Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
So, if that's what General Li has brought to the table....
The shareholders here have carefully taken into consideration the following:
Tom Steipp has been allowed to exit stage right. He was CEO of LQMT for some 5 years at $800k a year. His accomplishments over that period were the two Green Mystery Machines in the Center of Excellence, an order for the 500 knives, establishment of of a few preferred mold makers, established a couple of big time distributers for LQMT, and there was one ASHM (notable because there had not been one in a few years). Oh, during his tenure it roughly cost LQMT about $3M a year to operate with it's 15 employees.
In addition to other share dilutions over a few years, the $63M capital investment was for newly authorized shares.
This regime change is likely to affect the old guard at LQMT. Those with ties to the past (i.e. Otis and that everlasting office secretary) are likely to be pushed out. Although that may be welcoming news to most folks, their replacements are going to be a question mark. But doubtful a worse job could be done.
General Li has an impressive resume. He's a busy guy; so busy it seems unlikely that LQMT is not his sole focus and not receiving 100% of his attention on a daily basis.
General Li has ideas to cheapen the price of LQMT to end users; mostly by producing it in Hong Kong where manufacturing is cheaper. ***Manufacturing LQMT and conducting LQMT business overseas. In a shadier place. A place where our shareholder view is further obstructed. A place where the rules are not the same as they are here in the USA***
Also worth mentioning, is that Apple Computers is a fundamentally different company than it was 5 years ago.However, Apple has some deep tentacles inside LQMT. Deep interests, contracts, patents, spent labor, and financial investment. Those past interests could foreseeably butt heads with General Li and the direction he may wish to steer the LQMT ship.
Everybody here has taken these thoughts into consideration???
So, our new CEO.....General Li
The members of the board currently like this guy because:
He brought in some $63 mil of capital; perceived to be a (yet another) LQMT lifeline.
He owns a similar company in Hong Kong. It is perceived he will marry the businesses.
He has some impressive educational credentials.
He has brought talk of expanding the Center of Excellence.
He has been involved in the industry for a long time.
Perhaps above all else, he is a breath of fresh air.
Am I missing anything else????
No, the rest of the board will confirm with 100% certainty I am not Watts.
I am my own free thinking, opinionated self.
However, Watts and I do tend to agree on a lot. I particularly admire his recent postings that LQMT is just a great big scam; a concept I whole heartedly agree with.
That, and I do owe Watts a lunch someday; perhaps the next shareholders meeting???
Levitating. Speakers. Are. Stupid.
I think the only LQMT involved is that the same unicorn and rainbow believer who would invest in LQMT is the same person who would be mystified enough to purchase a levitating speaker.
Dumb idea, period.
No, your friend was NOT wrong in 2012.
Because in 2014 the GT Advance Technologies debacle happened.
It's hard for Apple fanboys to recognize how deep that failure affected Apple; many are still in denial today. Don't include yourself.
In hindsight, pre-2014 Apple was a resourceful, innovative company on the cutting edge of technology and actively pursuing greater extremes in many areas. Today Apple is a company that wants to sell services; Apple Pay, iTunes, Apple Music, etc. etc.
Fact is Apple got spanked hard with the GT Advance Technologies bankruptcy in 2014 and that's the reason companies like LQMT will never be a supplier to a Apple Computers.
Sorry :0(
....I just puked a little.
Well said Watts.
I think the answer to your question is this: Listening to the conference calls, Tony Chung does not come across as a strong, assertive person. I had to re-read your post twice upon finding he has a law degree. The lawyers I've come across in my life are quick witted and sharp as a tack; especially when discussing business. Drinking beers they are pretty normal though.
I've often thought Chung doesn't sound confident during CC's because he is the guy that has to bring the bad news. It's his words that time and time again have to say "Last quarter we had $35k of revenue but spent $1.5 million. There is no reasonable expectation next quarter will be any different." I too would be embarrassed to have to say that, or maybe I just have a guilty conscious?
So, why hasn't the TTA been amended? Well, Chung is not the type of person who would direct a negotiation. I don't believe he would know what to say if he had to. But your point is well taken and I agree it is time the rubber meets the road.
