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- Why Us
Findings from the Greenlight Guru 2022 Medical Device industry benchmark survey reveal a need to focus on quality initiatives, gaps between processes and priorities, and more
INDIANAPOLIS — February 17, 2022 — Greenlight Guru, pioneer of the only dedicated Medical Device Success Platform (MDSP), today announced findings from its 2022 benchmark study on product development, quality management, and commercialization efforts in the medical device industry. This original research report provides the medical device community with insights into key benchmarks, industry challenges, quality management preparedness, and what leading companies are doing differently.
With three years of data to compare, the 2022 report shows year-over-year declines in the use of general purpose tools for product development and quality activities. Despite these year-over-year improvements, a third of pre-market companies still attempt to get by with these general purpose tools.
This report also reveals that use of general purpose tools correlates with lower performance. Furthermore, companies that are unwilling to invest in purpose built tools put themselves at risk for significant and expensive consequences — from silent inefficiencies to missed performance signals and compliance threats.
“We found that more companies are instituting feedback loops for quality problems, but a significant number of medical device companies still struggle to leverage quality as an asset to accelerate their development,” said David DeRam, CEO of Greenlight Guru. “High-performing companies stand out by viewing quality as more than a compliance effort and injecting quality into product development and supplier management processes. This is why 81% of high-performing market leaders maintain a strong feedback loop between these teams.”
Survey data also revealed that accelerating product development is a critical priority for companies in 2022, with nearly 2 out of 3 executives (63%) citing it. This represents a 37 point jump in just 12 months.
Despite the anticipated growth, the COVID-19 pandemic still exposed defects in important processes like supplier management that previously lay dormant. More than 3 in 4 respondents say their supplier quality management program is average or below average. “COVID really revealed how risky we were behaving with very little supplier qualification,” shared one survey respondent. “We found many of our suppliers were also in much riskier positions than we thought.”
Additional findings from the report include:
While 8 in 10 predict growth for the year ahead, only 8% report feeling very well equipped to meet objectives in 2022.
80% of high-performing market leaders in the field say they have processes in place to connect quality issues to R&D and management.
Speeding product development and approvals is a priority for executives while management sees a critical need to upgrade systems and processes to stay audit-ready.
Just 28% say they have achieved “high visibility” into quality data — meaning the people who need to access quality information can readily consult it.
Results from the 2022 benchmark study were driven from an online survey that was fielded between November 4 and November 30, 2021. Survey respondents consisted of 519 participants, of whom are employed in quality, product development, and executive management positions by device organizations ranging in size from small to enterprise-level that are located in various regions around the world. Click here to download the full report.
To get a deeper dive into the report findings, register for the upcoming 2022 State Of Medical Device True Quality Virtual Summit Series and attend engaging panel discussions from industry experts. Discover what high-performing companies do differently and gain actionable insights to take your organization to the next level.
This release follows the announcement of True Quality 2022, the must-attend conference hosted by Greenlight Guru for medical device executives, quality, and regulatory professionals who drive innovation in the most high-performing medical device companies. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities click here, or to register for True Quality 2022 visit https://www.greenlight.guru/true-quality.
Nick Tippmann is the Chief Marketing Officer for Greenlight Guru, a MedTech Lifecycle Excellence Platform (MLE) that provides an industry-specific solution to help medical technology innovators around the world use quality as an accelerator to move beyond baseline compliance and achieve True Quality. Tippmann is...


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CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — The former president and CEO of an upscale jewelry manufacturing company was fined nearly $1 million Thursday for smuggling black coral into the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ashu Bhandari also was ordered to spend one month in jail, complete 300 hours of community service and pay nearly $230,000 to the University of the Virgin Islands for projects to research and protect black corals, the U.S. Justice Department said.
The sentence marks the end of one of the largest federal cases involving illegal trade in wildlife.
Bhandari pleaded guilty in November to one count of false classification of goods to hide shipments of internationally protected black coral that his former company, Gem Manufacturing Inc., received from Taiwanese suppliers.
Bhandari was the last defendant to be sentenced in a case that spawned a three-year investigation that also sent two of his business partners to prison.
Ivan and Gloria Chu of Taiwan-based Peng Chia Enterprise Co. Ltd. pleaded guilty in 2010 to illegally importing black coral as part of a plea deal. Ivan Chu agreed to serve 2 1/2 years in prison and pay a $12,500 fine, while Gloria Chu agreed to serve 20 months and pay a $12,500 fine.
In 2011, Bhandari's company was ordered to forfeit dozens of jewelry items, sculptures and more than 13,600 pounds (6,000 kilograms) of raw black coral. Together they were worth about $2.17 million.
Gem Manufacturing also was ordered to pay a nearly $4.5 million fine, the largest ever at the time for non-seafood wildlife trafficking and the fourth-largest for any U.S. case involving illegal trade in wildlife.
Black coral is an organism that thrives in deep ocean water and grows on rocks like a plant. It can live for hundreds or thousands of years and can be harvested for jewelry and other purposes under strict trade regulations.

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Gabby Goodwin has to be one of the most inspirational teenagers out there.
The Columbia, South Carolina native is now the CEO of a retail store, and a salon for young women, Confidence by Gabby Goodwin.
Realizing Her Dreams
The grand opening took place on December 4, complete with a ribbon-cutting.
Even the Columbia Chamber of Commerce dropped in to congratulate the young entrepreneur.
Located at Columbia’s 3525 Bush River Road, the store sells plant-based natural hair products along with GaBBY Bows.
GaBBY Bows are double-face, double-snap barrettes that act as a solution to the common barrettes that almost always disappear.
Since launching GaBBY Bows, the teenager has always dreamed of having a physical storefront.
The family-owned Confidence by Gabby Goodwin is the culmination of that dream. According to Gabby’s father, Mike Goodwin, the storefront is a level of validation for the brand.
People can now physically come and buy her products.
The store even has a salon that caters to young women.
Using Success to Inspire
Mike also revealed that Gabby has had a major impact on her community, especially among young girls.
By going after her dreams from such a tender age, she has shown the community that there is no “right time” to start pursuing your dreams.
People of all ages can say to themselves that if a little girl can be successful, why can’t they?
The young CEO is all about sharing her knowledge, too. She has started a business mentorship program aimed at young girls.
Her program teaches them how to become successful entrepreneurs.
Gabby revealed that through the program, other girls can learn everything she herself learned the hard way while she was younger.
Hopefully, this will let them become more confident in themselves and just better people in general.
The Next Step
Even though Gabbie has taken a major step forward with the storefront, she’s nowhere near done.
As Confidence by Gabby Goodwin and GaBBY Bows continue to grow, she aims to recruit more young girls who wish to be entrepreneurs.


