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HAMILTON, ON, June 10, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, SociallyInfused Media Ltd., a full-service creative agency, announced that they have been ranked #2 globally in the Clutch 100 fastest-growing companies list.
"It feels absolutely amazing to be recognized as one of the top B2B Service Providers for Fast Growth for 2021," says SociallyInfused Media founder and CEO Vincent Bucciachio.
Every year Clutch, a B2B reviews and ratings platform, recognizes service providers across all industries for their revenue growth and ability to deliver. Given the sheer number of companies that potentially qualify, being ranked #2 is a huge honour.
Social media and other digital communications have played a critical role in keeping brands connected to customers during the pandemic. During the past year, SociallyInfused Media has been helping clients maintain engagement, offer support, and build trust when regular methods of communication, like in-store interactions, have been reduced. The result has been a growth rate of 231.70%.
"Our growth has been astronomical this year and it's not all revenue, profits and client acquisition," Bucciachio explains. "We've performed an essential service by keeping brands connected to their audiences during lockdowns, social distancing, and other restrictions. Helping our customers maintain business continuity, along with our regular professionalism and commitment to customer service, is helping us accomplish our mission to be one of the fastest-growing organizations in our industry."
Established in 2008, SociallyInfused Media has been setting a new standard for reaching, engaging with, and converting audiences online. It provides brands with website design and development, creative production, social strategy, and paid media services. Leveraging over a decade of experience in the field, Bucciachio and his team help clients reach their target audience and convert them into brand advocates.
This award is a sign of Hamilton's increasing significance as a digital hub. The city continues to combine technology with the power of people to improve services, enhance quality of life, and create opportunities. As indicated on the Hamilton city website, its digital strategy includes making services accessible online, providing information to the public in a digestible format, and enabling data sharing and analytics to drive important decisions.
"It's amazing how much of a digital transformation is taking place in Hamilton," Bucciachio enthuses. "At SociallyInfused, it's our honour and privilege to be a major part of this change. We're also really proud to put Hamilton on the map."
SOURCE SociallyInfused Media Ltd.
For further information: [email protected], 289-795-7692


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Categories Interviews, Technology
Under-the-Radar Stocks: Boxlight President Michael Pope on its products, marketing strategy and the stock
The onslaught of technology into the education sector has paved fertile grounds for numerous edtech start-ups over the past few years. This budding market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.4% between 2018 and 2024, according to Infoholic Research, presenting vast growth opportunities to its major players.
By bringing companies that sell promising interactive hardware and software solutions under one umbrella, Boxlight (NASDAQ: BOXL) has established itself as a major force in this space. The company, which went public in November 2017, aims to make learning more effective with its interactive flat panels, interactive projectors, touch boards and Mimio studio software, besides the upcoming audio distribution system MimioClarity.
Boxlight recently became one of the few vendors selling several K-12 classroom technology solutions including interactive flat panels in New York City — and expects this region to be one of its largest next year.
However, stock performance has been pretty disappointing, especially this year. In an exclusive chat with AlphaStreet, Boxlight President Michael Pope talks in detail about the company’s stock, strategies and opportunities ahead.
On existing customers coming back for new products
Michael Pope said the company is seeing numerous customers coming back to try different products, thanks in part to multi-year roll-outs. “A good example of that is Clayton County in Georgia. Last year, we signed a $12 million contract to implement 3,250 classrooms with interactive flat panels. After that was completed, we also signed a professional development contract with them that will exceed $1 million.”
Pope pointed out that most of the company’s large school district implementations are multi-year rolls-outs, which enhances continued interaction with the customers, in turn, setting the stage for more upselling opportunities.
Boxlight is also hoping to promote its audio distribution system MimioClarity, which will begin deliveries this quarter, through this strategy. The Lawrenceville, Georgia-based firm expects over $5 million in MimioClarity sales in 2020.
On reaching out to slow adopters
The executive asserted that some regions are difficult to penetrate because they are slow to adopt new technologies. But this is hardly a concern at the moment, as most schools are overwhelmingly moving to interactive technologies, he said.
“In the US, about 80% of the classrooms have interactive displays. In the UK, this is over 90%. Currently, our focus in these markets is to win display replacement contracts and provide additional solutions by showing educators that our solutions are a better fit than those of our competitors,” Pope said.
READ: Boxlight Corporation (NASDAQ:BOXL) Q3 2019 Earnings Conference Call Transcript
On the disappointing stock performance
Boxlight stock, which had opened 31% higher after being offered at $7 apiece two years ago, is currently trading 77% below the IPO price. Despite positing reasonably strong quarterly earnings and margin expansions, the stock has been on a downward trend since May this year.
Pope said the company is hoping to increase the institutional holding of the stock, which is expected to stabilize the price. Boxlight is approaching various potential investors, who could, in turn, be long-term institutional holders. He added that the concerns among retail investors about the company’s balance sheet in the past few quarters will vanish as it starts showing signs of profitability.
On margins and expenses
After guiding 2019 gross margin of 25-30%, the company has posted margins at the top end of this range for all three quarters of the fiscal year. At the end of the third quarter of 2019, Boxlight’s margin had improved to 30% from 22% a year ago.
READ: Alteryx CFO Kevin Rubin on Q4 outlook, stock sell-off and the possibility of getting acquired
Pope cited improved product mix and focus on high-margin solutions as reasons for the improved margins. Without giving any specific figures, the executive said he expects further improvements in the coming quarters, with the introduction of high-margin accessory, software and STEM solutions, including the MimioClarity (>50% margin) to the product mix.
On slower-than-expected growth in the international markets
Pope said growth in the international markets has doubled over last year, but this was slower than what the management had anticipated. The edtech firm is currently restructuring the personnel and team in the UK to make sure the region continues to deliver robust growth.
“International sales accounted for greater than 10% of total sales, compared to around 5% last year. Looking ahead into 2020, you can expect to see further growth through our international channels, specifically in Europe and South America,” he stated.
Listen to on-demand earnings calls and hear how management responds to analysts’ questions
Next.e.GO Mobile has a unique, innovative production strategy: Chairman Ali Vezvaei
Next.e.GO Mobile SE is a manufacturer of electric vehicles for urban mobility, with a mission to provide convenient and cost-effective transportation solutions. Founded in Germany, Next.e.GO Mobile built its first
What to look for when Darden Restaurants (DRI) reports Q3 earnings
The American restaurant industry has almost returned to normal now, after months of disruption that made people stop eating out and choose home delivery. The companies are currently busy enhancing
Lennar Corp. (LEN): What is the homebuilder’s strategy in the current environment?
Shares of Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN) were down on Friday. The stock has gained 14% year-to-date and 12% over the past 12 months. The company delivered better-than-expected results for its

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Sun, May 22, 2022
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Global EV sales and battery capacity
May 20, 17:56
NEWS TAGGED SOLAR EQUIPMENT
Tuesday 23 June 2015
PV equipment book-to-bill ratio stays below parity in 1Q15, says SEMI
SEMI has reported that for the quarter ending March 31, 2015, the worldwide photovoltaic manufacturing equipment book-to-bill ratio remained below parity at 0.88.
Monday 1 April 2013
GT Advanced and Powertec Energy sign MOU
US-based GT Advanced and Taiwan-based Powertec Energy have announced the execution of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which states Powertec's intention to purchase polysilicon...
Tuesday 15 January 2013
Global solar module market to see 20% oversupply in 2013, predicts SEMI China
SEMI China predicts a 20% oversupply for the global solar module market in 2013, according to a report from a China-based website. Industry consolidation in Asia is expected to continue...
Friday 28 December 2012
China solar equipment firm JYT succeeds in suing LDK for breaching contract, say reports
China-based JYT Corporation has announced a verdict from China' International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission finding that LDK needs to pay CNY293 million (US$46 million)...
Friday 21 December 2012
Solar equipment market suffers oversupply
Oversupply in the downstream solar market has been causing the supply of crystal growing furnaces to exceed demand by 100%. In addition, cheap second-hand equipment has been available...
Thursday 20 December 2012
GT Advanced to write down DSS inventory
US-based solar crystal growing furnace maker GT Advanced Technologies has announced plans to write down the majority of its directional solidification system (DSS) inventory, meaning...
Wednesday 19 December 2012
Time not right to start production of N-type monocrystalline solar cells, say Taiwan makers
While some China-based makers are actively developing N-type mono-crystalline solar cells featuring energy conversion rates of over 20% in a bid to win lending from banks, Taiwan-based...
Wednesday 12 December 2012
Some China-based makers plan to sell solar cell equipment in Taiwan
China-based integrated solar makers have considered measures to cope with the impact of US anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs, and some of them plan to sell solar cell production...
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Order cancellations drive solar book-to-bill ratio into negative territory, according to Solarbuzz
Production equipment order cancellations and push-outs by solar manufacturers during 2012 exceeded US$3 billion by the end of third-quarter 2012, according to NPD Solarbuzz.
Friday 24 August 2012
Equipment maker GPM eyeing return to profits
Taiwan-based Gallant Precision Machining (GPM), which mainly makes equipment for the manufacture of display panels as well as semiconductors, expects to return to profitability in...
Monday 6 August 2012
China-based solar firms buying unused second-hand thin-film solar equipment
Solar firms have been looking for unused second-hand solar equipment. Currently, polysilicon equipment is under negotiation, while thin-film equipment has been sold due to existing...
Friday 3 August 2012
Solar equipment firms reportedly cut R&D expenses
The low demand in the solar market has been hitting every segment including solar equipment firms. As customers refuse to expand capacity, equipment firms have been lacking capital...
Monday 30 July 2012
Veeco sees 2Q12 revenues fall on-year
Veeco Instruments announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012.
Wednesday 25 July 2012
Demand for unused second-hand solar equipment exists in Taiwan, says industry source
China solar firms have been reportedly selling their equipment. Equipment firms noted that around 80% of Taiwan's solar cell firms need equipment that can help them upgrade the pro...
Wednesday 25 July 2012
China solar firms reportedly to sell equipment in 3Q12
Second-hand equipment from some China-based solar firms may arrive on the market in the third quarter. According to industry sources, around 10 solar firms in China reportedly hope...
May 19, 12:09
Computex Focus: DataVan to showcase new retail solutions for new normal
Thursday 19 May 2022
STAr Technologies unveils one-touch memory test probe card
Wednesday 18 May 2022
Advanced vision AI eliminates potential risks in cleanroom environments for semiconductor and panel manufacturers
Wednesday 11 May 2022
NeoGene unveils novel ultra-thin heat-pipe-array vapor chamber technology for ultra-high-density power battery pack application
Notebook production in China unlikely to be fully restored until July
IC design houses under pressure to drop prices
Brand notebook vendors cut orders for 2022
YMTC sampling 192-layer 3D NAND chips
Datacenters to become biggest consumer of NAND flash in 2023-2024
Apple car team reportedly in talks with Korean and Japanese suppliers
AMD, MediaTek reportedly in talks to form JV
TSMC to raise quotes for advanced, mature process technologies by 10-20%
BYD Semiconductor takes major stake in Energen
Is GF a good buy for Intel?
EV penetration to rise to 30% in 2025, says DIGITIMES Research
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DIGITIMES Research worldwide notebook shipment update – February 2022
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At CES 2020, Twitter has revealed that it's introducing a feature that will allow you to control who can reply to your tweets.
Mashable's Karissa Bell tweeted from an event held by the company that this new feature will finally allow users to control who replies to their tweets by granting them the ability to limit replies to specific users, for example, followers or those mentioned in the tweet.
Don't want any replies at all? Apparently that option will be also be made available.
New from Twitter: an upcoming feature will let you control who can reply to your tweet as you compose it, there will be the ability to limit replies to followers, people who are mentioned in the tweet, or no replies at allJanuary 8, 2020
Reducing the need for private accounts
According to Bell, Twitter claims this new feature is being introduced in an effort to stop tweets from being overwhelmed by swarms of replies or hijacked by trolls, and it's hoped this will reduce the number of users who feel that they need to make their account private in order to avoid such unwanted interactions.
Currently Twitter has no option that allows users to control who replies to their tweets individually. Instead, users can set their account to private, limiting those who can reply to your tweets to those who follow you, with follower requests being something you can either accept or deny.
Twitter hasn't officially announced when this feature will roll out, but it's certainly welcome news.
- Check out all of TechRadar's CES 2020 coverage. We're live in Las Vegas to bring you all the breaking tech news and launches, plus hands-on reviews of everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops and smart home gadgets.


