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Well Rige, where and when were the supposed LQMT springs manufactured? And, who's books are reporting the income? Has MTRN shown a spike in LQMT sales? Has Engle somehow revealed the sale of the hundreds of Green Mystery Machines required to manufacture these parts...each machine costing about $250 K?
There are literally millions of these springs in use today. Remember it took LQMT about a month and a half to create 200 pocketknives.
Just say'n....
Spark-- Do you find it as strange as I do that LQMT is not behaving like a company desperately trying to save itself from bankruptcy that is thought to be 6-9 months away?
There are no lay-offs, there is no sale of large assets, initiation of producing a known simple yet immediately sellable item, nor some type of LQMT "Holiday" sale.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Successful 2016 Guys and Gals!!!
I really enjoy reading the posts here and feel lucky that I am allowed to express my opinion. Reading the LQMT iHub posts always makes for an interesting time at the computer and sometimes is funny as hell. I appreciate everyones insights and contributions.
Thanks again!, I've got to get back to that homework I'm supposed to be working on....
I wonder if that additional material could be a precious metal; ya' know, like those expensive, fancy pants Apple Watches are made of. Like gold, platinum, or maybe even Kryptonite???
Some LQMT iHub Homework:
The upcoming days are going to provide some downtime for many people. During that time I am going to compose a list (or suggestions) of things that LQMT can do to make 2016 a positive year. Honest suggestions. Realistic suggestions. As much as I would like to say "Trim compensation" "Fire Otis" or "create something valuable for Christ sake"; I am going to leave out the negativity.
Here's a couple items:
--Getting an Apple contract is illusive, how about manufacturing a plain ol' case for an iPhone??? 1/2 LQMT, 1/2 rubber. Doing so could showcase the ability to fuse a piece of glass to LQMT to show the Apple logo on the back of the phone. It could show to Apple the usefulness of LQMT as a scratch free, unbendable material. It could demonstrate the ease of making a complicated object. The cases could be made colors that closely replicate those the phone is already made of.
--Is the golf/sporting goods market really dead? Are those bridges completely burned? I'd like to see LQMT try the golf segment again. A putter of solid LQMT immediately comes to mind. A solid LQMT putter made for one of those fancy pants custom golf club manufacturers.
--A Share Holder Conference. A shareholder conference that includes private, off-the-record meeting with the members of this iHub board. A meeting without phones or recordings or whatever. An honest talk across the kitchen table between us and Steipp, Hauck, and at least a couple LQMT board members. Warts and all. What's in it for LQMT? If they could re-sell or reassure existing shareholders LQMT is on a good path and encourage them to double down their existing investment; it would be much more productive than going to the annual small cap conference stabbing in the dark for funding. Let's face it, LQMT has hardly sold the amount of shares each of us are capable of buying.
--If working with Apple has been beneficial. I'm guessing a similar relationship with GE, Honda, or Lockheed Martin (just to name a few) might yield the same results. Perhaps one of these will hand over another check for $20 M in exchange for future considerations? Just to keep the wolf away.
Thoughts?
1. APPLE watch sales numbers are on fire.
No, they are not! Think about it this way; if they were Tim and Jony's Apple would be bragging about their sales profusely. We have seen none of that.
The iWatch numbers are part of Apples' "Other" sales category. The "Other" category includes iTunes. The growth and sales dollars of iTunes are astronomical. iTunes could be a Fortune 500 if it stood alone.
So the exponential growth in the "Other" category is due to iTunes. Not watches nor Apple TV's.
The only folks I have seen embrace the iWatch in ernest are Apple Store employees. Look around for yourself.
Sorry to get off topic; let's talk more about LQMT.
Two big take-away's from last nights 60 Minutes broadcast:
1) Apple Corp. is no more. It is now "Tim and Jony's Apple" or "Apple Computers brought to you by Tiim and Jony." Their egos and their bravado dictate everything inside the company. No decision will ever be made without their input and more importantly; their approval. The segment showing the executive board meeting? Those are just "yes" men. The segment proved that a couple of them are second bananas; the rest can be ignored.
What does that mean for guys and girls like us? If Apple is ever going to change to a new raw material or vendor, it will NOT be without the endorsement of Tim and Jony. And Tim and Jony are so strong headed that use of a new material or vendor will have to be as if they thought of the idea themselves. Tim and Jony will not listen or be swayed by a sales schpeel.