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SENATE TAKES STEP TO BAN STALKING PHONE SOFTWARE
Loophole has allowed popular app to track spouse’s whereabouts
WASHINGTON A loophole that permits software companies to sell cyberstalking apps that operate secretly on cellphones could soon be closed by Congress. The software is popular among jealous wives or husbands because it can continuously track the whereabouts of a spouse.
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill Thursday that makes it a crime for companies to make and intentionally operate a stalking app. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., also would curb the appeal for such inexpensive and easy-to-use programs by requiring companies to disclose their existence on a target’s phone.
Stalking and wiretapping already are illegal, but there are no provisions in federal law that clearly prohibit businesses from making an app whose primary purpose is to help one person stalk another. Franken’s proposal would extend the criminal and civil liabilities for the improper use of the apps to include the software companies that sell them.
The proposal would update laws passed years before wireless technology revolutionized communications. Telephone companies are barred from disclosing to businesses the locations of people who make traditional phone calls. But there is no such prohibition when communicating over the Internet. If a mobile device sends an email, links to a website or launches an app, the precise location of the phone can be passed to advertisers, marketers and others without the user’s permission.
“What’s most troubling is this: Our law is not protecting location information,” said Franken, chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on privacy, technology and the law.
The ambiguity has created a niche for companies like Retina Software, which makes ePhoneTracker and describes it as “stealth phone spy software.” It’s available online for about $50. “Suspect your spouse is cheating?” the company’s website says. “Don’t break the bank by hiring a private investigator.”
An emailed statement from Retina Software said the program is for the lawful monitoring of a cellphone that the purchaser of the software owns and has a right to monitor. If there is evidence the customer doesn’t own the phone, the account is closed, the company said. The apps operate invisibly to the cellphone’s user. They can silently record text messages, call logs, physical locations and visits to websites.


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As the male fashion spotlight readies to shift from Milan to Paris this week, the question on all lips is whether the world's economic doldrums will dampen the usual exuberance of the twice-yearly men's shows.
Italy's top designers are squabbling over a pair of padded trousers, with Giorgio Armani accusing Dolce & Gabbana of copying him and the duo in turn saying the doyen of fashion has nothing to teach them.
Milan's designers showed next winter will mainly be grey and slimmed down for men, with sober creations that seemed to look for comfort in a chilly economic climate but a spat between two top names heated up the week.
Pandas turned from China's national icon into a fashion statement as New York designer Vivienne Tam showcased black-and-white outfits at a Beijing show to raise funds for the endangered animal's quake-stricken habitat.
Luxury brands appear so far to be weathering much of the current credit crunch but with consumers becoming more cautious designers are sticking with simple go-anywhere clothes and counting on accessories to tempt buyers.


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Most of these Cryptocurrencies have been growing at a very fast rate.Actions by central banking systems such as the Federal Reserve Systems may have a negative impact on the economy.Easiest way to invest in Cryptocurrency in 2017. and arguably the best, digital currency investment operating within the traditional stock market platform.First Iteration of Ethereum Metropolis Hard Fork to Appear Monday.Raiden Preview: Ethereum Scaling Solution Issues Developer Demo.We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry.
Investing in cheap and promising cryptocurrency is a good strategy for the long term.NEM and Gulden are two best performing currencies in 2016, NEM gets a lot of.
Ripple also is set up as a payment network, not only for Ripple, but for other currencies, and as an automated system for currency trades.These Altcoins or digital currencies use the blockchain technology to verify and authorize transactions.
Genesis Mining offers miners an easy way to purchase hash power since they specialize in building the most efficient and reliable mining rig to help their clients mine profitably and for a long time.Billionaire bitcoin enthusiast Tim Draper is backing a new cryptocurrency for the.Glossary Free credit report myBankrate open ADVERTISEMENT 12 cryptocurrency alternatives to bitcoin Allison Ross March 18, 2014.Electroneum investment and new cryptocurrency release 2017 aims to prove that new.
Our experts have been helping you master your money for four decades.Here is our list of the Best Web Wallets for Cryptocurrency in 2017. Coinbase lets users make recurring buys to invest in cryptocurrency over time and,.
Here are five promising altcoins that need to be a part of any serious investors portfolio in 2017 Sia Sia is a cryptocurrency set to dramatically change the way we.Bitcoin is getting all the fame in the world and it is now safe to say that Bitcoin is the leader in the cryptocurrency.Cryptocurrency: A Good Investment for 2017. so you only have to choose the one that best.
All tax calculators Get Advice Tracking down your tax refund What is capital gains tax.
Peercoin markets itself as using less energy and being more environmentally sustainable than some of the other coins on the market.There are many factors that affect the development or collapse of the economy.This article was updated on August 7, 2017, and originally published on March 25, 2017.Ripple is considered to be the best cryptocurrency for long-term investment.


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PETALING JAYA: Increased selling prices and lower raw material costs are expected to improve Farm Fresh Bhd’s (FFB) earnings sequentially, going forward.
Following the integrated dairy company’s presentation at the CGS-CIMB Consumer Conference 2023, CGS-CIMB Research said FFB’s earnings appear to have troughed and bottomed out in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2023 (4Q23).
“It will also be due to lower farmgate prices for raw milk in Australia (down by 4% year-on-year (y-o-y)) and lower whole milk powder prices (down by 24% y-o-y in August).
“It will take a few quarters before the full impact of the above will be seen in reported profits.”
The research house said management expects to revert to its previous earnings trajectory, which it interprets as heading back above RM100mil per annum in net profits, the research house said in a report yesterday.
CGS-CIMB Research said while lower raw material costs for both farmgate (fresh milk) and whole milk powder are expected to drive down costs in the coming quarters, there will be a lag in these costs filtering through inventories.
“Management has also been hedging FFB’s dollar exposure with ringgit-to-dollar rates of RM4.53 to RM4.55 locked in till the end of 2023.”
CGS-CIMB Research added that FFB has been locking in increased volumes of whole milk powder as prices decline to multi-year lows. Starting from July, Australian farm gate prices have been about 3.8% lower than in the first half of 2023.
“In 1Q24, FFB made a conscious decision to accelerate the drawdown of its milk inventories in Australia. This contributed to the margin compression at its Australian operations,” the research house said.
“In the first half of 2024, FFB will launch butter products, both under the Farm Fresh brand as well as its recently-acquired St David Dairy brand. These will be aimed at both the domestic and export markets. FFB’s butter products will do away with single use plastics.”
Moreover, the research house noted that FFB is on track to launch consumer packaged goods ice-cream products in the first quarter of 2024.
“It expects to grow this capacity further in 2026 when production shifts to its Enstek plant. FFB’s goal is to capture 5% of the Malaysian ice-cream market in two years,” CGS-CIMB Research said.
CGS-CIMB Research has maintained a “hold” call on FFB with an unchanged target price of RM1.37.


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Converting coffee-bean skin into car parts
Posted on 15 Jan 2020 and read 799 times
Ford Motor Co, working in collaboration with McDonald’s USA, will soon be giving vehicles ‘a caffeine boost’.
Every year, millions of pounds of coffee chaff — the dried skin of the bean — naturally comes off during the roasting process.
) and McDonald’s have found that chaff can be converted into a durable material capable of reinforcing certain vehicle parts; by heating the chaff to high temperatures ‘under low oxygen’, mixing it with plastic and other additives, it can be turned into pellets that can be formed into various shapes.
The chaff composite meets the quality specifications for parts like headlamp housings and other interior and under-bonnet components that are about 20% lighter and require up to 25% less energy during the moulding process.
The heat properties of the chaff component are significantly better than the currently used material, according to Ford. This is the first time Ford has used coffee-bean skins to convert into select vehicle parts.
Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader (sustainability and emerging materials research), said: “McDonald’s commitment to innovation matched our own vision for sustainability.
“This is an example of jump-starting the closed-loop economy, where different industries work together and exchange materials that otherwise would be side or waste products.”
McDonald’s is expected to direct a significant portion of its coffee chaff in North America to Ford to be incorporated into vehicle parts.
The project also involves Varroc Lighting Systems, which supplies the headlamps, and Competitive Green Technologies (the processor of the coffee chaff).


