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Ep. 65 – A Day Late And A Dollar Short
This week the guys get the show out by the skin of their teeth. Which is odd, because teeth don’t even have any skin!
- The results are in for Apple’s financial results. And despite a slight decline, Wall Street is beating them up. Despite selling $70+ billion dollars of stuff, and sitting on $200 billion in cash reserves. Plus rumors of a new 4″ phone – possibly the iPhone 5se?
- OMGTV!! is an interesting little thing. Not really. They’re selling a Raspberry Pi 2 in a case with Kodi (http://kodi.tv) pre-installed. And they’re charging $150 up front and $120 a year for the privilege. But interestingly, one of the approaches they’re taking to selling is setting up booths at shows and teaching their “sales people” that with this “magic” box you’ll not pay anything but the price of the box (false) and you’ll be able to stream live TV (false) and any movie you want (false). Aaaaaand since it’s “streaming” and not downloading the content it’s all 100% legal and approved by the FCC (false, false, FALSE)!
- Dunbar’s number seems to hold true on social media – most of your Facebook friends just don’t care about you at all… Robin Dunbar has analyzed the results of a UK study of 3,375 Facebook users and found that – like in the offline world – you can only really maintain about 150 meaningful relationships. And precious few of those people will commiserate with you when you have an “emotional crisis”. Which, why are you having “emotional crises” on Facebook, anyway?
- Amazon now supports two-factor authentication! If you’re not using 2FA everywhere you can, well you’re just missing out on an extra layer of security that makes it much more difficult for “hackers” to break into your accounts and steal your stuff. And now Amazon supports it, too! Listen to the episode to find out how to enable it!
- Netflix is going to be implementing tech to catch people using VPNs and proxies to get content from outside their home country. Apparently it’s a big issue due to Netflix’s licensing agreement, and currently savvy users can use proxies and VPNs to make it appear that their “home” country is different than it really is. Well, apparently Netflix is going to focus on cracking down on this and will be implementing new tech to help them identify and stop proxy and VPN users. We’ll see if this ends up having a material impact on Netflix’s international subscriber numbers.
- CERN scientists may have found that the speed of light might not be a constant after all. A team has been studying three year’s worth of measurements of neutrino beams that appear to be traveling faster than the speed of light would allow them to travel, and now they’re looking for colleagues and other scientists to attempt to verify their data and duplicate their results. It would be a huge change to physics as we know it if it does turn out that the speed of light isn’t truly the limit to how fast stuff can move about the universe. What a cool time to be alive! And, Jeff wants to point out that he totally called this a few episodes back.
- Atari is bring 100 classic titles to Valve’s Steam this spring! They’ve just announced that they’re creating the Atari Value of 100 classic games, including titles like Centipede, Missile Command, Tempest, and more, and bringing them to Steam. No mention on the full list of games yet, or whether they’re ports from the arcade or home version (or both). But apparently they’re going to work really well with the Steam Controller to give “precise control” over gameplay.


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US President Donald Trump said that Washington would increase tariffs on China in case the first step of a broader agreement is not reached.
“If we don’t make a deal, we’re going to substantially raise those tariffs,” he said on Tuesday in a speech to the Economic Club of New York. “They’re going to be raised very substantially. And that’s going to be true for other countries that mistreat us, too.”
China is “dying” to make a trade deal with the US, Trump said, adding that he would only sign it if it is good for US firms and workers.
Still, “we’re close — a significant phase one deal could happen, could happen soon,” he said.
Shanghai stocks yesterday closed at their lowest since Sept. 30, while the yuan was weaker against the US dollar.
Other Asian markets also declined, with Hong Kong’s benchmark declining 1.8 percent as the territory faced heightened tensions.
Trump reiterated complaints about China’s ascendance in the global economy.
“Nobody’s cheated better than China,” he said. “The theft of American jobs and American wealth is over.”
US stocks have rallied to records in recent days partly on optimism that tensions are cooling in an 18-month dispute involving tariffs on about US$500 billion in trade between the world’s two largest economies. The S&P 500 Index was up about 0.3 percent as Trump delivered his remarks.
The economic stakes of a prolonged trade dispute are rising for both countries.
Chinese exports and imports continued to contract last month, though slightly less than forecast by economists. The nation’s trade surplus with the US widened in the month to US$26.4 billion — heading in the opposite direction from the narrowing that Trump has called for to balance the countries’ trade relationship.
Trump also renewed his assault against the US Federal Reserve, saying it was hurting the US by not copying other central banks in deploying negative interest rates.
“We are actively competing with nations who openly cut interest rates, so now many actually getting paid when they pay off their loan, known as negative interest,” Trump said.
“Give me some of that money. I want some of that money. Our Federal Reserve doesn’t let us do it,” Trump said, drawing a laugh from the audience. “It puts us at a competitive disadvantage to other countries.”
The Fed cut interest rates last month for the third time this year to shield the economy from uncertainty over trade and weaker global growth, while signaling that policy is now on hold unless the outlook worsens.
The Fed’s benchmark rate now lies in a target range of 1.5 to 1.75 percent, which is low by historic standards, but higher than Japan and the eurozone, which have shifted to negative rates in an effort to lift moribund economies.
“We’re paying actually high interest. We should be paying by far the lowest interest,” Trump said.
Noting the gains on US stock markets during his presidency, he said they could have risen a further 25 percent “if we had a Fed that worked with us.”
The president has persistently sought to shift blame for slowing US economic growth onto the Fed and away from his trade conflicts with China, which some businesses say has prompted them to delay investment decisions.
US manufacturing has slumped, but consumers remain resilient and employers continue to hire new workers at a solid pace.
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell was scheduled to testify before Congress yesterday and today.
NOT ALL GOOD: Analysts warned that other data for last month might be less rosy due to the virus and analysts expect the PMI to contract again next month Chinese factory activity saw surprise growth last month as businesses went back to work following a lengthy shutdown, but analysts said that the economy faces a challenging recovery as external demand has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, while the World Bank said that growth could screech to a halt. China is slowly returning to life after months of tough restrictions aimed at containing the virus, which put millions of people into virtual house arrest and brought economic activity to a near standstill. The strict measures saw a closely watched gauge of manufacturing plunge to its lowest level on record in February,
The output of the global smartphone industry this year is to contract by 7.8 percent on an annual basis as the COVID-19 pandemic ushers in a global recession, Taipei-based market researcher TrendForce Corp (集邦科技) said in a report on Monday. The global production of smartphones is expected to fall to 1.29 billion units, as the pandemic dampens demand for consumer electronics, leading to a decline in shipments across Europe and North America, TrendForce said. With consumers delaying smartphone purchases and thereby lengthening the device replacement cycle, overall prices would suffer a setback that is expected to negatively affect the profitability of smartphone
ELECTRONICS Lite-On delays sale of unit Lite-On Technology Corp (光寶科技) yesterday said it would postpone the sale of its solid-state drives (SSD) business to Kioxia Holdings Corp, formerly known as Toshiba Memory Holdings Corp, due to disruptions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the Taiwan-based electronics components supplier struck the deal with the Japanese firm, agreeing to sell the unit for US$165 million. Citing unfinished integration work due to the pandemic, Lite-On has deferred today’s closing date until further notice, adding that the delay would not have a negative effect on the unit’s operations. AUTO PARTS Hiroca approves dividend Automotive interior parts supplier Hiroca
ALL ABOUT STRATEGY: The company is optimistic, saying that its gross margin should increase year-on-year, but it is scaling back on its plans to expand capacity Quang Viet Enterprise Co (QVE, 廣越), which makes down jackets and garments for sportswear and outdoor brands including Adidas AG, yesterday said that revenue might drop 5 to 10 percent annually this year as some customers trimmed orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. That would mark its first revenue decline since 2016. Quang Viet posted record-high revenue of NT$16.26 billion (US$537.45 million) last year, up 22 percent from 2018. Down jackets made up 40 percent of it revenue last year. North Face Inc and Patagonia Inc are this year likely to reduce orders by 20 to 30 percent from a

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Samsung is about to launch the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in Thailand.
However, despite the imminent release of the Galaxy S8 and S8+, which cost upwards of 27,900 baht for the S8 and 30,900 baht for the S8+, last year’s flagship models the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge shouldn’t be overlooked just yet.
Despite being a full year since the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were released they are still two of the best smartphones available today.
With their stunning curved display, powerful processor, super dual pixel cameras and water resistant design, it’s little wonder the phones received widespread praise and won several awards in 2016.
More recently the Galaxy S7 Edge was awarded the Best Smartphone of 2016 at this year’s Mobile World Congress event.
If you’re currently in the market for a new Android smartphone and want top of the range features without the hefty price tag, you’re in luck as there are a number of mobile operators and retailers in Thailand who are offering great deals on both the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.
TrueMove have knocked 5,000 baht off the prices of both the 32GB Galaxy S7 and the S7 Edge, with the phones now costing 15,900 baht and 18,900 baht, respectively for anyone who signs up to a monthly contract.
However, the best deal can be found online with JayMart who are selling the Galaxy S7 for just 15,900 baht and the Galaxy S7 Edge for 18,900 baht.
As impressive as the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are great options for anyone who doesn’t want to pay sky high prices for a new smartphone.
Jonathan is our Google Nexus and Android enthusiast. He is also fanatical about football which makes it all the more strange that he should support Stockport County. In addition to writing about tech, Jonathan has a passion for fitness and nutrition and has previously written for one the UK’s leading watch and horology websites.


