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Editor’s Note: Last week we kicked off a local marketing campaign for Google Places in Austin, Texas, to spread the word about all the Google tools business owners can use to connect with customers. Here, our new friend Rebecca with the Austin Chamber of Commerce talks about why Google’s a great fit for the Austin small business community.
Several weeks ago Google called us. They were looking to work with the Austin Chamber of Commerce and Austin’s local business community for a new marketing campaign about Google Places. Google’s been taking a new approach to marketing Google Places, their business listings, and a recently launched tool to help connect customers to those businesses, Hotpot. We were thrilled to hear about their interest in Austin.
Why Austin? Our national recognition as a tech-savvy hub for business development means the city is a natural fit for Google’s initiatives. The Google Places Business Kits will be introduced to the Austin Chamber’s network of business leaders in central Texas. These kits include a sampler of marketing materials that can help businesses get more exposure, get them reviewed online, and get more customers through their door.
Business owners also will have the ability to connect with potential customers through Google’s new rating tool, Hotpot. With Hotpot, people now have the ability to rate and review local businesses and share those opinions with friends. When that person uses Google to search for local places, their search results become more personalized based on their tastes and those of their friends.
At the Chamber, we’re always working to understand the small business climate as we develop our benefit programs. One trend we’ve noticed is the convergence of social and mobile computing, along with the growth of location technology and services. Google Places and Hotpot act as a great set of tools business owners can use to take advantage of these trends.
As small business owners look to expand their market reach, online promotion plays an increasingly important role in both attracting new businesses and retaining loyal customers. Easy access to accurate information online and helpful reviews work toward business stability. Google’s partnership with businesses in our city will support and enhance the opportunities for raising a branded level of awareness to the consumer. Certainly, it will be exciting to witness what happens in the marketplace when Google, with its global reach, meets Austin, whose reputation for innovation and creativity is well-earned. We at the Chamber are forecasting exciting new developments ahead in 2011.
Posted by Rebecca Martin, SVP, Austin Chamber of Commerce


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British scientists at the University of Warwick have designed a biodegradable cell phone casing that degrades in soil after being discarded. A seed, imbedded in the special polymer, germinates as the phone breaks down.
Million of cell phones are discarded each year as manufacturers introduce new models; the novel concept is meant to help consumers do something positive for the environment. The seed — a sunflower seed in the prototype — is implanted in a small transparent window in the phone. The researchers expect the covers to hit the commercial market next year, but can’t say how much the items will cost.

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Higher purchasing power and heightened awareness of conscious consumption mean there is considerable scope to grow the artisanal butter market in Singapore, says a start-up that is innovating with a range of Asian flavours.
Brewery giant Asahi Japan recently released a new round of green bonds valued in the billions in local currency, tapping on burgeoning local sustainability trends to diversify its financing methods and achieve its environmental commitments
Coffee consumers in the Asia Pacific region are increasingly making purchasing decisions that are driven by by localisation and ready-to-drink format innovation, according to industry heavyweights such as Nestle, Suntory and Movenpick.
Government and industry representatives from the palm oil and rubber sectors in Malaysia have urged the European Union (EU) to withdraw ‘highly demeaning’ clauses within its controversial deforestation regulation, punctuating this with a 500-strong protest...
Thailand-based food giant CP Foods has committed to further improve its food safety and sustainability initiatives in 2023 on the back of a successful 2022 financial year, but also plans to proceed with more caution due to ongoing challenges spanning...
Nestle Malaysia has vowed to continue its progress in environmental and business sustainability areas such as renewable energy, recyclable packaging and plant-based product innovation even amidst current global economic instability.
Brands in APAC should take into account the rising demand for product packaging that is convenient, responsible, and good for the environment to capture consumers’ attention, says a global packaging firm that has ramped up investment in China.
The National Food Loss and Waste Initiative (Ne’ma) backed by the United Arab Emirates government still faces immense challenges in the form of cultural practices and consumer behaviour as it seeks to halve food loss and waste.
Taiwan’s largest plant-based food manufacturers claim consumers are increasingly adopting vegetarian diets for sustainability and health reasons, as opposed to religious factors, and say that recent government policies are helping propel further growth.
Consumer demand for alternate proteins is unlikely to end up growing at a uniform rate due to local dietary differences, much of which will still prioritise animal protein in the long run, according to an expert panel.
The age-old ideas that palm oil sustainability must involve complex certification processes and premium price points needs to be scrapped in order to truly achieve sustainable goals throughout the entire value chain, according to industry experts
The rapid rise of health and sustainability trends in the Asia Pacific region has made its way into staple foods such as rice, edible oils and salts, with extensive new product innovation helping to propel growth, our exclusive in-depth report reveals.
ASEAN consumer confidence in regional trade relations with the European Union have plummeted on the back of the latter’s recently-passed deforestation law and its impacts on various food commodities, as major palm oil producing countries in the region...
Plant-based brands in South East Asia need to step up their game by integrating unique health and localisation features to stand out in the increasingly crowded market, according to a Philippines brand blazing a trail in the sector.
Trends and Innovation Opportunities Across the Life Stages
Delegate tickets are now on sale at a special earlybird rate for our Growth Asia Summit 2023, as we also announce a raft of new content themes and high profile keynote speakers from Danone, Nestle, H&H and Dole.
NZ supermarkets Foodstuffs and Countdown say reinforcing direct partnerships with egg producers is crucial to tackle widespread supply chain disruptions given the government’s ban on battery-caged hens coming into force.
Singapore-based agritech firm Singrow has launched what it claims is the world’s first climate-resilient strawberry variety developed by genomics technology, with wider applications in other crops and functional foods underway.
Organisers of the Future Food Asia (FFA) Awards 2023 have revealed a whole new awards track targeting start-ups based outside APAC, hoping that this will bring more expertise and technologies into the region.
Japan food heavyweight Ajinomoto has highlighted localisation and innovation as key pillars of its sustainability strategy in the firm’s most recent report, with its leaders pledging to take a ‘fundamentally different’ path from other MNCs.
The ‘outdated’ beverage industry is simultaneously harming the planet and people’s health due its vast plastics use and high sugar content, claims the boss of an Austrian brand that has launched its dissolvable cubes in Asia for the first time.
South Korea has given the nod for recycled PET plastic to be used as a material to make new food and beverage containers as part of its national sustainability strategy, citing work by international brands such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo as an inspiration.
Singapore plant-based egg firm OnlyEg believes that 2023 will be the year for the plant-based egg sector to shine in APAC given the technological advances that have been made, as well as the food safety and nutritional benefits.
Singapore eco-friendly coffee capsule brand NO HARM DONE says its newly introduced local-inspired coffee capsules, including Gula Melaka Kopi and Choco Kopi flavours, have been a hit with the domestic market, as it now seeks regional expansion.
Beverage firms in Singapore have highlighted support for the local government’s proposed plans to implement a container return scheme in 2024, with supermarkets, convenience stores and residential common areas most likely to be the locations of collection.
Nestle has moved one step closer towards its ambitions to reduce plastic packaging in the APAC region with its latest announcement of a paper packaging trial for chocolate in Australia, though its suitability for Asia’s hot and humid climate still remains...
China is ramping up its efforts to move past the immense impacts COVID-19 has had on the country over the past three years, including removing all requirements for nucleic acid testing on frozen food imports and reducing tariffs.
Beverage giant Suntory believes that a simultaneous focus on the development of alternative packaging materials as well as better recycling infrastructure are essential to deliver on its sustainability ambitions.
Cultivated meat pioneer Mosa Meat says it is still working to get full regulatory approvals to retail its cultivated meat in Singapore, despite the signing of a manufacturing agreement with Esco Aster for production in the Asian trade hub.
The Chinese government has launched strict draft standards to govern excessive food packaging in the country covering fruit, meat, egg and seafood products, allowing public comments on these until January 2023.
The Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dr Ismahane Elouafi, will be the Guest of Honour at the seventh edition of the Future Food Asia conference (FFA), where FoodNavigator-Asia is the Media Partner....
The cultivated products sector still has a long road ahead in many markets in terms of regulatory processes, but this thorough vetting will lay a strong foundation of food safety and quality that will eventually yield benefits in terms of consumer trust...
The pandemic has brought about unexpected improvements in consumer dietary habits in Oman, alongside the digitisation of food and grocery retail, increased intake of local products and growing awareness of food waste, a new study reports.
Qatari dairy giant Baladna is looking at more markets in South East Asia to bring its sustainable dairy self-sufficiency model to, after successfully securing and setting up its joint venture in Malaysia.
Rising awareness amongst Thai consumers regarding the potential unhealthy connotations associated with long expiry dates is a key factor driving up the demand for clean label food ingredients in the country, according to leading industry experts.