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Increasingly, automakers are finding themselves in a Darwinian competition for raw materials with other industries.
Over the past couple of years, automakers and suppliers have been whipsawed by spot shortages caused in part by fluctuating demand in other industries.
A good example is nylon 12, which is used to make fuel and brake lines. A decade ago, demand for nylon 12 was modest. But the photovoltaic industry started using nylon 12 and the material's sales soared.
Although a factory explosion last month in Germany triggered the nylon 12 crisis, rising demand from other industries ate up spare supplies of the stuff.
"The real demand increases were nonautomotive," said J. Scot Sharland, executive director of the Automotive Industry Action Group. "I'm not sure how you can avoid that. And it's hard to figure out what the next disruption will be."
Suppliers can't afford to build huge warehouses to store raw materials and avoid shortages caused by floods, industrial accidents, earthquakes or whatever.
But automakers can make it easier for suppliers to switch to new raw materials. That's what happened this month, when AIAG's members standardized their validation procedures. With the changes, a part produced with a substitute material can be tested more quickly and approved for the assembly line.
Automakers are struggling to secure their share of the world's resources. Cooperation with suppliers may be the only route to salvation.


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Which cars can you drive in 2018?
Toyota has announced that its 2019 model will be the first to come with the all-new 2018 Toyota Highlander.
In addition to the Highlander’s new body shape, the new model will also feature a new six-speed manual gearbox, upgraded rear seats and updated driver assist systems.
The 2018 Highlander will be available in three different colors: Red, Blue and Silver.
The 2018 Highlander also comes with a new rear-view camera, an improved instrument cluster, more advanced driving mode information, a redesigned door and a new headrest.
The Highlander’s engine is rated at 5,600 hp and a claimed top speed of 107 mph.
It will also come with an 8-speaker 3-D sound system, which will be paired with a six-speeder six-cylinder engine that also powers the 2018 Highlander’s top-of-the-line all-wheel-drive system.
The all-in-one all-terrain vehicle is expected to go on sale in the US in October 2019.


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Troubled fashion retailer Tom Tailor Group has reached an agreement with the consortium banks and majority Chinese shareholder Fosun on a new financing structure until the end of September 2022. Due to the planning timeframe through to 2022, the company’s management board has adjusted the preliminary results for fiscal 2018 that were published on May 13, 2019 and now expects turnover for the Tom Tailor brand at 618.1 million euros, an EBITDA of 64 million euros and an EBITDA margin of 10.4 percent, while turnover at the Bonita division remains at 225.7 million euros but EBITDA has decreased to 38.2 million euros.
“The new agreement, which will run until the end of September 2022 and has a total volume of 365 million euros secures the long-term financing of the Tom Tailor Group and allows for more flexibility with regard to future growth”, said Thomas Dressendörfer, CFO of TOM TAILOR Group in a statement.
Tom Tailor makes adjustments to preliminary figures
As a result of the adjustment, gross profit for Tom Tailor, the company added, will increase marginally to 349.7 million euros compared to previous estimate and for Bonita it will remain at 140.1 million euros.
“With the increase in provisions and the resulting adjustment of the 2018 figures, we are taking the declining operating development of Bonita into account. At the same time, we are sticking to our strategic growth initiatives for the Tom Tailor brand, such as strengthening our women’s segment, growth in digital channels and further internationalisation,” added Dr Heiko Schäfer, CEO of the Tom Tailor Group.
The company also said that initial appointment of Thomas Dressendörfer as Chief Financial Officer of the company took place in June 2016 and ended in June 2019, which has been extended by a further nine months until March 31, 2020 in order to negotiate and successfully conclude the new financing structure for the group.
Picture:Tom Tailor newsroom


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Wood claims that blockchain technology is among five trends, along with DNA sequencing, energy storage and robotics
She claims that NFTs, DeFI and NFTs were massive in 2021 and may continue on the same path this year.
Cathie Wood, founder of ARK Invest and chief executive officer, says blockchain technology will be one of five trends that her investment fund will be watching in 2022.
According to the celebrity investor, who bet on Tesla and Bitcoin, and made huge returns, two trends in the blockchain tech sector are likely to continue to receive investor interest.
Wood was speakingSubscribe to TIME magazine.
Blockchain remains a ‘big trend’ in 2022
Asked about what trends Ark Invest was watching this year, Wood pointed to “five innovation platforms.” According to her, these are areas around which the fund has extensive research and which have been shown to be “scaling exponentially.”
She says that DNA sequencing is one innovation that will transform healthcare, while another closely watched platform is Robotics, “especially adaptive robotics, she added.
Ark Invest CEO, who is keen to promote energy storage, has given his approval to electric vehicles instead of gas-powered models. Rivian and GM have also seen significant demand for electric vehicles in 2021, while Tesla is the leader in this area.
The fund also has a lot of investment opportunities in the Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain technology space.
Wood explained to TIME decentralised financing and non-fungible tokens will be huge investments in the future. Wood believes that DeFi will take over large swathes of traditional financial’s market share in 2022.
In the last year, NFTs worth $44 billion were sold. However, the total value of DeFi was over $240 Billion (TVL). Source: DeFi LlamaThe TVL is currently at $235.88 Billion, with 9.87% locked in Curve Finance.


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FRIDAY, July 20, 2018 — Synthetic marijuana products contaminated with an ingredient found in rat poison have caused several deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations in the United States recently, federal health officials report.
The contaminant — a blood thinner called brodifacoum — can cause severe bleeding and has been found in synthetic marijuana products with names such as K2 and Spice, which are sold in convenience stores and gas stations. The bleeding risk can last for several weeks, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday in a news release.
There’s no way to tell if a synthetic marijuana product contains brodifacoum, and the FDA said people should avoid all such products.
Along with the risks to users’ health, there is a threat to the nation’s blood supply due to potential contamination of blood products donated by people who use the tainted products, the FDA said. The agency said it has received several reports of blood donors who had used synthetic marijuana contaminated with brodifacoum.
In recent months, hundreds of people in about 10 states — many in the Midwest — have been hospitalized after using the contaminated synthetic marijuana products, according to the FDA.
The FDA said it and other agencies have tried to prevent the sale of synthetic marijuana products, which are known to “be associated with adverse effects including rapid heart rate, vomiting, violent behavior and suicidal thoughts, and an increase in blood pressure, as well as causing reduced blood supply to the heart, kidney damage, and seizures.
“But despite our efforts, certain entities continue to bypass state and federal drug laws by making and distributing these products,” the FDA said.
In some cases, the agency said, some producers of these “synthetic cannabinoids have added brodifacoum, which we have heard is because it is thought to extend the duration of the drug euphoria or ‘high.’ “
People who use synthetic marijuana products should be alert for signs of bleeding, including “easy bruising, oozing gums and nosebleeds. People experiencing these symptoms after using synthetic marijuana products should immediately seek medical attention, as the effects of brodifacoum are treatable,” the FDA said.
People with certain pre-existing conditions or “those already taking certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs may be at a higher risk for such bleeding and should seek prompt medical treatment,” the agency warned.
The FDA also said health care providers, particularly those who provide emergency care, need to be aware of the possibility of synthetic marijuana use when they see a patient with unexplained bleeding.
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more about synthetic marijuana.
Posted: July 2018
Source: Read Full Article