But while you are at it Watts, tell me; why does LQMT not have a network of manufacturer representatives? Ya' know, guys with industry knowledge who are professional sales people. Guys with connections. Guys who work in these circles. Guys who sell stuff to companies like the 200 Engle symposium attendees. Paid on commission, of course.
Me and Wall Street disagree. LQMT is valued at $40M, period.
LQMT is for sale at .08 per share on the shady street of the OTCBB.
Since LQMT revenue stream is really the sales of shares itself I'm guessing that LQMT would continue selling shares and not realize what was going on till they needed to file a SEC statement of ownership.
If anybody wanted to buy it I'm sure Barney Visser could get them off to a good start with 7 million share private placement.
I think you fail to realize is that LQMT is for sale; right here, right now. For the low price of $20M a controlling interest and for the whole kit and caboodle $40M.
This opportunity is available to anyone, any company; without any type of authorization by Tim and Jony.
I think the conventional wisdom is "Apple has had several years to consider buying LQMT and if they were that interested in it they would bought it by now. So therefore, Apple is NOT going to buy LQMT."
And....as I have suggested, if LQMT were to be bought out by a Amazon or a Alphabet maybe they will use Apple's technology against themselves.
Even more diabolical....buy LQMT and not renew the CIP agreement. Discontinue the licensing to Materion and Engle. And then just poopcan the whole LQMT idea and never use it and thereby preventing Apple from ever using it.
You've got to admit LQMT could be very vulnerable to this type of takeover particularly at such a low buy-in price.
Unfortunately at the head of the line before the royalty gets split up is CEO Steipp.
No soup for you.
Let's not ignore the possibility of LQMT being bought out by a competitor of Apple. A Microsoft, a Google, or a Samsung.
Not only might these companies like to use LQMT for their own devices but look at the havoc they could reek being a 1/2 owner of the CIP agreements. Using Apple patents and research against Apple itself.
LQMT market cap is only $40m.
Holy Tom Steipp! Talk about low hanging fruit!
While I can never fill the shoes of our resident gadfly, I did try recently with post #81331
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=120042103
Do you think similarly?
Martin electrics are collectible because they are unique, not because they sound good or play well. Collectible because they are scarce and not what you'd expect from a 150 year old traditional acoustic guitar manufacturer.
The Martin LQMT is appealing to a very, very small audience. And largely appealing because of the $11,000 price tag. If over the next few years they sell 25 of these I'd be very surprised.
This does not add to LQMTs bottom line.
I think you'd better watch the entire Diane video again and make a hash mark every time she says "traditional" "old" "retro" "throwback" or "vintage" and have another column for "innovative" "groundbreaking" "modern" . While you are at it note how many times the two blog writers mention the price of a Martin being an obstacle; they say it nearly at every model.
It is wonderful that LQMT sold a handful of anything. It's a mismatched pairing between Martin and LQMT and will not amount to the profitable numbers everyone of us here are looking for.
I have three issues with the novelty Martin guitar.
1) Being a novelty, the production number is low. Is it 10? 20? It certainly can't be above 50. So therefore the number of these LQMT bridge pins sold is between 60 and 300. The mold maker is going to more money than LQMT.
2) Martin is all about vintage, traditional, and old. For anyone to think that Martin is going to embrace a new space age material is ridiculous. There is no way that is EVER going to happen. Try a manufacturer like Ovation and there will be better results.
3) The 40db increase in sound is a embellished sales talking point. Period.
In other Martin news: This tragedy happened the other day
http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/blog/2016/02/05/rare-martin-guitar-smashed-at-tarantino-film-set
What I'm saying is that we really don't get any substance during earnings calls.
I would like to see the actual costs and revenues.
After many attempts, NOBODY can answer where the typical $30-40k quarterly reported revenues come from.
How diluted are our shares in reality?
How much does it cost to operate RSM monthly? If things are as bad as many suggest shouldn't they move to a less costly location?
Finally, if nearing bankruptcy, what cost savings have been implemented recently?
My guess is those that brag about their large investments here and those that have the rose colored glasses have the most at stake and the most to benefit by finding out where we actually stand.
