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Construction chemicals market in Poland worth in excess of €1.5bn
The results of a survey of 400 small and medium-sized construction companies conducted for the purposes of PMR’s report entitled “Construction chemicals market in Poland 2012 − Development forecasts for 2012-2014” indicate a fairly strong mood prevailing in the construction chemicals market in Poland.
The results of the survey show that renovation of the existing buildings represents more than half of the market for tiling adhesives and thermal insulation products, while in the remaining product categories, it is the new buildings which are the largest recipients of materials – more than three-quarters of masonry mortar consumption is represented by new buildings.
Urban areas account for as much as three-quarters of construction chemicals’ consumption. As far as thermal insulation systems are concerned, urban regions contribute a slightly smaller share as they account for around two-thirds of the market.
Single-family construction is the leading segment in all the branches of construction chemicals. Other major sectors in terms of consumption of construction chemicals are multi-family buildings and public buildings. Combined, the three main categories of buildings generate in excess of 80% of demand for construction chemicals.
Regardless of the type of work they perform, the surveyed companies usually buy chemicals from building wholesalers. Other channels, such as building supermarkets, factory outlets and purchases direct from manufacturers, are significantly less popular. The findings of the survey also suggest that online stores are a completely neglected channel in Poland.
As far as novel products and, in general, innovative solutions are concerned, the results reveal that contractors are highly unwilling to adopt state-of-the-art products – only one-quarter of them test new products out of their own accord.
This press release is based on information contained in the latest PMR report entitled “Construction chemicals market in Poland 2012 − Development forecasts for 2012-2014” http://www.pmrpublications.com/product/Construction-chemicals-market-Poland-2012.
For more information on the report please contact:
tel. /48/ 12 618 90 00
PMR (www.pmrcorporate.com) is a British-American company providing market information, advice and services to international businesses interested in Central and Eastern European countries as well as other emerging markets. PMR's key areas of operation include business publications (through PMR Publications), consultancy (through PMR Consulting) and market research (through PMR Research). Being present on the market since 1995, employing highly skilled staff, offering high international standards in projects and publications, providing one of most frequently visited and top-ranked websites, PMR is one of the largest companies of its type in the region.
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9 p.m. – Scott T. Smith with Ben Sollee
10 p.m. – James Lindsey

domain: news


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MONTRÉAL, 3rd October 2017 – The first day of The Consumer Goods Forum’s Second Sustainable Retail Summit drew to a close yesterday, and it was a great success. Taking place at the Centre Mont-Royal in Montréal, the Sustainable Retail Summit has brought together over 230 “global leaders” from 26 countries to discuss the role of business in tackling today’s most pressing challenges, which can only be overcome through collective action: food waste, forced labour and consumer health.
The event was opened by The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Managing Director Peter Freedman and Save-on-Foods President Darrell Jones. Peter highlighted why the CGF is playing an important role within the industry, calling on delegates to “be courageous and bold”. Darrell Jones welcomed the delegates to Canada, before noting the role companies need to play today. He also said we need ways to add value and provide solutions. He closed by expressing thanks to the CGF and how we need to work collectively to understand the consumer goods industry and the world at large.
Delegates were then updated on the work of the CGF by the teams leading the charge within their own companies, as well as those working directly for the CGF. Attendees were given updates on the CGF’s work on environmental and social sustainability and health and wellness. It was clear that steady progress had been made, but a common theme was that more work is needed. There was clearly much to be proud of though, from “Collaboration for Healthier Lives” pilots to the first ever resolutions on forced labour and food waste.
The final session of the morning saw Barilla and Carrefour presenting on how they are working together on the issue of food waste: a global problem with humanitarian, environmental and economic implications.
The afternoon sessions then saw more focused panel discussions on the three megatrends. Bringing to the stage CEOs, NGOs, government representatives and industry experts, delegates were treated to excellent discussions and Q&As, and delegates got to test panellists with some tricky questions.
Across the three megatrends, however, there were three clear learnings:
- Companies need to measure: whether it’s accurately assessing food loss and waste, tracing your supply chains for potential cases of forced labour or measuring incremental sales in healthier baskets, the data is essential if positive change is to take place.
- Progress is being made and the achievements are many, but it’s still early and more needs to be done. Implementation processes need to accelerate and more companies need to step up to the plate.
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What is the Sustainable Retail Summit?
The consumer goods industry is facing a clear call to action. People are demanding sustainable products and want to live healthier lives, and they expect our industry to deliver. At the same time, the UN Sustainable Development Goals demand co-ordinated industry action. These demands, together with an uncertain political environment and ever more complex supply chains, mean it’s harder than ever before to know how to implement strategies and actions that will secure the long-term, sustainable growth of consumer goods businesses.
However, thanks to The Consumer Goods Forum and its Sustainable Retail Summit, there is now a unique opportunity to learn first-hand how companies are taking positive action and collaborating to overcome today’s biggest industry challenges. From eradicating forced labour, reducing and measuring food loss and waste, to supporting healthier diets and lifestyles, the Sustainable Retail Summit provides practical sessions on implementing change and meeting these challenging demands head on.
For further information, please contact:
The Consumer Goods Forum


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Mercedes-Benz India has big plans when it comes to 2022, particularly in the EV space. Although the arrival of the EQS – the S-Class’s EV equivalent – was part of the plan, the brand has also announced that it will locally assemble the car, in a bid to boost the local, make-in-India production capabilities. While the brand hasn’t disclosed just how significantly that would affect the pricing of the car, the first locally-assembled EQS is expected to arrive during the fourth quarter of the year.
Big-ticket luxury cars en route
Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will be launching 10 models across the Mercedes-Maybach, AMG and EQ sub-brands, but the spotlight, for the moment, falls on the premium end of the spectrum which includes the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class limousine, the EQS and the Mercedes-AMG GT-R Black Series.
The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class serves as the brand’s internal combustion luxury flagship. Festooned with the “Mercedes-Maybach” emblem, it arrives on a long-wheelbase platform, Airmatic suspension with continuous adjustable damping, rear-axle steering and E-Active Body Control. The car comes hot on the heels of the GLS Maybach, which was sold out almost instantly upon its arrival in the country last year.
In fact, demand for luxury SUVs like the standard GLE and GLS is so high that the waiting period for these cars at present is roughly 6 months according to Mercedes-Benz India CEO Martin Schwenk. At present, the GLC is the highest-selling SUV in their line-up while the LWB E-Class remains the best-selling sedan. While the semiconductor chip shortage is the primary reason for the delay, the brand claims that the high demand for these SUVs across the world means they can’t make them fast enough. At present, Merc’s Indian has clocked over 3000 orders, making it the highest-ever order bank in its history.
The Maybach S-Class is a more conventional form of luxury, with a relatively traditional, if superlative form of propulsion – a range-topping, handcrafted 6.0-litre, bi-turbo V12 mated to Merc’s 9-speed automatic gearbox. The AMG-GT Black Series, represents the top-end of the brand’s AMG performance spectrum with a scarcely believable 800Nm of torque and 720 bhp churned-out from the same 4.0-litre Bi-turbo V8 found in the standard AMG GT (the firing order of the pistons has been reconfigured, with a flat-plane crankshaft). The car also gets a fixed-wing, mechanical spoiler and other weight-reducing, downforce-enhancing solutions making it a far more track-focused car than anything Merc currently produces. While not explicitly stating it, the brand also hinted at the launch of the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class later this year.
After becoming the first luxury car brand to change its retail model to a centrally-operated one, the brand continues to have the largest retail network for a luxury carmaker, with 94 outlets placed across 50 cities. For 2022, the brand has announced that it intends to establish more AMG Performance Centres across the world, while presently selling 12 AMG-badged cars in the country. The number and location of said AMG centres was not mentioned.
Focus on EVs and green energy
Mercedes-Benz India has also emphasised its intent to use green energy to the greatest extent, claiming that 2022 marks the year when 100 percent of its energy needs would be met through renewable, green energy sources (at its Chakan plant). The brand, which has made a Rs 26,000 crore investment in India intends to lead the charge in the green luxury mobility space, starting with the local assembly of the EQS. Essentially the car that will go on to supplant the formidable S-Class, the EQS’ local assembly will speak volumes of the subsidiary’s production capability as it comes with a bevy of highly sophisticated electronic features, including a glass-covered hyper screen dashboard and a range of powertrains that rivals that of the Tesla Model S, featuring a 107.8 kWh battery.
At present, Merc’s local assembly capacity has reached 20,000 units a year, although Schwenk says that they’re all set to increase the capacity given the high levels of demand. Having witnessed a 42.5 percent jump in sales as compared to 2020, Martin Schwenk has stated that he is confident of a “double-digit” compounded annual growth rate for 2022 – a year that’ll see Merc’s technological best arrive in India.