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Fashionable news on the protective mask front: after completely selling out of masks in a single day, Gap mask options in varying patterns and colors are now available for pre-order as of May 18. The soft, triple-layer, non-medical grade masks are reusable, washable, and come with an adjustable wire at the nose for a comfortable, secure fit. Available in a three-pack for $15 with options for adults and children like classic stripe and solid, camouflage, floral, leopard, plaid, and polka-dot, you and your kids will not only look hip, but will be doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Need more good news in your life? The brand is also donating 50,000 reusable masks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada.
Like many retail companies, Gap responded to a call to action by the healthcare community in March to deliver PPE (personal protective equipment) supplies to some of the largest hospital networks in California, where the company is based. As supplies grew scarce, they converted factories to produce protective wear for healthcare workers while working closely with manufacturing partners to use leftover garments to produce more masks and protective gear for hospitals and front line workers. Now, Gap is responding to the demand from consumers who are trying to safely and responsibly restart their daily lives by producing masks for everyday use.
We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
Now listen, real talk for a moment. I don't know anyone who enjoys wearing a mask. I certainly don't — in fact I grumble about it nearly every time I leave the house. As the temperature continues to rise, the discomfort of wearing a mask will only increase. But here's the deal: our collective discomfort really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. "As businesses reopen and employees return to work, masks can play a pivotal role in helping block the spread of the virus, especially from asymptomatic carriers. The more people in a given space wearing masks, the less viral particles are making it into the space around them, decreasing exposure and risk," reported the Cleveland Clinic. Simply put, while there is good news that the rate of new Coronavirus cases in the United States is declining, according to U.S. News and World Report, we should all continue to wear a protective mask and practice social distancing when out in public so those numbers continue to fall. Thanks to Gap, there's a way to do all that plus look cute at the same time. It's a win-win, folks.


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My colleagues and I followed what happened after the announcements of 80 initiatives – such as social services donations and switching to plant-based plastics – linked to 55 brands. The companies made packaged goods, from razors to ketchup.
We compared their sales to the sales of comparable brands that were not announcing such initiatives at the time. Our data started a year earlier and ended a year after that news broke. We checked for other factors, such as pricing, ad budgets, and negative press coverage.
We then grouped these efforts into three categories.
We used the term “corrective actions” to refer to companies that tried to make up for harmful environmental or social practices of the past by changing related activities, such as by reducing their carbon emissions. “Compensatory actions” mean that a company donates money to compensate for the damage caused, but does not change its activities. And “cultivating actions” means a company making a donation or encouraging employees to volunteer for programs that have nothing to do with its core business or harmful practices of the past.
Over the year, sales grew by an average of 1% following the announcement of corrective measures and 3% before compensatory measures. Cultivating actions unrelated to a company’s own activities had the opposite effect: sales fell by an average of 3.5%.
We then conducted lab experiments with 507 people. They were given background information on brands we invented that had taken corrective, compensatory or cultivating actions. We asked them to rate how likely they were to buy those products.
We found that consumers perceive corporate social responsibility initiatives differently depending on how genuinely they view the companies. Because they view cultivating efforts as less sincere, people are more likely to buy things from brands that perform corrective and compensatory actions.
Why it matters
As consumers become more aware of the damage that the private sector can do, companies will have more incentives to become socially responsible.
That may be why Fortune 500 companies alone spend about $20 billion a year on these efforts. At the same time, the consequences of many business activities, including pollution or meager wages for workers in low-income countries with weak labor laws, are often passed on to society.
We believe our research is one of the first to compare sales data with corporate social responsibility initiatives to see if these actions influence consumer behavior.
Our findings suggest that when companies engage in corporate social responsibility, they should choose actions related to the harm caused by their core businesses. They should also be careful when communicating their goals and emphasizing responsibility, especially with regard to environmental issues.
What is not yet known
We have focused strictly on the consumer. It’s also important to find out whether employees, shareholders, and the public react differently to corporate social responsibility actions associated with corrective, compensatory, or cultivating efforts.
I’m currently conducting a related study with two other colleagues comparing how shareholders and Twitter followers react differently to corporate social responsibility efforts. These future findings may further clarify what corporate social responsibility means for business results.
Dionne A Nickerson is an assistant professor of marketing at Indiana University.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This post Charity can backfire on companies that cause social harm was original published at “https://www.fastcompany.com/90741808/charitable-giving-can-backfire-for-companies-that-do-social-harm?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss”


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ABUJA – (ECOWAS Secretariat Report) – Experts and representative of the Ministries of Industry from Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have commenced a 2-day meeting on Wednesday 24th October, 2018 in Abuja, Nigeria with the aim of validating the ECOWAS Automotive Industry Policy Framework.
The report issued by the ECOWAS Communication Division on Thursday October 25, 2018 indicates that the ECOWAS Automotive Industry Policy Framework seeks to boost the automotive industry in the region by building the capacity of Member States in the area of vehicle assembling, production and marketing.
In his welcome address to participants at the commencement of the meeting, the ECOWAS Commission’s Commissioner for Industry and Private Sector Promotion, Mamadou Traoré stated that the development of the automotive industry policy for the region is as a result of the decision reached by the ECOWAS Ministers of Industry. He cited the development of the automotive industry in Nigeria as an example of the impact which the industry can have on the region through creation of jobs for the youth, reduction of poverty and improvement on the economy.
“Apart from Nigeria which has developed a National Automotive Industry Development Plan as part of its industrial policy, other Member States of ECOWAS are still importing vehicles and only very few are assembling trucks,” he said.
He further indicated that it is for this reason that he has recommended the creation of a regional motor vehicle production system that is characterized by a high degree of regional integration and interdependence.
The representative of the African Development Bank, Anthony Simpasa in his remarks at the event mentioned that the bank is supporting the ECOWAS Automotive Industry Policy through the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Fund. Simpasa highlighted the importance of the policy in relation to the bank’s “Industrialize Africa and Integrate Africa” scheme goals, saying the proposed project fits into its regional integration policy and strategy as it can create the regional value chains that would stimulate industrialization and competitiveness in Africa.
The reviewed ECOWAS Automotive Industry Policy Framework will be submitted to the Ministers of Industries from ECOWAS Member States before being forwarded to the Heads of States and Government for their approval.


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David M. Ewalt, 12.15.04, Forbes.com
NEW YORK - Sprint and Nextel Communications announced a $35 billion
combination today, setting in motion plans that could create a new,
significantly strengthened No. 3 wireless carrier in the United
"This creates three big wireless competitors carrying about 75% of the
traffic," says independent telecom analyst Jeff Kagan. "Three major
carriers can help keep prices low for customers, expenses lower for
the companies and innovation high. The wireless industry needed this
wave of consolidation."
The new company -- to be called Sprint Nextel -- will boast a
particularly strong base of corporate customers, and a total
subscriber base of around 40 million customers. That will put it close
behind No. 1 Cingular Wireless -- a joint venture between SBC
Communications and BellSouth -- and No. 2 Verizon Wireless -- a joint
venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group.
Under the terms of the deal, existing Sprint shares will remain
outstanding, and each Nextel common share will be converted into new
company shares and a small per-share amount of cash. The exact
stock/cash allocation will be determined when the deal closes, but at
current values, Nextel shareholders would receive about 1.28 Sprint
Nextel shares and about 50 cents in cash for each share. The aggregate
amount of the cash payment will not exceed $2.8 billion.


