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The British Cleaning Council and members write monthly columns for both Cleaning and Maintenance and Tomorrow’s Cleaning magazines. You can read the most recent columns below.
To read the columns as the originally appeared, please visit https://cleaningmag.com/issues and https://www.tomorrowscleaning.com/back-issues-2020
Technology to be topical at this month’s virtual event
By Jim Melvin, Deputy Chairman, British Cleaning Council
(This article was first published in Tomorrow’s Cleaning in October)
The role of innovation in producing advanced cleaning and hygiene technology to assist in protecting people from Coronavirus is sure to be one of the most interesting topics at the virtual conference and exhibition which sadly replaced the Manchester Cleaning Show, and which takes place this month.
The continuation of, and concerns from, Coronavirus are significantly increasing the demand for cleaning robots and co-bots, which are designed to work with humans.
This pandemic has put the spotlight on cleanliness and hygiene in a way I’ve rarely seen within my career in the business.
Higher standards, visibility and transparency within cleaning are being implemented across the world in order to reassure people that it is safe to go about their daily lives.
Cleaning robots and co-bots are playing an important role in achieving that with a few examples that spring to mind:
- Luton Airport has introduced innovative robotic cleaning and sanitising equipment into its daily cleaning operations
- Walmart, America’s biggest retailer, is using robots to clean floors
- A Danish firm making ultraviolet-light-disinfection robots has shipped hundreds of its machines to hospitals around the globe
Rather than replacing people, robots are often being used in addition to the human workforce to help reach the standards required. The collaboration can work in a number of ways:
- Floor-cleaning robots free up cleaning operatives to concentrate on touch points
- In hospitals, UV rays produced by robots are making certain that places cleaned by human workers are as germ-free as possible
- Robots are being used to help provide highly visible daytime cleaning
Whilst there will continue to be a place for cleaning and hygiene operatives as people always like to deal with other people, we could finally be seeing the rise of the robots which has been predicted for years.
The pandemic could prove to be a tipping point after which cleaning robots and co-bots become commonplace, working alongside their human colleagues.
The role of technology is one of the subjects covered in the recorded presentations which are part of the package this month’s virtual conference and exhibition offers.
The presentations feature expert industry figures and high-profile business leaders discussing a wide range of topics which are relevant to everyone from within the cleaning and hygiene sector.
National and international exhibitors will include some of the world’s biggest and most innovative cleaning and hygiene suppliers.
The event will showcase the vital work our sector has played in tackling Coronavirus and highlight how the industry can continue to support the economy to reopen safely.
All told, it should be a fascinating, unmissable occasion for anyone working in or connected to the cleaning and hygiene industry.
Of course, we would have preferred to have been able to go-ahead with the physical event and everyone withing the British Cleaning Council was sad to have to postpone the Manchester Cleaning Show until September 2021 but it was undoubtedly the right course of action.
We had hoped the local lockdown in Manchester might have been lifted this month. Instead, and understandably, the Government introduced new restrictions in response to the alarming increase in infections. In those circumstances, the health and well-being of attendees and staff will always be number one.
I have to apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this decision but I’m sure they will agree that this was the only sensible thing to do.
Let’s get together – virtually
By Paul Thrupp, Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC)
(This article was first published in Cleaning and Maintenance in October)
When you read this column, it will only be a week or two until the dates that this year’s Manchester Cleaning Show should have taken place.
It was with immense regret that the British Cleaning Council’s Exhibitions Board decided to postpone the event until next September but it was clearly the right course of action.
We have always put the health and safety of our exhibitors and visitors first and will continue to do so.
With the local lockdown still in place in Manchester and the Government introducing the ‘rule of six’ as it tightened the national lockdown, we felt we had little choice. One of the key attractions of the show is people being able to meet in person and talk face-to-face, but that is also a risk factor for the virus.
Of course, we had already postponed the show earlier this year – it should originally have taken place in March.
This demonstrates the huge upheaval and uncertainty that the pandemic has brought – with trade and business events being only one of the many sectors that are facing unprecedented challenges.
We have to hope that by September 2021 we will be able to operate freely, without the threat of Coronavirus hanging over us. It will be wonderful to mingle and mix normally at a physical event, like we used to in previous years, without having to worry about social distancing.
I have to thank all the exhibitors, visitors and speakers who were expecting to take part in the Manchester Cleaning Show this month for their continued support and patience during these exceptional events.
In the meantime, I am asking everyone in the cleaning and hygiene sector to support the virtual conference and exhibition which is being run instead of this year’s Manchester Cleaning Show.
This is an event for all of us in the industry and it will have so much to offer that it should be unmissable for exhibitors and for anyone connected in any way to the cleaning industry.
It will showcase the vital role our sector has played in tackling Coronavirus and highlight how the industry can continue to support the economy to reopen safely. This is a chance to celebrate that contribution and say thanks to the dedicated and brave operatives who were at the heart of it.
There are some big names taking part, including national and international exhibitors and a fantastic, free selection of recorded talks.
The exhibitors will include some of the world’s biggest and most innovative cleaning and hygiene firms.
The programme of recorded presentations will feature expert industry figures and high-profile business leaders offering insights into a wide range of cleaning and hygiene topics, so there is plenty on offer to interest anyone from the cleaning and hygiene sector and you can access all this in one place.
The impact of Covid-19 will be a key focus for the event, with topics such as how technology can be used to protect from the virus and what lessons can be learned from a cleaning contractor point of view.
But the wide-ranging seminars include all sorts of informative topics relevant to colleagues working in the cleaning and hygiene sector, from hiring equipment to training and assessment.
The technology being used to stage this virtual event is exciting and innovative. Exhibitors will have a virtual booth which you will be able to visit, you’ll be able to interact with them and watch the recorded seminars, so it will be as close to a physical event as you could possibly get while sitting at your computer.
So I am inviting readers to attend this fantastic virtual exhibition and conference and encouraging exhibitors to take part.
We must hope that by September 2021, when the show returns, the threat of Coronavirus will be behind us. It will be a pleasure to meet people in person, catch up on news and discuss business face-to-face, all of which are such an integral part of the Manchester Cleaning Show.
Cleaning contractor industry and staff rise to the challenge of Coronavirus
By Jim Melvin, Deputy Chairman, British Cleaning Council (BCC) and Group CEO, Exclusive Contract Services
(This article was first published in Tomorrow’s Cleaning in September)
Like the rest of the UK’s economy, cleaning contractors and staff have been understandably rocked by the impact of Coronavirus and in my own opinion, reacted extremely well.
Our cleaning and hygiene operatives have faced an unbelievably difficult and fearful time responding both bravely and magnificently.
As a people industry, the priority across the sector during this unprecedented pandemic has been to support, train and protect our teams in order to be in a position to successfully assist our clients.
In very difficult circumstances for our supply chain, staff have generally received the correct levels of PPE throughout the crisis and companies have ensured teams followed the correct procedures throughout, whilst both advice and instructions changed frequently.
Good internal communications have been key throughout and have been deployed by cleaning companies across the sector.
At Exclusive, for example, we introduced Zoom coffee breaks and daily team catch ups, quizzes, racing and photography events, virtual wine tasting sessions, staff thank you videos, special awards and other initiatives to support morale.
Cleaning operatives throughout the sector are being asked to focus on new tasks while needing to be satisfied that their safety and wellbeing is protected which demands information, advice and training as the morale and wellbeing of operatives remains a fundamental consideration. It is primary in my view to be able to demonstrate staff help and assistance quickly where required.
Concerns raised by colleagues included being stopped by the police on their way to work early/late at night. In response, we issued letters from the company and clients to show officers if required, which they were.
Regular weekly and monthly communication with staff has resulted in furloughed colleagues being more informed and willing to return to work when asked, though some have been understandably nervous.
Another significant challenge cleaning contractors have faced has been being agile to meet the changing needs of clients. Clients want to do the best they can, accepting they have the same financial and people issues. We are seeing clients revise, change and improve specifications for cleaning operatives to complete additional or focused tasks, such as ensuring touch points are clean, employing additional numbers or day staff and, in certain sectors, providing 24-hour cleaning.
A significant number of clients have also committed to incumbent suppliers for an extended contract period which I hope is recognition of the excellent job contractors and staff have done.
Nevertheless, the future is uncertain with the economy in severe difficulty. Whilst clients and companies will have contingency plans, many workplaces are closed or have a reduced workforce within buildings which obviously impacts on the demand for our services.
Many staff in the sector are furloughed until the end of October and it remains to be seen what happens when the Job Retention Scheme ends. I sadly don’t believe that the new £1k Retention Bonus will make the difference that we had hoped.
However, I do think in the longer term, the future for the cleaning and hygiene sector will be positive. As a result of this horrible, indiscriminate pandemic, more people openly recognise how important professional cleaning and hygiene is.
In tragic circumstances, the industry has never had a better opportunity to showcase that it is well-managed, well-operated with cleaning operatives who care about their work. Staff have evidenced this every day during the crisis, with operatives having been praised by the Prime Minister, Leader of The Opposition and other politicians and celebrities. It has been both deserved and welcomed as a start point.
Through associations such as the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA) and the BCC, the industry continues to seek recognition from Government and to drive the further development and knowledge of cleaning operatives. This will be vital as the economy recovers.
I sincerely hope that the demand for cleaning and hygiene services will strengthen as I genuinely believe that people will remember how we behaved throughout this crisis.
Time to strike back against the litter louts
By Paul Thrupp, Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC)
(This article was first published in Cleaning and Maintenance in September)
I’m not sure if you noticed but I certainly saw a great reduction in the amount of rubbish littering our streets and parks during the initial phases of lockdown. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, and the UK was looking at its very best.
