[APTX] Just doubled my position at 11/32. APTX STORY--->
I have been tracking APTX for 4 months [but missed it at .25].
The technology APTX has developed is akin to the word processor overtaking the typewriter. I have owned a clothing company for 5 years and use screen printing equipment regularly. What APTX digital printers afford the countless T-shirt designers, and other apparel designers, is the ability to make small sample runs, cheaper, simpler and quicker.
Before a production run begins, samples must go out to salesmen, clients, etc. Traditional screen printing equipment requires color seperations [several hours -depending on method], making and burning of screens for each sep [several more hours], calibrating screens on the printer, mixing ink [another hour, depending on equipment and requirements] and finally printing.
At this point, all preparation for the larger production run has been completed. But instead of running 10,000 units, a production mgr. finds himself asking for 24 sample pieces. Any color adjustments require extra set-up time.
When final approval is given and order is placed, much of this preparation needs to be repeated. This is the way it has always been until now.
APTX has a design center [similar to a service bureau] in LA, Europe and NY, currently. With these centers, that same production mgr., walks in for his 24 piece sample order. APTX boots up his color art disk. And after some digital processing "prints" the art on APTX's custom designed digital printers. Color adjustments no problem. Want 6 pieces with all different colors [just to see how they will look]. No problem. Need the samples by the end of the day. Can do.
Meanwhile, the sample and design department get new job responsibilities and several manual screen printing presses are placed for sale in the local paper. Deadlines are met faster and the company makes more money.
Companies like No Fear, Billabong, Stussy, Quicksilver, Bad Boy, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, etc, etc, which may do dozens of sample designs per week, will LOVE APTX new digital printing bureaus. It would not surprise me to see APTX open offices in every major city worldwide. Not to mention, hundreds of thousands of small companies and individual screen printers [doing local business logos and school or team designs]. This is BIG business. And not to mention other more industrial fabric printing [even bigger business].
When/if they cut a development/manufacturing deal with a major manufacturer, these digital printers [using APTX proprietary software and hardware] could even be sold to the largest of companies and to established service bureaus. No doubt a single unit would be about 30,000 to 100,000 bucks each [not unusual in this industry].
I suspect the MMs are trying to push the price down to cover short positions they were caught with on the runup. And I don't know when they will allow this one to run. But, I look for big gains as APTX cuts big deals with bigger companies. Regardless of buyouts, rumors or otherwise the thing that stands out in my mind about APTX is this. They stand alone in the development of digital printing of apparel.
They are making quantum technological leaps in this traditionally "low-tech" industry.
APTX hasn't traded much under .30, so the downside potential is marginal. But the upside is what I am focused on. Hope this candid explanation helps in understanding what APTX is all about and why people are getting excited.
Rande Is
~~NOTE: Nothing herein constitutes a reccommendation to buy or sell any stock. Penny stocks are risky gambles. I am a private investor with a small long position in APTX. |