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By Oliver Hall
The economic downturn has crippled new car sales and forced motorists to drive down their vehicle maintenance costs.
But as they turn to the internet to find the best deals, etyres, the UK’s leading online tyres retailer, is seeing double-digit growth – last week saw record sales up 24% year-on-year.
Its mobile tyres fitting service which means there are no expensive garages to maintain and therefore low overheads. The savings are passed on to customers in the form of lower prices which are up to 40% cheaper than leading high street tyres depots.
Tony Bowman, etyres Managing Director, said: ‘We’re delighted that we’ve seen continuous double-digit growth for the past 12 months, even during these difficult economic times.
‘Consumers are turning to the internet to find cheaper prices on everyday essential items, like tyres. They are not exciting products, but everybody needs them and they don’t want to pay a penny more than they have to.
‘Many people think that if they have to economise on tyres they have to buy economy brands, but that’s not the case with us. Our customers get premium range tyres for the same price that the high street depots are charging for mid-range and economy products.
‘And we fit them at their home or work, saving our customers time and hassle as well as money.’
The news comes on the back of Admiral Group Plc posting record profits and strong growth for its insurance services and online comparison website.


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chart of non-iPad tablets compared to "obscure" video game consoles, the BlackBerry PlayBook is somewhere between the Philips CDi and the Atari Jaguar. That is to say, the PlayBook hasn't set the world, or really much of anything, on fire. Google's Android OS, on the other hand, is increasingly taking over the mobile space (albeit not the tablet space, where all Android tablets combined are somewhere between the 3DO and the Virtual Boy).
While gaming on Android is still something of a challenge, thanks to a fragmented install base, unique platforms, and multiple stores, that hasn't stopped EA from giving it the ol' college effort. So Xperia Play owners can go to EA's own Flexion Android Store to download EA Mobile and IronMonkey Studios' excellent Dead Space mobile game -- easy! We weren't able to confirm that ourselves, not owning an Xperia Play, so we've put a word into EA for confirmation.
But EA didn't stop there – it's also ported Dead Space to the PlayBook. Premiering today for the same $9.99 price as its far more popular iPad-based twin, the PlayBook audience is getting one of mobile gaming's most successful "core" games. And yes, it's a small audience (smaller than the Xperia Play?) but if EA plans to continue its mobile dominance, it helps to be everywhere.


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Business associations reacted angrily on Tuesday after a government minister in charge of Brexit border preparations accused them of taking a “head in the sand approach” to the coming border frictions with the EU.
Theodore Agnew, a minister working on preparations for Brexit at the Treasury and Cabinet Office, told MPs that business needed to be “more energetic” in preparing for the UK’s departure from the EU single market and customs union in just 80 days’ time.
“Ultimately, the government can only do so much,” he said. “If businesses haven’t engaged in the process and understood the processes from 1 January, that has to be their responsibility.”
The minister’s blunt warning drew an indignant response from business groups that have repeatedly demanded clarity and urgency from the government on new border processes and IT systems, many of which are still not in place.
“A ‘head in the sand approach by traders’? That’ll go down well,” said Tim Rycroft, chief operating officer of the Food and Drink Federation, in a sarcastic response posted on Twitter. Food and drink is one of the industries most exposed to the coming changes.
Stewart Wood, a Labour peer who sits on the Lords’ EU committee, said Lord Agnew had provided a “spectacularly unfair characterisation” of business preparations, noting that many had been “pleading for guidance, clarity and timelines for months”.
Alex Chisholm, permanent secretary of the Cabinet Office, told MPs last week that about one-third of businesses still believed there would be an extension to the transition period, deepening fears of a lack of preparedness in the business world.
Lord Agnew also drew fire from the Road Haulage Association after saying he was more interested in talking to groups that were more “integrally involved” in cross-border trade, rather than the haulage group, which has highlighted the government’s shortcomings in the past.
Richard Burnett. the RHA’s chief executive, replied on Twitter: “It’s clear Lord Agnew doesn’t understand how the logistics industry works and that hauliers will have to provide the full service of customs declarations as well due to the shortage of agents. Of course he can leave us out and ignore us, but at his peril.”
HM Revenue & Customs has estimated that up to 260m new customs declarations will be completed per year at a cost of £15bn, with industry estimating that up to 50,000 new customs agents will be required to help industry deal with the coming red tape.
Lord Agnew said he believed trade groups such as Logistics UK, the freight transport lobby, and the British International Freight Association (Bifa) were “less worried” about a shortage of customs agents than a few months ago because of growing use of technology.
Elizabeth de Jong, policy director at Logistics UK, said the group had been “proactively urging its members to make sure that they and their customers prepare as much as possible for the new trading conditions” after January 1.
Last month, a survey of Bifa members found that two-thirds of customs brokers said they would not have enough staff to handle the extra paperwork. The survey was sent to Lord Agnew to highlight their concerns.
“The gentleman has selective hearing,” added an industry insider who has been involved in consultations with the government on the future border.
Along with Lord Agnew’s attempt to “wake up” business to the urgency of the coming changes, the government announced on Tuesday that it had signed a £77.6m contract with ferry operators to ensure critical goods, including medical supplies, would reach the UK even in a “no deal” outcome.
The government has warned that queues of up to 7,000 trucks could form at Dover in a “reasonable worst-case scenario”, but said the contracts would cover up to 3,000 trucks a week into other ports, such as Harwich and Hull.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the six-month contracts with Brittany Ferries, DFDS, P&O and Stena would ensure critical goods would reach the UK “irrespective of the outcome of the negotiations”.


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IDScan.net Expands Headquarters within UNO Research and Tech Park
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans-based tech company IDScan.net announced it is expanding its footprint within the University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park, where it is headquartered.
Denis Petrov, chief executive officer; and Andrey Stanovnov, chief technology officer, started their business in a garage and have now expanded to filling more than 4,300 square feet of office space. The company is a developer of identity verification and information-gathering technologies.
“New Orleans provided me with inspiration, opportunity, and a home like no other,” said Petrov. “It also provided a fertile ground supportive of startups that allowed our company to develop, prosper and provide much needed services around the world.”
IDScan.net says its office expansion mirrors the growth of its workforce, product line and annual revenue. Its solutions are being deployed worldwide across industries, from gaming and hospitality to retail, finance, and education.
Its core technology allows organizations to simply swipe an individual’s ID to harvest information and verify it within seconds and with 100 percent accuracy. The solutions can be tailored and paired with a variety of added layers of identity verification, including the ability to run IDs against watch lists and biometric analytics. Its solutions have been approved by the TSA and FBI.