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Two employees at Shoppers Drug Mart in Brampton test positive for COVID-19
Loblaw is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 pertaining to one of its store locations in Brampton.
Two employees working at the Shoppers Drug Mart at 520 Charolais Blvd tested positive on a presumptive test for the virus, the company reported on Sunday, February 14.
The last day the employees worked was on February 2 and February 12.
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"In these cases, we work closely with public health and follow their guidance to ensure proper notification of close contacts and required cleaning and sanitization in our stores."
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Award-winning Chinese developer Country Garden charges ahead to shape the first of four islands on reclaimed land bordering Singapore while interest in its residential properties continues unabated.
Since launching his company in 1988, Merle Wood & Associates (MWA) has surpassed expectations, amassing over $30 billion in yacht deals to date and well over a half-billion dollars in sales this year.
The 352.4-foot-long Ulysses, representing the pinnacle of oceangoing seaworthiness and luxury, is being offered for immediate sale by Burgess.
The superyacht market is healthy and thriving as it recovers from a period of economic upheaval, which is resulting in an astounding level of success for Burgess, the 40-year-old global superyacht leader.
Chinese Style has always influenced Western Design, but never so much as it is today.
Merle Wood knows yachts. This fact is evidenced by a client list that reads like a Who’s Who of the world’s most highly successful individuals.


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The Caps launched the Courage Caps program during the 2007-2008 season. According to a release sent by the team, the campaign has donated nearly $350,000 to charity through the sale of 12,000 Courage Caps in six years and more than 5,000 T-shirts in four years.
The $20 caps and T-shirts will go on sale beginning Feb. 4 at the team stores at Kettler and Verizon Center, as well as on the team’s Web site. For $50, fans can purchase a cap or shirt signed by Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, Mike Green, Braden Holtby, Alex Ovechkin or Tom Wilson. For $40, you can get the gear signed by any other individual Capitals player.
As in past years, all proceeds from the sales of the camo-inspired gear benefit the TAPS program. Here is Karl Alzner, John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom modeling this year’s design.


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Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
If you've been following the 3-D printing space, you know considerable daily swings in share price are par for the course in this hot sector. That said, shares of Sweden's metals 3-D printing specialist Arcam AB (NASDAQOTH: AMAVF) were particularly strong today, soaring 12.6%, to close the day at $35.55.
The impetus for Arcam's pop was surely Wall Street firm Jefferies' rating upgrade to buy from the hold that Jefferies assigned Arcam when it initiated coverage in mid-December. While Jefferies upped Arcam's rating, it simply maintained its price target of 300 SEK ($46.93, using today's conversion rate).
I don't always put a lot of stock (no pun intended) in analysts' ratings, as most analysts are notorious for being late to the party, as well as late to leave the bash. In this case, however, I'm onboard Jefferies' call.
Jefferies: Arcam has shot at large metals 3-D printing orders
Jefferies noted that its supply chain checks "indicate that 6-12 large industrial groups are in deep discussion with metal 3D printing companies on larger orders that will be integrated into existing production lines. We believe that GE, Stryker, JNJ, EADS, Airbus, BMW, Medtronic, and others are likely to place large orders in 2014." Jefferies is speculating that Arcam has a good shot at receiving new orders for its electron beam melting, or EBM, 3-D printing systems from one or more of these companies, stating that, "We believe that EBM can create products with titanium that surpasses any other process."
Stryker, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson are big players in the medical implant space, which is one of Arcam's two target markets. EADS and Airbus are in the aerospace industry, Arcam's other target market. General Electric, of course, has an aerospace division, and has received much press for its big push into 3-D printing, which I'll explore further below.
Currently, Arcam doesn't have customers outside its two target markets, to my knowledge, and there is more than enough potential business in those industries to keep it busy. So I don't view high-end automaker BMW as a likely potential customer. Additionally, titanium's high price precludes mass market automakers from using it in their production processes. That said, it's certainly within the realm of possibilities that a high-end automaker might include titanium components within one of its more upscale models.
My take: EBM and laser sintering are more complementary technologies
I agree with Jefferies' take that Arcam could receive new orders from one or more of the above-noted big companies and, in fact, have written positively about Arcam before Jefferies even initiated coverage.
However, I don't believe there is a blanket "best" technology to create all titanium products. EBM and laser sintering, which is the predominant metals 3-D printing technology, both have strengths and weaknesses, and should generally be considered complementary processes. The "best" technology largely depends upon the specifics of the titanium product being made, as well as how many of them are needed.
It's quite likely, in my opinion, that some very big companies will end up using both technologies. General Electric, which is the world's largest user of metals 3-D printing technology, is a good example. While GE now predominantly uses laser sintering, it also uses EBM, though there's been little written about it. GE's planned 3-D printing capacity ramp-up could very well include both technologies. For those not familiar with this topic, here's part of what I recently wrote:
In mid-2013, General Electric announced it planned to use 3-D printing to produce the fuel nozzles for its new Leap jet-engine, each of which will contain 19 nozzles. This is a huge undertaking, as GE needs to fabricate 85,000 nozzles for the engine orders it has in hand, and expects its annual production to eventually require 45,000 nozzles, according to a Bloomberg article.
The company's massive nozzle production goals would require it to buy at least 60 very pricey 3-D printers, which isn't cost effective. So GE plans to use current technology to ramp up its production while also working with supply chain manufacturers to develop new higher-capacity systems.
GE's reportedly been testing laser sintering systems from both 3D Systems and privately held Concept Laser. Given this fact and that Morris' facility is composed primarily of EOS's DMLS systems, it certainly appears GE plans to primarily use laser sintering technology in its 3-D printing ramp-up. It's worth noting, however, that Avio Aero, which GE acquired last year, has been a major buyer of Arcam's EBM systems for many years.
Given Avio's long-standing use of EBM, I'd imagine GE would likely stay the course on that front if Avio has been satisfied with the components its EBM systems have produced. Additionally, if Avio has been especially pleased, GE could well consider using EBM to produce other aerospace components that it needs.
Foolish final thoughts
There's no doubt that 3-D printing in metals to make production parts is in the early stages of what's likely to be a very big market. Arcam's sole focus on metals and its unique patented technology should certainly make it a strong candidate for some new large orders in 2014 and beyond.


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The BSE Sensex is trading at 61,202, higher by 280 points or 0.43 per cent and the NSE Nifty is at 18,248, up 74 points or 0.41 per cent.
The domestic stock markets have opened in the positive, post the downturn witnessed in the past three sessions, due to buying interest across the board. At 9:18 am.
The broader markets are also trading in the positive, with the BSE Midcap index and BSE Smallcap index gaining 0.4 per cent each.
The global stock index has almost risen, and the S & P 500 hit a record high on Thursday, supported by consumer discretion and rising tech share.
The S & P 500 rose 0.30 percent and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.62 percent. However, the Dow Jones fell 0.02 percent.
The Asia Pacific market was largely up on Friday morning trading. This is due to a surge in shares in the China Ever Grande Group in Hong Kong after the media reported that a confused developer would pay off coupon payments for dollar-denominated bonds.
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.82 percent, the Tokyo Stock Price Index rose 0.52 percent, and South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.05 percent.
Shares of TVS Motor were trading over 6% higher at ₹615 per share
TVS Motor while announcing its quarterly earnings also said that its board approved the incorporation of a wholly owned subsidiary to undertake its electric mobility business.
The company indicated that it would be creating a separate subsidiary for the EV business to enhance flexibility, scale and focus towards this vertical.
Shares of TVS Motor were trading over 6% higher at ₹615 per share on the BSE in Friday’s opening session after the company posted a 29% rise in consolidated net profit at ₹234 crore for the second quarter ended September.
It expects TVS to continue to outperform industry, led by an improving brand franchise, robust demand outlook and significant headroom for margin expansion.
Nirmal Bang’s Buy rating comes with a target price of ₹660 apiece on supportive outlook and as EV strategy gathers pace.
TVS Motor Company said it has reported highest ever revenue of ₹5,619 crore in the second quarter as against ₹4,605 crore in the year-ago quarter, registering a growth of 22%.


