This is the fresh face of (Worthington Nichols), although the two are similar - there are striking differences - mostly in the reality of Management to their position.

The name-change was needed "...to avoid their earlier guise hampering business ..." ( my words) - although I am not so sure. . . . . however, the website and attitude of Mangement appears to make good sense . . . . . .
. . . . despite a small % fall in sp today - - - - 7.8 / 8.15 pence is about as low as should go! That's Hope!

Expect some "charges" to appear and then let's see what Management can do!

Website: www.managedsupportservicesplc.com

Good luck to
...all who sail in her.

Business Financial Newswire
"Managed Support Services reported a near-halving of turnover from 16.3m to 7.8m for the six months to September. The company made a pre-tax loss of 2.59m, against a previous profit of 0.73m.

MSS, which maintains and installs heating and cooling equipment, said the fall partly reflected its lack of willingness to accept unprofitable business.

However gross margins fell to 22% from 26.7%, reflecting a rapid deterioration of market conditions, primarily in Project-related activities. A goodwill write-off of 1m related to closure of the Projects division.

Cash flow reflected the acquisition costs of Delrac earlier in the year for 0.6m and the need to fund prior-year provisions and restructuring costs of 0.4m. Net cash balances reduced from a peak of 12m to about 10m. "

i thought they also did air conditioning as well. i guess the smoking ban must have had a severe effect on that part of any business, both the install and in most particular the regularly required maintenance, not sure who got the better deal, a takover at circa 10x pe(before tax?)but from the company titles it seems there is no air conditioning involved,it takes time to turn around so whilst not a holder yet i shall continue to watch the chart.( it dont look too good at moment) and thats an understatement, as always just my opinion and please dyor.
regards
jkd

"MSS is pleased to announce that it has acquired certain assets and contracts from Workplace Engineering Limited ("Workplace Engineering"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Service Group PLC. These assets and contracts have been acquired with effect from 30 November 2009.

Workplace Engineering provided a range of technical building services primarily to public sector customers across Southern England.

The total consideration payable is 300,000, subject to agreed working capital adjustments. The initial consideration of 200,000, was paid in cash at completion with additional consideration of 100,000 payable upon the confirmation of certain contractual negotiations with customers.

The historic turnover directly related to the assets and contracts the Company has acquired is approximately 2 million of which circa 1million is contracted maintenance."

At last, a bit of movement! 10.75p mid. Vol a bit thin though at 159k.

Buy tip Watshot.

For what reason? Trading bounce?

new successful management team, recovery stock,acquisitions, cash of 10m.

Managed Support Services plc (MSS), the building services and FM solutions
provider, will be exhibiting at this year's Master Investor Show, held at the
Business Design Centre in Islington on 24(th) April. MSS will join more than
100 quoted companies at the event, which attracts over 2,000 high net worth
private investors and industry professionals.

MSS will be showcasing an impressive heritage, providing investors with an
insight into more than 30 years experience developing and implementing tailored
building services and facilities management solutions. The company will
demonstrate how it has brought together the best-in-class across all aspects of
property lifecycle management to create a dynamic business that is dedicated to
challenging traditional boundaries and providing solutions that embrace fresh
and forward thinking.

Simon Beart, Chief Executive at MSS commented: "MSS possesses a long-term
strategy committed to creating a leading integrated FM and building services
business within the UK, which offers considerable opportunities for investors.
We are targeting robust expansion via organic growth and acquisitions that will
enhance our service capability and geographic reach, and ultimately deliver
shareholder value."

re my post no. 31. i'm still watching the chart and still a non holder.fortunately i didnt get drawn into buying into that jan spike.but i'm still watching .
good luck to all you that do hold.
for those that don't then theres plenty of time.dont be suckered in.
forget the buy low and sell high, thats how we get suckered. buy high, and sell higher, is much safer.but only, that is, AFTER the recovery has taken place and is PROVEN to have done so.
it's not easy to do for " buy lowers" and bottom pickers because were scared of missing the boat. so we get suckered and end up being also buy highers and head scratchers. how can that be? because we are all of us seducable to fine talk and can't wait for the Capital events to ACTUALLY happen
all just my opinion as always and please dyor.
sermon over.sorry. LoL
regards and good luck.
jkd

Harrycat, et al . . . . do I get the impression MSS is starting to spend tomorrow's money with today's cash...eh..?

Of course "now" is the Time to snap up well positioned faltering businesses and to make them into a single entity....waiting for the restoration of UK plc.
However, it still needs a regular cash to oil the wheels....

My previous impression is that MSS Execs are unlikely to act without thinking . . . . what do others think?

BFN
*Piers Wilson, Financial Director, bought 73,500 shares in the company on the 22nd April 2010 at a price of 6.80p. The Director now holds 163,500 shares.
*Jamie Reynolds, Director, bought 73,500 shares in the company on the 22nd April 2010 at a price of 6.80p. The Director now holds 205,750 shares.
*Euan McAlpine, Non Executive Director, bought 214,000 shares in the company on the 22nd April 2010 at a price of 6.80p. The Director now holds 314,000 shares.
*Simon Beart, Chief Executive Officer, bought 588,000 shares in the company on the 22nd April 2010 at a price of 6.80p. The Director now holds 1,650,501 shares.

I ignore Dir purchases below 50k, so these you posted in April, amount to av 1k5 which is small beer. Since that time the shares have falled abt -10%, with -5% today.
This doesn't look good. I hope they can snatch some victory from the Do-Do. Not that long ago they were a "hopeful" at 10p - - - previously this was Worthington Nichols whose sp ran away until reality set in.
I just hoppe the Management's Buy,Buy,Buy-policy isn't wrecking shareholder-funds, which were "Battered" to say the least.