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Carlsberg Malaysia recently released its financial results for Q3FY2023, announcing a 10.2% year-on-year decline in revenue to RM513.4mn (US$108mn) and a 0.6% year-on-year decline in net profit to RM75.9mn (US$16mn).
In terms of cumulative nine-month results, the firm reported a decrease in revenue by 6.6% year-on-year to RM1.68bn (US$353.4) and a net profit decline of 3.0% year-on-year to RM249.2mn (US$52.4mn).
Of note was that profitability decline was mitigated as the government had removed a prosperity tax that was imposed in the previous year, and higher profits were seen from Carlsberg Malaysia’s Sri Lankan-based associate company Lion Brewery.
The firm largely attributed these declines to economic challenges and reduced consumer demand.
“The persistent weak consumer sentiment has continued to affect our third-quarter results,” Carlsberg Malaysia Managing Director Stefano Clini said when announcing the financial results.
“The higher interest rates and ongoing concerns over the escalating cost of living, particularly the rising cost of food amidst the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, continue to put pressure on consumer spending.
“[As such], we maintain a cautious outlook due to the anticipated higher inflationary pressures, and rising interest rates that are expected to depress consumer spending.”
Carlsberg Malaysia has been persistent in its implementation of a premiumisation strategy over the past few years, firm in its belief of this as a crucial strategy to continue achieving profitable growth - and it appears this slump in profitability has not changed its plans so far.
“On November 1, [Carlsberg Malaysia] has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sapporo Breweries for the exclusive manufacturing and distribution of Sapporo Premium Beer in Malaysia commencing from 2024,” Clini announced.
“Similarly, [our] Singaporean operations shall have joint-distribution rights to sell and distribute both Sapporo Premium Beer and Yebisu.
“[Other premium initiatives ahead] for the year-end festivities include the launch of our limited edition 1664 PRESTIGE, packaged in a 750ml bottle and brewed with the finest champagne yeast, in Malaysia and Singapore to elevate the premium drinking experience.”
Clini had previously confirmed to FoodNavigator-Asia that premiumisation would continue to be a major focus in the medium-to-long term.
“The past three years have clearly shown that premium products are the items consumers look to for that consumption experience and we are confident that we will still be better off pursuing this strategy in the medium to long term,” he said.
“We believe that the trend is our friend and this is the best course to take - [It] is also important to note that trends by no means proceed in a geometrical straight line and just go up and down in a fixed manner but instead can be quite flexible so what does not work today may suddenly work perfectly tomorrow.”
Although not specifically highlighted, the new Sapporo partnership comes in as a rather clear replacement for Asahi, which was Carlsberg Malaysia’s previous exclusive distribution partner in Malaysia for over 10 years.
Earlier this year, the partnership between both brands was announced to be ending starting 2024.
“It is an amicable parting, [and] starting January 1 2024 Asahi will be a competitor and we will treat them respectfully just like we treat every other partner,” Clini told us previously.
“We believe that there is no risk at all to not continuing this partnership in Malaysia [nor] any material financial impact to the company for the year ending December 31 2023.
“This does not mean that we are stepping back from premiumisation at all, in fact we will continue to drive our premiumisation strategy.”


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Lazika project scares Russians
The project of a new resort city, the construction of which begins this year in Samegrelo Region, Georgia, has scared Russians. Political analysts and media believes that Russia`s investments made in the development of Olympic Villages in the seaside resort of Sochi, will be just a waste of funds and time, as Lazika will be the project which will attract tourists in the region.
The author of an analytical article published on Russianrealty.ru website, Albert Akopyan says he sees no chances of the development of Sochi; the investments will not be profitable as the business sector has already confirmed this.
According to experts, teh hotels in Sochi will lack visitors after the Winter Olympics 2014, as the development of the seaside resort needs not only hotels, but development of tourism, shopping tours, food and wine tours, which do not work in Sochi currently.
Akopyan says Lazika will be the second success of Georgian tourism after Mestia, adding the new airport in Zugdidi grew the prospects of the resort development.
The journalist emphasizes the speed, sort and the low prices of construction business, which finally is reflected on the price of product. Akopyan says the president of the neighbor country will organize to bring international festivals to the new city of Lazika from Europe and the Black Sea states, which diminishes the prospect of Sochi development as a resort.


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Today it was officially announced that online payments and money transfer company PayPal, is introducing a new system for online micropayments this fall. The new service will offer an easier way buy digital goods online and simplify micropayments in digital content such as games. PayPal also announced that the new service, upon arrival, will be fully integrated with the social network Facebook, Inc.
Online PR News – 29-October-2010 – – PayPal’s new system offer clients a fee structure for micropayments at a pricing of 5 percent plus 5 cents for purchases under $12. According to the announcement made by PayPal, the fee structure will enable the company to stay competitive in the growing online payment market and in the digital goods industry. PayPal announced that the new service for micro payments is to be based on the fraud prevention engine previously developed by PayPal, ensuring protection of financial information.
“The decision to purchase digital goods and content usually happens on impulse, so the act of paying needs to be as quick as that impulse”, a PayPal spokesperson said upon the announcing of the new service. The new payment method offers its clients not only a faster and more reliable service; it also comes with PayPal’s competitive pricing.
At the second annual Innovate developer conference held by PayPal, Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, announced that Facebook will integrate PayPal’s new digital goods payment system to make it an integrated part of making purchases on Facebook. The new service will according to PayPal be easy to use and it solves a problem for the virtual goods industry, which have been lacking a safe, fast and reliable service for micropayments across the world.
PayPal is one of the leading payment methods for digital goods, with 90 million accounts in 190 markets around the world. The company closed out 2009 with $2 billion of total payment volume for digital goods and reached $1.3 billion in the first half of 2010. PayPal’s payment system for digital goods will be available late fall this year.
PayPal an online payments and money transfer service founded in 1998. The company allows you to send money via email, phone, text message or Skype. PayPal offer products to both individuals and businesses alike, including online vendors, auction sites and corporate users. PayPal connects effortlessly to bank accounts and credit cards.


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What motorcycles are to Hero, scooters are to Honda. While Hero has a 51.25 market share of motorcycles, HMSI has 15.72 percent. In scooters Honda has 57.28 percent, while Hero has 13 percent.
Motorcycles, especially the mass-market commuters, have been the volume drivers in the Indian two-wheeler segment and the past few months have received a shot in tha arm with the return of good sentiment in rural India. Cumulative motorcycle sales totaled 1,054,062 units in January, growing 28.64 percent (January 2017: 819,385).
The segment is seeing a lot of action, with manufacturers having a slew of new models lined up for the year, many having already revealed some at the Auto Expo.
The strong rivalry between Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) remains a talking point for industry. In the overall two-wheeler market (motorcycles, scooters, mopeds), Hero has a 36.22 percent market share right now, while HMSI has 29.04 and third-placed TVS Motor Co with 14.20.
What motorcycles are to Hero, scooters are to Honda. While Hero has a 51.25 market share of motorcycles, HMSI has 15.72 percent. In scooters Honda has 57.28 percent, while Hero has 13.02 percent.
In the month of January, Hero’s Splendor, the 125ccc commuter offering, leads the Top 10 chart with total sales of 231,256 units, growing 11 percent (January 2017: 208,512). The popular Splendor family, which is well known for its frugal fuel-sipping habit, remains a strong buy particularly in rural India. Hero MotoCorp has recently expanded the range with an updated Super
Splendor, which comes with a brand new in-house developed air-cooled 125cc motor. The new engine comes tuned for better torque and power output, rated at 9bhp.
At No 2 is another Hero product, the HF Deluxe, which sold 171,167 units in January and grew by a significant 40 percent (January 2017: 122,202). Honda’s CB Shine glistens at the No 3 position, going home to 82,390 buyers and growing 17.20 percent (January 2017: 70,294).
The Hero Glamour sold 75,533 units, registering a sizeable 98 percent growth (January 2017: 38,204) and closed in at the No 4 position. The motorcycle runs neck and neck with the CB Shine and both cater to the executive commuter segment, with their pleasing styling and being light on the pocket.
Hero MotoCorp’s Passion takes the No 5 spot, with sales of 61,661 units, growing 9.45 percent (January 2017: 56,335) The Passion range has been expanded with Hero launching the Passion Pro and the Passion XPro with an aim of boosting its sales in the domestic market. The new Passion models get Hero MotoCorp’s in-house developed air-cooled, single-cylinder, 110cc torque-on-
demand engine, which also powers the Splendor iSmart 110.
At No 6 is the Bajaj Pulsar, which sold 56,919 units and grew a significant 56 percent (January 2017: 36,456). However, Bajaj Auto has been struggling a bit in the recent times. Between April-January 2018, the company sold 16,40,101 units, reducing its market share to 15.75 percent, from the earlier 18.27 percent, when it clocked 17,07,655 units between the same period in 2017.
Royal Enfield’s Classic 350 is the No 7 brand, selling 53,221 units in January, growing by 35.10 percent (January 2017: 39,391). The Classic and the other models, including the Thunderbird and the Continental GT have seen the company increase its market share to 6.30 percent with sales of 655,555 units between April-January 2018, as against 535,821 units sold during the same period in 2017.
Bajaj Auto’s Platina and TVS Motor’s Apache grab the eighth and ninth positions respectively in the Top 10 list. While the Platina sold 37,136 units (January 2017: 23,963) and grew 55 percent, the
TVS Apache reported sales of 32,647 units. The Apache brand has now also been expanded with the introduction of the Apache RR310, which has given extremely positive first impressions with its looks and performance.
Last but not the least, Honda’s Dream series sold a total of 30,969 units, growing a significant 65 percent with sales in January 2017 standing at 18,794 units.
While the bulk of the sales are still concentrated in the commuter motorcycle space, the Indian market is gradually moving to premium products, with companies looking to offer a mix of
sportiness and affordability. Hero MotoCorp recently unveiled its Xtreme 200, which is a step in that direction. According to Malo Le Masson, head - global product planning, Hero MotoCorp, "If you look at the premium market, in India, 70 percent is below the Rs 1 lakh price bracket. So, this is why first we are concentrating on bringing the Xtreme 200R and the XPulse."
A total of 76,163 electric two-wheelers were sold in November 2022.
TVS Motor Co’s electric scooter, which is seeing growing demand, also crosses the cumulative 50,000-unit milestone 35 mo...
These five models, which represent the compact, midsize and multi-purpose vehicle categories within the overall utility ...


