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I agree, The Bull. I don't think they'll let go of the Sendio plant before acquiring or building a facility someplace else, if they let go of it at all. They've got a 2 year lease with Gottwald, the owner, so I suspect they'll keep it at least that long.
Hi, airdale1. It's unclear what they're going to do with the plant. They say that they are analyzing that now: “Therefore, we are continuing to evaluate Sendio to determine how, and in what capacity, it can continue to be a valued asset for us going forward.”
Ryoko: They will be producing all the bulb types in the HUAYI plant: "Huayi will supply the Company with bulbs of various sizes, including R30, R40, PAR38, G25 and A19."
Ryoko: At this point they still plan to keep the Sendio plant open and operating.
New press release: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Vu1-Corporation-Signs-prnews-1501631249.html?x=0&.v=1
Vu1 has contracted a Chinese company, Huayi, to build their bulbs. They have the capacity to build up to 250 million ESL bulbs. "Vu1 Expects to Significantly Decrease Operating Expenses & Improve Margins; Lower Cost/Bulb"
This is a significant development. Huayi has exclusive rights for the next 2 years, after which they will steal the technology and dare Vu1 to sue them. Just kidding, though that's always my fear when doing business with the Chinese. It wouldn't be the first time it's happened.
Putting aside my fear, it's a good business development. I've always felt that Vu1's biggest challenge has been getting up to production speed quickly enough for a product launch to have any significance. It should also give them some room to drop their price, which they've always said would happen.
I would also venture to speculate that they wouldn't contract another company to build millions of bulbs if they didn't have someplace lined up to sell them.
Sure thing, The Bull. Thank you for not grinding me under the heel of your shoe :O)
Hi, The Bull. I'm not sure about the filing. I doubt that Vu1 has filed yet. But it is clear that they will have to do the reverse split before moving to the NASDAQ, and therefore I imagine they will have to do the reverse split before they even file. I do think they intend to try to do it all around the same time, one following the other as reasonably quickly as possible.
As I've mentioned in another post, I strongly suspect they will come out with some significant news just before they do the reverse split, probably a sales agreement with a retailer. It may sound like trumped up positive spin (this is the conclusion reached on the Yahoo message board), but it's really the only thing that makes sense. There's a reason they've left the reverse split ratio and the timing flexible, and they state as much in their 14C.
Share price is the #1 factor needed to determine the best ratio to use in the reverse split. Unless they have more news coming out, they might as well do the reverse split now, because waiting will only produce a weakening in the share price.
Share price can make a big difference. Consider that the minimum share price for listing on the NASDAQ is $4.00. If, for example, they did a 1-for-20 reverse split now, the share price would be $7.20. Say they announced a deal with a big retailer and the share price rises to $.75. After a 1-for-20 reverse split the pps would be $15.00. Presumably, they don't want the ratio for the reverse split to be any higher than they deem necessary for moving to, and maintaining listing on, the NASDAQ. It certainly has to be well above $4.00 because they'll need a buffer zone to accommodate share price fluctuations. $10.00, maybe?
So if they're going to do the reverse split, I see them coming out with news, probably (hopefully) a sales deal, they will wait to see what effect it will have, if any, on the share price, determine the ratio of the reverse split, do the split, and apply to the NASDAQ.
Let me be clear. This is my theory. It's only a theory.
Thanks for sharing your always well-informed thoughts, Robear. Let me add that it would strongly behoove Vu1 to get their share price as high as possible before undergoing a reverse stock split, so if they have any good news in the works--and Blackstone said as much during his presentation, regarding a sales agreement--we can expect to see that announcement before the reverse stock split.
I'm sure Vu1 doesn't want to decrease the number of shares any more then they have to, but it will have to be enough to put their share price well above $4.00 in order to qualify for NASDAQ listing and to give them plenty of room for share price fluctuations. They certainly don't want to be listed only to have their share price drop below NASDAQ requirements and, after an embarrassing warning, be de-listed.