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Bakersfields auctioneer Brad Smith Jr. says he won a $5.8 million bid from a Honda dealership to acquire the Kansas City-based Honda Parts & Service Company’s headquarters.
The company is one of several manufacturers seeking to take advantage of the growing trend of self-driving vehicles.
Smith said Thursday that he has been working with the Kansas Department of Transportation, which is seeking to redevelop a vacant building.
Smith has been seeking to acquire an office space in Bakers, a small city in central Kansas, for about three years, said Jay Haines, the dealership’s president and chief executive officer.
“The last few months we’ve been very optimistic,” Hainles said.
“But right now we have a very limited window of opportunity to be able to make this transaction happen.”
Smith is the first owner of the dealership to win a bid.
He was also the owner of a dealership that opened in Wichita, Kan., in 2017, according to the Kansas Association of Business.
In 2016, Honda said it would lease out its downtown Kansas City headquarters to the Bakers Field auctioneers.
The dealership is expected to begin operations this summer.
“We have a great team that has been a great partner for the dealership,” Hains said.
Honda was looking to sell its Wichita headquarters and buy an office building on its Kansas City campus, the company said.
The building at the northwest corner of Main Street and First Avenue is owned by Kansas City’s City-County Planning Commission.
The Kansas City area is home to several major auto parts suppliers, including Honda.
The auto parts company said Thursday it expects to hire more than 200 people over the next few years and spend $6.5 billion on capital investments, including expanding the city’s roads.
The bid was announced Wednesday and includes more than 1,000 items.
The bidding began at noon ET, and the sale closed at 9 p.m. ET.


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Economic indicators move higher.
On Thursday, three key pieces of economic data suggested an economic rebound is underway, even as trade war and inverted yield curves wreak havoc on the market.
First, retail sales outside of automobiles and gasoline saw a 0.9 percent increase in July, nearly double the 0.5 percent expectation.
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Second, manufacturing data from two different Federal Reserve districts showed an increase in manufacturing and business outlook that likewise beat expectations.
Specifically, the Empire Manufacturing Index at the New York Fed came in at a 4.8 reading, up from a 4.3 reading in June. This was well above the 2.0 percent expected increase. At the Philadelphia Fed, the business outlook came in at 16.8, a reading still down from the June level of 21.8, but well above the expectation for a 9.5 percent increase instead.
All told, this data shows that manufacturing is improving, consumers are still active, and businesses are generally bullish on overall conditions, even if their overall bullishness has slowed.
The data indicates that the economy may expand more quickly in the third quarter than predicted, and is also strong enough to convince policymakers to slow the rate of any economic stimulus measures such as further cuts in interest rates.
The only dour note in the reports came from the Empire Fed, which noted that there remains some sluggishness in the labor market, as employment and workweek indices reported a slight drop.


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To commemorate the extraordinary achievement of 100 years of Disney this year, EssilorLuxottica launched a captivating collaboration between Coach eyewear and the iconic entertainment brand.
The enchanting campaign pays homage to one of the biggest names in the media industry who has delighted viewers with beloved storytelling for a century. The activation captures Disney’s essence, impressing shoppers at Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex with a magical array of luxury frames, whilst also marking Coach’s first-ever partnership with China Duty Free Group.
Adding a whimsical touch to the campaign was an eye-catching digital pillar, featuring a Mickey Garden theme, adorned in a distinctive pink floral design, infusing a playful burst of color. Though the pillar was present till the end of September, a dedicated Disney gondola continues to invite shoppers to explore the exclusive eyewear designs in the brand’s best-selling shapes, until the end of December.
The project holds significance on multiple levels; not only does this occasion celebrate a momentous milestone for the beloved global brand, Disney, it also showcases Coach’s commitment to sustainability by featuring eyewear crafted from bio-injected materials and utilizing 100% recycled paper in the packaging of this special collection.
The campaign further highlights EssilorLuxottica’s commitment to delivering the extraordinary, a message recently showcased by the eyewear leader at TFWA Cannes. Through an unyielding dedication to its esteemed partners and cherished consumers, EssilorLuxottica continues to be at the forefront of the industry.


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The business of weed
Local entrepreneurs join rest of state in building new industry
By Michael Bonner and Montana Samuels
—Marijuana is growing.
In November of 2016, Massachusetts voters legalized adult-use marijuana. Since that time the wheels to retail cannabis outlets have been turning, including on the SouthCoast.
Residents still can’t purchase adult-use marijuana and New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell requested and the council approved a moratorium that would prohibit retail marijuana outlets from opening until the end of September at the latest.
Don’t be fooled, though, behind the scenes the blue prints have been sketched and foundations have been laid for entrepreneurs.
“This industry is an entrepreneur’s dream. From a business perspective, there’s opportunity everywhere,” said BASK President of the Board Tim Keogh.
The state’s Cannabis Control Commission has already approved priority license applications for Registered Marijuana Dispensaries and economic empowerment priority applicants.
The SouthCoast has one of each.
Bask, in Fairhaven, is an RMD, already approved to provide medical marijuana. New Bedford’s Tree Beard’s application approval had to meet a list of criteria to qualify for economic empowerment.
And then there’s entrepreneurs orbiting the industry like the founders of Home Grown Academy. Paul Brennan and Jason Cullinan began education courses on all things cannabis in January.
“Whether it’s on the drug development side, or if you want to go out and dress up like a green Santa Claus and hand out cannabis cookies or roll a 100-foot long joint.” said Keogh. “Wherever you choose to allocate your time and effort and whatever excites you, there’s opportunity everywhere.”
Tim Keogh chuckled as he reminisced back to what is now his nearly decade long involvement in the marijuana industry.
“I have to dig back in the depths,” he said.
As the President of the Board at BASK, Inc. Keogh was a member of


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100Most has stopped its printed version and will continue to entertain Hong Kong people online starting from next issue.
- MRM McCann sweeps the floor at The Drum B2B Awards 2018
- EY acquires Adelphi Digital in Singapore and Australia to boost digital capabilities
- Deliveroo launches new marketing tools to help restaurants grow
- EDB tells ‘impossible story’ of SG globally, while positioning SG as a ’preferred location’
- Tech in check: Havaianas’ SG and MY MD Jaime Syjuco


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TRAVEL site Expedia have announced a partnership with flight data company Routehappy that allows users to book flights based on their “happiness” rating.
Expedia users searching for flights will now see a Routehappy score listed next to their search results that assesses the aircraft, seats and in-flight amenities such as Wi-Fi, entertainment, power and food. The happiness scores are measured on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the happiest and is based on data from Routehappy’s two key sources — Flightpad and Flightmatch.
Flightpad is made up of data from hundreds of sources making it the most comprehensive dataset for flights worldwide and Flightmatch is a set of algorithms that match and score happiness factors, duration and ratings for billions of possible flight combinations.
With the new partnership, Expedia users making a search will see a “happiness” score listed next to flight information to help them choose a flight that best suits their needs — whether it be entertainment, type of aircraft or length of a trip.
A statement from Expedia said it was about tailoring travel.
“Expedia is focused on creating the best flight product for consumers. Our partnership with Routehappy enables us to do that by presenting valuable information to help travellers make the most informed decision possible,” said Greg Schulze, Senior Vice President, Global Tour & Transport at Expedia, Inc.
“Routehappy has demonstrated a deep commitment to differentiating the air travel space. This benefits both our customers and our partners as it allows travellers an easier way to find the flight experience that best fits their needs.”
While the Routehappy data is currently only available on select flight searches in the US, Expedia does have plans to expand it globally however it could not confirm when it would be available to Australians.


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The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the demerger of the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) business of Haldiram Snacks and Haldiram Foods. This decision by CCI has come as a major relief to the popular snack manufacturer, which had been facing regulatory hurdles in its bid to separate its FMCG business.
More About Haldiram
Haldiram Snacks and Haldiram Foods are two separate entities, but they share a common brand name. The FMCG business of Haldiram Snacks includes products such as potato chips, namkeens, and sweets, while Haldiram Foods primarily deals in restaurant and catering services.
With the approval of the demerger, the FMCG business of Haldiram Snacks will now be transferred to a new entity called Haldiram Industries. It will be responsible for the manufacturing and sale of these products. The move is expected to provide more clarity and transparency in the operations of both the entities.
The demerger had faced regulatory challenges in the past due to concerns of anti-competitive practices. However, with the approval of CCI, the demerger is now expected to be completed in a smooth manner. This decision is also expected to boost the competitiveness of Haldiram Industries in the highly competitive FMCG market.
Haldiram Snacks is a popular snack manufacturer with a strong presence in India as well as overseas markets. The company has been expanding its product portfolio in recent years to cater to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers. The demerger of its FMCG business is expected to provide a focused approach towards the manufacturing and sale of these products.
The decision of CCI to approve the demerger is also seen as a positive step towards promoting healthy competition in the FMCG sector. The Indian FMCG market is highly competitive with several players vying for market share. The entry of new players has also intensified the competition in recent years, making it important for existing players to remain competitive and innovative.


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Afrojack teamed up with the gaming company Razer to launch his own music-making app “Afrojack Production Studio“, which will allow users to make music on a Razer Blade Pro Laptop and is designed exclusively for users of the Razer Switch Blade User interface. Razer and Afrojack began making plans for this app last year, which utilizes the Razer Blade Pro Gaming laptop, the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate keyboard, and works in conjunction with FL Studio to “put tools and shortcuts at the user’s fingertips.” Afrojack, who was first seen using a Razer Blade Pro laptop at the Amsterdam Dance Event last October, handpicked various samples and effects for the Afrojack Production Studio.
“I’ve been getting so much out of my Razer Blade Pro over the past several months — at gigs, at home and everywhere in-between. The new Afrojack Studio Production app is going to be super useful, and I’m excited to offer it to aspiring DJs and producers who love FL Studio as much as I do” -Afrojack
Afrojack has already brought Borgore and Flux Pavilion on board with Razer, with hopes of other DJs in the future. Watch Afrojack introduce his new Afrojack Production Studio app here:
source: DJ Mag


