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Innovative Components-APT PR-3.18.16
An Innovative Leak Detector Part Keeps Revenue From Trickling Away
Innovative Component’s Custom-Built Part for Stuffing Box Leak Detector Helps Keep Oil Wells Pumping and Oil Companies Operating Efficiently.
Over the last several years, oil companies across America have made great strides in becoming more environmentally friendly. However, not all of the actions taken have been multi-billion-dollar initiatives on alternate fuel research or other green energy projects. There are advances happening right on the drilling fields of the Great Plains, featuring products that are highly effective and very affordable.
Since 1991, Oklahoma’s Anti-Pollution Technology (APT) has been engineering environmentally responsible products for the oilfield. Five years ago, they began working with Innovative Components, a leading manufacturer of custom liquid level float switches and temperature sensors, on a redesign of a product created to potentially save oil companies millions: a stuffing box leak detector.
A stuffing box is a sealed assembly for rod-pumping oil wells, used to contain fluids from spilling onto the surface and causing ground pollution. Most traditional oil-bearing formations contain massive amounts of salt water, which are pumped from the well bore along with oil. This affects the lubrication within the stuffing box, which wears out the packing and results in sealing problems that can potentially lead to environmental hazards should the oil and salt water spill onto the ground.
“A stuffing box is going to leak. It’s not a matter of if, but when,” said APT’s Jeremy Bird. “If it’s not caught early, it could mean hundreds of barrels on the ground and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cleanup…at least.”
To help prevent these potential disasters, APT patented a stuffing box leak detector to effectively shut down rod-pumped wells when leaks occur. And they’ve turned to Innovative Components to design and manufacture a custom-made kill-switch to shut down wells whenever there’s a leak.
Assisting customers in the design of liquid level control systems is Innovative Components’ specialty. Since 1992, Innovative Components has provided solutions to a wide variety of industries by incorporating their products.
“What I’ve liked most about Innovative Components from the beginning is their ability to work with me and create a product specific to my needs,” Bird said. “I sent pictures, and they turned around quickly with a prototype and we’ve been going from there. And their price is very competitive, which is a big deal to any business.”
Innovative Component’s Pete Meade added, “We work closely with clients all over the country and design and build unique controls for their application. People call us and explain what they are trying to do…many times not exactly sure how to do it. We listen and come up with solutions and then design products specifically for the application. We then produce CAD drawings and prototypes for testing. Once everything’s finalized and approved, we get to work delivering the product. It’s been great working with APT over the last five years, and we look forward to continuing the relationship.”
Over the years, APT and Innovative Components have made small modifications to the kill switches. Every stuffing box will leak a couple of times a year, but with these detectors, oil companies can continue to run effectively and efficiently without the worry of a dangerous spill.
“A typical ground pollution cleanup is somewhere in the area of $100,000-150,000,” Bird said. “Even worse, you can hit a river or a lake if that fluid reaches out far enough, and they’ll have to do a full cleanup with Hazmat crews… That can run millions of dollars. Or you can buy a whole bunch of leak detectors for the cost of one spill.”
For more information about Innovative Components, visit: https://www.liquidlevel.com.


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The future of digital marketing depends on a talent pool with technical knowledge and conceptual understanding of the technologies that drive engaging digital experiences. However, only 11 percent of business leaders feel college graduates have the requisite skills they need to be successful. Skills preparedness is a growing problem for employers that could worsen with the FCC’s restrictions on the open Internet.
Brands like YouTube and Netflix have been the focus of the net neutrality debate between Internet service providers (ISPs) and content providers. Net neutrality reserves our right to communicate freely on the Internet. Without it, ISPs will be able to monitor what we see and prioritize Web traffic speed, i.e., the highest bidder gets the fastest speed. Although online education services haven’t been at the fore of this debate, they have just as much at stake in the fate of the open Internet.
Streaming video is critical to many online courses, from traditional universities like Harvard to alternative learning providers like Coursera. The need to deliver high-bandwidth video under the FCC’s proposed standard will potentially increase carrier fees, which education providers will in turn pass onto students. With millions of users across traditional and native online learning websites, education providers should be concerned about the end of net neutrality and its potential implications.
Over the last four years, the cost of college tuition has increased at a faster rate than health care, prompting many students to take online classes to avoid exorbitant college tuition. According to the U.S. Department of Education, approximately 5.5 million students who were enrolled in traditional classes took at least one online course in 2012. This data doesn’t include information about MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) that provide educational content to an average of 43,000 students per course.
The end of net neutrality would inevitably lead to online education providers paying more to deliver video course content – which would mean an increase in operating costs that would be bundled into millions of students’ fees. The increased cost would stifle enrollments at a critical moment in the growth of the online education sector.
A requirement to pay ISPs for increased bandwidth to stream video to millions of students is an added expense that many online schools may not be willing to pay. Brands like Udemy, Khan Academy, Udacity, Codecademy, and General Assembly have already made significant investments in process and infrastructure to deliver streaming video course content. Although ISPs have less incentive to slow down education websites than those of competing entertainment brands like YouTube or Netflix, educational content providers could be subjected to the same “double-dipping” as the streaming entertainment services.
Double-dipping is at the heart of the entertainment brands’ battle with gatekeepers like Verizon and Comcast. The issue is that ISPs are charging content providers for access to customers that have already paid a monthly subscription fee for broadband service. Increased access and bandwidth fees are barriers to the growth of competitive offerings in online education. This concern was echoed in a statement to the FCC by Zach Sims, one of the co-founders of Codecademy, which describes itself as “the first truly net native education” site:
“We are deeply concerned about the FCC’s open Internet proposal because it would permit discrimination of applications and content subject to a vague ‘commercial reasonableness’ standard. A two-tiered Internet that allows a priority fast lane would stifle competition, innovation, and the quality of online education. This result would harm our company, our millions of users, and the overall economy and its ability to compete globally.”
In his statement, Sims highlights how the “commercial reasonableness” standard could prevent most online education providers from launching: “The commercial reasonableness standard requires us to hire a team of lawyers and expert witnesses we cannot afford merely to get ‘reasonable’ treatment and fees, when what the open Internet has traditionally guaranteed is neutral, equal treatment.”
Sims’ contention that only those with deep pockets will be able to afford to deliver content to millions of potential online students must not be ignored, especially as traditional college tuition continues to increase.
The demand for a workforce with the 21st-century skills that marketing agencies, design firms, and development shops require should influence the debate around net neutrality. On the 25th launch anniversary of the Internet, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, widely acknowledged as the inventor of the World Wide Web, issued a challenge: “Will we allow others to package and restrict our online experience, or will we protect the magic of the open Web and the power it gives us to say, discover, and create anything?” When it comes to net neutrality and the future of online education, only time will tell.
Users almost universally dislike pre-roll video ads, but in an effort to bolster its advertising revenue, Twitter this week announced that it will expand its pre-roll video ad product to live and replay Periscope streams.
Recently, I visited my alma mater, University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, to speak with advertising students about digital marketing, analytics and how to start a career in our field.
Sandy Rubinstein is the CEO of the independently female minority-owned marketing and advertising firm DXagency. ClickZ caught up with her to find out about her role as CEO, and what advice she would give to women who want to work in the digital industry.
Effective app marketing is not about generating app page traffic, but rather about ensuring your app is discovered by targeted and relevant users who will install your app and use it regularly.

domain: news


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Job growth accelerated in October for the third straight month in Sonoma County, where the local economy has now created 9,200 jobs over the past year, the state reported Friday.
The job growth figures — the largest year-over-year gains in more than a decade — are the latest evidence the local economy is slowly strengthening, said Ben Stone, executive director of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board.
"Our recovery has been gradual. It's been picking up speed over the last few months and I think there's generally more confidence now," Stone said.
Overall, there were 185,000 wage and salary jobs in the county, the highest number since December 2008, the state Employment Development Department reported.
Unemployment remained flat at 7.6 percent in October, unchanged from a month ago but well below last year's estimate of 9.3 percent.
"This is as steep a descent (in the jobless rate) as we've had in recent memory," said Rob Eyler, who heads the Center for Regional Economic Analysis at Sonoma State University. "The signs are good. They're broad-based. There's not one industry pulling us along, but it's certainly better now than it was 18 months ago."
Locally, the greatest growth was in the manufacturing sector, which added 1,500 jobs compared to a year ago. The growth also was strong among durable goods, which include computers and electronics and grew 8.3 percent over the year, and non-durable goods like wine, which grew 6.1 percent over the year.
"The manufacturing growth is pretty amazing," Stone said. "Manufacturing probably has the highest multiplier effect, so it's a real boost to the economy."
Manufacturing jobs tend to have good salaries and benefits, and bring additional money from outside the county as goods like wine and technology products are sold, he said.
Private education and health services added 1,400 jobs over the year, while trade, transportation and utilities, as well as business and professional services, each added 1,300. Leisure and hospitality added 1,100 jobs compared to a year ago. The government sector added 1,100 jobs over the year, with the most jobs added in local education.