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Two high-rise complexes that will combine residential apartments with Marriott Courtyard hotels are being planned for sites only six blocks apart just north of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago.
A 60-story, 560-unit apartment building, attached to an 18-story, 347-room Marriott Courtyard hotel and a 12-story, 600-space parking garage, is planned for the southeast corner of Hubbard and Orleans Streets. The developer for the structure, close to the Merchandise Mart, is M.P. Pinnacle Inc., a subsidiary of Chicago-based Marquette Properties.
On the northeast corner of Hubbard and State Streets, developer John Buck Co. is to begin a 47-story, 460-unit apartment tower next to a 336-room hotel and 420-space parking garage.
The combination of hotels with private apartments, as in other mixed-use developments, can help lower development costs and may enhance the success of each component, said Marjorie Newald, of Laventhol & Horwath, an accounting and consulting firm.
``An apartment building can generate business for a hotel, and the hotel can make the building better known,`` she said.
But unlike Michigan Avenue mixed-use hotels, such as the Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and Hyatt Suites now under construction, the Courtyards will cater to customers seeking ``moderately`` priced rooms, a Marriott Corp. spokesman said.
The hotels will be owned by Marriott, and the developers will own the other parts of the properties, said Paul Novak, Marriott`s group vice president for lodging development.
The rooms will sell for less than $100 a day, considered moderate for the area, Novak said.
Like other Courtyards, the hotels will have a restaurant and pool but will offer limited services. The hotels are not intended to compete for the higher-priced business sought by such facilities as Marriott`s flagship convention hotel on North Michigan Avenue, Novak said.
The ``primary target`` customer will be the individual business and pleasure traveler. ``We will compete on price and quality of the rooms,``
rather than extra amenities, Novak said.
The hotels are the first Courtyards to be introduced in downtown markets rather than suburbs. The downtown Courtyards will have 3,000 square feet of meeting space, instead of the 1,200 square feet in the suburban Courtyards.
Hotel construction is scheduled to begin before the end of the year, and occupancy is set for the fall of 1991, he said.
Marriott intends to have ``in excess of a dozen`` downtown Courtyards within five years in other cities, said John H. Dasburg, executive vice president for the lodging group.
Unlike its other lines of hotels, Marriott intends to own and operate all the Courtyards rather than offer franchises, Dasburg said.
Marriott also announced plans to build two smaller, free-standing Courtyards in Alexandria and Rosslyn, Va. Another will be built in London, in the 20 million-square-foot Docklands development project planned by Olympia & York Developments Ltd., Dasburg said.
The London hotel is scheduled to open in late 1991, and several smaller Courtyards will be built in London suburbs, Dasburg said.
The Orleans Street development is the first in downtown Chicago for Marquette Properties, which has built 2,600 apartments in the suburbs during the last five years.
John Buck Co. and Marriott are also working together on studies for an 850-room expansion of the Michigan Avenue Marriott convention hotel, which would result in an L-shaped facility of 2,000 rooms.
Marriott established its Courtyard line in 1983 and expects to have 145 open by year-end, Dasburg said.
Plans call for 300 Courtyards with a total of 50,000 rooms by the mid-1990s, he said.


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Cook Transseptal Needle Recall & Catheter Injuries
Medical Device Defect Attorney and product liability lawyer reviewing Cook Transseptal Needle Recall injuries and other defective catheter products for plaintiffs nationwide
Due to reported patient deaths linked to Cook Medical products, Cook issued a safety recall for a lot of their Transseptal Needles due to a manufacturing error. An analyst at GlobalData reported that the Cook Transseptal Needle recall was allegedly associated with three deaths linked to the use of catheters during endovascular procedures.
The specific cause of fatal injury may be related to the Cook device coatings dislodging and damaging vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and lungs.
Cook Medical recalled their Transseptal Needle under the pretense of “manufacturing errors” which resulted in needle tips missing the back bevel that creates a sharp tip.
Without a back bevel, the needle tip could damage the inside of the introducer sheath during needle insertion, resulting in detached plastic fragments that could end up in a patient’s blood. These fragments in the bloodstream could cause serious adverse health consequences such as injuries to blood vessel walls, embolism, stroke, or death.
The Cook Medical Transseptal Needle is used by surgeons to access a patient’s heart during cardiac procedures. When stents, needles and catheters are defective and do not function as intended, patients are the ones that suffer and may file injury claims to recover damages and medical expenses through product liability lawsuits.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated product liability lawyer and defective medical device attorney representing plaintiffs nationwide in defective catheter lawsuits and Cook Transseptal Needle Recall injury cases.
Cook Medical Catheter Defects
Catheter injuries reported to the FDA in adverse event reports have included:
- Heart attacks
- Blood clots
- Organ damage
- Emergency surgeries
- Air embolisms
- Blood loss
- Cardiac arrest
Cook Transseptal Needle Recall Lawyer
When medical device companies fail to provide hospitals and medical centers with effective products and they cause injury and deaths, they may be held liable in product liability and personal injury lawsuits that can recover rightful compensation for patients and plaintiffs. Medical companies have a duty to properly test their devices before they market and distribute them for use.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a Cook Medical device, and have questions about the legal remedies available to improve quality of life and medical care, contact The Lyon Firm at (800) 513-2403.
You will speak directly with Mr. Lyon, a Cook Transseptal Needle Recall attorney, and he will help you answer critical questions regarding defective medical device lawsuits.


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Delmo upgrades with state-of-the-art hatchery
Delmo Chicken and Agro (Pvt) Limited, one of Sri Lanka’s leading poultry production and processing companies, has stepped up on a major upgrade in its capacity.
Recently, the company built one of Sri Lanka’s state-of-the-art hatcheries in cooperation with Petersime. With 16 BioStreamer™16S setters and 12 BioStreamer™4H hatchers, the company is now capable of producing 500,000 day-old chicks per month. The new hatchery is located in Kurunegala and consists of a fully pre-fabricated building with air handling included.
Founded in 1988 by Mr Sumith Perera as a backyard poultry production business, Delmo has consistently grown to the well-known household brand it is today. Thanks to the recent expansion strategy, the company is now considered as one of the largest poultry and agribusinesses of the country.
Mr Perera, currently still Chairman and Managing Director of Delmo Chicken and Agro Pvt. Ltd., states: “Sri Lanka is known to have the most modern poultry industry of Southern Asia. The construction of the new hatchery is a memorable event for the Delmo family and reflects the continuous effort of the domestic poultry industry of investing in modern scientific technology.”
Delmo’s broiler production farms, processing plants and machinery are equipped with the latest evolving technologies. The company has always placed its priorities in using innovative tech to continuously improve its entire supply chain.
While Delmo has already earned a reputation for its outstanding product quality and excellence in customer satisfaction throughout the years, they aim to be the most respected poultry meat supplier in the country.


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Walmart is testing self-driving cars in a collaboration that involves Ford Motor and AI provider Argo AI for expanding its product delivery strategy.
The testing is taking place in several cities, according to a CNBC report.
The vehicles are Ford Escape hybrids using Argo's platform for delivery technology. Testing is taking place in Texas, Miami and the Distrist of Columbia.
"We're excited to expand our autonomous delivery efforts in three new markets alongside Argo and Ford," Tom Ward, Walmart U.S. senior vice president of last mile delivery, said in a statement. "This collaboration will further our mission to get products to the homes of our customers with unparalleled speed and ease, and in turn, will continue to pave the way for autonomous delivery."
Copyright © 2021 Networld Media. All rights reserved., source Industry News


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New Delhi: German auto component maker Bosch AG, which has committed to expanding its investments in India (See: Bosch to invest another Rs850 crore in India), has showcased pioneering technologies at the 9th Auto Expo being held in New Delhi.
The Bosch pavilion, the largest among auto component makers, displays some of the finest technologies in diesel and gasoline systems; chassis and brakes systems; latest in Blaupunkt car multimedia; automotive electronics; starters and generators and a whole range of automotive accessories-diagnostics and Bosch Car service.
Bosch says it offers efficient gasoline injection systems and advanced common rail systems that comply with the strict emission norms in India.
Bosch opened its first manufacturing facility for high pressure common rail pumps in India in 2006 in India. Since August 2007 the company has been manufacturing common rail injectors locally. In 2007 the company made as many as 100,000 common rail systems in India and in 2010 the figure is likely to be as high as 1.3 million and it is expected that the two million mark will be reached in 2013. Increasing volumes are also to be seen in all the other Bosch makes in India.
By 2010, the German auto components maker will make 1.5 million starters and two million alternators in India compared to about a half a million of each currently.
The company says that according to its projections by 2010, 4.7 million Indian vehicles will be fitted with Bosch brakes. Alongside environmental protection, accident prevention is an area in which Bosch plans to have a presence in India through the manufacture of advanced braking systems.
In 2006 76 per cent of all new cars worldwide were fitted with ABS but only eight per cent in India. The company says this figure would double by 2012. Bosch is preparing for this increase in demand and plans to roll out ABS production in India at the end of 2008.
The company says India is converting itself into a hub for low-priced cars and Bosch wants to play a role in this dynamic and growing market. Bosch engineers globally are working on new technologies for low priced vehicles. The company says between now and 2012 demand for these vehicles will grow by 6 per cent worldwide and by 13 per cent in India.
For Bosch the development focus in India is not only on cost efficient management systems for gasoline and diesel engines but also on alternators and brakes.
From 2005 to 2008 the company will have invested more than Rs 1800 crore in the country and would have invested an additional Rs8,500 crore in the country by 2010.


text: The IOC says a sport has to meet several criteria before it can be deemed Olympic caliber. It has to have an appropriate association or governing body. It also has to be popular in a lot of country, and there's the rub. It's hard for Americans to imagine how fencing can be as popular as baseball or softball. This ping pong player from Britain has had to answer a lot of questions about his sport's value in his home country. With time, he developed his own set of criteria by which sports are Olympics-worthy: #1, is it accessible around the world? #2, is it popular around the world? #3, will the Olympics be the ultimate competition for that sport? By those criteria, a lot of sports would not qualify. For soccer, the World Cup is the ultimate competition. This professor debunks popular Olympics myths in a recent article, and he says one of the biggest myths is that the Olympics are apolitical. He cites the addition of regional sports when a city hosts as one such example. He says that's not the only niche sport with powerful friends on the inside, and synchronized swimming is one such example. Other sports just fall out of fashion with the times, and tug-of-war and polo are such examples. Sometimes sports get dropped and later reinstated, such as with archery and tennis. This American official says he's trying to get softball back on the Olympic roster, but softball will have a lot of competition, from sports like BMX cycling. All the while, other Olympic hopefuls are lining up, such as bridge and chess. Some argue that the Olympics weren't always about physical prowess, but this official says the IOC should start by cutting events, like rowing. But like any support, rowing has plenty of supporters as well.


text: VIENTIANE More than 100 foreign partners have signed cooperation deals and contracts and pledged to bring tourists to Việt Nam within two days at the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) Trade Fair 2024 in Laos. TRAVEX 2024, the biggest of its kind held annually in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), took place from January 24-26 with the participation of localities and businesses from ASEAN member countries. The pavilion of Việt Nam featured the five provinces of Điện Biên, Ninh Bình, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình and three travel companies who introduced a number of tourism products to regional and international businesses. Data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism showed that about 2.1 million of the 12.6 million international visitors to Việt Nam in 2023 came from the ASEAN countries. These are advantages for attracting tourists from both the member countries and others across the world.


