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Technology Stocks : Trimble Navigation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: arun gera who wrote (2380)	3/27/1998 6:02:00 PM
From: David	Respond to of 3506

Arun, I think that Charles Trimble was traumatized by the near collapse of the company after the Gulf War, when it appeared he had put almost all his eggs in one basket. In the beginning, he was planning to grow the company at 60% a year. He has gotten more conservative since then. I also agree that TRMB's weak point has been managing inventory, etc. However, it's not clear to me that a quite profitable mass market product is there yet -- at least, it hasn't shown up from any other company, either. I think they are all out looking for a one chip solution, and then expect to have many killer applications. Finally, it's also true that unless the company can start boosting its stock price it will become a very, very attractive takeover candidate. However, I expect the price to follow earnings, and I expect earnings to be more consistent and tracking sharply upward, year to year.

To: arun gera who wrote (2380)	3/28/1998 4:30:00 AM
From: Getcher	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3506

Arun, Thanks for the wonderful post. <<I am exasperated that Trimble does not leverage a single product out of the many they have and convert it into mass sales. Look at US Robotics. They marketed a slightly better modem, a commodity item otherwise, into a brand name for which consumers are/were willing to pay double the price in comparison to cheapest.>> This example is what I am talking about. The ability to produce, and more importantly, the ability to market the sizzle that makes their technological advantage tops! They are #1 in GPS technology ... but bench mark them against others and we see what you are saying in spades ... they do a poor job profiting from their advantageous position in GPS. In another post I contemplated what a merger with a large outfit, who understands how to produce and market their technology, would bring to the table. I mean a buyout of course, ... not a merger ... the term merger has taken on the mass of the term 'acquisition' as well. Getcher