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In January 2008, Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna
and state Department of Health Secretary Mary Selecky sent the below letter
asking the FDA to block the sale and distribution
of unproven and dangerous “energy
medicine” devices. An FDA official replied that the agency has increased
its surveillance of Internet promotion and advertising.
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF WASHINGTON
1125 Washington Street SE • PO
Box 40100 • Olympia WA 98504-0100
December 20, 2007
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Room 244 Gaither Road
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Medicine” Medical Devices
Dear Mr. Ulatowski:
We were encouraged by your recently announced commitment to block the import
of the EPFX, and to investigate its manufacturer, distributors and operators.
We believe your response to the Seattle Times series that exposed the dangers
of the EPFX was appropriate and commendable.
While the Seattle Times series presented an in-depth look at the dangers of
one “energy medicine” device, it also alluded to the existence of
dozens of other devices that are equally dangerous. We encourage you to expand
your import block and investigation to those other devices.
In 2003, the state of Washington sued Pacific Health Center
for, among other things, its use of an “electrodermal testing” device,
the Omega Accubase C-29a. Investigations by our agencies and the Attorney General’s
Office lawsuit confirm our belief that targeting a singular device does not
deter or immobilize the overall industry.
This particular “energy medicine” device was purported to determine
the presence of various conditions, including arthritis, immune deficiencies,
high cholesterol and hypertension. It was also purported to be able to determine
the proper remedy for these conditions. The Attorney General’s Office lawsuit
claimed that the efficacy of the device – which had been used on more than
5,000 people who each paid approximately $500—had not been adequately substantiated.
The suit also claimed that the operators of the device were practicing medicine,
acupuncture and naturopathy without proper licensure. The State ultimately
dropped its substantiation claims voluntarily when the court decided that the
defendants were engaging in unlicensed practices. The defendants are no longer
doing business in Washington, but continue to operate from locations in Oregon
In the course of investigating and litigating the case, we learned an enormous
amount about the “energy medicine” field. Our research of the device
used by Pacific Health Center uncovered an entire industry devoted to the sale,
distribution and use of various unproven devices. These devices were advertised
widely on the Internet, sold by several manufacturers, and used in clinics
across the country. We found no research that scientifically substantiated
their effectiveness, not even one study that relied on the double-blinded clinical
trials that are the scientific “gold standard” for proving the truth
of medical claims. And yet, they were and are used widely for a variety of
purposes including diagnosing and treating human and animal diseases, determining
food sensitivities and allergies, and finding tooth decay. The amount of money
spent by unwary consumers is enormous, and the risk that these consumers are
foregoing traditional treatment in favor of “snake oil” cures is
We request that the FDA consider not just the EPFX as the target
of your investigation, but to include all of the unproven and dangerous
medical devices that are currently being sold and used the U.S. market.
In a recent review of Internet websites touting these devices, the Attorney
General’s Office was able to find the following numerous examples that are
indistinguishable in their ineffectuality from the EPFX: NES, E-Lybra, LSA
Biofeedback, QXCI/SCIO, Life System, CoRe, Oberon, Mars, Quantec, Metascan,
Etascan, SCENAR, ACUSEN, Interx: VEGA, Prognos, Biomeridian, Rife, Bicom, BioPuslar,
Mitosan Therapy, Bodyscan, Zappers, F-Scan, Q2, Syncrometer, Magnagraph, Merid,
NES, Acusense, Listen, EQ4, Orion, Explorer, Computron, Elision, Interro, Interactive
Query System, MORA, Matrix Physique System, Propylene, Punts III and Vitel.
This list is not exhaustive, and there are even more devices on the market.
The sale and use of untested medical devices is a national problem. States
can chip away at it through actions under their consumer protection and medical
licensing statutes, but the FDA is the most effective regulator in this area.
We encourage you to ban the manufacture, distribution and use of these dangerous
devices, to step up enforcement against those who are taking consumers’ money
and risking their health, and to generalize your approach to include more than
just one device. We pledge to work with you in this endeavor and are happy
to share our thoughts, research and the testimony of the experts we have consulted.
Washington State Attorney General
Secretary, Washington State Department of Health
This page was posted on April 2, 2008.


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Black Friday has long been the biggest shopping day of the year, with doorbuster deals prompting some die-hard shoppers who camp overnight in front of big-box stores.
But as cases of coronovirus are rising across the country and public health officials beg people to avoid congestion, will stores still try to woo customers? And if they do, will the customer take the bait and show it?
“This year is going to be a Black Friday unlike any other,” said Kelly O’Keefe, managing partner at Brand Federation, a consulting firm. “We are not going to be a Walmart knocking crowd this year. There will be fewer people in the shops and better management of those people. “
What some of the biggest retailers are doing to protect customers on Black Friday this year:
Best Buy said it was selling this year’s new gaming consoles only online, to avoid lines outside stores.
The electronics chain said it would limit the number of customers inside stores to follow social-distilling guidelines, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Best Buy also said that it would consider limiting store hours, reducing occupancy and moving only close pickup service “on a case-by-case basis to help spread local issues.”
All pickup orders will now be curbside, and pickup will be available before and after in-store hours.
The store will require customers and employees to wear face coverings and supply face coverings to customers who do not have one. Best Buy will offer sanitizer wipes near the high-touch display to give customers the option to wipe surfaces before engaging with them.
Walmart Three separate sales put on sale in November, both online and in store.
It is offering customers the option of taking their online Black Friday orders through Walmart’s contactless curbside pickup service.
On Black Friday, Walmart stores will open at 5 am, and customers will be asked to create a single, straight line to enter the stores. Employees will hand out sanitized shopping carts and remind customers to wear masks upon entering the store. Walmart will limit the number of customers in the store to 20 percent capacity and direct customers to shop in the corridors on the right.
aim Each week has expanded its sales offerings throughout November, offering various product categories promotions.
To reduce lines, Target has added a mobile checkout device to help store employees check out anywhere in the store. The company allows guests to see themselves using Target’s mobile app.
Additionally, the company has added thousands of items for a single-day pickup.
Target says it will monitor the number of shoppers to allow people enough space to shop safely, and to allow customers to reserve spots in line outside their local stores.
The home improvement retailer has made the Black Holiday season prices available in the holiday season from November 6 through December, in an effort to reduce congestion. Home depot Stated that this has reduced the number of items displayed in certain areas in shops to create more space for social distance.


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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX KJTL) — The Wichita livestock company is one link in the chain of getting beef from the ranch to the market and just like every other business the COVID 19 crisis kept them on their toes to keep things moving.
“Fear of that COVID 19 getting into these packing houses and shutting them down that was the problem to start with and the fear of the unknown and possibilities caused the futures market to drop,” Wichita Livestock owner Billy Easter said.
When that fear became a reality, the cattle industry began to take a hit. However, now that employees are getting back to work, many believe the price and supply will stabilize.
“We are now beginning to see glimmers that the worst of the COVID 19 may soon be behind us,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in press conference.
Easter shares that attitude and said things are looking brighter opposed to several weeks ago.
“I feel we are going to have anywhere close to 2,000 cattle and the market has really rebounded from what it was three weeks ago,” Easter said. “You got a feeling we are pulling out of this, they are killing more cattle every week, those guys are going back to work,” Easter said.
Getting back to work will mean a more stable market for consumers and hopefully plenty of selection in the grocery.
“In America, we are blessed we see opportunity,” Easter said. “There is always opportunity out there.”


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- Strategy & Operations
- 2 min read
Mukesh Ambani builds on record cricket views with film offerings, draws up payment plans for JioCinema
JioCinema, the streaming service of Mukesh Ambani’s conglomerate, is planning to release over 100 films and TV series to compete with global companies such as Disney and Netflix in the Indian market. Viewers can watch matches for free until the end of the Indian Premier League cricket next month. However, pricing strategy is still being finalised before it starts charging for content. JioCinema’s expansion aims to offer a range of Indian language films and series in genres including biopics, romantic and thriller, to lure viewers in expanding internet access and a growing middle class.
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s streaming service will add more than 100 films and TV series to its platform, building on the popularity of its cricket broadcasts in its push to take on global giants like Walt Disney Co. and Netflix Inc. in the fast-growing Indian market.
The expansion will coincide with JioCinema starting to charge for content, though the exact pricing strategy is still being finalized, media and content business President Jyoti Deshpande said in an interview. New titles will be rolled out before the end of the Indian Premier League cricket next month, and viewers will still be able to watch matches for free until then, she said.
The potential viewership in India, home to 1.4 billion people and with a growing middle class and expanding internet access, is immense. JioCinema drew more than 1.47 billion video views during the opening weekend of the IPL in April, and had 22 million viewers for a match on Wednesday.
It remains a market that’s been hard to crack for global streaming platform giants: Netflix has cut its fees to lure price-conscious users, while a robust local cinema-going culture means Indian viewers can be picky in what they’ll watch online. Both price and content are at the front of mind in JioCinema’s expansion, said Deshpande.
The plan is to “keep tariffs simple for viewers,” she said. Currently, the streaming space “is dominated by westernized content. Jio Studios wants to become a catalyst for cross pollination of talent. We want to get as Indian as it can,” she said.
That includes rolling out films and series from thrillers and romance to biopics in languages including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Gujarati. It will also release new and original movies produced by Jio Studios like Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki and Amitabh Bachchan’s Section 84. Jio Studios has recently announced a a multi year, multi film collaboration with SVF Entertainment for the Bengali market.