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Scientists have found a way to store energy in the red bricks that are used to build houses.
Researchers led by Washington University in St Louis, in Missouri, US, have developed a method that can turn the cheap and widely available building material into “smart bricks” that can store energy like a battery.
Although the research is still in the proof-of-concept stage, the scientists claim that walls made of these bricks “could store a substantial amount of energy” and can “be recharged hundreds of thousands of times within an hour”.
The researchers developed a method to convert red bricks into a type of energy storage device called a supercapacitor.
This involved putting a conducting coating, known as Pedot, onto brick samples, which then seeped through the fired bricks’ porous structure, converting them into “energy storing electrodes”.
Iron oxide, which is the red pigment in the bricks, helped with the process, the researchers said.
If you’d like to read the full story from Science Focus, click here!


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Glasgow Fort expansion 'may lead to 500 jobs'
Contractors have started work on a £45m construction project which developers said could lead to 500 jobs being created at one of Glasgow's largest shopping centres.
Five new retail units and a restaurant are due to be built at Glasgow Fort Shopping Park over the next 12 months.
The 112,000 sq ft development will include a new Marks & Spencer store.
Glasgow Fort stands next to the M8 near Easterhouse and already has nearly 100 outlets, including Zara, H&M and Next.
Developers said they expected about 500 posts to be created at the new stores and restaurant, once the build was completed.
Glasgow Fort manager Phil Goodman said: "We are delighted that this much-anticipated development has now started.
"Marks & Spencer is a fantastic name to add to our list of stores and we are confident it will be a major draw for people visiting the park.
"We are committed to supporting the local community and economy and providing meaningful support through schemes such as our tie-up with Jobs and Business Glasgow for access to employment."
Jobs and Business Glasgow is an arm's length company tied to Glasgow City Council which aims to boost local economic development activity.


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Bay Area Wal-Mart employees go on strike
Some Bay Area Wal-Mart workers are preparing to walk off the job, joining at least a hundred others in what labor groups say will be the first prolonged strikes in the retailer’s history.
Led by union-backed labor group Organization United for Respect, or OUR Walmart, an unknown number workers plan to walk off the job starting Wednesday and continuing through June 7, when the retail giant (NYSE: WMT) holds its annual shareholder meeting in Bentonville, Arkansas.
About 25 workers from the Bay Area will hop on a bus to Bentonville to protest the meeting, citing poor pay and disrespect on the job.
Before they leave, demonstrators plan to march in front of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Director Marissa Mayer’s home tomorrow afternoon. Supporters will then join them in a send-off celebration at the Bayanihan Community Center on Mission Street in San Francisco. Mayer is CEO of Internet business Yahoo Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) and was an early employee at Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG).
Some Wal-Mart employees also will go on strike in Miami and Massachusetts.
The strike follows last October’s strikes and the Black Friday walkouts, which were the first-ever coordinated demonstrations against the retailer. Those protests drew nearly 500 employees.
Renée Frojo covers hospitality, restaurants, retail and nonprofits for the San Francisco Business Times.
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News Today: Fashion Giant Hugo Boss Placed Its First Order In Pakistan
Pakistan has always suffered a lack of exposure in the international business community despite owning a tonne of potential in different business sectors. Recent government has taken many steps to unleash Pakistan’s actual potential to the world and foreign investors have now started taking notice of business dynamics in Pakistan. Pakistan, if governed in the correct way, is one of the most likely countries in today’s times to grow exponentially in economical as well as business terms. Pakistan does not lack either technical knowledge or the required labor force to take that knowledge to fruition. The only thing that has always lack is government interest. Contrary to normal international disinterest, fashion giant Hugo Boss placed its first order in Pakistan.
Happy to note that well known brand, Hugo Boss, has placed its first order of sportswear to a Pakistani company. This achievement was due to the effort of PRGMEA for holding the 35th IAF Fashion Convention in Nov last year, in Lahore. Congratulations to Ijaz Khokhar and PRGMEA.
— Abdul Razak Dawood (@razak_dawood) July 7, 2020
Efforts Of PRGMEA
PRGMEA managed to host International Apparel Federation’s 35th Fashion Convention in Lahore, Pakistan. This convention was held in the month of November last year in which a multitude of multi-billionaire fashion brands from around the globe participated. This proved to be a golden chance for Pakistani clothing industry to showcase its talent and creativity. Many companies were astounded by what they saw in Pakistan and got eager to learn the production techniques as well as manufacturing facilities in Pakistan.
Hugo Boss also showed interest in mega event and the representatives took back positive feedback. Now it comes as a great news to all Pakistani textile and business community that Hugo Boss has agreed to work, in fact placed an order for clothes in Pakistan.
This time round Hugo Boss has went out of its niche of gentleman clothing like suits and sophisticated clothing with accessories and has asked Pakistan to produce professional level sportswear on an industrial scale. This comes as an interesting news as analysts believe Hugo Boss is majorly known for its profession oriented apparel and not casual or youth oriented clothing. What first impression Hugo Boss casts on the world with its new product will highly be dependent on Pakistani skill.
Hugo Boss is now majorly targeting mainstream e-commerce business model instead of typical physical existence as it failed while uprooting a few years back. The fashion giant is going through some hefty changes to grow further and this will surely benefit Pakistan in many ways.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.