What does this mean for LQMT? I can immediately see the difficulty of the position LQMT is in. The only way Tim and Jony's Apple is going to adopt LQMT is if the engineers that are working on all these patents showcase their accomplishments to their superiors and those division heads bring it up the chain. And only then, perhaps Tim and Jony have a Eureka! moment.
2) Tim Cook is a terrible liar. Tim Cook suffers from what I call Bill Clinton Disease- I'm KNOW that I am soooo smart that there is NO WAY that you common people could possibly know what I am thinking. So therefore Tim Cook's body language speaks volumes. In short, when he lies he smiles. He has conditioned himself to make that Tim Cook big grin we have all seen. Tim Cook was grinning when asked about sales of the iWatch and side stepped the question stating that all Apple Products needed improvement.
What does this mean for us guys and gals? Of all current iProducts, the iWatch would be the obvious choice to be made out of LQMT due to it's case size and probability of being scratched. I think (and through my own research) that the iWatch sales are terrible and has only been adopted in earnest by Apple Store employees. Therefore I believe there will hardcore efforts to "improve" the iWatch; one of which would be to improve the case with a super stellar material that no other competitor could match. Tim and Jony are not going allow themselves to be seen as having had a failure. No Newtons for Tim and Jony.
What keeps profit margins high for Apple is if their device is completely sealed and absolutely no way of getting in or out.
These are the type of iDevices you are going to be seeing from Apple in the future, because they make the most money.
Tell us Mowo, with this new discovery of fusing LQMT and glass together; how does this proposed iPhone get assembled with sensitive electronics inside?
I think this patent is a step in right direction. I think it is proof of LQMT and Apple engineers working together. I think it is a great magic trick of welding two dissimilar materials together.
But I think a "unibody" Apple product still has some substantial long term hurdles, no?
I agree with Spartan, this is just the same ol', same ol'. This is not a news item, nor a revelation. Just one of many, many similar patents that have been applied for in the past.
These aren't the droids we are looking for....
My bad.
I thought the vibration patent for sheet making was only by Crucible Entertainment but just checking Apple is listed as an assignee.
My apologies, but I'll stick to my point that LQMT is continuing things as if there is no end in sight.
More troubling to me is that LQMT is not behaving like a company known to be going bankrupt in the next 6 to 9 months.
Meaningless ISO certifications cost money. Irrelevant trade shows cost money. Patent filings cost money.
<scratches head>
I just looked up ISO 9001 on Wikipedia and I am shocked!!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_9000#Contents_of_ISO_9001
Certainly ISO 9001 can't mean excellence in management.
You mean this ISO certification has nothing to do with selling solid, bonified materials?
ARRGH!
Guess I am alone waiting for.........a dividend. <sarcasm intended>
A couple problems with the LQMT iPhone:
1) I agree with Eagle1947, LQMT will not financially make it to 2018 as things currently are. Right now we don't think they will make it to September of 2016...that's about 9 months from now.
2) An iPhone case is really too large of an item to be made out of solid LQMT at this point in time. But, an iWatch would be perfect.
3) LQMT won't likely manufacture this proposed device, but rather a 3rd party vendor will. Foxxcon for example. The 3rd party vendor will buy the LQMT from MTRN, molds from Moldcraft, machines from Engle, and then perhaps some consulting from LQMT.
4) Of the bazillions of iPhone or iWatch cases to be required for even just the initial inventory; how long do you think it will take not only get the manufacturing plant lined up but also to create the bazillions required??? I think that will take years, not months.
5) There's an old adage of putting all your eggs into one basket. I think that applies here. Wait! I KNOW that applies here.
Not that it couldn't be done, and not to beat down Liquidwater's idea; but since the next biggest order of anything solid LQMT that has ever been manufactured is 200 pocketknives; LQMT needs to take more baby steps before they go light speed.
In addition, I don't care whether anything Apple is ever branded Liquidmetal; just so that the money flows the right way!
Is your phone a 6 or a 6s?
You are absolutely correct tmleads. And I'll double down on what you said....
Besides Crucible, what other R & D or improvements or patents has LQMT done in other un-restricted areas???
If the Apple partnership works so well, why not similar endeavors with other companies....like GE, Siemens, Boeing, 3M??? And these corroborations don't need to be solely with Fortune 500 companies, but there are 100's of other firms that could bring some meat to the table.