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Coming in at 451 pages, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee antitrust subcommittee’s report this week on competition in digital markets is a comprehensive summary of the ways in which Apple, Facebook, Google and Amazon capitalize on and allegedly abuse their market power to benefit themselves.
Amazon is mentioned by name 1,866 times in the report, almost twice as many times as Facebook, and second only to Google at 1,964 mentions.
The report dedicates an 83-page section to the Seattle-based e-commerce giant, informed by internal company emails, extensive market research, interviews with third-party retailers, submissions from industry groups, and testimony including the widely followed hearing this summer with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and others.
PREVIOUSLY: Antitrust report says Amazon has ‘monopoly power’ over sellers, company slams ‘fringe’ findings
But if you’re looking for the essence of the antitrust case against Amazon, scroll all the way down to this sentence on page 276: “Amazon’s pattern of exploiting sellers, enabled by its market dominance, raises serious competition concerns.”
There’s no shortage of supporting details for that statement, including allegations that Amazon uses third-party seller data to inform the creation of its own products; leverages information gleaned from investments in startups as competitive intelligence; compels merchants to use its fulfillment services through preferential placement in product listings; and many more allegations.
Amazon disputes many of the claims and assumptions in the report, and describes the approach taken by the antitrust subcommittee as fundamentally flawed.
“All large organizations attract the attention of regulators, and we welcome that scrutiny,” the company said in a sharply worded blog post issued shortly after the report was released this week. “But large companies are not dominant by definition, and


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Womens' apparel brand Kaaryah raises funding
Women's western non-casual wear brand Kaaryah announced that it has raised 'pre-series A' round of venture funding from Mohandas Pai and The Saha Fund.
Fashion portals bet on curvy as plus size makes waves
The plus size clothing segment, which contributes to over $1.8 billion according to Tec...
Ratan Tata acquires stake in fashion portal Kaaryah
The company declined to disclose the quantum and value of the stake, which Tata Group's former chief has invested in his personal capacity.
A good leader always leads by example: Nidhi Agarwal, founder and CEO of KAARYAH Lifestyle Solutions
I have always been able to make friends at work. So pulling pranks was the best way to ensure that at least, I, if not anyone else, had fun within the group.
Startups now look at stickiness as a non-negotiable requirement when it comes to hiring
India will have over 2 lakh jobs by 2020. To get jobs, a candidate must know about company's mission, vision and how he can contribute to its long-term growth.
FableStreet raises seed capital
The Delhi-based startup plans to use the money to scale up operations and its team. It will also open international shipping and pilot a concept store model, FS Studio.
How a bunch of startups hope to breathe fresh life into the beleaguered online fashion market
While a raft of startups has run aground, the growth of India’s top two ecommerce players, Amazon and Flipkart, will affect smaller startups’ odds of survival.
Tata fosters another startup, invests in fitness co GOQii
The company is backed by angel investors like Madhuri Dixit Nene and her husband Shriram Nene and Neeraj Arora (WhatsApp).
FirstCry becomes Ratan Tata's fourth investment in 2016
Earlier this month, Ratan Tata had invested in Tracxn Technologies and followed it up with pet care portal DogSpot and online cashback and coupons venture CashKaro.
Co-working spaces go the extra mile to guide woman entrepreneurs
India may be the third largest startup hub in the world, but only 9% of the founders of such companies are women, according to a report by Grant Thornton and Assocham.
Why a bunch of online fashion startups are going niche
By going niche in their offerings and positioning, online fashion startups is standing out in an over-cluttered market and avoiding direct confrontation.
Ratan Tata on startups: Some valuations are pricey
Ratan Tata has made personal investments in startups, ranging from e-commerce firms to cab aggregators.
Startups embody creativity, innovation of young India: Ratan Tata
The former Tata Group Chairman said the second criterion he uses is to evaluate founders of the startups.
Closing the gender gap in fundraising for startups
Today, ahead of International Women's Day, female startup founders of companies like LimeRoad, Kaaryah, ShopClues, Chumbak, YourDost and V Resorts talk about the challenges they faced when they went looking for funds.