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As the drinks supply chain looks at how it can start to bring its people back together again Richard Siddle talks to Craig Durham, head of Buckingham Schenk, about how it has managed to keep the majority of its team working through Covid-19, and how, as the UK arm of the Schenk Group, the major international producer, it has worked with the company’s teams across Europe to give its customers the best service it can and is very much on the front foot coming out of lockdown.
Craig Durham on how Buckingham Schenk is fully focused on the issues, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Whilst the majority of drinks suppliers have had their head offices firmly shut throughout the Covid-19 crisis, Craig Durham has done what he can to keep things as normal as possible during lockdown.
As soon as it was safe to do so Durham has been happy to work at Buckingham Schenk’s main office in Bracknell and steer the company’s response to the crisis in familiar surroundings rather than make do from an office at home.
For most of the time he has only been accompanied by his logistics manager, but is clearly excited about the opportunity of slowly bringing members of staff back to the office as long as it safe and healthy to do so.
“We have all been working from home since since mid march, but it’s not the same as being together in the office,” he says, particularly for those who are living on their own without the close support of their families.
It will initially re-open with a “skeleton crew” but has put in the necessary safe distancing measures, in what is a large open plan modern office, to allow as many members of staff to come back in as often, or as infrequently as they like. “If they want to just come in one day a week then that’s fine. I think it’s important for people’s mental well being as well,” he adds
Durham has also had more than just the needs of Buckingham Schenk’s UK staff and customers to think about during this time. Being part of a major pan-European wine producer – the Schenk group – has also meant being closely tuned in to what the mother ship and its other subsidiary businesses in Europe – across the Benelux, Germany, Italy, Spain, France and its headquarters in Switzerland – have been up to.
Most of which has been done through weekly international Zoom meetings, which, says Durham, has arguably meant, as a group, the Schenk business has never been more connected and on top of what is going on in its various divisions.
Schenk is very much the sum of its various parts. As a producer it is still very much family owned and makes wines in Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain.
Buckingham Schenk in the UK runs as a separate, independent business and whilst its takes the majority of its wines from the Schenk portfolio, it is also free to import and build relationships with producers all over the world. Most notably its long standing ties with major players such as Viñalba in Argentina, te Pā in New Zealand and new producers such as Domaines Auriol in the Languedoc in France.
Which is what has helped Buckingham Schenk, claims Durham, offer its customers a very different level of service and access to wines from all over the world than many of its competing suppliers in the UK.
Plans and preparations
Durham is keen to get as much of his team working alongside each other as he knows how important, busy and uncertain the rest of 2020 is going to be.
If anything the pressure is going to ratchet up even more now that most of the economy is coming out of lockdown, and we have the fast approaching reality of what Brexit and leaving the EU will actually mean come January 1 2021.
It’s time now, says Durham, to start thinking and preparing for how business is going to be not just now, but in five months time.
Being part of a large European business means Brexit is firmly back on the agenda, particularly in terms of how it is going to be able to continue to trade with the UK if the much publicised new, restrictive red tape and administrative costs – like VI-1 forms – are introduced.
“It is a big concern,” confirms Durham, particularly for the smaller family wineries it might want to work with for the on-trade. “All our suppliers want to trade with the UK, but not if it is not viable.”
“Then there is also the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland that is coming our way which will have a big impact as well.”
Coping with lockdown
All of which seemed a long way away in the depths of lockdown. Durham says the business was able to function pretty much as normal throughout the lockdown and there was no problems in getting in stocks and re-supplies from its own producers and partners. “We did not miss any orders, there might have been a slight delay here and there , but they were very rare,” he explains.
“Even with the increased demand from our retail customers we were able to keep everything running smoothly. “
It also speaks volumes at just how clinical and safety conscious the average winery is, which meant there were no issues on the grounds at all in terms of production and moving wine.
“I honestly thought at the beginning of lockdown we might have some logistical issues and there might be problems getting stock, but we have not had any issues at all. Hillebrand and Kukla have been very good and kept us updated at every step.”
Retail focus – on-trade opportunity
Buckingham Schenk’s mix of business, with around 80-90% in retail and cash and carry and only 10% in on-trade, meant it has been able to trade strongly throughout the pandemic.
“Having a diverse retail strategy certainly came into play,” says Durham, with both strong and close relationships across the multiple and specialist sectors and into convenience retailing too.
Buckingham Schenk has been able to work its supermarket and independent merchant partners to help them make the most of this opportunity and it has been “amazing” to see how quickly so many of them adapted and switched to online during this time, he adds.
Its strong relationship and ties to Argentina was a particular bonus as there was huge demand for classics such as Malbec across the supermarkets. “That was very positive for us,” he says.
It was also able to lean on its Prosecco and Italian supply chain and cope with the huge surge there was for Italian sparkling and still wines.
“There was a huge demand to bring in more wine, quicker, and we were able to do that.”
Whilst the retail side has shone in the past few months, it has been the on-trade that has been hit the hardest. It’s an area that Buckingham Schenk might be relieved not to have been so exposed in during Covid-19, but it’s certainly a key focus for the company moving forward – particularly when compared to five years ago when 99% of its business was in the off-trade. “We have been slowly building the on-trade side of things and had strong targets for this year and we were way up on budget [prior to the lockdown],” he says.
It has now developed an exclusive on-trade and specialist retail list featuring separate wines and producers, where it has been able to source and work with new producers as well as tap deeper into the network of Schenk-owned or supported wineries across Europe and the world.
It has also been able to introduce on-trade focused wines from some of bigger partner producers – like the Phebus range from Bodegas Fabre in Argentina that is behind the Viñalba brand.
It now has three dedicated members of staff focused on developing the on-trade.
Switch to premium
Across the board Buckingham Schenk is now very much more focused on the premium end of the wine market. To such an extent that its overall volume sales are probably around half of what they were 10 years ago but its turnover was not similarly affected.. But that has been a strategic decision to move away from the entry level and discounted end of the market, and look to build brands and do more bespoke and exclusive work with their main retail partners.
Durham also sees its on-trade growth being an ideal vehicle to really showcase the big changes that have taken place across the Schenk group in the last three to four years, with a new management team tasked with its raising it profile, identity and reputation in each of its key markets. Particularly the UK.
The Schenk relationship
“We talk about the Schenk group with great pride,” says Durham. “As a family owned Group,It produces around 180m bottles of wine a year.”
But he is aware many of the key buyers and sommeliers across the premium on-trade are not familiar with either Buckingham Schenk or its parent company. “We are perhaps more known for what were our value wines. So we are working hard to change that perception,” he adds.
The Schenk Group operates through similar divisions in its key markets around the world, but particularly in Europe.
“Our priority is to focus on Schenk wines, but we can also do our own thing and go out find new wines and wineries that suit our different needs. But its German distributor would have a very different range to our portfolio. We are able to react and adapt to what the market wants,” he explains.
Its strength also comes in its diversity, adds Durham. For whilst it has its own network of company owned producers, there are also a wide range of agency patterns working with its different divisions in key markets. Which together gives the group access to such a wide variety of wines, styles, prices and the ability to move fast and act on key trends in the sector.
It also helps soften and stretch its global supply chain so that if certain regions hit a peak or a trough, it has the resources in other areas to support them.
But he stresses the first question the Schenk management team want to know on his weekly call is “how the team is?”. “They are genuinely concerned and want to do what they can to help.”
A typical gesture, he says, was when, at the hight of lockdown, the Schenk head office sent a personally signed bottle of wine, to every member of staff working in its business at every level, in all the countries it is in. “It showed we really are all in this together,” adds Durham.
Looking behind Covid-19 Durham says it is still very much looking at new ways and channels in which to sell its wine and raise its profile. One key area is events and live sampling, which might not be possible at the moment to any great degree, but are very much part of its future strategy.
“We were going to be going back to the BBC Good Food Show this winter for the first time in 14 years,” says Durham, who looks forward to doing so when it can.
Similarly events such as Three Wine Men, and other consumer shows will be on its agenda just as soon as they can come back.
It’s where it can really help promote and build the brand image of key producers and wines such as Viñalba. “People when they see it, know it, and these events are all about raising that profile even more.”
He hopes it will be able to build on the strong sales it has had with independent merchants during lockdown, and introduce more exclusive and premium wines to them.
“The sales through indies were very encouraging, the demand was certainly there for more interesting style wines, and we hope that continues.”
But he is very much aware of the need to manage its wines and ensure there is a clear channel strategy for each wine and if there are any changes they need to be clearly communicated through the sector.
Like every other major distributor Buckingham Schenk has played its part hosting and running online tastings and bringing its procurers closer to the trade and their consumers.
It’s an area, believes Durham, that is here to stay for the long term and it will be looking at the best ways to carry on doing interactive tastings, and video conferencing with producers and customers – particularly for its growing independent and on-trade listings.
“It’s not the same as being in a wine shop or restaurant, but we will definitely be doing more of that in the future.”
Back to normal
Durham is less confident about some of the trends we have seen in retail during the lockdown continuing in the long term – particularly around discounting and consumers trading up to buy brands at full price. He’s sure the old competitive streaks will return and we will start to see the average retail price start to go back down again thanks to “natural competition”.
One area he is confident will see major changes going forward is the amount of travel businesses and people are going to be willing to do. Lockdown has shown how much more effective companies and individuals can be if they are constantly not on the move, never mind the carbon footprint side of things.
He says Buckingham Schenk and the Schenk group had already been looking at their own carbon emissions and what steps they could be doing to cut down and this period will only accelerate that. “We are going to be flying and travelling less.”
If a major UK buyer, for example, needs to visit Viñalba in Argentina then it is more likely to rely on the skills and experience of the people at the winery rather than fly out there themselves. “We have always been very good at that and will be even more so in the future,” he adds.
Lockown life as a business leader
Finally Durham reflects on what it has been like as a business leader throughout the lockdown: “It has been exhausting, and every day has been different and challenging in it own way. But it has also allowed me to concentrate more on what is happening on the day to day side of the business.
“Our main priority has been the safety of the staff, although I have missed the team aspect of working together. It’s just not the same on video conference. So I will be glad when we get a back to a little more normality.”
It has also helped him, and the team, focus in on what are the really important aspects of their business that can help their customers.
“We need to make sure our route to market and diversity of our products continues to grow. But we are really bullish about our future and determined to focus on the areas of business that are in our hands, and what we can do well. That’s our challenge.”