I would expect to see them get their share price to at least above $6.00. So, for example, if they were to get their share price up to $0.50 before the split, announcing a deal with a major retailer, then they could do a 1 for 12 reverse stock split and the share price would be at $6.00.
Destination Lighting has received their order from Vu1 and the are going to start shipping immediately. Patience is a virtue.
Meant to say, "THEY'RE" getting orders, as in "Vu1" is getting orders. (See, this is about Vu1, so don't delete it again.)
New press release. Sounds like they've got at least one serious retailer interested and perhaps a few electrical distributors. Point being, THEIR GETTING ORDERS!!!:
Vu1 Corporation Schedules Business Update Conference Call
Commences Inventory build for its Electron Stimulated Luminescence(TM) R30 Light
Bulb
NEW YORK, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Vu1 Corporation (VUOC), a
developer and manufacturer of mercury-free, energy-efficient general illumination
lighting technology, today announced that it has scheduled a Business Update
conference call. Dr. Scott Blackstone, Vu1's President and Chief Executive
Officer, will provide an overview of the Company's business, sales and marketing
activities, including progress with building its channel partner network.
Effective immediately, the Company will no longer take direct-orders on its
website and all web orders received prior to today will be fulfilled. The Company
evaluated its direct-order capability and believes outsourcing this will enable
it to begin building sufficient inventory to satisfy commercial and retail
customers. Authorized Electrical Distributors will be listed on Vu1's website as
they are added to the company's reseller network.
"One of our primary goals during this early manufacturing phase has been the
development of a robust reseller channel," commented Scott C. Blackstone,
President and Chief Executive Officer. "Vu1 continues to execute against its
stated sales strategy of building an extensive reseller network, as well as
securing an agreement with a major national retailer."
Conference call details
The conference call will take place on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 5:00 PM EDT. To
listen to the Business Update conference call, participants in the US and Canada
need to dial 800-706-9704 and international participants need to dial +1
660-422-4936. All participants need to provide the following access code:
70324796. A replay of the call will be available beginning two hours after the
conclusion of the call until midnight on Thursday, July 7, 2011. To access the
replay, in the US and Canada, dial 800-642-1687 and for international
participants dial +1 706-645-9291. Participants will need to use the same access
as above: 70324796. On the morning of Friday, June 24th, a digital recording of
the conference call can be accessed on the Company's website at
http://www.vu1.com.
It is for me. Why back off now when they just started producing revenue; are ratcheting up production; just brought on a promising new CEO; will be coming out with a new product in just a few months; and are on the verge of announcing deals with several electrical distributors? That would be like finally getting that long sought after opportunity to ask the girl of your dreams out and deciding instead to go play a video game. Not much sense in that.
Hi, The_Bull. Still there? Just thought I'd check in and see what's the haps? Once again we're playing the waiting game. I posted a rant on the Yahoo board regarding the lack of information from Vu1. As I made clear, it's not that I want Vu1 to be one of these companies that put out a PR every time they receive an order on their website. I just think we are in need of an update, particularly since Dr. Blackstone dropped us a teaser during the presentation about new patents being approved and new deals with electrical distributors.
Other than that, I think things are going well, at least based on what little information we have. They have received more orders than they can currently fill, thus, the backlog; they are busy ramping up production (which certainly takes time); they are apparently making progress on the A19 bulb (Blackstone must have had a prototype at the Bright Lights convention); they have apparently been approved for 2 more patents; and apparently they are in serious discussions with some electrical distributors.
I'm sure you've seen the 10-Q. Nothing surprising there. They are out of money again, but every 10-Q has the same such statements. I'd be petrified if I wasn't aware of their history of getting financing on an as neededbasis. And it's unlikely that they would be unable to get financing now when they are finally bringing in some revenue, along with all the other favorable developments happening for this company.