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Ford Motor Co. is considering building the batteries to power a fleet of new electric vehicles as it prepares to cut back production of engines for its traditional gasoline-powered models.
“Electric vehicles have 40% less parts and that means they’re a lot easier to put together,” Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said Friday at Reuters Automotive Summit.
“What are we going to do about the jobs? In our case, this requires a really active discussion with our union partners and one of the obvious choices is going into cell production.”
Building battery cells is a costly and complicated endeavor, requiring billions in investment and learning new manufacturing techniques such as using antiseptic clean rooms, Farley said.
The automaker already is investing $11.5 billion to electrify its lineup. But as it brings out an electric Mustang Mach-E, E-Transit van and battery-powered F-150 pickup over the next two years, it may not have enough cell supplies from outside vendors.
The company plans to use a battery made by South Korea’s SK Innovation Co. for a planned all-electric version of its F-150 pickup.
Most automakers rely on outside suppliers for batteries, which are the most expensive component in electric vehicles. Tesla Inc. has a longstanding partnership with Japan’s Panasonic Corp. and has plans to make its own cells. General Motors Co. has a venture with LG Chem Ltd. of South Korea to supply its next generation of EVs.
“We think they’ll be pretty good volume,” Farley said “And what we’re finding is there’s not a lot of capacity flexibility if you buy your batteries from someone else.”
Farley sees industry-wide sales of electric vehicles ramping up over the next five years, which is why it’s a good time to consider building batteries in-house.
“There’s a lot of other reasons beyond cost to make a move,” he said. “It’s the right time to discuss it. If we discussed it a year ago or two years ago, it would have been too early. If we discuss it in five years, it would be too late.”


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Global casual footwear brand for women, men, and children Crocs has launched the fourth year of its “Come As You Are” global marketing campaign including new top-tier talent, as well as new product innovations for spring 2020.
New to the Crocs global ambassador roster are Priyanka Chopra Jonas, actor, producer and global UNICEF ambassador; and Yang Mi, well-kown Chinese actress. Both join US singer and actress Zooey Deschanel, South Korean singer and actress Kim Sejeong, and Japanese actress Suzu Hirose.
As global ambassadors for the Crocs brand in 2020, they will inspire fans to feel comfortable in their own shoes by showing their personal Crocs style through exciting new collections, and encouraging everyone to come as they are through inspirational content and activations throughout the year.
In addition to the global ambassadors, Crocs has also enlisted a diverse cast of models and influencers recognised as “one-of-a-kinds” to bring more personal meaning to the “come as you are” brand message. This new cast represent different ages, backgrounds, beliefs, orientations, and abilities to welcome all Crocs fans to express their individuality and be comfortable in their own shoes. The influencers and models will be featured in campaign photography and imagery that will be leveraged in 2020, and will be encouraged to engage with fans through forums like social media to show that everyone is welcome and empowered to be a part of the Crocs brand.
“The fourth iteration of the “come as you are’ campaign is a proclamation to our fans: It’s time to stand up and stand out,” says Terence Reilly, Crocs chief marketing officer. “Our new lineup of global brand ambassadors and ‘one-of-a-kinds’ ambassadors offers the perfect mix of star power and authentic representation to help CrocNation feel empowered and emboldened to own who they are.”
Alongside the “come as you are” brand campaign, Crocs’ marketing efforts will focus on new, style-forward products, as well as continued leadership in footwear comfort innovation, including the spring launch of the “must have” shoe of 2020: the Women’s Crocs Brooklyn Wedge. Available in a variety of heel heights, colorways and sophisticated yet simple silhouettes, each wedge features sensationally comfortable LiteRide foam technology. The lightweight construction, intuitive upper straps and revolutionary comfort technology create effortless style, superior all-day comfort and ultimate wardrobe versatility.
The first two days of the 25th edition of Beautyworld Middle EastOctober 6, 2021 | By RetailME Bureau
Words by Farimah Moeini, Snapchat Head of Industry – Retail and Travel TheJuly 5, 2021 | By RetailME Bureau
Union Coop, a consumer cooperative in the UAE, revealed that 78% of
Union Coop has opened its 23rd branch within the UAE in Jumeirah
Nando’s has revealed their revamped Sheikh Zayed Road outlet where newcomers and
UAE-based Al Maya Group announced that it will be boosting import of
UAE-based grocery retail chain, Grandiose has opened its first hypermarket in Abu
UAE-based Carrefour announced its theme and plans for Ramadan 2021. The brand
Locally owned supermarket Spinneys celebrates 60 years of doing business in the
UAE-based Carrefour will become the first retailer in the region to offer new levels
The Organic Farmers’ Market is back in Bay Avenue for its 12th
UAE-based Lulu Group recently inaugurated its first-ever all-female staff store in Jeddah,
Jones the Grocer, the gourmet grocer and cheese retailer launches the Jones
Following a 19 per cent growth in sales in the first 6
adidas has announced the launch of its first store located at the
Giordano has announced the opening of its first concept store at Zahia
Saudi-based luxury retailer, AlMalki Group recently revealed the key elements that is
Gentle Monster has announced the opening of the brand’s second flagship store in
Every element of the retail landscape has been forced to undergo drastic
GMG, a family-owned holding company, has confirmed its plans to expand its
Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., the leading franchise retailer in Saudi Arabia, today
adidas has announced that it will sell Reebok to Authentic Brands Group
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia has
Tommy Hilfiger, owned by PVH Corp, has announced a six-store retail expansion


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The retailer is to close its supermarket in Ince along with three others in England, with Morrisons instead looking to invest in four other stores.
A 45-day consultation process with staff has now begun to determine when the store on Makerfield Way will close and how to minimise job losses.
The Ince branch is the only store in the North West to close. The others are in Crawley in West Sussex, Shirley in Solihull, and Regents Circus in Swindon town centre.
Overall, the closures are set to put 400 jobs at risk.
A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “As we continue to focus on building a broader, stronger Morrisons we are constantly reviewing opportunities for new stores and the performance of our existing estate. We are planning to invest in four new stores this year and are today, regrettably, proposing to close our Ince store.
“We will now be going through a consultation process at the store and will be discussing how to reduce redundancies and, where possible, redeploy our highly valued colleagues within the business.”


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At an event before the New York Auto Show back in March, Waymo unveiled the first luxury vehicle it's adding to its nascent self-driving service's fleet: The new I-Pace, Jaguar Land Rover's answer to Tesla's Model X. The Alphabet company finally got its first handful of prototypes of the electric SUVs, and is testing them on Bay Area streets to gauge their performance for hardware and software design requirements. Eventually, the company will integrate the I-Pace into its forthcoming self-driving service, which is set to debut in 2020.
Waymo projects up to 20,000 I-Paces will be built in the first two years of production, which could serve a potential one million trips every day, according to a press release. The SUVs will be the second vehicle in Waymo's upcoming self-driving service after the Chrysler Pacifica, which will make up the bulk of its nascent fleet after the company ordered 62,000 more of them back in March. After successfully testing the minivans in Arizona, Waymo started trying them out on the streets of Atlanta and San Francisco earlier this year.


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October 11, 2018 - Written By Alexander Maxham Razer has finally announced the successor to the Razer Phone that debuted last year. It appears that Razer has improved all of the issues that the original Razer Phone had, and updated it with the latest 2018 specs. There’s not a lot of changes to the Razer Phone 2, which is going to make a lot of people think of this as a “boring” update, but the thing is, the original Razer Phone had specs that blew away the competition in 2017 and continue to do so in 2018. But that doesn’t mean it’s all good, so let’s talk about the good, bad, and the ugly sides of the new Razer Phone 2.The GoodRazer has kept the front-facing speakers here, which are very loud, and also support Dolby Surround 5.1. So not only are you getting dual front-facing speakers here, but also some really incredible audio – perhaps the best on any smartphone. Speaking of Dolby Surround 5.1, the Razer Phone 2 is the only smartphone … [Read more...] about Razer Phone 2: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Competition good or bad
Nuance Communications is already well known for its tech industry innovations. It’s been at the forefront of speech recognition software and has also made substantial inroads into the automotive industry. In fact, you’ll find its Dragon Drive software in more than a few cars out there on the roads. But the company also works in a stack of other business sectors including healthcare, telecommunications, financial services and even retail. Now, though, the company is working with Affectiva, an MIT Media Lab spin-off and a leading provider of AI software that detects complex and nuanced human emotions and cognitive states from face and voice. Its patented Emotion AI technology uses machine learning, deep learning, computer vision and speech science to work its magic. So far, Affectiva has built the world’s largest emotion data repository with over 7 million faces analyzed in 87 countries.Up until now the technology has been used to test consumer engagement with … [Read more...] about In-car AI could soon know if you’re having a good or bad day
Microsoft's annual Imagine Cup student developer competition would be easy to mistake for a commercial app accelerator. These aren't science fair presentations or even 24-hour hackathon projects; in almost all the cases, they were near-professional prototypes, and many of the finalists had interest from investors, government departments and universities to carry on working on their projects. That didn't apply just to the three grand finalists, all of whom have investors, partners, medical facilities or government departments ready to work with them, but many of the 49 teams from around the world who made it to the final. That includes projects like Hachy, which used a smartphone camera and Azure's custom image recognition service instead of a $4,000 spectrometer to check the progress of fertilized chicken eggs on their way to hatching. The Dairy Association of China wants to start using that app. Boomerang, a project for geotagging asthma inhalers with Azure IoT and Wi-Fi to help … [Read more...] about AI and machine learning take centre stage at Microsoft’s student developer competition
Democracy Dies in Darkness Sections Home Try 1 month for $1 Username Sign In Account Profile Newsletters & Alerts Gift Subscriptions Contact Us Help Desk Subscribe Account Profile Newsletters & Alerts Gift Subscriptions Contact Us Help Desk Accessibility for screenreader On Small Business Perspective Perspective Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events by Gene Marks by Gene Marks Email the author May 4 Email the author A package from Amazon Prime moves on a conveyor belt at a UPS facility in New York. (Mark Lennihan/AP) When it comes to small businesses, online retail giant Amazon.com can be a controversial topic. Ask a few Main Street merchants what they think about the retailer, and you will likely get an earful. The point of view of many is that e-commerce and the Internet itself have … [Read more...] about Is Amazon good or bad for small business?
Akin Oyedele, provided by Published 7:15 pm, Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Flickr/Franco Folini The majority of Americans think housing is a good investment, a survey by the New York Federal Reserve showed. But there are interesting differences by region. The regions most optimistic on housing are also the most expensive and most competitive for people trying to make that investment. It's especially tough in the cheapest end of the market, where demand is strongest. More than a decade after the housing bust, most Americans agree that a house is a good investment. But there are interesting differences depending on where they live, annual surveys conducted by the New York Federal Reserve show. LATEST BUSINESS VIDEOS Now Playing: Now Playing Shoe Retailer Nine West Files For Bankruptcy Veuer Ticketmaster Teams Up With the NFL For Secure Digital Ticketing Cheddar TV Mark Zuckerberg Is Grilled on Diversity at Facebook Fortune The … [Read more...] about Americans agree housing is a good investment — but some deeper differences reveal how severe the new crisis is becoming