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Fast food is surely not one of the things I will automatically want to eat. It's more of a forced type of situation. Crunched for time, not much money but got to eat, etc. It's kind of bitter-sweet to even read a headline like this one. Let's dive in to see which chains may disappear in 2021. Read along while watching the video below. Stop eating this junk every day...
Few industries have been hit harder by the coronavirus pandemic than the restaurant business, with casual dining chains especially feeling the pain. Simply put, restaurants with limited capacity and no delivery options have been left scrambling. Here are the ones that may close in the near future. Like nearly every other restaurant chain in the United States, Ruby Tuesday has been hurting during the pandemic.
But it can't point to the incredibly unusual circumstances of 2020 as the only cause of its demise. The truth is, its fortunes have been trending downward for a while now. Ten years ago, Ruby Tuesday had nearly 850 locations. But when it was purchased by NRD Capital in 2017, it had roughly half that. And they've still been closing restaurants ever since. As of 2020, their current total sits between 270 and 300. If anything, the pandemic has only sped up Ruby Tuesday's decline.
About 150 locations have closed at least temporarily, and the final number of permanent closures is still to be determined. This all led to the company filing for bankruptcy in October. Although it will still be in operation during this time, Ruby Tuesday likely will not fully bounce back. As Aziz Hashim, the founder and managing partner of NRD Capital, put it, "I don't think it goes back to 100 percent in the near-term.
The ability to pay rent at full capacity remains very doubtful." We may all soon have to start looking for a new favorite pancake joint. After more than 60 years in business, IHOP is facing a troubling future. Many chain restaurants have struggled this year, with IHOP and the rest of the breakfast segment haveing been hit particularly hard. The takeout and delivery options that have helped keep other eateries afloat during the pandemic have simply not caught on in this area of the market.
In August 2020, a report published by S&P Global Market Intelligence estimated that the company had an 11.3 percent chance of defaulting on its loans. And things haven't gotten better since then. In October, IHOP's parent company, Dine Brands Global, announced that the breakfast chain would be closing up to 99 locations over the next six months. This all comes on the heels of other significant troubling events. Back in May, a franchisee owning 49 IHOPs filed for bankruptcy, and then the chain closed down 16 other restaurant locations in the third quarter of 2020 as sales dropped by 30 percent.
In the same breath as IHOP's announcement came the news that Applebee's would also be closing locations permanently as well. The same company, Dine Brands, owns both chains. Applebee's announced it would close 15 restaurants during the final quarter of 2020 after having closed 20 stores for good the previous few months. The chain's troubles go back years. It closed nearly 100 stores for good in 2017 and dozens more in 2018.
Applebee's has had a difficult time attracting millennials and its attempt to rebrand itself as an upscale dining option fell flat on its face and cost the company millions of dollars. To add insult to injury, Applebee's executives seemed to think that they were above the pandemic fray. Over the summer, CEO Steve Joyce said, "There is no question, we will close some restaurants. But we don't think the number is going to be a big number." In fact, Applebee's believed that this time might actually be beneficial. Speaking of the gap in the market that could arise from the closings of independent restaurants, Applebee's president John Cywinski stated that the situation, quote, "stands out in terms of opportunity." IHOP isn't the only breakfast chain with a gloomy outlook, as the Grand Slam Breakfast could also be going, going, gone very soon. In March 2020, Denny's closed 15 locations in New York alone. At the time, executives said that they wouldn't be surprised if more restaurants had to close down as well. The chain has had trouble fully staffing the late and overnight shifts at its 1,000-plus stores.
Around 70 percent of units have failed to return to all-hours dining since the coronavirus pandemic began. Staff members may be concerned about how much money they will be able to make during off-hours, potentially making them wonder whether it's worth their time. Furthermore, limited-reopening capacities have only dug profits deeper into the ground. What's especially frustrating is that Denny's was actually doing very well as recently as last year. The company's income tripled in the second quarter of 2019, with same-store sales rising nearly 4 percent overall. But needless to say, that trend wasn't destined to continue indefinitely, though CEO John Miller, for one, is hopeful that things will eventually turn around.
"I am confident that as risks abate and confidence returns, our momentum will return as well." In June 2020, legendary "eatertainment" chain Chuck E. Cheese broke the restaurant bankruptcy dam when it filed for Chapter 11 protection. With more than 600 locations, it was the largest restaurant company to do so in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The company announced the closing of more than 30 locations across the country, including several in California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Ohio. In the filing, James Howell, the chief financial officer of parent company CEC Entertainment, said, "In ordinary times, the company would be financially sound." While many restaurants can point to the pandemic as the source of its ills, Chuck E. Cheese's problems actually started long before that. The company has a whopping $1 billion in debt, most of which was accumulated in 2014 when Apollo Global Management, CEC Entertainment's owners, purchased the restaurant. Although the brick-and-mortar Chuck E. Cheese locations might not be around much longer, the brand could still stick around.
The chain currently has about 450 stores operating as carryout and delivery only. It's also committed to offering at-home birthday packages. These would include games, online components, goodie bags, tickets for future gameplay, branded tableware, and photo backdrops. “They’re gone!” "Drive us to Chuck E. Cheese." Few, if any, restaurant chains were prepared for the coronavirus pandemic. But some have been able to transition effectively.
Golden Corral is not one of them. The chain was particularly hit hard by the crisis because of its buffet business model. This style of service includes shared serving utensils and communal spaces where all guests gather. These practices are conducive to the spread of germs and have been all but eliminated across the country. Some other buffet-style restaurants have switched to a cafeteria model where employees serve the customers, but Golden Corral's buildings simply aren't structured to provide that service. In October, Golden Corral's largest franchisee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company owns 33 locations in Florida and Georgia, all of which closed in March. As of October 2020, six have reopened, and there are plans to open 18 more by the end of the year. But it appears that will be it. According to CEO Lance Trenary, "Recovery has been steady, but slow.
Some franchisees will not be able to continue to operate without additional financial relief." The future's not looking too bright for Dave & Buster's. According to the experts, the chain has a 16 percent chance of being unable to repay its loans in 2021. If that happens, it will likely be forced to file bankruptcy, close locations, or both. That prediction came from S&P Global Market Intelligence in August 2020, which ranked the food and entertainment outlet as the most likely to default on its loans among the largest publicly traded restaurant chains in the United States. There is some silver lining in Dave & Buster's situation. Just a few months earlier, its odds of not being able to pay its loans were north of 50 percent. Furthermore, S&P believes that many competing "eatertainment" concepts will struggle to stay open, thus leaving an opportunity for Dave & Buster's to gain market share. Still, the road ahead definitely looks pretty tough. In September, the company's stock dropped 26 percent in one day as rumors of bankruptcy swirled.
That same week, it was reported that the chain would be laying off more than 1,300 workers across seven states. Of all the restaurant chains that have been struggling for multiple years, Subway may just take the cake for being the most in trouble. After more than five decades in operation, its time appears to be running out. The famous sandwich shop has been losing stores every year since 2017. In total, 13 percent of Subway locations in the United States have closed since 2015, including 2,000 in the past two years. The chain has suffered from a host of self-inflicted wounds, not the least of which is a poor business model. For many years, the company was dead-set on opening as many locations as possible. But this only led to multiple Subway shops in the same vicinity eating into each other's profits.
Add in increased competition in both the sandwich and quick-service markets, and it spells trouble for the "Eat Fresh" brand. Subway still has 41,600 locations in the world, so it may take some time for it to disappear completely. But if this downward trend continues, you may want to run and get that footlong while you still can. Rumors of Red Lobster's demise go back at least as far as 2013.
But what the chain is facing now is more than just speculation. In March 2020, Moody's Investor Service downgraded Red Lobster's credit rating to "poor quality and high credit risk." It defended its rationale by noting, "Prior to the impact of COVID-19, Red Lobster faced challenging operating trends, particularly traffic." Then in August, Red Lobster hired an advisory firm to help with exploring options moving forward. That same month, the chain admitted that it would need to close some of its more than 700 restaurants, although it held out hope that mass shutdowns wouldn't be needed.
Joerg Ayrle, CFO of Red Lobster's parent company, said, "Maybe we'll lose some locations if landlords are really not understanding enough. That's fine, too. We need to keep the pressure on cost." One looming problem for the famous seafood outlet is a $355 million loan that will be due in the summer of 2021. Repaying or refinancing that debt will be a tall order, as Red Lobster's CEO admitted that the restaurant is going through the "most challenging time" in its 52-year history. "Times Square is home to some of the nation's most popular restaurant chains, but some, like Red Lobster behind me, are really feeling the pinch." Just a month and a half into 2020, before the pandemic even hit the United States, TGI Fridays announced that it would be closing dozens of locations.
This news followed 34 restaurant closures in 2019. Just a few months later, as the coronavirus was wreaking havoc, the company made it clear that about 20 percent of its locations would close for good. As CEO Ray Blanchette put it, "Some will close forever, without a doubt. Right now it's all triage and it's all about cash: How are you going to make it through and keep the company solvent?" "Generally, we're optimistic that we're gonna continue to find ways to improve." At the time, TGI Fridays had 386 restaurants across the country.
A loss of 20 percent would mean closing 77 stores. While all companies have been affected by the pandemic, it was particularly taxing on TGI Fridays' future plans. The chain's expected merger with Allegro Merger Corporation was canceled in April due to "extraordinary market conditions and the failure to meet necessary closing conditions," according to a regulatory filing. If it had gone through, this move would have led to the restaurant-going public, which could've been a financial life preserver. In March, the popular Asian bistro chain P.F. Chang's had its credit rating downgraded, largely due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
But like so many others, P.F. Chang's was already suffering from worrisome trends. Founded in 1993 in Scottsdale, Arizona, the company was riddled in debt before 2020. When new owners took over in 2019, it owed about $675 million. One month after the credit downgrade, P.F. Chang's permanently shuttered a location in New York, laying off more than 100 people, and then in May, another location in Maryland shut its doors. The most telling sign of P.F. Chang's troubles came in September when the company announced that it would be extending temporary layoffs of thousands of employees. Even worse is the fact that the chain was unable to bring these workers back even though it received a multi-million dollar loan from the federal government. Check out one of our newest videos right here! Plus, even more Mashed videos about your favorite restaurant chains are coming soon.
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On Tuesday, Twitter filed a case against Musk in a court in Delaware, US. In its application, the world’s leading social media site Twitter has asked the court to direct the world’s richest person to fulfill this agreement.
This social site has filed a case in court against SpaceX and Tesla owner Elon Musk for breaking the agreement to buy Twitter. Musk had done this deal for $ 44 billion, but gradually withdrew from it and now announced the termination of the deal.
On Tuesday, Twitter filed a case against Musk in a Delaware court in the US for breaking the deal. In its application, the world’s leading social media site Twitter has asked the court to direct the world’s richest person to fulfill this agreement. Musk had signed an agreement to buy Twitter shares at a value of $ 54.20.
Shares of both companies came down
In April, Musk announced the purchase of Twitter and it was approved by Twitter’s board, then the social site’s share price jumped to $ 50, but on Tuesday it fell to $ 34. On the other hand, shares of Musk’s company Tesla have also come down 30 percent. Tesla shares closed at $699.21 on Tuesday. Musk decided to terminate the deal, saying the exact number of Twitter spam and fake accounts was not known. Despite repeated requests, the social site is not giving concrete information about this. As such, the agreement cannot be extended.
- Musk and Twitter’s arguments
Musk said he was terminating the deal due to lack of knowledge about spam accounts and false claims.
- Twitter is responsible for the breakdown of the deal, as it has failed to provide the information, while it was obliged to give this information.
- Twitter said it had negotiated a continuation of the deal, but Musk violated it.
- The reasons Musk is giving are mere ‘excuses’. There is no solid ground for breaking the contract. Actually, the reason for breaking the deal is the fall in the shares of tech companies. Because of this, Musk terminated the deal.
Experts in US law regarding acquisitions and mergers say that Twitter’s claim has merit. The way Musk negotiated the deal and then broke it is unfair to traditional takeover methods. Now it remains to be seen what stand the court takes.