However, since the easing of the Coronavirus lockdown, things have changed for the worse, and a different kind of epidemic has hit our streets, beaches, and beauty spots.
There has been a huge increase in anti-social littering and rubbish left by visitors at tourist destinations across the UK, which has shocked and appalled many. The crowds which have flocked outdoors to enjoy sunny weather have often left a total mess behind them, which in some places has even included bodily fluids and personal items. As an example, the trash left behind at Bournemouth and Durdle Door in Dorset in June were disgusting.
The same appalling situation happened during the August heatwave, with cans, plastic bags, and overflowing bins from Brighton to Cleethorpes.
Councils urged tourists to take their rubbish home without much success and, after collecting more refuse in a single day than ever before, Brighton Council threated that anyone who left litter on the beach would be served an on-the-spot fine – quite right!
It is not just beaches – litter and rubbish has also spoiled parks and the countryside too. Local people have complained about the trash left behind by tourists in the Lake District, at Loch Lomond and in the Trossachs.
Littering causes so many problems. It is a horrible eyesore and costs a small fortune to clear up. It also poses a massive threat to wildlife and the environment, and birds and other animals can mistakenly eat discarded cigarette butts or get tangled up in plastic bags, and rubbish, of course, also pollutes the sea.
Litter has also caused several wildfires. A glass bottle dumped in the sunlight caused a fire which destroyed 14,000 square metres of forest in Norfolk.
A new form of litter is carelessly discarded PPE, which is making matters worse. There have been numerous reports of PPE being discarded and in a one hour-long litter-pick in Cornwall, 171 items of PPE including face masks and gloves were collected.
These items are there to protect us and others and discarding them in this way puts everyone at risk.
Such selfish and careless behaviour is infuriating and depressing. Contrast it then with the selfless and community-spirited actions of the masses of volunteers who give up their free time to pick up rubbish and litter in their local areas during the year.
There are an estimated 2,000 litter-picking groups in the UK, covering beaches, parks, canals, and countryside. By one estimate, 100,000 volunteers litter-pick across the UK in the course of a week.
We will see a huge number of these public-spirited people in action during Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British September Clean, which takes place from 11 – 27 September. This event replaced the regular spring clean, which was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
More than 680,000 volunteers promised to take part in the spring event. It is hoped that similar numbers sign up for the rescheduled clean up.
It is easy to take part. You can organise a litter pick with a few others (subject to social-distancing guidelines) or do it on your own, perhaps while walking the dog or going to school. You can give up as little as 15 minutes – it all makes a difference.
Pledge your support or find out if any picks are happening in your local area at keepbritaintidy.org. You can keep up to date with the campaign on Twitter at #litterheroes
So, if you can spare a few minutes, join in with the Great British September Clean. Let us help the litter heroes defeat the litter louts.
New guide aims to clear the fog around cleaning and hygiene terms
By Paul Thrupp, Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC)
(This article was first published in Tomorrow’s Cleaning in August)
The Coronavirus pandemic has sparked a huge demand for cleaning and hygiene services and products and the public’s interest is at the highest level I’ve seen in over 40 years in the industry with everyone is looking for the product or service which will stop Coronavirus in its tracks.
Many new entities have sprung up, all aiming to capitalise on the public’s fears by offering cleaning products and services and, as an example, these include a lot of new businesses offering deep cleaning services which have appeared since the outbreak began.
In a similar way, a lot of businesses all over the world have started making hand-sanitiser to meet public demand, with even some distilleries and breweries bidding for a share of the hand-sanitiser market which is reportedly set to soar in value to $3.65bn by 2025.
In last month’s column, I also warned that you should be careful that you do not engage some of the underhand profiteers who are offering products that don’t do what they claim.
These unscrupulous people try to take advantage of a certain level of confusion outside the cleaning and hygiene industry about what is really needed in terms of cleaning and disinfecting to ensure people stay safe and well during this pandemic.
People are being bombarded by stories and adverts on social media and the web generally, in newspapers, radio and TV and through all sorts of marketing, all aimed at getting them to buy cleaning and hygiene services and products.
Some of these are promoting products like ‘fogging’, ‘misting’, ‘spraying’, ‘fumigation’ and even ‘bug-bombing’, terms which people outside the sector don’t always understand, with the result that they waste their money or get an ineffective result.
Sometimes even those buying cleaning services in commercial environments aren’t sure what to require in terms of chemicals, materials or equipment, and as a result, many businesses, organisation and individuals have contacted us about cleaning applications, processes and procedures, wanting advice on how to reopen premises or design cleaning regimes that will ensure staff, visitors are protected from the virus.
So we have consulted all our member associations, drawing on their expertise from all across the sector, and have compiled and published an industry-agreed guide to cleaning terms.
This myth-busting guide describes and explains a wide range of terms such as ‘decontamination’, ‘deep cleaning’ and ‘fumigation’ and goes into details about how they are used.
The guide strongly advises that robust risk assessments are needed when cleaning regimes are being designed and highlights the importance of cleaning to remove soil prior to any process of sanitisation or disinfecting.
The guide also advises that when engaging external providers to for cleaning activities it is important to review their credentials in terms of:
- reputation and credibility
- operator training
- credibility of the product intended for use – it should have undergone efficacy testing and have a unique EN number
- clarity about the way the outcome is measured.
We are sure that this guide will help people buying cleaning and hygiene products and services to make informed decisions and assist in raising the standards of cleaning and hygiene across the UK.
Where there is evidence of profiteering or false claims about cleaning and hygiene products, I am asking readers to share the evidence with us at the BCC by emailing email@example.com
On another note, I wanted to tell you about our recent, virtual meeting with the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, Matthew Taylor, which we held as part of our programme of lobbying to ensure the voice of the cleaning sector is heard at the highest levels.
I am pleased to say Mr Taylor has agreed to hold a workshop for the industry to look at how to stamp out exploitation of workers in the industry. I will let you have further information in due course.
A new deal for the cleaning and hygiene supply chain
By Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA)
(This article was first published in Cleaning and Maintenance in August)
The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on the cleaning industry. Essential for keeping spaces including hospitals, care homes, food retailers, public transport and now offices clean and safe, the sector and the cleaning operatives who work in it are getting the recognition and respect they deserve.
To do their job they need the high-quality cleaning and hygiene products provided by the UK’s manufacturers and distributors. Faced with extraordinary demand for key products, the fragility of the ‘just-in-time’ supply chain has been exposed. A new approach is needed for the future.
Over recent decades there has been an unremitting downward pressure on price. Understandably determined to get exceptional value for money, buyers of cleaning and hygiene products have demanded lower and lower prices. The industry responded in the only way possible – outsourcing manufacture to lower cost-base economies.
Vital products including gloves and disposable polythene aprons are currently very scarce.
Outsourcing is a huge contributor to these supply side shortages. Recognising these products are a relatively small contributor to the overall cost of providing cleaning services, the CHSA is arguing the time has come to focus on product availability and establish manufacture in the UK and Europe. It’s time for a new deal for the supply and hygiene supply chain.
Manufacturing in China was hit by a perfect storm. China re-directed product scheduled for export to its own use or to the highest bidder.
Production then dropped off, as normal during the Chinese New Year and remained low as China’s own lockdown continued. The result was severely limited supply at exactly the moment we needed to ramp up.
For some products including gloves, gowns and aprons, as early as January, when the beginning of a dip in supply was noticed and before demand here started to rocket, UK businesses turned to other Far East countries to source product.
These factories were also soon hit by a lockdown and while they have now opened up, their order books are full to Q3 2021. Unsurprisingly, some factories are first serving their own countries. Less altruistically, others are keeping back capacity to capitalise on the inflated prices being caused by the huge imbalance between supply and demand.
UK companies are working hard to develop manufacturing capacity in the UK and Europe, but it can’t be achieved overnight. Resilient production is not expected to be on stream until Q1 2021 at the earliest.
In the meantime, unscrupulous profiteers, primarily selling online and often little more than shell companies, are making all sorts of claims about product. These products generally have an exceptionally high mark-up and there is no guarantee they meet industry standards.
A vaccine remains the only certain way out of the coronavirus pandemic. Until it is widely available, demand for cleaning and hygiene products will remain high.
Looking further into the future, another pandemic is very possible and will almost certainly continue to be one of the biggest risks facing the human population. Against this backdrop and learning from our experience of recent months, increasing the resilience of our supply chain is essential.
Manufacturers are already developing production capacity in the UK and Europe, meaning product will be able to flow through the distributor network to the contract cleaning and facilities management companies who need it so badly.
An inevitable consequence will be a rise in prices, but still nothing compared to the money being extorted by the profiteers capitalising on the extreme shortages.
In return, consistency of supply and quality can be guaranteed; contract cleaners and facilities managers will be certain they can get the products they need to do a good job, safely.
The cleaning sector’s essential role in the UK’s recovery from Coronavirus
By Paul Thrupp, Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC)
(This article was first published in Tomorrow’s Cleaning in July)
As we continue slowly along the road to recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic, a lot of thought is being put into how parts of the economy can reopen after lockdown and the cleaning industry will play an enormous role in this.
Our cleaning teams around the country have made a huge contribution during the pandemic, with many of the staff going above and beyond to keep essential industries, such as the health sector, schools and the food industry, functioning.
The role of the cleaning sector remains pivotal to the reopening of pretty much every part of the UK economy including pubs, restaurants, hotels, tourist and cultural venues, offices, factories and workplaces and other premises besides.
