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Twiztid just announced that they will be going out on a Fright Fest Tour this October! They will have Alla Xul Elu, The Underground Avengers, and MMMFD (Scum & Insane Poetry) on the bill with them, and so far they have a few weeks of dates confirmed! More are being booked, but as of now, this is where you can see the demented duo for the 2018 Fright Fest Tour.
- Cleveland, OH – The Agora – October 10th
- Pittsburgh, PA – Foxtail – October 11th
- Worcester, MA – Palladium – October 12th (Rock and Shock)
- Amityville, NY – Revolution Music Hall – October 13th
- Syracuse, NY – Monirae’s – October 14th
- Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze – October 16th
- Milwaukee, WI – Miramar Theatre – October 17th
- Iowa City, IA – Gabes – October 18th
- Lincoln, NE – Royal Grove – October 19th
- Denver, CO – Roxy Theatre – October 20th
- Houston, TX – Scout Bar – October 23rd
- Dallas, TX – Curtain Club – October 24th
- Memphis, TN – Growlers – October 25th
- Cincinnati, OH – The Venue – October 26th
- Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s – October 27th
Check the official announcement from Facebook.
From Twiztid @ Facebook:
We are celebrating 15 years of Fright Fest this year by taking the Halloween celebration on the road! Joining us will be MNE’s ownAlla Xul Elu – AXE,The Underground Avengers, and LSP’s ownMMMFD(Scum and Insane Poetry). The underground is alive and well. Tickets and VIP’s on sale Weds. More dates to come!!!
We’ll keep you updated with more dates as they pop up! In the meantime, stay tuned to MNEStore.com for VIP packages which are coming soon!


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This will be the first year that Realme hasn’t launched two smartphone families in the numbered series since 2018.
Chip sourcing problems globally Major smartphone makers like Korean Samsung are hitting, which has already announced that the Galaxy S21 FE won’t be available until the end of the year due to this reason or the Chinese kingdom that just announced it. realme 9 won’t be released until 2022 due to a chip shortage.
We will have to wait until next year to see realme 9
In an interview with the guys from GSMArena, Madhav Seth, vice president of realme and CEO of realme India and Europe, said the global chip shortage will cause the arrival on the market of realme 9 is postponed to next year.
The realme GT Neo2 already has an official presentation date
In the words of Madhav Seth himself:
«We have solved this problem through close discussion with chipset makers and the Realme 9 series will reach users in 2022.»
The CEO of realme India and Europe also confirmed that the rest of the realme will be launched for this 2021 run as expected.
I usually really throw two families of serial terminals numbered per year, a tradition that dates back to its earliest smartphone launches, as it introduced realme 1 and 2 in 2018, realme 3 and 5 in 2019, and the realme 6 and 7 last year.
But this year it won’t really be able to cater to this tradition due to the lack of chips and we will have to settle only for the realme 8 series, which a few days ago presented its two new members, the realme 8s 5G and the realme 8i, at an event in which the first tablet of the young Chinese manufacturer was also presented in society, the kingdom pad.
Do you have a realme 8? Your RAM grows with an upgrade
While the realme 9 family won’t arrive until next year, we currently have several Mid-range smartphone with good value for money like the realme 8, the Redmi Note 10 or the Samsung Galaxy A.
Related Topics: Phones, Chinese phones, Realme
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Business value from Aptec
Aptec back at GITEX to show value add business proposition
Aptec Holdings will be making its 31st appearance at GITEX Technology Week, to showcase the benefits of contemporary business solutions to customers.
The value-added distributor is one of very few companies that has participated in every GITEX event since it began, and this year it will be focusing on IT business solutions and what these can offer to the industry.
The company also plans to announce new products during the show, and to show the strength of its regional network, which reaches 20 countries around the region, to potential new vendor partners.
"GITEX is an excellent platform that allows a regional distribution house like ours to showcase some of the latest technological offerings from our vendors as well as network with our partners from across the region. It also allows potential vendor partners the opportunity to meet our teams from our other offices in the region. This helps them to understand new markets and discuss opportunities in these markets," says Dr Ali Baghdadi, CEO and President.
"As a Middle East-based distributor, this is our market, and visibility at GITEX is a key factor for our continued success in the region. It gives us the opportunity to share our successes with our partners, both vendors and resellers, and discuss new ways to expand this success with new partnerships. GITEX was always a platform for us to meet new vendors and reseller partners and we hope this year will not be an exception," Baghdadi adds.
Aptec will also be promoting its newly launched reseller enablement and loyalty programmes for partners, including the Datacenter Partner Alliance programme, which helps educate and train resellers in the data centre solutions of Cisco, VMWare, NetApp and APC, along with its Track Oracle EXtra programme, Dell Storage programme and others.
The company also marked a first in the Middle East market, as the first distributor in the region to launch a long-term environmental sustainability plan, which will focus on support for environmental initiatives, drives to decrease its own environmental impact, and promoting eco-friendly solutions to its reseller network.


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All this looks like small beer compared to the meltdown here on Wall Street this month, but I was back in Michigan over Labor Day and found myself thinking the state’s huge production incentives program isn’t being fully utilized.
Up North, things are particularly bleak. In the town where my parents stay, Boyne City, 95 people started Labor Day weekend with a pink slip, as LexaMar, one of the biggest corporations in the town of 3500 laid them off on Friday. It made small talk everywhere, downtown, strolling past the classic cars on display, at the police-sponsored drag race at the city airstrip, another midsized manufacturer slicing off jobs as the economy expels another ragged breath.
The one point of light in a state with its biggest industry, automobiles, breaking down, is film production. It’s exceptionally cheap to shoot anything in Michigan right now, and that has ushered in the closest thing to a business renaissance the region has seen in years, at least the latest Band-Aid to create an economic buffer around the doomed car business, like Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson’s Automation Alley plan that began about a decade ago.
A combination of tax credits for production and infrastructure development and job creation, investment loans, job training incentives, free use of state property and more are putting up to fifty cents on the dollar back into film production companies’ pockets. It’s having huge effects throughout the commercials industry; I’ve personally chatted with five different people or groups who’ve shot spots in and around Detroit, and there are a bevy of Hollywood productions that have moved through the state.
That’s all well and good, and it’s a huge source of state pride in addition to the reassuring sound of at least a few thin dimes rattling in the piggy bank, but I’m inclined to think the State and specifically the office of Bill Huizenga, the sponsor of the bill, weren’t forward-thinking enough when it comes to digital production.
See, here’s the problem: the Big Three spend millions of dollars a year on marketing, and Michigan’s plan might be bringing some of that money back to Michigan for film shoots, but the digital production is getting done offshore, at what, with the rebate and incentive conditions, are probably comparable rates to having it done in Michigan (if the hazy incentives rules cover things that are getting outsourced, like banner ads).
It’s entirely up to their advertising agencies where that money goes when it comes to production, and what communities benefit from a shoot (and there’s a big benefit, even for a two-day spot shoot, in trucking, craft services, rentals, you name it). But the biggest marketers in Michigan, the automakers, aren’t doing the bulk of their digital production in Michigan, they’re doing it in places like Costa Rica. Those dollars that go to digital production become websites, banner ads, films that play on the Internet, etc. And while the latter of those is covered in the Michigan Film Incentives plan, websites are explicitly excluded. Incentives in digital are in place for interactive games, internet video, internet programming, video games and digital animation but not interactive websites “that are primarily used for institutional, private, industrial, retail or wholesale marketing or promotional purposes.” Here’s a PDF of the application; maybe banners could be described as ‘digital animation’ or ‘internet programming’ but I’d imagine they’re excluded if not explicitly named, I’m not entirely sure.
I’ve recently been looking quite a bit at offshore digital production, and the trend where agencies and marketing holding companies make it easier for mass-production of digital assets like banners by shops in places like Costa Rica. In the past, if your client wanted 300 different banners for a new pickup launch, for example, each customized to a different region or for a different nuanced demographic, you might quote the client a specific dollar amount and then send the project offshore; you pocket the difference. But now clients are getting wise to the pass-off, and networks think it’s smarter to own up to the business realities up front, explaining to the client the mass-production work will be done offshore and the savings will be passed along to them. The savings are great, according to the players involved, and several major holding companies are consolidating their business to make it easier to get these things done cheaper in developing nations. Read my interview with the CEO of WPP’s new venture Deliver to get a sense of where that’s going.
A great article from the Wall Street Journal shed more light on this movement, including General Motors’ involvement with Prodigious, Publicis Groupe’s offshore coordinator:
GM says that the number of variations of the ads it uses for campaigns is now several times greater than it was just two years ago. For instance, a consumer might notice 10 to 15 different ads promoting GM’s Chevy Malibu sedan online, says Mike Devereux, executive director of digital marketing for GM. But each of these ads can have up to a couple hundred variants, ranging from the background color to the text highlighting things like the car’s gasoline mileage or horse power.
GM used to work with multiple ad agencies and each had a different process for producing the ads. “It was inefficient. We never would have been able to scale,” Mr. Devereux says. Now, GM meets in Detroit with teams from Prodigious and the carmaker’s ad agencies to manage the digital production of its online advertising.
So, GM dollars funnel out through Publicis to places like Costa Rica, Bulgaria, the Ukraine, where savings occur because of lower overhead. But with these tax rebates, I’d argue it’s just as cheap to do production at present in Michigan.
Wouldn’t it make more sense for GM to take advantage of production incentives and do its part to help the local economy? It would at least soften the local economic blow when the giant ultimately topples. And wouldn’t it make more sense for the film incentives office to include potentially lucrative markets and make sure they were within range of the economic sprinkler?
Again, I have no idea why certain aspects of digital production are barred from the incentives. One argument is it would alienate present operators, but screw it, give the company that’s been making banners in downtown Detroit for the past five years the rebates too–film production companies that are already established can apply for the rebates.
Part of this argument feels like an updated, creative economy version of the old ’80s and ’90s calls against Michiganders buying foreign cars, but the shift in thinking is different than that. By clarifying the wording and specifically opening up the Incentives structure to a greater range of digital production forms, the Michigan Film Incentives office has the potential to turn the state into a center for a highly creative discipline. I can think of a few people pursuing digital startup options who, given the availability of real estate in downtown Detroit, would strongly consider a fat tax rebate on their bigger productions to be the deciding factor in their decision to open up a boutique in Michigan.
I’ll see if the Film Incentives office has any answers about what sort of digital stuff is covered. Who knows, maybe Michael Moore, yeah, that guy who used to be concerned with the Michigan economy, will want to press on the rest of his colleagues for the benefit of the next generation of communications, the good old Internet. He’s on the Michigan Film Office’s Advisory Council.
Meanwhile, Michiganders, don’t just look at the stars and the glitz when you read about the incentives, think about the how the state’s economy could look to the less fancy aspects of production and help everyone flourish.