I'll say it again, there is a serious lack of motivation and therefore accomplishment at LQMT. This culture begins at the top tiers of LQMT management.
I agree (particularly in the past) LQMT has thought of themselves as a R & D company. Therefore typical logic of a balance sheet doesn't necessarily apply. True.
I disagree because LQMT is at it's heart a business. Businesses need to make money; even R & D businesses. Also, to be honest, I haven't seen a lot of effort of "LQMT the R & D company" to propose using their science to make the world a better place. Five written page imaginary scenarios of LQMT used for components of scuba equipment doesn't count.
You'd think "LQMT the R & D company" would be more proud. Boastful. Yet LQMT hides in the shadows of the Pink Sheets.
**I've read your posts in the past Chipboarder and you've brought intelligent comments to the conversation. Particularly regarding electrical engineering. I wish you would post more often.**
A very good question OTW!
I think that after this amount of time (What has it been, 10 years?); even taking into account LQMT's very high material cost; that a useful, profitable manufactured part has not been created yet???
My thinking is it's the company and its' culture that are the problem. I think the Engel machines prove the technology is viable.
Is it despicable or just plain disappointing that GTAT--a former small company very much like LQMT--can sign a huge deal with Apple and then:
-spend close to $1 Billion to create a factory
-hire 100's, open the factory, and begin the manufacture of sapphire glass
-not create the quantities and quality of glass Apple was expecting
-have Apple realize this and have the confrontation
-GTAT declares bankruptcy overnight
-the course of bankruptcy (which often takes years) causes settlement to be made with Apple
-and now GTAT has made settlement nearly everywhere else http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/11/30/failed-apple-supplier-gt-advanced-looks-to-exit-bankruptcy-with-80m-financing
-GTAT exits bankruptcy and go on to make money elsewhere
And in the same amount of time LQMT has manufactured a couple hundred pocket knives. It is unclear where their next revenue source (if any) is.
I'm beginning to think there is something wrong with this LQMT picture....
Apple Apple Apple.....
I think we would ALL be better off if LQMT were to crawl into bed with GE. It's General Electric that could extrodinarily benifit from LQMT is so many more areas than just a watch or phone.
I vote we tell Steip to go ask GE for an exclusivity contract at the next CC.
In other words: LQMT used as a speaker grill.
Nice find Gamesc! We can always count on you
Not to call you out or anything but if you believe so strongly in the AAPL/LQMT relationship; why would you have any money at all invested in LQMT? All of your money should be invested in AAPL. An investment in AAPL is far less riskier and the rate of return at this point is fantastic.
Just say'n.....
Yes, I believe price has been the dream killer for all of us here. Whether the true cost of LQMT is prohibitively high or the price that is quoted has astronomical profit margin attached to it is anyones guess. Some investigating by other posters tends to think that LQMT comes in at a higher price; but not one that certain industries such as medical, race cars, or aerospace couldn't afford.
Worth noting, because Apple has promised LQMT a childs allowance; this has deeply influenced LQMT behavior. Why do any work at all when you don't have to???
I believe a problem many here have is that they think they have an investment.
In reality they have a speculation.
Now, there are some who may have blown up their speculation to a level where had they put their money in a better security it would be called an investment.
This is after all an $.11 stock. It is, after all, run by management that has complete disregard for anyone but themselves. LQMT is a company without an ounce of integrity.
LQMT is absolutely bottom of the barrel of every publicly traded company in the USA.
Admitting you have a problem is the first step to the cure! ;0)
I DO NOT understand these "averaging down" or "loading up" concepts. I don't think either applies to current day LQMT.
"Apple is pouring 10s of millions per year into expanding the technology and LQMT has exclusive rights to HALF the world"
Apple is spending a lot of money on patents and research for the use of LQMT as an application. Expanding the technology? Not really. These patents we hear about are self sufficing for Apple, period. 10's of millions? No.
Sadly, nobody is spending any money on improving BMG making it better, bigger, stronger, or faster.
I've often thought; I bet California Institute of Technology feels really ripped off that they released LQMT into the business world so that society could be a better place. Not only is nobody using it, nobody is expanding on their thoughts; taking the concept and improving it.
The overwhelming opinion of LQMT on this board is very negative. Can you imagine the thoughts CIT has for LQMT?
You mean LQMT has not gotten paid by MA?
Theoretical of course, not implying you have personal knowledge.