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Eyewear retainers, smartphone accessories
Employees: more than 60
An eyewear accessories company since day one, Chums is moving beyond eyewear retainers and into sunscreen and smartphone cases.
"Our motto is 'Chums, Helping you Hang On Since 1983," says Tom Ferries, co-owner of Chums and head of marketing for the company.
While the company is well-known for its iconic eyewear retainers, it's applying the motto as it moves into new product categories like cases for tablets, phones and other devices. "We help you hang on to your things," says Ferries. "By coming out with accessory cases, it helps us get in and talk to the buyers we have relationships with who we sell other accessories to."
Ferries and his family purchased the company from founder Mike Taggett in 2002. Taggett, a ski bum and river rat, invented the iconic eyewear retainer, the Cotton Chum, and it remains the top seller today. "Chums are our core product," Ferries says. "We've had our factory in Hurricane, Utah, for 32 years and we continue to produce 15,000 to 20,000 units out of that factory every single day."
The company manufactures the original Chums and other retainers in Utah. "We saw no reason to ship anything over to China," Ferries says. "It just gives us a lot more control and innovation. We have proprietary manufacturing machines and many of our people have been with us for over 20 years."
Acquired in 2007, Chums' sister company, Beyond Coastal Sun Care, also manufactures in domestically, in California. "We really saw a need in the outdoor market for a good, healthy sunscreen," Ferries says. "Beyond Coastal's motto is 'Born in the Surf, Raised in the Mountains.'"
Ferries says the plan with Beyond Coastal is to leverage Chums' 2,500-location retail network. "Sunscreen in the outdoor market is under-represented because, I believe, stores aren't merchandising correctly," he adds. "It needs to be something at the cashier stand and in impulse areas to hit people over the head and say, 'You need sunscreen.' It's really something people forget."
Eyewear retainers and sunscreen aren't the first thing people think about when they go to an outdoor store -- Chums' target market. Similarly, buyers at stores aren't necessarily thinking first and foremost about ordering Chums' products. That's despite the 55 to 60 percent retail margin. Because of this, says Ferries, "It's up to Chums to follow up and make sure displays are full."
"What really has helped us increase sales is our merchandising," he adds. "In 2008, during the economic downturn, we saw our sales increase because the buyers at the stores really saw the value of selling accessories and by placing a Chums tower display in strategic locations throughout the store."
It's led to strong year-over-year growth. "That's all the work we put in during the recession and the relationships we've built and the customer service we provided," Ferries says.
[Read about other Utah manufacturers here in the CompanyWeek Utah archive.]
Th Chums strategy is built around making sure its reps have multiple things to offer to stores. That's part of the reason it bought Beyond Coastal and why it started moving into accessory bags in 2014.
"What we're trying to do is grow a global brand," says Ferries. One way we're doing that is through product development. That's how you grow -- you get more customers and get more product to your current customers. We need to always continue with our product development."
Challenges: "The challenges are day-in, day-out: getting product out the door, making sure things are done on time, getting more customers, trying to manage our rep groups, marketing on a shoestring budget, and just getting out there and plugging away," Ferries says.
Opportunities: Sunscreen and other new product categories. "Beyond Coastal is a major opportunity," Ferries says. Brand extension involves "growing the business into more of a lifestyle company with other products."
Needs: Space. "Some of our future needs are going to be larger facilities," Ferries explains. "That's always a tricky endeavor. It would be nice to work the state of Utah to see if there are any opportunities from them for our growing needs."


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Slovenian Company Intereuropa to invest in Kosovo
Ljubljana, Mar 6, 2006 - Logistics Company Intereuropa plans to open a subsidiary in Kosovo in April and has already earmarked EUR 2 millions for the cargo-logistics terminal in Prishtina, the company said on Friday, 3 March.
The facility, which is scheduled to start operating in May, would also facilitate the presence of Slovenian goods on the Kosovo market, the Koper-based company added. Intereuropa-Pristina will be headquartered in the province's capital and will have offices in the towns of Peja, Mitrovica and Morina.
Intereuropa CEO Andrej Lovsin believes that the project will net the company EUR 2.5 millions in the first year merely from the forwarding of Slovenian goods.
Representatives of the company met Kosovo PM-designate Agim Ceku on Tuesday, 28 February, who expressed his support for the activities and the entry of Intereuropa on the Kosovo market.
Source: Slovene Press Agency STA


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The new owners of Aquascutum, whose trenchcoats were once the uniform of Hollywood stars and British politicians, have secured a financial lifeline for the heavily loss-making fashion label.
The brand, which was acquired by Jaeger owner Harold Tillman nearly two years ago, is in the final negotiations for a new £8m bank loan. Accounts filed at Companies House also show that when it was sold by Japanese group Renown an agreement was reached with the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) – a safety net for pensions scheme – giving the fund a 10% stake in one of the Aquascutum companies controlled by Tillman's new vehicle Broadwick Group.
The £8m of new funds are expected to be in place in August enabling it to repay a £3m debt to YGM, the brand's Hong Kong and Chinese licensee, which falls due at the start of September. In the past year the fashion brand has also been propped up by a £6m loan from Tillman,
In the annual report the directors, led by chief executive Belinda Earl, said Aquascutum had been "reliant" on the YGM loan, which dates back to when the business changed hands in September 2009. The fashion label, which had been put up for sale the previous year by its Japanese owner Renown – having paid £113.2m for the business in 1990 – ran out of patience with a turnaround led by Kim Winser that failed to stem losses. A separate filing shows Aquascutum, whose famous raincoats have been worn by Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Sir Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, fell to a loss of £10.3m in the 14 months to 28 February 2010. Other details to emerge in the filings are that the value of the stock in the business had been "overstated" by £527,000, according to its new owners.
In the end, YGM paid £13.7m for the intellectual property rights in the Asian market, with £5m of that earmarked for the 160-year-old brand's pensioners. The pension scheme is being adopted by the Pension Protection Fund which is how the pensions lifeboat ended with the 10% stake. It is not clear how much Tillman paid for control.
Last night Tillman said: "The business plan for Aquascutum is under way. We have completed the first part with a new distribution agreement in Italy …the second part is being finalised now. Wholesale orders are up and we are pleased with the progress being made with this great British heritage luxury brand."
Aquascutum was founded in London's Regent Street in 1851 by the Mayfair tailor John Emary, who patented his new technology for producing water-resistant cloth. The company was named using the Latin aqua and scutum, meaning water shield, and its grey Aquascutum raincoats were worn during the Crimean war by British army officers.
Tillman and Earl hope to repeat the success they have enjoyed at Jaeger, which the entrepreneur acquired in 2003, and last year hired Joanna Sykes, who has worked for Giorgio Armani and Alberta Ferretti, as design director at Aquascutum. The fashion label surrendered its Regent Street flagship store after Austin Reed agreed to pay a £5m premium for the lease. "The (Regent Street) store has been loss-making for several years and the directors are looking for alternative sites in London," said Earl, adding that despite the retrenchment two stores would open in autumn. She said the brand had also struck a distribution agreement with a local partner in Italy, which would accelerate sales growth in the region. "The directors are of the opinion that the group will have sufficient working capital to meet its obligations," said Earl..


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Despite being dropped from major retail partners (including Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus) and a vociferous social media campaign to boycott the brand, Ivanka Trump fashions saw a surge in sales early last month, especially on Feb. 9.
The reason? Kellyanne Conway’s dubiously ethical brand promotion on Fox & Friends.
Major fashion e-commerce site Lyst ranked Ivanka Trump in the 550th spot based on their orders in January, but by early February, the brand rose to 11th spot. The most notable jump, the site says, came on Feb. 9, when sales spiked 219 per cent — the same day Conway was interviewed on the Fox program and urged viewers to “go buy Ivanka’s stuff.”
In an interview with The Washington Post, Lyst spokesperson Sarah Tanner said it wouldn’t be surprising if Conway’s comments caused the surge in sales.
“I think that’s one of the reasons the brand was largely in the news and could have attributed to this increase,” she said. “We’ve never seen such a large uptick. Typically, she’s not in our top 100 sellers.”
Similarly, Slice Intelligence, an e-commerce research firm, reports a 332 per cent increase in year-over-year U.S. sales of Ivanka Trump products on Amazon in January and February. Sales at Macy’s increased 148 per cent, and at Bloomingdale’s they rose 29.5 per cent.
“Since the beginning of February, they were some of the best performing weeks in the history of the brand,” Abigail Klem, president of Ivanka Trump, said in an interview with Refinery29. “For several different retailers, Ivanka Trump was a top performer online and in some of the categories it was the [brand’s] best performance ever.”
Although Conway’s comments were immediately called out for violating ethics standards, and incited the Office of Government Ethics to urge the White House to investigate her, she was exonerated of any wrongdoing earlier this month.
In a letter to the Office of Government Ethics, Stefan C. Passantino, a White House deputy counsel for compliance and ethics, stated: “Upon completion of our inquiry, we concluded that Ms. Conway acted inadvertently and is highly unlikely to do so again.”
Although last month’s sales increase was bolstered by the brouhaha surrounding Conway, a surge was inevitable — especially with overseas consumers who now see the Ivanka Trump brand tied to “the glamour” of the White House, according to brand expert Eric Schiffer.
“She continues to represent the quintessential American woman that is successful, a mother and beautiful, and they want that image for themselves,” he said in an interview with CNN Money. “But there’s also a lot of women who see her as tied to someone who wants to take us back to the days of Game of Thrones, and they’d rather buy from the devil.”