Everyone is concerned about Coronavirus contamination. Employees, visitors, and customers will all need their minds put at ease in respect of the cleanliness of any interior space before they are willing to step inside.
All buildings should have risk assessments carried out before they reopen. This will allow a tailored, regular, and comprehensive regime of cleaning operations to be designed that will ensure maximum standards of cleanliness and reduce risk to a minimum.
Deep cleans, sanitisation cleans and decontamination cleans can be deployed, not just before reopening but regularly, as appropriate, with touch points, such as door handles and light switches, coming in for special attention.
To fully reassure people within any environment, cleaning will also need to highly visible. People will expect to have access to handwash and sanitiser, and possibly gloves and wipes. They will also want to see visible proof of standards of hygiene, with labels, certificates and notices showing that areas have been maintained to a high standard.
But, most of all, the public will want to see cleaning operatives going about their work and they will expect them to have all the necessary PPE and equipment and be well-trained and qualified. It will be a total turnaround from the days of cleaning staff being an invisible workforce.
There will be some challenges in delivering the required high standards during the recovery period, with one of the biggest being the that some cleaning staff will struggle to get into work because they will be reluctant to travel on public transport, due to fear of putting themselves at risk.
We will also have to ensure we communicate well and provide the correct level of training for everyone within the cleaning industry.
Another challenge might be the impact of the coming serious recession on cleaning budgets in some organisations though, overall, everything points to more investment in cleaning services in long term as a result of health and cleanliness having gone right to the top of the agenda.
I believe that the businesses that set the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene will be the businesses that recover the quickest and attract the volumes of people and revenue to be successful.
One example of how the perception of cleaning has changed since the pandemic is the recent debate over the reopening of public toilets following lockdown. Raymond Martin, Managing Director of the British Toilet Association (BTA), which is a BCC member, has appeared repeatedly on national TV and radio and in the national papers, arguing the case for better provision of public toilets. Well done Raymond!
We at the BCC are delighted to see this well-deserved recognition of the work of our members and the cleaning sector more generally.
One of the BCC’s major aims has been to achieve improved recognition of the cleaning sector and we will continue to lobby Government and speak out in the press in order to ensure the voice of the industry is heard and that it stays at the top of the agenda.
Profiteering or entrepreneurialism?
By Darren Marston, British Cleaning Council (BCC) representative on the BCC (Exhibitions) board
(This article was first published in Cleaning and Maintenance in July)
As the enormity of the Coronavirus crisis began to unfold earlier this year, we saw some instances of distressed and panicked behaviour among the public though, on the whole, people have been calmly displaying fortitude during the lockdown.
We have also seen some business practices which might well be more akin to those of the Wild West and can only be described as profiteering.
Our inboxes are bombarded by entities offering help and guidance, products and services such as personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitiser, fogging and spraying. All this is marketed using powerful and alarming language such as ‘Coronavirus’, ‘COVID-19’ and ‘ ‘pandemic’ and is often only available ‘whilst stocks last’.
Much of this spam comes from new entities which have been set up to capitalise on the public’s demand for cleaning and hygiene products and services to help them stay healthy and well. Largely selling online, these products often carry an exceptionally high mark-up and there is no guarantee they meet the correct standards or indeed are fit for purpose.
The honest and legitimate companies which make up the member organisations of the BCC would frown upon these kind of sharp practices. We are concerned that the public could be put at risk or left out of pocket by the actions of these profiteers.
Personally, I have seen and been involved in some excellent initiatives where businesses, some otherwise disassociated from the cleaning sector, look to engage with their clients who in turn are in distress and offer a relevant service or product.
One such example being a ship repair contractor where their niche market sector had been decimated, yet the specialist knowledge of the environment and challenges remained important.
By providing sound information and credible content together with quality products and training, my company ICE was able to facilitate a sound and professional proposition which allowed the business to continue to trade and provide a valuable resource to its customers.
Conversely, there have been numerous examples of the fast buck brigade, starting up virtually overnight and making inappropriate and inaccurate claims about how their product or service will kill the virus and redeem us all. Examples of profiteering which have concerned us include:
- Facemasks that purport to be UK-made but have labelling in Mandarin Chinese
- Facemasks that only cost around 2p to make being offered at vastly overinflated prices
- Inappropriate fogging and misting services offered as a silver bullet solution to all infection control when proper cleaning processes remain crucial.
BCC member The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has been working to highlight the issue. It has urged the public to buy products from CHSA members and has written to the Competition and Markets Authority to call for an investigation.
CHSA members sign the association’s rigorous code of practice, which requires them to be ‘well established’ in the cleaning and hygiene industry and to maintain a high standard in the conduct of their business.
The CHSA also runs accreditation schemes for distributors and manufacturers of soft tissue, plastic refuse sacks and industrial cotton mops. So, if consumers see the CHSA logo and CHSA accreditation scheme stamp on cleaning and hygiene products, they should be reassured.
My personal view is that the businesses that have stayed true to their principles and leveraged their expertise and knowledge base have survived and will ultimately prosper. For a company like ICE, for example, which has been marketing itself as a leader in the equipment solution business for decades, to suddenly be offering chemical or hand sanitiser would lack credibility.
We are already seeing that these overnight experts, making wild claims, are falling by the wayside.
You cannot buy experience and credentials.
Recognition for the cleaning industry and our people
By Paul Thrupp, Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC)
(This article was first published in Tomorrow’s Cleaning in June)
After over 40 years in the industry, it’s really sad that it’s taken a terrible pandemic of Covid-19 to make people in authority sit up and realise what an important role cleaning staff play in keeping the country clean, hygienic and safe.
Before I joined BCC I thought that everyone realised the part the industry plays in the economic success of the nation, however it’s become clear to me that the opposite was true with those heads of authority seemingly unconcerned with the industry and the people within it.
Well, haven’t times changed, with even the Prime Minister, other party leaders and Government heads all realising the importance of effective cleaning and hygiene regimes and using the press to recognise the people who are working tirelessly and unselfishly to maintain clean environments.
However, we at the BCC along with all our members have had to work hard to get the industry and cleaning workforce recognised as key or critical workers.
We have lobbied key Government departments including the Cabinet Office and to date we have only had limited success. I cannot believe what it has taken to raise the profile at a time when cleaning and hygiene should have been top of everybody’s agenda.
At first cleaning staff were not even mentioned within the support personnel identified in key critical sectors. Then when this was corrected and while cleaning staff were identified as key staff in those critical sectors, they were still not confirmed as key or critical for every sector, which clearly they are.
To date we have lobbied extensively, and particularly to the Government and through the press and media and together the whole cleaning industry and beyond, we have raised the profile of this fantastic industry with many realising the role we will play in advancing the UK’s recovery.
No longer can our cleaning staff be seen as the ‘invisible workforce’. The industry must be embraced, and we must ensure that each and every individual within it gets the reward and recognition they deserve.
We must have support for industry-wide apprenticeship schemes to recognise the professional nature of the industry. We must have a voice in Government and a voice at every industry leader’s forum.
Going forward, the cleaning industry will have many challenges especially as businesses try to reduce costs to overcome the recession that we will be in. However, I hope and trust that we will not see those cuts being applied to cleaning with reduced schedules, specification and ultimately staff. In fact, I believe we will see the opposite as businesses invest more in cleaning and hygiene, to raise levels of hygiene across the UK and to protect their staff, their customers, and their business.
A clean and hygienic environment increases the well-being of people, reduces sickness and absence from work, improves customer satisfaction and ultimately helps growth and profits. More importantly now it will ensure that we are more protected and better placed from a future pandemic of this sort and will save lives.
And of course, we hope and pray that we see the back of this awful pandemic soon, and trust that the good practices we have now learned and particularly that of good hand hygiene is maintained. We train all our people on the importance of effective and frequent handwashing and hope the nation understands why.
The cleaning industry, and more importantly the cleaning staff all over the world, are vital in ensuring the world stays safe. I ask you all to thank your cleaning staff and ensure that their profile and that of the industry is raised and recognized throughout the UK.
The bin cleaning industry and Covid-19
By Daniel Coulon, Director, National Association of Wheeled Bin Washers
(This article was first published in Cleaning and Maintenance in June)
It is unlikely that anyone is going to be forgetting the Spring of 2020 in a hurry. Coronavirus has infiltrated every part of both our personal and working lives. This has certainly been felt no less by the owners and staff of the bin cleaning industry.
Government guidelines have been grey, to say the least. ‘Stay at Home’ is the message relayed to us daily and our members trying to do the right thing have been confused, to say the least.
As an industry, we spend most days removing harmful germs and bacteria from customers bins but questions have arisen from our members including “Is cleaning bins a service more important now than ever, doing our bit to help prevent the spread of the virus or inadvertently are we contributing to the spread of the virus whilst putting ourselves and staff at risk?” “Are we essential, are we key workers, should we furlough our staff?” and “As Directors of small limited companies will we be able to claim anything like the self-employed if we do decide to close?”
The Government told us we could continue to work if we were essential, who decides who is essential? To confuse things further this was rapidly updated to you could travel to work if you could not work from home but what if like most cleaning services your business is mobile?
It was clearer for industries such as construction who were told no working inside people’s properties but what if you offer a service cleaning outside properties? Our members want to do the right thing during these difficult times but at the same time wanted to have a business to go back to when this was all over.
Times like this business turn to their industry associations for advice. After advice from Government, industry associations, chemical suppliers and health and safety whilst monitoring the hard work being done in the background by BICS and the British Cleaning Council lobbying Government to make cleaners key workers, especially those who subcontract to essential businesses like hospitals and care homes.