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May’s retail report showed that Americans keep spending, despite fears to the contrary.
And why shouldn’t they? Job openings are abundant, there is little fear of job loss, and gas prices are declining. Sure, headwinds exist, namely inflation and interest rates. Rising debt burdens and the impending restart of student loan payments also create emerging risks. But the consumer, nonetheless, remains undeterred.
What Categories Of Retail Spending Are Increasing?
On Thursday, the Commerce Department reported that retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.3% from April to May. Consensus estimates were for a 0.1% decline.
The gains were broad-based and came as spending at gas stations fell 2.6% from a month earlier. The declines at the pump are notable, considering they typically rise heading into the summer travel season.
The additional dollars in wallets enabled consumers to spend on categories, such as building materials and garden equipment, which were up 2.2%. In Q1, Home Depot (HD) and Lowe’s (LOW) both reported a slow start to the season due to poor weather. The positive data here could bode well for the two on their Q2 release.
Spending was also up on furniture and home furnishings following declines in prior months. Big Lots (BIG) could be one to watch in the periods ahead. The company suffered following their Q1 release due in part to poor sales of seasonal and bigger ticket items. With consumers still opting for discounts when they can get them, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the increased spending on the month to have been directed their way.
Sporting goods and other hobby materials were also up 0.3% on the month following a flat April. Again, this could have come on the back of improved weather prospects. Outdoor-based retailers, such as DICK’S Sporting Goods (DKS), Big 5 Sporting Goods (BGFV), and Sportsman’s Warehouse (SPWH) could have been some beneficiaries.
The benefit, however, is likely to have flowed to DKS, given stronger demand trends noted in their most recent release. On the flip side, the eventual restart in student loan repayments could provide an offset since their target customer base skews younger.
Spending at grocery stores increased 0.2%. The increased spending here is likely due to the higher prices at restaurants. The food away from home index reported in May’s CPI report showed that prices were up 0.5% in May. This compares to an increase of just 0.1% in groceries. And YOY, consumers are paying 2.5% more to eat at a restaurant than at home.
But that doesn’t appear to be stopping consumers from an occasional indulgence. While the retail report is mostly goods-based, it does capture spending on food services and drinking places. Here, spending was up an even greater 0.4% on the month. Moreover, spending in the category is now up 8% YOY. Spending in grocery stores, meanwhile, is up a lesser 3.1%.
One standout category was clothing and accessories. Sales here were flat for the month following a 0.1% increase in April. They are also down 0.2% YOY. One reason for this is that overall prices are still increasing faster than many can likely tolerate.
Overall apparel prices were up 0.3% in May, with a 0.7% increase in the Women’s category. This continued a streak of consecutive increases, and it comes despite talks of an increased promotional environment from many retailers.
Foot Locker (FL) was one such company that alluded to a more aggressive approach to discounts in the periods ahead. On the most recent CPI report, there are some signs that this is beginning to be reflected in prices, as the category was flat for the month. But this evidently hasn’t flowed into the retail report. Perhaps consumers are waiting it out for better pricing. In the meantime, they’re continuing to reallocate their earned dollars to where it matters.
Why Is Retail Spending Increasing?
The better-than-expected spending is in the wake of positive data surrounding consumer expectations.
In May, for example, data from the New York Fed showed that among those surveyed, just under 11% expected to lose their job in the next twelve months. This is down from 12.2% in April and about flat from last year. In addition, it’s well below the average of approximately 15% prior to the pandemic.
The data also is stacked against the mean probability of one leaving their job voluntarily, which continues to hover around 20%.
The abundance of job openings and record low unemployment rates is providing most of those surveyed with the confidence that their existing jobs are secure.
And it’s increasing their spending expectations, accordingly. More notable is that the higher expectations are coming from those on the lower end of the income spectrum. Those making less than $50K, for example, expect to increase their spending by 4.6% over the next year. This compares to 4.5% and 4% from those making $50K-$100K and over $100K, respectively.
While some would attribute the higher expectations to the inflated environment, it should be noted that 1-year inflation expectations are lower now than they were in 2022. The higher expectations, therefore, from lower income consumers may be one bullish indicator, as these consumers generally tend to drive overall spending levels.
What Is The Current State Of Household Debt?
Rising debt levels and resulting delinquencies do create downside risk. According to the New York Fed, average household debt balances increased +$2.9T since the end of 2019, just before the pandemic. In addition, the share of debt newly transitioning into delinquency increased for most types in Q1.
For credit cards and auto loans, for example, early delinquency increased by 0.6% and 0.2%, respectively. Though delinquencies on student loans have remained flat, this is expected to tick higher upon their restart. Furthermore, over 100K consumers had a bankruptcy notation added to their credit reports in the first quarter of 2023. This was the first time that it crossed 100K since the second quarter of 2021.
What Is The Overall Health Of Retail Spending?
Though credit metrics are moving in the wrong direction, I believe consumers remain on solid footing. Overall delinquency rates are still lower than pre-pandemic levels. And U.S. households continue to sit on high levels of cash and cash equivalents.
A recent survey conducted by CNBC and Morning Consult showed that over 90% of Americans are pulling back on spending. Yet May’s retail report indicates the opposite. While some categories are capturing a greater share than others, the general trend appears positive.
Looking ahead, I expect retail volume to increase from a more promotional environment, especially in apparel. Upcoming holidays, including Juneteenth and Independence Day, should also provide an additional boost. With Independence Day falling on a Tuesday, this could temper the spending effect.
Though the rate cycle continues unabated, the American consumer remains largely unfazed. This, unfortunately, may not be the right music for the Federal Reserve.
Read the full article here


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China Commodity Marketplace
Domestic tungsten concentrate prices continued to rise steadily this week. Miners were keen to sell and low-priced transactions were rare. Mainstream wolframite (65% WO3) is being quoted at RMB96,000~97,000/t and scheelite (65% WO3) prices are RMB95,000~96,000/t and tungsten concentrate prices (50~55% WO3) are RMB92,000~95,000/t.
The domestic APT market continues strong, with mainstream prices between RMB145,000 and 147,000/t. Buoyed by rising long-term contract prices and strong production costs, domestic APT smelters are holding firm on prices. High price transactions are still sparse due to declining interest from downstream buyers.


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Volkswagen’s ambition to become a global EV giant is nothing new and now the German brand has revealed its plan to launch a new EV every month from 2022. The automaker has also revealed that it wants to set up 16 new electric car production facilities and the brand is keen to launch around 300 different electric-powered models by 2030. Many of them will be the electric variants of the existing volkswagen models.
Clearly, that’s a very ambitious and well-planned strategy to become a global EV giant. By making this strategy successful, Volkswagen will be able to launch the bigger fleet of environment-friendly zero-emission cars. The first pure electric model from Volkswagen is ready to be launched in 2020 and this hatchback will be christened as ID, in line with the concept model.
Volkswagen is investing Rs. 1,600 crore in powertrain development and as the German auto manufacturer claims that its future powertrains will be built in such manner that will comply with the upcoming stringent emission norms. The brand also believes its drive towards zero-emission mobility will help the automaker to meet the new stricter emission norms easily.
While the entire world automobile market is thriving towards zero emission pure electric mobility, Volkswagen has its own reason to do so. Not only that the German brand aims to become a global EV giant by 2030, it is also desperately trying to salvage its brand image that was severely affected due to the dieselgate scandal. This diesel engine emission scam led the brand to face numerous lawsuits across the world and also it had to pay hefty fine amounts to the affected customers in several countries. The automaker believes that launching a wide range of zero-emission pure electric vehicles will help the brand to come out of the darkness created by the scandal.
Know More About Volkswagen India Price


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This new phenomenon has exploded just as Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is also making a lot of noise. The revolution of games that come quietly, but that cause a real madness among players.
Among Us! It is not a new product, it is a title whose success has been simmered, although when it exploded it did so with a very loud explosion. A noise similar to that caused by Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, despite the fact that in the case of the latter its triumph began as soon as it was commercialized. Returning to Among Us !, it should be noted that Innersloth’s work has reached a new milestone: 1.5 million players enjoying the experience at the same time.
“The servers of Among Us! they are full again, ”they commented in a tweet posted over the weekend. “We are reaching 1.5 million online players concurrently!” The studio located in Washington (United States) is made up of only 3 people, so it has had to deal with the problems of success, since the video game was not designed for the volume of people that the product has today. Of those 1.5 million, almost all come from the free-to-play version on mobile phones, while the peak on Steam has been about 182,774 concurrent users.