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SEATTLE (WTVD) --Before Amazon makes its decision on a second headquarters, the cities vying for the coveted investment -- including Raleigh -- are also looking to learn from the tech giant's experience at its current home in Seattle.
The company's new headquarters -- dubbed "HQ2" -- will be a full equal to its current campus in Seattle, which already includes 8.1 million square feet of office space and counting. After reviewing more than 300 submissions from cities large and small, Amazon announced earlier this year its short list of 20 finalists. The decision is expected later this year, and if the Triangle is chosen it could have a far-reaching impact on everyone in the community.
Click here for more information: http://abc11.com/business/in-seattle-amazons-rise-also-delivers-growing-pains/3429066/


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John Frascotti, President, Hasbro Brands, thanked Leeds for his contributions. “We are incredibly thankful to Greg for the tremendous contributions he has made to Hasbro, especially during his time leading Wizards of the Coast,” he said. “Today, thanks to Greg’s commitment and passion, Wizards of the Coast’s brands are stronger than ever. Though Magic: The Gathering was introduced more than 20 years ago, it is more relevant and popular today than it’s ever been, with a record number of people around the world playing the game and participating in Magic organized play events.”
Cocks is also, according to the announcement, “an avid player and fan of Wizards of the Coast brands, including Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons.”
Frascotti noted Cocks’ digital background as an important component of his experience. “As an avid fan and player with extensive digital experience, I’m confident Chris is the right person to help us build on the tremendous momentum around our brands and take the franchise to the next level by delivering exciting new experiences to our growing and passionate fan base around the world,” he said.
Leeds’ will be a tough act to follow. He presided over an unprecedented period of seven years of record business size for the company’s flagship Magic: The Gathering brand (see “ICv2 Interview: Wizards of the Coast CEO Greg Leeds, Part 2”), and the highly successful 2014 relaunch of Dungeons & Dragons, arguably the game that defined the hobby games category.


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“Whatever their situation is, Santa will find these kids,“ Sheila Callahan said.
Callahan, general manager of Mountain Broadcasting, was one of the volunteers who set up tables to collect unwrapped toys at the entrances to the stadium during the University of Montana vs. Sacramento State football game Saturday. The Mountain Broadcasting Foundation is the group that runs the Griz for Kids fundraiser.
She carefully restacked her table in front of the Adams Center, which was covered in soccer balls, stuffed animals and dolls of Elsa from the Disney movie “Frozen.”
The foundation started a toy drive for low-income families and kids in Missoula about 20 years ago called Mountain of Giving. In 2005, the drive became Griz for Kids when then Griz offensive lineman Chris Orwig approached the group, saying he wanted to help give back to a community that always supported him as a player.
“Between being a student and practice and such he was very busy. So he said how about we have the fundraiser at the game?” Callahan said.
Since then, the annual drive is always chaired by a Griz student athlete. This year the project is helmed by Grizzly football defensive end and Missoula native, Zack Wagenmann.
Wagenmann said he became interested in Griz for Kids last year when his friend and former Griz linebacker Brock Coyle was the chair of the fundraiser. When he was asked to take the lead this year, he gladly accepted.
“I think it’s really important. The community comes out and supports us every Saturday, and it’s cool to be able to give back to that community,” Wagenmann said.
He said members of the football team know there are kids across the state who look up to the student athletes who put on the shoulder pads and jerseys, and they take that aspect of being a role model seriously.
“I remember when I was a kid, going to games and just thinking that those guys were the ones I was looking up to,” Wagenmann said.
Callahan said having Griz athletes spread the word about the fundraiser has allowed the foundation to reach even more people, and help even more kids.
“You’re busy with school, practice, film and the weight room but even a football player can give back,” Callahan said.
The toys and money collected Saturday will be used to help 10 local agencies that work with low income families and children who might not otherwise receive Christmas gifts.
After the collection is finished, Callahan and the other members of the fundraiser will compare the list of what was donated to the wish lists given to them by the kids, then distribute tags with the names of the remaining items listed on them to companies and stores around Missoula the week before Thanksgiving. Shoppers can grab a tag, purchase the gift on it and return the item to the store to be donated to the drive.
“We want to be able to put the gifts under the tree that the kids want,” she said. “It’s all about ‘Frozen’ and Star Wars Legos this year.”
Beach Transportation provides a warehouse to store the toys so the social workers who work with the families don’t have to worry about going out to collect gifts for the holiday, they can just come to pick them up.
The money collected will be used to buy more gifts, especially age ranges that can be difficult to shop for.
“Everyone knows what to buy for a 7- to 10-year-old. But it’s harder to find the right gift for little kids younger than that or older, teenage-age kids,” Callahan said.
Courtesy of http://www.gogriz.com/


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Foodies, rejoice! Get ready to eat your heart out with exciting Pinoy gastronomic feasts at the City of Firsts! Opening soon at Araneta City’s much-awaited New Gateway Mall 2 is Palenque by Claude Tayag, a new food destination that will celebrate the diversity of regional specialties from all over the Philippines.
“Palenque” is the Mexican-Spanish name for arena. The Pampango culinarian Claude Tayag envisions the place to be a Filipino theme-food arena featuring some of the most sought-after chefs and restaurateurs from across the country, putting them together at the Upper Ground B level of the New Gateway Mall 2. It is also the Pinoy Palengke as Tayag plans to showcase the best-of-the-best local specialties.
Palenque by Claude Tayag promises to be the premier destination for those who want to have a uniquely-Pinoy cultural dining experience. It will have stalls that will feature iconic regional dishes courtesy of well-known restaurants across the country. Check out Bale Dutung of Chef Claude Tayag; Al Puruganan’s Ilocos cuisine; Chef Tatung’s Cebu offerings and delicacies; Chef Miguel Moreno’s Palm Grill which offers authentic cuisine from Mindanao’s ZamBaSulTa (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi) region; Sea Salt Davao Grill; Chicken Fandian and more Bacolod delicacies; and other promising food choices!
Seasonal food festivities from different parts of the country will be promoted in this exciting Pinoy food arena through bazaars and fairs to help bring regional celebrations closer to diners at the City of Firsts.
According to Lorna Fabian, Vice President for Leasing of Araneta City, “Palenque by Claude Tayag is Araneta City’s contribution to the celebration of Filipino gastronomy in all its forms. Filipino cuisine has been on an upward trajectory on the global culinary scene. More people around the world are falling in love with the diverse, dynamic, and colorful culinary traditions of the Philippines.”
Palenque by Claude Tayag will also offer a wide array of pasalubong to bring home. Several stores will be dedicated to regional specialties, produce and handicrafts. A special-event section will be the venue for cookbook and product launchings, cooking demos and lectures.
“This will be a one-stop destination for anyone who wants not only to taste, but also to shop and learn the best of what our country has to offer. We invite every foodie out there to visit Palenque by Claude Tayag when it opens at the New Gateway Mall 2. This is a gastronomic experience that we’re sure you won’t want to miss,” Fabian said.
Palenque by Claude Tayag is just one of the delectable destinations that will soon open its doors at the New Gateway Mall 2. As the latest mall offering of Araneta City, this new lifestyle destination promises a myriad of experiences that cater to the varying demands of today’s urban living – wide array of dining options, breath and depth of retail brands to choose from, and easy access to key entertainment, office, and residential amenities right at the very heart of the metro.


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Saudi Al Hokair To Build More Hotels In The Saudi Arabian Kingdom Amid Growing Demand
Al Hokair Group, one of Saudi Arabia's most respected brands within the hospitality industry sector, aims to further expand in 2019 to address the growing demand in the country. With several new themeparks and other entertainment destinations and the growing religious tourism market sector, the company plans to fast track its plans.
The Group currently works with several international Hotel chains that include Hilton, Holiday Inn, Radisson, Inter Continental Hotels Group, Accor International Hotels, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Marriott Hotels Group among several others.
Saudi Arabia is currently in the midst of expanding its leisure tourism sector and expects 30 million visitors annually by 2030.


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Quoting Reuters on Tuesday (10/16), cellphone manufacturers circulating in Europe such as Samsung and Huawei have to pay a fee to access the Google Play Store. Instead, they don't have to install applications like Google Search and Google Chrome.
This new policy from Google will provide flexibility for manufacturers of Android-based mobile phones to install browsers from Google competitors, such as Microsoft, Opera and Mozilla.
The European Commission in July fined 5 billion dollars to Google for utilizing their dominance in the mobile software to block competitors. Google appealed the decision, but for now they must comply with the applicable rules.
This new Google scheme will be implemented starting October 29 in the European Economic Area, covering 28 European Union countries including Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
The European Commission submits to Google how they follow the decisions taken in July and will continue to monitor the policies they take. If you do not comply with these rules, Europe will provide additional fines.