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Let Kanye Upgrade You
Dear Vixens and Gents,
A few years ago when Beyoncé bragged about switching Jay-Z’s ties to Purple Label, women around the world followed suit, chanting the new “Upgrade U” anthem and rushing to department stores to restyle their men from head to toe.
Three months ago, when VIBE Vixen posted on J. Lo upgrading new boyfriend Casper all was well. But for something that was just so acceptable has somehow become a victim of the double standard. See Sunday’s episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Kanye West–the rapper, producer, filmmaker and most recently, fashion designer–decided to enlist the services of his stylist to clean out his girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s closet and purchase a new wardrobe for her taping of Oprah’s Next Chapter. For some, this would be a dream come true, the come-up of all come-ups, but for others, this was the unthinkable.


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An idea by two german ministers to recommend a homework law for supply stores features sparked a tough debate in europes biggest economic climate over how exactly to satisfy individual legal rights and fair competition standards in a globalised world and who's accountable for making sure it.
For a long time,german activists have said reasonable global business techniques necessitated an offer chain law that would require organizations to check human being legal rights and environmental criteria not just in their residence country, in every location, from locations in which raw materials tend to be removed and assembled for their final destinations.
The exploitation of people, nature, and son or daughter labour mustn't get to be the basis associated with the worldwide economy and our prosperity, stated gerd mller, germanys minister of financial co-operation and development. that would be a boomerang that could strike back at united states. our socio-economic design are a model for an international economy.
Mr mller and hubertus heil, minister of labour and personal matters, are planning to propose a legislation to parliament, which has its after that program in september. mr mller told journalists that about 70m children worldwide nevertheless work with exploitative circumstances.
Angela merkels ruling coalition had previously vowed to introduce a legislation if businesses failed to develop better homework for themselves, but afterwards put the brake system on any acceleration of the effort. peter altmaier, minister for financial matters and energy, proceeded to express misgivings on the two ministers moving forward without consensus inside closet.
But messrs mller and heil stated outcomes from a study introduced the other day were too unsatisfactory to ignore: just 455 of 2,250 organizations contacted provided legitimate answers to their practices, and just half these participants met homework requirements.
Organizations and business organizations state this and a youthful review done in 2018 have actually methodological and design flaws, consequently they are pushing right back on concept regarding the legislation itself. they argue it puts an excessive amount of duty on little businesses that cannot correctly evaluate a whole supply chain. they even warn that german teams could possibly be put at a disadvantage, and state that berlin should make use of its current presidency of eu to drive for europe-wide legislation.
One legislation alone cannot resolve these problems, stated stefan genth, secretary-general for the german retail federation. it would make significantly more sense to regulate at a european level, not nationwide in germany, as well as in specific to ensure structures are established in procurement countries, like bangladesh. like that, trade unions, for instance, can agree on neighborhood solutions to their particular existential dilemmas.
Although germany could be the fourth-largest economy on earth, mr genth said it had been not effective enough to enact change alone. he cited conversations with factory proprietors on a visit to bangladesh, where he said manufacturers warned they might perhaps not fulfil purchases if forced to meet higher standards.
Advocates for the law state businesses could simply be penalised for neighborhood abuses when they hadn't created oversight measures that experimented with prevent exploitation. an eu-wide response might take years to finalise, they argue, whereas germany might help drive various other europe to act if it moved very first.
Johanna kusch, co-ordinator for the initiative for a supply chain law, has campaigned on problem for twenty years, and dreaded the economic prices of pandemic might play in businesses favour. as an alternative, campaigners obtained an unexpected boost.
Covid-19 might have been a conclusion to the debate but rather, it made people realize how close these supply stores tend to be with their own resides, she said. individuals started asking: what is a supply chain? it made men and women a lot more aware about men and women on the other side end, the workers who got ill or whom got fired from a single day to another location.
As an example of costs, mr heil estimated that due diligence laws would enhance the price of manufacturing jeans in bangladesh from 5 to 7.
About 60 big businesses offer the legislation, including nestl, the german chocolate company alfred ritter, tchibo, as well as the german grocery store chain rewe.
Huge company figures like the german-african business association, however, state a great many other companies may withdraw from challenging areas and so leave the field with other investors who do maybe not care about individual legal rights, president stefan liebing informed the german newspaper handelsblatt.
Ms kusch does think organizations leaves countries with low priced labour. she concerns more about the law becoming diluted since it experiences the german pantry and parliament and in the end through eu. many campaigners in addition be worried about organizations ticking containers to avoid the character regarding the legislation, and not undoubtedly improve supervision.
This law is the one stepping stone on the much better project of reasonable globalisation, ms kusch said. you can still find so many measures and hurdles. of course its maybe not over.


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New law lets consumers 'freeze' and 'thaw' credit for free
ROANOKE, Va. – Consumers will now have an easier way to guard their credit, thanks to a new law that will go into effect next week.
The new law will require the three nationwide credit reporting agencies -- Experian, Equifax and TransUnion -- to allow people to "freeze" and "thaw" their credit for free.
A credit freeze prevents a credit reporting agency from releasing a person's credit score while the freeze is in effect, which prevents new credit from being issued in the person's name.
The new law, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, went into effect on Friday.
"This law will make freezing and thawing your credit much simpler," stated Julie Wheeler, CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Virginia. "This can be a powerful tool to fight identity theft, and we at the BBB believe it will help protect consumers on a regular basis."
Consumers will still have to place a freeze at each of the three credit bureaus, but each bureau will have an online portal that will make the process much simpler.


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2015 Forum on Trade and Infrastructure
STAFFORD, VA – SYSUSA. Inc. (www.sysusa.com) an Information Security (Cyber-Security), Governance, Risk Management, Compliance, Training and Certification Company, today announced that it has been invited to take part in upcoming Virginia Chamber of Commerce 2015 Forum on Trade and Infrastructure. The forum will be held on September 29, 2015 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, VA.
SYSUSA has been approved by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) to participate in the Virginia International Trade Alliance (VITAL) Program. President & CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce will recognize Muneer Baig, Founder & CEO of SYSUSA, as a VITAL participant.
The 2015 Forum on Trade and Infrastructure will highlight the release of a months-long study detailing the importance of trade to Virginia’s economy. It will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear from panel members who deal with these impacts on a daily basis. Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones will present featured remarks.
SYSUSA is the first company from the Prince William Chamber of Commerce to be accepted in the VITAL program. Muneer Baig, Founder & CEO of SYSUSA, will be participating in the Middle East trade mission to United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in November.


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Electric Works is adding an innovative Commercial Regenerative Agriculture (CRA) technology company to its expanding list of tenants.
Muncie-based agriculture technology firm Balance Holdings, Inc. will locate one of its patented Environmentally Controlled Sustainable Integrated Agriculture (ECSIA) systems at Electric Works. The ECSIA system combines Commercial Regenerative Agriculture with raising fish and crayfish in tanks to grow the most nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables available for their “prescribed” food prescription plan, consumer and commercial sales on-site at Electric Works and throughout the region.
ECSIA’s zero-waste, closed-loop system uses 1 percent of the water needed for traditional agriculture and less than 20 percent used in hydroponics. The system mineralizes waste from the fish to make nutrient-rich water, which then flows into troughs to feed growing fruits and vegetables. The plants also filter the water, which is cycled back to the fish tanks.
“For ECSIA, growing better food is more than just putting a better tomato into the grocery store – it’s about growing a better future for our children,” explained company founder Glynn Barber. “We believe healthier food produces healthier people which produce healthier communities – and we see an exciting and unique opportunity for ECSIA to make a profound impact on this community, partnering with healthcare providers and higher education institutions at Electric Works.”
To date, more than 300 varieties of fruits and vegetables have been used with the ESCIA system. ECSIA systems are currently operating in East Chicago, Elkhart and Wapahani, Ind., as well as in Waco, Texas and Haiti.
“Balance Holdings is the type of company that we want at Electric Works; firms that are exploring new technologies and market-based solutions through strategic alliances and creative partnerships with other businesses, as well as healthcare and education institutions,” said Jeff Kingsbury of Electric Works developer RTM Ventures. “At the same time, ECSIA’s impact will be felt in the neighborhoods surrounding Electric Works – areas of the city that have struggled with access to healthy food in the past. Sustainable urban agriculture like the ECSIA system ensures Electric Works is a resource for healthy food for everyone – starting with our neighbors.”
This is the second tenant announcement for Electric Works featuring an agricultural-technology company in two weeks. Last week, it announced that Sweetwater Urban Farms, which utilizes aeroponic technology to produce nutrient-rich greens and herbs, will locate an operation at Electric Works.
About Electric Works
Electric Works is a mixed-use district of innovation, energy and culture, developed as a public/private partnership between RTM Ventures and the City of Fort Wayne. A redevelopment and reuse of the former General Electric campus in downtown Fort Wayne, Electric Works includes 39 acres, 18 historic buildings and more than 1.2 million square feet of space for office, educational, innovation, retail, residential, hotel and entertainment uses. For more information, visit the Electric Works website.


