A bit of info here on fuel cells. Every little item helps to promote Dysons fuel cell technology.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030519/195453_1.html

Link to Dyson web-site

http://www.dyson-group.com/home.asp

Here also is the phone number for Nick Parker the FD, 0114 263 2841

apparently a friendly and helpful chappie. Number supplied with his knowledge and agreement.

Chart follows:

VASEY GOES TO THE DYS AGM!
Your intrepid reporter arrived at the Tapton Masonic Hall and was pleased to see this was a very professionally planned occasion. The venue was only about 5 minutes from the Company HQ and a very good location. The meeting was due to start at midday but directors were around from 11.30 to meet shareholders.

Not many shareholders actually. Some of the attendees were the usual company lawyers and auditors, making sure they got re-elected and the house broker and a smattering of individuals, about 10 of those, in all.

Clearly, the company was laying on a buffet lunch after the formal business of the day. This is not a tea and biccies outfit. This is chicken thighs, quiche, sandwiches, pie ....and puds! A sit-down do, too!

The formal business was seen off in 10 minutes flat and that included the reading of the statement which was released to the LSE at noon too. Everything was passed unanimously and although the delicious Nick was up for re-election, I never had the chance to officially second his re-appointment because the Chairman had dispensed with that element! Oh, well!

After the meeting was declared closed, I wondered why Nick was clutching an urn under his arm. Was it the remains of one of the original founders of the business and being taken to the AGM's of his company forevermore was something he had stipulated in his Last Testament, perhaps?

I was relieved when it was gently explained to me that this wasn't an urn, but a catalytic converter and would I like to see inside? Indeed, Nick produced all sorts of bits from his briefcase and I am now better informed as to Carolite and Ecoflex since I know can see what they do and where they fit in to the company's financial projections for the next few years.

As you all know, I don't do tecchie, but even I can grasp Saffil/Ecoflex will be making the money till about 2006 when Carolite should take over the running to about 2010 and then it's the Micro Porous Ceramics arm which will drive earnings.

At this point I asked Nick to clarify the sentence in the noon statement which read ...'The benefits of using Carolite are proving to be more widespread than originally anticipated with additional components within the drive becoming possible applications.' He then went into some detail and without going technical, even I can see these additions are revenue-earning and customer-driven.

Anyway, Carolite doesn't have any competition. Better aluminium could be an answer but not in the forseeable future and the 2nd Saffil line is about 10 months out, expected to start work somewhere Mar-May 2004 - not a moment too soon if the demand projections are anything to go by!

I also chatted to the directors generally and Nick in particular about the hoova-confusion. It seems the directors get all sorts of odd communications from customers, including hate-mail and suggestions from quick-thinking entrepreneurs in Asia as to sites they might like to relocate to! But educating journalists is an uphill battle because they won't go and meet the company, despite being offered free lunches in the city - or trips to the plant - to get their facts right.

Nice story involved the BBC Working Lunch who droned on about the hoover company with the DYS chart prominently displayed behind them! The Chairman is still upset about that one and that went out last year! The point being that financial journos have a high turnover rating. As fast as you educate one, he is replaced with another 10-year old and it's a real battle to get them to meet the directors. Yep, they know they have a problem!

Singled out for praise were the Investors Chronicle, Shares and the FT. So, if anybody knows any financial journos, I can vouch for the fact that the directors can explain the complicated issues in human and graspable language and none of them bite. (Though don't put the Chairman in a small room with the Working Lunch reporter!)

I also raised the question of any pension deficit and the dreaded FRS17. The Triennial Valuation is going on at the moment but the last snapshot was taken at the very worst time in the stockmarket and, to cut a long story short, DYS is comfortable with the figures their actuaries are likely to show. Easily within their cash projections, considering potential sales etc. Our company does not have one of those nasty holes in its accounts, either now or in the forseeable future. Repeat, good news on the pension front!

Lastly, I did ask again about access to brokers' notes. For reasons I completely understood, it would be difficult for the company to post them on their website. However, there is nothing to stop brave shareholders from ringing Nick and he will send you out your own copy...if you're nice to him!

Nick Parker's phone number - and yes, he does know I'm posting it again on here! - is

0114 263 2841

I recommend attending this AGM next year. It may be held in a Masonic Hall - but they are not nearly as Secret Squirrel as some companies whose AGMs I've attended. Just don't mention hoovers!

Socs, could you please add Nick's phone number somewhere in the header and also a link to the investor relations part of the DYS site ....

http://www.dyson-group.com/home.asp

Thanks, poppet!

Vasey
Many thanks for the report on the AGM, it's great reading.

Regards the question! It was actually prompted because I have been looking at a company with similar products, Porvair ("PRV").