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It has launched new flavors after benefitting from a disease-resistant potato that has increased Japanese potato production.
The ¥507.9bn ($4.56bn) company used the ‘downtime’ to develop new snack products and diversify its sources of raw materials.
Calbee spokesperson Kazuka Nohara told BakeryandSnacks the company has transformed some of its rice paddies in the Iwate, Miyagi and Kumamoto prefectures into potato fields in order to avoid another potato shortage.
Hokkaido – Japan’s northernmost island that produces 80% of the country’s potatoes – was hit by four typhoons last year, severely damaging agriculture and reducing potato production by 10% year-on-year to 1.72m tons in 2016.
New potato variety and snacks
Calbee has also been developing a disease-resistant potato variety called Poroshiri, which it will use for its snacks, said Nohara.
Starting this month, the company is launching a range of potato chips in flavors reflecting the local speciality of each of Japan’s 47 prefectures, priced at ¥120 ($1.09) per pack.
For example, the chips denoting the Kyoto prefecture combines the flavor of Uji green tea (which has been produced in the area for 800 years) with the region’s love for the fragrant Japanese pepper.
Chips representing the Okayama prefecture have been flavoured with miso, soy and garlic to denote Tsuyama hormone udon, a local specialty of Tsuyama City.
The main cuisine of the residents living in the Nagasaki prefecture is fish, and Calbee’s potato chips are flavored with chidashi, a stock made from flying fish.
White shrimps are widely available in Japan’s waters, but Toyama Bay in the Toyama prefecture is particularly noted for its large hauls of the translucent sea creatures.
Calbee has also launched a website to market the new flavors, aimed to cultivate loyalty to the local foods, said Nohara.
Calbee Foods – established in 1949 – is Japan’s leading snack producer commanding a 15% share of the country’s savory snack market and a 48% share of the potato chips market in 2016, according to Euromonitor.
Calbee’s Kata-age Potato and Shiawase Butter Calbee Potato Chips are particularly popular among adult consumers who enjoy snacks to accompany their alcoholic drinks.
Euromonitor forecasts the company’s puffed snack brand, Jagarico, will continue to lead the puffed snacks category, having commanded a 14% value share in 2016.
Japan’s savoury snacks market is expected grow at a CAGR of 1% to reach ¥1.4 trillion in 2021.
Calbee’s main rival Koike-Ya – which produces the Kara Mucho and Koikeya Potato Chip brands – is also recommencing sales of its snacks this month, intensifying competition between the two major snack makers
Additionally, Koike-Ya is introducing a new brand of chips made from a rare variety of potato produced in the town of Imakane, Hokkaido, in limited quantities at around ¥322 ($2.92) per pack.
The company also plans to launch new products targeting adults.
According to Koike-Ya president Akira Sato, the company wants to “create a premium market” for potato chips.


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McDonald's to Include Calorie Count on Menus
Would you continue to eat the Big Mac if you knew how many calories it had?
McDonald’s will begin posting calorie information on the menu boards of its U.S. stores next week. The world’s biggest restaurant chain has long faced criticism that its unhealthy food items contribute to the national obesity epidemic; currently, more than one-third of adults and about 17 percent of children are considered obese in the United States. McDonald's will also test a healthier menu, including egg-white breakfast sandwiches and a 350-calorie sweet chili chicken wrap. In comparison, a Big Mac sandwich has 550 calories, while a 12-ounce vanilla milkshake has 530 calories. “We feel it’s important to do this for our customers. Calories are just part of the story,” said Jan Fields, president of McDonald’s USA. The calorie counts will also be listed at drive-through windows. Vegetarian-only locations have also launched. (Bloomberg)


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KSS Sales, a Kennett Square, PA, purveyor and exclusive distributor of mushrooms from its four affiliate mushroom companies, sells parallel lines of conventional and organic exotic mushrooms. Beginning in the 1970s with conventional white mushrooms and expanding into conventional exotic mushrooms – first shiitakes and later oyster and maitake mushrooms – in the early 1990s, the company recognized an opportunity several years ago to provide a similar mix in organic varieties.
“Distributors who use to take 95 percent agaricus (white button, brown button, and portabella) mushrooms and 5 percent exotics are slowly shifting that split,” says Lou Caputo, Jr., fresh mushrooms sales director. “Today, some distributors are at a 50/50 split of agaricus and exotics in both conventional and organics, which 15 years ago was unheard of in the industry.”
Lou Caputo, Jr., Fresh Mushrooms Sales Director
KSS Sales sells primarily to foodservice distributors in major cities, such as Sysco and US Foods, who sell to restaurants and small retailers. It also sells to private label companies who repackage and brand its mushrooms for retail sales. Caputo estimates that its customer base is about 75 percent foodservice and 25 percent grocery retail.
Trends in organic sales resemble those of conventional varieties but on a smaller scale. Caputo said, “Initially, organic shiitakes were the only organic exotics selling, and currently they lead total sales for organic mushrooms. Organic oyster mushrooms are catching on but have not yet reached a substantial volume. We expect other lesser known exotics that currently are a small percentage of organic sales, like maitake/hen-of-the-woods and royal trumpet, to follow the shiitake and oyster trends.”
KSS Sales sells both both organic and conventional mushroom varieties
Caputo notes that as exotic mushrooms gain popularity overall, so do their organic counterparts. Both conventional and organic exotics demonstrate slow, steady growth.
The organic grow methods employed by KSS Sales mimic those of conventional mushrooms but without chemical controls. Yield impacts from disease and pests increase but the loss generally is offset by the higher prices commanded for organics compared to conventional. Another reason for higher pricing – taxes and certification fees for organic produce.
“The state collects fees for every pound of organics sold, so the higher price on organics is partly to help the farm compensate for lower yield but also in part because we get taxed more heavily for organics,” says Caputo.
Foodservice is the “tail that wags the dog,” according to Caputo, with high profile chefs and restaurants introducing lesser known and organic varieties, followed by high end grocery chains such as Whole Foods driving movement into those more exotic options.
KSS Sales mushroom inventory
“Foodservice customers may order a few cases of organics for high-end restaurants and chefs, or as special orders for other customers. Overall, however, exotics and organic are not that big in foodservice compared to conventional mushrooms. It's the grocery stores that are looking to add the exotic and organic options, which may be driven by a few high end or high-profile restaurants and chefs introducing consumers to fewer familiar varieties,” he said.
Prices fluctuate in organic exotics. “Organic pricing resembles the Wild Wild West right now,” said Caputo. “The price premium compared to conventional usually ranges from 25 percent to 33 percent, but we often price organic exotics at whatever price gets the deal done. Sometimes we price match organics and conventional, particularly if pricing for conventional items is slightly inflated.” He adds that the foodservice industry puts pressure on pricing for both conventional and organic items.
KSS Sales notes both conventional and organic exotics demonstrate slow, steady growth.
When asked about the future of organic exotics, Caputo responded that “I don't believe organics are displacing conventional mushrooms. All mushroom sales are up year over year. Our organic sales are growing, but barely gaining ground on conventional. Organics might be growing 5 to 10 percent each year, but conventional are also growing 5 to 10 percent annually.”
“We are optimistic on the future of mushrooms and organics. The country is becoming more and more health conscious, and that is a good thing for mushrooms. The younger generations in particular are looking for super foods and healthy options, with strong goals to eat healthy, eat vegan, and eat organic. Mushrooms check off all those boxes,” he said.


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Timber sector can learn from electric vehicle industry’s growth, says TDUK CEO19 July 2022
Members of Timber Development UK (TDUK) braved the high temperatures on Monday to converge on RIBA’s offices in London to hear about the organisation’s latest plans to achieve its stated objective of becoming a one-stop shop in the timber industry for information, technical guidance and training.
At TDUK’s AGM and Conference, CEO David Hopkins drew inspiration from the growth of the electric vehicle industry to paint a picture of what was possible in the timber sector.
The electric car industry, he said, was an example showing whole supply chain thinking where its components parts worked together, where a market need was created and there was a focus on end product outcomes.
The wood sector, he added, with its fragmented structure had the opportunity of changing.
“Rather than seeing each node of the supply chain around adversarial relationships, we want to see everyone under the same roof, pulling in the same direction,” said Mr Hopkins.
“I think we have the same opportunity [as the electric vehicle industry] with the timber industry.”
TDUK represents the merger of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and TRADA, bringing the timber trade and specification sectors together in a powerful new body and creating a stronger voice to ultimately help boost members’ businesses and the wider use of wood.
Chairman Chris Sutton said the process of the merger had taken longer than expected, but TDUK is now forging ahead with fresh TDUK recruitment creating a more powerful team to help deliver some key projects. Mr Sutton said the group’s aim of becoming a one-stop-shop in the timber industry may involve further possible mergers with other timber-based groups in the future.
At the TDUK conference, further details were shared about a new strategic partnership between TDUK and with Edinburgh Napier University and the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT) at the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) to improve knowledge and skills in timber design and construction.
Plans were shared about a partnership with Edinburgh Napier University to create the “world’s largest timber library”, consisting of 150 downloadable timber technical reports for members. The beta launch will be in September.
Meanwhile, short practical “Timber TED” courses are being developed by CATT with the aim of creating comprehensive and flexible upskilling and reskilling training for modern methods of timber construction.
The TED 1 course will start on September 26 and TED 2 starts at the beginning of 2023.
TDUK sustainability director Charlie Law shared details about the Net Zero Roadmap project, which aims to show how the timber industry is going to reach net zero with a toolkit, data collection, emissions profiles, a carbon calculator and the creation of different scenarios. It aims to launch in December.
Other initiatives include a revamp of the TRADA National Structural Timber Specification and the launch of the new TDUK website in September, at which point the TRADA and TTF websites will cease to operate. And TDUK will have a strong presence at UK Construction Week in October.
TDUK head of technical and trade policy Nick Boulton outlined to delegates about the UK construction market and timber statistics.
He said latest ONS data showed construction output reached a record high in Q1, 2022 – up 3.8% over Q1, 2021, with growth driven by the infrastructure and commercial activity.
The Construction Products Association is forecasting that the key private housing sector will see output rises of just 1% in 2022 and 2023, while private housing repair, maintenance and improvement is expected to fall by 3% in 2022 and 4% in 2023.
Mr Boulton said timber demand had faltered in Q2, with sales volumes at builders merchants reducing due to economic headwinds.


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Aeotec announced its 700 Z-Wave Series (Gen7) products. It looks like Aeotec is the first company to create products that supersede the Z-Wave Plus platform – the new Z-Wave Plus Version 2, defined by the Z-Wave Alliance.
The 700 Z-Wave Series boasts some superior performance standards compared to the 500 Z-Wave and 300 Z-Wave series of products. The new products will use 64% less power, improve wireless range, and have mandatory security layers.
Aeotec says that the Range Extender 7 and Door Sensor 7 will be the first products to hit the market. They are upgrades of the Aeotec’s Z-Wave repeater and in-door automation sensor.
Aeotec has been providing Z-Wave products for over a decade. They have developed popular devices such as the Aeotec MultiSensor 6.
You can find some of these sensors that use the Z-Wave platform on our affiliate Amazon page (here): https://amzn.to/2PNVLL9. Small proceeds support Automate Your Life.
Remember – Don’t Hate. Automate.
Check out our community page at community.automatelife.net.