I have no problem with a LQMT Bikini Car Wash. If that what it takes to close a deal.
Yeah, a knife that is sharp like a scalpel is a bad idea; especially with THOSE people.
Maybe I'm crabby this morning but thank you for the post JBPharmD. We all appreciate the update.
But no, the rant about the suit is true and I stand behind those comments.
The knife is not displayed as a product sample???
This Twitter picture showcases all that is wrong with LQMT.
They have spent some bucks to be at this show. They have spent some bucks for the design guide. Their backdrop is fresh and appealing.
But they did not bring the knife as a completed, viable product sample??? All the wonderful designed and engineered things the knife has and it is not at this show???
Who attends this show?......Designers and Engineers in the medical products industry, folks who would appreciate those intricate details. <face palm>
Instead, LQMT took the same tired 9 samples off the office Christmas tree. The same ones we've seen for years. (BTW, why would you take ones that are the same color? Why would you take ones that are titanium in color? Don't we want LQMT to be different???)
But above all else, WHY DOES THIS DORK NOT KNOW HOW TO WEAR A SUIT??? I don't care about casual Southern Californian lifestyle, we are selling to detailed minded people here. This idiot looks like he had 3 martinis for lunch.
"Ahhh, here's a free pen.....duhhh...."
The Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl AFTER they win the World Series this year.
Gorgol--You'll Like This.....
I believe the reason Steipp requested the $1M pay increase is because LQMT is close (and the board is aware of this) to closing a deal on a big project. A whale.
The asking of a $1M pay raise without results is as ludicrous as it sounds. An obvious "NO!"
The asking for a $1M pay raise while in process of negotiating a huge deal.... a deal they are very close to landing, one that has taken a lot of work and effort, one that has a much larger payoff than $1M for LQMT. There you might get a YES, as a reward for luring the whale with a minnow. And to inspire getting the whale to beach himself.
I think then the pay raise begins to make a lot of sense.
However, don't ever think that GREED is not involved. LQMT is a very GREEDY company through and through.
I think the knife was priced "normal" to MA because it was an attractive, low production run item that showcased many possibilities of LQMT. It also justified the Manufacturing Center For Excellence and the $250K Green Mystery Machine. About that time LQMT needed to announce something after the disappointment of not being a component of the Apple Watch. (I also believed that LQMT was earmarked for the Apple Watch--at least at one point in time)
All those other RFI"s, forgotten prototypes, announcements of sales partners, pictures of sales training meetings in RSM, adding of a couple preferred mold makers, and all the other baby steps that we investors have hung our hats on for the past 5 years....have been extinguished because the cost of LQMT is too high. Exorbitantly high.
LQMT has a naturally high cost component; which in of itself is not necessarily a deal killer for all applications. But I firmly believe that all these prior deals have fallen through because LQMT adds GREED to their pricing. GREED at a level that has snuffed out every prior inquiry.
The way current management thinks: Unless we are really going to cash-in on a project; there is no sense in doing it. If we do nothing we don't lose anything; we just continue riding the Apple gravy train.
When has LQMT ever mentioned PRICE in one of those industry application prospectuses???
Never.
I'm thinking the reason they don't close deals is because LQMT is too expensive.
Way too expensive.
Ridiculously expensive i.e.: a million dollar raise for the Steipp.
I believe that upper management is hunting for a gullible whale; ignoring every other fish in the sea.
Until that whale is found, LQMT just lives off Apple's allowance.
Such a great knife, Why no second order? Or third or fourth orders?
Why isn't the first order sold out?
Why haven't we heard of other knife manufacturers interest in LQMT?
Certainly those would be press release events.
Humm......
As I said in a post a long time ago Watts, we all owe you a huge debt of gratitude.
As for the offer buying you lunch at the next SM; I haven't forgotten!
But tell me. On three recent occasions on this board you have agreed with Gargol (Yea, Whoa!) That's not why you are heading to the sidelines, is it?
I think the patents in question would be the ones made by Cal Tech.
Irredgardless, LQMT doesn't have enough time or money for a lengthy, international court fight. Even if Apple were to Go Dutch.
"We have a large patent portfolio and are trying to ensure that others in our space do not use any of it inappropriately."-- Tom Steipp
And what makes anyone think LQMT has the $$$ (or time) to put up the legal battle to sue for patent infringement???? Yeah.....right.
LQMT is a dog that don't hunt.