The market caps are not dissimilar, DYS 79.87m and PRV 61.28m. and also the Turnover per share is similar, DYS 196p and PRV 186p.

There could be a good case to be made for a friendly merger, savings on costs, administration etc. What concerns me is that DYS or PRV could be taken out before they have achieved their full potential.

Well, Socs! Another 8.5p rise today..... Probably a mention in one of the Mags. Perhaps it would help to paste in a 3 year chart into the header. It would be an easy reference for anyone looking for the basic info.

Right, now I think I know somewhere that has a secret stash of bubbly for occasions such as these.....see you there!

Vasey
That chart in the header is a darned good idea, how on earth do you do it?

Superseded because the Superb Socs answered his own question!

Hows that Vasey?

Well done, Socs! With any luck it will update itself from now on.

Dyson Group PLC
17 September 2003

Dyson Group plc

Holdings in Company

In accordance with sections 198 - 202 of the Companies Act 1985, Dyson Group plc
was today notified that Standard Life Investments purchased 359,944 ordinary
shares of 25p each in the Company. Following this transaction, Standard Life
Investments is interested in 1,191,821 ordinary shares representing 3.852 per
cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company. The shares are
registered in the name of Stanlife Nominees Limited.

vasey
I've had a look at charts for DYS and the Bollinger Bands are getting interesting, narrowing quite steadily. I think there may be another break very soon, hopefully upwards.

thanks, socs. Bollinger Bands are not really something I've ever got my head around....so rely on you for this! I know they tend to predict action - and it has been accurate so far on DYS.

Showing excellent strength against present market weakness. Nice buy of 40K as market closed today. Bollinger Bands continue to tighten but not yet significant. BZ.

I finally got hold of a annual report so I can hopefully find time tommorrow to prepare a proposal for the investment club I am treasurer of, for us to invest into this company. My biggest worry is that they think we have missed the boat. We have quite a lot of spare cash to play with as a lot and several members have mentioned that they think we should increase out current max stake in any one company quite substancially. (Less work for me, and sooner rather than later someone else must be able to take over from me, as if they are not careful they may not have any choice in the matter!)

Vasey are you joining us near basingstoke next weds?

Not sure about Basingstoke next week. Doubtful.

But if you can access advfn, there is an excellent thread stuffed full of information under the DYS epic on the free bulletin board. I have a feeling you could find Socs, Buyzantium and myself all over there under different names. If you can't access it let us know here and we will bring some of the highlights to you!

I'm sure you haven't missed the boat. I went to the AGM and talked to the directors and returned more convinced than ever that this is a great share to hold for at least 5 years.

They have a pipeline of money-earners, coming on stream next year and their order book is mouth-watering, whichever product you are looking at.

I do strongly urge you to speak to the-delicious-Nick Parker at DYS. He is very knowledgeable on both the tecchie and financial sides and he is very friendly. You're best getting your answers from the chap who knows them!

Good website for keeping up to date with fuel cell advances and utilisation. Knock-on effect for Dyson must be good. If nothing else, it's an interesting read.

http://www.fuelcells.org/fcnews.htm

(Perhaps one day I may remember how to post the links properly).

DYS was mentioned on p49 of this week's Shares Mag, a resume of Picks of the Week. An update.

DYS: It was once a boring supplier of refractory materials lining blast furnaces and kilns. We spotted the potential of its transformation into a high-tech materials maker and recommended the shares at 164p (21 Jun 01). they have had their ups and downs since then, but are close to their all-time high at 2.60 today and should go higher once the high-performance hard disks are released by major manufacturers.

The purchase of Millenium Materials, inventor of the Carolite substrate for the hard disks, in America for 7.8 is proving an amazing bargain. Its founder and chairman, Dr Sam Weaver was wooed by many bigger companies but decided to throw in his lot with Dyson in exchange for an 18% stake which will rise to 25% if Dyson shares top 10.

In July, we again recommended DYS at 2.28, saying it 'looks about to break out to new highs'. This advice proved correct as the shares soon rose to 2.69

Recent results were promising, though profits fell, due to the runaway success of the Ecoflex catalytic converter housing for cars which has won dozens of orders worldwide which will feed through to profits over the next few years.

(Ends)

N.B: This was written by Timon Day, one of the very few journalists who the management of DYS rate. Chances are he checked his facts etc with Nick before going to print.

DYS up 4p at the moment. Could be seller cleared at last, the press coverage on James Dyson over the weekend or the Shares update. Whatever! It's rising! Well done Little Woman! Results out 7am 4th Demeber. Should be good. Just remember not to sell, Socks!

In for the long term

up 12.5p as I type....or 4.79% on the day

and to think, I thought I may have missed the boat!