distribution of in-car entertainment systems and vehicle security products. The Company's strategy has been to reposition itself away from its legacy businesses into markets with better growth potential while leveraging its core strengths - nationwide field force of vehicle electrical engineers, call centre and distribution facilities. 

In line with this strategy, in 2005 the Company took a controlling stake in 21st Century Crime Prevention Services Limited ("CPS") which recently merged with fellow subsidiary, Toad (UK) Limited, to form 21st Century Technology Solutions Limited.

The holding company was renamed "TG21 plc" in 2005 and, following the acquisition of the entire share capital of CPS and to reflect the repositioning of the group, changed this name to "21st Century Technology plc" in June 2009.

21st Century is the preferred supplier of on-board CCTV systems for Arriva UK Bus and the Go-Ahead Group and an approved supplier to First Group Bus. The Company has pioneered the use of WiFi with on-board CCTV systems and Transport for London commissioned the Company to undertake a trial of 'LiveView' - a system which transmits live CCTV pictures from on board the bus to a public transport and police control centre. 21st Century was also the first company to successfully launch Automatic Video Downloads and a bus CCTV monitoring system (HeartbeatTM) which allow the CCTV manager to remotely download CCTV footage from the bus to his computer and check that all the CCTV systems fitted to his buses are fully operational, without leaving his desk. The Company's overhead camera passenger counting device, known as PAS - Passenger Analysis System, links to the ticket machine and enables bus operators to analyse specific bus route ticket sales and passenger numbers.

21st Century's EcoManager product has made a significant contribution to sales since its launch in July 2008. The EcoManager black-box system is aimed at reducing fuel and maintenance costs, reducing emissions and improving safety for bus operators by monitoring individual driving styles against fuel consumption. Following a successful trial, in April 2009 Arriva UK committed to install the device on all their new buses and to retrofit a large proportion of their existing fleet. In November 2009 Arriva North West and Merseytravel won the industry recognised Alexander Dennis Award for Innovation following their installation of the EcoManager system which yielded fuel savings of up to 12% and associated CO2 emission reductions. For further information go to www.getecomanager.com.