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In a press release dated 2nd February 2016, London-listed Gem Diamonds Ltd., a leading producer of high-value diamonds in the world and the owners of Letšeng Mine in Lesotho and the Ghagoo Mine in Botswana, has released its trading update for Q4 2017 detailing the Group’s operational and sales performance for the period from 1 October 2017 to 31 December 2017.
According to this update the Company achieved an average price of US$ 2,217 per carat for Q4 2017, equivalent to a 19% increase, over the price-per-carat value of US$ 1,858 realized in Q3 2017. During this period the company sold 31,476 carats of diamonds, which was 21% more than the 25,909 carats sold in Q3 2017.
The recovery of large gem-quality diamonds greater than 100 carats in weight no doubt had a significant impact on the overall price-per-carat value of the diamonds sold. In the year 2017 seven gem-quality diamonds greater than 100 carats in weight were recovered at the Letšeng Mine in Lesotho of which the largest, a Type IIa diamond weighing 202.16 carats was recovered in November, Q4 2017.
Overall in the year 2017, 38 Diamonds sold for more than US$ 1.0 million each, generating a total revenue of US$ 94.8 million. This was an improvement of total sales achieved in 2016 of US$ 73.7 million, which included 34 diamonds sold for more than US$ 1.0 million each.
The Company’s prospects for the New Year 2018, looks even brighter than 2017, given the fact that on 15 January 2018, the Company announced the landmark recovery of an exceptional quality 910 carat, D Colour Type IIa diamond, the largest diamond to be mined to date at Letšeng and also believed to be the fifth largest gem quality diamond ever recovered in the world. This land mark recovery was soon followed by four more large diamonds greater than 100 carats, weighing respectively in descending order as 149.43 carats, 117.67 carats, 116.98 carats and 110.63 carats. A high-quality 8.53 carat pink diamond was also recovered in January 2018.
Commenting on the Company’s overall performance for 2017 and Q4 2017 and the brighter prospects for 2018, Gem Diamonds’ CEO, Clifford Elphick said, “The recovery of the 910 carat diamond is a landmark for all of Gem Diamonds’ stakeholders, including our employees, shareholders and the Government of Lesotho, our partner in the Letšeng mine. It is also encouraging to see that the improvement in the recovery of greater than 100 carat diamonds is continuing into 2018, with five greater than 100 carat diamonds recovered in the first month of 2018. This is largely attributable to the ongoing technical improvements made at the Letšeng mine.
It is also pleasing to see carats sold during the Period up by 21% over the previous period. The market for Letšeng’s high-quality diamonds remained robust over the Period, achieving an average price of US$ 2 217 per carat, up 19% from the previous quarter.
Significant progress has also been made on the business efficiency and optimization programme. Further details will be released in the Full Year 2017 results on 14 March 2018.”


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This is not the first time that Acer has published a "replaying ". When Microsoft entered the hardware release of its Surface tablet, Acer criticized Microsoft for competing with its partners. Acer compared hardware to food, And said Microsoft would not swallow it. Wang zhentang once bluntly stated that Microsoft's entry into the hardware field is destroying the entire computer industry ecosystem.
As the world's fourth largest PC manufacturer, Acer's "Windows" strategy is of great significance to Microsoft's cooperation. However, since Microsoft launched its surface, Microsoft's strategic partner has continued to "split the platform ".
Wang zhentang, CEO of Acer
Recently, Acer CEO Wang zhentang said that Windows RT is an "extremely immature" operating system, which has been on the sidelines. Wang zhentang said: "Microsoft's Windows RT operating system for low-energy devices may have limited influence in the future, however, Acer has not made a final decision on whether to launch a Windows RT tablet device."
Of course, this is not the first time that Acer has published a "negative tone ". When Microsoft entered the hardware release of its Surface tablet, Acer criticized Microsoft for competing with its partners. Acer compared hardware to food, And said Microsoft would not swallow it. Wang zhentang once bluntly stated that Microsoft's entry into the hardware field is destroying the entire computer industry ecosystem.
Analyst Pat Moorhead said: "for Microsoft, Acer seems to be a relatively difficult company to work. If you want to choose a partner to produce innovative products, I'm afraid Acer is the lowest-end product on your list ." While some analysts believe That Acer's comments are just "noisy", this does not really affect Acer, Microsoft, or other device markets.
Windows RT, as an operating system developed for ARM processors, was designed by Microsoft to help it meet its needs across mobile and traditional computing fields, but many vendors have said, this dual-system strategy puzzles many consumers and makes Windows RT a failed attempt. Although Microsoft chose to keep track of Windows RT device sales, according to market research in July, the total volume of Microsoft Surface tablets was only 1.5 million, including RT and pro. Wang zhentang criticized Windows RT colleagues and said that ACER is very likely to focus more on devices running the full version of Windows 8.
According to net applications, a market research organization, Microsoft still occupies about 83% of the PC market. Although Microsoft has almost failed to pose any challenges to Android and iOS in the mobile market, foreign analysts said that even if it will only account for 20% of the global computing market in the future, microsoft can still survive and be large enough to attract application developers. "The total number of computing market users in the next five years may exceed 4 billion, with an average of 1.5 devices per user. This means that the 20% share is equal to more than 1 billion devices, and such an ecosystem is 'good enough for general developers '. Of course, it is good enough for Windows developers so far ."
In fact, Acer is already planning on its own. In the face of the ever-decreasing number of PC consumers, becoming the leader in the PC market does not necessarily mean victory. According to the latest financial reports from three PC manufacturers, HP, Lenovo and Dell, Lenovo's profits soared by 59%, while HP and Dell's net profits fell by 31% and 33% respectively.
The day before yesterday, Acer's all-in-one device equipped with the android 4.0 operating system was exposed by media. The product is equipped with a 21.5 inch touch screen at a price lower than that of traditional Windows computers.
Android is not a PC-oriented operating system. Therefore, many applications may not be optimized for large screens, which will reduce the user experience. However, in order to increase profit margins and survive, Acer chose to break the Windows PC ban. In last September, Motorola launched a "cloud computer" concept product in China, carrying the Android operating system. Will more OEMs try to launch Android PC or Chrome OS-based notebook products?
According to Bloomberg News, from anonymous sources, Microsoft is planning to cut the Windows RT operating system authorization fee, we hope that we can regain the interest and confidence of hardware vendors in continuing to develop devices on the platform.


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October is Breast Cancer Awareness monthwhich means charities and organizations are looking to increase awareness of the diseaseas well as raise funds for research, cause and treatment. Give the gift of giving back. News U.
Breast Cancer Awareness. Hattie S. Arrived promptly,all the way to australia.
This month, Payless ShoeSource once again encourages Jamaicans to embrace the cause and join in the fight against breast cancer by purchasing a Payless Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet and pink Champion shoes in support of the local charity, the Mahima Foundation. Payless has been supporting breast cancer awareness programmes in their host countries for the past eight years through the sale of their bracelets. These signature accessories are created each year for the campaign and feature the iconic pink ribbon.
We will ship it separately in 10 to 15 days. Delightful Finds, Incredible Impact! Purchases of this silicone bracelet over the last 15 years has resulted in the value of over 8, mammograms for women in need!
School officials have banned students from wearing breast cancer awareness bracelets that say: 'I love boobies. Jim Aisenbrey, the principal of Baltic High School in South Dakota, is the most recent official to ban the rubber bracelets. Banned: Amelia Atkins, 16, is not allowed to wear her cancer awareness bangles to school.
A breast cancer awareness bracelet is an attractive way to show your support and raise funds for the cause. Sales of breast cancer bracelets help with fund raising efforts, and generate income for research programs and patient education. Here are 10 breast cancer awareness bracelets that help you look good while supporting the search for a cure.
Breast Cancer Awareness is the cause I support most. Mostly because of the connection of breast cancer with my Grandmother Matilda, and my friends Donna, Lori, Joyce and Laurie. Mission trips, 4-H, Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A huge call-out to their sponsor Tami Constable - what a wonderful teacher and leader.
Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. Please enter a question. Features: Material: Made of alloy and silica gel, it is comfortable to wear and will not fade easily.
The color pink has become well known as the awareness color for breast cancer. The pink ribbon first came on the scene as a symbol of breast cancer awareness in the early 90s, started primarily by cosmetics giant Estee Lauder. The pink ribbon took off from there, and soon became a symbol on a variety of merchandise. Pink breast cancer wristbands were soon to follow.