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When the Reserve Bank of Australia raises interest rates, it’s big news.
For the fifth time in a row, the RBA announced on Tuesday an increase to the official cash interest rate by 0.5% to help fight inflation and keep price growth under control. The 2.25% in interest rate increases since May are the RBA’s sharpest rate rises since 1994.
Why are interest rates rising so rapidly?
After a few decades of relatively stable inflation, consumer prices have been sharply increasing in 2022. A year ago, the Reserve Bank of Australia was forecasting that inflation for 2022 would be around 1.75%.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) CPI figures reported that the annual Australian inflation rate is 6.1%, which is the highest recorded since 1990. Now, Australians are facing the prospect of CPI inflation reaching a peak of 7.75%, or more.
This is a very big forecasting miss. Even according to Philip Lowe, RBA Governor at the Inflation and the Monetary Policy Framework speech on 8th September 2022:
Forecast misses of this scale should lead to soul-searching by forecasters and they certainly have at the RBA. It is important that we learn from this and improve our understanding of the inflation process.
The RBA has responded to inflation in the same way as other central banks have around the world: by raising interest rates.
Why is high inflation so bad?
When inflation is high, it eats into household budgets and can lead to higher mortgage repayments and other household debt repayments, which can in turn lead to decreased consumer spending and confidence.
As Philip Lowe put it this week:
High inflation is a scourge. It damages our standard of living, creates additional uncertainty for households and businesses, erodes the value of people’s savings and adds to inequality. And without price stability, it is not possible to achieve a sustained period of low unemployment. It is important, therefore, that this current surge in inflation is only temporary and that we once again return to the 2 to 3 per cent range.
How do interest rates affect inflation?
Inflation is determined by many factors including economic growth, unemployment, wages growth and money supply. To control inflation, the RBA uses monetary policy tools including changing the cash rate –which is what has happened on Tuesday.
Banks borrow money, sometimes from each other, to make loans to consumers and businesses. So when the RBA raises its cash rate, it raises the cost of borrowing for banks that need funds to lend out. Banks naturally pass on these higher costs to consumers and businesses. A rise in interest rates makes borrowing money more expensive and this usually leads to slower economic growth and increased unemployment as companies cut costs by shedding jobs.
When interest rates are lower and more people are borrowing money cheaply, there is a greater supply of money in the economy. When the RBA raises interest rates, it means the money supply circulating will start to decrease.
How high will the RBA raise interest rates to combat inflation?
The short answer; as high as necessary.
The Board expects that further increases in interest rates will be required over the months ahead… But how high interest rates need to go and how quickly we get there will be guided by the incoming data and the evolving outlook for inflation and the labour market.
On 26 October 2022, the ABS will commence publication of a monthly CPI indicator.
Until then Australia has been the only member of the G20 leading industrial nations not to provide monthly CPI updates, and one of only two members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the other being New Zealand.
With the RBA meeting monthly, it makes much more sense to release CPI information monthly, rather than the usual 3 month lag.
Watch this space.


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Google’s (s goog) dominance in online advertising is no secret — it controls an estimated 40 percent of the $42-billion market — and it has a similar share of the mobile ad market. But traditional tools like AdSense aren’t doing as well in mobile as they are on the desktop, which helps explain why Google Ventures just invested in a competitor to AdSense by leading an $8-million financing round in a New York-based mobile advertising startup called YieldMo.
According to YieldMo founder Mike Yavonditte, the search giant is so eager to figure out how advertising can be improved for mobile apps and websites that when he visited Google Ventures to describe what YieldMo does with advertising, “they basically said yes on the spot.”
While much of the mobile advertising market consists of ad networks and exchanges — which produce low-margin, commoditized banner and display ads — Yavonditte says YieldMo…
View original post 213 more words


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Grand Theft Auto 5 is sure to sell millions of copies across the UK, but it could do more than line the pockets of Rockstar and Take-Two, UK games industry trade body TIGA has said.
Importantly, such a high profile high calibre title will shine a light on the potential of the game development sector in the UK.
"GTA 5 is one of those titles that gets everyone very excited and shines a light on the UK video games industry," said Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO. "It shows the world that the UK has the creativity and talent to make great games. It shows the economic potential of the game development sector. It generates interest in the achievement and potential of other studios throughout the UK."
Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia believes GTA 5 will make an operating profit of $230 million.
Grand Theft Auto 5 will be released September 17 for Xbox 360 and PS3.
Source: Press release


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Stellantis is giving priority to Europe in its electrification plans
Jeep will lead the automaker in North America by introducing its first EV next year
Lancia, Fiat, and Vauxhall have all committed to selling only EVs, some as soon as 2026
Stellantis doesn’t currently sell electric vehicles in North America and it only has three plug-in hybrid models on the continent.
In order to make up for its late start, the company plans a fairly aggressive entry into the North American EV market, with a number of electric vehicles from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram set to be introduced by 2026.
This shift towards EVs will be spearheaded by Jeep since the brand will introduce its first electric model next year.
In order to keep its off-road credentials, Jeep is ensuring that its electrified models are capable of going anywhere its gasoline-powered vehicles can go. This is why the company tests its future vehicles on the Rubicon trail, which its current plug-in hybrid models are capable of completing using only their electric power. In addition, Jeep has begun installing charging stations for its vehicles at the end of the most popular off-road trails in the United States.
To speed up the electrification process, Stellantis recently announced it will spend $2.5 billion USD on a battery plant in the US, in addition to a similar factory that was announced earlier in Canada. These two facilities are the first step in the company’s move towards EVs since they will supply the batteries needed for the company’s electric and hybrid vehicles built in North America.
In Europe, the situation is different for Stellantis, since some of its brands already have EVs, but the automaker is also working on an aggressive plan to increase its market presence in that segment.
This means that Lancia and Vauxhall have already committed to becoming EV-only brands, as soon as 2026 for the Italian company. Fiat and Jeep are likely to be the next divisions to make a similar announcement.


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Much needed cannabis retail reform could be in store for Ontario.
The current AGCO lottery-based model has left the province with about two-dozen cannabis shops. That works out to approximately one retail store for every 600,000 residents. The small number of brick-and-mortar outlets is a far-cry from the 750 to 1000 stores which analysts estimate would be needed to support a mature market.
Last week saw lacklustre quarterly reports from cannabis giants such as Organigram, Aurora, Canopy Growth, and Tilray. Companies are pointing to the lack of retail space in the province as the source of waning revenue.
Canopy Growth CEO Mark Zekulin told analysts on a call last Thursday: “At the risk of oversimplifying, the inability of the Ontario government to license retail stores, right off the bat, has resulted in half of the expected market in Canada simply not existing.
“[Ontario’s government] indicated they’re going to open more stores. Everybody is pressuring them to open stores. Hopefully they’re listening to calls like this and considering the impact it’s having on our sector.”
Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips responded to the criticism in an interview with BNN Bloomberg’s Paige Ellis. “Sometimes business people look for all kinds of reasons why things don’t work out,” Phillips commented. “We’re focused on what is going to be a system that is sustainable, that makes sense, that makes sense for our communities, that tackles the black market. We’re confident that we’ll put that forward.”
Proposed changes to the cannabis retail system
The new cannabis retail system would abandon the AGCO lottery in favour of an “open allocation” model. Prospective retail owners would fill out an online application. They would then need to pass province-imposed background checks. Successful applicants would get a license.
There is no concrete roll-out date for the proposed system. It is believed that provincial officials are eyeing the beginning of 2020.
“What’s important is that we’ve talked about moving to open allocation once the conditions are right,” said the Finance Minister. “Our priority is making sure that we have safe distribution and that we tackle the black market, and our government’s been clear that the private sector delivery and private sector retailers are going to be an important part of that.
“We’re confident that when the system rolls out, it will operate well, and we look forward to that. This is a new industry. Supply issues did plague the market for the first year. Those have been largely resolved at this point, and that’s why the cannabis store is working with suppliers in making sure they are a part of the system so we get it right.”
Can Ontario catch up with up to Alberta?
The open allocation system could be a huge step toward Ontario realizing its full market potential. Alberta has a similar system already in place, and currently leads Canada in total cannabis sales. It’s worth noting that Alberta is only the fourth most populous province.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke to reporters about cannabis retail on Thursday morning.
“That’s eventually what the goal is — open it up to the market and let the market dictate,” said Ford. “It’s like any business: some people will be successful, some won’t. But I guess the previous issues that the whole country saw … we didn’t have enough cannabis to sell but now there’s enough supply and we’re working hand-in-hand with the [licensed producers].”
Puff Puff Post will be following the proposed changes.