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Tag: fuel cell vehicle
It doesn’t have a name yet, and the prototype that Toyota unveiled at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show was covered in camo, but the Japanese automaker promises that they will be selling a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the United States next year. The company is claiming it will have a range of 300 miles and will refuel in less than five minutes. The Corolla sized sedan has been tested in North America’s hottest and coldest locations and Toyota says that the emissions free car will have an electric motor rated at greater than 100 kW (>130 hp) and be able to accelerate from zero to sixty miles an hour in about 10 seconds.
“We aren’t trying to re-invent the wheel; just everything necessary to make them turn,” said Bob Carter, Toyota’s senior VP in charge of U.S. auto operations. (Read More…)
At Hyundai’s technical center near Ann Arbor last week, the company’s CEO John Krafcik told reporters that the Korean automaker will introduce new versions of its Sonata and Genesis sedans to the U.S. market in the first half of 2014. The company will also launch a hydrogen fuel cell powered version of its Tucson crossover, sold in Europe as the ix3d, and it is expected to be unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show this week. The 2015 Sonata will likely be introduced at the New York auto show next April. (Read More…)
As one of the big dissenters from the battery-powered EV lovetrain, Hyundai is about to put its money on Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology. Starting in 2015, it intends to assemble up to 10,000 units of a fuel cell-powered version of the Tucson crossover at its plant in Ulsan, South Korea.


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This month was crazy fun! We brought you the latest news, product discounts and hosted another social media giveaway! Here’s a look back at June 2018.
Custom Soft Tops in a Range of Wild Colors!
Tired of black, white and tan convertible tops? Offer your clients wild colors — like Logo Red, Orange, Pink Kitty, Concord Grape and more!
IAC Says the Future is Upscale Interiors
One of the best ways to learn about upcoming interior trends is to listen to what OEM designers say about the cars they’re developing.
Albright’s Supply: 15% Off Crown Staples
No auto upholstery shop can operate without quality staples. Fortunately, Albright’s Supply just announced a flash sale offering steep discounts!
NC Trophy Comes With a $2,500 Prize
NC just upped the ante on their Auto Interior of the Year Award, partnering with Douglass Interior Products to give the winner $2,500!
Inflatable Auto Upholstery is Back!
Remember when Rinspeed Inc. introduced inflatable car upholstery and everyone laughed? BMW and MIT have teamed up to perfect the idea.
Meet Roxan Jane of Range Needlework
Thanks to her beautifully crafted motorcycle seats, Roxan Jane has become a rising star in the auto upholstery industry.
Hydes Explains Auto vs Furniture Leather
Auto trimmers should be aware of the significant differences between automotive- and furniture-grade leather before choosing a hide to upholster a client’s car.
Albright’s Supply Acquires A&A Fabrics
Albright’s Supply just acquired A&A Fabrics to become the largest upholstery supplier in the Southeast!
Show Us Your Upholstery Tattoo
A lot of auto upholstery pros have tattoos that show their love for the craft — and we want to see them!
These Upholstery Tattoos Rock!
We asked to see your upholstery tattoos — and you didn’t disappoint!
Meet Derek Friesen of Custom Creations
When 17-year-old Derek Friesen was hired to install auto glass at a local repair shop, he couldn’t have imagined that it would lead to a successful career in auto upholstery.
We scoured the internet for the latest employment opportunities in the craft of auto upholstery and posted them on our jobs page.
Collin Hoyt: A ‘Rare Breed’ of Craftsman
A reporter for Wheel Base Media just wrote what might be the most eloquent shop profile we’ve ever read — seriously.
That’s not all! Visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to see what other trimmers are up to. You can also join in the latest industry discussions by registering for our Auto Upholstery Forum.
Looking for HQ Monaro bucket seats


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Concerns about plastic waste have been growing in recent years, as users become aware of how plastic waste negatively affects wildlife, humans, and the ecosystem. The search for a more sustainable alternative has led to a boost in the sales of aluminum beverage cans, because they are known to have a higher recycling rate and to contain larger amounts of recycled content.
Along with this growing interest in sustainability, the coronavirus pandemic has also resulted in increased demand for aluminum cans and food packaging. Combined with shelter-in-place orders that slowed manufacturing for several months, this increased demand has challenged the existing supply chain — presenting a current can shortage.
“The aluminum beverage can manufacturing industry has seen unprecedented demand for our environmentally friendly container prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic,” noted the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) in a statement in Recycling Today. “Most new beverages are coming to market in cans, and long-standing customers are moving away from plastic bottles and other packaging substrates to aluminum cans due to environmental concerns. These brands are enjoying the many benefits of the aluminum can, which has the highest recycling rate among all beverage packaging”
Amid these trends and challenges, Ball Corporation and Canpack have announced plans to launch new aluminum can manufacturing operations in the U.S.
Ball Corporation plans to build two new aluminum beverage can manufacturing plants, located in Pittston, Pennsylvania, and Glendale, Arizona.
The $300 million multi-year investment in Pittston will be a multi-line beverage packaging plant, which will serve the market with a portfolio of can sizes. Pittston is the location for the new facility because of its existing infrastructure, proximity to main distribution routes, regional labor base, and the cooperation of state and local officials during the site selection process. The new facility will create approximately 230 manufacturing jobs.
“Our new Pittston plant is Ball’s latest investment to serve accelerating demand for our portfolio of infinitely recyclable aluminum containers used in the sparkling water, spiked seltzer, beer, and carbonated beverage categories,” said Daniel W. Fisher, COO, global beverage packaging. “Pittston will join our industry-leading network of more than 20 North American plants, including a new plant currently under construction in Glendale, Arizona. These investments, supported by numerous long-term customer contracts, will enable us to serve customer and consumer needs for more sustainable beverage packaging while furthering our ‘Drive for 10’ vision for long-term success.”
The new beverage can manufacturing facility in Glendale will support a nearby can filling facility being constructed by a major customer, as well as providing cans for other businesses. The facility will initially have two lines and is designed with the capability to further scale up production, as required by the market growth.
“Positive momentum in our aluminum beverage packaging and aerospace businesses continues. During the quarter, our global beverage volumes increased 4% and our aerospace contracted backlog increased 9 %. With global customer and consumer demand for aluminum packaging solutions continuing to outpace existing supply, we are focused on improving operational efficiencies and ramping up previously announced line additions, speed-ups and greenfield plant expansions to add at least 5 billion units of capacity over the next 12-18 months. In addition, the successful launch of our new lightweight aluminum cup has accelerated our plans to construct a dedicated aluminum cup manufacturing facility in Rome, Georgia,” said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer.
In general Ball has experienced continued growth in the beverage packaging sector, reporting strong results in 2019, with a 14% increase in operator earnings and a 5% increase in its global beverage can volumes. The company is also currently constructing a new facility dedicated to the manufacturing of aluminum cups in Rome, Georgia.
Both the Pittston and the Glendale Plants are scheduled to begin production in 2021.
The Canpack Group, a subsidiary of Giorgi Global Holdings, Inc., acquired an industrial property in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, where it plans to construct a state-of-the-art aluminum beverage can body and ends manufacturing plant, as well as a North American Center of Excellence for its R&D and lithographic capabilities. This will be the company’s first can manufacturing plant in the U.S., and it is anticipated to provide over 400 local jobs.
“Canpack is a great company with a phenomenal growth platform and we are absolutely thrilled to be entering the U.S. market, where we will be better able to serve our global customers’ beverage can needs,” noted Roberto Villaquiran, Canpack’s CEO. “Our customers are among the largest beverage producers in the world, and to truly be their partner, we need to be here, in the U.S.”
Consumer interest in sustainability, as well as a sense of corporate responsibility, are some of the contributing factors for Canpack’s choice to construct its new U.S. operation. “Sustainability and being a responsible corporate citizen that gives back to the local community are fundamental to Canpack,” remarked Villaquiran. “Investing in the conversion of a brownfield site to a state-of-the-art aluminum can manufacturing facility and operations center, which creates local jobs and benefits the community, while creating essential packaging products that can be recycled again and again is consistent with Canpack’s focus on sustainability, being a responsible corporate citizen, and passionately serving the needs of our customers.”
This facility is expected to begin operation in the fourth quarter of 2021.


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SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosegal, Sammydress, and Zaful have become synonymous on the online fashion e-commerce scene for being affordable. These three sites look to invoke a selling model that sees many affordable products sold at high volumes. This makes the three sites more accessible to consumers around the world, regardless of economic situations. Unlike other affordable fashion sites Rosegal, Sammydress, and Zaful look to maintain high quality standards. The ability to sell high quality fashion at affordable prices has made all three sites famous and fan favorites for shoppers. Each site offers their own unique twist on fashion, Rosegal with a mix of modern and vintage clothing that goes back to the 1920s, Zaful with edgy looks, and Sammydress leading the trendy front. With Christmas coming up all three websites look to take their own unique take on Christmas sales giving customers multiple ways to save.
After successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions Rosegal, Sammydress, and Zaful are looking to continue the trend. With Christmas fast approaching all three sister sites have decided to dedicate the month of December to holiday sales. Each site will offer its own promotions, separating it from the other two sites and the rest of the fashion e-commerce community.
There are daily promotions going on at Zaful through its new advent calendar. The calendar will run from December 1st to December 25th, each day customers can click on the specific date to open a sale item or prize. These deals and surprises will be hot and only be available for the day.
Sammydress has spruced their website up with a holiday related homepage. Once customers log into the site they will have the opportunity to play the Sammydress "Secret Santa Surprise Game". This game will let customers click under a chimney to reveal special prizes like discount codes.
Rosegal is treating Christmas with a month long sale. Categories like women & mens boots, home, accessories, and jewelry will all be on sale. On top of this Rosegal has started a Christmas lottery that includes $100 in gifts like products, cash coupons and discount coupons
Customers are now invited to start ordering. With the success of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion the logistic networks at Rosegal, Sammydress, and Zaful are starting to back up. Customers are asked to order early to ensure products arrive quickly.
SOURCE Rosegal; SammyDress; Zaful