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Oyo’s scale of ambition isn’t just limited to a rapid overseas expansion — it’s moving into industries other than hospitality too.
Oyo has acquired coworking startup Innov8 for between Rs. 150 and Rs. 200 crore, Business Standard reports. Oyo has hired all Innov8 employees and will continue to run Innov8 as a separate brand. Innov8 has 13 coworking spaces across 4 cities in India. It had been founded in 2015 by Ritesh Malik, Shailesh Gupta and Sumit Ranka, and had raised $4 million (Rs. 28 crore) since then.
Oyo had started off as a hotel room booking platform, but now appears to be rapidly branching out into other forms of real estate. It runs Oyo Townhouse, which are hotels geared towards millennials, and Oyo Living, which is its home rental arm. With the acquisition of Innov8, Oyo is looking to get into the lucrative coworking space market as well. In addition to Innov8, Oyo is planning to create two new co-working brands called PowerStation and WorkFlo, and will reportedly open 35 centers in the next one year.
All this while, Oyo is also looking to become a global hotel chain — it now has operations in countries like Nepal, Malaysia, UK, the US, Japan and even Saudi Arabia, and even has more rooms in China than it does in India. Last year, Oyo had raised a stunning $1 billion in a single round, and had ended up being worth close to $5 billion. That had meant that Oyo had become more valuable than India’s listed hotel chains combined.
Oyo is clearly putting its newfound cash to good use. It’s hired top executives to run its global operations, and even roped in former Indigo President Aditya Ghosh as its south Asia CEO. And apart from the global expansion and expansion into other forms of real estate, Oyo is making some pretty interesting moves too — it recently listed its own branded restaurants on Zomato and UberEats, and is also running its own cloud kitchens.
This is fairly remarkable progress for a company that had been founded just 6 years ago by 19-year-old Ritesh Agarwal. Oyo now is already one of India’s most valuable startups, and with operations in several other counties, one of its most international. And while time will tell how Oyo’s different forays fare, one thing is clear — Oyo Rooms seems to have a scale of ambition that few Indian startups have displayed in the recent past.


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Lately, just about everyone and his dog seems to have an Android tablet either on the way or in stores already—including Amazon. I suppose it's no surprise, then, that GameStop is joining in. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the game retailer has confirmed that it will release an Android-based gaming tablet next year.
Speaking to the site, GameStop President Tony Bartel painted the upcoming device as a "GameStop certified gaming platform," not a proprietary offering. Presumably, that means the device will run the same games as other Android tablets, and vice versa. Bartel nevertheless added, "We're going to give you a few benefits that you're not going to get elsewhere."
What kinds of benefits? GamesIndustry.biz says GameStop "intends to stream console games to the device and ship a dedicated controller for the experience." That sounds a lot like what OnLive announced earlier this year. As Bartel points out, the controller is a key component. Playing Modern Warfare 3 using a touch screen as your only input device probably wouldn't work so well.
Cloud gaming certainly sounds like an interesting new ingredient in the tablet gaming recipe. Today's tablets have a lot of potential—heck, the iPad 2 can run Infinity Blade with antialiasing on—but native games that rely on touch screen input can only do so much. At the same time, latency remains an issue with cloud gaming services. I'm guessing fast-paced Modern Warfare multiplayer sessions will be out of the question even on GameStop's "certified" tablet.
|A technology overview of the Aimpad R5 analog keyboard||5|
|Microsoft helps hardware companies make VR more affordable||6|
|Intel P3100 M.2 SSD has datacenters in mind||7|
|Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard merges comfort and style||24|
|Surface Studio puts the iMac on notice||69|
|Microsoft Surface Book i7 packs a bigger punch and more batteries||44|
|G.Skill KM570 MX keyboard goes back to the basics||5|
|Intel's Purley server platform won't use 3D XPoint memory||5|
|In the lab: EVGA's GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Superclocked graphics card||42|
|Signing your posts is daftly redundant. Meadows||+30|


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Bostonians, rejoice! After years of delays, Massachusetts’ first weed dispensary could be opening soon.
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker issued a first-of-its-kind temporary waiver in order to allow the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary the ability to actually sell cannabis. (A novel idea, I know.) Specifically, this new one-time waiver applies to Alternative Therapy Group of Salem (ATG).
Under the cannabis regulations created by Massachusetts, samples of medical marijuana sold through dispensaries must be tested by state-approved labs for cannabinoids, solvents, micro-toxins, and other microbiological contaminants along with heavy metals and pesticides.
ATG is ready to go and has been for some time. The problem is the state has no labs that are able to test for all of the 18 mandated pesticides. The new waiver would bridge this gap and allow ATG to start selling medical marijuana with a special label that discloses to the consumer that certain chemicals were not tested for.
Way back in 2012, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot measure allowing for licensing of up to 35 dispensaries to sell medical marijuana. Since then, implementation of the new law has sputtered, and not a single dispensary has opened.
“Patients have waited to access marijuana for medical purposes for far too long,” Gov. Baker said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “This waiver will allow industry laboratories a little more time to reach full operation while providing safe amounts of medical marijuana for qualifying patients who need it.”
All of these delays could soon be over. According to its website, ATG said it expects to open to the public in early summer, initially by appointment only.
“ATG intends to offer a safe, enjoyable experience for our patients,” the company said on its website. “Our pricing structure is aimed at providing medical-grade cannabis, grown with organic methods in a safe environment at the lowest price.”
Alternative Therapies Group said it would offer a variety of strains of marijuana grown with organic methods, initially in bud form only. Over time, the company hopes to expand its product line “to include more strains and MIPs (Marijuana Infused Products), such as tinctures, baked goods, topical creams, salves and vaporizer pens.”
The company also said it is not selling seeds or plants.
The new waiver is only good for three months, and ATG may only dispense a maximum of 4.23 ounces of cannabis to any qualifying patient for their 60-day supply with strict instructions to consume more than 2 grams per day.


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Category Archives : Maruti Suzuki
Passenger application will maximize returns from the Carry’s platform. Maruti Suzuki introduced its new LCV, the Suzuki Super Carry in May in South Africa, and.
Suzuki Motorcycles will make use of Maruti’s dealership network. Zigwheels reports that Suzuki Motorcycles will partner with Maruti Suzuki to sell motorcycles through Maruti’s dealership.
Though the Maruti Baleno is selling like a hot cake even a year after its launch, the company has plans to further increase sales numbers..
The 800 cc diesel engine may not serve post implementation of BS-6 norms. According to a report on the Economic Times, Maruti-Suzuki may slowly withdraw.
Reported to launch in November. In the spyshot below, snapped by Indian Autos Blog reader, Mr. Rishabh Dang, the interior of what appears to be.
Reported to launch by November. YouTube user ‘Meghraj Singh’ has videotaped the Maruti Ignis testing on the streets of New Delhi, ahead of a launch.
According to a report from the Economic Times, Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, will have at least 7 product launches from now until end of.
Maruti-Suzuki, India’s number 1 car maker, has introduced the fun and sporty Swift Deca Edition. Here are the 10 features that make the Swift Deca.
Will introduce new platforms and mechanical updates to the product range. Maruti Suzuki has released its annual report for 2015 – 2016, which includes a.
Made its Indonesian debut at the 2016 GIIAS in August. The India-bound Suzuki Ignis has been spied uncamouflaged in Indonesia, following its local debut at.
The first Maruti to feature a Harman Kardon system could be the Ignis. According to a Team-BHP report, future Marutis will come equipped with music.
Market share has grown by 1-3% across the top cities. ET Auto reports that MSIL (Maruti Suzuki India Limited) has registered a growth of 1-3 percent.
Will debut Maruti’s new 1.0L Boosterjet engine. Gaadi.com reports that the Maruti Baleno RS will start arriving in showrooms from this November. Maruti has confirmed.
Aims to reduce accidents caused due to reversing or rolling back. In a bid to lower the risk of colliding with pedestrians while reversing a vehicle, the Indian government.
Expected to launch before the end of this year. GaadiWaadi has acquired spyshots of the top-end Maruti Ignis testing, featuring a completely wrapped body with what.


