Centurion Electronics CUC. Traded on the Aim Market.
Drat, Shares mag got in before me and had this one as one of their plays of the week and I feel they are justified in their tip.

Heres a recent article I have lifted from another site and it sums up the company and its prospects.


Nice one, Centurion
By Neil Thapar

- Is Steven Cunningham of Aim-quoted Centurion Electronics set to become the next Alan Sugar of consumer electronics?


The short answer is that it is far too early to tell. But Cunningham's Centurion is potentially as well placed in a rapidly growing segment of the electronics market as Amstrad was during the 1980s personal computer boom. If Cunningham comes anywhere near to replicating Amstrad's success, investors can look forward to outsize gains in the years ahead.

Few have heard of either Centurion or its founder and 41% shareholder. However, there are parallels between the two entrepreneurs. Aged 37, Cunningham went to school in Enfield - not far from Sir Alan's stamping ground in the East End. Both essentially found their calling in sales and marketing. Cunningham started out as a photocopier salesman in the City while Sugar cut his teeth selling car aerials in the market stalls of Petticoat Lane.

As chairman and chief executive, Cunningham has now positioned Centurion for the emerging market for in-car entertainment systems such as flat screens, DVD players, and portable connectivity devices that enable games consoles to be used while on the move. Its products are mainly aimed at backseat passengers and should be a godsend for harassed parents on long journeys with a carload of kids.

The company, floated on the stock market last Christmas, claims pole position in the UK in-car entertainment market, ahead of brands such as Alpine, Pioneer, Sony and Philips.

Centurion designs, markets and distributes products under its own brand, subcontracting manufacture to the Far East. Its products can be factory-fitted to order, or in the aftermarket at a dealer's showroom. A separate range of portable "plug and play" systems is also available that can be connected ti a cigarette lighter socket in a car, caravan or boat.

The market for in-car entertainment and navigation systems is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade as miniaturisation, new technology and carmakers' desire to introduce new optional accessories helps to drive up demand. According to industry estimates, the aftermarket in-car entertainment systems grew eight-fold to about 235m in the past three years.

Cunningham says one of the group's key strengths is its ability to integrate small, flat screens and other devices into headrests, the car roof or other parts of the interior. It also has the know-how to develop products that are compatible with a car's electronic systems, power supply and wiring.

"Many of our rivals are focusing on developing information systems for the driver but we are concentrating on leisure and entertainment products," he says.

As a result, Centurion has signed up some big names in the car industry including BMW, Toyota and Nissan to offer its products as optional accessories. The group is also in talks with other manufacturers.

Separately, its products are also sold through retailers Argos, Currys, Dixons and Halfords. Among motor dealers it boasts Pendragon and CD Bramalls as its partners. On average, its products cost about 350, making them affordable and competitive against rival systems that can cost as much as 1,500.

Given that Centurion is reaching consumers through many different channels, growth is likely to be explosive. Moreover, this segment of the electronics industry is still at an early stage in its cycle and should underpin several boom years for Centurion.

Although Centurion, with a 14m market value, is still small, its results are already beginning to demonstrate the scale of its market opportunity. [/b]Maiden interim profits, reported in May, surged ahead 211% to 398,000 on a 95% increase in turnover to 2.8m.[/b]

It puts the company in on course to at least double taxable profits to 1.4m for the year ended 30 June 2003 but not yet reported. Taxable profits of over 3m in 2004 also look achievable according to the sole published forecast by its house broker Daniel Stewart.

For now the group also has sufficient resources to fund its growth. It had more than 1m cash in the bank at the half-year and recently also moved into new premises of 25,000 sq ft in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

The shares have doubled since they were floated at 30p last December but canny fund managers such as Katie Potts of Herald continue to mop up the shares. Pent-up demand has led Cunningham to sell some shares in recent weeks. But the shares still look good for the long term and are likely to attract further attention as it becomes better known in the City.

The shares are valued at less than ten times expected earnings for 2003 and offer a dividend yield of 1.3%. Although small companies can trip-up if they fail to control and manage their rapid growth, Centurion's rating is low enough to justify the risk. Climb aboard.ENDS.

Looks like an excelent growth story to me.

GF.

Results I think due Friday????. Can anyone confirm.

cheers gf.

Reorort results on the 10th, next wednesday, and we may get a good run up to them, but beware they are very volatile. Hoping for good ones and perhaps a new contract thrown in.
cheers Gf.

Any thoughts on the potential of CUC on the back of good results?

I've seen these fall 10% in half an hour before only to finish the day 5% up! I expect some MM games so sold half of mine a few weeks back at 127p They've held out well, so to be honest I haven't a clue what will happen from here. Good results will gain good press, so I'll add on either a dip or v.good results. Be careful, however, becuase expectations are quite high and this years results may be more about next years potential than the current year ending. It will be volatile, I believe, on results day!