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Actions to support Welsh food and drink industry recovery from impact of Covid19 published
A series of priority actions to support Wales’ world class food and drink industry recover from the impact of Covid19 have today [Wednesday 29 July] been jointly published by the Welsh Government and the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board.
Covid-19 has had a sudden and massive impact on nearly all food and drink businesses and supply chains, whatever their size.
Research has shown the size and nature of the impact:
- Total sales of food and drink (all channels) falling £190m (27%);
- Purchase patterns changing hugely, with grocery sales up £38m (10.7%) but total spend on food and drink is around 20% lower than normal due to the service sector almost closing completely.
- Shopping patterns have changed UK wide with people prioritising on-line channels and convenience stores (up 43% and 40% respectively).
The immediate priority is to steer and support the sector through the unfolding impact of Covid-19 so businesses and supply chain networks survive and maintain the sector’s world renowned reputation and success.
In partnership with Food and Drink Wales, a series of priority areas to support the sector have been published today, including:
- Monitoring market intelligence, data and trends to anticipate change and position the sector;
- Providing practical business advice essential to survival;
- Providing advice and support to develop online sales channels;
- Targeted investment in people and technology to build business resilience; and
- Maintaining a global trade presence via virtual engagement and at our key event, Blas Cymru in 2021.
The actions published today will be the joint short term focus and will target support for the sector over the coming months until next summer. They will be a bridge between the current strategy, Towards Sustainable Growth which completes in 2020 and the new strategy which is currently in development.
Minister for Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said:
The food and drink industry in Wales has played a key role in keeping the nation fed during this unprecedented time, and I would like to express my thanks to all of those who have worked tirelessly to maintain supply chains.
We must now look towards the future, and the actions announced today are designed to support the industry where disruption due to the pandemic has occurred and move to recovery.
We must stabilise the sector as quickly as possible whilst also looking longer term to rebuild for the future. By working together, we can ensure we maintain the success of Wales’ globally renowned food and drink sector.
Chair of the Food & Drink Wales Industry Board, Andy Richardson, said:
The Coronavirus crisis caught everyone by surprise when it emerged as a pandemic in early 2020. Sadly the food and drink industry has not been immune to the effects of the crisis but this aside, our primary thoughts go out to those who have lost their lives or those who have lost family, friends and colleagues at this time.
Whilst some Welsh Food and Drink businesses have flourished during the crisis, many more have and continue to be affected significantly. Our pledge to all Welsh food and drink business is to continue to fight for our industry and deliver a strategy and tactical plan which will help get Welsh food and drink back on its feet following the crisis and continue our upward trajectory of growth, employment and global influence.
‘Towards Sustainable Growth’ was published in 2014 and will complete this year. At the start of 2020 Towards Sustainable Growth had exceeded its top target for the food and farming priority sector to achieve £7 billion of sales by 2020 compared to actual sales of £7.473 billion.
Latest News from
Welsh Government update – AstraZeneca Vaccine07/05/2021 14:05:00
Adhering to the latest expert information, as a precautionary measure we will immediately implement the change in advice from JCVI and MHRA and offer those under 40 (with no clinical risk factors) who are not yet vaccinated an alternate to AstraZeneca.
Coronavirus restrictions relaxations confirmed30/04/2021 16:10:00
The Welsh Government has confirmed changes to the coronavirus restrictions in Wales from Monday 3 May.
Sue Tranka appointed new Chief Nursing Officer for Wales30/04/2021 14:05:00
The new Chief Nursing Officer for Wales (CNO) has been confirmed as Sue Tranka, who will join the Welsh Government in summer 2021.
Volunteers and those unable to work from home can order a lateral flow self-test kit online26/04/2021 14:05:00
From Monday 26th of April volunteers and those who are unable to work from home can order a lateral flow self-test kit to be delivered direct to their home.
Chief Medical Officer statement on the changes to the Health Protection Regulations23/04/2021 16:20:00
Advice presented to First Minister on the changes to the Health Protection Regulations
Further coronavirus restriction relaxations brought forward23/04/2021 14:05:00
Further changes to the coronavirus restrictions yesterday announced by the First Minister Mark Drakeford.
Outdoor hospitality given go-ahead to reopen and rules on mixing outdoors relaxed in Wales20/04/2021 14:05:00
Six people will be able to meet outdoors in Wales from Saturday 24 April while outdoor hospitality will be allowed to reopen from Monday 26 April as cases of new COVID-19 infections continue to fall, First Minister Mark Drakeford yesterday confirmed.
People in Wales who cannot work from home encouraged to use lateral flow self-tests14/04/2021 13:15:00
All those who cannot work from home are being encouraged to access lateral flow self-test kits as they are rolled out across Wales.
Adult household contacts of adults with severe immunosuppression to be offered COVID-19 vaccination14/04/2021 10:05:00
The Welsh Government has accepted Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s advice that people over 16 who live with individuals with severely weakened immune systems should be offered COVID-19 vaccination as a priority.


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Do you comprehend?
Farmer Don Bessemer this year planted all of his fields with soybeans instead of the corn, squash, peppers, lettuce and other vegetables that he typically grew. His farm market on St. Michaels Avenue is closed, and he has laid off all of his workers.
Bessemer called it quits out of frustration with pending federal food safety regulations that likely will require farmers to very specifically track their produce and how it is handled from seed to sale, among other things.
The new rules are part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, sweeping changes within the Food and Drug Administration aimed at making our food system safer by being able to pinpoint where contamination occurs. The federal law was passed in 2011, but how it will be implemented is still a work in progress.
It will be a few years before the regulations are finalized and a few more years before farms are required to follow them, but Bessemer believes there are just too many layers of government red tape and paperwork that would cost him too much.
“We don’t want to quit, we were forced out of the business. We can’t spend enough money to comply,” he said. “We’ve been farming for 117 years. I’m the third generation and we’re being put out of business by the government. We can’t comply with all of the safety laws. We haven’t poisoned anybody with an ear of corn for 117 years and we’ve shipped it all over,” he said.
He turned to soybeans because the law does not apply to commodity crops grown for uses like oil. Interestingly, sweet corn is exempt from the new regulations, as are most crops that typically are cooked before being eaten. The law focuses most intensely on produce that’s usually eaten raw, like lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, green onions and fruits — items that often are at the center of nationwide recalls due to contamination.
Bessemer Farms was known for the sweet corn and other produce that it sold at its farm stand and also at local Acme Fresh Markets. In 2012, Bessemer grew 26 produce items for Acme, including corn, radishes, lettuce, green onions and pumpkins.
Trout said Acme is sourcing its produce from other area farms because customers increasingly want locally grown produce. “It was not an easy hole to fill, but we have sourced the product to other farms within our community,” he said. “Others that we are sourcing will take on those regulations and will be able to carry on in the business.”
One of Acme’s suppliers is Chris Saal, 41, who farms Walnut Drive Gardens in Suffield Township. Saal said he intends to comply with the new regulations when they are implemented, but acknowledged the biggest concern among farmers is the cost.
The law likely will require farms to hire a third-party auditor to inspect their operations — audits that are expected to cost about $5,000. For farms that require several audits to pass, the costs add up.
The FDA estimates the cost to implement the new rules will be about $4,700 a year for very small farms, $13,000 for small farms and $30,500 for large farms. Size is determined by how much business the farm does annually.
Farms that sell less than $25,000 of produce each year are exempt from the law. There are other exemptions too. Farms that sell directly to the public and not through a third party are exempt. In total, the FDA estimates about 79 percent of all U.S. produce farms won’t have to comply.
Bessemer estimates the proposed rules would cost him at least $100,000 to come into compliance, and another $30,000 a year after that for inspections, according to the FDA’s estimate for a farm of his size.
Saal said he already has fairly aggressive safety standards in place, and he is hoping he won’t have to make too many changes when the new rules are finally implemented, but he knows there will be adjustments. “A lot of it depends on how far behind you are to begin with,” he said.
Under the new produce rules, knives used to cut cabbage heads from their stalks in the field will need to be soaked overnight in a disinfecting solution. In the past, Saal would have used bleach to disinfect equipment.
One of the biggest changes will be the number of records that farmers have to maintain, on everything from what trucks were used to transport produce, to what employees handled it and how they washed their hands.
He said the rules are enough to scare some farmers away, but that wasn’t an option for him. He’s seen a huge expansion in his pick-your-own business and currently is planting additional fields of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries to keep up with the demand. He also recently expanded his farm market.
Doug Doohan, a professor of horticulture and crop science and leader of the fresh fruit and vegetable safety team at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, said that while the audits may sound arduous, many farms already voluntarily subject themselves to audits or inspections required by the companies who buy their produce.
Many national food manufacturers and grocery store chains require farms to be inspected for safety standards before they will purchase their crops. He said if farms are large enough to have to comply with the new law, they likely already have been audited to satisfy their wholesalers.
Doohan said most farms are addressing food safety issues without the federal government telling them to, but he stressed that all farmers need to take advantage of the ongoing open-comment period to voice their concerns to the FDA.
Sereana H. Dresbach, deputy director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said the proposed rules are just that — a proposal. The public comment period already has been extended once, until Sept. 16. Implementation of the rules likely won’t begin until 2015 and will be phased in over several years. Smaller farmers will have as long as four years to comply.
In April, the FDA hosted a “listening session” at OARDC for farmers and other stakeholders from across the state. Right now, neither regulators nor producers know what the final rules will be, Dresbach said.
But for produce growers who operate with slim margins, the rules may well be a financial burden that they can’t overcome, she said, addressing Bessemer’s concerns. The agriculture department is hoping that’s not the case. “We want people to stay in farming,” she emphasized.
Dresbach also has concerns about the cost to state government. As the rules are proposed, Ohio would have to double the agriculture department’s food safety budget to enforce them. “Sure it sounds good, but how do we pay for it?” Dresbach said.
She wants rules that are flexible enough to adjust for states that already have good working practices in place, and that give states the ability to grant local variances, in particular for Amish farmers.
The proposed regulations would limit the use of animals in the fields and put limits on the use of manure as a fertilizer. “We’re hoping for variances that allow us to put diapers on the horses,” Dresbach said.
Doohan said researchers at OARDC have done studies in the past about the risk of using horses in the fields, and plans call for additional research into the matter. He said Amish farmers are some of the most progressive in the state in terms of food safety, and steps are being taken to protect their traditions.
“You never know, this is such a supply and demand business,” Trout said. “Farmers will have to try and look for how they are going to spread that cost. It’s not an easy decision for farmers from a supply standpoint. It’s the same on the retail side. We can’t always pass on the extra cost to the consumer. Acme’s goal will be to not have any increase to our customers.”


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Stepping back out of the office
As we lurch from the Covid pandemic to a cost of living crisis the very nature of work remains in a state of flux. With employees and management often pulling in different directions, is it too much to ask tech to bridge the gap?
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk is not a man afraid of courting controversy. On top of his reputation as a maverick player in the business world, he has caused many a stir through his frequent postings on Twitter. Seemingly it is not just his public communications that grab headlines, though. Recently, leaked internal emails demanding that staff return to the office ricocheted around the world.
“Everyone at Tesla is required to spend a minimum of ...