We investors would have a lot to gain by having a private audit of LQMTs books.
Then we would really know what is going on....
Ok, if that's what you believe, why don't you start a discussion in terms that 99% of all other stock boards use. For example:
Gee, it's unfair the current market acted so drastically against our stock since the last earnings call missed guidance only by a few pennies.
Our US based sales are strong as they ever were, it's only foreign investments that are weak, don't lose faith.
I never thought I'd see the day that because the US dollar is so strong it causes erosion on Wall Street.
Looking at the trailing 12 months P/E, 100% of analysts agree this is bullish.
Goldman Sachs has just issued a Strong Buy recommendation to it's premier investors!
Using the Wharton pricing derivative, we bottomed 3 days ago.
No Ridge, LQMT doesn't have any of that. None, Zilch, Nada. All that is left is speculation and conjecture.
And, if you take a few hints from the tone of the mods private feelings in their posts, they also believe LQMT is a scam. They have been following this stock generally for the longest. Just say'n.......
Know What I Am Hoping For Today?
LQMT gets bought out by Google, Samsung, LG, BlackBerry, or even better yet; Microsoft.
That way Apple would have a new trade partner in the CIP agreements. And whatever company could market BMG's (in non-consumer electronics areas) but use the work of Apple's engineers and patent attorneys to make their product offerings stronger. <giggles like a school girl>
What's LQMT market cap? $40m?
I gotta write some e-mails........
Before you made this post did you take into consideration the consensus of the posters here believe that the dilution of shares is what actually funds LQMT? That LQMT misses out on important revenue because Visser is vacating his position?
And, despite wanting a low share price in which to buy more shares, does a 2 cent buy-in price difference really make a hill of beans difference when you consider what you anticipate selling the stock for?
Dude, we all flat out need to hope for higher share prices.
Apology accepted.
PS--Thank you for posting and making LQMT a part of your thoughts this weekend; it's more time and effort than the BoD and senior management will show till like next Wednesday.
Irregardless of how you personally feel about Barney Visser, if you believe the dilution of LQMT stock is really funding our company's operations.
Then there is the problem of sales of Visser stock proceeds not going into the coffers of LQMT.
Therefore LQMT is missing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in free funding recently.
I don't disagree that there might be some price manipulation going on but also let's keep in mind that the Pink Sheets exchange is not as fluid nor operates as smoothly as the NYSE. I don't know what brokerage or trading platform folks might be using; but, most brokerage outfits don't have a real high regard for the Pinks. So there are likely to be some foot faults occurring.
There is no doubt that other similar substances like metal casting or plastic forming have waste issues.
There is no doubt the LQMT is more precise and has less after casting machining than other alternatives.
I think the time and cost of degating and finishing is the same no matter what you do.
So if you are one of the 200 symposium attendees, tell me why I want to spend $400k on an Engle machine and work with a more expensive material?
Take a look at this photo again, each one of those castings equals two flags.
http://www.k-zeitung.de/grosses-interesse-an-liquidmetal/150/1196/92841/
Let me tell you my flat out Tom Steipp hypothesis, see if it fits your view.
I think Tom Steipp has found a perfect murkey scenario. He has made his bed with LQMT. He makes a lot of money, he works close to home, and he calls the shots. Things are best for Tom Steipp as they are. Attaining new sales, chasing customers, or changing an industry costs a lot of money. Money that could be used to pay Tom Steipp. Tom Steipp is better off if LQMT remains in the shadows. The SEC is not particulalary concerned about the OTCC; buyer beware. The less that is said, the less Tom Steipp is held accountable for. The murkier; the better-- if you are Tom Steipp.
He's not trying to sink the ship, Tom Steipp is best is best off today if the ship is merely drifting afloat. Engine off and off everyones radar.
A show of hands: How many iHub posters believe that senior management at LQMT was in the office over the weekend? How many believe that LQMT senior management and sales staff have been working hard during the week? How many believe that for a $1m salary that it is a reasonable expectation for Tom, Otis, et. al. to be working long hours and on days off to be pushing LQMT business?
How many iHub posters believe that Tom Steipps' hardest days of work year at LQMT are those four stressful CC's? Stressful because they could expose personal accountability that for the prior 3 months LQMT essentially didn't do jack.