Also, Dr. Blackstone has serious ties to, and extensive experience in, the finance industry. As I've stated before, I think he's a perfect fit for Vu1 and that they're very fortunate to have gotten him. So until further notice, I'm not sweating the financing. I just want an update :O)
Take care, The_Bull, and I hope life is treating you well.
Ginchinchili
Here's something I posted on the Yahoo board. Just a few interesting tidbits I caught from replaying the webcast of Vu1's presentation:
1. As I mentioned in another post, Blackstone announced that Vu1 has two more patents "that have been granted."
2. Once again we have a Vu1 executive--in this case, Dr. Blackstone--stating that the price of the R30 will be coming down "in the near future."
3. Someone in attendance asked about current availability. Blackstone responded by saying that Vu1 is currently working against "a large backlog" and that they were shipping daily while ramping up production. This response would seem to back what bpowers has been posting on here, that Vu1 has received a relatively large volume of orders that has caused a backlog. Since they're obviously working on increasing production capacity, the time lag between ordering and receiving bulbs shouldn't be a problem for too much longer. During the presentation, Blackstone states that they will be cranking out bulbs at "a reasonably high volume within 3 or 4 months," which he describes as being "sufficient to attract high-end retailers."
Vu1 apparently wasn't expecting the number of orders they've received. Though that's frustrating for those who are still waiting on their orders, it's also a good sign of high interest.
4. Blackstone also stated that they are "dealing right now with a number of electrical distributors and people finalizing packaging technologies, etc., THAT WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON." Anyone know what "people finalizing packaging technologies" means? Anyway, in general it means deal making with electrical distributors, which, of course, is great news, news we should be receiving soon.
If nothing else is going to increase our share price, sales and revenue will. Though the numbers will not be astounding, (1) it will be revenue; (2) it's looking like it will be relatively healthy, and; (3) it looks like the revenue will be increasing quickly. And those are points that institutional investors look for.
I thought Vu1 did a fine job presenting ESL and how well it competes with other lighting technologies. Blackstone stated that they are planning to release the A19 in August. They apparently have a prototype with them at the conference to show the folks. I'd love to see a picture of that.
They also mentioned Vu1's ability to ramp up production, citing 3 to 4 months as the amount of time it would take Vu1 to increase production enough for big box retail orders. Very cool.
They also stated that they've been granted 2 more patents. This is also great news. Now, if we can only see some of this enthusiasm reflected in the share price.
I'm still here, The Bull. Just laying low. I'm trying to quell my impatience a bit by putting Vu1 on the back burner for awhile. However, I will certainly be listening to the presentation tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
I received my bulb order from Vu1 today. I ordered 8 Gen II bulbs. They look great. My order was shipped out on April 13th, the date they had given in the PR as the shipping date. So they were true to their word. I'm very encouraged. Now they need to shift into salesman mode and get the word out on ESL. I'm going to see if I can meet with someone at the local power company to show them the bulb. I'm also going to contact the local paper.
HIP HIP HURRAY! HIP HIP HURRAY! The bulbs have shipped! Here's the PR:
Vu1 Corporation Confirms R30 Electron Stimulated Luminescence(TM) Bulb Shipments
2:46p ET April 14, 2011 (PR NewsWire)
Vu1 Corporation (OTCBB: VUOC), a developer and manufacturer of mercury-free, energy efficient general illumination lighting technology, today confirmed that shipments of its R30 Electron Stimulated Luminescence(TM) light bulb commenced on April 13, 2011.
The bulb, which is based on Vu1's unique ESL lighting technology platform, uses accelerated electrons to stimulate phosphor and create light, making the surface of the bulb glow and providing natural light quality for up to 11,000 hours. The bulbs are fully dimmable, energy efficient, non-toxic and provide a light quality virtually indistinguishable from traditional incandescent light bulbs.
The R30 light bulb sells at the MSRP of $19.95 (excluding tax, shipping and handling), approximately half the price of LEDs at the lowest end of the LED pricing range, and is currently available for purchase on the Company's website at www.vu1.com.