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Credit card issuer American Express Co. (AXP) said Thursday after the markets closed that its fourth quarter profit fell 47% from last year, hurt by costs including a restructuring charge tied mainly to a planned elimination of 5,400 jobs.
The New York-based company said its net income for the fourth quarter was $637 million or $0.56 per share, compared to $1.2 billion, or $1.01 per share for the year-ago quarter.
The latest quarter results include $594 million in after-tax costs including a $287 million after-tax restructuring charge consisting largely of severance payments related to the the job cuts.
Excluding items, adjusted net income for the latest quarter was $1.2 billion or $1.09 per share, which topped the $1.06 per share consensus estimate of 25 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.
The company said the job cuts will take place across seniority levels, businesses and staff groups, with the largest cuts occurring in the travel businesses that operate in a fast changing industry due the digital revolution. The cuts, which will be spread proportionally between the domestic and international markets, will mainly involve positions that do not directly generate revenue.
American Express noted that the job cuts will be partly offset by jobs it expects to add during the year. The company's total headcount by year end 2013 is expected to drop by 4% to 6% from the current 63,500.
"Against the backdrop of an uneven economic recovery, these restructuring initiatives are designed to make American Express more nimble, more efficient and more effective in using our resources to drive growth," said Kenneth Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer of American Express.
American Express said its fourth quarter consolidated total revenues net of interest expense rose 5% to $8.1 billion from $7.7 billion a year ago. Twenty-one analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $8.12 billion for the fourth quarter.
Cardmember spending grew 8% from a year earlier, despite a brief dip in late October/early November reflecting the impact of Hurricane Sandy consumers and businesses in the northeastern United States, the company said.
American Express said it will release full fourth quarter and full year 2012 results as scheduled on January 17.
American Express shares are currently losing 1.05% in after hours trading after closing the day's regular trading session at $60.79, up 53 cents. The stock trades in a 52-week range of $48.82 to $61.42.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: email@example.com


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‘More work to do to connect every Indian’, Sundar Pichai at Reliance’s AGM 2020
Google is the latest investor in Reliance’s Jio Platforms. Sundar Pichai also delivered a small speech at Reliance’s AGM 2020. Read full text of his address here.
Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani at the company's annual general meeting announced a big partnership with Google.
Google is going to invest ₹33,737 crore in Jio Platforms in exchange of a 7.7% stake. Google and Reliance Jio will co-develop a low-cost smartphone that will support 4G or even 5G. Google will provide a special India-focused operating system.
Ambani's announcement was followed by an address by Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. In his address, Pichai reiterated the company's commitment to the Indian market. He also pointed out the recent $10 billion investment under the Google for India Digitization Fund. Here is what he said:
“Thanks, Mukesh, and to the entire team at Reliance Industries, for all the work you do to give millions of Indians the power to shape their destiny through technology. And thank you for the opportunity to share a few words about what our new partnership means to Google.
Getting technology into the hands of more people is a big part of Google's mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through this partnership with Jio Platforms we see the chance to have an even greater impact than either company could have alone.
This partnership is a key part of the next chapter of investment in India. Earlier this week we announced our Google for India Digitization Fund, an effort to invest 75,000 crore rupees or approximately $10 billion -- to accelerate India's digital economy over the next 5 to 7 years.
Our investment of $4.5 billion in Jio is the first -- and the biggest -- investment we will make through this fund. I am excited that our joint collaboration will focus on increasing access for hundreds of millions of Indians who don't currently own a smartphone...while improving the mobile experience for all.
Growing up I remember how the arrival of each new technology improved the lives of my family. Today, people in India no longer have to wait for technology to come to you. Awhole new generation of technologies are happening here, first.
At the same time, smartphones and affordable data have made it possible for a billion Indians to come online. Reliance, and Jio in particular, deserves a good deal of credit for this progress.
But there is more work to do to connect every Indian to the opportunities that technology creates. This goal is especially important at a time of enormous challenge for India and the world. I've never been more hopeful about India's future -- it's a future we can help shape by partnering together. Thank you for having me. I wish you strength and good health in the months to come.”


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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. With the acquisition of Del Laboratories complete, Coty Inc. is now working to bring together the best practices of both companies and unify its sale force—moves that, along with continued product innovation, will help it achieve its goal of becoming a $5 billion global beauty company.
“Our goal is by July to come together as one united organization and take the best practices and best people of both organizations and really come together and leverage our synergies,” said Mary van Praag, senior vice president of sales, during a meeting with members of the media on Saturday at NACDS Annual. “From a customer perspective, we are going to have one unified sales force.”
As part of that move, Mike Ferrara, who is currently head of U.S. marketing for fragrance and personal care, will be moving to the sales side heading up fragrance and personal care for sales strategy and customer marketing. In addition, Bruce Kowalsky, who currently handles the sales operations and customer marketing for the Del Lab’s portfolio, will be vice president of sales, national accounts for all of Coty Beauty.
The Coty Beauty brand portfolio includes, but is not limited to, fragrances Celine Dion, David and Victoria Beckham, Shania Twain and Stetson, and cosmetics brand Rimmel. The deal enabled Coty to extend its portfolio offering, which, prior to the acquisition, made well over half of its sales (68 percent) in fragrance. Prior to the deal, color cosmetics accounted for 15 percent of Coty’s sales, while toiletries stood at 14 percent and skin care/sun care only at 3 percent of sales.
Through the acquisition, which closed Dec. 31, Coty Beauty’s portfolio has been bolstered with the addition of the Del Lab’s Sally Hansen, N.Y.C. New York Color and La Cross brands. Including the Del Lab acquisition, Coty’s annual net sales currently total $3.5 billion.
Having such brands makes Coty an even more powerful player in the beauty space and the momentum shows little signs of slowing as the company gears up for 2008/2009 launches, including fragrance. In fragrance, Coty currently holds a 30 percent share.
“Fragrance has been one of those categories that hasn’t seen a lot of growth from 2004 to 2007. What we are excited about though is that Coty has not only been the No. 1 player but we are on the right side of the growth track. In fact, in this year alone we contributed over 60 percent of the absolute dollar growth,” said van Praag.
Coty is looking to stay on the growth track with several major upcoming launches including a signature fragrance by actor and country music star Tim McGraw and a debut fragrance by actress Halle Berry.
In addition, the company will launch next spring a new brand from Stetson aimed at the younger male market.
Ferrara added that his No. 1 objective is improving the in-store environment and that the company is putting “significant resources” behind that initiative, including consumer insight research.
“You need some organization to the shelf and key purchase motivators are all about seeing and smelling the product,” said Ferrara. “Bottom line is we are going to make the environment more engaging and shoppable for her when she is in the store so she feels there is a reason to come over to beauty and, more importantly, when she is in beauty to think of it as a place to buy fragrance.”
While the initiative is in its early stages, the company is on the fast-track and Ferrara said they are already talking with some key customers about in-store tests, some of which could be seen for fall launches.


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It ain’t easy being Snooki. There’s the public ridicule, having to live with three horny guys, not to mention it must be a pain in the ass for her to reach things on shelves.
And now, if poor Snooks doesn’t have enough to deal with, the Jersey Shore star has been hit with a $7 million lawsuit. Good thing she’s got that spin-off series with JWoww.
Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi is in the middle of a legal battle with a licensing company called SRG Ventures. She partnered with them to launch merchandise including watches, shoes, lingerie and school supplies. Yes, school supplies. Snooki got her role model on.
In October, Snooki filed suit against SRG to end her contract because she felt like the company wasn’t doing very well to brand her. And as we all know, the big thing now is branding ourselves. Like cows.
Anyway, Snooki wanted to end her contract, and SRG responded with a $7 million counterclaim. They claimed that she sabotaged the deal by negotiating with other brands behind their backs.
Snooki’s rep told the New York Post: "Ms. Polizzi disputes SRG's version of the facts and looks forward to her day in court."
‘Looks forward to’? What is this, the county fair?
Since she signed the contract, none of the products have appeared on the market. Snooki has, however, recently launched her own brand of perfume. I haven’t smelled it, but I’m guessing it’s 0% fragrance and 100% alcohol. Snooki said of her venture:
"I've always wanted to do a perfume so I went really tacky, gaudy and over the top.”
No surprise there.
“I'm really happy with it,” she continued. “The packaging is very different -- pink and purple zebra and leopard print. And the bar code is my poof and sunglasses!"


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Six popular confectionary products have been urgently recalled from major retailers over fears of salmonella contamination.
Food Standards Australia pulled several popular products from confectionary brand Elite on Thursday, warning customers ‘do not eat’ the items.
The treats include a selection of cakes, biscuits, chocolate, and lollies for all use-by dates and batch numbers.
Several products from confectionary brand Elite have been recalled over fears of salmonella contamination
Energy Grain Snacks
Energy Chocolate Rice Cakes
Gum and Toffee Candies
‘The recall is due to potential microbial (Salmonella) contamination,’ FSA said.
‘Consumers should not eat this product. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.’
If consumed, salmonella or microbial contamination can cause severe illness including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, chills, headaches and even blood in the stool.
Cross contamination from raw meat, poultry or eggs is often the cause of the infection.
The potentially contaminated goods have been on the shelves nationwide at Coles, Woolworths, IGAs, 7-Eleven, Independent Kosher stores and Milk bars.
The affected products were made in Israel.
For more information check the FSA website.
The recalled products were at major and independent retailers including Coles, Woolworths, IGAs, 7-Eleven
Meanwhile, Toyota and Lexus have been forced to recall almost 18,000 vehicles produced between March 2021 and April 2022 for a potentially fatal safety issue.
The vehicles affected are the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Kluger Hybrid, LandCruiser 300 Series, Lexus LX luxury 4WD and NX450h plug-in hybrid.
The recall notice says: ‘Under particular circumstances, a software error may cause the Vehicle Stability Control system (VSC) to not default to the ‘ON’ status when the vehicle is next started.
Toyota Australia has today announced that it will initiate a safety recall involving Toyota Kluger Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, LandCruiser 300 vehicles produced between March 2021 – April 2022
‘These circumstances are: if the VSC switch is manually turned off and the brake pedal is continuously operated between when the vehicle is shut down and then restarted; this may cause the VSC to not return to the default setting ‘ON’ status at the next ignition cycle.
‘This results in a non-compliance with Australian Design Rules (ADR) 88/00.’
Toyota Australia will advise all owners of involved vehicles details of this safety recall campaign by SMS, email and mail to their last known address and mobile phone number.
Earlier in the week, Bunnings Australia recalled one of its most popular gardening tools after a malfunction injured several people while using it.
The warehouse giant has pulled the Ozito Portable Electric Blower model off its shelves and urged customers to stop using it after a defect gave users an electric shock.
Electric blowers, initially designed to clear away leaves around the home, are now one of Australia’s most popular and practical power tools. They can be used to clean cars, caravans, tents and boats, and also to blow up air mattresses and other inflatables, such as stand-up paddle boards and canoes.
The Ozito Portable Electric Blower model has been pulled off Bunnings shelves after a defect caused the blower to break during use and rupture the casing, giving access to live parts and releasing sharp objects at high speed
The $59 tool is at the cheaper end of the department store’s blower range, which can cost up to $600.
The Ozito can break during use and rupture the casing giving access to live parts and releasing sharp objects at high speed.
Bunnings said several people have already been injured by the malfunction and all customers who have the tool should immediately stop using it.
Numerous batches of the product are affected by the malfunction, with Bunnings advising consumers to check the batch number located near the tool’s air intake vent.
The Ozito tool was sold in Bunnings stores across the country. Individuals are urged to contact Ozito for a replacement blower or a full refund.
Bunnings said the malfunction had already injured several people. Customers who have bought the tool should stop using it immediately and contact Ozito for a replacement blower or a full refund