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Your search for Web Browsers in Natasha Singer returned 5 articles
ARTICLES BY NATASHA SINGER
PulsePoint agreed to pay $1 million to settle charges that the company had circumvented certain users’ privacy settings that blocked some targeted ads.July 25, 2013, Thursday
There are ways to minimize our digital footprints and at least nominally impede surveillance.June 19, 2013, Wednesday
Almost two years of talks over an international Do Not Track standard has made little headway to an agreement, but the two sides will meet again next week in California.May 03, 2013, Friday
Advertisers are girding for battle against browser mechanisms intended to offer more online privacy. At stake is nothing less than the future of the surveillance economy.October 14, 2012, Sunday
Some Web browsers have been offering “do not track” options for users who prefer not to have their activity tracked for marketing. Microsoft is taking the idea even further.September 16, 2012, Sunday
SEARCH 5 ARTICLES BY NATASHA SINGER:
Corporations are hiring popular students to promote their brand on campus. At the University of North Carolina, American Eagle helps first-year students move-in, while Target hosts the inaugural party
Mickey Black, the third-generation owner of Pine Forest Camp in northeastern Pennsylvania, is facing increasingly demanding expectations from his clients for the summer camp experience.
The AgeLab at M.I.T. is partnering with businesses to develop new technologies geared toward helping seniors stay healthy, active and independent.
- Tool Kit: An App That Will Never Forget a File
- Op-Ed Contributor: Who Goes to Work to Have Fun?
- Op-Ed Columnist: The Appalling Stance of Rand Paul
- Well: Exercise as Potent Medicine
- F.D.A. Restricts Antibiotics Use for Livestock
- Accused of Harming Bees, Bayer Researches a Different Culprit
- Op-Ed Columnist: Republicans Running in Reverse
- U.S. Colleges Finding Ideals Tested Abroad
- Bedtime Under Glass
- Private Lives: Have We Met?
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Google wants to upend the power structure of the mobile marketplace byagainselling Android-based devices directly to consumers, The Wall Street Journal reported May 15. The move will help it to build a more united front with smartphone and tablet makers, taking away some power from the wireless carriers and helping sales of devices running the Android operating system to stay ahead of Apples iPhone and iPad.
By cutting out the carriers, the move would also take away device subsidies from consumers.
Google additionally plans to work with as many as five device makers at onceinstead of one at a time, as it has in the pastto build Google-branded Nexus devices, people familiar with the matter told The Journal.
Googles first phone, the Nexus One, was made by HTC. For its second phone, the Nexus S, it turned to Samsung, with which it also built the Galaxy Nexus tablet. It is speculated that Google is currently working with Asus on a 7-inch tablet that will run the next version of Android, called 5.0, or Jelly Bean.
When the Nexus One was introduced, Google broke the U.S. phone distribution model by selling it from its site with T-Mobile service. This not only required consumers to take a leap of faith, purchasing the phone sight-unseen, but put Google in an awkward middleman spot of needing to direct Nexus One owners to T-Mobile in the event of an issue. Within a week of the device’s going on sale, forums lit up with complaints about everything from poor 3G coverage to miscommunication about pricing and device features.
Has enough time passedand Googles Android empire grown large enoughfor the alternate model to work better this time?
Roger Kay, principal analyst with Endpoint Technologies, offers the reminder that its only the U.S. market thats controlled by carriers. In nearly all other markets, consumers buy their phones and then choose a carrier independently.
Apple already broke some of the U.S. carriers’ model by controlling much of the end-user experience on the iPhone, including selling directly to consumers in Apple stores, Kay told eWEEK. In the past, the carriers have pretty much told the phone manufacturers what to make, which features to include and even what prices they will receive. Anyone with a U.S. contract can tell you that the carriers’ service is abominable, coming from the legacy of the monopoly left by AT&T. Prices are high and service often inflexible.
Google, Kay added, is likely seeking to improve the overall experience by taking over more of the relationship through the hardware makers.
In addition to improving the experience of consumers, the change could also lessen the frustrations of Google and the handset makers. The Journal notes that wireless carriers often block certain apps. Verizon Wireless, for example, which has its fingers in several mobile payment pies, doesnt allow Google Wallet on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone.
Carriers, often, will preload apps of their own, and can be slow to push through updates, adds the report, which contributes to frustrations over platform fracturing.
Googles decision to collaborate with several device makers at once also seems an effort to address the device makers fears that Motorolawhich Google is in the process of purchasingwill receive special treatment in the form of advanced copies or sneak peeks at the newest Android versions, though Google has insisted this wont happen.
The new Nexus smartphones, according to The Journal, are expected to be sold unlocked and capable of running on a number of wireless networksa user would just need to purchase and insert a SIM card. Without the device subsidies provided by the carriers, however, the price of an unlocked phone is likely to be $150 or $200 higher than one attached to a contract.
The mobile market has evolved somewhat, since Googles last try at this, Kay added, making this type of the approach in the U.S. more feasible.
With Windows Phone pushing to become a viable third mobile platform in the United States, behind Android and iOS, and Microsoft working with phone makers and carriers to offer devices like the $100 Nokia Lumia 900 and the $50 Samsung Focus 2, it will be interesting to see just how feasible it is.


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Nestle, rivals vie for baby milk prize in China's smaller cities
NESTLE plans to launch a new line of baby formula in China this year under an existing brand, targeted at smaller cities, as the world's largest packaged food company tries to lengthen its lead in the world's biggest baby milk market.
The new line, discussed exclusively with Reuters, will focus on smaller provincial cities, often in China's western provinces, where greater shipping distances and lower incomes can make some imported brand goods unaffordable, though wealth there is growing.
Producers of many consumer staples such as soft drinks and soap had to seek growth in the less-profitable provincial cities years ago, as China's richer eastern markets matured.
But the baby milk units of Nestle, France's Danone and Reckitt Benckiser enjoyed years of prosperity mainly just targeting parents in big cities like Shanghai and Beijing, banking on their appetite for ever-pricier premium formulas and foreign brands following a domestic 2008 tainted milk scandal.
Slowing growth has now made geographic expansion crucial, and new distribution models have made it easier. The big catch, however, is the intense competition and logistical hurdles they will encounter in China's US$25 billion baby formula market as they run up against local players who dominate in the smaller cities - challenges that mirror those faced by Western brands across China's consumer goods sector.
Some 55 per cent of respondents in a survey by the User Research Institute of BabyTree, China's leading parenting website operator, said domestic brands better understood Chinese consumers.
"This reflects a broader trend that indicates local brands are gaining traction among consumers in China," said Wang Lei, head of the institute.
Chinese retail sales of baby formula grew 9 per cent last year, according to Euromonitor International. That is down from nearly 17 per cent growth in 2014, the year after China relaxed its one-child policy. Yet the scale of the country, with more than 15 million births last year, and consumers' preoccupation with quality, means it is still by far the world's most important market for baby formula.
That balance of international brand trust and local tailoring is what Nestle is aiming for with its new line.
It will come under the umbrella of one of its three existing Chinese brands - Illuma, S-26 and NAN - but will be marketed differently, Thierry Philardeau, head of its infant nutrition business, said in an interview.
He did not give details but noted that adaptations in distribution and marketing would make the "sub-brand" more appropriate for its target audience.
Marketers and other businesses unofficially classify China's cities into tiers based on differences in business opportunity, infrastructure, population size, income level and consumer behaviour and sophistication.
The major metropolises of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are traditionally seen as Tier 1 cities, with the following tiers made up of smaller, fast-growing cities that still boast of millions of inhabitants.
Such lower-tier cities, accounted for 47 per cent of the baby formula market 15 years ago, Nestle's Mr Philardeau said, but 73 per cent today.
"People have more money to spend there and are catching up with the rest of China," he said. But because of different consumer demographics, he said the tone of the new line's marketing would be simpler, though the product's quality and sophistication would be comparable.
Sub-brands are a common tactic used by marketers to take advantage of the cachet of a premium brand while selling something more affordable. In China, they are often used in lower-tier cities or rural areas, along with smaller package sizes, to make products that are more affordable.
Nestle's new range, which will include products for babies of various ages, will be made at factories in China, though the company did not say where the milk would come from.
Because of consumers' unique concerns around safety and quality, baby formula is much more expensive in China than in Europe. One 800 g (28 ozs) can of baby formula in China tends to cost north of US$30, while a similar can costs US$13 in Britain.
Adam Xu, a partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants in Shanghai, said though willingness to pay high prices for baby formula was universal in China, the growth of quality national players - encouraged by the government - was making life harder for premium Western brands.
Chinese formula makers, which include Feihe International, China Mengniu Dairy and Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group, have grown stronger, amid a host of marketplace shifts including government registration requirements implemented last year that dramatically reduced the number of brands on the market.
At the same time, investments by domestic players in premium brands and special formulations are helping to overcome safety concerns, said analysts at Citi Research. They predict Chinese brands could reach 53 per cent market share by 2022, up from 40 per cent in 2015. That is because in an overall market expected to grow about 7 per cent, they see domestic brands growing 11 per cent and foreign brands growing only 4 per cent. REUTERS


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The City's top lunch spot, Pret a Manger, has had a green makeover today as it opened the doors at its Little Veggie Pop-Up on Broadwick Street in Soho.
The pop-up offers 45 new vegetarian and vegans recipes for the menu, including open rye sandwiches, courgetti and cauliflower rice "plant pots" and savoury yoghurt bowls – as well as a few Pret veggie favourites.
There is also the chance for popular new recipes to be introduced to Pret's nationwide menu once the pop-up, which will be open for the whole of June, has closed.
Customers can vote for which which new recipes have "hit the spot" or "lost the plot" using iPads and a special voting wall in the shop, and via social media using #VeggiePret.
Last year Pret posted double digit growth in its vegetarian food items. The rise in popularity of avocados and other veggie offerings is partly linked to millennials, who are spurning meat and unhealthy foods in favour of more nourishing alternatives.
Pret’s chief executive, Clive Schlee, asked customers on his blog what the company could do to create more delicious vegetarian food.
Over 10,000 customers voted on the subject and Pret has responded by increasing its vegetarian and vegan ranges and launching a Not Just For Veggies campaign to highlight that vegetarian food can be enjoyed by everyone.
We believe that if vegetarian food was more delicious, attractive and available, more people would choose to eat it. This is the challenge we've set ourselves with our Little Veggie Pop Up, and we look forward to hearing what our customers have to say.


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The Boycott Bush campaign lists the top 30 donors to the Republican Party with global consumer brands. Microsoft is number three with a donation of $2.4 million. The call to boycott these brands is in response to the US rejection of the Kyoto agreement.
Microsoft used to be politically agnostic but the whole Department of Justifice affair certainly taught it that it couldn't be. It's now a politically savvy player and like most corporations, it's busy currying favour on Capitol Hill and donating money to both sides.


