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.

Centurion marches ahead to meet targets
AFX
Interims expected to be in-line; business model 'firmly established'

Centurion Electronics PLC said results for the first six months to March 31 are expected to be in line with market expectations, adding that sales overrall also continue to match management forecasts.

Chairman Brian Hendon said Centurion's OEM business model is now firmly established.

In addition, the company's 'success in expanding its existing relationships with motor manufacturers, as well as developing relationships with new manufacturers, has continued into the new financial year'.

On the retail side of the business, indications are that several of the Company's retail customers had a quieter than expected Christmas trading period which has impacted on re-order levels in January, he said.

'Sales of Plug & Play Blue, however, which was launched before Christmas, exceeded expectations.

'Sales overall remain in line with management forecasts.'

Its shares eased 2.3% to 104p.

cheers gf.

are these shares still on a downward trend due to sad news or is it time to get in as they are up today p.s. why do I get an edit sign when I post

I asked the same question a while back on the edit sign - it appears you're the only one who can see it on in case you want to edit!!

Ouch!

For holders of this share just remember to not get too emotional about your holding and if it has breached your original reason for buying or holding don't hesitate to sell.

I'm not recommending you all dump your holdings (because I don't know why you bought) but just wanted to remind some that while taking a loss hurts sometimes it hurts less than a bigger one.

cuc has been on the up for the last 2 days .It looks as though it's making a recovery

Against the trend also, always encouraging for holders. Most other speculative stocks have been falling in the general sell off.

Text from IC:

Like rival Armour Trust, Centurion is booming, thanks to the craze for in-car DVD players, which keep kids and in-laws entertained during car journeys. But the company's spectacular 2002-03 results and this year's bumper expectations have been clouded by the sudden death in late January of founder, chairman, chief executive and 46 per cent shareholder Steven Cunningham, aged 36, in a road crash.

Up until now, some 80 per cent of Centurion's turnover has come from its 'Plug & Play' boxed kits, which have velcrose or suction-backed screens. In the 12 months to end-July 2003, the number of in-car vision units sold via retail outlets such as Halfords, Argos and over 400 car dealerships, almost doubled. Since September, Centurion has introduced a cheaper Plug & Play product and a thin roof-mounted screen. So, not surprisingly, motor manufacturers are now starting to fit DVD screens as optional extras.

By far the most significant customer to date for such products is Toyota, which signed a pan-European deal that could see in-car vision units fitted in eight new models over the next three years. The first contract for the Toyota Avensis consists of a twin-screen system (with screens in both headrests), a DVD player in the car boot and games-compatible sockets for a PlayStation.

Last April, Centurion signed a contract to supply the 2003 Nissan Micra with an in-car DVD system available via its 229 UK dealerships. Similar agreements have been signed with Mazda, Kia and Fiat. Not surprisingly, Centurion believes that original equipment sales could rise from 20 to 30 per cent this year. As a result, its share price has been climbing.

Company broker Charles Stanley reckons that turnover this year will more than double to 12.92m as profits jump to 2.08m and earnings to 6.3p. A dividend of 1.1p is also forecast.

NB shares up 9% today upon share placing at 110p, premium to yesterday's price

A positive outlook from the Chairman to accompany the placing.

Commenting on the Placing, Brian Hendon, Chairman, said:


"The Placing is a positive development for Centurion as it improves both the
liquidity of the shares and builds upon our existing institutional shareholder
base. Ongoing investment is key to our business and the funds raised will, in
particular, be used for our product development programme and continued
expansion into Europe."

Hopefully those of us who held the shares will be rewarded

Shares suspended!

http://www.companyannouncements.net/cgi-bin/articles/200511301600079339U.html

anyone heard anything about what's happening since suspention

I wouldn't hold you breath if they haven't been able to arrange financing in the last two weeks. Write it off and if they do come out of suspension it will be a bonus. If they don't you can forget about it.

hi Scrip, you doing challenge Lawro this year? (SORRY THREAD READERS)

oh well look's like no chrisy preasents this year

here are you mate, enjoy.

what a comeback??

Amazing... These were sub 1p on friday....

Down 40% today though - looks like folks are running for the hills.
I think this is one to watch and learn.....yes I know in-car is great - but falling prices, in a market with many competing outlets....doesn't look good to me.
/
Those that hold/love CUC - can you give me any info on what is their USP?... or anything which might give them ...an edge?

i lost out big time on these with my second batch of shares (nice profit the first time), they gave out 2 positive rns's then BANG out came a profit warning, hightlighted by shares mag of carefully worded financial reports/statements. Lost trust in them and wouldnt touch them with a barge pole. Thats not to say they havent straightened themselves out, but i personally will stay away.

Chance of a re run of recent events?...

DYOR