Optare recently floated on Aim via a reverse takeover of Darwen Group (DHP) and a namechange (Optare being bigger and more established).

Website www.optare.com

I've chosen to refer to hybrids in the header because the emphasis will be on developing and marketing low-emission electric-diesel hybrid buses and coaches. At present Optare vehicles are predominantly diesel.

Arrgh, raising �7m by way of discounted shares (=2.5p) is very bad for Loyal shareholders and "might" jolt slumbering Dirs that have bought irregularly in small parcels of shares. All previous purchases are diluted by this 49% influx.
-Anyone that bought at 5p (say) is now facing the reality they paid 7.5p - let's hope the Dirs don't lather themselves with Options, rather they dig-deep and try to mop-up these hundreds/millions shares, which will depress the sp for a little longer than the Olympics. (At least until these ordered buses are signed-off by the customer!
-It looks very bad that your loyal shareholders are looking now at 2.6p (mid) when they paid 8p inc charges. - Yikes! (the proposed March GM will be "electric").
+This company was associated with Tanfield (DYOR), where destruction of shareholder-value was to be expected....these guys have decent orders, yet still waste money on moving their plant from one side of Leeds......
Had they'd moved to Sunderland the Gov would have "given them" the factory and maybe a few coach Orders, to ferry MP to/from their Olympic boxes......Grr
EDIT (9Aug2011): Currently touching 2p, this is a woeful sp . Anyone here been to an AGM - mood, thoughts?
BTW did anyone think to notice the 2m share options (at 2p until 2021 DYOR) for Mr Phillips FD.....breathtaking, eh? ...and retail shareholders were expected to pay 6p not long ago. This is a long Bargepole stock, despite anything else. . . . IMHO.
EDIT (16Aug2011), Mr Phillips invested c. 40k in four buys recently at low prices. Maybe that should be equated to the Options as well.
EDIT (Nov2011) Moved offics sp 1.65p - oh woe - like waiting at a BusStop...
EDIT (Feb2012)-SP rises quickly from 0.24p + RNS:"Directors know no...."
EDIT (Feb2012)- about a quarter of the Nov11 price...Arrgh! (see later post)

Press Release from them today confirming completion of the move to their new production site. Daresay they will now be inviting analysts to come and take a look.

Not until the Exec have their thick carpets, eh?

Details of South Africa deal

Optare supplying 75% of parts for 190 buses.

Collapse..!

Recent Ann.

This similar activity needs investigating.
IMHO - a slight is being undertaken to circumvent the limits on sell shares cheaply - so more Hangers-on will be pushing pieces of paper about - in effect getting round the Rules...

That an investment represents 75% of new issued share-capital should be a worry enough - this is now practically a Private Company with Dumb Retail-Shareholders holding expensive certificated - valued by taking Dir-plans at face.

You'd think that in the face of a decent order they could secure Funding to build the buses without selling the Company. That used to be the function of Merchant banks... wasn't it?
This latest twist is just part of a pattern - see Feb2011 posts -
Good darn luck to all who propped up this leaker.

EDIT (13Jan2012)....Grief now 0,28p that's mighty weak.....what OPE needs is CONsolidation maybe 1000:1 and new Directors.
EDIT ( ....) Make that New Directors, then a CONsolidation.