Great post, Robear: You're the reason Vu1 didn't hire me. They're waiting for you :O) Seriously, that's an excellently informative post.
Since it doesn't look like we're going to get a PR on whether or not Vu1 is shipping today (I didn't expect to see one), we probably won't have any indication until tomorrow when the charges begin showing up on our credit cards, if they do. As stated earlier, I won't be here discussing it.
I offered my services, but all I got was a "LOL". I interpreted that to mean "Loads Of Loot". So I'm hangin' tight.
All is quiet on the waterfront. I don't expect Vu1 to issue a PR announcing that they're shipping out orders, unless there was additional news, which I wouldn't assume. Checking our credit cards is probably the best way to find out if orders are shipping today, and I'm not sure how long it takes to show up. I charged mine using a Capital One card and they are inconsistent as to when charges show up on my account.
It's been suggested on IH and the Yahoo board that we not announce when charges appear on our cards so as not to assist the shorts. I agree with that, so this post may contain some deceit :O)
I saw this as well. It appears that they're doing everything they can to improve our overall chances of success. The passage you put in bold lettering also caught my eye. It would appear that we can expect new packaging, something that is sought by big box retailers for their display purposes.
When I receive my order I'm going to take some bulbs to our local power companies to try to stir up some interest.
Yes, I already told the poster on the Yahoo board that I will keep quiet on the matter, but I doubt that everyone will have read his post. Some people will race to the message boards to announce that their credit card has been charged thinking they are doing people a favor by informing them. But my lips, and fingers, are sealed. Good idea, BTW. I certainly don't want to do the shorts any favors.
All we can do is wait now. Next week is where the rubber will meet the road. We've had several false starts of various kinds--nothing that shouldn't be expected from a new company--but next week is a little different. Next week is a major hurdle, getting product to market. This is second only to the actual production of the bulb. I'm feeling confident that Vu1 will meet this milestone, something all investors have been waiting for.
I have no reason to believe that there will be an immediate impact on the share price except that I think it will at least end the selling pressure that has been pushing our stock down for the past several months. It, in effect, will allow the pps out of the starting gate and hopefully represent the start of a winning run. But I think we might see our share get a quick bump.
Vu1 has already been clearing our charges with our credit cards; I've had a charge on my credit card pending for a couple of days now. In one of their emails they said they wouldn't charge anyone until the bulbs are shipped. Now, whether that means from Vu1's manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic or their "processing site" here in the US I don't know. In Vu1's email they say that the shipments to customers will begin April 13th from their processing site, so we can expect to see our credit cards charged beginning on the 13th, possibly a day or 2 earlier.
It would appear that none of the other developments we're hoping for with Vu1 are going to happen until their product reaches the market, so the share price isn't the only aspect of Vu1 that will be off to the races beginning next Wednesday. We could get news right away on agreements with retailers, electrical distributors, power companies and consortiums, etc, or we may have to wait longer on that, but at least product will be out there and the world can begin to form an opinion--and our company can start garnering some revenue! I honestly don't know how this bulb won't be enthusiastically embraced by the public. Frankly, it will be the cheapest R30 on the market that does everything you want your lightbulb to do. And to top it all off, we'll be receiving another free light bulb, except this one will be the new Generation II ESL R30.
Good luck to all of the folks at Vu1 Corp and to us, the investors.
Vu1 has also filed their 10-K: http://sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=VU1&CIK=&filenum=&State=&SIC=&owner=include&action=getcompany
Haven't read it yet, so I can't comment.
I suppose in all fairness I should add that this is just my opinion. I've gotten investors on the Yahoo message board upset with me in the past for speculating without making it clear that these are my own deductions. I don't want to make the same mistake here, so I just want to be clear.
I just don't see worrying unless we are given something to worry about. So far it's my opinion that we haven't. Of course that could change at any point, but for now I don't see a delay as being cause for concern. Have a great weekend.