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The global recorded music industry grew $1.1 billion in 2016 to reach $16.1 billion—the largest growth its seen in over 15 years.
That number’s up 7% on 2015, according to MiDIA research.
Streaming revenue reached $5.4bn last year, growing 57% year-on-year and up from $3.5bn in 2015.
Subscribers to streaming services grew by 38.8bn, with Spotify accounting for 43% of the 106.3m worldwide subscribers.
Midia predicts that number will increase by 40.3m by the end of 2017.
“The recorded music industry changed gear in 2016 and revenue looks set to be on an upward trajectory over the next few years. However, successive quarterly growth is not guaranteed.”
mark mulligan, midia
Discussing the numbers, MiDIA’s Mark Mulligan said: “The recorded music industry changed gear in 2016 and revenue looks set to be on an upward trajectory over the next few years.
“However, successive quarterly growth is not guaranteed. Streaming will have to work extra hard to offset the impact of continued legacy format declines as the 18% download revenue decline in 2016 illustrates.
“Thus, the midterm outlook is as much about legacy format transition as it is streaming growth.
“If streaming can outrun tumbling download and CD revenues, then good times are indeed here.”
As previously reported, the three major labels collectively generated $11bn of gross revenue last year.
Universal takes the biggest marketshare with 28.9%, or $4.6bn, which is up 2.4% on 2015.
The independent sector earned $5.1bn – up 6%.
A note of caution: the indpendent numbers reflect share according to distribution rather than ownership of copyright.
Watch out for WIN’s forthcoming 2017 indie market share report for a clearer picture of the indie sector’s true global contribution.
Mulligan tracked both record label and publisher financial releases throughout 2016, in addition to conducting meticulous research into the global independent label sector for WIN (the Worldwide Independent Network).
This, combined with reports from country trade bodies and PROs (plus additional market sizing work on the publishing sector) has resulted in a unique presentation of where revenue flows in today’s global business.
(Please note: To ensure as representative a picture as possible, all local currency data has been converted into US dollars at the currency conversion rates for the respective quarters. This removes the distortion effect that occurs when data historical data is retrospectively converted at today’s conversion rates.)Music Business Worldwide


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Press Coverage User Reviews
Thanks for keeping instant photography alive with us!
09, Aug 2017
Inspired by the SX-70, Gary and his team of 100 spent two and a half years developing the world’s first twin lens instant film camera InstantFlex, TL70. After uncountable attempts and mistakes to turn ideas into a tangible product, the InstantFlex TL70 launched in March 2015.
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MINNEAPOLIS — General Mills, Inc., which in April 2008 introduced reformulated Rice Chex that was gluten free, will make five more Chex cereals gluten free by this summer.
The words "Gluten-free" will appear near the ingredient label on package side panels and also may appear on the front panel of boxes of Corn Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Chocolate Chex, Cinnamon Chex and Strawberry Chex.
General Mills said its Wheat Chex and Multi-Bran Chex varieties are not gluten-free.
"Innovation and strong consumer insight prompted the reformulation of gluten-free Rice Chex a year ago, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive; in fact, our consumer services hotline has been flooded with calls and comments from thousands of happy Chex fans," said Adrienne Daniels, marketing manager for Chex. "For the first time, people looking for a tasty, gluten-free cereal can shop the main cereal aisle at their market without paying a premium."
In addition to the new product offerings, General Mills has launched a gluten-free recipe site at www.Chex.com/glutenfree.


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Closing the Loop – from Outputs to Inputs
Traditionally we have worried about what comes out of our economy – solid wastes, persistent toxins, greenhouse gases, acid rain, ozone and so on. But increasingly focus is shifting to the sustainability of inputs – energy, water and raw materials – as these factors have a much bigger and immediate impact on business viability. Let’s face it, no water = no business, no energy = no business, no raw materials = no business.
You may not have noticed as there was a wedding on TV that weekend, but back in June, Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency – the go to guy for the lowdown on energy for Governments – said that oil production may have peaked back in 2006. If you have filled up your car recently, the resulting bill was probably bad for your health – and energy prices are impacting on food and clothing prices – not good news in the current financial turmoil. Then we have China buying up rare earth metal supplies and various NGOs flagging up water stresses across the world.
So what’s the answer? Well, in nature, if a leaf falls off a tree it is recycled by worms, fungi and/or bacteria into nutrients for that tree or another plant, creating a cycle of nutrients. Same with water, carbon, nitrogen and other key materials – they all move in cycles. This is how nature’s processes have evolved over billions of years to be sustainable in a world of finite resources.
Carpet tile giants and green business pioneers InterfaceFLOR realised this some time ago. To become sustainable – their goal is zero impact on the environment – they obviously have to source sustainable raw materials. While they are using some natural materials to replace the traditional oil-based fibres, this would not cover all inputs. So they decided to use waste carpet as a raw material. While their ‘Evergreen’ carpet leasing service has failed to set the market alight (apparently accountants can’t handle carpet as a revenue cost rather than a capital cost – photocopiers and vehicles yes, but carpets no…), their ‘Re-entry 2.0’ carpet recycling facility has been a roaring success.
There are countless other opportunities for this kind of thinking. I am reliably informed that road sweepings have a higher concentration of platinum than that in naturally occuring ores due to all those catalytic converters in our cars releasing lots of tiny amounts. So people are working on the technology to ‘mine’ those materials from our streets and return them to the economy. Likewise there is great interest in ‘mining’ obsolete mobile phones for the precious metals within.
This requires a big shift in thinking away from outputs and towards inputs. Recovery and recycling are traditionally seen as waste management options rather than as sources of high quality raw materials – so quality suffers. The current prevalence of virgin raw materials means that such ‘secondary’ materials also tend to suffer from low volumes, high prices and lack of competition. Forward-thinking companies like Marks & Spencer are actively working to strengthen these new supply chains by increasing volumes, demanding higher quality of materials and encouraging a diversity of suppliers. The recycled polyester brolly pictured is a result of these efforts.
When stuff we rely on starts running out, we’ll thank these pioneers for their foresight.


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National Survey Finds Jacksonville Beach Is America's Top Beach Bargain
Visitors from around the globe are descending on Jacksonville’s beaches this week to attend The Players Championship golf tournament.
Most will be prepared to pay premium prices but if they visit restaurants and shops in Jacksonville Beach, they may be pleasantly surprised at what they find.
The listing of the 50 most affordable beaches included St. Augustine Beach, ranked fifth, and Fernandina Beach, ranked 30th.
HomeToGo tallied the combined cost of parking, sunscreen, water, fish tacos, beer, cocktails and accommodations to come up with its ranking.
It determined a day at Jacksonville Beach will cost you $62.92 per person, $1.44 less than a day at the second-ranked location, Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon.
A day in St. Augustine Beach costs $71.24 and a day in Fernandina Beach costs $90.16.
There are 39 U.S. beaches you can enjoy for less than $100, according to HomeToGo.
Of course, everyone’s experience is different and your costs can vary.
HomeToGo determined the price of parking in Jacksonville Beach is $5, which was the price to park on weekends at four city lots from March to October last year.
The price is changing this year. Jacksonville Beach is implementing a new automated system this month that will cost between $3 and $7 a day on weekends from mid-March to October.
Meanwhile, savvy local residents know with a little patience and perseverance, visitors can find free parking on the streets near their beach destination.
HomeToGo used online restaurant guide Yelp to determine the prices of three fish tacos, beer (12-ounce domestic) and cocktails (a mojito cocktail or the “nearest available alternative”) at oceanfront restaurants and bars.
There really aren’t a lot of oceanfront dining and drinking venues in Jacksonville Beach but at least one, the Pier Cantina & Sandbar, does have fish tacos on its online menu, as well as a variety of beers and cocktails.
Other items in HomeToGo’s basket of beach items include an 8-ounce bottle of SPF 50-plus sunscreen and a 12-ounce bottle of water from local retailers.
The final item is the average cost of accommodations per person per night for a six-person vacation rental near the beach between March 23 and June 22.
Most of the beaches in HomeToGo’s top 50 list are in southern cities.
Nye Beach is the only West Coast location in a northern state, while on the East Coast, the northernmost spot is Easton’s Beach in Newport, Rhode Island.
But there’s no reason for Floridians to bundle up and head north. Twenty of the 50 most affordable beaches are in Florida, according to HomeToGo.
Unfortunately, this would not be the week for locals to plan a quick getaway. Not only is it difficult to find accommodations during The
Players tournament, but any vacant rooms likely will cost more.
“The Players Championship is usually their (hotels’) highest occupancy and also the highest ADR (average daily rate),” said Jared Rice, executive director of the Players.
Rice said 60 percent of tickets sold for the tournament are purchased
outside of the five-county Jacksonville metropolitan area.
The tournament is marketed to golf fans in cities within driving distance of the Ponte Vedra Beach site, like Tampa and Miami, as well as cities with direct airplane flights to Jacksonville like Charlotte and Atlanta.
“As a tournament, we prioritize awareness of the tournament in the region outside Northeast Florida,” Rice said.


