50
LoJack (LOJN)
LoJack Corp., the maker of stolen-vehicle tracking devices, has a charismatic brand that transcends its actual size. But in recent years, the Westwood (Mass.) company's financial performance has been impressive, too. A shift in strategy in 2001 pushed most of the installation work of the LoJack radio transmitters -- each a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes, and hidden somewhere in a car -- onto dealers and contractors. That gave dealers, who can make a few hundred bucks on each LoJack sold with a new car, an incentive to sell more of them. And it reduced costs for LoJack Corp. As a result, LoJack trackers are in about 6% of all cars sold, up from about 4% in 2001. Profits have risen an average annual 106% over the past 3 years, to $18.4 million in 2005, on $190.7 million in sales. Some analysts worry that as LoJack chases more sales volume and market share, it has reduced prices too much. But the company says it'll trade a reduced gross margin percentage for an increase in actual dollars and cents.
Company Info |
|
| 2005 Rank | 42 |
| Market Value* ($ Millions) | 418.5 |
| Sales* ($ Millions) | 198.5 |
| Sales Growth (3-yr. avg. annual) |
17.7 % |
| Profits* ($ Millions) | 18.7 |
| Profit Growth (3-yr. avg. annual) | 106.3 % |
| Return on Inv. Capital (3-yr.) | 17.7 % |
| Share Price 12-Mo. Hi/Lo | 29/14 |
| Share Price As of 4/28/06 | 22 |
| Return on Equity | 18.6 % |
| P/E Ratio | 23 |
| No. of Employees | 890 |
| Industry | Electronic Equipment Manufacturers |
| CURRENT MARKET INFO | LOJN > |
| COMPANY WEB SITE > | |
| Location | Westwood, Mass. |
| Phone | 781 251-4700 |
*Trailing 12 months
Stock price data as of 4/28/06
DATA: Standard & Poor's Compustat
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Company Snapshot
LoJack, together with its subsidiaries, provides technology products and services for the tracking and recovery of mobile assets worldwide. Its wireless network technology offers a means for the tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles, motorcycles, and construction equipment. The company also offers LoJack Early Warning recovery system, which provides early notification to vehicle owners in the event of unauthorized users operating the vehicle. In addition, the company offers Boomerang Tracking System, which consists of a cellular band radio frequency transponder with antenna, microprocessor, and power supply to locate and recover stolen vehicles; Boomerang2 Unit, a product that builds upon the Boomerang Unit by integrating two-way communications and diagnostics to provide automatic theft notification by sending a signal upon any unauthorized vehicle movements; Water Resistant Boomerang Unit for installation on construction equipment and marine crafts; and Portable Boomerang Unit for installation in special applications, such as cargo. The company markets its products through its sales force, telemarketing representatives, direct mail, and automobile dealers. LoJack was founded in 1978 and has its headquarters in Westwood, Mass.
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