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MARUTI SUZUKI ERTIGA
Bengaluru: Hoysalas go hi-tech; get Maruti Ertigas with tablet to improve patrolling
The seven-inch, all-weather tablet will serve as the interface between the patrol and the control room. Also, the new vehicles will be stationed at designated places.
Sell Maruti Suzuki, target Rs 3950: Sacchitanand Uttekar
Maruti Suzuki is a high beta stock (1.33) and is trading well above its 50-day, 100-day and 200-day moving average of Rs 3922, Rs 3802 and Rs 4121, respectively
Subros climbs 4% as firm resumes supplies to Maruti Suzuki
The component maker had halted production at its Manesar plant last month after a fire. The company said it had resumed full supplies to Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) from the company's other facilities in Noida, Pune and Chennai.
Maruti Suzuki slumps as Yen hits September 2014 highs
Shares of Maruti Suzuki slipped 3 per cent in Thursday’s trade after the yen surged to hit 105 against the US dollar for the first time since September 2014.
Stocks in focus: Maruti Suzuki, Tata Steel
The Indian market is expected to open higher on Friday tracking positive trend seen in other Asian markets.
Maruti Suzuki shares hit by Suzuki scandal
Fuel economy compliance has come under increased scrutiny since Mitsubishi said last month it falsified fuel economy readings for some of its mini-vehicle models.
‘Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat plant to be operational in 2017’
The Gujarat facility is also Suzuki Motor's first wholly-owned car plant in India and being set up bypassing its Indian unit.
Maruti Suzuki's compact SUV Vitara Brezza, Toyota's Innova make it to top passenger vehicle list in May
In May, the premium hatchback Baleno stood at seventh spot with 10,004 units followed by hatchback Celerio at eighth position with 7,379 units.
Maruti Suzuki to resume operations from tomorrow
Maruti Suzuki had to suspend operations at its facilities on Monday, May 29 (second half) due to an incident of fire at the Manesar facilities of its supplier, Subros Limited.
Will supply to Maruti Suzuki from Noida facilities: Subros
On an average Maruti produces around 5,000 units a day from its two plants at Gurgaon and Manesar, which together have an annually capacity of rolling out 15 lakh units.
Sell Maruti Suzuki, target Rs 3950: Siddarth Bhamre
Sell Maruti Suzuki with a target of Rs 3950 and a stop loss of Rs 4175
Maruti Suzuki Alto comes on board as presenting sponsor of Comic Con India 2016
Comic Con India brings together comics, gaming, movies, television, merchandise, and toys and is part of the Reedpop family of events.
How Maruti Suzuki is taking the eco-friendly road
Maruti has 3086 workshops across 1478 cities, serving 17 million customers and has reduced water consumption by around 500 crore litres per annum.
Maruti Suzuki advances bi-annual maintenance closure to arrange for components
Subros Limited and MSIL are jointly working on options to obtain supply of components from other facilities and gradually bring operations back to normal.
Expecting to start production in Gujarat plant in early 2017: RC Bhargava, Maruti Suzuki
"I think 17-18 should see something better happening because Gujarat will become available."
No impact of Suzuki mileage test issue in India: Maruti
SMC also insisted that "as for performance regarding emissions, it complies with the safety standards and we consider it does not have any problems".
Maruti Suzuki sales up by 10.6 per cent
Country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki today reported a 10.6% increase in domestic sales due to strong demand for new launches such as Baleno and Brezza.
Stocks in news: Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Auto, Maruti Suzuki
Here is the detail about the stocks that could be making headlines in today morning trade.
Maruti Suzuki temporarily suspends production due to fire at Subros' Manesar facilities
Subros Limited and Maruti Suzuki are jointly assessing the extent of damage to essential equipment.
Maruti Suzuki sales jump 13% in April
Maruti Suzuki sales grew by 16.2% to 117045 units in April in the domestic market on back on demand for new launches premium hatchback Baleno.
Maruti Suzuki launches Alto 800 with all new design, fuel efficiency
The new Alto 800 now delivers a fuel efficiency of 24.7 Km/l of petrol, around 9 per cent improvement over the earlier version.
Buy Maruti Suzuki with a target of Rs 4100: Mitesh Thacker
Buy Maruti Suzuki with a target of Rs 4100 and a stop loss of Rs 3890
Maruti Suzuki, Uttar Pradesh government join hand to train youths in automobile
Maruti is not only the country's major industrial unit but also understands the aspirations and requirements of the people, Abhishek Mishra said.
Maruti Suzuki slips on stronger yen
A stronger yen hurts Maruti Suzuki’s earnings, every per cent gain in yen leads to 20 basis points decline in Maruti’s margins.
Sell Maruti Suzuki with a target of Rs 3810: Siddarth Bhamre
Sell Maruti Suzuki with a target of Rs 3810 and a stop loss of Rs 3895
Maruti Suzuki to recall over 77,000 Balenos, DZires for possible faults with airbags, fuel filter
While these cars are both petrol- and diesel-powered, 15,995 diesel variants from this lot will be inspected for possible replacement of a faulty fuel filter as well.
Stocks to watch: Maruti Suzuki, ITC
The markets have performed flat in the past week and investors must be careful to chose stocks for further investment. Watch the video to get an idea of the stocks for the investors in the coming week of trade.
Reform flip flop affecting invst: Maruti Suzuki
In a chat with ET Now, RC Bhargav, Chairman Maruti Suzuki talks about the weakening of Yen and its impact on Maruti.
Hyundai i20 rises in ranks despite falling sales; Maruti Suzuki Baleno close on heels
What is interesting this month is that not even a single utility vehicle has appeared in the top 10 PV despite the segment seeing a steady growth.
Met all earning targets for FY16: Maruti Suzuki
"We have met all earning targets for FY16 and are looking at double digit volume growth in FY17," said management from Maruti Suzuki commenting on their Q4 earnings.
Maruti Suzuki reports 12% drop in Q4 net profit
Maruti Suzuki reported a 12 per cent year-on-year fall in the net profit to Rs 1,130 crore for the March quarter.
Maruti Suzuki, M&M slide as premium models fail international crash test
Maruti scrip plunged 3.6 per cent to hit a low of Rs 3,800 on the BSE. M&M shares fell 1.53 per cent to a low of Rs 1,320.75 on the bourses.
Maruti Suzuki worker dies in road accident
A 24-year-old Maruti Suzuki employee died in a road accident on Saturday while heading towards the factory for work, police said.
Buy Maruti Suzuki with a target of Rs 3900: Mitul Shah
Buy Maruti Suzuki with a target of Rs 3900 and a stop loss of Rs 3650
Maruti Suzuki plans to overhaul Swift, Dzire and Ertiga with new technologies
Developed in line with modular architecture adopted by other global OEMS, these models will share a lot of parts, helping the company save cost.
Maruti Suzuki receives 20000 bookings for Vitara Brezza
Maruti Suzuki today said it has received 20,000 bookings for its compact sports utility vehicle Vitara Brezza within a fortnight of launch on March 8.
Maruti Suzuki confident of 10% growth till 2020, to make 2 million cars a year
Maruti is confident of a compounded annual growth rate of 10% until 2020 to achieve its goal of making 2 million cars a year as part of its Vision 2.0.
Lot of unutilised capacities lying around: RC Bhargava, Maruti Suzuki
"In 2015-2016 the rate of growth of sales in the rural areas had slowed down substantially. We were growing before this at about 22-24% in the rural areas."
Sell Maruti Suzuki May future with a target of Rs 3,660: Siddharth Bhamre
Sell Maruti Suzuki May future with a target of Rs 3,660 and a stop loss of Rs 3,916
Weakening Yen was giving profits earlier: RC Bhargava, Maruti Suzuki
In an interview with ET Now, RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, talks about earnings growth as well as SC ban on diesel vehicles.
Sell Maruti Suzuki India with a target of Rs 3350: Sumeet Bagadia
Sell Maruti Suzuki India with a target of Rs 3350 and a stop loss of Rs 3570
Rising yen to hurt margins of India listed Japanese companies like Maruti Suzuki, Ricoh and Hitachi
The operating margin for companies such as Maruti Suzuki gets impacted by 15-20 basis points with every 1% rise in the value of yen.
Auto sales rebound in April; Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra domestic car sales rise
At Maruti, sales grew more than 16% to 1,17,045 units in April in the domestic market, helped by demand for premium hatchback Baleno and Vitara Brezza.
Maruti Suzuki, Greenply are must-haves in your portfolio: Sudip Bandyopadhyay
"The excitement as far as aviation stocks are concerned is over."
Baleno will be manufactured in the Gujarat plant: RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India
In an interview with ET Now, RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India, talks about the Brezza, the Baleno and the upcoming plant in Gujarat.
Stocks to buy: Adani Port, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Power
ET Now spoke to various experts and here's what they have to recommend for the day's trade.


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A tudor mansion at 4 Greer Tce, Southport sold ahead of auction for $2.85m.
They are located in some of Queensland’s hottest markets and, in many cases, have been in the same hands for decades.
But with real estate red hot across the Coast, these humble homes hitting the market are delivering a windfall to their patient owners.
Houses for sale for the first time in generations have popped up in popular pockets across the city, ranging from a modest brick house just back from the surf at Palm Beach, to a dress circle Tudor-style mansion at Southport.
Inside the character-filled Tudor-style mansion, marketed by Kollosche principal Michael Kollosche.
Gold Coast developer lists Lumiere penthouse for sale
Master Builders House of the Year revealed
Why I ditched McMansions to live in a designer cubby house
REA Group economic research executive manager Cameron Kusher said sellers were becoming more confident, with ample evidence of an incredibly strong market.
“If they are realistic about price, they will sell,” Mr Kusher said.
“There is no shortage of buyers in the market, and not enough supply to meet that demand.”
Data from CoreLogic shows the number of days on market across regional Queensland has almost halved, from 60 days to 35 days.
A Mermaid Beach property with a “ready to demolish” house at 30 William St sold for $2.002m.
In blue-ribbon Mermaid Beach, a “ready to demolish” house on a 405sq m block at 30 William St sold for a whopping $2.002m after being listed for sale for the first time in 50 years.
Marketing agent Ben Genest, of Plum Property, said he believed the owner bought the block for about $40,000, with the valuer estimating it would have gone for as little as $950,000 just five years ago.
At Southport, a Tudor-style mansion at 4 Greer Tce in the sought-after The Southport School catchment sold ahead of auction for $2.85 million.
It was on the market for the first time in over a decade and last sold for $1.175 million in 2008.
Buyers are splashing huge prices for Palm Beach knockdowns. This house at 26 Cypress Tce is listed without a sale price.
And with the southern hotspot of Palm Beach posting the Coast’s strongest price growth this year, it should come as no surprise that a basic two-bedroom brick house just a few streets back from the sand is setting buyer pulses racing.
The house at 26 Cypress Tce is on the market with Brett Gleeson, of LJ Hooker, for the first time in 28 years.
Property records show it last sold for $62,000 in 1993.
It is listed without a price guide in light of the soaring local market, with the median house price up 20.6 per cent in 12 months to $1.269m.
“There’s been a lot of sales in Palm Beach over the last six months and some of those prices have been quite extraordinary. This property has a number of different end uses…we will let the market dictate the price,” Mr Gleeson said.
8 Rudd St, Burleigh Heads is for sale via expressions of interest with Realty Blue.
Mr Gleeson said the interstate owner of the long-term rental property had decided, “now is the time to cash in”.
At Burleigh Heads, a four-bedroom, two-storey house at 8 Rudd St is for sale for the first time in 25 years, and only the second time in the 56 years since its construction.
Marketed via an expressions of interest campaign with Realty Blue, this 405sq m property has views from Burleigh Point to Stradbroke Island and backs onto national park.
Renovator’s dream in the dreamy beachside suburb of Burleigh Heads.
While the old purchase price of the homes may be small change by today’s standards, Mr Kusher said each would have represented a significant sum for the buyer back in the day.
“And when you look at the price paid, chances are they have spent money on them,” he said.
“However, there is potentially big gains in selling now, and we may not see those same gains in the next 20 years.”
The post First time to market for humble homes set to test Coast boom appeared first on realestate.com.au.