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Learn how Wolverine Worldwide is viewing the COVID-19 crisis as a catalyst to strengthen their digital foundations.
“In its new study, “Decoding Price Elasticity to Unlock Revenue and Minimize Risk,” First insights noted that furniture, particularly, is giving more consumers pause as they consider how broad their definition of value is.Read the Full Article at HomeWorld Business
The retail industry is constantly evolving, and we can help you stay up to speed. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.
© 2020 First Insight, Inc.


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The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $3 million in available funding for robotics research, application and education for agricultural systems that benefit consumers and rural communities.
Volvo Trucks has developed a new self-steering truck that can become a significant productivity booster for Brazilian sugar-cane growers. Read moreRead More »
The SoftBank Group Corp. chief’s Vision Fund is leading a $200 million investment in Silicon Valley startup Plenty, which says it has cracked the code on growing crops indoors super efficiently. Read moreRead More »


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3D printing 2023 World Car Awards: Replique and Callum collaborate for unique 3D printed trophies
The recent World Car Awards (WCA) ceremony, held in April in New York, once again grabbed the attention of the global automotive community, but another star of the night was the eye-catching 3D printed trophy that was presented to the category winners.
The seven trophies awarded at the World Car Awards ceremony were produced via Replique and created by the design and engineering company, Callum — led by legendary car designer, Ian Callum. The two companies were selected and commissioned by the WCA organisers, with a creative brief to design and manufacture a new, unique and visually impactful trophy that would befit the prestigious awards and its winners.
Replique, which provides the first fully encrypted 3D printing platform that offers OEMs a secure and sustainable means of providing parts on demand, anytime, anywhere, produced the trophies in PA12 material through its network of trusted print partners by utilizing SLS technology.
Once 3D printed, the trophies underwent a post-processing stage before being delivered to New York in time for the internationally recognised awards ceremony. Among the procedures applied was the vapor smoothing technique which provided an ideal seamless surface for the application of vibrant gold automotive-grade coatings, further enhancing their aesthetic appeal.
Hyundai was one of the winners, who scooped three wins for its Ioniq 6. These included ‘World Car of the Year’, with the company’s global COO on-hand to receive the coveted 3D printed awards.
Commenting on the production of the trophies, Henrike Wonneberger, Co-founder and COO of Replique, says, “Thanks to its fundamental attributes for fast, low-volume production of any design in one-piece, regardless of its complexity, 3D printing was an obvious choice as the manufacturing method for this project. “We are thrilled with the results and were not surprised that the trophies turned heads at the ceremony,” she adds.
According to Ian Callum, known for his timeless automotive designs, the concept behind the new trophy reimagines the theme of the WCA logo and the original award, with a road encircling the globe in a modern yet emotive style depicting movement. As the automotive industry rapidly adopts additive manufacturing because of its unique advantages, including reducing costs, enhancing product performance and increasing supply chain resilience, WCA has chosen to embrace this technology for the first time in the creation of the new trophy. By leveraging 3D printing, the construction of the new trophy also represents the many technological advances made in vehicle design and manufacturing.
“3D printing is fantastic because it addresses and overcomes the constraints of traditional thinking and manufacturing,” explains Ian Callum. “When you design something, you need to consider factors like the angles, the construction method and if it will need assembly of different parts — all of which is very complicated and time-consuming. This project demonstrates perfectly how 3D printing completely removes that headache, by granting you the means to create virtually any form from a digitalized design,” Ian Callum adds.
The full categories and winners for the 2023 World Car Awards were: World Car of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq 6; World Luxury Car: Lucid Air; World Performance Car: Kia EV6 GT; World Electric Vehicle: Hyundai Ioniq 6; World Urban Car: Citroën C3; World Car Design of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq 6; World Car Person of the Year: Sang Yup Lee, Executive Vice President, Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center, Hyundai Motor Company.


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Fed prices trend higher
Fed prices trend higher
Fed cattle trade developed $1-2 higher on limited trade early last week with cattle feeders in Kansas selling at $80-81 live basis. Feedlots in the Corn Belt sold dressed cattle at $126 in Iowa and in a range of $126-128 in Nebraska, weaker than analysts had predicted at the start of the week’s business. Going into the holiday week, packers’ cattle needs were light and trade volume was expected to be low. On the other hand, analysts noted that the light harvest levels should be supportive of boxed beef prices into the end of the year.
Last week, production levels were sharply higher than the prior week which saw the cutout and futures market put in what many analysts predict will be the low for the next several weeks at $78-79 live basis. Vetterkind Cattle Brokerage analyst Troy Vetterkind said he expects that the cash fed cattle markets are likely to trade in a "V-shaped" pattern between the established bottom at $78-79 and $84-85 live basis on the upper end between now and mid-January before trending back down to retest the low in mid-February, with the cash trade leading the market and the futures trade playing catch-up for the next four to eight weeks.
He explained that there isn’t likely to be a significant increase in beef demand in the near-term as we head into the end of the year, and there is a substantial increase in the availability of market-ready fed cattle coming into the supply chain as a result of the aggressive feedlot placements during the June to October time frame, which will serve to limit advances. However, he noted that there is expected to be a significant amount of fund investment in the futures markets which will provide some support on the contract trade.
The demand side of the equation, on the other hand, isn’t expected to show any significant sign of improvement, which will add to the downward side of the price equation for fed cattle trade. On the upside, though, a shortage of cull cow availability has helped to boost prices into a range of $40-48 live basis in most markets across the country. Likewise, the cow beef cutout and trim trade has been strong for the past several weeks with the 50 percent trim product gaining more than $5 in the past week.
The demand for ground beef and cow beef products from all sectors has coincided with a drop in imports of foreign beef and a sharp decline in cull cow slaughter. Both factors have helped cow beef prices make significant gains over the past several weeks, strength that should continue well into 2010. Going forward, there could also be some spill-over support which translates to better steer and heifer prices as some cuts, particularly rounds and some chuck cuts, are priced at a level that will make them attractive for grinding product Vetterkind said.
Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) analysts also noted the decline in recent cow availability last week despite a recent year-over-year up-tick in slaughter levels. However, they also pointed to another trend which indicates that cow slaughter numbers during 2009 will lead to another year-over-year decline in overall beef cow numbers.
"Nationwide, forage conditions were better this year than in 2008, but cow/calf operations have struggled in terms of profitability just like in 2008," LMIC analysts said. "As of mid-November (latest actual slaughter data), Federally Inspected (FI) total cow slaughter on a weekly average basis was about 1 percent higher than the same period in 2008 and about 15 percent higher than the 2003-2007 average. Beef cow slaughter from late October through mid-November averaged about 3 percent higher than last year. On a weekly basis, FI beef cow slaughter through mid-November was 7 percent smaller than last year or on a year-to-date basis, down just over 225,000 head."
They noted that the decline in 2008 was slightly more than 760,000 head.
"Also, the number of heifers entering the beef cowherd in 2009 is currently projected to be below levels of recent years. So the U.S. beef cowherd will decline again in 2009 even with fewer beef cows slaughtered. But as of Dec. 1, 2010, the U.S. cowherd may shrink by a little smaller number than last year," they reported. "During the last two years, U.S. cow/calf operation profitability has struggled, faced with rather high production costs and low calf and cull cow prices. Without improved returns, there will be little incentive for U.S. cow/calf operations to increase their cowherds. That situation will probably improve some in 2010 and 2011. Still, in the beef industry, breeding herd growth is a multi-year process."
The feeder cattle market responded favorably last week to the positive news on the fed cattle side of the trade, moving higher in the process. Most auction markets are starting to see numbers of cattle on offer dwindle as we move closer to the end of the year. However, in the markets where good runs of cattle were noted last week, prices were generally $2-4 higher. The volatility in the grain markets is also lessening as corn producers near the end of harvest in all but the most northern growing states, which is also helping to stabilize feeder cattle prices. The uncertainty over the corn picture has kept many cattle feeders on the sidelines as they hope to secure lower-priced feedstuffs before committing to feeder cattle purchases, particularly in the northern feeding states. Now some of those buyers are coming back into the markets, which has been helping to stabilize the trade as well. Vetterkind noted last week that the recent bottom in the feeder cattle contract markets is likely to hold and prices should start to show significant increases into the spring, with the same "V" shaped recovery found in the fed cattle market likely to make an appearance in feeders as well.
Last week in cash market trade at El Reno, OK, steer calves were called steady while heifer calves reportedly sold $3-4 higher than the previous week. Feeder steers sold steady to $1 higher while feeder heifers were $2-3 higher on good demand for feeders and calves. Earlier in the week at Oklahoma City, OK, feeder steers and heifers sold steady while steer calves were called steady to $1 lower then the previous week’s sale. Heifer calves were steady to $2 lower on moderate to good demand for feeders. Heavy feeder demand was called moderate due to the low numbers of available offerings over 800 lbs.
Meanwhile in Bassett, NE, last week, steers trended steady with the exception of 600-700 lb. offerings which traded $2 higher. Comparable offerings of heifers were called steady higher on low numbers. Demand was moderate to good and trade was active. In Torrington, WY, last week, steer calves weighing under 650 lbs. sold steady to $2-4 higher with 400-450 lb. calves selling as much as $6 higher. Heifer calves were called steady to $1-2 higher, except 450-550 lb. heifer calves, which were under pressure with instances of $3-4. A light offering of yearlings was noted at the sale, with most of the numbers being mostly late gathers. Demand was called moderate to good.
In Miles City, MT, last week, steer and heifer calves mostly sold steady to $2 higher with no test on yearling cattle due to light receipts, however, good demand was noted for all classes. And on the West Coast, in Famoso, CA, last week, stocker cattle on offer sold steady with the previous week with excellent demand noted as grazing prospects for the winter have been good thus far. Feeder cattle were reportedly selling steady on good demand. — WLJ