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Shoe shop's toy story plays havoc
School shoes, not to mention children's shoes in general, tend to have short, brutal lives often lasting only a few months, never mind a full school year.
This makes buying new school shoes an expensive business, particularly since many parents will opt for more expensive brands like Clarks.
Indeed, Clarks are almost a by-word for school shoes as far as many parents are concerned, because they are sensible, well made and last longer than cheaper brands.
But judging by comments from some parents online here and in the UK, they may have alienated quite a few of them over the last couple of years since they introduced miniature toys that are found inside the soles of their most popular brand of school shoe.
Clark's Yotoy shoes, which retail at about €50, come in a girls' version called Daisy Explores and a boys' version called Jack.Nano.
The girls' shoes have a small doll in one sole with her hair accessories hidden in the other sole. The boys' shoes have a Jack.Nano doll in one sole and a car in the other.
The toy can be removed by lifting the insole, while the toy is visible from the heel.
This clever marketing ploy by Clarks has clearly worked wonders. Since they were introduced a couple of years ago, the shoes have outsold other brands by a considerable margin, according to a BBC report.
However, many parents and teachers in the UK and Ireland are said to have complained about the shoes, with some schools ordering pupils to leave the toys at home.
If that wasn't enough, Clarks introduced a new range of toys for its Yotoy brand this year.
One parent on a UK online parenting forum recently complained that her kid was being teased by her classmates for having last year's pair with the old toys, which still fit her and were in good condition.
"We now have tantrums in the morning because of those silly shoes," she said.
Of course, the reality is that older kids want to be just like their friends, but it's another example of companies like Clarks ruthlessly exploiting "pester power".
"There is no doubt that pester power is strong and hard on parents, but at the end of the day the parent holds the purse so it is up to them to decide which shoes are bought," says Rita O'Reilly of Parentline, a confidential helpline for parents.
Ms O'Reilly suggests that harassed parents could arrange a pleasant day out shopping for shoes with their kids and, to help resist the pestering for Clarks toy shoes, buy cheaper shoes and a separate toy instead.
This may be easier said than done, according to some parents.
"If I hear 'Everyone has. . .' once more this year I'm going to scream," says Teresa Heeney, a mother of two teenage school children in Celbridge, Co Kildare.
Ms Heeney says that, until recently, national schools had relaxed their uniform policies, "so kids could pretty much wear what they like on their feet".
Some "we haves you haves" parents will always buy designer shoes for kids up to age nine anyway, says Ms Heeney, but from nine to 14 is when the problems start, as shoes become more of a status symbol.
"Boys will only wear Nike or Adidas or similar. But girls are a real pain. It's Converse or Babychams or Keds or Uggs, all brands I never heard of until this year.
"Of course there are the generic versions of all of these but the kids will have no problem pointing out if yours aren't real."
Ms Heeney says she has managed to withstand pester power -- until now.
"I never usually gave into this but have had to submit and buy some just so my daughter doesn't feel left out. Morally I don't agree with it, but it can get quite personal for the child."
After the age of 15, confidence seems to allow them to wear what they want, says Ms Heeney, "so it's just longer lasting material that wins out".
However, it seems that schools that enforce a stricter uniform policy have a role to play in combating pester power.
Ms Heeney notes that her daughter's school has returned to insisting on black or brown shoes this year, "which is great because even though there will still be the designer element, it won't be so obvious".
Sharon Kavanagh, from Rathfarnham, Co Dublin, reports little peer pressure to wear the right school shoes. "Just black school shoes, and runners for PE," says Ms Kavanagh, who has two young pre-teen girls. "Nobody passes any comment on them, no peer pressure."
In terms of the pressure to buy certain brands, Ms Kavanagh says she is no pushover.
"I am very good at steering away from brands and towards cheap stuff when it suits, but we will generally come to a choice together."
Dermott Jewell, chief executive of the Consumers' Association of Ireland, says that parents and schools need to join forces to combat pester power.
"You can see where it is crucially important that both parents and schools work together on these issues, as others can have little power to act at all."
"Pester power is a marketers delight, especially as it is so easy to generate."


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At one time, Domtar had its hands in many pies, including chemicals, consumer products, construction materials, kraft and fine paper, newsprint, containerboard, and packaging. In the 1990s it narrowed its focus on pulp and paper and maintained that focus until 2011 when it acquired Attends Healthcare Inc., maker of the Attends brand of incontinence products.
Once more it was back in the consumer products business after exiting almost 50 years earlier. It’s here that Domtar’s story gets interesting.
Domtar paid US$315 million for Attends, a company that, at the time, had annual revenues of US$200 million with US$39 million in EBITDA. Domtar CEO John Williams expressed confidence when announcing the deal that it could double Attends’s earnings over the next five years, in part, by utilizing its own fluff pulp produced in a nearby plant.
How did it do?
In the six months ended June 30, 2016, Domtar’s personal care division (Attends) generated US$60 million EBITDA from US$444 million in revenue. For all of 2015, it generated US$124 million EBITDA from US$869 million in revenue. It’s blown through Williams’s earnings growth prediction.
Its latest move to grow the personal care division came in August when Domtar announced it would pay US$45 million with a possible US$10 million earn-out to acquire Home Delivery Incontinent Supplies Co. (HDIS), a leading U.S. direct-to-consumer provider of adult incontinence products. With annual revenues of US$65 million, HDIS gives Domtar further penetration into its core adult market.
“Direct-to-consumer engagement and interaction is growing, and provides unique consumer and customer insights that are critical to continuously improve the value of our offering,” said Michael Fagan, president of Domtar’s Personal Care division. “Adding HDIS’s successful high-touch service model and capabilities supports our Personal Care growth strategy.”
Adult incontinence, which represents 64% of Domtar’s personal care division’s revenue, is no laughing matter.
The fact that consumers can buy Attends products online with easy home delivery should result in additional sales. Adding this distribution channel only enhances its ability to compete against Kimberly Clark Corp. and its Depend and Poise brands.
Of course, a discussion about Domtar wouldn’t be complete without looking at its legacy pulp and paper business.
In the first six months of 2016, pulp and paper revenues were US$2.1 billion with US$246 million EBITDA. While its margins aren’t quite as high as personal care—11.5% vs. 13.5%—there’s no mistaking which business pays the bills.
Adult incontinence is not something that’s going away. With an aging population, the need for Domtar’s products will only continue to increase, while pulp and paper will always have a market, if not a booming one.
You’re not going to get rich owning Domtar stock, but the 4.4% yield should be music to the ears of income investors everywhere.


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A Halifax farm shop is in the running for a ‘rural oscar’ after being nominated in the 2012 Countryside Alliance Awards.
Far Barsey farm shop, which opened in May 2006, is a family run business in Barkisland and has been entered in the local food category of the regional phase of the competition.
Owner Ruth Dean said: “We’re delighted to be nominated. We put a poster up in the shop inviting our customers to vote for us but we were pleasantly surprised to find we’d been nominated.
“We’ve won a few awards for our sausages in the past and we were shortlisted for the Yorkshire Post awards with our Yorkshire Tea bread.
“We diversified seven years ago from running a dairy farm and it’s been a huge success, we’ve had lots of support and it’s gone very well. To win this award would be really great.”
The regional winners are announced in January and the grand final is in March.


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Anglian Water hopes to avoid wet wipe blockages with new ‘Fine to flush’ scheme
- Credit: Archant
Anglian Water has joined with other water companies to launch a new standard for flushable wet wipes to be known as ‘Fine to Flush’.
A new logo will be available for manufacturers to use if their wet wipes pass specific tests.
The ‘Fine to Flush’ logo will let consumers know that products don’t contain plastic and will break down in sewers.
It is hoped that the standard will help to reduce the number of fatbergs and other sewer blockages, of which wet wipes play a large role.
Anglian Water believe that around 800 tonnes of wipes and sanitary items are flushed every week across the East of England region.
Rachel Dyson, Anglian Water’s Keep It Clear programme manager said: “We’re really pleased that the water industry as a whole is launching this new flushability standard today.
“Wipes cause real problems in the sewer network and have a devastating impact on customers.
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“Wipes are by far the worst culprit but cotton buds, tampons and fats also cause problems in the sewers. They result in around 80 per cent of the 40,000 blockages across the East of England each year.
“Most of these blockages are entirely preventable, but instead lead to devastating sewage spills, can harm the environment and cost more than £15million each year to clear.
“Ultimately this cost is added onto customers’ water bills and would be better spent elsewhere.”
In the UK, water companies say that it costs around £100 million a year to unblock sewers which have been clogged up by wipes and hygiene products.
To qualify for the new standard manufacturers will have to have their wipes tested by WRc, independent experts based in Swindon.