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Get in touch with it the piercing parlor wars. The warmth is on in the swiftly rising piercing jewelry classification, which has been teeming with new and revitalized gamers due to the fact COVID-19 restrictions began lifting previous summer season.
It was then that customers flooded the booking programs of luxury piercing and jewellery corporations like Maria Tash and Like Adorned, seeking to mark the second of newfound liberty with a new spot for jewelry. Although earlier a counterculture faction of the jewelry sector, piercings now see untold desire.
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Maria Tash is the most international and authentic of the luxury piercing parlor jewelers, established by its namesake founder in 1993 and now with 8 shops all around the planet and extra to occur. Really like Adorned in Manhattan’s NoLIta neighborhood does not have Tash’s global attain, but was similarly instrumental in kicking off the piercings-as-trend development that has snowballed nationwide.
But with frenzied lines snaking around the block of these merchants, other jewelers observed the prospect in sticking shoppers’ earlobes with bits and bobs of treasured metals and stones.
Pamela Love, who in 2019 took on a vast majority possession expense that financed the start of her piercing jewellery line, says those people models now make up about 50 % of her small business. In April she launched a pierce-at-dwelling system in which piercing artists vacation to shoppers’ residences throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn to pierce them at their have kitchen area desk.
The subsequent thirty day period, Alysa Teichman, whose mom and dad founded the Texas-based jewellery boutique Ylang23, set up a new retail principle known as Wildlike. A jewelry retailer and piercing parlor that sells its personal line of jewelry in addition to models by Tash, Like and other piercing models, Wildlike envisioned to develop nationwide in excess of the coming a long time.
“It is these kinds of an thrilling area — it transcends any type of demographic. It is not just women of all ages, it is not just people of a certain age. It is not just tremendous-edgy people. We’ve had folks convey their teenager for a 2nd hole on their 16th birthday and experienced 80-yr-previous-additionally females come in to get their ears pierced. It is been these kinds of a supply of electricity in our keep and I’m enterprising so I experienced this plan to spin off the piercing concept and develop it out. I think the sector is huge,” stated Teichman.
In the meantime, a person pre-COVID-19 piercing retailer is currently in nationwide enlargement manner. Studs, a piercing parlor notion aimed at Gen Z, was started in 2020 just right before pandemic-associated lockdowns started by Anna Harman and Lisa Bubbers and is stated to count Gwyneth Paltrow among the its significant-profile buyers. The organization, which started off out 2021 with two areas, is envisioned to have around 10 stores across the U.S. before this year’s stop.
“Piercing is a detail men and women seriously want to do and when they’ve been cooped up for quite a few months they want to get out and do a little something. You can’t practically pierce your ears,” said Harman, Studs’ chief executive officer and cofounder.
And now upping the ante is searching mall stalwart Piercing Pagoda, which very last thirty day period — recognizing prevalent development in a house that it originated — relaunched by itself as a youth-centered brand name called “Banter by Piercing Pagoda.” The company’s strategy features a revitalized look for its shopping mall kiosks, new, on-craze goods and socially conscious marketing strategies.
At the moment with 135 shops, Banter father or mother company Signet Jewelers is arranging yet another 100 units by the conclusion of 2022. Some will have sensible mirrors that let for digital test-on opportunities, as perfectly as private piercing booths that split with the extended-rooted shopping mall tradition of remaining pierced in plain view.


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WATERVILLE — The Parade of Lights is the official beginning of the holiday season for Jennie Patterson.
Patterson, 60, of Burnham, has attended the parade for more than 20 of its 44 years, taking her children when they were young. Now with families of their own, her family and friends who have moved away come back for the parade each year.
“I think it’s a nice tradition,” Patterson said, adding that her granddaughter Lyndsie Pelotte was in the parade representing Stage Presence for Dancers, of Winslow. “It’s the old way of enjoying things with the lighting of the tree and singing Christmas carols. It’s not about shopping and gifts and that stuff.”
Gloves, hats, mittens and blankets were in abundance on Main Street, as thousands of people packed the downtown sidewalks, refusing to let the frigid air stop them. Despite temperatures in the teens when the parade started, viewers kept warm with hot chocolate, coffee or holiday enthusiasm.
Patterson’s holiday weekend was planned around the parade, with family and friends driving up from Yarmouth and Boston to attend.
“I don’t do Black Friday shopping — this is it for me. I gear up for this,” she said, adding that she was expecting about a dozen family members to meet her there. “We left the house by 4 to save a spot. There’s a lot of memories for me with this parade.”
Unlike years past, when visits with Santa Claus would take place outside on Castonguay Square, the new Kringleville area is inside a store at The Center. The change eliminated the need for children and parents to wait in the cold to see Santa. Instead, there’s a waiting room in the Kringleville area, where children can make paper snowflakes and color while they wait to see Santa. The storefront is decorated like a Christmas wonderland, with lights twinkling throughout, multiple Christmas trees and dozens of ornaments.
“The people shopping on Main Street will be able to see such a nice visual through the season,” Patterson said of the new Kringleville.
The parade lasted about 45 minutes and had more than 100 participants, including representatives from Waterville police and fire departments, United Way Mid-Maine, day care centers and construction companies.
With more than 30 floats in this year’s parade, it was the largest one to date, according to Jennifer Olsen, executive director of Waterville Main Street, which organizes the parade.
Various businesses, including Selah Tea and Jorgensen’s Cafe, stayed open until 9:00 p.m. to sell hot chocolate, coffee and baked good for viewers.
Both Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures with children throughout December.


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Tech CEOs, bank execs, and asset managers see a huge opportunity for alternative data sources, including apps and the internet of things.
The future of financial services demands more, different, and better data. Incumbent banks, big companies like Facebook and Google, and scores of startups know this. But which data sets will rule the future? At CB Insights’ Future of Fintech Conference, moderator Robin Wigglesworth wrapped up a panel on the rise of alternative data by asking the speakers for their data wish lists:
“[What is] a data set that you’d really like that doesn’t exist today?”
Bina Kalola of Bank of America was first to respond: “I think there [are] two that I see in development … being able to truly extract sentiment and tone [from text] … and also transcription in voice.” She went on to indicate that she expected there was a more reliable and accurate transcription solution on the horizon, something closer to an 80% accuracy rate, in contrast to the less accurate options currently available. Having fuller access to people’s exact words and also their true sentiments could have far-reaching effects.
Matthew Granade, chief market Intelligence officer, Point72 Asset Management, said there’s a paucity of data available in the industrial and internet of things space. “There are a lot of good data sources on the consumer side … but [not] if you’re wanting to understand how trucks move across the country or how trains move … I keep thinking that the growing use of sensors and the IoT will light that up more, but I haven’t seen that yet.”
Jeff Glueck, CEO of Foursquare, finished up the round by boldly declaring that Foursquare wants to be “the Nielsen of the real world.” To him, this means being at the intersection of advertising and the real world, tracking how advertising drives customer behavior and purchases. Using foot-traffic data gathered by its consumer-facing mobile apps, Foursquare already tells business which ads are driving people to which businesses. Glueck revealed that matching up this ability with “set-top box data” from televisions — which would tell Foursquare which ads those same customers have seen — is the next big area of attack for his company.
App Annie CEO and co-founder Bertrand Schmitt said data on mobile app discovery, downloading, engagement, and monetization are their main concerns.If you aren’t already a client, sign up for a free trial to learn more about our platform.


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Most of us have more than one device we need to charge every day. Whether it's the myriad of devices we use on a daily basis, a stack of gadgets used by your partner and kids, keeping everything charged can, at times, feel like a chore.
Charging devices with multiple ports are starting to become the norm. But those multiple port chargers need to be smart in order to efficiently and quickly charge whatever's plugged into it.
Anker's latest technology combines the size and efficiency of Gallium Nitride (GaN) chargers with its own PowerIQ 4 technology. The result is GaNPrime.
GaNPrime maxes out at 100W output to any one device. Using the built-in smarts, a GaNPrime charger can identify which connected device has the lowest battery level and charge that first, followed by the next lowest and so on.
Anker claims that the new technology can reach a peak efficiency of 97% and energy savings of up to 25%. The higher the efficiency, the less power it takes to charge your devices -- which is both good for your electricity bill and for the planet. Win, win.
We don't yet know what the charging devices look like, how much they'll cost or what kind of variations Anker will release. However, we won't have to wait very long to find out.
Anker has already announced it will hold a virtual launch event next Monday, July 25, at 9 am PT/12 pm ET. The event will be streamed on Anker's website, YouTube as well as the company's social media accounts.
I'm excited to see what Anker has coming with its new GaNPrime tech. Charging is the one sticking point for all kinds of tech, and anything that makes that process faster and more efficient, I'm all about it.


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2/8 Tass 20
MOSCOW, August 2 (Itar-Tass) —— Most of Russia’s industries will reach the pre-recession level in 2013-2014, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Khristenko said in his feature published in the Tuesday issue of the RG-Business, a supplement of the Rossiskaya Gazeta daily.
“It is vitally important for us to maintain rhythmical financing of target programs and to begin their implementation in due time,” the feature reads.
According to Khristneko, the ministry of industry and trade is currently integrating all types of expenses under the state programs. The process, in his words, will be over in 2012. “The Ministry of Industry and Trade is forming five such programs: aviation, ship-building, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and a large-scale state program for the development of backward industries,” he said.
The program for the development of the aircraft-building sector aims to help Russia by 2015 be ranked among the world’s top three in the sector, to be among global leaders in the civil segment, among the world’ s top three helicopter makers, and among the world’s five leaders in the engine-building market.
It is also planned to bring the share of Russian manufacturers on the pharmaceutical market to 37 percent by 2015. “And by 2020, Russian manufacturers will account for at least 50 percent of the Russian market of medicines,” Khristenko said.
He also pointed that the development strategy in the automotive industry proved to be successful. In 2010, Russia motor car market grew by 29.9 percent practically reaching the figure of 1.76 million cars. Concurrently, Russian car output almost doubled (1.2 million). “Impressing growth rates are reported this year as well. We are actually returning to the volumes of the pre-recession 2007, although with an utterly new market structure and domestic production,” he said.
In his words, the ministry predicts that a total of 2.7 million cars will be sold in 2011. “According to our estimates, by 2014 we will be Europe’s number one market having exceeded the three million level,” he stressed.