I see more than 20% waste here.
http://www.k-zeitung.de/grosses-interesse-an-liquidmetal/150/1196/92841/
The amount of LQMT required to make two lousy LQMT flags was the second thing I noticed in recent posts from the Engle symposium.
I am certain the 200 Engle guests also made note, irregardless if the waste can be recycled--it's still a fundamental issue with this new technology.
I too wish we could discuss really relevant LQMT issues rather than opinions and thoughts. Stuff like numbers and ratios and an industry.
But we don't have any of that.
Here's what I think:
Apple: I think Apple should be called "Apple Computers--Starring Tim and Jony". And some caution with this Tim Cook fellow; he is (in my view) extremely self serving. Case in point, yesterdays meeting with the Pope. Business??? Also Note: there was no press release from the worlds largest corporation when the markets fell earlier in the week. That is not leadership.
Their interest in LQMT? Modest. If they really embraced it there would be hundreds of Apple employees committed to Crucible Entertainment. I think the current Crucible team is doing a good job in researching, improving, and patenting BMG.
Will they use LQMT? Well...first off; put a wholesale use in say, an iPhone 7 out of your mind. No way. Would they breakout LQMT in a small way? Say a LQMT iPencil in a special color, a Product Red iWatch, or some commemorative Beats Ear Buds for iTunes Fest 2018? Now you are talking. I do NOT believe that these types of items will be manufactured by Liquidmetal. Rather, some other company in the Far East buys the Green Mystery Machines. Apple may use LQMT if they need to differentiate their products from competitors devices. But I think we will have all closed our positions by that time. I do not see substantive advantages of using LQMT over aluminum in personal electronics. Sorry.
Paul Hauck: I think he is stuck. I think he had to take a job and accepted this on based on salary. Two years is a long silence for such a bright man; he's capable of so much more. I think Tom has purposefully dialed his volume way down. Does he leave RSM 5 evenings a week feeling accomplished? On the cusp of something?....... No, not really. He has been told to tote the line.
Tell me: what do you think (and anyone else who cares to chime in) Apple really thinks of LQMT?
What do you think Mr Hauck (he is highly regarded here) is thinking? And what is his real position?
WHAT IF:
What if LQMT truly has nothing going on?
What if Otis Buchanan writes press releases the way he does because he is making the best of what could be said. Having to be purposefully ambiguous because if the true numbers were reveled the negativity would far outweigh any good?
What if the reported RFQ's were really the IT guy reporting how many times the "More Information" box was clicked on the website for the proceeding 3 months? There weren't 96 meetings of engineers? 96 exchanges of CAD drawings? 96 internal strategies how to preform this anticipated work?
What if the accounting for this outfit was really, really screwed up? Let's put it simply; $1m salaries, a fancy pants building in RSM, (2) expensive Green Mystery machines, about 15 employees, a silent board of directors--and this is all afforded on diluted stock shares selling at .08??? And some remaining money from $20m given out 4 years ago???
What if there is no explanation for the sales they do report quarterly? Everyone here is clamoring for increased sales. I would like the sales they do report every quarter explained to me. What do they sell $30-40K of every 3 months? And to whom? What if those sales were just imaginary?
What if overwhelming conventional wisdom says there is nothing wrong with existing aluminum cased iPhones? Titanium heart stints? Or, we are just fine with the el cheapo oxygen sensors in our automobiles?
What if Tom Steipp was actually a smart guy? Well, has what I call Bill Clinton Syndrome. "I am sooo smart that you common people could not possibly be thinking on my level." So therefore....
FINALLY:
LQMT has a compelling BMG story and technology, but what if LQMT is really no different then every other Pink Sheet shell company that is involved in mineral excavation, oil exploration, or the other common themes you read over and over again? What if LQMT was viewed by a select few insiders as a way to get rich? Getting rich by not by working, but rather by taking (and keeping your mouth shut)?
What if LQMT is really a carefully orchestrated, but legal: scam???
On each earnings call LQMT reports about $30-40K per quarter.
Do we know where that money comes from or what is sold to achieve even these levels?