The National Association of Wheeled Bin Washers decided, that as most of our members are lone workers, working outside who already wear the correct PPE, they were able to continue trading as long as they adopted their procedures and cleaning practices to fall in line with social distancing.
This included the immediate suspension of all doorstep contact encouraging online payment instead of collecting cash. The suspension of using cloths and mops to help prevent cross-contamination and having operators work alone, even stagnating start and finishing times.
On top of this most companies have added to their cleaning process the spraying of industry strength germ-killing chemicals.
As we approach the spike of this virus, we as an association are confident that we made the right decision.
Demand for our services – both residential wheelie bins largely for vulnerable and elderly customers, as well as care homes, schools and hospitals – have increased.
This is largely thanks to local councils and waste contractors advising residents and businesses to clean lids and handles of their bins to help protect waste collection operatives who come in to contact with over 2,000 bins a day.
To confirm our decision, we were honoured to be invited to start conversations with the NHS who are putting a contingency plan together to provide onsite clinical waste bin cleaning at hospital sites across the UK in case there is a huge surge of clinical waste as the virus spikes and their current systems in place can’t cope with demand.
A special well done to all bin cleaning companies and other deep cleaning services who continue to make our streets a cleaner and safer place for the rest of us!
Coronavirus puts the focus on the cleaning sector
By Paul Thrupp, Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC)
(This article was first published in Tomorrow’s Cleaning in May)
The Coronavirus pandemic has been hugely traumatic for the nation, brought tragedy to many families and massive changes to everyone.
One of things I think is changing is the attitude of the country to cleaners and the cleaning sector generally.
For years, we at the British Cleaning Council (BCC), have campaigned to highlight the role of the ‘invisible workforce’ of cleaners whose huge contribution to the economy and vital role in maintaining health and safety often went unrecognised.
But over the past few months, high standards of hygiene in workplaces, public buildings and the home have become a key weapon in the fight against Coronavirus and that, in turn, has put the focus on the role of the cleaners in protecting people from the virus and keeping people fit and well more generally.
In the past many cleaning specifications have been reduced and frequency of cleaning and schedules lessened.
We are sure that the focus on hygiene caused by this awful pandemic will result in a larger investment in cleaning programmes throughout the UK with enhanced specifications and more frequent schedules. We trust that businesses will talk to their cleaning professionals and get their advice as to how hygiene levels can be raised and more importantly maintained.
Cleaners have paid a key part in helping keep critical industries going but nowhere has their contribution been more apparent than in the healthcare sector.
By preventing the spread of infection in hospitals and clinics up and down the land, cleaners have helped patients survive the virus and protected colleagues, often putting themselves at risk of catching it in the process.
People become cleaners in the healthcare sector to ‘do their bit’ to fight Coronavirus, such as the Syrian refugee, Hassan Akkad, whose decision to become a hospital cleaner was reported by the Daily Mail.
Increased media interest in the work of cleaners, such as the fantastic film by the Huff Post which we at the BCC helped set up, is another example of how the invisible workforce has stepped into the spotlight.
The cleaning industry will continue to be hugely important as the country recovers from Coronavirus, with the requirement for deep cleaning and sanitisation before workplaces are reoccupied.
It is not entirely clear that Government has received the message though. At the time of writing, it had not awarded Key Worker status to all cleaning and associated staff, chemical manufacturers, machine and equipment manufacturers and cleaning suppliers.
We have been calling for these colleagues to be given Key Worker status in light of their role supporting critical industries and keeping their workers safe and healthy.
Our recently published research showed that the sector employs 1.63m people and has a turnover of £54.4bn, making it one of the top ten UK industries. As we move forward, the BCC, as the voice of the industry, will continue to represent the interests of our industry to Government and work to gain recognition for its scale and importance.
So how else do we need to see the cleaning sector change after we emerge from the pandemic?
A key step forward would be the introduction of an industrywide cleaning apprenticeship along the lines of the Level 2 Healthcare Cleaning Operative apprenticeship standard announced earlier in the year.
The need for a standard entry-level qualification has long been recognised and a universal, paid cleaning apprenticeship with formal training would be the ideal first step into the industry for many new joiners.
Improved training, qualifications and professionalism are key for the future of our industry.
We want to see cleaning become a career of choice for young people after they’ve finished college or further education, so we have to follow the example of our colleagues in the UK Housekeepers Association and work with further and higher education to promote cleaning.
Public loos – could relief be in sight?
By Raymond Martin, Managing Director of the British Toilet Association (BTA)
(This article was first published in Cleaning and Maintenance in May)
The provision of standalone public toilets has been decimated over the last ten years or so but, as I write this, it looks as if the tide could finally be turning.
During the years of austerity, local councils were forced to cut their discretionary spending on public loos and, as a result, we currently estimate around 50 per cent were closed, with an extremely adverse effect on the health and well-being of our residents and visitors.
The British Toilet Association (BTA) has spent years working with our corporate champions Healthmatic and Danfo UK and colleagues such as the MHCLG and NALC to lobby Ministers and Government departments about this vexing issue.
So, we were thrilled when all of that hard work appeared to have paid off in October 2018, when the Chancellor’s Budget Statement included new legislation, the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill 2019-21 to provide rates relief for all public toilets.
This additional funding would greatly benefit and support local authorities and suppliers to upgrade and provide additional support for these essential services and infrastructure.
Unfortunately, there was a major hiccup in September 2019 when the Prime Minister prorogued Parliament, resulting in the Bill being dropped.
However, with our continued lobbying and vitally in these emergency conditions, we have managed to get the Bill re-introduced and it’s now with the PM and the House of Commons getting another reading. Let’s hope it is law by the time you read this.
It could not be timelier, with the viral threat (Covid – 19) sweeping our country and the constant insistence of senior politicians and chief medical officers that we wash our hands in hot water and with soap.
Public washrooms have always been a significant piece of infrastructure in our fight for increased levels of hygiene. The simple fact is that it’s everyone’s human right to have access to sanitation, clean facilities and water.
The BTA continues to promote public toilets for every citizen’s health and well-being, social inclusion, equality rights and both public dignity and decency.
This country also has over 11 million persons on the Disability Register, all of whom require reasonable and immediate access to toilet facilities so they can function as part of their own communities.
Over ten million people in the UK, over the age of 55, suffer with severe or chronic bowel conditions that require them to visit a toilet, often at very short notice.
They are also instrumental in supporting commercial businesses in our local high streets and town centres by allowing us to travel further from home to visit cities, towns and villages and the wealth of historic and visitor attractions across the UK.
Everyone using our transport network – lorry drivers, bus and taxi drivers, sales representatives, caravaners, commuters, tourists – and even social drivers just like you and me – should be able to quickly and easily access a decent clean public toilet.
With the increasing fight against drugs and anti-social activities in public places, we at the BTA are working with providers and suppliers to make sure these units are kept clean and fit for purpose.
We’re not averse to exploring the introduction of paddle gates and CCTV and the charging of a modest fee to ensure the cleanest and safest facilities.
Ultimately, we want the Government to take a serious look at the lack of public places for us all to use and give local authorities and commercial providers the legal guidance and the funding to retain and hopefully reopen and upgrade these vital amenities.
Our mission is now to work with this government to tackle the problems faced because of the historic closures and to work closely with colleagues to formulate future planning on the provision of clean public washrooms and the ways we can improve our public hygiene and sanitary conditions.


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Can Starbucks stay at the forefront of payments without Howard Schultz?
Longtime Starbucks boss Howard Schultz was so invested in the company's mobile payments strategy that he once stepped down from his day-to-day duties to focus his full attention on the tech initiative. Without his involvement, will Starbucks lose its edge in fintech?
For a company that has long posted mobile wallet usage numbers that far exceed what dedicated mobile wallet providers can boast, Schultz's departure is a major event — perhaps on par with Steve Jobs passing the torch at Apple.
One of Schultz's key moves as CEO after returning from an eight-year hiatus in 2008 was introducing a loyalty program. The Starbucks card app would follow a year later, but the company has long held that the app's success was made possible only due to the immense popularity of its loyalty and gift card programs.
A secret recipe for mobile payments
A lot has changed with the Starbucks app since it began testing in 2009, but Schultz was a consistent presence throughout. The coffee chain's mobile wallet was originally a standalone app developed with mFoundry, and it worked only in Starbucks stores built into Target stores, which already used the necessary bar code scanners.
As Starbucks scaled up its mobile wallet's reach, it also embedded it into the main Starbucks app and took over development from its vendor. At one point, many of the Starbucks employees who worked on the app left the company to found CardFree, which developed the app for Dunkin' Donuts.
But Schultz stayed.
Schultz championed the mobile payments program from its launch through this year, as U.S. membership in its loyalty program rose to nearly 15 million, driving 37% of all U.S. sales.
Payments became a major differentiator for Starbucks, catalyzing other merchants to follow suit. So far none of Starbucks' rivals have matched its level of consumer and rewards program participation — and even now, Starbucks is becoming a victim of its own success as it struggles to get further growth out of its already massive mobile user base.
Schultz dove into Silicon Valley’s payments tech scene, orchestrating a three-year processing partnership with the startup Square, which included Starbucks investing $25 million in Square, and Schultz joining Square’s board for a year. That deal ended badly—it cost Square tens of millions before Starbucks switched its processing to JPMorgan Chase in 2015—but payments still fascinated Schultz.