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Apple found itself in trouble again thanks to its voice-command assistant software, Siri. The latest debacle came about after it was discovered that Siri had few answers when it came to providing information about medical facilities that offer services and information related to reproductive health matters.
The lack of information caused a firestorm particularly because Siri seems to retain information about so many other health and sex-related topics, but not requests about the morning-after pill nor abortions.
Unlike some other problems plaguing the iPhone 4S (such as "batterygate"), Apple has responded more swiftly this time, likely given the heated opinions surrounding this topic.
Here is a copy of the note that Apple CEO Tim Cook sent to Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation on November 30, as published to the NARAL Pro-Choice America blog:
Nancy, Thanks for your note.
Our customers use Siri to find out all types of information and while it can find a lot, it doesn't always find what you want. These are not intentional omissions meant to offend anyone, it simply means that as we bring Siri from beta to a final product, we find places where we can do better and we will in the coming weeks.
I appreciate you pointing this out.
Best Regards, Tim
Siri is not expected to emerge from beta mode until 2012.
- Siri: Why Apple will build, buy, or partner on a search engine
- Robin Williams offers Apple advice on how to make Siri even better
- Apple's Siri has beta moment, highlights expectations game
- Nuance gets awareness boost from Apple's Siri, smartphones
- iPhone owners might want to avoid iOS 5.0.1 update


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Vancouver Tech Journal | #72
"I’d much rather hear that you saw a market gap and wanted to make some money than hear a false story about changing the world."
The University of Toronto’s Impact Centre has updated its 2019 Narwhal List, a report that highlights Canada’s fastest scaling private tech companies.
The Narwhal List ranks financially attractive firms by financial velocity. This metric is derived by the amount of funding a firm has raised, divided by the number of years the company has existed. The report also measures the rate at which a company raises and consumes capital to support its growth. Try to guess which Vancouver companies made the cut.
Pavilion Cowork, a new co-working office location in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood is offering an incubator program that provides free shared office space to start-ups with new and innovative ideas.
Pavilion Cowork, located within a newly-constructed building at 22 East 5th Avenue, says it will be providing five businesses with three months of free rent in private offices starting this September. Selected businesses for this program must apply for consideration, with the criteria focusing on the originality and potential disruptive level of the business concept, as well as the potential growth trajectory of the company.
From the New York Times: “Why Lululemon Chief Calvin McDonald Wants to Be an Ironman.”
He is sooo the CEO of Lululemon. Look at this man. From Bee Shapiro:
Calvin McDonald, 47, the chief executive of Lululemon, is obsessed with fitness. Appointed last year to fix the company’s culture after a series of missteps, Mr. McDonald exercises twice a day, competes in three Ironman races a year and goes on four-hour bike rides to clear his head. A native of Canada, he recently moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, with his wife, Andrea McDonald, and four children. Here, he shares his life tips.
Manny Padda, writes in Forbes, about 5 (overlooked) ways to win over investors.
The Vancouver-based investor says it’s alright if you’re in it to make money. “Are you pulling the Mother Teresa card?” he asks:
Some entrepreneurs genuinely want to change the world, and I truly want to hear from them if that’s the case. But I also get pitched by plenty of people who say they want to “do some good” just because it sounds good. The problem is, it doesn’t come across as authentic — a major turn off for most investors. I’d much rather hear that you saw a market gap and wanted to make some money than hear a false story about changing the world (seen it, heard it, and have lost capital investing in it). Short story: if you’re truly aiming for social impact, let it be known; otherwise, it’s OK to make money.
The NBA and Vancouver’s Dapper Labs (maker of CryptoKitties) launched a new digital platform which allows fans to purchase, trade and own exclusive digital NBA collectibles on blockchain.
The new NBA Top Shot game will feature a social experience built around digital collectibles as well as a complementary head-to-head game designed to create a fun, authentic and accessible fan engagement on blockchain. Like other sports games or fantasy brackets, fans who play the game are tasked with creating their ideal squad, but in this game, their rosters are built by acquiring live in-game moments from the NBA season. “We use the latest in blockchain technology to create assets and experiences that are guaranteed limited edition and authentic,” explains Roham Gharegozlou, CEO of Dapper Labs, “not to mention portable and permanent in a way nothing digital has ever been before.”
[Newswire / Fortune]
Vancouver is the 10th-best city worldwide in terms of the work-life balance it offers to residents, according to a list released by Kisi, an app-based office security company.
Kisi looked at 40 cities around the world, which were selected based on their status as "in-demand metropolises" with "sufficient, reliable, and relevant datasets," the company said in a release. Each city was scored based on 20 factors pertaining to work-life balance, with a total score out of 100 assigned based on those factors. Vancouver received a score of 72.55 overall, just slightly ahead of Ottawa, which came in at number 11 on the list.
Federal Minister Bains dropped $39 million last week in Vancouver on 17 companies.
The funding comes through Western Economic Diversification, an agency that promotes the development and diversification of Western Canada's economy and advance the interests of the West in national economic policy, programs and projects. Companies that received money include AbCellera ($5M) and Appnovation Technologies Inc. ($2.45M) and 15 others.
29 Vancouver companies are currently hiring for nearly 500 positions in August—and Daily Hive has done the research on perks for you.
E.G. at Spud.ca, get 20% discount on SPUD.ca orders. At Bench, get a Lifestyle Spending Account. And at Major Tom, get an annual travel allowance to work from their Toronto or New York offices—HELLO.
Deloitte’s future 410 West Georgia building in downtown Vancouver will be officially called Deloitte Summit.
The news was announced by Etienne Bruson, Deloitte’s B.C. Managing Partner, at a recent company town hall. “Deloitte Summit is a culmination of our aspiration to make an impact that matters by being the destination where innovative ideas become world-class solutions for our clients, our people and our community,” he writes online.
“Imagine being able to plan and pay for a trip from the suburbs of Metro Vancouver to Downtown Vancouver using multiple services like bike share, ride-hailing and transit, all from a single app on your mobile phone.”
Open data sharing will be key to allowing the region’s residents to take advantage of such technology, known as mobility as a service, or MaaS, according to experts. Explains David Zipper, “With MaaS, the idea, literally, is knitting together the various modes collectively so you as a commuter can have a seamless, easy experience going between modes or choosing which modes to use as you take an individual trip or go about your whole day.” Kevin Desmond, TransLink CEO, says there is a role for Metro’s transit agency to play in MaaS, somewhere between standing on the sidelines and simply sharing data, which TransLink has been doing for years, and creating its own platform. “We are thinking about the continuum, absolutely,” he says. “I would expect we’ll be somewhere in the middle, where we’re helping to facilitate the creation of really good applications.”
Kiaro, a new cannabis retail flagship store just opened in Vancouver.
Describing themselves as a “Vancouver-based brand specializing in the retail sale of cannabis and cannabis accessories,” the new location is offering patrons a modern-looking shopping experience, currently offering dried flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, and capsules, from licensed producers that include Aurora, Canopy Growth, and Tilray.
Bits and bytes…
Tech entrepreneur Taleeb Noormohamed expected to become Liberal candidate in Vancouver Granville—and run directly against independent MP and former Liberal cabinet minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. [Georgia Straight]
The richest community in Canada has an average household net worth of $4.5 million. It’s West Vancouver. [Maclean’s]
Three Vancouver schools make the Hollywood Reporter's list of top visual effects schools—the highest concentration of any region.
Northeastern University is opening its Vancouver campus in January 2020 with a Master of Science in Computer Science. [Twitter]
Startup Canada and OnDeck Canada have joined forces to invest in women-led companies in STEM through the creation of a platform which provides micro-grants to women entrepreneurs across Canada while accelerating the gender parity and further unleash the economic potential of women. [Startup Canada]
The number of electric and hybrid vehicles registered in British Columbia grew by 10,500 in 2018, according to figures from the Insurance Corporation of B.C; but the 66,000 electric and hybrid cars and trucks registered in B.C. represent about 1.9 per cent of our total fleet, up from 1.55 per cent in 2017. [Vancouver Sun]
From the CEO of Vancouver-based VanHack: “Unicorns everywhere.” What I learned at Traction conference this week.” [LinkedIn]
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By Petchanet Pratruangkrai
More Thai investors are establishing plants in Asian countries to serve the upcoming Asean Economic Community and benefit from lower wages and logistic costs, causing a drop in exports from Thailand to the Asean markets, according to the International Tra
“Despite lower export growth to Asean, more investments to Asean, particularly by medium-sized enterprises, will benefit Thailand in the long run as Thai enterprises will have lower logistical costs and will not face the labour shortages in the domestic market,” said the department’s director-general, Nuntawan Sakuntanaga.
According to the Commerce Ministry, exports in the first five months of the year dropped 1.2 per cent to US$92.86 billion (Bt3 trillion). Exports to Asean markets declined 3.5 per cent to $23.77 billion.
Nuntawan warned that exporters needed to monitor rising exports from China to Asean closely as some Chinese products could compete with Thai exports.
To ensure rising trade growth in Asean, Nuntawan suggested enterprises look at starting businesses in Asean countries, especially neighbouring ones, as there was high demand for Thai products and low labour costs.
She said enterprises should also focus more on innovation to create differentiation from the products from China and other countries.
Investors could also enjoy ownership in Asean countries. For instance, Vietnam allows foreign investors to have 100-per-cent ownership and offers a grace period for tariff payments.
Some neighbouring countries also enjoy a Generalised System of Preferences in developed countries, meaning Thai investors could make more exports to third countries.
Nuntawan said that to ensure a smoothly run business operation, investors should carefully study market demand and form joint ventures with trusted local partners.
She pointed out that about 50 Thai garment companies of all sizes were considering investing in Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Currently, about 100 Thai investors have interests in Asean nations, she said.
To promote shipments to Asean during the current third quarter, Nuntawan said the department would form closer ties with private enterprises to penetrate each market.