My two cents Eagle on this...
I have no idea where or how these revenues might come about. It has been discussed here over and over and over again. I am still unclear. If they received substantial revenues, I am not completely convinced they would truthfully reported to begin with.
But...and here is how I am playing it.....any major contract will cause a buying spree. I feel confidant that this type of feeding frenzy will cause the price to get it to the dollars per share pricing. And hopefully my magic number of $5.
Commenting on what you said earlier; yes we have been told several times that LQMT is soon to run out of $$$. But LQMT sure isn't behaving like a company on the brink of bankruptcy. I don't get it either.
I agree with Games.
Keeping in mind a couple things; 1) Apple is awarded a little over 2,000 patents a year, on average 2) Apple employs entire divisions that do nothing but write patents, research patents, put patents into legaleze, and that's on top of the research divisions that do nothing but invent poop.
That being said, if you stand back and look at the Crucible Entertainment body of work. There is a clear recent focus on perfecting BMG processes and the adding of non-BMG materials to BMG.
In my opinion, Apple is devising a product and it's unique manufacture that no other company can legally equal. That product and process is going to come in a variety of colors.
I think this all for a future version of the Watch.
Your statement about the two Green Mystery Machines is very true.
Let's add in the difficulty that this manufacturing is to take place in Southern California. A place where the neighbors care about air quality, workplace safety, emissions, noise, and energy consumption.
The two Engle machines at the Manufacturing Center of Excellence are for play purposes only. The serious manufacturing we are looking for is going to take place somewhere else like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, or the Far East.
The cost of shipping to/from California is also a hurdle.
Here is what it means:
When you have 0 current customers; getting a new one is significant.
If I had to guess, this initial order is LESS than the Milner-Adams 200 pocket knives order.
No, there is nothing big coming.
The Engle symposium is over and done with. Germany is seven hours ahead.
The new medical contract? The numbers are paltry, like 200 pocket knives paltry. If the numbers were large or game changing they would have been announced. The only reason the numbers are not announced is because the PR is making the best case of what it is: "We have a new customer."
SORRY :0(
I think the two most recent patents are pretty significant. They both are solving practical problems in order to bring products to market, whereas other patents in the past seem less so. The body of these patents is carefully creating a production process that will be unable to be replicated by anyone other than the patent holders. Kudos to Crucible Entertainment
Thinking about it brings up another question. Why isn't Engle a part of these patents? Those Green Mystery Machines are such vital component to production.
I think that Mr. Engle should fork over $20m in cash this afternoon and become a Crucible Entertainment senior partner. If I were Tom I would use some old fashioned extortion to get them to pony up. "If you don't join the party now Mr Engle and at some point we begin production of a product or two; imagine the disadvantage you will be at if we want to begin production of product #3 and we put the squeeze on you with threats of bringing in a competitors machine?"
Check me if I am reading this newest patent properly.
Crucible has created a way to take molten BMG and transfer it from one working area of an Engle machine to another area of the same machine. In each of these areas a different task may be preformed. This is beneficial because the BMG stays molten and impurities or contaminations are kept out. It also allows for different processes to occur very soon after one another. The amount of times this can be doe is limited by how big the Engle machine is.
An example of this might be: Taking molten BMG, adding an alloy of a precious metal like gold, and then casting it into the shape of a keyboard body or Apple TV controller casing.
Thanks for the background information CDogg.
Your comments are always welcome here, please don't be shy!
We'd like to hear more from you.
Sparky99 is correct. A rod of LQMT the size of an unsharpened pencil is about $1000.
I think a LQMT case for an iPhone is an excellent product idea for both LQMT and APPL; even if it is hyper expensive.
Thinking that Tim and Jonys' Apple is going to use LQMT for the iPhone 7 is ludicrous.
Anyone who thinks that Tim and Jonys' Apple is going to take the huge risk of substituting LQMT for aluminum desperately needs to watch the 60 Minutes segment again and see just how risk adverse Tim and Jony really are.
Tim and Jony took a risky plunge once with GTAT and look at the spanking they received.
A much more realistic prediction would be a Product RED or some other special edition with a very low production number.
Think hundreds not millions.