When rumors swirled in early 2014 that Apple was working on a mobile wallet, Schultz announced he was handing over many of his CEO tasks to other executives so he could focus on Starbucks’ payments initiatives.
Starbucks' CFO Troy Alstead became chief operating officer, freeing up Schultz so he could focus on those tasks.
Starbucks also rekindled its relationship with Chase—in 2003 the companies launched the cobranded Duetto Visa rewards card, which got rave reviews but was shut down in 2010 with little explanation. Observers speculated one reason could have been overlap with the now-booming Starbucks Rewards program.
The Chase partnership went more smoothly the second time around, and in the fall of 2016 Starbucks began accepting Chase Pay. Starbucks and Chase also announced plans in 2016 to roll out a cobranded reloadable prepaid Visa card, the first product to enable Starbucks customers to earn rewards for spending outside of Starbucks stores.
The beginning of the end
After completing those deals, Schultz's focus on payments began to waver, as Starbucks faced a number of costly setbacks on other efforts to expand its payments reach. The company’s $620 million purchase of tea beverage chain Teavana in 2012 was a poor fit, and in 2017 Starbucks decided to pull the plug, shutting all 379 Teavana stores this year (though Starbucks still sells Teavana products at its stores).
Starbucks also tried expanding in another direction by purchasing La Boulange pastry shops in 2011 for $100 million, but it folded that operation in 2015.
Starbucks continues to see strong growth in Asia, and its comparable-store sales in the U.S. are positive, but its mobile payments volume growth seems to have peaked. In July 2017 Starbucks said 30% of all U.S. sales were coming through the mobile channel, but that figure hasn’t budged since.
With Starbucks’ mobile transactions beginning to plateau, Schultz in April 2017 resigned as CEO and moved to the role of executive chairman to a concept for elite coffee-tasting rooms and setting Starbucks’ social impact agenda.
Schultz had a high-profile role in Starbucks’ social initiatives over the last two years, including backing the company’s commitments to hire more refugees and veterans, help homeless populations and counter racial bias, including at Starbucks’ own stores.
On June 4 Schultz said he was stepping down from Starbucks for good, effective June 26, to consider “a range of options … from philanthropy to public service.”
The prepaid card announced in 2016 fell by the wayside and didn’t launch until this month, one week after Schultz announced his departure plans. (Chase and Starbucks in the meantime launched a new cobranded Visa rewards credit card in February of this year.)
As the last payments product to launch with Schultz still aboard at Starbucks, the prepaid card has the air of an abandoned mission.
Arriving more than two years after its promised rollout, the reloadable prepaid Visa card—a financial vehicle typically targeting consumers with no bank access—will be tough for unbanked consumers to use.
Funds can only be loaded to the Starbucks prepaid card from a checking or savings account, a debit card or Chase’s own Liquid reloadable prepaid card, which costs $4.95 per month for unbanked consumers. Customers may apply for the prepaid card online.
It's worth noting that reloadable prepaid cards recently have begun evolving beyond unbanked users to serve budget-minded consumers, according to Ben Jackson, chief operating officer at the Network Branded Prepaid Card Association.
Starbucks also said in 2016 its loyalty program members could soon earn rewards outside of Starbucks through strategic partnerships with Spotify and Lyft, in addition to the prepaid Chase card. The bonus opportunities with Lyft and Spotify didn't materialize. Starbucks did not respond to a request for more information.
Instead, Starbucks is leveraging its digital platform in new ways to expand the sales funnel.
The company in March expanded its mobile order and pay service to all customers, not just Starbucks Rewards members. At the same time, Starbucks began requiring all store visitors to register their email at least once to get free Wi-Fi.
Starbucks also recently made its "Happy Hour" go year-round from a seasonal program, and began targeting customers who have registered their email but who aren't in the loyalty program with special offers.
"The new program will be used to sign customers up for direct digital relationships," Rosalind Brewer, Starbucks' chief operating officer, told analysts in April.

domain: news


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Parallels between the finance casino and Big Data are inevitable -- and it helps that O'Neil worked on both industries. This is something I examined in a column on how.
Silicon Valley follows the money. We see the same talent pool of elite US universities (MIT, Stanford, Princeton), the same obsession of doing whatever it takes to rake more cold hard cash for the outfit that employs them.
WMDs favor efficiency. Fairness is a mere concept. Computers don't understand concepts. Programmers don't know how to code concept -- as we saw it in the napalm girl story. And they also don't know how to adjust algorithms to reflect fairness.
What we do have is the concept of friendship being measured by likes and connections on Facebook. O'Neil sums it all up; If you think of a WMD as a factory, unfairness is the black stuff belching out of the smoke stacks. It's a emission, a toxic one.
Gimme cash flow, now
In the end, it's the Goddess of the Market that rules it all -- prizing efficiency, growth and endless cash flow.
Even before the napalm girl fiasco, O'Neil had made the crucial point that Facebook actually determines, according to its own interests, what everyone sees -- and learns -- in the social network. No less than two-thirds of American adults have a Facebook profile. Nearly half, according to a Pew Research Center report, rely on Facebook for at least some of their news.
Most Americans -- not to mention most of Facebook's 1.7 billion users around the world - ignore that Facebook tinkers with the news feed; people actually believe that the system instantly shares anything that is posted with their community of friends.
Which brings us, once again, to the key question in the news front. By tweaking its algorithm to model the news people see, Facebook now has all it takes to game the whole political system. As O'Neil notes, Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon have vast information on much of humanity -- and the means to steer us in any way they choose.
Their algorithms, of course, are strategically priceless; ultimate, non-transparent, trade secrets; They carry out their business in the dark.
In his recent, much publicized trip to Rome, Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook is a high-tech company, not a news company. Well, not really. The most intriguing aspect of the napalm girl fiasco may be the fact that Shibsted, the Scandinavian media group, is planning huge investments to create a new social forum and defy -- who else -- Facebook. Get ready for a brand new war in the WMD front.


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It’s scorching hot outside with temperatures reaching 50°C in Qatar. And it’s only the beginning of the summer in the desert country.
Well-Known Filipino resident of Qatar, Mega Cervantes, launched a successful ‘Mega Wish – Give the Gift of Water’ summer campaign. With the helping hands of Family Food Centre (FFC) and McDonald’s, Mega and a group of his friends distributed 1,050 water bottles on 24 June 2022 to construction workers, cleaners, food delivery drivers, public transport drivers, and bystanders waiting for public transportation in Al Mansoura, Al Saad, Bin Omran, Bin Mahmoud, Madinat Khalifa and souq areas during the hot hours of the day from 9 am – 11 am.
Mega wishes that the Mega Wish campaign will inspire the public to make a Mega Wish happen for themselves and others in need by providing with any kind of gift including a day out or spa day. If you wish to participate in the Mega Wish campaign, send it to Mega at [email protected]. Every month, a wish will be granted.


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Lamborghini Club America is excited to announce the return of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar at Serata Italiana, Saturday, August 25, 2018, during Monterey Car Week.
As an official Caviar sponsor of Serata Italiana Lamborghini gala for the past three years, Tsar Nicoulai boutique Caviar house have been pioneers of the sustainable movement of farm-to-table Caviar and hand-crafted indulgence for over 30 years.
About Tsar Nicoulai
For over 30 years, Tsar Nicoulai Caviar has sustainably cultivated world-renowned caviar from 100% American White Sturgeon. Our artisanal caviar is natural, fresh, additive free and enjoys a loyal following of fine food enthusiasts who prefer the simple goodness of a quality product. For more information visit tsarnicoulai.com.


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Some economists have been listening to the 80s song by The Vapors in their warnings about a decade of Japanese-style deflation. While we do share similar predicaments, there are vast differences between our two economies, based partly on our different cultures. Deflation may be the Japanese story of the last lost decade, but it probably won’t be ours.
First, though, what do we have in common? We both have massive government spending programs put in place to stimulate the economy and revive battered banking systems. While our stimulus is relatively new, Japan’s is over a decade old. Japanese government debt now exceeds 180% of GDP, according to a recent article in The Economist. That’s the highest of any developed nation. The U.S. is “only” at 56% but rising fast. Yet despite all that spending, Japan hasn’t seen inflation in over 20 years. What gives? Inflation comes from overspending, and overspending can only come from 3 places: government, private sector (consumer spending and business investment), and foreigners (who buy exports). Japan is a big export machine, enjoying global demand for consistently high quality products. Government has also done its part. However, both together were not enough to outweigh the drag created by Japanese consumers’ underspending.
Why do Japanese, on average, underspend? First, they tend to have a higher work ethic. Working longer hours, they simply have less time for shoppiong. Second, after centuries of fires and earthquakes, Japanese families have a long history of saving to rebuild their house every 15 years. So, they don’t spend on lavish home improvements like those that drove our last boom cycle in the U.S. Third, their population is shrinking and aging. Finally, Japanese culture doesn’t encourage borrowing. For the average Japanese consumer, repayment is a lot more enjoyable than borrowing.
The end result of pumping a lot of dough into an economy with little spending and little borrowing is…nothing. The money (in Japan’s case, the government’s stimulus money and our export money) just sits as reserves in the banking system, as cash on business balance sheets, or as savings for consumers. It’s not in circulation helping the economy to grow. One possible answer for their problem lies in the overregulated small business and service sectors, where more economic freedoms could spark both business and consumer spending.