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20, Nov 2013
Juice Cubes: Rovio Stars introduces Pocket PlayLab’s new game
A tropical paradise, pirates, mermaids and witches. Juice Cubes, the new game from Pocket PlayLab will be distributed and marketed by Rovio Stars
31, Oct 2013
Computerlogy CEO: We are in the era of rapid change in technology
Vachara Aemavat, CEO, Computerlogy, tells e27 that companies must not become idle and take technology for granted
28, Oct 2013
Globe Telecom to allow free Facebook access in Philippines
Starting October 31, Globe Telecom subscribers in Philippines will get free access to Facebook on their mobile phones for three months
J. Angelo Racoma
24, Oct 2013
How do you drive a gay campaign on Facebook?
What's a gay campaign? What's the best way of executing a gay campaign? Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, Managing Director and Founder of Rakuten TARAD.com, shares.
21, Oct 2013
Facebook to improve mobile optimization, analytics with Onavo buy
Facebook is acquiring mobile analytics and optimization firm Onavo, and will use its technology to improve access to the Internet for emerging markets.
J. Angelo Racoma
17, Oct 2013
Facebook, JFDI & TiE Singapore co-organize PMDHackathon in APAC
11 companies in Asia Pacific have been selected to participate in Facebook's PMDHackathon, co-organized by Singapore-based JFDI and TiE Singapore.
11, Oct 2013
Thailand telco TrueMove H attracts 9.4 mln LINE friends
As Japanese chat app LINE moves to 18 million users in Thailand, official accounts are also rising up with more friends and higher engagement.
9, Oct 2013
Facebook expands Graph Search coverage. A big privacy concern?
Facebook has recently announced the inclusion of posts and status updates to its Graph Search functionality. Will this be cause for concern among privacy advocates?
J. Angelo Racoma
1, Oct 2013
5 technology tips for digital startups to cut costs
e27's list goes beyond the usual – start from home, rent rather than buy, go through deal sites – solutions. BYOD tops our list. Which are the other four?
Dhaleta Surender Kumar
16, Sep 2013
Quick fire ways to optimize your Facebook page to sell more online
How's your Facebook page doing? Good, but not bringing home the money? Here's how you can ensure people buy your products through advertising.
28, Aug 2013
What every marketer should know about the Asian Internet user
This article summarizes what every digital brand marketer outside should know and often find hard to know - the right target audience.
26, Aug 2013
Beware: Your employee could be a malicious insider
According to statistics, your employee could be threatening your company security with malicious spear phishing and malware.
21, Aug 2013
Your Facebook likes may be more revealing than you think
If you liked Morgan Freeman's voice on Facebook, you just might have a higher IQ than the average person.
19, Aug 2013
At 21M users, Facebook Japan is now planning to double its sales force
Managing Director of Facebook Japan, Atsushi Iwashita, disclosed that it now has 21 million monthly active users, up from the 19 million in February 2012.
15, Aug 2013
Indonesian singer Shae has 3X more followers on mig33 than on Twitter
mig33, a Singapore-based social platform, launched its mini-blog service six months ago. How is it doing right now?
6, Aug 2013
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BG Group plc have announced that Helge Lund will join the company as Chief Executive and an Executive Director with effect from 9 February 2015. This is ahead of the previously announced start date of 2 March 2015.
Mr Lund’s start date has been brought forward following agreement last week from his former employer to release him from his contractual commitments.
Andrew Gould, who has been serving as interim Executive Chairman of BG Group since April 2014, will return to his role as Non-Executive Chairman with effect from 9 February 2015.
Adapted from press release by Joe Green
Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/exploration/09022015/helge-lund-bg-chief-executive-386/


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Eight new startups join DCU Fintech Innovation Center for 2017 cohort
The DCU FinTech Innovation Center, a leading sponsor for fintech in Boston area, has announced eight new seed-stage fintech ventures for the center’s 2017 cohort. The selected startups will work, learn and collaborate in the innovation center.
The selected startups include Doni, a social goal saving app for planning, saving and buying together; Energetic Insurance, InsurTech/CleanTech platform; FutureFuel, a student debt repayment startup; Lara, a personal finance firm; LearnLux; Perfectosoft, a payment processing company; RateGravity and SalesBrief, a marketing automation company.
“The Center is an opportunity to go beyond DCU’s legacy of promoting and adopting innovative banking solutions. The space serves as a platform to help drive the Boston FinTech ecosystem and banking industry forward. In addition, the Center also allows us the ability to work hand in hand with a group of pioneering start-ups who are adopting new technologies and rethinking solutions,” David Araujo, DCU’s Vice President of Technology, stated.
Fully sponsored by DCU and managed by Workbar, the Center accepts fintech startups that are on the seed-stage and that can benefit from the fintech ecosystem of mentors, investors, institutions, and value-added service providers that are provided by the Center.
The Center aims to offer the right support, tools, and opportunities to the selected startups in order to acquire their first customer and gain market traction. It provides individual resources that each company and entrepreneur require throughout the year.
To read more, please click on the link below…


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Inmarsat IsatPhone, bring it on!
Before you get overly excited, note that so far you can only use this new satellite phone in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East. But according to the Inmarsat announcement, the service will be worldwide by the end of 2008. Like Iridium, the IsatPhone does data at a piddly 2400 bps, but that’s enough for email and file up/downloading, especially with a little help from XGate. And especially when the phone’s expected retail is “about $500” with voice calls at less than $1/minute. The data rate is 9600 when the phone is used in GSM mode; that’s Globalstar speed, but hopefully delivered more reliably by Inmarsat. There will also be a worldwide FleetPhone version of this service—with a down-below handset and external antenna—said to be “ideal” for smaller fishing vessels and yachts. “We are coming to shake up the satellite phone market,” says Inmarsat’s CEO. I think the reaction of a lot of offshore boaters will be: “Bring it on!”
Yes, absolutely! Bring it on! Iridium is still offering an ancient handset and needs a wake up call on equipment and pricing. And there is no “Global” in Globalstar.
Not related to this but I thought you might like to see this link
It states that their AIS class B transponders have been USCG approved. Maybe you can get more information as I couldn’t tell if it’s legal to sell in the US now and if so where to purchase it and cost.
Any other transponders being USCG approved?
Nope, as noted on SevenStar’s “Hot News” page, AIS B units are not legal for sale in the U.S. until the FCC approves them. A half dozen or so are already U.S.C.G. approved. I recently heard that the FCC might finally come through in the next few weeks…but I’ve heard that before!
More here: http://tinyurl.com/3b3ywc


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What will be the demise of the housing industry’s unprecedented boom? As more obstacles and hurdles are thrown at the industry, it somehow keeps coming back stronger. But that’s not to say these key issues—housing inventory, building materials, worker shortages, general economic uncertainty—will not catch up to the industry eventually. According to Fortune, once forbearances are lifted, a wave of foreclosures might be what calms the industry’s unmanageable demand. Housing inventory has remained a problem for years, but a wave of foreclosures would bring inventory back and help to level prices out.
“These increases are unsustainable, but prices will keep rising in double digits for another six months to a year,” says Ed Pinto, director of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Housing Center and the former chief credit officer for Fannie Mae. “America is running out of inventory. Buyers can’t buy houses that aren’t for sale, so they’re bidding up the prices of the relatively few on the market. That means price increases will keep racing until more inventory comes on. And new supply will come on slowly.”