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Maruti Suzuki India, the country's top automaker, reported a smaller-than expected 7 percent fall in quarterly profit, as high costs of raw materials and a new depreciation policy outweighed higher sales.
Maruti, 54.2 percent owned by Japan's Suzuki Motor, has nearly half the Indian car market, with models such as the best-selling Alto and Swift hatchbacks, and has been shifting consumers to premium models such as the DZire sedan.
But the high cost of raw materials such as steel have hit margins, while firm interest rates, rising inflation and a fuel price hike have dented demand in Asia's third-largest economy.
It is also facing more competition from rivals such as Hyundai Motor, General Motors and Fiat in a market that is forecast to record 2 million units in passenger vehicle sales by 2010.
It will face the greatest pressure in the small car segment, with Tata Motors scheduled to launch the Nano, priced at just above $2,500, and a venture of Bajaj Auto with Renault and Nissan building a similar car.
New Delhi-based Maruti said net profit fell to 4.66 billion rupees ($109 million) in its fiscal first quarter to end-June from 4.99 billion rupees in the same period a year earlier.
There was a charge of 619 million rupees from a shorter depreciation cycle introduced in the previous quarter, it said.
Net sales rose 21 percent to 47.31 billion rupees. It sold 192,584 units in the June quarter, an increase of 13.5 percent from a year earlier.
That compared with a forecast of a net profit of 4.55 billion rupees on net sales of 46.65 billion in a Reuters poll.
Its operating margin fell to 10 percent from 14.6 percent a year earlier.
In the June quarter, Maruti had a hedging reserve of 1.35 billion rupees which it said would be recognized when the underlying transaction arose, a change from the earlier practice of recognizing it at the end of each period.
Other derivatives recorded at fair value had a resultant net loss of 139 million rupees in the June quarter, it said, while cost of raw materials rose nearly a fifth.
Maruti has benefited from a cut in excise duty on small cars to 12 percent from 16 percent, and has also raised prices of most models by up to 15,000 rupees to offset higher input costs.
A weaker rupee is boosting earnings from exports, while an increase in annual capacity to 1 million units by 2009/10 will yield greater economies of scale for Maruti, which will account for about a third of Suzuki's global sales in 2010/11.
Maruti, which has launched seven new models in the last three years, will make A-Star cars from late 2008, and then the Splash.
Ahead of the profit results, shares in Maruti ended up 3.9 percent at 648.20 rupees in a firm Mumbai market.
Shares in Maruti, which has a market value of about $4 billion, trade at 9.11 times forecast earnings, compared to a multiple of 8.72 times for top vehicle maker Tata Motors.
Maruti shares fell 26 percent in the quarter, compared to a 21 percent fall in the auto index and a 14 percent decline of the key index.


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Cisco Looks to Ditch Linksys Division
December 17, 2012 8:47 AM
comment(s) - last by
Linksys expected to fetch less than the $500 million Cisco paid in 2003
Cisco Systems is one the largest makers computer network hardware in the world. While the majority of the products that Cisco sells directly are enterprise grade products sold to businesses, Cisco does have the Linksys consumer brand for wireless routers, hubs, and IP cameras.
However, a report suggests Cisco is looking to sell Linksys and has hired Barclays PLC to help it find a buyer.
indicates that Linksys could be interesting to TV makers seeking a recognized brand name and technology.
Cisco purchased Linksys in 2003 to give itself a consumer networking arm for $500 million. At the time, Linksys was a mature company in the consumer business segment with low margins. Linksys is now expected to fetch significantly less than the $500 million Cisco paid.
Like many other companies in the technology segment, Cisco has been downsizing in order to streamline its operations. The company eliminated 7,800 employees over the last year and closed its
Flip video camera unit
that made small, handheld digital camcorders.
This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
12/17/2012 9:09:48 PM
perfect opp for an employee buyout. get some cable co to make me their in-house wireless router (riding the cisco name since they do set-top boxes) -- brighthouse/time-warner stock them on-the-shelf! so it, along with retail mkt, would be a nice consistent biz without some corporate yahoo to screw it up!
"Vista runs on Atom ... It's just no one uses it". -- Intel CEO Paul Otellini
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Oak Furniture Land founder and boss Jason Bannister has stepped up to the role of executive chairman as part of a wider senior management reshuffle.
The business has poached Watchshop chief executive Alex Fisher to take on the role of chief operating officer, as it presses ahead with its ambitious growth plans.
Terry King, who previously served as chief operating officer, will step up to the newly created role of chief executive.
That has paved the way for managing director Bannister to become executive chairman.
The reshuffle comes as Oak Furniture Land presses ahead with plans to grow its UK store estate, opening stores at a rate of one per month.
It already has a portfolio of 100 sites across the country.
The retailer is also planning to open shops in the US, where it already operates a transactional website.
Fisher, a former Mothercare trading director and Tesco category director, said: “Re-enforcing the distinctiveness of our already excellent brand and product offer needs to be at the forefront of our focus.
“A seamless experience across all of our customer touchpoints will ensure that we’re able to attract and retain both new and existing customers across all markets as we accelerate our global ambitions.”
Bannister added: “Alex brings a wealth of multichannel and international experience which will prepare us for our next phase of rapid growth, and will particularly help strengthen our digital capabilities and overseas opportunities.”


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As concern over plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and roadways grows, jurisdictions around the country are banning plastic bags or placing a mandatory fee on them. In Maryland, lawmakers are proposing a plastic shopping bag ban, while in neighboring Virginia, there are proposals to implement a five-cent fee.“It’s a plastic pollution crisis worldwide,” says Martha Ainsworth with the Sierra Club in Prince George’s County. “We really can’t afford to wait another year.”
Since 2012, Ainsworth has organized volunteers to observe shopper bag use outside grocery stores in Maryland. In the latest study in 2019, volunteers observed 32,512 shoppers at 209 stores. In Prince George’s County, almost 9 out of every 10 used disposable plastic bags. “I’ll tell you what’s disappointing is when you stand an hour in front of a store, and you don’t see any reusable bags,” says Ainsworth. “It’s devastating.”
But there were two grocery chains in the county where shopper behavior was completely different, where nearly everybody either brought their own reusable bag, or used no bag at all. Lidl and Aldi—two German low-price grocery chains—offer no single-use plastic bags. Paper is available, but each bag costs a few cents. Shifting the cost of bags onto consumers—who can choose to avoid the cost by bringing their own bags—helps the stores keep prices low. “People who take the bags pay for them, and people who don’t take them don’t pay for them,” says Ainsworth.


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Millions of Americans suffer from migraines every year, and while there's no known cure, there is a new, drug-free treatment on the market.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a new magnetic device, known as a Cerena Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator. (Via eNeura)
It works by stimulating the occipital cortex in the brain. Users hold the device to the back of their heads and press a button which releases a pulse of magnetic energy.
This new device helps relieve pain in migraines preceded by what's referred to as aura — those type of migraines have warning signs like dizziness or trouble seeing. (Via Wikimedia Commons / Dr. Arne May)
In a clinical trial of 201 patients who suffered from migraines, FDA researchers found nearly 38 percent of those who used the device were pain-free within two hours after using it. That’s compared to 17 percent among those in the control group that didn’t use the device. (Via National Headache Foundation, 9 News)
Two hours may sound like a long time, but experts say it's a big improvement considering some migraines can last up to 72 hours. (Via NBC)
The FDA notes the device helped with migraine pain, but not other problems associated with migraines, including light sensitivity and nausea.
One migraine expert told HealthDay: "Although this device is unwieldy, it may be a preferred choice by those who don't want [drug] treatment."
The FDA says side effects, like dizziness, from the device were rare, but there were single instances of sinusitis, inability to speak and vertigo.


text:
The Kloudio Team spent last week in Las Vegas at AWS re:Invent. It’s Amazon’s annual user summit with a focus on cloud computing and data. For the 7th year in a row, the event was the biggest success yet. Thousands of cloud computing experts joining the table of discussion.
Both our CEO, Krishna Bhat, and CTO, Sathish Raju, spent great quality time speaking with the cloud computing network at large and gained insights on data management practices.
In case you weren’t able to attend, here the Kloudio Team’s key takeaways from AWS re:Invent based on the sessions we attended.
Select appropriate tools for your business use case
Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon Web Services, kicked off the day with a keynote highlighting the business-centric message of using the appropriate AWS tools for the right use case. Ultimately freeing up time for data experts to make strategic business decisions.
Too often employees are made to leverage a tech stack that doesn’t fit their use case as a result of additional overhead. Certainly, with the growth of diverse and valuable offerings, these scenarios can be reduced in the future.
The team at Kloudio couldn’t agree more with this message. As we continue to explain our own platform, we also build in anticipation for a future where decision-makers don’t have to worry about having the right technology, but rather have the ability to customize it and make it helpful for their own use cases.
Amazon created and launched a time series database
We expect many are happy to hear Amazon created and launched their own time series database. Amazon Timestream will help users track items over time.
In fact, Forbes notably states: “This re:Invent turned AWS into a cloud with the most comprehensive database offerings.” We couldn’t agree more.
The database will change the way billions and trillions are tracking and analyzing for businesses at a fraction of the costs competitors offer. It’s a fully managed database while also driving real-time decision making by tracking data are record speeds.
Focus on AI and machine learning
This time around, Amazon continues to focus on the importance of AI and machine learning and the variable here is speed. AWS Marketplace will now enable developers to create and sell their own machine learning models. So there’s no doubt many are ready to hit the market.
With the launch of this machine learning and AI model marketplace, Amazon will also have SageMaker offerings. This will help to deploy machine learning and AI models at a faster rate. That’s why having an integration that processes data real-time is becoming a crucial factor in any machine learning or AI initiatives. We know what is possible, it’s a matter of accomplishing more at a faster rate.
We also learn that Amazon making the most of their 2015 investment in Annapurna, a chip-design company. Annapurna is expected to create custom chips. They will be used by AWS deliver machine learning models at a budget-friendly price. The inference chip was created for models developed in TensorFlow, Apache MXNet, and PyTorch frameworks.
Data continues to be the most valuable assets of most organizations. Building an internal cloud strategy generates huge benefits. The AWS re:Invent summit showcased to us that the future of cloud computing will enable organizations to take more accurate and timely strategic actions.
Amazon is operating at x10 the average speed to keep themselves ahead of the competitor. With all these exciting new announcements, AWS has caught data analysts by surprise by enhancing existing offerings.
Here at Kloudio, we’re looking forward to bringing users with more integrations through our cloud platform in the coming year. To learn more about Kloudio and try out the platform for free, please visit us here.


