Companies: RCG   

Hong Kong-based biometrics outfit RC joined AIM with a £1m placing. New shares equalling 10% of the company were placed at 10p by Insinger Townsley, with £554,000 net coming to the company. RC plans to establish joint ventures and make acquisitions to spread geographically and add to its technology. Bossed by Dr Raymond Chu and profitable since 2002, RC has provided biometric solutions to well-known corporations and institutions in China and Hong Kong. Biometrics are methods of recognising people by specific characteristics like face, fingerprint and voice. Although everyday use of biometrics is scarce today, research suggests the market will be worth over US$4bn in 2007, driven by the post 9/11 security climate. Using biometrics for personal authentication is safer than passwords or PIN numbers, which can be stolen and used - there's also nothing for the user to carry or remember. RC's products include fingerprint entry systems for offices and homes, safes that open on fingerprint recognition, and a fingerprint mouse giving access to secure computer data. Historically, RC has focused on the Asia Pacific region, but the AIM quote should boost its brand name in the Europe. Last year to December, RC made £1.2m pre-tax on £2.3m sales, up from £900,000 off £1.7m sales in 2002. At the end of April, orders in hand were worth £3.5m. This looks like a very profitable and intriguing punt.