Hmm, Centurion is highly risky in my books and its products ain't as hot as they are being made out. Its a difficult market and one that is dominated with bigger players with bigger pockets if they make any waves then they will face the wrath of bigger companies. I would parallel them to a small fishing vessel attempting to defeat ten battle crusiers. They may be small and nimble but then the firepower of weighty competition turns on them, they will sink without a trace.

Just my opinion of course!!

Or possibly get bought out!

If you are contracting to far eastern factories just about anybody can do that so there is no need to buy that sort of company. Just send some body over to Asia. Like err, Alba for example!! Who turnover hundreds of millions.

There is a lot of hyperbole and PR surrounding this stock, it's great when its shooting up and stock is short and if you can make money that way, that's great but there is nothing special or new here. Just be aware of that.

Well I for one beleive in the management of this company. Show me a good management and I will show you a good workforce and a good company. The company have signed some high profile contracts of late, and I expect more to be announced.

Results wednesday fingers crossed they will do the talking for this one.

cheers GF.

I would interested to know what terms they have signed with retailers and what rotation rights and stocking comitments they have made.

BTW Goldfinger I think finding good management is not the problem if even if you have a good management I can't see that they can turn around a business with back economics.

With Centurion they have no brand or loyalty from suppliers or stockists the marketplace is dominated by low cost producers and therefore what ever they do they will have to sink to the lowest common denominator.

With people like Alba and Medion muscling in on their territory they have one hell of a battle ahead of them.

I could take a plane out to Asia tomorrow and sign up similar products and sell them to retailers so I don't see what Centurions USP is.

Some valid points scripophilist, the results should make interesting reading, hopefully we'll get some more details on the contracts they have signed and some more idea about their unique selling points!...

BTW all, I'm not de-ramping this share or anything I just know this industry on both side very well. I have been following centurion with interest. I don't own any but will keep an active eye on them.

Some good points put there scripophilist. Lets wait for the results and look at the net margins and see if they are under attack.

cheers GF.

Results look good.....anybody else watching?

Results Excelent and no errosion of margins which is pleasing Vasey.

A fantastic set of results as outlined below by the CEO. Maiden dividend to be paid of 0.8p per share and a 60% increase in earnings per share from 2.8p to 4.45p.
The outlook is also excelent and Centurion are looking to take on the number 1 position in Europe for 'in car entertainment'.

The price has been up 3.5p to down now 7p which was to be expected for this volatile share. Ive taken advantage and added.

Centurion Electronics PLC
10 December 2003

Embargoed until: 07:00, Wednesday 10 December 2003

MAIDEN PRELIMINARY RESULTS

SIGNIFICANT GROWTH CONTINUES

Centurion Electronics plc ('Centurion' or the 'Company'), the UK market leader
in the field of in-car audio-visual entertainment, is pleased to announce its
preliminary results for the year ended 30 September 2003.

Financial highlights for the year ended 30 September 2003

• 171% increase in profit on ordinary activities before taxation to
1.18 million (2002: 435,000)

• 50% increase in turnover to 6.25 million (2002: 4.14 million)

• 59% increase in basic earnings per share to 4.45p (2002: 2.80p)

• 102% increase in diluted earnings per share to 4.27p (2002: 2.11p)


Operational highlights for the year ended 30 September 2003

• Successful in securing new research and supply agreements with
leading motor manufacturers including Nissan and Kia

• Signed first major pan-European contract with Toyota Europe

• Since launch in June 2003, new generation Plug & PlayTM has
become the biggest selling in-car multimedia product in the UK. Distribution
agreements now in place in Europe

• Ongoing development of new products and post year end launch of
Plug & Play BlueTM and ViewTechTM, focused on usability and affordability


Steven Cunningham, Chairman of Centurion, commented 'The year to 30 September
2003 has been a time of major development, expansion, and innovation at
Centurion. We have consolidated our position as the UK's leading supplier of
in-car audio-visual entertainment systems, our professional range, CenturionTM,
has been extremely well received by some of the major names in the motor
manufacturing industry and we have signed our first major pan-European contract
with Toyota Europe. We have also made significant progress with our retail
offering and, in particular, our launch of Plug & Play BlueTM will potentially
give us access to a whole new customer base.'

For further information please visit: www.ceplc.net
or contact:

Steven Cunningham, Rosie Brown
Chairman Melissa Hubbard
Centurion Electronics Tavistock Communications
Tel: 01707 330550, Tel: 020 7920 3150
steven@ceplc.net rbrown@tavistock.co.uk
High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free of
charge from www.vismedia.co.uk


cheers GF.

Word is this one was tipped Thursday evening by Hemscott. Get ready for a mark up over the next week or so. I did say after the results that I thought there would be upgrades.

cheers GF.

GF,

You are correct, the Hemscott Analyst has tipped it.

Will post detail when I get home this evening.

HKF

Cheers hkfooey that would be much appreciated. Up 7p as I speak, hope you got some aimtrader. The big push starts from this AM.

cheers GF.

Up 8.5p on the day, good stuff. Hope you bought a few. Trading is going fantasticly well in the first two months of the new financial period.

Watch out for even further upgrades.

chers Gf.