James P, FRPT IR, speaks.
Called James P Friday morning. I asked why FPI was interested in buying PVI? He said we were interested in some of the technology PVI had. I said I didn't think they had anything they didn't steal from us and certainly not anything worth $5.2 million. He seemed unsure, but repeated they had technology we were interested in obtaining.
I asked about the interest in the Cheetah. In my last conversation with James, over a month ago, he said there was a very positive incident at the EruoSatory show. I didn't ask what it was at the time, but I have been wondering about it since. He said the comment was meant to mean that they got a lot of positive interest from a number of countries about the Cheetah. One of which is the UAE! I replied, "Who is the UAE worried about?" and he said "Everybody!"
I then asked a number of questions in rapid succession which I didn't really expect answers to, but which I hoped would draw some insight into his thinking.
1. What is our current backlogue. Answer Wait for the announcement in 2 weeks. Since this was the answer to most of these questions I will abreviate it as W2W (wait 2 wks)
2. Iraqi orders for ILAV's? Do we split these with our "partner" BAE systems? Answer "yes" w2w for details.
3. Cheetah? Articles about smaller vehicles needed for Afghanistan, and army not really wanting to buy RG 31's, but having to do so anyway, because there is NOTHING ELSE? What about the Cheetah???? !!! Answer. We are working on the issue. W2W
4. EFP and BMT? Are we working on making these technologies available for installation on other MRAPS besides out own? Answer "YES"
5. Cheetah Demo vehciles? How many have we built? We were supposed to build between 70 and 100 by March. How many did we build? Answer: We built some. That number was a missunderstanding passed around on the board. What we said was that we had the parts to build between 70 and 100 vehicles.
6. Who is testing the demo vehicles we built? Answer: I can not divulge that information.
7. MRAP II? Recent articles say the program is pretty much dead. What about the funding, some of which would have applied to Cheetahs? Answer: It is as you have said, funding is undecided. W2W.
I ended the call saying, "You have mentioned the information I have asked for, will be available in 2 weeks several times. Does that mean we will have the earnings report and a CC in two weeks? Answer: YES!
I commented "I hope it is good news, I am really sick of this share price!" He said "I think it will take us out of the basement!"