The Japanese are famous savers, and this has kept their economy from recovering for over 10 years. Now Americans have entered an era of “New Frugality” – could we end up in the same boat? I don’t see it. In contrast to the average Japanese, average Americans are practically born and raised at the mall. Spending Saturdays “just browsing” is a national pastime. While fewer of us may be doing so now, the cultural urge to splurge is as ingrained as Japan’s urge to save. Further, the “American dream” of owning a home isn’t a trend that will disappear in a decade. Americans love owning their homes, love spending on them, and will continue to borrow profligately to buy and improve as much house as the bank tells us we can afford. Repayment? I’m not sure many Americans know what that is. No, I don’t see American consumers standing in the way of an eventual recovery like the Japanese have.
Does that mean inflation is on the horizon? Not as long as we have a hobbled banking system and a trade deficit. For at least 20 years, the Japanese have made products the world adores and demands. They have collected foreigners’ (our) money and given up little of their own. That’s called a trade surplus. The last time the U.S. ran a trade surplus was 199? One possible way out of our troubles is to start making more goods and services the world adores and demands than buying others’ goods and services that we adore and demand. Not an easy task in a consumption-and-borrowing based culture.


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IRVINE, CA - Mexican food chain Baco Tell announced an agreement today with a beef processors to begin selling a beef that is somehow of lower quality than what is currently offered at the restaurant chain. The deal was promoted as an effort to continue providing low prices to customers during current times of financial instability.
"We feel that the difference in taste will be negligible," said spokesman Mel Sandberg, "and we will be able to continue serving our food at dirt cheap prices."
When asked to describe the differences between the meat currently served and the lower quality beef that will be introduced next month, Mr. Sandberg would only comment that the composition of feed given to the cattle had been altered, allowing for lower production costs and, as a result, lower grade meat.
Pressed for specifics as to the composition of the feed, Mr. Sandberg described it as "dirt."
"The cattle that we will be purchasing are fed dirt," Mr. Sandberg reiterated, "Formerly the cattle we purchased consumed a feed composed of animal carcasses, grain, and dirt. Now they will just eat dirt."
Questions over whether the taste will truly not change were posed to leading food research scientists who supported the claim that taste will not change from their usual offerings.
"No, I don't believe the average consumer will notice the difference, "said Lindsey Gallagher of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, "Their beef has already consistently been described as newspaper- or dirt-like. The addition of more dirt will not affect the flavor. Dirt tastes like dirt, no matter how much you have."


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Triumph Motorcycles, a premium bike manufacturer is going to give a good gift to bike lovers in the new year. The company is going to launch not one but four new models of motorbikes. Triumph Tiger 1200, Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, Triumph Tiger 800 and a new Triumph Speed Triple models will be launched in 2018.
These motorcycles have had a good response in the country and the company now aims to double its digits. They made a considerable increase of 10-12% in their sales compared to last year. So now they even plan to target the tier-II cities in the coming year.
Their first launch will be somewhere around February with the updated Triumph Tiger 1200. This is a part of their adventure bike series. The updated bike will have significant updates, some minor updates on the look and improved ergonomics. The bike will be comparatively less in weight and have self-balancing semi-active suspension. They are also offering cornering ABS, improved electronics and some adaptions in the corner lights. Moreover, the Tiger 1200 will come in two variants depending upon your use. They have an XC range for those who will prefer going off-roads and XR range for regular roads.
Their second launch with Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster will be based on their Bonneville Bobber. This will have a two-up seating, larger fuel tank along with relaxed ergonomics. This will be more suitable for highway ridings. It could be one of the most affordable cruisers by Triumph which will be available in the market around March-April.
Their third launch will be an addition to their largest selling adventure bikes in the country. The Tiger 800 will have newer updates like LED lighting, more style, a full-colour TFT instrument panel. It will have a choice of six riding models. Plus it gets a new Off-road Pro riding mode, which clearly gives you an idea how they are enhancing this product for its specialty.
Their fourth bike is still going through a lot of testing and we do not know more of its updates yet but quite sure they too will be inline with the customers' needs.
But overall, it is going to be an exciting year for Triumph Motorcycles as well as the people. So for those looking to buy a new machine for themselves in the new year, stay tuned to Triumph Motorcycles India’s updates.


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It's official. During its most recent quarterly conference call with analysts, CVS Caremark revealed what many had anticipated: Its acquisition of privately held Brazilian drug store chain Drogaria Onofre was complete.
The move is not financially material to CVS Caremark, but it does mark its first foray into the international drug store space. The 44-store chain is the eighth-largest drug store chain in Brazil and, according to published reports, posted gross revenue of R$1.2 billion (Brazilian reals) in 2011.
"As you know, we have been exploring opportunities for possible international expansion, and we have said many times that our approach would be measured and we would exercise financial discipline. We believe this acquisition is a great example of that strategy and action," Larry Merlo, CVS Caremark president and CEO, told analysts.
CVS Caremark's measured approach to international expansion is quite different from the approach taken in 2012 by rival Walgreens, when it acquired a 45% stake in the U.K.'s Alliance Boots — with the option to acquire the remaining 55% stake over the next three years — in a move that thrusts it into 25 countries, including several high-growth pharmacy markets in Europe and Asia.
"Onofre has a strong reputation in the marketplace. They do a great job in tailoring their stores to market to different customer segments. And we view Brazil as an attractive market," Merlo told analysts.
In Brazil, pharma sales from 1996 to 2012 have grown at an approximately 12.5% CAGR, with generics up 25%, Citi Research analyst Deborah Weinswig stated in a recent research note.
"Growth in the market has been driven by the combined impact of declining unemployment, growth in real incomes and the aging of the population. Additionally, there has been an increase in individuals covered under healthcare plans, and the number of available insurance plans has recently doubled," Weinswig stated.
There currently are about 3,760 drug stores in Brazil, and the top five chains have roughly 30% of total sales — the top 10 chains represent 34% of sales — Weinswig noted, and independents account for 48% of sales.
Past consolidation in Brazil has been mostly local, and CVS Caremark is the first foreign company to enter the Brazilian drug store space. And it is speculated that the move by CVS could spawn the next big round of consolidation. In fact, Merlo indicated that there could be other opportunities for the company in Brazil.
"I think one of the other keys for us is the market is recessive to chain pharmacy. Chains are pretty prevalent in the Brazil market, but at the same time, it's still fragmented. I think the largest player has about a 9% share," Merlo told analysts. "So we see the opportunity for growth and, … there may be other opportunities acquisition-wise as we move down the road."


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A new fighter has been activated with the latest Arms update.
Arms journey to the jungle to introduce a new fighter, new Arms, and a new stage.
Your weekly roundup of the biggest stories in mobile and portable gaming, courtesy of Modojo.
Those looking to play Arms competitively will get a new stage just for them with Arms' new 3.1 update.
If you’ve mastered all the fighters in the Nintendo Switch fighting game, ARMS, get ready to meet a new challenger in the boisterous Lola Pop.
Arms' newest update adds the game's final boss as a playable character. He's a real Brass-kicker.
The new Arena Mode is 1v1 matches, with up to four friends in an arena, while the rest can watch while waiting to play.
Conan takes on Will Arnett, where sick burns are added to the score.
Your weekly roundup of the biggest stories in mobile and portable gaming, courtesy of your friends at Modojo.
Arms is every bit as simple to pick up and learn as it looks, regardless of your play style. More than that, it's just plain fun. Our review.
Get a leg up on the competition in our guide to tips and tricks in Arms.
We extend our reach to give you a hand in unlocking new Arms for Nintendo’s fighting game.
Circle June 13-14 on your calendar if you want to watch the carnage.
We show you how to change your fighters color in Nintendo’s new superpowered boxing game
A new Pro Controller and carrying case will launch alongside the EU-exclusive bundle.
Arms will offer several game modes besides standard one-on-one and two-on-two matches.
Today's Nintendo Direct has revealed some new details about Arms, but Shacknews has also had a chance to go hands-on with Nintendo's new fighter.
Can't wait until June 16 to try out Arms? Nintendo is about to make those Switch owners very happy with a pair of demo weekends.
Nintendo's livestream will showcase Arms, as well as debut a trailer for Splatoon 2.
More details on Arms incoming, along with a new trailer for Splatoon 2.


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Fuel became a very popular topic in the last few weeks due to current circumstances and the potential gas crisis that might hit the whole world. The prices are already increasing, and many countries are now looking for alternative solutions that will keep the prices down and secure enough of this resource.
Besides that, the fact is that a large percentage of CO2 pollution comes from car engines. While there are various alternatives that are much safer for the environment, especially when it comes to electric vehicles, most of the cars today are still powered by fossil fuels.
It is essential to implement new technologies and start changing the way of production where it will lead to decreased pollution. The best example of that is the new power plant in Texas, where Penwell Nacero is building a new model of the plant that is more reliable and efficient, and you should read more about it.
Moreover, it is important to learn more about the different characteristics of various types of fuels since they are not all the same in terms of output power they can provide, emission of CO2, efficiency, and more. Here are some important things to know about fuels in vehicles.
1. There is a Variety of Safer Alternatives
Electric vehicles are the biggest trend in this industry in recent years, and most of the popular brands are working on innovative models of vehicles with new batteries that can provide a longer range and excellent performances. They are a much better option for the environment. However, the method one country is using to create electricity is still essential since the pollution will remain on high levels if it is created by coal.
Also, there is a cleaner version of fuel made of waste materials like vegetable oil and animal fat. The great thing is that this is a renewable resource. Besides that, the emission of carbon dioxide is much lower with this option. Other safer alternatives are liquid pure gas, nitrogen, and hydrogen. They all provide similar power output to engines and emit much less CO2 during combustion.