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|By Business Wire||
|January 2, 2013 05:58 PM EST||
Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a leading global technology distributor, today announced that Douglas Kent, global vice president of Avnet Velocity, will chair the Supply Chain & Logistics Summit Asia in Singapore. The conference will be held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia, Singapore, on January 8 and 9. In addition to hosting the event, Kent will discuss the top five trends impacting the supply chain in 2013.
“As we look out at 2013 and beyond, there are some key trends that will heavily influence the global supply chain,” said Kent. “During the conference, we will examine how these predictions will be realized, who will be impacted and how this might change the game – from the product's design to the products being delivered.”
The Supply Chain & Logistics Summit Asia provides senior-level supply chain executives with the knowledge they need to optimize their supply chain management and logistics operations in Asia. The summit will highlight best practices for business success, how to successfully enter new markets, and how to profit by optimizing an existing Asian supply base while preempting and protecting business operations in a high risk environment.
Avnet Velocity is a global supply chain solutions division of Avnet. He has more than 25 years of experience in the development, marketing and deployment of tailored supply chain solutions for companies across a wide variety of industries. He also leads the Supply Chain Council’s High-Tech and Electronics Industry Group. Kent is one of a select few SCOR® certified instructors.
To register for the Supply Chain & Logistics Summit Asia visit: http://www.sclasiasummit.com/
Follow Avnet on Twitter: @Avnet
Connect with Avnet on LinkedIn or Facebook: http://www.linkedin.com/company/2572 or facebook.com/avnetinc
View videos from Avnet and its business partners: http://www.avnetondemand.com/
Read more about Avnet on our blogs: http://blogging.avnet.com/weblog/mandablog/
About Avnet, Inc.
Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 Company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers globally. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, Avnet generated revenue of $25.7 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.
Avnet and the Avnet logo are trademarks of Avnet, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
As cloud gives an opportunity to businesses to buy services externally - how is cloud impacting your customers? In his General Session at 15th Cloud Expo, Fabio Gori, Director of Worldwide Cloud Marketing at Cisco, will provide answers to big questions: Do you see hybrid cloud as where the world is going? What benefits does it bring? And how does Cisco connect all of these clouds? He will also te...
Oct. 31, 2014 06:45 PM EDT Reads: 845
Can we look to the paradigm of cloud computing from a completely different perspective? In his General Session at 15th Cloud Expo, Gundars Kulups, Sales Director at DEAC, will discuss what we can learn from our dining habits when choosing a cloud solution. Gundars Kulups is Sales Director at DEAC, full service data center operator. An IT expert, he specializes in European countries and has worke...
Oct. 31, 2014 06:45 PM EDT Reads: 719
SYS-CON Events announced today that TMCnet has been named “Media Sponsor” of SYS-CON's 15th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on November 4–6, 2014, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) is the world's leading business to business and integrated marketing media company, servicing niche markets within the communications and t...
Oct. 31, 2014 06:30 PM EDT Reads: 842
SYS-CON Events announced today that Aria Systems, the recurring revenue expert, has been named "Bronze Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 15th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on November 4-6, 2014, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Aria Systems helps leading businesses connect their customers with the products and services they love. Industry leaders like Pitney Bowes, E...
Oct. 31, 2014 06:30 PM EDT Reads: 2,136
The 4th International DevOps Summit, co-located with16th International Cloud Expo – being held June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY – announces that its Call for Papers is now open. Born out of proven success in agile development, cloud computing, and process automation, DevOps is a macro trend you cannot afford to miss. From showcase success stories from early adopters and ...
Oct. 31, 2014 06:15 PM EDT Reads: 2,145
We live in a time when seconds – even milliseconds – can have a dramatic economic impact on your company’s future. With technology being the primary conduit for consumer interaction, the user experience is at center stage. User experience will be a deciding factor in separating the future winners from the losers. By building more speed and agility into the application delivery process, DevOps prom...
Oct. 31, 2014 06:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,391
SYS-CON Events announced today that AgilePoint, the leading provider of Microsoft-centric Business Process Management software, will exhibit at SYS-CON's 2nd International @ThingsExpo which will take place on November 4–6, 2014, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. AgilePoint is the leading provider of Microsoft-based Business Process Management (BPM) software products, has 1,...
Oct. 31, 2014 05:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,131
SYS-CON Events announced today that Parasoft will exhibit at SYS-CON's 15th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on November 4–6, 2014, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. For 27 years, Parasoft has researched and developed software solutions that help organizations deliver defect-free software efficiently. By integrating Development Testing, API/cloud/SOA/composi...
Oct. 31, 2014 05:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,020
The Internet of Things (IoT) promises to evolve the way the world does business; however, understanding how to apply it to your company can be a mystery. Most people struggle with understanding the potential business uses or tend to get caught up in the technology, resulting in solutions that fail to meet even minimum business goals. In his session at Internet of @ThingsExpo, Jesse Shiah, CEO / ...
Oct. 31, 2014 04:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,577
SYS-CON Events announced today that Utimaco will exhibit at SYS-CON's 15th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on November 4–6, 2014, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Utimaco is a leading manufacturer of hardware based security solutions that provide the root of trust to keep cryptographic keys safe, secure critical digital infrastructures and protect high val...
Oct. 31, 2014 03:00 PM EDT Reads: 1,938


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The Supreme Court is set to give its decision on the case challenging a guideline by the Food and Drugs Authority, prohibiting celebrities and well -known personalities from advertising alcoholic products. A seven member-panel, headed by the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, announced April 10, 2024, as the day to rule on the matter.
The case was filed by one Mark Darlington Osae, an artist manager, contesting the FDA’s decision and also seeking a number of reliefs from the Apex Court on the matter. The plaintiff’s case is that, the guideline by the Food and Drugs Authority, is unconstitutional as it breaches provisions in Article 17(2) of the 1992 Constitution. Guidelines 3.2.10 for the Advertisement of Foods was published by the FDA on February 1, 2016, and states that “No well-known personality or professional shall be used in alcoholic beverage advertising”.
The FDA argues that, the guideline was necessary to stop minors getting used to alcohol due to the influence of celebrities. Mr. Osae, who is also the Chairman and Co-Founder of Ghana Music Alliance, in November 2022, filed a lawsuit against the FDA and the Attorney General to the Supreme Court, seeking a number of declarations from the Apex Court.
It says the Guidelines for the Advertisement of Foods published by the Food and Drug Authority, is discriminatory, inconsistent with and in contravention of articles 17(1) and 17 (2) of the 1992 Constitution, and to him, this was therefore unconstitutional.
He is also asking the Apex Court for a declaration which bans well known personalities and professionals from advertising alcoholic products. Also, he is seeking “an order to strike out the guidelines. The Supreme Court set the date for Judgement after listening to arguments forwarded by the parties involved.
George Quaye, an actor, was in court to observe proceedings. He said, he hopes the decision of the Supreme Court, will favour them, as the Entertainment industry, thrives on such collaborations with the beverage companies.


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Dubai: Shoppers at Dubai Mall could not believe their eyes when they saw none other than His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed was seen walking with Mohammad Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, as they both sat down at a coffee-shop at fashion Avenue on Thursday .
The video clip of Sheikh Mohed Bin Zayed immediately went viral across social networking sites in the UAE, as residents were delighted to revel in the fact that the Crown Prince also enjoys spending time at the mall – just like everybody else.
The video clip showed Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed and Alabbar briskly walking on the ground floor next the Louis Vuitton store, as they then made their way to the first floor to sit down for a quick bite.
“Mohamed Bin Zayed, may you be graced with a long life,” tweeted @a_al7daili.
“A meeting was held in Dubai Mall… our country is clean and safe and its people are kind and generous,” wrote a tweep, identified as @_ii14e.


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MAIN HED: New shopping center planned in Lexington
SUB HED: City limits extended west to Highway 52
Lexington is poised to gain a new shopping center, including another grocery store.
The city council annexed and zoned as a service business district Monday night 14.3 acres at Highway 64 and Highway 52 that a Charlotte developer wants to turn into a site for a Food Lion grocery and other stores.
The land extends along Highway 64 from the previous city limits at Forest Hill Road to Highway 52. It lies on the other side of Plaza Ford from the Lexington Shopping Center, which contains a Winn-Dixie.
Councilman Larry Beck said Lexington Shopping Center, former site of a Roses department store and a Crafts America store, has had a problem with vacancies.
But R.H. "Rob" Neill Jr., director of shopping center development for Primax Properties of Charlotte, said his company had studied the area and would base the size of the new center on need.
"Obviously it doesn't do us any good to build stores that are not going to be leased," Neill said.
Neill said Food Lion had signed a lease with Primax to serve as the anchor store for a neighborhood shopping center, subject to approval of the annexation and zoning. Food Lion will occupy 33,000 square feet of space. Primax will build 7,000 additional square feet initially for smaller shops and might eventually add another 30,000 square feet, for a total of 70,000 square feet, Neill said.
The property is owned Curtis Leonard Jr., Barbara Y. Leonard, W. Frank Shoaf and others. The owners petitioned the city for annexation and service business district zoning. On May 18, the city Planning Board unanimously recommended both. At Monday night's council meeting, no one spoke against the request during a public hearing. The council unanimously approved first the annexation and then the zoning.
The changes are effective immediately. The developer must also obtain a special use permit from the city Board of Adjustment.
The site is across Highway 64 from land where a local company proposed putting a truck-trailer repair business last year. The Davidson County Board of Commissioners rezoned that site from commercial to limited industrial. But nearby property owners, including several seeking city annexation of the shopping center site Monday night, filed a lawsuit. A court settlement voided the rezoning, and plans for the trailer repair business fell through.
In other action Monday night, the council:
n Approved an ordinance that allows day-care facilities in light industrial and heavy industrial zoning districts.
Don Richardson, city director of building and zoning and board chairman of Davidson County Smart Start, said in an interview that he hoped the change would encourage local manufacturers to provide day-care close to where their employees work.
"We're playing catch-up," Richardson said. "In the Research Triangle Park, businesses have day-care right in the building."
In a memorandum to Assistant City Manager John Gray and the planning board, City Planner Tammy Absher wrote that placing day-care close to factories, which are a major local employer, would reduce travel time in the city. "One trip saved in a vehicle means a little less pollution, a little less traffic congestion and less chance for traffic accidents," said Absher, who also cited studies suggesting that less travel time promotes better mental health and attitude.
The change means day-care facilities can be located in all city zoning districts except for service business districts.
n Accepted $8,516.75 in donations and $11,099.41 in salary reimbursement from Smart Start for the Lexington Family Enrichment Center under development in Parkertown.
The donations included $3,500 from Union Baptist Church, $2,500 from the Charity League of Lexington and $1,000 from Friendship Baptist Church as well as smaller contributions from other churches, businesses and individuals.
Richardson said the additional funds bring the total donations, pledges and grants for the enrichment center to about $200,000.
n Approved Mayor Richard Thomas' transfer of $200 from his neighborhood revitalization account to two local charities. Thomas gave $100 to the United Way of Davidson County and $100 to Davidson County Cancer Services. Thomas said the contributions were to help both organizations with fund-raising drives.
n Heard a report on the status of the Lexington Housing Authority from David Dickerson, LHA board chairman. Dickerson said LHA is working hard to remedy the current problem with bats infesting public apartment units at Eastview Terrace and is planning steps next year to encourage LHA residents to buy their own homes.
n Re-leased the pro shop at the municipal golf course for another year to J.J. Fashimpaur, city golf pro/director.
n Learned that the city Recreation & Parks Department will again sponsor a July Fourth celebration this year. City Manager Duke Whisenant said activities will run from 1-9:30 p.m. that day at Finch Park.
The event will open with a 21-gun salute by VFW Post 3074 and will include a fireworks display, amusement rides, bingo, live music and concessions. Admission is free and a shuttle service will be provided.
Duracell, Lexington State Bank, Stone Container, Lexcom and Parkdale will help sponsor the celebration.