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Nick Campbell (Simmons) & James Knott (director at Lonsdale)
Private equity firm Lonsdale Capital Partners has snapped up London-based cocktail bar chain Simmons Bars.
Lonsdale Capital Partners has secured a loan from challenger bank OakNorth to fund the acquisition of Simmons Bars, a popular London cocktail bar chain with 12 sites across the capital.
Established in 2013, the Simmons chain now boasts bars in King’s Cross, Camden, Clerkenwell, Soho, Liverpool Street, Fulham and Balham.
The firm has been on an impressive growth trajectory over the last three years - opening nine of the 12 bars.
Nick Campbell, the co-founder and CEO, will continue to lead the business with the support of Lonsdale.
With Londsale’s support, the company intends to continue adding further sites across London, with the aim of expanding to over 30 bars in the short to medium term.
James Knott, investment director at Lonsdale Capital Partners, said: “Since our founding in 2009, our investment approach has been to back businesses operating in an attractive niche, with strong and ambitious management teams.
“Simmons is a perfect example of this – although it is a relatively young business, it has grown impressively over the past four years under the leadership of Nick Campbell and now boasts a well-located, profitable estate.
“In addition to this, it is positioned in one of the fastest growing leisure segments in the UK – one that is expected to be worth £608m by 2021.
“With this finance from OakNorth, we will be able to provide Simmons with the capital and expertise required to help it reach its full potential.”
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Many owners of Subway restaurants have publicly called the chain out for ignoring their operational issues and providing little support
Unlike many other major fast-food chains like McDonald's and Burger King, the majority of Subway's locations aren't run by restaurant groups or investment firms
Insiders have said that the chain began its downward spiral after founder Fred DeLuca passed away, which left Subway without his tight-grip leadership
Based on the number of restaurants it has, Subway has held the title of the largest fast-food empire in the world for some time.
Subway's "Eat Fresh" slogan is alarmingly misleading, insiders claim. Because the chain keeps a tight grip on supply procurement
The contents of Subway's tuna may have been the biggest fast-food story of 2021. It all started with a lawsuit that claimed the chain is defrauding
While the evaluation of the chain's bread by the Supreme Court of Ireland happened purely for tax purposes, the ruling still stands
Subway's Eat Fresh Refresh, also known as its largest menu overhaul in brand history, may have caused a major uptick in the chain's sales for a few months
In order to promote the Eat Fresh Refresh, Subway promised to give away a million free sandwiches.


text:
Dick’s announces major expansion in House of Sport stores
Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to open between 75 and 100 House of Sport stores in the next four years.
The 850-store retailer, which has around 10% of the US fishing retail market, has already opened nine of the new experiential format stores this year and will add another 11 in the next two years.
The first House of Sport opened in Victor, New York in April 2021, combining retail shopping with the opportunity to try products and sports. The stores have a 100,000 square foot-plus footprint and some incorporate playing fields.
“Customer feedback has been so positive and the communities see the stores as a destination,” said Toni Roeller, Senior VP In-store Environment and Visual Merchandising.
Speaking after the Dick’s second quarter announcement last week, Executive Chairman Ed Stack said the company’s new House of Sport concept was ‘yielding powerful results.’
“We haven’t seen growth opportunities like these since we went public in the early 2000s,” he added.
Locations of the nine new Dick’s House of Sport stores opened during July and August this year are: The Shops at Park, Katy, Texas; Baybrook Mall, Friendswood, Texas; Davenport Commons, Davenport, Iowa; Market Place Shopping Center, Champaign, Illinois; Greenbrier Square, Chesapeake, Virginia; Freedom Town, Fayetteville, North Carolina; Latham Farms, Latham, New York; Viewmont Mall, Scranton, Pennsylvania and Oakdale Commons, Johnson City, New York.


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Nintendo design decisions for its 3D gaming console
Here’s an interesting one, about avoiding a pitfall in product design. Will we hear about hinge cracking problems with the upcoming 3DS? Hopefully not, because the company has been highlighting the physical design decisions made around the 3D gaming console, reports Slashgear, via Kotaku (it is all in Japanese).
According to Yui Ehara, from Nintendo’s research and engineering department, the ice-cream sandwich style three layer stack is purposefully tapered so as to give a gamer’s fingers somewhere to grip, unlike the slickly-abutted edges of the DS Lite. Meanwhile, there’s also been work on new materials and coatings to boost durability.
For instance, while the tapering aspect helps you open the 3DS, it also increases the likelihood that, if dropped, all the impact force will be on a single point. To counter that, Nintendo used a new glass-fiber resin for the chassis, and rearranged the internal layout of the electronics to minimize damage. The new hinge design apparently took six months of prototyping, but Nintendo is now confident it will not only open readily but avoid the stress-cracks many DS Lite owners have complained of.


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A new app on the block is calling itself the ‘Uber’ for all your plant, home and hardware needs. Here’s what you need to know.
The new way of the world thanks to the pandemic has left one too many of us stuck indoors, terrified of being out in public places, especially to shop. It’s also made us embrace new hobbies, especially DIY activities — and become proud plant parents. While the likes of Bunnings, Spotlight and other hardware and crafty stores have been a blessing, 2020’s also revealed a slight gap in the market to us.
Twenty-two-year-old entrepreneurs, Greg Leibowitz and James Fisher, realised there wasn’t an option for people to avail if they wanted to start or finish a project on a whim and needed supplies to get going without having to leave the house. It’s also true for people who don’t have a car, can’t drive…or are too lazy.
The app, which offers on-demand delivery to your doorstep, contract-free, is also a great alternative for tradespeople who need things on the job and don’t have the option of leaving the site.
So, how does the new Rendr app work, you ask?
You can download the app to your phone and browse it for all your plants, home and hardware needs. Some of the items you can shop for on Rendr include DIY vegetable kits, organic garden bundles, barbecues, tools and lighting. The delivery timings are from 7am to 7pm and you can schedule these in advance. Delivery costs depend on the number of items you’re ordering but the starting price is $14.95.
Here’s the catch though. While anyone can download the app, Rendr’s only delivering to Melbourne’s CBD and close-by suburbs for the time being. While it’s a bummer for the rest of us folks outside these areas, we’re happy our mates in Melbourne can benefit while in lockdown. You can check out all the delivery areas here.
Having said that, Leibowitz and Fisher hope to expand their operations in the coming months.
“Our model is very scalable,” the co-founders told Lifehacker Australia. “So when we find that there’s demand from a particular area, we can just include those suburbs and allow deliveries to be completed to those areas.”


text:
Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales grow 1.6% in August compared with the same time last year.
Drink-led pubs and bars, recorded the greatest growth, as sales increased 4.1% on the back of late month heatwave, according to the latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.
Regionally, London performed better than the rest of the UK, like-for-like trading was up 2.9%, against 1.2% for outside the M25. Restaurant groups in the capital were also in positive territory, up 0.5% against minus 0.5% outside.
Pub groups saw drink sales up 3.8% over the month, with food sales marginally down 0.1%. Restaurant groups had a more subdued month, following a good July, with collective like-for-like trading down, down by 0.2%.
Total sales across all companies, which include the effect of net new openings since this time last year, were ahead 4.3% compared with last August.
Underlying like-for-like growth for the Tracker cohort, which represents both large and small groups, was also running at 1.7% for the 12 months to the end of August.
Mark Sheehan, MD at Coffer Corporate Leisure, said: “These are solid numbers generally with pub sales again outperforming restaurants partly helped by the weather.
“Consumer habits are changing fast especially in the restaurant sector, evidenced by The Restaurant Group announcing that they are to close up to half of their mainstream restaurants over time. Until recently these were seen as the best portfolio of sites in the market and demonstrates the difficulties being experienced by many restaurant chains.”
Paul Newman, head of leisure and hospitality, RSM, added: “Despite ongoing political uncertainty and with the UK on the cusp of a recession, Britain’s drink led pubs had much to cheer in August with sales buoyed by the long, hot days that ended the summer.
“The news for restaurants was less upbeat as consumers look to balance their household budgets by cutting back on eating out. With underlying costs outpacing top line growth, we fear some food operators will struggle to meet upcoming quarterly rent bills which could lead to further casualties in the UK mid-market dining sector.”