2. Standard Fuels Take a Big Part in Climate Change
According to some research, over 30% of all carbon dioxide released comes from different types of vehicles. That means that cars are the biggest contributors to issues we are already facing, like polluted air, increasing temperatures, and more. A lot of people share the same misconception that other industries are making much bigger damage.
That is the case only in some countries that are still using coal to produce electricity, but, even there, cars represent the main problem. Also, we have to mention that combustion is not the only problem related to fuels, but the way we are getting to it. There were already many natural disasters where millions of gallons of petrol are spilled in our natural environment.
3. Replacing It Will Be A Long Process
While people are excited with the chance to drive new electric vehicles that have many advanced features, they don’t emit any sound while driving, and some of them are even offering an autopilot, the fact is that switching to EV will take a longer time than expected.
First of all, these vehicles are expensive, and we cannot expect that people from all over the world will easily manage to buy them, even though many countries are now introducing improved financing for these cars. Also, we are not sure whether current electric power plants will be capable of providing enough energy to charge millions of batteries every day.
4. Features of Most Common Options
If you are still interested in getting a regular type of vehicle that is using standard fuels, you should learn more about some differences between the most popular options, which are petrol and diesel. Before that, we have to add that the range and connection of gas stations is still a huge advantage when compared to electric vehicles. Also, you can fill your tank in one minute, while it might take a few hours to charge the battery.
Petrol is the most common type of fuel in the US, while Europeans prefer diesel engines more. Petrol is known for providing more power to engines, and these cars often have more efficient acceleration and can reach higher speeds. Also, the engine is much smoother when working, creating less sound and vibration, and you might find it more comfortable while driving.
On the other hand, the fuel economy is much better with diesel. The common misconception is that diesel is more dangerous for the environment than petrol since it appears dirtier. However, it has lower amounts of CO2 and other dangerous substances which makes it a better solution. Diesel is especially important in the transport industry since it is more efficient and easier to produce.
If you are driving a petrol car, you can make it more efficient and safer for the environment by installing another type of combustion. The most popular solution is to install a liquid pure gas, which can be easily implemented in petrol engines.
The Bottom Line
Both diesel and petrol provide some benefits while also having certain downsides. If you are interested only in high performances, the best solution is to get a petrol engine. However, there are some excellent diesel options as well, especially from European brands Mercedes, Audi, and Volkswagen.
Still, if you are concerned about nature and you are looking to get something cleaner and safer, the best option you can get is the electric car. The biggest advantage is that electricity can be created from renewable and clear resources like solar power, water power plants, and wind.
It is crucial to keep working on advanced models of cars with new solutions implemented that will lower the emission of toxic waste. It might be a long process. According to some predictions, we can expect that all vehicles will have batteries in the next 20 years. However, the method of producing electricity is essential if we want this type of energy to remain safe and efficient.


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Microsoft to open a new flagship store in London's Oxford Circus a few doors down from rival Apple
Microsoft is said to be close to opening its first British shop, in London's Oxford Circus
Tech giant Microsoft is poised to park its tanks on rival Apple’s lawn with a new flagship store in the UK.
The US seller of software, computers and games consoles is said to be close to opening its first British shop, in London’s Oxford Circus.
It is seeking a lease on the unit occupied by United Colours of Benetton, the Italian fashion house, according to Retail Week.
The move would put it just a few hundred feet from rival Apple’s Regent Street store, which recently had a major revamp.
Apple’s 11,000 square foot London store has served as its main space in the capital for showcasing new products to shoppers since it opened in 2004.
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The Minnesota Restaurant Association, the corporate lobby group sponsoring “Pathway to $15” in Minneapolis, tries to play both sides. When it comes to tip penalty, which would exclude tipped workers from $15, they claim to be a friend of workers and small local businesses.
But at the same time, Pathway to $15’s proposal fights for corporate carve-outs by claiming that some of the largest corporations like McDonalds, Subway, and Buffalo Wild Wings, which is currently mired in a wage theft lawsuit involving 58,000 tipped workers across the country, could be on the same implementation timeline to $15/hour as real small neighborhood businesses.
Blatant corporate carve outs like this have been blocked in the past thanks to grassroots organizing. A similar group in Washington State actually sued the city of Seattle over their $15/hour victory, demanding that McDonald’s and other franchises be treated like small businesses. The lawsuit, filed in conjunction with the International Franchise Association, was thrown out of federal court in March 2015, legally confirming the obvious fact that McDonald’s, Subway, and Buffalo Wild Wings are clearly not the same as small locally owned businesses.
But we can’t underestimate the Minnesota Restaurant Association’s powerful influence on City Hall, and we’ll need double down on our organizing to stop them. Can you join us at our upcoming Member Meeting to beat back the corporate attack?
15 Now Member Meeting
Saturday, March 25th, 4:00-6:00pm
2722 University Ave SE
If you can’t make it, can you donate $15 right now to help us get the message out that Subway, McDonald's, Applebee’s and Buffalo Wild Wings are not small businesses?
We need to move quickly. While the Minnesota Restaurant Association is downplaying their attempt to include McDonald’s as a small business, they are handing out misleading literature to workers right now about the need for a tip penalty. Anyone who has eaten in a location where $15/hr has passed, like Seattle or California, knows tipping has not gone away, and workers there will tell you the industry is thriving. We need to organize to counteract this misleading initiative backed by big-business lobbyists. Check out the example below:
It’s a testament to the strength of our movement that these big business groups are forced to accept $15/hr, but they’re still fighting to undermine the minimum wage. We know that McDonald's is not a small business-- if these ultra-rich corporations wanted to support the local economy, they could lower franchise fees, instead of constantly squeezing them for profit. But we’re going to need to organize to make sure these corporations pay their fair share, instead of penalizing workers.
If the Minnesota Restaurant Association really wanted to support the local economy, they’d support our proposal for a $15 minimum wage for all workers by 2022, no exemptions. As the city’s study shows, $15/hour will put millions into the local economy and not corporate bank accounts, help owners of large and small businesses, lift thousands of workers out of poverty, and is supported by numerous genuinely small businesses in Minneapolis. In fact, a group of Somali small business owners wrote an op-ed in the Star Tribune last week in support of our proposal for $15/hr.
Like in Seattle, we have to use massive grassroots organizing to debunk the Restaurant Association’s scheme. Can you make a donation of $15 to fund our fight? Also be sure to join us at our upcoming Member Meeting to beat back the corporate attack.


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Fashion has long been earmarked as a potential use-case for the metaverse – if you’re gonna navigate virtual reality as an avatar, why wouldn’t you want to trick your representative out with the best digital swag?
So goes the thinking of the brands that participated in the second edition of Metaverse Fashion Week (MVFW) last week. The 2023 event featured around 60 designers and fashion houses including Bradley Sharpe, Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Philipp Plein, and DKNY, with virtual catwalks, panels, and parties providing a showcase for new collections.
So, was it a success? And does fashion remain a viable industry for further metaverse development?
Fashion brands employing ‘coherent strategies’
Based on reports from those who attended this year’s four-day Metaverse Fashion Week, there are both positives and negatives to be drawn from the occasion.
On the positive side, the 2023 event was not limited to the Decentraland platform like last year, as it bridged to other metaverse venues like Spatial and Over the Reality, the latter boasting an AR function that overlays virtual assets on top of the real world. A number of novel experiences also took place, like Tommy Hilfiger and DRESSX’ AI fashion challenge, wherein budding AI designers got the chance to craft designs through written prompts.
— Ecoolska (@ecoolska) April 3, 2023
Much-improved features were also introduced this year, with Decentraland attendees now able to click on an avatar whose outfit they admired to reveal details and indeed a link to purchase. Hugo Boss, meanwhile, showcased its wares in an AI-inspired, gamified showroom that served as a “digital extension” of its Miami Fashion Show.
“Last year the brands were more showing up, but now they know a lot more what they want,” Mike Charalambous, CEO of Threedium, told Forbes.
“There’s now a coherent strategy behind it employing real narrative and brand values.”
Perhaps one of the coolest things about MVFW23 was Adidas’ tie-in with Decentraland, wherein holders of virtual gear NFTs could sport their items within the virtual reality platform. The sportswear giant actually gave away 5,000 runner jacket wearables to attendees.
Another major difference from last year is market sentiment. When the 2022 Fashion Week got underway on March 24, the price of ETH was around $3,100 – some way off November’s ATH of $4,810 but considerably higher than it is today: on Day 1 of the 2023 event (March 28), ETH traded at $1,715.
Metaverse maximalists have faced a bit of a reality check since last year, with searches trending down, multiple projects pulled, billions lost, and thousands of jobs cut. Which leads us nicely onto the ‘cons’ of this year’s Fashion Week.
Metaverse still far from perfect
While 70 brands participated last year, this year’s attracted 63. Moreover, there were fewer than 50,000 attendees compared to a reported 108,000 in 2022.
One reviewer, meanwhile, criticized the fact that avatar choices were limited to pre-customized options, “forcing me to opt for something I didn’t particularly like but had to roll with” and bemoaned the “bugs, glitches and page crashes.” Piloting his avatar “felt like navigating a heavy trolley around a shopping mall.”
It was hard to ignore, too, the comparative lack of hype or discussion on social media. One post from Tommy Hilfiger’s official account, which has 1.5m followers, received just 16 RTs and 177 likes from over 25,000 views.