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MINISTER of Communication and Digital Economy Isa Pantami told the press that Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are now manufactured in Nigeria, this was met by disbelief in some quarters.
Pantami told the press that the development is a product of the national policy on local content signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said “after launching the policy until date, SIM cards are being manufactured in Nigeria.”
“Before this administration, SIM cards were being imported into the country but today Nigeria has the capacity to produce SIM cards for the African continent.”
As can be seen from the comment section of a news report (archived here) his statement was met with disbelief.
Nigeria manufactures SIM cards.
President Muhammadu Buhari was elected into office on May 29, 2015.
In December 2016, his cabinet member, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment at the time, Okechukwu Enelamah announced funding support for a local SIM card production firm in Lagos.
A SIM card is a chip that contains information and enables mobile phone users to connect to their telecom operators.
The new line was set up with funding support from the Bank of Industry (BOI).
The Minister of Communications at the time, Adebayo Shittu did the official unveiling.
At the event in 2016, Kofo Akinkugbe, the plant’s Chief Executive Officer said the firm holds a global endorsement to serve SIM card users across 19 African countries.
- Did Pantami say Nigerians risk 14 years imprisonment for not having NIN?
- Video does NOT show Christians wrapped in plastic bags in Afghanistan
- Joe Igbokwe makes misleading claim on Nigeria’s agricultural sector growth
Secretary, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbolahan Awonuga confirmed to the FactCheckHub that the country was importing sim cards for use until the firm started local production.
He also noted it can produce for the African market, “It depends on the patronage but yes, they can produce it.”
Furthermore, Emmanuella Ikekwe an official of the firm told the FactCheckHub they could produce a billion SIM card if need be, however production is based on demand.
“If you need up to a billion SIMS or more, we can as well produce – whatever quantity you want. But remember there are quantities earmarked for each telecom operator. So it’s dependent on their demands.”
From the findings from multiple sources the claim that Nigeria manufactures SIM cards is TRUE.


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Indian economy is on the path of development as a result of various reforms. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has said in its latest report that in 2018 India's economy is growing faster than China and this year will leave it behind. The WEF states that the Indian economy will be faster than the GDP rate of China.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said in its World Economic Outlook report that this year, China's GDP will be 6.6 percent while India's growth rate will be 7.3 percent. In 2019, compared to China's 6.2 in the next year, India will grow at 7.4 percent GDP
The main reason for China's economic slowdown is its trade war running with the United States. Due to trade war, China's exports are affected negatively. China was the world's fastest growing economy in 2017. At the same time, according to the central bank of India, the growth of India's GDP in 2018-19 is expected to be 7.4%
In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the IMF said that in the current year, India will again achieve the status of world's fastest growing economy. This will be 0.7% higher than China. India's economic growth rate was 6.7% in the year 2017.


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Akio Toyoda, the President of Toyota Motors (Stock Quote: TM), is currently taking questions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill in regard to the slew of recalls for accelerator, brake and steering problems the car company has issued in the past few months.
Here are some of the most noteworthy highlights, from CNN.com.
“5:07 p.m. -- Rep. John Duncan recommends that Toyota appoint ‘some Americans’ to its leadership in Japan.”
Uh yeah, we’re buying your cars, maybe you can hire a few of us. You know, we do have that whole little unemployment problem right now…
“4:43 p.m. -- Toyoda says he does not know exactly when the first reports came in, but that the company is working to put in place a structure to address future concerns quicker.”
Structure is nice. Not dying in a Toyota because the accelerator sticks would be better.
“4:30 p.m. -- By the middle of 2011, Toyota will make the readers that retrieve information from a black box commercially available in the American market.”
Good, so motorists will be able to figure out what led to their fatal crash without the help of the government!
“4:17 p.m. -- Rep. Dennis Kucinich says ‘the problem is not that you were moving too fast’ but that the company was ‘too slow to recognize material defects that put peoples' lives at risk.’”
Moving too fast, you get it, because your cars were moving too fast? Kucinich FAIL.
—For the best rates on loans, bank accounts and credit cards, enter your ZIP code at BankingMyWay.com.


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Click here to read the latest cannabis trends article.
As 2019 wraps up, marijuana industry observers are left to pick up the pieces of a chaotic year — a period that gave investors one of the strongest market reality checks so far.
Despite critical political movement alongside the development of new product varieties, investors and companies faced the crushing aspect of growing pains for marijuana stocks. Long gone are the days of inexplicable double-digit price jumps based on sentiment.
Here, the Investing News Network (INN) offers a look back at the most critical developments in the industry alongside commentary about cannabis trends from 2019.
Cannabis trends 2019: New financial reality for marijuana investments
This past year has offered a new set of standards for those interested in investing in marijuana stocks. A fresh reality has set in, with analysts and investors demanding higher scrutiny from their picks and no longer taking announcements purely at face value.
“Investors have started to ask more discerning questions about each opportunity, to differentiate business models and to focus on the path to profitability,” Jeff Fallows, president of Valens GroWorks (TSXV:VGW,OTCQX:VGWCF), told INN.
But what’s at the core of these drastic sentiment changes? For many experts, the sector is simply maturing; while it’s been a difficult time for investors, it is a necessary step in the creation of a market.
While in the past companies with little relation to the established players in the industry would enjoy share price boosts during upswings for the entire market, the key now is differentiation.
Although many expected that the opening of legal sales in Canada would create a thriving market, the actual results have highlighted the slow pace of expansion in the country.
Due to a limited amount of stores in critical markets such as Ontario and British Columbia, sales have been a disappointment, according to Mark Noble, senior vice president of exchange-traded fund (ETF) strategy at Horizons ETFs Management (Canada).
In an email, Sherri Altshuler, partner and co-chair of capital markets and cannabis groups at Aird & Berlis, said the volatility this past year was due to “growing investor distrust and demand for results.”
Yet one of the hotbeds for the cannabis market — the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) — saw another year of growth regarding its marijuana holdings.
“The top 10 companies that have raised the most money on the CSE in 2019 are all cannabis companies, and the number of cannabis companies listed on the CSE have remained constant through the year,” Richard Carleton, CEO of the CSE, said in a newsletter from Aird & Berlis.
This shift, according to Altshuler, has also caused a drop in go-public transactions and financing activity across the board.
“The concern about valuations was certainly warranted, as we’ve seen more than a 40 percent decline in the sector year-over-year,” Noble told INN.
Investors have adjusted in many different ways throughout 2019. Ashley Chiu, EY’s cannabis strategic growth and risk leader, told INN she noticed a change from talk about “funded capacity” as a metric for cannabis companies to more direct discussions on the road to profitability instead.
Volatility was also strong in the market given the strong Canadian retail investor base for cannabis stocks, Noble told INN.
“There is very little institutional money in the marijuana sector, so these investors can be deterred by changes in the market very quickly,” he said.
Cannabis trends 2019: US investor interest picks up
This past year served as the culmination of a shift in investor attention from Canada to the US. While interest remains present for Canadian leaders, experts have noticed more interest in US stocks, mostly due to the bigger opportunity attached to the country and the discount in valuations for US names.
“While we correctly judged that the US market would grow faster than Canada during 2019, we were surprised by the magnitude of the underperformance in Canada,” said Charles Taerk, president and CEO of Faircourt Asset Management, and Doug Waterson, CFO and portfolio manager with Faircourt Asset Management. The duo co-manages the Ninepoint Alternative Health Fund.
Multi-state operators commanded the attention of investors with constant state expansions and with solidification in particular states. However, these companies faced a critical challenge thanks to antitrust reviews from the federal government because of the size of their acquisitions in the space.
While these reviews caused some investors to worry about the state of the market, one expert views them as a beneficial marker for the industry moving forward.
Russell Stanley, an analyst covering the sector with Beacon Securities, told INN he noticed the uncertainty rising within the sector due to the delay in deal completions associated with Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust regulations. But he indicated the oversight may benefit the space since the companies will be able to better structure their transactions, or might even completely change course.
“This has reduced the balance sheet strain faced by companies today, while minimizing the risk and magnitude of eventual acquisition-related writeoffs,” Stanley commented to INN. “Buyer’s remorse is not necessarily a bad thing.”
Despite the rush for the US markets, Stanley told INN he was surprised to see the failure of full legalization in key states like New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
“There had been so many state-level victories leading up to spring 2019 that the loss of momentum caught many off guard,” he said.
Cannabis trends 2019: Scandals tarnish industry’s reputation
The Canadian cannabis market took a brutal hit as revelations of wrongdoings from established licensed producer CannTrust Holdings (NYSE:CTST,TSX:TRST) came in. The firm willingly operated outside regulations from Health Canada and paid the price.
Alongside the downfall for CannTrust, including the public outing of its then-CEO Peter Aceto and Eric Paul, a former CEO and chairman, the sector faced increased questions of accountability and regulations.
“Unfortunately, these revelations caused investors to lose confidence in a sector that was already having a difficult year,” Taerk and Waterson told INN.
Scott Cuthbertson, vice president of investor relations with Biome Grow (CSE:BIO,OTCQB:BIOIF), told INN he still views this case as the most striking item of the year. Cuthbertson said CannTrust, being “foolish enough to try and do what they did,” dragged the entire sector with it.
Cannabis trends 2019: Investor takeaway
During 2019, investors learned of the very real pitfalls in the marijuana stock market; however, the sector still enjoyed a period of maturation that may — in the long run — benefit the entire space.
At the MJBizCon year-end event in Las Vegas, Nevada, an immediate theme appearing out of the first day of panels was the need to understand that investing in marijuana is still a desirable activity; put simply, the market has evolved enough that fundamentals will now dominate the picks in the space.
“In our view, 2019 showed investors that not all business models are the same, and potential investment gains lie in identifying the companies that have a strategic advantage, a strong balance sheet and a clear path to profitability,” Fallows from Valens GroWorks told INN.
As equity becomes more expensive and a variety of companies are set to face an even more critical market, investors will have to be wary of the names they support as differentiation becomes key among cannabis competitors.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Cannabis for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Bryan Mc Govern, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: Biome Grow, Heritage Cannabis Holdings and Valens GroWorks are clients of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.
The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.
CanBud Distribution Corporation Closes 2M Second and Final Tranche of its Oversubscribed Private Placement Offering
CanBud Distribution Corporation (CSE: CBDX) (FSE: CD0) (“CanBud” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce that it has closed the final tranche of its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $4,730,000 (the “Offering”).
The Corporation issued a combined total of 39,409,346 units (each a “Unit“) at price of $0.12 per Unit, with each Unit comprised of one common share in the capital of the Corporation (each a “Common Share“) and one common share purchase warrant (each a “Warrant“). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.22 within 24 months of the closing of the Offering (the “Warrant Term“), provided, however that if the closing price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE“) (or any such other stock exchange in Canada as the Common Shares may trade at the applicable time) is $0.25 or greater per Common Share for a period of five (5) consecutive trading days at any time after the closing date of the Offering, the Corporation may accelerate the Warrant Term such that the Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 days following the date a press release is issued by the Corporation announcing the reduced warrant terms.
Thoughtful Brands Inc. (CSE:TBI)(FSE:1WZ1)(OTCQB:PEMTF) (the “Company” or “Thoughtful Brands) announces that the letter of intent with Franchise Cannabis Corp. (“FCC”), previously announced in January, has been terminated. The previously announced European joint venture with FCC will continue and allow the Company to launch and tailor its products to European consumer demands
In connection with termination of the merger transaction with FCC, the Company has agreed to pay FCC $100,000 in cash and to issue FCC 5,000,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed value of $0.05 per share. The common shares will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in cannabis space have helped boost the industry to new levels.
Strategic sale of non-core assets by Lobe adds non-dilutive capital and shareholder value
Lobe Sciences Ltd. (CSE: LOBE) (OTC Pink: GTSIF) (“Lobe” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce, further to its press release dated February 23, 2021, that it has completed the sale to Ionic Brands Corp. (“Ionic Brands”) of Lobe’s non-core cannabis assets relating to Washington-based Cowlitz County Cannabis Cultivation Inc. (“Cowlitz”) held by Lobe’s subsidiary vendor, Green Star Biosciences Inc. (the “Transaction”).
Seattle Area Grocery Chain Metropolitan Market to Begin Carrying KOIOS and Fit Soda on March 22, 2021
Adding to its existing presence on the west coast of the United States, all five KOIOS™ flavours and all four Fit Soda™ flavours will be carried in Metropolitan Market stores beginning on Monday, March 22, 2021. Serving the Seattle-Tacoma area (population 3.87 million), Metropolitan Market is one of five chains under its parent firm Good Food Holdings, which has a total of 51 stores in California, Oregon, and Washington State.
Koios Beverage Corp. (CSE: KBEV; OTC: KBEVF) (the “Company” or “Koios”) is pleased to announce that beginning on Monday, March 22, 2021, Koios’ entire line of canned beverage products will be sold at all locations of Metropolitan Market, an urban format supermarket chain in the Seattle-Tacoma area of Washington State. In Q1 2021, the Company announced multiple placements of its beverage products with regional grocers in markets on the west coast of the United States including Market of Choice in Oregon Jensen’s in Southern California and major natural grocery chain Sprouts Farmers Market which has a substantial west coast presence with over one third of its locations (360+ stores across 23 states) in California as well as Washington State 1 . The Company has also recently announced other developments relating to its expansion efforts being undertaken in 2021 such as an in-house beverage canning facility and distribution agreements with regional and national wholesale partners.


