Screen Technology Group plc
30 May 2007
For immediate release
Screen Technology Group plc
Trading Statement
Screen Technology Group plc ("Screen Technology" or the "Company"), the AIM
listed designer and manufacturer of revolutionary high resolution large screen
displays for high ambient light environments, announces that it is expecting
revenues for year ended 31 December 2007 to be materially lower than market
expectations primarily due to delays in funding for its first high speed tile
machine used to manufacture ITrans tiles, and the consequential delay in
availability of its new Modular ITrans product..
The Company however is pleased to announce that it has now entered into a lease
funding agreement with Investec Bank UK ("Investec") for £1.1 million to
finalise the acquisition of its first high speed machine The first high speed
machine is therefore expected to commence production from its new location in
Wilden's manufacturing facility in Horsovsky Tyn, Czech Republic during the
summer 2007. Screen Technology also announces that a further two high speed
machines are nearing completion, ahead of previous schedule. It is expected that
these will be brought on stream over the coming year as demand dictates to give
a manufacturing capacity at the end of 2007 well in excess of previous
expectations.
The Company announced on 27th September 2006 that it had entered into a
partnership agreement with Wilden AG ("Wilden"), including a commitment by
Wilden to fund the acquisition of the first high speed machine. Screen
Technology also announced on 8th March 2007 that, following the acquisition of
Wilden by Gerresheimer Group, Wilden's commitment to provide the funding was
withdrawn. The lease funding facility from Investec now replaces that commitment
from Wilden.
The Company is pleased to confirm that Wilden's commitment to the project
continues and it has invested over £1 million in new mould tools and
manufacturing equipment. Component production is now from two mould tools, up
from one before Christmas, with a further two mould tools now complete and
producing first off parts.
Screen Technology announced on 30 October 2006 a contract to deliver 16 of its
monolithic displays to Digital Screen Networks ("DSN") for use in Virgin
Megastores. The Company has been informed by DSN that this contract has been
scaled back to four screens. The Company understands that this decision relates
to internal reasons at Virgin. The existing screens have been operating
successfully in London, Birmingham and Manchester for some time. A fourth screen
has also been recently installed in Glasgow. It is expected that the roll out to
Virgin stores will continue at a reduced pace in the coming months and the
management is in discussions for a similar roll out to another major retail
chain.
This scaling back has however had a significant impact on revenue for 2006 which
is now expected to be around £700,000.
Competition in the monolithic display sector for screens below 100" diagonal is
intense and sales have been difficult. The company is concentrating on the
significant and growing market for larger displays with its modular product
which can be used to produce seamless displays of 100" diagonal and above. The
modular product is available from the Company and its partner Hantarex and is
now being put into full production with the first customer installations
expected to be announced over the summer 2007.
Commenting on these developments Tom Jarman, Chief Executive stated "Securing
the funding from Investec represents a significant step forward for the Company.
Screen Technology is now positioned to pursue its strategy of marketing its
modular display product which we believe addresses the needs of a growing market
worldwide."
Enquiries:
Screen Technology Group plc 01223 559600
Thomas Jarman, CEO
Simon Barton, Finance Director
Charles Stanley Securities 020 7149 6000
Russell Cook
Henry Fitzgerald O'Connor
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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