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£100m deal for SVM
EDINBURGH asset manager SVM (formerly Scottish Value) has won a £100m mandate from Frank Russell Company to manage UK equities. SVM manages more than £950m.
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GreenBiz 2019 Highlights – Greening Supply Chains
While 77% of consumer goods supply chain decision-makers have a clear vision for sustainability, only 8% have achieved their plan because of perceived time and effort (EDF Supply Chain Solutions Center).
Sustainability Win of the Week
Each year, over 1,000 of the world’s brightest minds come together to network and collaborate at GreenBiz, the premier conference for business and nonprofit leaders in the sustainability space. This year we’re especially excited about GreenBiz because it means the launch of a major collaboration between Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Shelton Group: the EDF Supply Chain Solutions Center.
The Supply Chain Solutions Center is a new website created by Shelton Group and EDF, and created for supply chain professionals to help them accelerate their sustainability goals. Affectionately dubbed the “Spotify for Supply Chains,” the platform removes the complexity of keeping up with sustainability and supply chain best practices by curating hundreds of articles, reports, guides, templates, case studies and other materials based on level of experience and areas of interest. In minutes, users can create their own tailored profile, select the issues most applicable to their business from among six key areas – agriculture, energy, chemicals, waste, forests and freight – and receive a steady stream of supply chain news, sustainability solutions, connections to expert organizations and templates for building the path forward.
Studies show supply chains are the biggest environmental problem for companies nowadays – particularly in the consumer packaged goods industry. More than ever, sustainability professionals recognize that meeting corporate sustainability goals requires reducing impact across entire value chains. EDF’s Supply Chain Solutions Center streamlines the process of information collection so that you can better achieve your supply chain sustainability goals – no matter where you are on the journey.
See it for yourself! Go to supplychain.edf.org.
News of the Week
12 winners of NextGen Cup Challenge reimagining the future of the to-go cup – Sustainable Brands
Congratulations to the winners of the NextGen Cup Challenge – a “pre-competitive collaboration to drive sustainable design and find innovative cup solutions” for to-go beverages. The 12 winners (out of nearly 500 applicants) demonstrate the future of to-go cups. Several major brands supported the initiative, including Starbucks and McDonald’s (founding members), and The Coca-Cola Company, Yum! Brands, Nestlé and Wendy’s (supporting partners). Read more about the winners and next steps to scale up their inventions.
Green power: the quest to harness energy from leaves – Wall Street Journal
In other news: some major innovations in renewable energy. Researchers contend that plants may someday be the key to renewable (and biodegradable) energy production – by adapting the leaves of a plant to capture and convert wind energy into usable electricity. Such technology, though still in its infancy, may someday hold the capacity to transform renewable wind energy initiatives for utilities and business.
A Period of Change
Once upon a time, feminine hygiene was a topic simply not mentioned in polite society – and options were limited to an aisle of single-use products. Now, times are changing, and the options have grown. What once seemed like a segment of the consumer packaged goods industry impervious to change is now undergoing profound transformation. New, reusable choices are flooding the market – choices that are better for the environment and, in most cases, work better too. Fifty-nine percent of women have used or considered using them – what will that do to your business?


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Small Business Finance News
SBA Increases Loans To Exporters
Written by Tim Morral
Small Business Administration promotes exporting with guarantees supporting $1.7 billion in small business exports.
Exporting has always been a priority for the federal government and for the U.S. economy in general. It's also been a priority for startups and small business entrepreneurs, many of which are taking advantage of a boost in loan guarantees to small exporters.
According to the Small Business Administration, loans to exporters grew to more than $923 million in FY 2012, supporting $1.7 billion in exports originating from small companies that routinely engage in shipping products abroad.
"Giving small businesses the tools they need to export their goods and services and create jobs is an important part of our core mission," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "Exporting is creating opportunities for small businesses to create good-paying jobs and provide economic benefits to local communities nationwide."
The uptick in lending to small business exporters comes on the heels of an SBA overhaul of the International Trade Loan program, an initiative that has resulted in a 106% increase in the number of loan guarantees and a 207% increase in guaranteed dollar volume.
The International Trade Loan program guidelines enables small manufacturers to make capital improvements or purchases that facilitate the production of goods sold abroad. Although the goods can be sold directly or indirectly through an export trading company or export managing company, the SBA prefers the indirect approach and encourages small exporters to enlist the assistance of an export intermediary.
The SBA also offers a wealth of information and services for entrepreneurs interested in learning how to start exporting including conferences, events and other resources.
For more information, visit the SBA's Office of International Trade's website.
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Co-living, second-tier cities and apps that create sub communities — there’s a shake-up on the horizon and hospitality companies can learn lessons from Asia.
Everyone says they wish they had a crystal ball to predict the future, but it’s been there all along. It’s called Asia.
The region’s early containment of coronavirus, particularly in China, gives travel companies in other parts of the world insight into emerging trends, showcasing new living and working habits, alongside travel behaviors.
Sitting at the junction of all this is the extended stay sector. Some serviced apartment companies in Asia now want to emulate their success and ramp up growth elsewhere.
What they're seeing is a pull towards community-focused living, after months of people living in isolation, and a need for greater flexibility. Developers and other accommodation players in the U.S. and Europe take note, because the amount of corporate travelers that need long-term stays is set to soar.
“Before the pandemic, traditionally only one or two percent of employees would be classified as mobile employees by multinational companies, which have hundreds of thousands of staff," said Vivi Cahyadi Himmel, CEO and co-founder of rental platform AltoVita. "That landscape changed, it may be 20 to 30 percent now.”
Speaking during a recent webinar, APAC Investor Sentiment Out of The Crisis, which it also sponsored, she said human resources professionals were looking to check their employees into places that offered a sense of community.
Editor's Note: Future of Work Briefing is taking a holiday next Friday, May 28. We will be return for all our Skift Pro subscribers on Friday, June 4.
In Singapore, Ascott was experimenting with so-called co-living properties before the pandemic through its Lyf brand. It focuses on communal spaces and activities for longer-stay residents.
"It was well received in Asia, and we now want to take this to Europe, whether (through) investment or managing thir


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The convertible version of Robb Report’s 2012 Car of the Year has arrived from Sant’Agata, Italy.
While super storm Sandy was hammering the East Coast and drenching rains were merging Venice with the Adriatic Sea last fall, similar weather was pounding Morocco into mud.
Even though Ferrari may not have invented the concept of the supercar, it deserves credit for keeping the flame alive with a succession of these limited-run exotics dating all the
The sexy mid-engine Alfa Romeo 4C that debuted at this year’s Geneva Motor Show is paving the way back to the United States for the iconic Italian marque.
Bentley has recharged its most iconic model, the Mulsanne, with a series of new features that serve modern business executives.
Barrett-Jackson auto auctions began humbly with a small charitable auto show in the 60s.
When Honda pulled the wraps off its luxury division in 1986, Acura’s promise—“Precision Crafted Performance”—was as much a guiding principle as it was a marketing ploy.
The arrival of a new Corvette has always been an occasion.
Wagon to a Star
No slouch when it debuted for the 2011 model year, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing coupe has nonetheless benefited from a steady stream of meaningful revisions.
Aston Martin is kicking off its first comprehensive motorsports program in United States with the sale of 12 of its famed GT4 racecars ($195,000 each) and 10 new car models set to
The new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster is the most outrageous model to come from the extreme Italian automaker in five decades, a car so wholly and magnificently over-the
Since its model-year 2009 debut, Jaguar’s sensuous XF sedan has emerged as one of the British automaker’s greatest hits, with a lineup that has expanded to include a turbocharged
Aside from the warm weather, another reason to visit Florida in February is the seventh annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance.
There are only 12 spots available for racecar enthusiasts who want to participate in the Richard Petty Fantasy Racing Camp, being held in Las Vegas from March 10 to 13.
Since it debuted in September 2009 and wafted into U.S. showrooms midway through 2010, the Rolls-Royce Ghost has outsold the brand’s flagship Phantom (available in a standard sedan, long-wheelbase sedan, coupe, and convertible) by a ratio of 3 to 1.
The only thing worse than going to a trade convention in Las Vegas is the indignity of flying a commercial airline to get there.
Land Rover’s new SUV flagship, the 2013 Range Rover, is sure to become the poster vehicle for drivers who seek unbridled luxury along with maximum utility. Or maybe just luxury.
When Porsche first launched the Cayman model back in 2006, it was well received by performance purists around the world.
The popular Infiniti G Sedan is changing its initial to Q—it will become the Q50 with the 2014 model.
Auto Concierge is a new members-only vehicle-storage center and private club that caters to the needs of devoted car collectors.
A 1955 Lincoln Futura that became the famous Batmobile in the 1960s television series and movie will be on the auction block at Barrett-Jackson’s 42nd annual Scottsdale car auctio
Audi’s previous S8, retired after the 2011 model year, was blessed with a brutish version of the 5.2-liter V-10 engine from its corporate cousin Lamborghini.
The new Circuit of the Americas—the first and only FIA-certified Grade 1 track in the United States—defined the capital of the Lone Star State as a hub for the motorsports community.
An aesthetic redesign, the Ducati Monster Anniversary Edition (www.ducati.com) celebrates two decades of the Italian
From the late 1940s to the mid 1960s, U.S. automakers built and displayed cars that represented their visions of future designs.
When the Tata Group took Land Rover off Ford’s hands back in 2008, the future for the venerable British automaker seemed a little murky.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is the automotive world’s most famous rectangle.
If you’re looking for a unique street-legal sports car or a track-ready racer that you can drive immediately, this European coupe is not for you.


