does tanfield have 2 good businesses ( smith electrics and upright)which are good value for the medium to long term hold ?

http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=615489

Strong Rumour the Irish Post Office is about to place an order for a Fleet of electric Ford vans

Contenential landscapes invest in smith electric vehicles in Poole - see -
http://www.newspress.co.uk/DAILY_LINKS/arc_jan_2009/290109carill.htm

Tanfield Trading Update





TIDMTAN

RNS Number : 8988M
Tanfield Group PLC
06 February 2009

?
6 February 2009
Tanfield Group plc
Trading Update
Tanfield Group plc ("the Group") gives the following update on its trading
position.
As previously notified we experienced much poorer market conditions in the
second half of 2008. The Group had a number of loss-making months before the
impact of cost cutting restored us to a break-even position on a monthly basis,
before exceptional restructuring costs. We were however still able to grow the
Group year on year, with revenues of GBP146.5m. With many customers holding onto
their own cash, our year end position was GBP11.1m, with GBP8.0m being collected
in the weeks following the year end. Cash balances at the end of January 2009,
traditionally a low point, were GBP13.1m.
Trading conditions in all of our markets remain challenging, with little
visibility and reduced order intake. The swift and decisive steps taken last
year to downsize the business have substantially mitigated the risk of
overexposure. Because of this prompt action, we can maintain the business at a
much lower break-even level than historically was the case.
We continue to maintain tight control on overheads and to review our cost base.
Given the restricted horizon of our order book, our visibility for 2009, in line
with our peers, is limited, except to indicate that we expect to see a
contraction in 2009 compared to 2008.
Adverse trading conditions and the ongoing unavailability of credit for our
customers continue to impact all three divisions. The major OEM customers into
which our Engineering Division supplies sub-assemblies have either significantly
downsized or cancelled their orders. In agreement with our workforce, we have
implemented a three-day week at that facility, in order to reduce our cost base,
while retaining the core skills within the business unit.
Market conditions in the USA are particularly challenging. We are instigating
temporary production suspensions in North America, on an as-needed basis, to
continue to match output to demand. However, as always, customer service remains
our number one priority and all customer-facing operations will carry on as
normal.
We have already downsized the European-based Powered Access and Zero Emission
Vehicle divisions to accommodate a lower run rate. We will review this closely
and regularly, and if necessary, take further steps which may include the
implementation of shorter working week practices.
The Group is, however, debt-free without banking covenants or interest costs and
we do not anticipate this changing in the short to mid-term. The Group is
therefore well positioned to continue to ride out this downturn until eventual
market recovery.
ENDS

Tanfield set to launch new company in usa soon. see :-

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/02/08/tanfield-american-spinoff-to-begin-building-trucks-this-year/

Could some kind soul enter it again and underscore - dont know how.

Development Partnership with Ford Motor Co (Tanfield)

There you go al - to underscore
click on the icon that looks like the 'infinity sign' between U and the green thing just above this box.
In the window that opens up you put the address and click OK -
in the next popup window you type the name of the website e.g. Autobloggreen - easy once you've done it once

autobloggreen

The void - excellent - (tip for you - tanfield cheap at 10.5p)

I will look into it Al ta.

Some potted thoughts re. Tanfield (just practising putting up links really !)

Online Stock Trading

ford give tanfield entry into us

sorry above link does not work correct one below.

Ford give Tanfield entry into US

After selling @ 11.1p, looking to get back in hopefully around the 7.5p mark.
2517

Tanfield getting a bit of a kicking at the moment! There may be a way to go before it hits a resistance point but I have a feeling the selloff has been overdone already. I do not consider any share on the market to be a safe bet at present but TAN may be one of the survivors during the next 12 months; if the management really are handling things as carefully as they make out, then this could well make a good return for holders.

MILITARY BUYS X33RT

Platform Makina Ltd, Tanfield's distributor in Turkey, has sold its first X33RT to the military.

The compact rough terrain scissor lift is now in operation at a military base, where it is performing a wide range of duties.

Kozacilar Endustriyel Ltd, parent company of Platform Makina, is contracted to carry out all after-sales operations, such as spare parts and maintenance.

Faruk Canatar of Platform Makina said: "The military required a machine that could withstand some very tough conditions.

"They are extremely pleased with the UpRight X33RT and we believe it can become the lift of choice in these situations."

Tanfield up 1p on a poor day for the market - building up to the large chicago truck show starting on 3rd march where they will no doubt rubber stamp their link up ford and possible reveal their partner for for the new SEVUS company.

Ford's vice president of Global Product Development has said that they hope to sell the Transit Connect at a rate of a couple of thousand a month according to an article published in "Hybridcars"

Edit: That seems to be a bit optimistic to me, though maybe when they have it all set up it could well reach that number, probably not for a while, but who knows?!

tanfield on the up - now 9.5p - chicago trade fair starts next week.

pork bellies? .... and that's just the locals!

Another helping hand for TAN, possibly.


http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2009/02/26/how-plugging-in-on-your-street-corner-could-protect-the-planet-and-north-east-jobs-51140-23015830/

TNT are still buying "Newton" trucks (They committed to an order for 100 in May 2008 to replace diesel equivalents over 18 months).

http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/business/4160732.On_the_road_to_carbon_zero/


Also a possible link with TAN:-

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/electric-4x4-company-to-create-250-jobs-1633668.html

Although Liberty Electric Cars do not specifically mention TAN they say they are "now in discussions with major suppliers in the region", that could well be TAN. One thing is clear, EV's are in the ascendency and one of the main beneficiaries is going to be TAN. Still a speculative share but one I am now comfortable to increase my holding in.