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First, it provides anti-metastatic actions, preventing distant tumor masses from forming in the liver.
It goes without saying that CBD — like any supplement or medication — does have side effects, including dose-dependent danger to liver health. However, while users using the peak-tested dosages should have their liver enzymes in check, the vast majority of people can safely use CBD without worrying about a negative impact on their liver function.
CBD Oil for Hepatic Ischemia
CBD has been shown to have therapeutic effects on the models of viral hepatitis, especially Hepatitis C. According to a study published in the journal Pharmacognosy Research, CBD was shown to inhibit the replication of hepatitis C virus by almost 90% (5).
In addition, repeated doses of a smaller amount of CBD (50 mg) also showed signs of liver damage and swelling.
With 1,500 mg of CBD taken for a six-week period, no dangerous side effects were observed (1).
Cannabidiol oil is extracted from the hemp plant, which is in the same family as marijuana. Unlike THC in marijuana, CBD does not cause a “high” or chemical dependence. CBD that is extracted from the hemp plant is legal, but individual states have laws to regulate it.
We support health writers who wish to spread their work to a wider audience. This article was submitted by Natalie Shae.
How does it impact the liver?
June 4, 2019 by Natalie Shae
Note, the study cited in the article was very small with children under physician care but if you are a liver patient it is a cautionary note if you are considering CBD oil. We are not aware of any research that would suggest using it more broadly but consult your doctor.
Warne, who received his diagnoses after his grandfather’s death, wonders whether he was misdiagnosed. But the results he has seen since taking CBD, he said, have been “moderately positive.” “I’ve been feeling great since I got off my meds,” he said.
The warning comes as millions of consumers have jumped on board with the non-psychoactive cannabis compound for reasons relating to health, wellness and recreation, and CBD has popped up on restaurant menus, in post-workout salves and in bath bombs.
‘Hopefully it stands up — because otherwise, we’re kind of all owed an explanation for why this was pushed on us’
The FDA sent letters warning 15 companies for illegally selling CBD-containing products. The federal agency also updated its position to clarify that the substance increasingly infused in pills, lotions, food products and wellness beverages “has the potential to harm you, and harm can happen even before you become aware of it.”
And many CBD users use the compound for its health potential, though their outcomes tend to be mixed.
The Mayo Clinic says that “although some research appears to indicate that CBD might hold benefit for treating anxiety-related disorders, more study is needed.” And physician Peter Grinspoon, writing on the Harvard Health Blog, noted that an animal study had shown that applying CBD to the skin could help lower arthritis-related pain and inflammation. “More study in humans is needed in this area to substantiate the claims of CBD proponents about pain control,” he added.


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A large Pizza Hut operator has a new brand and a new CEO.
Newly formed Quality Restaurant Group (QRG), which operates more than 200 Pizza Hut locations under its Quality Huts subsidiary, this week named a new CEO in Matthew Slaine and also acquired 27 Arby’s locations as it branches out into another brand.
The Raleigh, N.C.-based company acquired the 27 locations from another franchisee, the Bentley-Miller Group. The Arby’s division will be known as Quality Meats.
Slaine, meanwhile, will oversee the whole organization. He is a former CEO of Progressive Business Media, a marketing services and communications company. He had previously worked with several financial services firms.
“The opportunity that QRG has in the quick-service industry is one of the best I’ve seen,” said Bob Crumley, QRG’s chairman and a former executive of Hardee’s franchisee Boddie-Noell Enterprises, in a statement.
Quality Huts, backed by private-equity firm GenRock Capital Management, has been rapidly acquiring Pizza Hut locations in the Southeast. The addition of Arby’s and creation of Quality Restaurant Group gives it a format from which it can expand further, and not just with the two existing brands.
“Having at the core of our business two of the most respected names in the QSR industry, including the most well-known name in the pizza category, we are primed for success with a significant pipeline of growth opportunities across our current and future brands,” said Matthew Ailey, founder of GenRock, in a statement.
Quality Restaurant Group’s Pizza Hut locations are in the Chicago, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and South Bend, Ind., markets. Its Arby’s are in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming and South Dakota.