".

Managed Support Services plc ("MSS") announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2010.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Group now trading profitably following losses incurred in the year to March 2010
Jamie Reynolds appointed to Main Board
New operational management team
Recent acquisitions performing well
Strong balance sheet
Legacy issues from original Group resolved

StockMarketWire.com
"Managed Support Services said the group was now trading profitably following losses in the year to March 31.

The company, which maintains and installs heating and cooling equipment, reported revenue of 15.3m, down from the previous 26.3m.

It said the decline was a result of a decision during the year to close MSS Projects Ltd and cease accepting long-term projects from non-maintenance customers.

The group achieved a gross margin of 24% for the full year, an improvement on the 22% achieved at the half-year but significantly short of its target.

It believed margins would improve materially in 2010 as the mix of revenue improved.

The results also reflected restructuring of operations following the acquisition of the Status Building Services Group in December.

Adjusted operating loss before exceptionals was 1.68m, against a previous 1.44m profit. The statutory loss was 4.85m, previously a 0.12m profit. "

"and cease accepting long-term projects from non-maintenance customers"
now that seems a reasonable policy/strategy. its the regular "follow ups" at minimum cost and maximum revenue that help keep the bottom line "Up".
i did suggest this may be an issue in an earlier post, so it seems management are also aware and have done something about it.
i am still watching and still waiting to see the proof of the pudding.might be a long wait but in the mean time,
good luck to all holders
regards
jkd

The Company issued the following statement:
"The Board is pleased to confirm that MSS has delivered month on month profitability throughout the first quarter. This is a considerable achievement given the prior year losses and the integration challenges arising from the acquisitions made in late 2009 and early 2010.

It is anticipated that the results for the second quarter will show continued progress.

The Group has now been able to develop a pipeline of customer opportunities and the Board is hopeful that these opportunities will deliver the growth planned for the second half.

The Group is now benefiting from an experienced and extensive management team, many of whom have previously successfully managed rapid organic growth within the specialist Building Services market. This team has also created a stable operating platform from which to manage further organic growth.

As a result, the Board is now actively examining the potential for further add on acquisitions which, if executed, would be expected to increase net earnings substantially given the potential for cost savings and the consolidation opportunities available in the Group's markets".

StockMarketWire.com
"Building services provider Managed Support Services is buying London-based Environmental Control Services from its two founders for 3.2m in cash and shares.

ECS reported turnover of 8.8m for the year ended May with an adjusted operating profit of about 0.4m.

MSS said it was currently generating contracted maintenance revenues of about 3.2m.

To finance the acquisition, MSS has raised 3.1m gross via a placing at 7p per share.

MSS says the deal increases the scale of its building services operations as well as enhancing the group's revenue mix. "

Contract Win
Managed Support Services plc, the technical building and environmental compliance services provider is pleased to announce that it has signed a five year contract for the provision of building services, including the management of complex data centres, with The Co-operative Group. Service provision commences on 1 December 2010.

Planned revenues for the core maintenance services are scheduled to be in excess of 1 million per annum and a range of other services are also expected to be provided.

The Board regards this contract win as an important validation of the Group's investment in creating a competitive services platform nationwide, capable of meeting the complex needs of major corporate customers. The Group continues to pursue similar opportunities.

Trading Update
The results for the half year ended 30 September 2010 are expected to reflect the competitive conditions in some of the Group`s markets. The Board is pleased with progress on sales gains, as illustrated by today's announcement. Today's contract announcement will contribute materially to sales growth in the next financial year.

The Board is also pleased to confirm that the integration of the recently acquired ECS business into the Group is proceeding smoothly and that early trading indications are promising. The Group has very low levels of debt and no material exposure to government related spend.

The results for the half year ended 30 September 2010 will be announced in early December 2010.

StockMarketWire.com
Managed Support Services plc said its turnover increased to 11.2m from 7.8m in the six months to September.

Adjusted operating profit was turned around to 0.5m from a 2009 loss of 0.5m.

Statutory loss for the period was 0.4m, down from 2.5m.

CEO Simon Beart said, 'Our recently announced contract gains and acquisitions have transformed the prospects for the group. We anticipate further market share gains and we look forward to the next financial year with increasing confidence.'

Recent contract gains were announced with the Co-operative Group and Thomas Cook.

Acquisitions of ECS and Data Sound were successfully integrated.

A new software product, Compleye, was launched to improve the electronic interface with Health & Safety customers.

TRADING STATEMENT
In common with other competitors, the Group experienced very weak trading in December and January, notwithstanding that these months traditionally generate low activity. This was exacerbated by some contract losses in the smaller, regional accounts. February has seen some recovery in activity which the Board expects will continue in March. However, it is now clear that the Group's overall result for the year, before exceptional items, will be below market expectations, despite current run rates.

Full year turnover for the current year is expected to be approximately 26-27 million. The annualised run rate of current monthly sales and the visibility of customer revenues confirm the Board's expectations that turnover for the year shortly to commence on 1 April 2011, will be between 35-37 million. The majority of the turnover increase reflects the full year consolidation of ECS. The Board currently anticipates that EBITDA for the year to 31 March 2012 will be some 20% below current market forecasts as a result.

The Board expects operating margins to remain broadly stable for the forthcoming year but the Group has relatively high operational gearing and therefore the Board believes that operating profit is more sensitive to sales levels, rather than small margin movements.

To deliver a satisfactory return for the forthcoming year, further cost reductions are being undertaken and management efficiencies improved, following the departure of the UK Managing Director.