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Charlize Theron wears a 44mm Rolex Submariner like it’s nobody’s business. Lady Gaga is the new brand ambassador for Tudor. And just this month, Audemars Piguet dropped a full new collection that was entirely genderless. The lines between a ‘man’s watch’ and a ‘woman’s watch’ are beginning to beautifully blur, and the result is wildly intriguing – not just stylistically, but also socially.
After all, we have been fascinated by men’s watches for women since the early 1950s, when the first Rolex Datejusts, Daytonas, and Day-Dates started appearing not only on the wrists of men, but also of women. Well into the 90s and 00s, many celebrities – from Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon to Hillary Duff – started sporting men’s models too, particularly large sports models, received with much cool curiosity.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, considering that men’s watches are often larger, less bejewelled, and commonly boast a more complicated and interesting movement. They’re the highest markers of quality and durability, and to be completely fair, they aren’t really home to a particular gender, but rather to the wrist of anyone who can appreciate them.
Regardless, a ‘man’s watch’ on a woman has an appeal unlike many other style staples. It’s a statement, a power move, and a downright seductive juxtaposition between structures, colours, and most obviously, masculinity and femininity. In the words of Hodinkee editor Cara Barett, “Women aren’t staying home and hosting lots of cocktail parties anymore. That is reflected in the change of the style of watches that women wear. More women are in boardrooms, more women are working, more women are doing thousands of things.”
From dive watches to dress watches, read ahead for a few of our top choices for classic men’s watches that actually look really great on women too. Between steel bracelets and dramatic dials – oh, man, it’s a great time to be a woman who loves a good watch.


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"We used to break our own rules and broke into boxes for retailers who wanted three pieces rather than a full case count of 12," Topco Sales public relations rep Desiree Duffie told XBIZ. "There are extra costs involved in that: labor, time, extra shipping. We realized that as much as we're trying to help people and support the smaller businesses, for the industry as a whole, it's not really benefitting anyone. We incur more costs and we're hurting the distributors, who are good at taking cases and breaking them up — that's what they do. So we decided to streamline things across the board."
Citing increasing manufacturing costs and gasoline prices, Topco said that the new policy will buffer price increases for distributors and help Topco handle its inventory efficiently, ship faster and control inventory costs.
"Ultimately what we are doing is streamlining the supply chain and making it more efficient," Topco CEO Scott Tucker said. "Our full-line distributors are our partners in this initiative and as we support them with better service and reasonable prices, they will be better able to support their customers: the retailers."
Retailers who can't order full cases can get Topco products from wholesale distributors.
"Topco Sales' products will be available to retailers just as they always have been," Topco Chief Financial Officer Gabriel Scally said. "Full-line distributors are going to see an increase in sales as more retailers and chains come to them for the entire Topco Sales line of products."
Distributors who are interested in becoming full-line should contact their Topco Sales account executive for more information.
For more information, visit the Topco Sales website.


text:
As Chevrolet gets ready to celebrate the 70th anniversary of “America’s sports car,” it’s going to have something special to mark the occasion.
The first-ever Corvette hybrid will make its official debut Jan. 17, Chevy announced, and it will bring with it a number of other firsts, including an all-wheel-drive system. Details about the debut have yet to be revealed, but a leak late last year already provided a sneak peek at what will be named the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray.
While the E-Ray will be the first electrified Corvette, company officials have indicated it won’t be the last. If anything, the classic two-seater is rapidly approaching the point at which it will shift to an all-electric drivetrain, in line with the rest of the General Motors line-up.
Part of the C8’s original design
Chevy has been hinting for some time that it will begin using electric drive technology in the Corvette, several senior executives telling TheDetroitBureau.com that the underlying platform of the eighth-generation sports car, the “C8,” was specifically designed to make room for a battery pack and electric motors.
The exact package remains a mystery. It’s not clear how big that battery pack will be, nor whether there will be more than one electric motor in the E-Ray. But the hybrid is expected to pair the hybrid drive with the 6.2-liter LT2 V-8 currently used in the base Corvette Stingray model.
Leaked information suggests the E-Ray could get at least another 150 horsepower beyond the 495 hp already offered by the Stingray. Even more significant will be the added torque, the current C8 coming in at 470 pound-feet. And, Chevy engineers are expected to make good use of the instant torque that electric motors deliver.
A substantial bump in performance
That should mean a significant bump in performance from the 2023 Corvette Stingray which can hit 60 in around 3.2 seconds and run the quarter-mile in under 11.5 seconds. But we’ll have to wait to see how it compares with the beefier, 670-hp Corvette Z06 which can hit 60 in around 2.6 seconds and blow through the quarter-mile traps in just under 11 seconds.
The new all-wheel-drive layout will clearly help maximize grip, something useful when you’re attempting to deliver so much power to the pavement. Early indications are that the E-Ray will continue to use the LT2 to power the rear wheels, with the hybrid motor — or motors — spinning the front axle. Of course, we could be in for a surprise and find some electric torque helping enhance output to the back axles, as well.
A new teaser video indicates the Corvette E-Ray will get a new “Stealth Mode” which appears to mean the ability to operate exclusively on electric power. For how long is uncertain. Conventional hybrids typically rely on relatively small battery packs, less than 2 kilowatt-hours, which would allow an EV-only range of no more than a couple miles in a vehicle like the ‘Vette.
We’ve already learned that the E-Ray will get a regen-on-demand system that will be in line with what many new battery-electric vehicles offer. A driver will be able to dial up the amount of energy recaptured during braking and coasting. Not only will that more quickly replenish the lithium-ion battery pack but it also will allow the hybrid system to help scrub off speed when entering corners or simply slowing down in traffic.
Where the pack and hybrid drive system will be mounted is another unanswered question. Those sources told TheDetroitBureau the C8 platform was designed to keep the batteries as low, and as close to the center as possible in order to hold down the center of gravity and retain a roughly 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance. But the motors and electronics are expected to take up at least some of the space where the Stingray and Z06 models currently offer a front trunk.
The images that leaked out last year indicate that the body of the Corvette E-Ray will pick up some of the Z06’s design cues, meanwhile. There’s the lower fascia, broader stance and wider air intakes.
An all-electric future
The E-Ray will be the first Corvette to use an electrified drivetrain, but it definitely won’t be the last. There’s been a lot of speculation about what’s to follow in the ‘Vette line-up — and whether any upcoming model will again rely solely on piston power. There’s almost certain to be a new ZR1, normally the most powerful of the Corvette packages, but speculation centers around a possible “Zora” model, named for the legendary chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. One or both variants could use electric technology.
Longer term, GM officials have acknowledged that Corvette will migrate to an all-electric propulsion system. That’s no surprise, of course, as the automaker is on what CEO Mary Barra has described as “a path to an all-electric future.”


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Corona aside, the show must go on. Mobile World Congress is, therefore, opening its doors at the end of February, and with it, many phone makers will debut their 2022 flagship series. One of the interesting mobile technologies we should see is the fastest charging ever for a smartphone.
On February 28th, the world’s fastest phone charging will be unveiled. The company behind it is Realme, a brand that has been known to challenge the status quo when it comes to phone battery and charging.
We know Realme will debut the GT2 series globally but it’s unclear whether the tech will come with the phones or if we’re looking at a demo at this stage.
After all, their previous record-breaking charging solution, the 125W UltraDart, never made it to a commercially-available smartphone.
As for its contenders… nubia, OnePlus and Xiaomi are on their tail. nubia’s Red Magic 7 Pro might show up with speeds of 165W or close, while Vivo iQOO 7 and Xiaomi 12 Pro already boast 120W fast charging.
Another challenger is Infinix. A less-known brand in the U.S. and Europe, it has already teased a concept phone with 160W of power.
We’ll have to see if Realme can beat the others and come on top this end of February.