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Yum Brands Inc, the biggest foreign fast-food chain operator in China, is in danger of breaking its 11-year streak of double-digit profit growth as it scrambles to deal with food scares and bird flu in its most lucrative market.
The U.S.-listed firm, the world's largest restaurant company by number of outlets, said in a filing Wednesday that the latest deadly avian flu outbreak would have a "significant, negative impact" on sales at KFC stores in China in April.
Analysts said the company's problems in China - which accounts for more than half its global sales - were deeply rooted, and that sales which started slowing before the chicken scare would need more than a flu-jab to revive.
"KFC has got off to a very bad start this year, it's had a double whammy of incidents. But increasingly there's also much stiffer competition from local quick service restaurants firms," said Frank Gibson, an independent business consultant based in Shanghai.
"Longer term it will be hard for them to maintain the growth they've experienced in the past, but this will be more due to a more complex and dynamic environment than necessarily due to the issues they faced in the first quarter of this year."
Yum's troubles in China began in December when it was accused of selling chicken laced with excessive chemicals. It was cleared of any wrongdoing and publicly apologized over its handling of the affair, but that did not spare it being accused of "arrogance" by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
Sales were beginning to recover when they were hit again by a new outbreak of bird flu, which has killed nine people so far and stirred fresh fears about the safety of poultry products.
Beijing-based food and agribusiness analyst Chenjun Pan, at Rabobank International, said consumer confidence would take many months to recover.
"While the area affected is still in the east of China, the consumer confidence impact is nationwide," she added, saying the impact would be greater than previous bird flu outbreaks.
Some restaurants, airlines and schools in the commercial capital of Shanghai have taken poultry off the menu in response to the latest health scare, local media reported.
Several KFC outlets which Reuters visited were quieter than normal and had signs citing World Health Organization assurances that cooked chicken is safe to eat.
Not everyone was convinced.
"I avoid eating chicken these days. Not only KFC, but also McDonald's and so on," Moon Li, a Shanghai woman in her 20s, told Reuters.
China's popular microblog Weibo was abuzz with talk of giving up chicken and other meat.
"Recently I've decided to become a vegetarian," wrote 'A Qiong Smile' on China's equivalent of Twitter.
Yum said in Wednesday's filing it plans to educate consumers, as it has done in the past, that properly cooked chicken is safe to eat.
Sales at Yum's China restaurants that have been open for at least one year fell 13 percent in March, more than the 10 percent average drop expected by analysts polled by Consensus Matrix.
The March results included a 16 percent drop at KFC and a 4 percent rise at Pizza Hut. Yum is due to report its first-quarter earnings on April 23.
Yum shares fell more than 2 percent to $65.20 in extended trading following the report. Yum's stock traded around $72 in late March before reports of the first avian flu deaths.


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While we’re all consuming a lot less traditional media, a new study suggests that global consumption of “content” is on the rise, and here in the Asia Pacific region, it’s rising faster than anywhere else in the world.
ZenithOptimedia’s Media Consumptions Forecast report confirms that traditional media consumption is declining. It also tells us people are spending an average of 492 minutes a day consuming media in 2015, which is up 1.4% from 485 minutes a day last year.
Despite Asia Pacific’s rate being well below that global average, we’re still making our way through a hefty 301 minutes a day of media here in Asia Pacific.
What are we consuming?
Well, the report includes watching television, going to the cinema, reading newspapers and magazines, listening to the radio, observing outdoor advertising and using the internet.
Unsurprisingly, it’s largely internet usage pumping up the media consumption numbers, particularly on mobile, as people view, read and listen to online content while out and about.
As well as increasing mobile internet penetration here, other factors contributing to our rising media consumption rate – forecast at 2.9% a year through to 2017, a rate well ahead of the global average – are greater economic development and more leisure time across the region – i.e. more access to media and more time to consume it.
You can read more on the Media Consumptions Forecast here.


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Study on online radio in Germany published: Web Radio Monitor 2012
All information at a glance: text, graphics, documents
- Online radio services: great diversity, number stagnating
- Online radio use: number of hits increased by 36 percent
- Distribution: smartphones and tablets to become key reception devices
- Social media: not yet important as a broadcast method
- Streaming services: no competition for online radios predicted
- Economic situation: cost coverage at only 71 percent
Press release full text
German online radio market consolidates, every sixth hit via mobile devices. Web Radio Monitor 2012 published
Berlin, August 15, 2012. Use of online radio and audio services continues to grow. Although market development in recent years had consisted primarily in increases in the sheer number of services, the online radio market is now in a consolidation phase and becoming more professional.
According to Web Radio Monitor 2012, there are currently about 3,000 online radio stations in Germany. While the number of the small providers is in slight decline, FM stations’ the online streams have proliferated. Use of online radio on mobile devices has seen particularly strong growth. Every sixth online radio hit is already attributable to a smartphone or tablet.
With the publication of Web Radio Monitor 2012, the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting – BLM (http://www.blm.de) and Berlin strategy consultant Goldmedia (http://www.Goldmedia.com) present a comprehensive market overview of online radio providers, use, scope, and ad revenue among German online radios for the fourth time. The study is based upon extensive primary data research, collected via a survey of all online radio providers in Germany, conducted from May to June of 2012.
Online radio services: great diversity, number stagnating
The world of online radio is a diverse one. Most online radio stations are broadcasted exclusively on the Internet. Web Radio Monitor 2012 covers about 2,500 so-called online-only stations, making up 82% of all online stations. However, their dominant share declined by 2 percentage points compared to the previous year. The share of live FM radio streams, so-called “simulcast streams”, increased to 13% this year (11% in 2011). The number of online FM sub-brands has remained constant. The small but significant group of user-generated music-streaming services (Spotify, laut.fm, simfy, Last.fm, Aupeo!) and a range of online radio aggregators (radio.de, phonostar.de, surfmusik.de) make up a further segment of the German radio market with a share of 0.5%.
Online radio use: number of hits increased by 36 percent
Daily traffic figures collected in Web Radio Monitor 2012 show increasing user interest. In April 2012, an average of 13,800 streams were launched per station every day, a 36%-increase compared to 10,200 hits per day in April 2011. The services of the FM brands (simulcast streams and online sub-brands) have achieved a wider scope and reported an increase of 58% from about 11,600 hits in 2011 to 18,300 hits today.
Distribution: smartphones and tablets to become key reception devices
In the medium term, online radio stations’ websites will remain the most important source of hits. However, according to online radio providers surveyed, the number of hits from PCs decreased from 69% (in 2011) to 54% today.
Mobile devices are gaining importance. Three quarters of the respondents regard mobile online radio as their central method of broadcasting. In fact, 57% predicted that mobile online radio might be able to replace classical FM radio in the long run. Mobile hits, via apps or mobile browsers, now make up 17% of all hits, compared to 14% in 2011. By 2014, mobile devices are expected to make up a quarter (24%) of all online radio hits.
In addition, providers have high expectations for online radio streaming in cars. According to 87% of providers, usage in the car is expected to increase dramatically.
Social media: not yet important as a broadcast method
By now, an active social media presence is a given for the vast majority of online radio providers. A full 84% of the services have Facebook pages, and 42% are active on Twitter.
Social media are frequently used to build rapport among listeners and enable communication. However, providers don’t regard social media platforms as important broadcasters yet. Only half of the providers believe that Facebook & co. will play a more important role for future online radio use. Based on providers’ assessments, hits via social networks will rise only slightly, from 6% today to 7% in 2014.
Streaming services: no competition for online radios predicted
Especially after Spotify was launched in Germany in March of 2012, online, on-demand music services are now widely known. Most online radio providers (64%) do not expect that streaming services will have any negative impact on the traditional online radio market. Rather, the services are viewed as competitors to download platforms, such as iTunes.
Economic situation: cost coverage at only 71 percent
Web Radio Monitor 2012 also depicts online radios stations’ degree of cost coverage (relation of total sales and total costs). While online-only services have an average cost coverage of just 69%, FM brands’ services are slightly below the cut-off for profitability, at 98% cost coverage. According to the providers, this results from high streaming costs and GEMA license fees.
Just 45% of all online radio stations sell advertisements. In a breakdown of market segments, 43% of online-only services and 64% of FM stations sell advertisements. Nevertheless, more than half of the providers (54%) have a positive outlook on growth prospects for the online radio market.
Online radio market forecasts substantiate their positive outlook. In 2011, online radio providers’ total net ad revenues grew to 14.1 million euros. This corresponds to an increase of 37% over the previous year. Providers and experts expect a doubling of net ad revenues to nearly 30 million euros by 2016.The study can be accessed at no charge at:
Source Web Radio Monitor 2012, BLM - Goldmedia. All information used in this press release is taken from “Web Radio Monitor 2012”. The study was undertaken on behalf of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for Commercial Broadcasting (BLM). “Web Radio Monitor 2012” provides an overview of the German online radio market and quantifies use through primary data research, drawing from a survey of all online radio providers. The study includes market and potential analyses as well as a categorisation of internet radios according to genre and type of service.
Press Contact for Goldmedia GmbH
Dr. Katrin Penzel, Tel: +49-30-246 266-0, firstname.lastname@example.org
Further information and graphics can be downloaded here: www.Goldmedia.com
Since 1998, Goldmedia has provided national and international clients with high-quality consulting and research services in the fields of media, entertainment and telecommunications. Goldmedia offers: in-depth analyses of markets and competitors; forecasts and strategic consulting services; the implementation of new business models; and consulting for restructuring whole companies, including M&A processes in the field of corporate finance. Goldmedia Group: Goldmedia GmbH Media Consulting & Research, Goldmedia Sales & Services GmbH, Goldmedia Custom Research GmbH, Goldmedia Political & Staff Advising GmbH, and Goldmedia Innovation GmbH. The company's head office is in Berlin, Germany.