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Huawei’s latest smartphone achievement with Mate 60 Pro co…[ad_1]
Huawei recently made waves in the tech industry by introducing a new phone called Mate 60 Pro. The reason it became so popular was a single aspect, its chipset. Huawei is facing strict sanctions from the US to acquire chipsets. At the same time, the company introduced a phone that has an advanced 7nm architecture called Kirin 9000s. Additionally, the modem also managed to match 5G network speeds. Now analysts caution that these efforts may come at a significant cost and could lead to tighter restrictions imposed by the US, according to a report by Reuters.
The unexpected unveiling of the latest Mate 60 Pro smartphone by Huawei occurred during the visit of U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to China. Simultaneously, the Chinese government is preparing to launch a $40-billion investment fund to bolster its struggling chip sector.
The chip milestone "demonstrates the technical progress China’s semiconductor industry has been able to make without EUV tools. The difficulty of this achievement also shows the resilience of the country’s chip technological ability," said TechInsights analyst Dan Hutcheson. EUV refers to extreme ultraviolet lithography, used in making chips with 7nm or more advanced processes.
While this achievement highlights China's capabilities, it also poses geopolitical challenges to countries seeking to restrict its access to critical manufacturing technologies. Analysts predict that the outcome may lead to even greater restrictions than those in place today.
Also read: Why Huawei Mate 60 Pro may be the most significant smartphone launch in 2023
Jefferies analysts suggest that the latest findings could trigger an investigation by the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security. It may also intensify the debate in the US about the effectiveness of sanctions and prompt the government to consider harsher tech sanctions in an upcoming competition bill against China.
Prior to this new chipset, SMIC's most advanced chip was the 14nm, as it was previously prohibited from obtaining an EUV machine from Dutch company ASML. TechInsights suggested that SMIC had managed to produce 7nm chips using different equipment. Some analysts speculate that Huawei may have purchased the technology and equipment from SMIC rather than collaborating with them.
Also read: Huawei is building secret network for chips, trade group warns
Tags: Don Lichterman, IT Industry, SCA Sunset, Sunset Host Co


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Yikes, Inc. was founded in 1996 and had been operating out of rented office space in Northern Liberties since 2001. Over the past few years, owners Mia and Tracy Levesque had been thinking about buying office space in the area, and last year, they found the perfect space. 204-206 E. Girard Ave. was a wreck, but in that disaster of a building, Mia and Tracy saw the potential to fulfill their triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. Despite web development being their only development experience, they embarked down the real estate development path, and things seem to have turned out pretty well to this point.
With partners Plumbob, Greensaw, and Sustainable Solutions Corporation, Yikes was able to take two buildings that were uninhabitable to the point that “not even a mouse could live there” and create two retail spaces and four apartments with an eye toward sustainability. According to Mia, 90% of the materials used were salvaged or reclaimed, and there was never even a thought given to tearing down the buildings and starting from scratch. Mia was also quick to credit the companies that partnered with Yikes, saying she was “really lucky we were able to pull in other Philly businesses that are part of the same sustainability movements,” and she was really glad that the project was “in the hands of experienced people who could see our vision.”
For the full story from the Yikes perspective, you can check out their blog, which details the project from start to finish.
Tomorrow night, Yikes and Mayor Nutter will be holding an open house to celebrate the completion of their new LEED Platinum buildings. Running from 5pm until 8pm, the event will highlight the design and architectural details of the new office space, the still available commercial space next door, and the four apartments. Food and drink will be provided by numerous bars and restaurants. You can RSVP to the event and get more info here.
Ohbytheway, the apartments are all rented, but the commercial space, measuring 750 sqft + 550 sqft in the basement, is available for $2,050/mo. Just in case you’re looking for a storefront in Fishtown, in one of the greenest buildings in town.


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As both savvy Inside Radio scribes Paul Heine and Frank Saxe reported yesterday that the "deal market (is) still struggling to find its legs" and "... the radio industry is entering its fifth year since the task of either buying or selling a station became much more difficult following a reset in pricing and the exit of many media lenders," they also made the statement that "the buying and selling of stations is seen by many as a barometer of the radio industry’s health."
Really? Is that all there is?
Let's get back to business basics and rethink that
Entertaining, informing, interacting with and engaging listeners as a means to aggregating a large, loyal audience, creating memorable events across multiple analog and digital platforms, leading to the buying and selling time with those folks is an even better barometer of the radio industry's sustenance and health.
Advertising helps the whole economy.
Radio, done right, is still a terrific business.
Rather than trading in our hard assets and stick values, lets sell the thing we have a fresh new supply of every day: time.
That way, we'll still be around, creating jobs and building profits, in 2013.
Expecting the Unexpected: Preparing Now to Manage a Future Crisis - The past few weeks have provided strong reminders that PR disasters happen. Simply opening Facebook these days should provide you sufficient encouragement...
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Phillipines native Bernardo Chua is a coffee enthusiast and global businessman. Hailed as the most successful business man in the Pacific Rim, Chua has won numerous awards. Among these is a five time awarding of the “Direct Sales Company of the Year”. As a leading successor with numerous companies, he set out to create OrganoGold and it has been a global hit.
The idea for OrganoGold was sparked in 2008, when Chua saw a need to introduce to the Western world what is known as ganoderma lucidum, a mushroom grown worldwide. He successfully incorporated this mushroom into coffees and teas and it has become a huge hit. With its headquarters based in British Columbia, Chua stated on Twitter he wanted to show more countries what they are missing out on.
OrganoGold has expanded their market to currently include nine different coffee and tea related drinks. Among these are traditional black coffee, green tea, and hot chocolate, all boasting the health benefits offered with ganoderma. The company didn’t stop there, though. They have expanded their business even further with ganoderma spore powder capsules, mycelium, and ganoderma lucidum capsules. All of these nutrition supplements can assist health oriented consumers achieve their personal health goals.
The company also offers career opportunities for those wanting to get into the sales field. Hopeful candidates can become OrganoGold distributers and those who perform to high standards can even be awarded with a Mercedes, Lamborghini, or Ferrari. Also offered in the incentives are luxury vacation packages.
It is no surprise that OrganoGold has become such a global hit, offered in 44 countries and 6 continents and generating a revenue of 215 million dollars in 2013. With amazing career opportunities, a business savvy founder, and an outstanding product line OrganoGold was designed for success. With how fast the company has grown, it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon and consumers can only expect for the company to continue growing and expanding. Follow Bernardo through Facebook for more.
Bloomberg Business recently reported that Argentina will be rejoining the global investment market. They will be releasing their nearly 12 billion dollars of debt onto the market. One company that will be buying up quite a bit of that debt is Highland Capital Management. Highland Capital is very excited about these new securities because securities from Argentina, at least for the past 2 years, have been providing returns of around 20 percent.
Argentina’s new president is attempting to do this in order to regain some economic stability after the previous president’s poor policies. The main surprise has been the amount of investors who are saying that they would like to reinvest in Argentina. It was expected that as soon as many were paid out, they would take the money and go to other markets. However, the returns from other emerging markets are nothing compared to what investors are able to see in Argentina.
The debt is expected to be released into the New York market in April after Judge Thomas Griesa lifts the ban that has been on the country since 2001. It was 15 years ago that the country defaulted on 95 billion dollars
James Dondero and his firm, Highland Capital, having been investing in emerging markets for years now. Jim Dondero was actually one of the pioneers of creating collateralized loan obligation markets and the same for collateralized debt obligations. Jim knew that when he started his firm, he needed to do something that would create a niche market for the firm and its investors. So they combined this type of investing with creating credit oriented solutions for investors in all different parts of the globe. Now Highland Capital provides every service from CLOs and private equity funds to mutual funds and hedge funds. They also provide ETFs, REITs and institutional separate accounts.
Over the years James has worked for different companies and then went out and started his own with Highland Capital. He has earned certification as a Certified Management Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Public Accountant.
For those who would like to read the full version of the article, they can find it here: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-08/argentina-luring-highland-shows-distressed-bond-buyers-to-stay


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Two high-volume Suzuki dealerships in South Carolina are at the center of a federal fraud case, as a dealer and Suzuki district manager are among those indicted on three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Paul M. Gibson, who operated two Suzuki dealers in South Carolina, as well as Brian J. Sullivan, the Suzuki district manager responsible for Gibson’s stores and 8 other defendants, were indicted. The charges center on claims of false advertising and fraudulent loan documents.
“Ads promised, among other things, that customers could drive a new Suzuki “for life” for payments of $99 per month or less, according to the indictment. Other ads said that customers could have a new car for six, nine or 12 months for minimal payments, trade in the car after a set term, “and obtain a new car at no cost,” the indictment alleged.”
“…dealerships advertised low monthly payments, while staffers told customers that Suzuki would provide the dealership with funds to pay, on behalf of the customers, the difference between the higher monthly payments listed on retail installment sales contracts and the low promotional rates customers agreed to pay.
Customers who attempted to trade their vehicles in after the stated time period would attempt to do so only to find out that they couldn’t obtain a new car under the previously promised terms. The indictment also alleges that the dealership and its employees falsified loan documents, while telling customers to ignore the doctored papers
“…the contracts listed vehicle values far in excess of the market values of the cars in question. When customers asked about the inflated values and corresponding high monthly payments, the defendants told the customers to “totally disregard any of the numbers on the contracts because they would never be obligated to pay anything more than the agreed, low monthly promotional amounts,” the indictment said.”
Should the defendants be found guilty, they could each face a maximum of 60 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.