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The Marlin & Ray's seafood restaurant at 11204 James Swart Circle in Fairfax has closed, after one year in business.
The location was previously a Ruby Tuesday's, which is part of the same company.
The chain closed all 13 of its eateries this week so the company can focus more on its Ruby Tuesday brand, the company said in a statement.
Company officials said they are working to relocate Marlin & Ray's staff members, which they consider to be part of their family, to remaining restaurant's within the company.
The company's Web site reads:
Thanks for your patronage. We have enjoyed serving you the best seafood, steaks, and ribs over the past few years. Unfortunately we have closed. We have taken good care of all our employees and hope that you will visit them at your local Ruby Tuesday. Marlin & Ray’s gift cards may be redeemed at any Ruby Tuesday.
"Based on a significant amount of discussion and analysis, and a clear understanding that driving profitable same-restaurant sales at Ruby Tuesday is our first and most critical priority, we have decided to close our 13 Marlin & Ray’s restaurants immediately," said JJ Buettgen, Ruby Tuesday Inc.'s President and CEO. "While this was a difficult decision to make, we have determined the Marlin & Ray’s brand is not an optimal conversion vehicle for us going forward."
The newer brands had some difficulties and were not a "good fit" for the company, said a source familiar with the company who asked not to be identified.
Ruby Tuesday Inc. reported a net loss of $15.1 million for the fiscal second quarter which ended on Dec. 4, Buettgen said.
In addition to shuttering its Marlin & Ray's locations, the company announced it is doing away with its Truffles Grill and Wok Hay concepts, but will keep it's Lime Fresh Mexican Grill and Ruby Tuesday brands.


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First Watch Restaurants Inc. will move into a new headquarters in southern Manatee County.
The 10,500-square-foot headquarters of the national restaurant chain will be located at 8027 Cooper Creek Parkway. The headquarters had previously been in Lakewood Ranch, the Sarasota Herald Tribune said.
First Watch has expanded to include 100 restaurants in 14 states. Freeman Spogli & Co., a private equity firm, purchased the company last December, and has since plotted an aggressive expansion plan, said the report.
The corporate headquarters currently employs 30, but that will gradually expand as well, company chief marketing officer Chis Tomasso told the Herald Tribune.


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Gurwitch Products LLC is on a growth kick, and it’s not wasting time.
Six months after taking the helm as president and chief executive officer, Claudia Poccia has mapped out a growth plan by amping up the firm’s marketing of its flagship Laura Mercier Cosmetics brand, driven by a multiplatform media campaign centered on the founding makeup artist’s flawless finish credo. Also, the company plans to relaunch and expand its RéVive luxury skin care brand next year by taking steps to increase consumer awareness and doubling the business in existing retail accounts.
Poccia noted that the Mercier brand continues on a global basis to outpace market growth, and RéVive is also accelerating market growth in North America and is on pace internationally.
A new advertising and social-media push was launched last month to expand Mercier’s community of consumers and professional makeup artists with video and interactive programs on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the Mercier Web site. A mobile app is also in the works.
Poccia is moving to further develop the logistical infrastructure. A U.K. office is scheduled to open in November. It is seen as a stepping-stone to a planned overseas expansion, including a debut for Mercier in the travel retail market, perhaps by the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013. Poccia expects the Mercier brand to enter China within 18 months and she has an eye on Latin America as a long-term goal. The 15-year-old makeup artist brand now has a distribution of just under 1,000 doors and also does business in the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy and parts of Asia. RéVive, which was founded about 13 years ago by plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Bays Brown, is sold in about 175 doors, mostly specialty stores.
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In the midst of all these expansion ideas, Mercier and Poccia have decided it’s time to give back. Poccia said the two women have drafted the framework of a social responsibility plan to fight ovarian cancer.
But she is keeping an eye on the big picture. “Our overarching objective is to create a house of prestige beauty, a portfolio of businesses that meet the needs of the luxury consumer in the cosmetics space,” Poccia said.
Karen Grant, vice president and senior global industry analyst of The NPD Group, said, “The makeup and treatment are doing very well — period. They are running with the big dogs.” The company confirmed that it ranks ninth in the U.S. department store makeup category. Grant asserted, “It is a strong contender in a strong makeup artist trend.”
While it is still early days since the advertising and new digital material broke, there are signs of a response. The number of Facebook “likes” has increased 5.8 percent since Aug. 1, and the brand has attracted a Facebook fan base of over 41,600, according to the company. The overall Facebook engagement level has risen by 60 percent since the beginning of August. Poccia added that the number of Facebook postings increased 36 percent in the month to nearly 1 million views. Moreover, e-commerce sales have jumped 25 percent in the same period.
The overall business, which had been growing at a double-digit rate, has picked up added speed of a few more points, according to a number of industry sources, who estimate the size of the total Gurwitch business at between $180 million and $240 million wholesale. Poccia declined comment since Gurwitch does not break out numbers. It is thought that about 80 percent of the total business is done by the Mercier brand.
Sources speculate that Gurwitch’s ultimate goal is to eventually build global sales volume to $500 million to $1 billion at wholesale.
The battle plan is based on building market share for the Mercier brand in the U.S., then expanding it overseas in 2013, principally by putting the advertising focus on Mercier’s signature Flawless Finish look. The campaign and the positioning of the brand stems from Mercier’s approach to beauty, which evolved from her background as a painter in her native Provence, France.
“Her philosophy was that you have to have a great canvas, and your canvas has to be prepared and be flawless so that then you can work with colors to create your vision,” Poccia said. She added that, as a result, Mercier created categories of business like foundation primer, tinted moisturizer and secret camouflage, an imperfection corrector. These elements were marketed together into four steps designed to help women achieve a desired finish. The company maintains that its tinted moisturizer is the industry leader with more than a million units sold annually, and there are plans to catapult that business over the next 12 to 18 months.
Poccia said when she first joined the company, succeeding Sharon Collier, she noticed “a consistency of message, application and a vision across [Mercier’s] counters around the world. That emanates from Laura spending time with the artists and really telling them what her philosophy is. And that really is that she believes that every woman is naturally beautiful and that a woman radiates when she feels like a better version of herself.”
The company has capitalized on this base by increasing advertising spending fivefold with a war chest estimated by industry sources at $8 million this year. A new print ad, photographed by Daniel Jackson under the direction of creative director Robert J. Luzzi, is appearing in 12 national magazines. As part of the social-media campaign, digital content has been created for the brand’s pages on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, as well as on lauramercier.com. In addition, eight videos, featuring four of the brand’s makeup artists, have been produced to appear on lauramercier.com.
One tactic that the company is using to foster a cult atmosphere on the social-media sites is to tease out the offering of tips, or secrets, in makeup use from consumers, makeup artists and Mercier herself.
Ellen Greenwald, chief marketing officer, said that last year the company launched a “What Is Flawless?” campaign and asked women to answer the question. “Thousands” of answers poured in, and the responses led to this year’s “Flawless Has Many Faces” advertising, said Greenwald. “The effort spread out across different media platforms because [the consumer] is really engaging in all different places.”
The professional makeup artist community is included in the conversation, Poccia noted, adding that “the whole idea here is that every flawless face has a secret.”
Greenwald agreed, “Our key engagement is to really activate them to come share their secrets, and we’re going to share ours. Right now we’ve collected secrets from Laura herself, and we’re asking celebrities, beauty insiders and tastemakers to share their secrets with us. And we’ll be posting secrets, we’ll be asking questions to really start a conversation, but not just your beauty secrets. Share your secrets about life, your secrets about love, your secrets how to get through a day at work.”
The interactive idea also was pressed into service for at least one product launch, the introduction of a collection of shades of caviar sticks used as eye color. Flip-cams were given to makeup artists at Saks Fifth Avenue so they could video the application on the caviar sticks and upload the result on YouTube and their own Facebook pages. Mercier also launched a kit for making smoky eyes.
The recently drafted social responsibility plank of the company’s spreading platform came into being partly because Mercier and Poccia have been connected to women stricken by ovarian cancer. “We have a very personal connection, and we are committed to making a difference,” said Poccia, who asserted that ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of death among women.
The plan is the raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and Poccia hopes to have a program up and running by the end of the year. “If we can do one quarter of what the industry does for breast cancer research, we would be satisfied,” she said. “It’s a brand with a purpose, and we are two women with a mission.”