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The cash-for-clunkers craziness is over, but new promotions and new models continued to bring consumers into Orange County auto showrooms on Labor Day, albeit in ones and twos, not by the dozens.
Interviews with lookers at several dealerships Monday showed people were coming in for the same reasons they always have – they needed a new car, a family’s teenager was about to get a driver’s license or they wanted something more economical.
All three was the case for the Anderson family of Las Flores who were visiting the Kia Depot in Santa Ana.
They were looking for wheels for their soon-to-be-16 son Chad. They were selling their Honda to an older son so mom, Cindy, needed a car and dad, Rick, wants to downsize.
“I’m getting rid of my $50,000 Mercedes for a $15,000 something,” said Rick Anderson. “It’s the economy.”
Normally Labor Day weekend is a big one for dealers who stage end-of-summer and model year-end sales.
Over the last eight years, Orange County dealers sold just under16,000 vehicles on average in September, the third best month for sales after January and March, according to the Orange County Dealers Association.
But things began to turn last September. The economy was just beginning to swoon, credit got tight and local sales nosedived to 12,077.
Cash for clunkers revved up sales in late July and August – 690,114 cars were sold nationwide – but dealers wondered if there would be anybody left to buy this Labor Day.
“If we sell five, six, seven cars, I’d consider it a tremendous victory,” said John Patterson, president of Huntington Beach Mazda and Tustin Mazda, early Monday, but by mid-afternoon he had exceeded those expectations.
“We have six deals at one store and four at another and people in the showroom,” he said. “It’s a little bit more of a normal dynamic.”
There was a downside for buyers after cash for clunkers – lack of inventory.
For instance, Steve Santoro, of Lake Forest, was on the hunt for an Equinox, Chevrolet’s new crossover.
“There are just no cars,” he said, who visited one dealership before stopping by Tustin Chevrolet.
After the year he’s had, not being able to meet that kind of demand is killing Darren Rutledge, general sales manager at Tustin Chevrolet.
“It’s absolutely the hottest seller,” he said, noting he only gets one or two at a time from Chevrolet and they immediately are out the door. “I don’t even have one to show.”
But it also gives him hope. If the public is excited about the new models, he said, maybe this fall won’t be so bad after all.


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SmarTech Analysis, the leading market research firm dedicated to additive manufacturing (AM), has released the industry’s first report dedicated to how 3D printing fits into the Factory of the Future. The report, titled “Automation, Additive Manufacturing and the Factory of the Future,” explores the role of 3D printing in the manufacturing sector’s increased trend toward automation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call for manufacturers globally as they realize the drawbacks to centralized factories and distributed supply chains. Rather than completely overhaul their supply networks, they are revamping their existing infrastructure. In turn, 3D printing has been seen as a potentially useful tool in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities.
However, SmarTech notes that, despite all of its advantages, 3D printing only represents a single percent of the entire $13 trillion manufacturing industry. This is in large part due to the obstacles faced with the technology, which include the number of steps required, the lack of laborers skilled in AM, issues with quality control, lack of regulatory standards, and the expense related to scaling the technology. The report not only discusses these problems, but how they are being resolved.
At the same time as there are obstacles to adoption, manufacturers are working to digitize their factories and see AM as a valuable tool in that process. This, in turn, is feeding into the industrialization of 3D printing. Among the trends occurring in the automation of 3D printing is the digitization of the technology as it relates to such verticals as electronic instruments, medical devices, transportation, and industrial equipment. The automation of the 3D printing supply chain is occurring both on actual 3D printers and distributed manufacturing networks. This has included the use of new controls, sensors, robotics and artificial intelligence to automate pre- and post-print steps.
The report goes into extensive detail about aspects of the industry 3DPrint.com has been reporting on for some time, bringing granular data to the stories and connecting them into a single structured and valuable resource. For instance, at the Additive Manufacturing Strategies summit, there was a vertical dedicated to automation in AM. While a number of firms, like AdditiveLab and VELO3D, are working to handle the automation of pre-print simulation, others, such as Additive Assurance, are tackling in-process quality control. Then, there are firms like PostProcess and AM-Flow that are taking care of the post-processing side of the workflow. Finally, there are software-driven businesses handling the entire management side of production, which includes SAP, 3D Control Systems, MakerOS and more.
Despite the challenges of adopting AM, the report points out how the use of AM results in lower costs and a smaller manufacturing footprint than conventional manufacturing techniques. This includes up to 15 percent in increased profit from the use of 3D printing in production, either for direct manufacturing or tooling.
The report includes information about a wide variety of firms that are enabling the automation of AM, including: Dassault Systèmes, SAP, Materialise, Ansys, EOS, 3D Systems, Senvol, Autodesk, AREVO, Siemens, PTC, Castor, nTopology, PTC, , Siemens, 3YourMind, Authentise, Link3D, Additive Assurance, Renishaw, Identify3D, Simba Chain, GranuTools, Aris Technology, PostProcess Technology, DyeMansion, AMT, and Divergent 3D.
Author of the report Dr. Mike Vasquez, Founder and CEO of consulting company 3Degrees, told 3DPrint.com:
The maturation of the additive manufacturing sector has had a profound impact on the breadth of applications and industries applying the technology. The case-specific manufacturing advantages of 3D printing will continue to grow, which will require the development of new technologies to bring efficiency and scale to what currently is often a fragmented, manual process with many islands of data. This report examines this exciting evolution and provides context for the development of the industry in the coming years.
To learn more or to buy the “Automation, Additive Manufacturing and the Factory of the Future” report, click here.
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2022 survey shows youth e-cigarette epidemic remains a serious public health threat
Over 2.5 million teens use e-cigarettes with nearly half (46%) of high schoolers who vape doing so on a frequent basis putting a new generation at risk for a lifetime of nicotine addiction
Statement by Robin Koval, CEO and President of Truth Initiative
The results of the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) released today show that the youth e-cigarette epidemic remains a serious public health threat driven by the actions of the tobacco industry to flood the market with cheap, youth-appealing flavored e-cigarettes while keeping brands already popular among teens easily accessible on shelves across the country. The vast majority of these products have not received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization, a requirement to legally enter the market. The industry is playing a dangerous game of “catch me if you can” with the FDA at the expense of young people’s physical and mental health.
In 2022, over 2.5 million middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use, a higher number than in 2021. Among all youth who currently used e-cigarettes, 42.3% used them on 20 or more of the past 30 days, with nearly half (46%) of high schoolers who vape doing so near daily, putting them on a trajectory for a potential lifetime of nicotine addiction and at increased risk for addiction to other substances.
This troubling news comes at a time when the U.S. Surgeon General has issued a national advisory on the youth mental health crisis which can connect to vaping nicotine. Many young people are turning to e-cigarettes to relieve stress, a myth that the tobacco industry continues to perpetuate, when in fact the opposite is true. Years of scientific, peer-reviewed research shows nicotine can amplify feelings of anxiety and depression and increase stress. Nicotine is also harmful to developing brains and its use during adolescence can disrupt the formation of brain circuits that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction.
Today’s announcement is disheartening but not surprising given the e-cigarette market overall is expected to have its best year yet with sales up 12% over last year. While sales data are not specific to youth, we know that youth prevalence of e-cigarette use is nearly four times that of adults, driven in large part by the broad availability and appeal of flavored products which are used by 84.9% of youth who vape, and the growing popularity of disposable products used by 55.3% of young e-cigarette users. Disposable products with flavors like “Cheesecake,” “Bubble Gum,” and “Strawberry Ice Cream,” now make up 35% of the market, which is likely a significant understatement as retail sales scanner data are having trouble keeping up with the influx of products. The number of new product bar codes has more than tripled in less than a year, from nearly 500 in June 2021 to almost 1,600 by March 2022. An expanding array of flavors using synthetic coolants are also hitting the market in flavors like “Banana Ice,” “Strawberry Freeze,” or “Frosted Apple,” adding to the number of menthol and other cooling e-cigarettes available, which now represent 56% of e-cigarette sales.
We are calling on FDA’s leadership to hit the reset button on the Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) process. The industry is gaming the system and the FDA needs to change its game plan as the application volume and flood of new products illegally on the market have become untenable. Simply put, ‘pre-market’ review is supposed to be conducted before any product is allowed on the market — not the ‘post-market’ process that is in actuality what we have today. All unauthorized e-cigarettes including flavors, menthol and disposables should be removed from the market immediately and no new product should be allowed on the shelf while FDA accelerates its pre-market review process to protect public health as the law intended and requires. It should prioritize the application reviews for tobacco derived and synthetic nicotine e-cigarette products that make up the majority of sales (65%) and are the most popular among youth.
Every day of delay allows for the continued proliferation of new, flavored e-cigarettes to hit the market and the top brands to remain readily accessible. These delays have major consequences: According to our Truth Longitudinal Cohort data, up to 2.5 million youth and young adults (aged 15-24 years) have started using e-cigarettes following the missed court-ordered FDA deadline of September 9, 2021, to review e-cigarette marketing applications. It also leaves smokers uncertain whether these products will truly help or are even safe to use.
In the meantime, bold actions taken by many states to remove flavored e-cigarettes and tobacco products from the market, and by public health organizations dedicated to ending youth tobacco use are having an impact and making progress, but we need more help to put an end to this epidemic that is putting a new generation at risk for nicotine addiction. Truth Initiative’s peer-reviewed research shows that strong awareness of the nationally acclaimed truth® campaign, which offers a holistic suite of products and services to empower young people to live free from smoking, vaping, and nicotine addiction, is significantly associated with lower likelihood of vaping among 15- to 24-year-olds. Further research shows truth® brand awareness is associated with lower odds of both current e-cigarette use and intention to vape in the future. Our evidence-based, first-of-its-kind, free quit vaping program This is Quitting, the largest in the country and the only one that has been validated by peer-reviewed research, is helping nearly 500,000 young people on their journeys to quit vaping. Our digitally delivered, peer-led school curriculum, Vaping: Know the truth, has reached over 460,000 students in almost 6,000 schools across the country. For more information on these programs visit truthinitiative.org.
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Worthy causes boosted during store collection
- Credit: Archant
Fundraisers from the Lowestoft-based Lauren Lou appeal, which continues to raise money and awareness in aid of cancer charities and local causes, have been boosted by a recent collection.
Last Friday, October 13, a collection was held in the Tesco Gunton store.
Gary Bennett, of Team Lauren Lou, said: 'What can I say but a massive thank you to the Tesco store in Gunton for having us in their store on Friday, October 13 and their very kind donating customers.
'Thank you also to my volunteers at Team Lauren Lou Cancer fundraising for raising an incredible £668.77 in just one day's collecting.
'This is an absolutely mindblowing amount – thank you each and everyone.'