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News and Articles About Retail Businesses
Often the cost of rent is a top consideration when choosing a retail space. But focus on the dollars and you might be missing out on essential ways to grow your business.
A flea market as restaurant incubator, hipster destination and, yes, great place to find a lamp.
Metail creates a 3-D avatar of shoppers then digitizes clothing collections and merges the garment images with the customer's avatar.
Research from the National Retail Federation reveals what young adults are looking for in their first jobs.
A consignment store fights back against showrooming, with a new app called Swarm Mobile.
Storenvy mixes a no-cost e-commerce platform with community engagement.
The online handmade marketplace is seeking to reimagine retail.
A new exhibit at New York's Tenement Museum explores a century of the city's immigrant small-business owners, while the city government champions its growing tech startup community.
Navigating supplier relationships is just one of the many challenges facing new business owners. Here are some basics for those just starting out.
Jewelry buyers get the best of both worlds: The price and flexibility of designing a engagement ring online and the in-store experience before they commit.
To you get big-box retailers to stock your product, know your competition, hone your pitch and be prepared.
San Franciso clothier Taylor Stitch employs multiple apps for a custom commerce solution.
As Amazon partners with Facebook to make gift-giving easier, a look at three services that are innovating this time-old tradition.
Our first annual list of seven of the most innovative woman leaders from technology to retail to health and more.
Thoughtful web marketing drives an artisanal business.
While retail sites like Warby Parker and Mr Porter are successfully blending discovery with good design, they're missing one key ingredient: humor. Here's a case for why retail sites should be funny.
Just Between Friends clothing store franchise grows from filling needs for family and friends.
Sandals. Subscription underwear. We've got our top apparel picks in this year's Indie Merchant Holiday Gift Guide.
Going it alone isn't the best route for all business owners. Cooperative corporations offer an alternative to franchising, with members working together to decide how their company should operate.
Small-business owners say Black Friday and Cyber Monday did little for their bottom line, but Thanksgiving weekend sales still came in slightly better than expected.
Philip Nappi discovers that his passion of footwear runs in the family.
An online retailer pitches the sharks on her newly minted designer wedding dress consignment business, but no one bites.
Too many startups develop products and services for âassumedâ wants and perceived needs. What about designing solutions for deeper desires?
The online clothing boutique leveraged their keen visual sense to market their company at little cost with Instagram.
The 6,000-pound retail shop can be pulled by a large pickup truck to wherever potential customers may gather.


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SaveWave gets new name, closes $2.3M round
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- Rodney Brown
SavingStar Inc., a Waltham-based spinout from Upromise that launched as SaveWave Inc., has closed on a $2.3 million Series A funding round, according to federal documents.
In August, 2010, SavingStar raised a $1.4 million tranche of the Series A round. At the time, investors were identified as Flybridge Capital Partners and First Round Capital, with additional support from Founder Collective, IA Capital and angel investors Ron Conway and Michael Bronner.
While the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission states that SaveWave is now SavingStar, the company's website is still branded as SaveWave.
SavingStar, founded in June, 2010, is a spinout of Upromise, a college savings service with more than 12 million members, which was acquired by Sallie Mae. The company develops a platform for digital promotion, distribution and rewards fulfillment systems, and his developing its own white-label program for other brands and a mobile application to activate coupons.
The SavingStar executive team is comprised of former Upromise executives, include CEO David Rochon, former president of Upromise; president Michael Libenson, former Upromise senior vice president; and senior VP of business development Brendaen Makechnie, former Upromise Grocery vice president.
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EVR Holdings to launch VR platform on Facebook's Oculus Quest headset
EVR Holdings shares jumped on Tuesday as it confirmed that its MelodyVR platform will launch on Facebook's Oculus Quest virtual reality (VR) headset on Thursday.
The MelodyVR proposition for Oculus Quest will mirror that of the currently available app on Oculus Go, which allows consumers to access the full library of MelodyVR experiences and experience live music performances remotely.
The fully wireless Oculus Quest headset was released in May, leading Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg to claim the delivery of augmented VR "will be one of the most important contributions we make to the way we all use technology over the long term" in the social media giant's recent quarterly earnings call.
Anthony Matchett, chief executive of EVR, said: "We are excited to make MelodyVR available to a wider audience on Oculus Quest, and by Mark's continued ambition to make standalone VR mainstream and a self-sustaining industry. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Oculus throughout 2019 and we appreciate their partnership and support."
EVR Holdings shares were up 6.48% at 6.66p at 1257 BST.


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FRANKFURT, Aug 1 (Reuters) - German consumer goods group
Henkel increased its outlook for earnings per share
in 2012 thanks to planned price rises for its products, which
range from Schwarzkopf hair products to Loctite glue, and
ongoing cost measures.
The group, which also makes Right Guard deodorants and
Persil in most of Europe, reported second quarter adjusted
operating profit of 609 million euros, compared with the average
analyst forecast of 590 million.
Sales matched expectations at 4.21 billion.
Henkel said it now expected earnings per share to rise
around 15 percent in 2012, up from a previous forecast of at
least 10 percent.
Other consumer goods firms have had a tricky time of late,
with Procter & Gamble warning on profit and Reckitt
Benckiser suffering from tough trading in southern


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Mars Inc, a worldwide producer of confectionery, pet food, and various other food items, has declared an investment of INR 800 crore to initiate the second phase of expansion for its facility located in Telangana.
Mars Petcare, the segment dedicated to pet food and pet healthcare under Mars Inc, operates a facility in the Siddipet district. This plant, established with a fixed capital investment of INR 200 crore, produces renowned pet food brands like Pedigree and Whiskers.
As per an official statement, this recent declaration increases Mars Inc’s cumulative fixed capital investment in the state from INR 200 crore to INR 1,500 crore. A delegation from the Telangana State, headed by Industries Minister K T Rama Rao, held a meeting with Sekhar Krishnamoorthy, the Chief Data and Analytics Officer for Pet Nutrition at Mars Inc in New York, as mentioned in the release.
Considering the swift expansion of the pet food market in India, Mars has indicated their intention to initiate the second phase of expansion for their Siddipet plant.
The Telangana government and Mars Inc have reached a mutual agreement to form a wide-ranging partnership aimed at introducing endeavors to enhance pet care and pet nutrition within the nation. The discussion during the meeting also encompassed potential collaborations, including the establishment of an extensive foundation for Mars Inc in fields like Research and Development, digital transformation, agricultural supply chains, innovation, and sustainability.
A separate release said Omnicom Group, a renowned global media, marketing, and communications company, will be setting up a large Global Capability Centre here, which would create over 2,500 new employment opportunities. The release said Rama Rao and his delegation met with Omnicom’s leadership team at New York on Thursday, it further said.


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Hulu Developing Online TV service2 May, 2016 By: Erik Gruenwedel
Hulu is reportedly developing an online “skinny bundle” pay-TV service that would operate similarly to Dish Network’s Sling TV, Sony’s PlayStation Vue and Charter’s Spectrum TV Plus. It is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2017.
The $40 Hulu online TV service would attempt to market Disney (notably ESPN and Disney Channel), Fox and other pay-TV channels to an estimated 10 million to 15 million broadband-only households. This allegedly “underserved” market drove Time Warner and CBS to launch over-the-top services HBO Now and Showtime OTT, respectively.
First reported by — the service would not include Comcast-owned NBC TV, despite the fact Comcast co-owns Hulu as a silent partner with The Walt Disney Co. and 21st Century Fox. Comcast remains an ardent supporter of traditional pay-TV (and TV Everywhere) distribution, rebuffing industry efforts embracing third-party subscription streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
But Fox — under a mandate by chairman Rupert Murdoch — has aggressively sought to move Hulu up the SVOD podium (and beyond 10 million subscribers) as a significant competitor to Netflix and Prime Video. Run by former Fox executive Mike Hopkins, Hulu has dramatically increased original and third-party content (“Seinfeld”) licensing, in addition to subcontracting and bundling the SVOD service to pay-TV operators with Showtime OTT.
Earlier this year, Hulu received its first Golden Globe nomination, for original comedy "Casual." Netflix has won awards for original series "Orange Is the New Black" and "House of Cards," and Amazon Prime Video for "Transparent" and "Mozart in the Jungle," respectively.