For those investors who are really getting nervous about Vu1, don't. Everything is going exceedingly well and we should get some good news next week. I'll put it this way, we definitely will get some good news very soon, and most likely next week.
Management has adopted a policy that forbids anyone from giving a specific date about anything. I'm sure everyone can understand why. They will announce developments when they happen and not before. And until something actually happens, silence.
Just a little more waiting and this rough period will be long forgotten.
I just received a phone call from Vu1 requesting my order information. They verified that the bulbs WILL be shipping this week! Hurray! This is a major milestone for Vu1. This means that by the end of the week Vu1's bulbs will officially be available to the public for the first time (albeit, only through their website for now.)
Excellent! So I should be receiving my 8 Generation II ESL R30 bulbs in a week or two. Too cool!
The Bull, that's an old article, my friend, about 2 years old. The date at the top of the page changes with each day, always the current date. The article's date is a little further down. As I told the guy on the Yahoo board, it's the thought that counts :O)
Here's to a good week!
You mean that company whose stock is at $0.0019? No, Vu1 actually shows a lot of promise. Vu1 actually has proprietary technology. Perhaps you should wait until next week, order a bulb, and see for yourself. Who knows, you could get back some of the money you lost in that other company by investing in Vu1. Good luck.
Thanks, Bull. Today looked good, though you wouldn't want to draw any conclusions based on one day. I'd really like to see things ratcheted up a bit as we get closer to the release of the Generation 2 bulb, but if history is any indication, tomorrow we'll probably just lose the 2 cents we gained today.
One thing is clear, ain't nothin' gonna happen until Vu1 makes their bulb, their Generation 2 R30, available to the public. Then we'll have to watch and see what happens next. Are retailers waiting on the same thing before they are willing to commit? Well, they're certainly not going to come to any agreements with Vu1 before the bulb is available. Afterwards? We shall see.
So some possible developments to look for after the R30 makes it to market: agreements with retailers; agreements with utility companies and related entities; developments on the A19 bulb; news reports in the media should pick up; and of course their 10-K should be filed before the month is out, that or an extension.
The following is a short video I shot of the Vu1 R30 light bulb being turned on and off. It's the early, complimentary version that Vu1 is sending out to those who had previously ordered from them. Their Generation 2 bulb should be ready to ship in about a week:
Check out the photos on photobucket: http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ginchinchili/
I received my complimentary ESL R30 today! Our mail carrier was honking her horn out in front of the house, so I ran out there and I was required to sign for a package. I was thinking it was some coins I ordered. I opened the box and, low and behold, it's my complimentary R30!
It looks great. It's a fairly heavy bulb. The light quality IS like that of an incandescent. The bulb doesn't come on as quickly as an incandescent, but there's just a slight pause--about a second--and then it comes on to full brightness. The very front of the bulb does get hot, but the rest of the bulb stays completely cool. It's as bright as a 65 watt bulb with the same warm quality light.
I assume everyone else will be getting theirs either today or early next week. Progress! my friends.
Vu1 added a new page on their website dedicated to the Generation 2 bulb and allows for a printable version of the page. That could be useful for those of us ambitious enough to pay a visit to our local utility companies once we receive our Generation 2 orders: http://www.vu1corporation.com/spec-sheet...
Speaking of receiving bulbs, we should start receiving our complimentary bulbs within the next few days.
As I am, The Bull. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to receiving my free Generation 1 bulb, if just to pacify me until we get the updated bulbs.
You know, even though it sucked having to wait an extra month to receive our orders, it's reassuring that Vu1 is positively demonstrating that they are continuously improving their bulbs and their technology, and not just saying that they are.