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Dutch alcoholic drink maker Lucas Bols is working towards a stock exchange launch, the company said on Thursday.
The 440-year-old Dutch firm, which sells its products in 110 countries, aims to raise €125m which it will use for refinancing and strengthening its financial position.
The company produces alcoholic drinks under a variety of brand names including Bols and Bokma and its products are considered essential in many cocktails. The company claims to be the oldest distillery in the world.
Lucas Bols is 75% owned by private equity house AAC Capital. The rest of the shares are owned by the company’s management.
Chairman Huub van Doorne said in a statement an IPO is a logical step. ‘The company is now fully prepared for a stand-alone future with an enhanced capital markets profile to support our international growth strategy,’ he said.
The IPO will take place in the ‘near future’, subject to market conditions.
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Shah will take charge as co-founder and will work with Deven Dharamdasani. He will be responsible for setting and scaling up of the media distribution and analytics platform's mobile business.
Chirag Shah has joined hands with Deven Dharamdasani, co-founder of the mobile advertising network Seventynine, to lead the recently launched company from the Smile Vun Group (SVG) stable. Shah takes charge as co-founder and will be responsible for setting and scaling up of the media distribution and analytics platform's mobile business.
Shah, who has more than 12 years of experience, has worked with firms such as HT Media Ltd, where he headed sales for Hindustantimes.com and NRIworld.com, an online media company, as head of sales and marketing.
Commenting on Shah's appointment, Manish Vij, founder, SVG, says, "Seventynine currently stands at an interesting juncture and is growing at a phenomenal rate. Chirag's extensive experience in the digital space will help us further streamline and expand the business."
For the record, Seventynine is the mobile ad network of the SVG Group, a joint venture between Manish Vij's Vun Network and Harish Bahl's Smile Group. SVG's other ventures in the digital media space include Tyroo media, DGM, Quasar and Zoomtra.


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("There's going to be more stores": See DiStefano's column in Tuesday's Inquirer for an interview with Pep Boys' prospective new owner.)
Pep Boys - Manny Moe & Jack, the Philadelphia-based auto parts and service chain, says it has agreed to be acquired by Alec Gores' Los Angeles-based Gores Group for $15 a share, pending shareholder approval, unless a richer offer comes in quick. News release here.
The price works out to around $790 million in cash, plus over $200 million in Pep Boys debt that Gores will take over, for a total "enterprise value" of around $1 billion.
Pep Boys boss Michael Odell, who's been talking to potential Pep Boys buyers since he took the top job four years ago, has sent letters to Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett "letting them know we are not anticipating moving the headquarters," Odell told me after a 9 a.m. meeting with workers at the 92-year-old store chain's Allegheney Ave. headquarters. "We're proud to be a Philly-based company and we plan to remain a Philly-based company." He'll meet with managers of the company's 700 stores at their annual gathering in Phoenix tonight.
Pep Boys employs around 19,000 workers at its offices and 700-plus stores, including 85 purchased last year in a deal with the Big Ten chain, plus three smaller acquisitions, on Odell's watch. Odell and members of his management team have not yet signed contracts to work under Gores, "but they like (Pep Boys') team. They are here to make our vision a reality," Odell said. Gores owns other auto-parts-related businesses; none are currently Pep Boys suppliers and there are no plans to combine the operations.
Buyer Gores owns dozens of companies, including auto shipper United Road Services, of Michigan, and South Carolina-based Sage Automotive Interiors. Its non-auto holdings include Westwood One, the radio and TV programming company that produces Philadelphia-based talker Michael Smerconish's radio show, among many others. More on Gores and what it owns here.
Odell says he's looking forward to running Pep Boys as a private company: "One, we don't have to be as open with the world with our strategies. There's things you have to tell your shareholders, because you dont want to surprise them, but you don't want to tell your competitors."
Also, Gores brings "operational expertise" and "a more flexible capital structure" that will make it easier to raise money and finance acquisitions quickly. "They want us to grow," he added.
Gores will "take the brand and business to the next level" by "scaling its powerful differentiated service platform," Gores' consumer investments chief Lee Bird said in the statement. Gores will be "supporting (Pep Boys') continued growth and expansion" with its own cash, added Ryan Wald, M&A director at Gores.
The price is about $3 a share above Pep Boys' recent trading level, but less than half its highs from the mid-2000s and mid-1990s, before the company cut its dividend and scaled back on store expansion. Under Odell, Pep Boys has been buying smaller Southern chains, focused more on servcie and less on retail, and started selling parts online, but its growth and profitability trail rivals AutoZone and Advance Auto.
The Pep Boys board, including professional investors such as Barington Capital Group boss James A. Mitarotonda, Woods Investment Co.'s John Sweetwood and M. Shan Atkins of Chetrum Capital LLC, as well as Philadelphia accountant Jane Scaccetti (an ex-Mrs. State Sen. Vincent Fumo), approved the sale unanimously; shareholders will also vote at an as-yet unpublished date. Gores hopes to close the deal this Spring.
Major shareholders likely to profit from the sale include Boston-based North Run Capital LP, which bought 2 million shares last fall, bringing its total to 4.5 million, or nearly 9% of the company, according to federal SEC filings, and Glenhill Advisors LLC, of New York, which owns almost as big a stake, along with Vanguard Group and other mutual fund companies. Vanguard rival Fidelity Investments sold most of its Pep Boys shares last fall.


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AFBF urges House to pass Russia PNTRPosted on Nov 14, 2012
Russia formally joined the World Trade Organization in August. But, PNTR for Russia must be enacted by Congress in order to guarantee U.S. access to the market-opening and legal aspects that are part of the Russia-WTO agreement.
“Russia PNTR is a critical step toward ensuring the U.S. benefits from Russia’s accession to the WTO and remains competitive in that market,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “U.S. farmers will have more certain and predictable market access as a result of Russia’s commitment not to raise tariffs on any products above the negotiated rates and to apply international food safety standards in a uniform and transparent manner.”
Russia has a strong capacity for growth in food imports from the United States. U.S agricultural exports to Russia are forecast at $1.4 billion for 2012. Russia has potential for significant increases in poultry, pork and beef consumption, which are the top U.S. agricultural exports to Russia.
“With this potential for expanding meat exports, obtaining PNTR with Russia is even more important,” said Stallman. “Russia’s membership in the WTO will provide significant commercial opportunities for U.S. agriculture.”
Source: Press release courtesy of American Farm Bureau


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Super low book-ahead fare is most successful offer in history of flagship route
Train operator East Coast’s latest fare offer – designed to welcome new passengers to try out its new First Class complimentary food and drinks service – has proved the most successful promotion in the history of the flagship route.
The amazing deal offered First Class one-way travel between any two destinations served by East Coast for just £25 – making it possible to travel the 581 miles from London King’s Cross to Inverness in comfort and style for just over four pence per mile.
The promotion – which ran for six days from Thursday, 23 June to Tuesday, 28 June, 2011 – offered tickets for travel from mid-July to early September at the great-value £25 flat fare.
Feedback from customers has shown that almost half of those who took advantage of the offer have never travelled First Class with East Coast before – underlining the success of the low fare deal in attracting people to try out the relaunched First Class service.
Other key results from the promotion included:
• 62 per cent of those who bought the special offer fare said they chose to do so because of the bargain price;
• 49 per cent hadn’t been planning to travel until they heard about the great value deal;
• 43 per cent planned their bargain trip after seeing East Coast’s advertising promoting its new First Class service, with television advertisements starring Vic Reeves and Rory Bremner
The offer heralded a new marketing campaign which highlights 25 reasons to travel First Class with East Coast – including sampling the exciting new First Class complimentary food and drinks service, provided to customers in the comfort of their seats.
More reasons include complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the journey, the new First Class Quiet Coach which offers a calm and relaxing environment, and spacious and comfortable reclining seats, each with its own table.
East Coast’s new timetable, which offers 117 extra services every week, new direct services linking Lincoln and Harrogate with London, and many faster journeys, will now open up many new journey opportunities for the thousands of customers who took advantage of the cut-price deal.
East Coast Commercial and Customer Service Director Peter Williams said: “We are delighted that so many customers who haven’t tried out our new First Class service are now going to be able to sample it for themselves – and at a great value for money low fare.
“We can’t wait to welcome them to East Coast.”
Notes to Editors:
As well as the amazing low fare, passengers who took advantage of the promotion will be able to enjoy East Coast’s new complimentary food and drinks service. On weekdays, this includes a full English breakfast, afternoon cream tea or a hot evening meal, depending on the time of day – along with a complimentary drink.
Full details of East Coast’s new First Class service are on the operator’s website at: http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/


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UPL Ltd announced its inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World and Emerging Markets Indices (DJSI). The company reported that the recognition marks an achievement for the company, being the first agrochemical firm to attain this status. The inclusion is attributed to UPL’s performance in the S&P Global 2023 Corporate Sustainability Assessment.
The DJSI, renowned for evaluating Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, acknowledges the top 10 per cent of major global companies by industry for their sustainable development initiatives.
Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO of UPL Group, said: “This milestone underlines our mission to Reimagining Sustainability and our ongoing journey towards a better future for our customers, our partners, our employees, and the planet”.
However, the shares were down by 0.33 per cent to ₹595.75 at 11:13 am on the BSE.


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Full-size model unveiled at Goodwood.
Ever since Nissan unveiled the Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo, rumors have been rife we were looking at elements of the next GT-R. Execs at the Japanese carmaker have yet to confirm or deny such gossip, but have said its boasts styling cues that will feature on a car bound for 2020. Created by the Nissan Design Center in London, the virtual supercar comes with a V-motion front fascia, svelte headlights with LEDs and a carbon-fiber front splitter.
It also sports a ventilated hood, aggressive rear diffuser and carbon-fiber wing. A four-wheel-drive chassis features an active suspension and comes wrapped in an advanced aerodynamic body that "hints as to how a supercar of the future might look." Power outputs have also yet to be revealed, but a 3.5-liter hybrid powerplant will handle the car's motivation.