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Discounting but No stress and stress and acute concern As jobless rises to the greatest level in more than a quarter century, Retailers are readying for one of the country's biggest shopping days of the year Black Friday, The day after thanksgiving holiday holiday, Which marks the state start of the Christmas shopping season which will likely foretell the failure or success of 2009's holiday sales season.
"It's a depths of the mind day for us, Personalised 1,200 storehouses and therefore 160,000 people ready for 35 times of mayhem, Experiences Mike Vitelli, Executive vice chairman of Best Buy's shop black friday customer going groups. "It does not take gun start of race, (See vid from Black Friday 2008.) Expect to see heavy price discounting among most traders this winter holiday, But not as reasonably low as last year's stunning markdowns. "Typically locate see 30% to 50% off, But yr following was 75% to 80% off, Is prepared Tiffany Co, Home of retail at Fitch scores. "I don't think we will see the kind of panic discounting we saw last year, Confirms rich Jaffe, Averting director at Stifel Nicolaus Co, Although he notes that campaigns start earlier. Yet it certainly won't be easy for shops to hold the line as they face a showdown with frugal shoppers. "Selections are who black friday deals is fit, But sales may suffer more than we thought as retailers have to blink on promotions to visitors, Says Jeff cultured, Movie spokesperson at Barclays Capital, Who expects holiday sales to be flat with yr after levels. (See 20 tech appliances may buy now.) The tee up this season's Black Friday began early, With many retailers pushing holiday ads while pumpkins and costumes remained as on store shelves. Walmart slashed the price on 10 of basically anticipated hardcover books to $10 a pop for shoppers who preordered the new releases through its website. When Amazon matched the retail price a couple later, Walmart trimmed the to $9 apiece and then also $8.99. Rival designated, Not to be unseen, Has since corresponding this price on its web portal. Walmart didn't hang on a minute. It launched offers to sell 100 toys for $10 apiece, Roll back prices 20% to 30% on greater 100 other toys and strongly mark down prices on DVDs, Online social gaming and other electronics and before Black Friday. Its push into electronics comes as the sector faces fewer competitors caused by the demise of Circuit City and Tweeter within the last year. "We defintely will not beaten on price, Being discussed Eduardo Castro Wright, Vice chairman of grocery stores Stores Inc, During you can annual investor meeting last month. Traviling to where can crush of early Black Friday shoppers, Walmart has announced that it intends to keep many of its stores open on a 24 hour cycle from thanksgiving holiday holiday through Black Friday. (See pictures of retailers that've gone bankrupt.) Involves has retailers nervously curious how much they'll need to discount prices this season. "I think virtually any retailer has some level of anxiety about what Walmart will work in terms of pricing, Implies that Ken Perkins, Lead trendy of Retail Metrics, A retail utilizing study firm. "They've had so many category killers terminate, And lots are cognizant of it, Electronics giant Best Buy isn't black friday store deals taking the contest sitting yourself down. Vitelli says his company is able to match prices through Walmart and other retailers. "We watch each, In order to him. "We're efficient making use of them dollar for dollar, Best Buy offers a wider and deeper spread of electronic acquisitions than many competitors, Vitelli docs is, Passing on a gain. (See 10 things to buy during downturn.) The prevailing bargains and black friday o que é heaviest competition on Black Friday will be in gadgets, Where services such as Best Buy, Walmart and Target are obtaining pace to offer"Door reducer" Sales for items beginning flat screen TVs, Texting and home theater systems to laptops and e readers. Take full advantage of those predawn door crashers, Regular shoppers can get bargains of up to 60% on certain products on Black Friday, States Vitelli. Shoppers may not jump at early special savings. Most people are still in a frugal mind frame and can easily recall how retailers slashed prices up to 85% last November and December to unload huge inventories. Has, Shell amazed sites, Rattled by the break of Lehman cousons, The crisis at AIG and upheaval in the schooling markets, Placed the panic button.
"I don't even think anyone had ever lived using big a swing in consumption, From double digit growth to double digit is minimal, In this rapid certain time, Documents Stephen Sadove, Chairman and tops of Saks Inc. To reduce the potential of another round of panic selling, Saks and other retail stores have ordered up to 20% less inventory for this year. "You clearly aren't going to see the sort of discounting that you saw yr after, Pronounces Sadove, Although he doesn't rule out 70% off sales being held afterwards of the growing season if there's inventory left.
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Advertisers that spend millions of dollars on the Super Bowl are trying to avoid what the Ram truck company did with a Martin Luther King speech or what Groupon did spoofing promos for charities.
Tagged with: Super BowlRead More »
Disney is seeking new frontiers. The media company launched its $5-a-month sports streaming service, ESPN Plus, last month, and it signed a deal with Twitter this month to create Marvel, ABC and ESPN content on that service. Meanwhile, Disney is trying to buy much of 21st Century Fox, including the Fox television network and the X-Men movie franchise.Read More »


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Reports Net Profit
(source from yahoo.com)
BERLIN (AP) - Bertelsmann reported a net profit for its truncated 2001 fiscal year that was buoyed by the sale of its stake in AOL Europe. The media company also forecast Tuesday that earnings for 2002 would exceed the previous full year's level.
In the six-month period to Dec. 31, the company posted net profit of 931 million euros ($818 million), helped by $1.93 billion in proceeds from the sale of AOL Europe shares and other holdings. The selloff is part of Bertelsmann's strategy of focusing on becoming a media content provider.
Bertelsmann reported a net profit of 968 million euros for the previous full fiscal year, which ended last June, and said Tuesday it expects to exceed that amount this year. The privately held media company didn't provide comparison figures for the six-month earnings.
Bertelsmann is switching to a calendar year in preparation for a possible stock offering, although no date has been set for that. The 2001 earnings were the first reported according to international accounting standards rather than German standards.
"Proceeds from the sales of AOL shares contributed greatly to the high profits, but operational competitiveness was also increased, thanks to cost and portfolio management and a focus on creative core tasks," the company said in a statement.
Revenues were 9.7 billion euros ($8.52 billion) in the six months and earnings before interest, tax and amortization came to 1.7 billion euros ($1.49 billion).
Bertelsmann's divisional earnings ¡X which exclude one-time gains and the company's Internet business and are reported before interest, taxes and amortization ¡X were 212 million euros ($186 million).
Bertelsmann's divisions include media company RTL, publisher Random House, magazine group Gruner + Jahr, a scientific publishing arm, and music group BMG, whose top names include Whitney Houston, the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears
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Global Trends Of Open Innovation
The TechStory website noted that the clear benefits of open innovation bring cost-effective methods in R&D with scope for improving productivity. Since priorities change, companies will start to seek for accurate market research targeting the right customers bringing about immense potential of productive synergies between internal and external innovation. World over, various models for open innovation include companies who work for their clients to secure ideas and technologies from the best innovators across the globe.
Click here to read the full article.


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In her 1878 travelogue A Thousand Miles Up The Nile, Amelia Edwards writes: “A donkey ride and a boating trip interspersed with ruins, does in fact, sum up in a single line the whole experience of the Nile traveler.”
But even back then, luxury travel to the tombs and treasures that line the shores of the world’s longest and most mythologized river wasn’t far off. By the 1920s, double-masted dahabiyas and plush Edwardian steamers had arrived—and travel conditions have been improving ever since.
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The latest way to soak it all in in style is Viking’s new 82-passenger ship, Viking Aton, named for the Egyptian sun god.
“With an extraordinarily strong interest in Egypt, we are proud to bring our guests another state-of-the-art vessel to this region, and we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to the country’s rich cultural treasures,” Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said at a naming ceremony at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel in balmy Aswan, Egypt.
Hagen—who says Viking started its investment in Egypt in months following the Arab Spring in 2011—now operates four ships, which were launched in August in response to the uptick in interest in luxury Nile cruises, in the region. Two more purpose-built vessels are slated to be delivered by 2025, and he hinted that a few more ships could be on the way.
“Following our meetings here in 2011, we were given the right to own and operate ships on the Nile,” Hagen said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few more coming.”
True to Viking’s sleek and Scandi-style roots, the shiny new vessel comes outfitted with 41 residential-style staterooms, an open-air atrium, two modern restaurants, and an infinity-edge plunge pool flanking Aton’s signature Aquavit terrace. Where the sunny ship really shines is the thoughtful and understated design details like floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interiors with natural light and uninterrupted Nile views at every turn.
Billing itself as “the thinking person’s cruise,” Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary is as immersive and destination-centric as they come. Starting and ending in Cairo, every sailing comes accompanied by Viking’s resident Egyptologists—for onboard ancient Egyptology lectures and hyperlocal tours and experiences—and privileged access to some of the country’s most exquisite wonders like King Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
“When we do something at Viking, we like to think we are the best, and this ship is evidence of that,” Hagen said. “When we have a chance in a wonderful country like this to have first-class equipment, it has to be done right, and we are setting the standard by far.”
Sailings on the itinerary including three nights in Cairo starting at $7,799 for a Veranda Suite per person based on double occupancy.
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