I found the following article today that touches on this fact. The author points out that Vu1's ESL technology makes for a strong competitor today, but if they can continue to improve they will definitely impact the lighting industry. It's a good article that gives a fair assessment of Vu1's ESL R30: http://www.homepowersaver.net/2011/02/why-you-need-to-learn-about-esl-light.html
Have you guys seen where they updated the Home Page on the Vu1 website with the new "Generation 2" bulb, with additional printing on the bulb: Mercury Free/Disposable, Soft White, 2800 Kelvin? It looks great: http://www.vu1corporation.com/
Just a word of warning. I read about it on another message board and I clicked on the Vu1 website several times and only got the old opening slide show effect ending with the old bulb. I thought the guys on the message board were seeing things. Finally, I was posting that I wasn't seeing the new bulb and went to the website to copy exactly what I WAS seeing, and there was the new bulb. Don't know what was up with that and probably no one else on the planet will have the same experience, but I thought I'd share this with you just in case :O)
Good article. Thanks for sharing, Airdale1.
Looks like everyone who previously had ordered from Vu1 will be receiving a free bulb, Generation 1, while we await the Generation 2 bulb:
Vu1 Corporation Introduces Next Generation Electron Stimulated Luminescence(TM) R30 Light Bulb
10:30a ET February 24, 2011 (PR NewsWire)
Vu1 Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: VUOC), a developer and manufacturer of mercury-free, energy-efficient general illumination lighting technology, today announced that it has completed electronics miniaturization in the second generation of its Electron Stimulated Luminescence(TM) (ESL) R30 light bulb and will begin shipping the new bulbs to all customers with outstanding orders from March 23, 2011.
The bulb, which is based on Vu1's unique ESL lighting technology platform, uses accelerated electrons to stimulate phosphor and create light, making the surface of the bulb glow and providing natural light quality for up to 10,000 hours. The new bulb will measure 5.37" in length, compared to the initial 5.75" of the first generation bulb, and will fit in all US recessed can lighting fixtures. The bulbs are fully dimmable, energy-efficient, non-toxic and provide a light quality virtually indistinguishable from traditional incandescent light bulbs.
"We are pleased that our development process has allowed us to provide our customers with the next generation of Vu1's R30 light bulb," commented Philip Styles, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In the coming weeks we plan to fulfill all of the pre-orders for our initial R30 bulb with our next generation bulb. In the meantime, given the strong consumer interest in Vu1's unique ESL lighting technology platform, the Company plans to ship to all existing on-line customers one complimentary first generation bulb within the next few days, allowing customers to experience Vu1's ESL while their order is being fulfilled."
"I am currently in The Czech Republic meeting with our development and manufacturing team, and I am very pleased with the pace of the team's progress," commented William B. Smith, Chairman. "The proceeds Vu1 recently received from its private placement have supported rapid transition to full automation of the production process, ensuring Vu1's ESL bulbs can be produced more efficiently and quickly and lowering costs."
The Company's next generation R30 light bulb will sell at the MSRP of $19.95 (excluding tax, shipping and handling), approximately half the price of LEDs at the lowest end of the LED pricing range, and the site will accept a minimum order quantity of eight bulbs.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Vu1-Corporation-Introduces-prnews-3256877051.html?x=0&.v=1
I apologize for sharing misinformation with this board. I was repeating what I was told on the phone by a Destination Lighting rep when I stated that the R30s had arrived yesterday morning (Monday) and now it turns out that not only have they not arrived, but it will be another, up to, 5 weeks. As I stated earlier, from this point on I'm not going to assume anything regarding when the bulbs are supposed to arrive, at least not until I'm holding them in my hands.
I posted the same info on the Yahoo board about the bulbs having arrived and I've got people over there calling me a liar. One person made the ridiculous claim that today's 290k trading day was because I posted that Destination Lighting stated that the bulbs were in. Man, if only I really had that kind of influence. Anyway, I'm sorry if my post threw anyone off. I sure didn't mean to.
I just received the same email from Destination Lighting. It's very frustrating, but this is the nature of a new company with a new product. This is an example of why it is always risky to investing in spec stocks.
The waiting is frustrating, but the fact that they will be coming out with a better product is a good thing. I can and will wait.