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Speaking exclusively to SCMagazineUK.com on Tuesday afternoon, company chief executive Marcin Kleczynski revealed customers will be able to buy the software in Bitcoins – in addition to credit cards and cheques – by entering their email address and paying via Coinbase, which takes one percent from each transaction – cheaper than most credit card companies. The user is then sent a confirmation email with the product key.
Kleczynski said that the solution is “actually more secure” than credit cards as it doesn't ask for an address and personal information, and added that it takes 0.03 Bitcoins as soon as it deems the user to have the relevant funds in their account.
For all this, the Malwarebytes CEO – who formed the company aged 14 some ten years ago – admitted that the move is a risk which could well attract derision as being a gimmick in the wider information security community.
“There are tons of little reasons [for accepting Bitcoins]”, Kleczynski told SCMagazineUK.com. “It's a trade-off but we're testing the waters. There are definitely threats but we don't think that they are insurmountable.”
“It's not really a gimmick – it's another avenue to make currency”, he added pointing to online retailer TigerDirect taking approximately £305,000 (US$ 500,000) in Bitcoin payments in just three days.
Kleczynski, who only came to this decision after buying Bitcoins of his own earlier this year, is similarly unconcerned about the virtual currency's fluctuating exchange rate (“there has been some stability") and maintains that the company won't simply be trading in their Bitcoins for US dollars.
Instead, he suggests that, as one example, Bitcoin payments will go to buy office equipment from TigerDirect, one of the earliest retail adopters of the virtual currency. “That's supporting the currency,” he said.
“Each week and month that goes by, new technology comes out making Bitcoin easier to use,” he added, noting greater ATM support and the growing availability of offline wallets.
The announcement, though not the first as far as big ecommerce outfits backing the open-source currency – which was created in 2008 – has attracted a buzz in the industry, although some believe that the amount of income from Bitcoin payments will be relatively low. Kleczynski himself admits that growth will be slow and is hoping for “hundreds” of payments after the launch.
“Lets put it this way, I imagine that they were influenced more by appearing "cool" and "down with the kids" rather than because they genuinely believed a significant proportion of their income would come through Bitcoin purchases,” veteran security researcher Graham Cluley told SCMagazineUK.com.
“That's not to say that they're wrong to offer bitcoin payment for their product”. Cluley added that a more common alternative would be PayPal.
Kenny MacDermid, ASERT research analyst at Arbor Networks, added that businesses embracing Bitcoins are likely to benefit from free advertising/press coverage and no charge backs, but worries about security and that fluctuating exchange rate.
“I think it's great that companies are starting to accept Bitcoins, provided they treat it like any other currency," he told SCMagazineUK.com.
“There are two major risks, the first being security of the coins once they are received, and the second being currency exchange risks. Both can be mitigated by using a third party Bitcoin processor like bitpay.com,” he added (Bitpay.com is a rival to Coinbase.com). “These companies allow you to set prices in your own currency and receive your own currency, but allow users to pay with Bitcoin. Of course you then have to trust the payment processor.
“For companies opting to accept Bitcoin directly, they must understand they'll be a big target. They should generally keep very little Bitcoin in a hot wallet (accessible from the internet). Treat it the same as they would the float in a cash register of an open 24-hour gas station in a bad neighbourhood.”


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GSTV and WAVE.tv Launch Partnership To Bring Unique Sports Content to National Video Network
12 January 2021
GSTV, the national video network entertaining targeted audiences at scale across tens of thousands of fuel retailers, today announced a new content partnership with WAVE.tv, the sports media company for today's fan that reaches over 200 million viewers and receives 3.9 billion views monthly across its portfolio of media brands.
The partnership will include the distribution of unique and non-traditional sports highlights and user-generated content from six of WAVE.tv's most popular media brands; "Benchmob", "Buckets", "Rage Quit", "FTBL", "Haymakers", and "Jukes". WAVE.tv will provide GSTV with dedicated content segments to air across the national video network's 24,000 stations. With WAVE.tv's Rage Quit, e-sports content will appear regularly on GSTV for the first time. The partnership also opens up new opportunities for GSTV and WAVE.tv to work with brands looking to connect with a Gen Z and Millennial audience through sponsored content partnerships.
"While our programming can be discovered across the core and emerging digital platforms where today's modern sports fans spend the most time, we are constantly looking for ways to grow the awareness of the WAVE.tv brand outside of social and digital," said Brain Verne, Co-Founder and CEO, WAVE.tv. "This is the first time WAVE.tv content will be visible to a wide audience outside of our platforms. We are thrilled to be partnering with GSTV, who is the perfect fit for our short-form sports content, and cannot wait to highlight a variety of sports fandoms with their national network."
"WAVE.tv has mastered entertaining its viewers with captivating short form content, which is perfect for GSTV viewers who give us a few of their undivided moments of their attention while on the go," said Sean McCaffrey, President & CEO, GSTV. "We know our audience responds enthusiastically to sports, e-sports and UGC, and we're delighted to share WAVE.tv's content with them as well as provide new sponsorship opportunities to advertisers looking to reach a Gen Z audience that natively loves and regularly consumes non-traditional sports content."
WAVE.tv joins GSTV's growing line-up of premiere content partners, including Cheddar, Live Nation, Better Together With Maria Menounos, La Liga, Loop Media, First Media (So Yummy, Blossom), What's Trending, CNET, Stadium, NFL and MLB, among others. The GSTV network reaches 92MM unique viewers a month.
WAVE.tv's content segments can be seen at GSTV's stations starting Monday, January 11. For more information about GSTV, visit gstv.com. For more information about WAVE.tv, visit wave.tv.
GSTV is a data-driven, national video network delivering targeted audiences at scale across tens of thousands of fuel retailers. Reaching 1 in 3 American adults monthly, GSTV engages viewers with full sight, sound, and motion video at an essential waypoint on their consumer journey. Analysis of billions of consumer purchases demonstrates that GSTV viewers spend significantly more across retailers, services, consumer goods and other sectors, following a fuel transaction. While offering consumers entertaining and informative content, GSTV drives immediate action and creates lasting brand impressions, delivering measurable results for the world's largest advertisers. Visit gstv.com for more information and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
WAVE.tv is a sports media company for today's fan. Through a portfolio of media brands, covering a wide array of fandoms and genres, WAVE.tv entertains modern day sports fans with the programming they love, produced for the digital platforms where they spend the most time.
Their programming can be discovered across Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and other core and emerging platforms. Each month, WAVE.tv's entire portfolio reaches 65 million followers and subscribers (largely Gen-Z and Millennials) with a unique reach of 200 million and generating over 3.9 billion video views.


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Shimano reported that net income rose 10.6 percent on a 15.1 percent revenue gain in its year ended December 31. Both earnings and sales easily topped the company’s guidance. Sales are expected to decline 20 percent in the current year.
Sales increased 15.1 percent from the previous year to ¥628,909 million ($4.8 bn). Operating income increased 14.1 percent to 169,158 million ($1.28 bn), ordinary income increased 15.7 percent to ¥176,568 million ($1.34 bn), and net income attributable to owners of the parent increased ¥10.6 percent to ¥128,178 million ($971 mm).
Under its guidance, Shimano expected sales of ¥590,000 million, operating income of ¥163,500 million, ordinary income of ¥188,500 million and net income of ¥136,300 million.
Shimano said in its statement, “During fiscal year 2022, while restrictions on activities to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were eased, the outlook for the global economy remained uncertain due to soaring resource and commodity prices caused by the prolonged situation in Ukraine and monetary tightening measures aimed at curbing inflation taken by central banks in various countries, among other factors. In Europe, consumer sentiment was sluggish against a backdrop of concerns about resource and energy supply, rising prices, prolonged high inflation, and other factors, which increased fears of an economic slowdown. In the U.S., while rises in policy rates to tame high inflation put downward pressure on the economy, personal consumption remained firm, backed by a solid employment environment. In China, intermittent restrictions on economic activities under the zero-COVID policy slowed down a pickup in personal consumption, and economic recovery remained lackluster. In Japan, rising prices caused by soaring resource prices and the depreciation of the yen put downward pressure on personal consumption, but signs of a gradual recovery in the economy were seen as the normalization of economic activities progressed under the with-COVID policy. In this environment, demand for bicycles and fishing tackle remained firm, although showing signs of cooling down.”
For the fourth quarter, sales grew 6.6 percent to ¥161,244 million, operating earnings rose 3.1 percent to ¥161,244 million and net income declined 50.1 percent to ¥14,692 million. Fourth-quarter results were attained by subtracting nine-month results from full-year results.
Fishing Segment Sales Improve 4.5 Percent In Year
Net sales from the Fishing segment increased 8.4 percent from the previous year to ¥110,993 million ($841 mm), and operating income increased 4.5 percent to ¥ ($183 mm).
Shimano said in its financial release, “While interest in fishing that had grown globally showed signs of cooling down, robust demand for fishing tackle was seen in some areas. In the Japanese market, sales of mid- to high-priced products remained strong, with fishing styles going diversified, although sales of popularly priced products for families and beginners slowed down. Overseas, in the North American market, demand for fishing tackle showed signs of cooling down as a whole. However, demand for saltwater products remained firm and sales remained strong. In the European market, while high inflation and other factors caused a sense of stagnation in the market in the U.K., sales remained strong in the areas of Southern and Eastern Europe. In the Asian market, sales were favorable in tandem with market growth fueled by robust demand for fishing tackle. In the Chinese market, there remained impacts from stringent lockdown measures. However, after the lifting of restrictions, vigorous movements were seen in demand for fishing tackle. In the Australian market, demand for fishing tackle remained strong and sales remained firm, despite some impacts from unfavorable weather conditions. Under these market conditions, new products such as spinning reels Miravel were well-received in the market. In addition, spinning reels Stella and Ultegra XTE, as well as electric reels BeastMaster MD and other products continued to earn popularity.”
Sales in the quarter in the Fishing segment rose 6.8 percent to ¥28,340 million. Operating income gained 12.8 percent to ¥6,681 million.
For the current year, sales are expected to decline 20.5 percent to 500,000; operating income to fell 37.9 percent to 105,000 million, ordinary income to decline 32.3 percent to 119,500 million and net income to decline 32.5 percent to 86,500 million.
Leading the fishing industry in innovation and quality for over 100 years, Shimano’s manufacturing capabilities allow for anglers worldwide to enjoy their time on the water to the fullest. We designed the entire lineup of Shimano products to elevate angler experiences with features that continuously evolve to push the boundaries of modern fishing tackle while raising the bar for the whole fishing industry.