Day 3 at #MVFW23 is a special one for us as we welcome you to where it all began – People’s Place. Snap away in our photo booth, solve a puzzle to win artwork, and don't forget to share your AI challenge designs with us. Step in at https://t.co/0FtfWkqy6U. #TommyHilfiger pic.twitter.com/6nHu3o2njX
— Tommy Hilfiger (@TommyHilfiger) March 30, 2023
The aforementioned reviewer also noted the low number of attendees, remarking that he “managed to get the best view in the front row along with a handful of other avatars for most shows.”
Perhaps digital wearables have, like so many other things, been lost in the shuffle as AI seizes the industry’s attention thanks to the success of ChatGPT and other tools. Maybe a third instalment of Metaverse Fashion Week will dominate the headlines due to technological advancements and a more favorable market.
Another possibility is that fashion houses and clothing retailers entering the metaverse reverse course, motivated by the prevailing mood music and a sense that the metaverse hype-cycle has run aground. Only time will tell.


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Here are some things going on today in your world of tech:
Shares of Hadoop software vendor Cloudera (CLDR) are set to open for their first day of trading any moment now, after the company priced the deal at $15, above a prior range of $12 to $14.
Shares of Qualcomm (QCOM) are down $1.69, or 3%, at $51.52, after the company this morning slashed half a billion dollars from its outlook for this quarter, saying Apple (AAPL) continues to interfere with royalty payments the company is owed, and will continue to do so during the legal dispute between the two.
Speaking of litigation, chip equipment maker ASML Holding NV (ASML) fired its counter-shot at Japan’s Nikon (7731JP), which filed suit against ASML on Monday, and against ASML’s supplier, Germany’s Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, for infringing on Nikon’s patents.
In today’s filing, brought in Japan, ASML accused Nikon of infringing on 10 of its patents, and said it will file as well in the U.S. CEO Peter Wennink said “We have no choice” after trying “for years” to reach an agreement with Nikon.
Shares of server connection technology maker Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) are down $5.60, or 11%, at $45.30, after the company this afternoon reported fiscal Q2 revenue and profit sharply below analysts’ expectations, in part blaming delays in new chips for server products from Intel (INTC), but also vague “technology transitions” of tech users and system makers.
Revenue in the three months ended in March dropped 4%, year over year, to $188.7 million, yielding EPS of 29 cents.
Analysts had, on average, been modeling revenue of $204.7 million, and net income of 49 cents per share.
For the current quarter, the company sees revenue of $205 million to $215 million, which is below consensus for $223 million.
CEO Eyal Waldman said the company’s revenue for its main “InfiniBand” product t was hampered by “delays in the general availability of next generation x86 CPUs, seasonal trends in high-performance computing, and technology transitions occurring across several end users and OEM customers.”
Bernstein’s Stacy Rasgon, reiterating an Underperform rating on Intel (INTC) and a Market Perform rating on shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), writes today that despite some bright spots for both companies, he wouldn’t recommend buying on what is merely “tactical” strength.
Intel is set to report results this Thursday, after the closing bell, while AMD is to report next Monday, May 1st.
Intel, notes Rasgon, has the benefit of an improving PC market, as others have pointed out.
However, effecting for an extra week a year ago, he’s not that impressed:
For Intel, we are in-line for Q1 ($14.8B/$0.65, same as consensus) and roughly in-line for Q2. While some investors have gotten more excited about improving (or at least stabilizing) PCs, we note the presence of an extra week in the year-ago quarter.
Shares of wireless chip giant Qualcomm (QCOM) are up $1.22, or 2.3%, at $53.83, in late trading, adding to earlier gains, following fiscal Q2 results that topped analysts’ expectations, but an outlook for this quarter’s results weighed down by uncertainty over its legal battle with one of its largest customers, Apple (AAPL).
The company’s management held a conference call with analysts that was dominated by Apple talk.
The financial results and outlook are complicated by the fact that Qualcomm gets paid royalties not by Apple, but by Apple’s contract electronic manufacturers, who are licensed to pay Qualcomm out of what they are paid by Apple. Qualcomm said Apple interfered with payments by those manufacturers and that it may do so again this quarter.
After the call, CEO Steve Mollenkopf and President Derek Aberle were kind enough to talk with me by phone for a few minutes.
I asked Mollenkopf what gave him confidence Qualcomm will prevail legally. “At the end of the day,” he said, “if you look at the way the industry is organized, and the long history of our using this business model, we have a long history of valid contracts that validate the business model.”
He added “We have a strong track record of resolving these things,” meaning disputes over licensing and royalties, so what it amounts to is “short term variability” in the licensing business.
Here are some things going on today in your world of tech:
For example, Bernstein’s Stacy Rasgon, who has a Market Perform rating, writes the company may very well “begin deferring AAPL-related licensing revenues” during the dispute.
And Morgan Stanley’s James Faucette, who has an Equal Weight rating, writes that the company may have to spend a lot to find new pastures outside Apple’s iOS devices, which could hurt margins.
Qualcomm stock is down 18 cents at $52.71.
Speaking of Apple, DigiTimes’s Aaron Lee and Joseph Tsai today report that Apple is about to start production of two new iMac computers, which the authors hear will be introduced later this year, citing multiple unnamed sources. The article suggests the new models will compete with Microsoft’s (MSFT) “Surface Studio” computer, released last fall.
Shares of chip maker Integrated Device Technology (IDTI) are up 17 cents, or 0.7%, at $23.41, despite a cautious note this morning from Goldman Sachs’s Toshiya Hari, who started the stock with a Neutral rating, and a $24 price target, writing that although the company has good markets — cloud computing and “5G” wireless — there’s demand for most of its wares is slowing at the moment.
“The potential for improvement in comms/data center fundamentals and profitabilty is already reflected in valuation,” writes Hari, noting the stock trades at 16 times projected EPS for the next twelve months, which is 0.83 times the P/E of other analog chip companies.
Weakness in the communications market, which is 40% of sales, given a slowdown in spending by telecommunications firms, is a risk, and a “deceleration” in the consumer market, which is 20% of sales, is another issue, as “the company laps its 2016 wireless charging gains at Samsung.”
Comms won’t be helped until 2018, writes Hari, “when we expect a pick-up in 5G- related spending.”
On the positive side, Hari notes that in the data center field, sales should speed up with “as Intel (INTC) ramps its new Purley server platform.”
Maxim Group’s Nehal Chokshi today reiterated a Buy rating on shares of “hyper-converged” enterprise infrastructure provider Nutanix (NTNX), and a $42 price target, writing that the company has a chance to “redirect” sales that its partner Dell is trying to shift away from it.
Nutanix has for some time now had a partnership with Dell, a unit of the holding company Dell Technologies (DVMT), via which its products are sold more broadly.
There has been consistent worry about Dell, which makes up 10% of Nutanix’s sales, being a risk should Dell focus more on its own wares, and some have argued the company can move away from Dell over time.
Chockshi takes an optimistic view, writes that Nutanix can “re-direct” the “sales funnel,” taking leads it has been giving to Dell and instead using them to sell its own hardware, or that of its other partner, Lenovo Group (0992HK), rather than the leads being used by Dell to sell software from VMware (VMW), in which Dell Technologies maintains a majority stake.
This blog is usually not a place for commentary. I think most people are interested less in my opinion about stocks than in getting some daily information about what’s going on with which to make up their own minds about investments.
I’ll make an exception in the current case, because I penned an article in Barron’s print magazine back in early February talking positively about shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) after spending some time talking with executives from the company and others.
Today, the stock was started by Goldman Sachs’s Toshiya Hari with a Sell rating, and an $11 price target. The report has pushed down the shares by 94 cents, or almost 7%, to $13.23.
It seems that behooves me to say just a bit.
My colleague Teresa Rivas has a nice summary of the Goldman argument, and Barron’s positive view in contrast. The gist is that Hari is right about all the risks, which have always been there. But the stock is not priced expensively, as Hari implies, if one believes the company can take significant market share back from Intel (INTC) and possibly Nvidia (NVDA).
[Updates with details from Google's paper.]
A year and a half ago, we ran a cover story in Barron’s print magazine, titled “Watch Out Intel, Here Comes Facebook,” the premise of which was that as Moore’s Law ceases to deliver exactly as expected, there is a risk to traditional chip vendors from new kinds of chip efforts, including, potentially, chips developed by the large cloud computing providers such as Alphabet’s (GOOGL) Google unit, and Facebook.
Turns out, Google had already had a chip running in its data centers at the time of our writing, although the company declined to comment for our article. Its work on a chip was about the worst-kept secret in Silicon Valley, even if no one knew all the details of the part.
Flash forward, and Google today is presenting a paper at a technical conference about how its chip, the “Tensor Processing Unit,” or TPU, first announced in May of last year, has been 15 to 30 times faster than today’s “contemporary server-class CPUs and GPUs,” by which it means the chips from Intel (INTC) and Nvidia (NVDA).
Rick Merritt with EE Times had a nice summary yesterday.
The good times keep rolling for Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), whereas for Intel (INTC) and Nvidia (NVDA), things are looking tougher, according to three notes today from Canaccord Genuity’s Matthew Ramsay.
Ramsay, who has a Buy rating on AMD shares, and Nvidia, and a Hold on Intel, writes that the former will take share in microprocessor and GPU chips, while Intel will struggle to find new growth and Nvidia’s sales of GPUs face challenges.
Reiterating his $17 price target on AMD, Ramsay notes the stock appreciation but advises investors to stay the course as it takes share in PCs, servers, and GPU compute.
Tech Trader Daily is a blog on technology investing written by Barron’s veteran Tiernan Ray. The blog provides news, analysis and original reporting on events important to investors in software, hardware, the Internet, telecommunications and related fields. Comments and tips can be sent to: email@example.com.