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The Escape's rise up the sales charts is really remarkable. Yes, compact SUVs are one of the fastest-growing auto market segments today, but the Escape isn't exactly the newest product.
Despite a redesign in 2008, it hasn't changed a whole lot since its introduction in 2000. Besides the general rush to fuel-efficient small SUVs, chalk it up to Ford's improved dependability and the general popularity of Ford Motor Co. as "the one that didn't take the money."
Higher-than-average spending on sales incentives, according to Edmunds.com, also helps.
These cars ranked highest in the latest J.D. Power survey measuring how much owners like their new cars.
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- Language Tips
360buy.com, China’s second-biggest business-to-consumer website by revenue, has confirmed it has completed a new round of funding from investors, but declined to give specific figures.
In a statement to China Daily, 360buy said it had recently raised money from the Ontario Teacher Pension Fund and Tiger Global Management LLC.
According to a report from caijing.com.cn, 360buy’s new funding was $400 million in total, of which the Ontario Teacher Pension Fund invested $250 million,.
In April 2011, 360buy.com received $1.5 billion during its third round of funding. Investors included Digital Sky Technologies and the family of the late Sam Walton, founder of the Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc retail chain. DST has gained fame by successfully investing in companies like Facebook Inc, Groupon Inc and Zynga Inc.
Richard Liu, chairman of 360buy.com, has said that DST paid more than $500 million to gain a stake.
Established in 2004, the Beijing-based company has seen an annual growth rate of more than 200 percent during the past five years.
Competing with Alibaba Group’s Tmall.com in the business-to-customer market, 360buy.com had nearly 30 billion yuan ($4.7 billion) in sales last year.
The company launched an English-version e-commerce website in mid-October to enter overseas markets. In an interview with China Daily, Shi Tao, vice-president of 360buy.com, said the company wants to extend its reach to the global market and establish an online empire on the same lines as Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc.


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Take new Santa Fe to family outing
By Kim Da-ye
Hyundai Motor’s all-new Santa Fe has finally done justice to the name.
Santa Fe is a beautiful tourist destination in New Mexico known for outdoor activities and folk art.
Hyundai’s flagship sports utility vehicle (SUV) named after the city has been highly popular in both Korea and the U.S. ― around 608,000 have been here and 1.95 million overseas. The first and second generation models, however, were rather ordinary with no wow factor.
The third-generation model, a significant improvement in terms of driving comfort and design, is special. It is an ideal choice for a family holiday.
Regarding its exteriors, the Santa Fe is a beast.
Its wide hexagonal grill makes the front look like the giant head of a roaring tiger.
The edges of the headlamps resemble black eyeliner makeup on a villain.
Hyundai provided reporters at a test drive with the top-end 2.2-liter model equipped with every option available. The dark hue of the 19-inch aluminum wheel and chrome grill matches available on the 1.66-milion-won Special Edition option package matches the aura the vehicle exudes.
What’s missing is that unique fluidic look first seen in the YF Sonata sedan and now applied across Hyundai’s new vehicle models.
The rear of the Santa Fe looks sleeker and more agile than the front. The LED “real combination lamp” is a design success.
The third-generation Santa Fe’s real personality, however, makes a stark contrast to its exteriors.
The vehicle drives quietly and smoothly like a mid-large sized sedan ― driving at over 100 kilometers per hour (km/h) felt like cruising at under 50 km/h.
This is quite an achievement for a Korean-developed SUV fueled by diesel, which isn’t commonly used here but is gaining popularity for better efficiency than that of gasoline.
The 2.2-liter engine model with an automatic transmission touts 200 horsepower and fuel efficiency at 13.9 kilometers per liter.
The tested model effortlessly reached 160 km/h but struggled to speed up beyond that. No driver should accelerate over that with families in the car anyway.
The finishing touch to the Santa Fe’s fine driving comfort would be the “wide panorama sunroof” that is available as a 1.3-million-won option from the most basic trim model.
Opening the panoramic sunroof while driving on an empty highway would instantly create a holiday atmosphere.
And the innovation of information technology incorporated in automobiles continues in the new Santa Fe.
Its lane departure warning system (LDWS) works too well. With the LDWS button pressed, the car beeps even at a slight deviation from the lane.
The third-generation Santa Fe is also Hyundai Motor’s first vehicle model to accommodate the Blue Link function in its smart navigation system.
Once drivers subscribe to the Blue Link service provided jointly by telecom giant KT, they can remotely control their cars with an app on the smartphone.
Before entering the parking lot, this reporter was given an iPhone with the Blue Link app installed. On the iPhone, this reporter turned on the vehicle and set the temperature. It takes a minute or two for the car to receive the order.
By the time, the report reached the car, it has already started up the engine with the air conditioning fully on.
Many car buyers’ decision would be ultimately depending on the Santa Fe’s price. A usual complaint from potential buyers is that imported vehicles are becoming cheaper while Hyundai has been raising prices. For Hyundai, such complaint is unfair, considering improvement in quality and addition of options as standard features.
The prices of the all-new Santa Fe models unveiled on May 1 probably reflect the circumstances. They range from 28.02 million won to 37.76 million won exclusive of options. An automatic transmission is a standard.
Hyundai said that the price of the “Premium” trim model that is expected to sell the most has gone up only by 240,000 won, compared to its second-generation counterpart, while addition of new specifications and improvement of fuel efficiency are valued at around 1.8 million won.


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WALKER — Pallet solutions firm Kamps Inc. has kicked its dealmaking into high gear over the last month, closing on acquisitions that expand the company’s footprint into Minnesota and deepen its presence in Florida.
Most recently, private equity-backed Kamps Inc. acquired Hugo, Minn.-based Northland Pallet Inc., a pallet recycling and manufacturing company with customers in Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The company also nationally distributes wood pellets created from compressed wood waste.
Northland Pallet’s staff and leadership will remain with the company, which was founded in 1998 in Minneapolis by Mitch Martin. Northland Pallet employs 60 people and operates out of a 100,000-square-foot facility.
“We are excited to move into the Minnesota market with the acquisition of Northland Pallet,” Kamps Inc. President Mitchell Kamps said in a statement. “Northland has a facility layout that can handle significant growth as we look to make continued investments in this market.”
As well, Kamps cited the company’s pallet recycling, wood pellet operation, and automation investments as crucial to “providing our customers with a comprehensive product line up and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.”
The Northland Pallet deal follows a pair of acquisitions that Kamps Inc. completed in the month of August.
Kamps Inc. acquired a Jacksonville, Fla. location from Pallet Express Inc. on Aug. 15 and closed on a deal for Orlando-based All-State Pallets Company LLC on Aug. 29, according to a statement. The pair of deals added 65 people to the Kamps Inc. team, along with 103 trailers.
The management and staff at both companies will remain in the businesses. The deals bolstered Kamps Inc.’s capabilities in pallet recycling, new pallet manufacturing, and total pallet management services for the Florida market.
Both companies will join Kamps Inc.’s South-East region, which includes eight locations in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
In a statement, Kamps noted both of the acquired companies have a track record of growth and a diversified customer base.
“We look forward to bringing more volume and capabilities to each location to promote additional growth opportunities for the teams,” Kamps stated. “Both locations are strong cultural fits and stand behind similar values, which aligns our team nicely.”
Los Angeles, Calif.-based private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co. has served as the majority owner of Kamps Inc. since 2020. In 2021, Kamps Inc. completed six acquisitions, which earned President Mitchell Kamps honors as the MiBiz Dealmaker of the Year in the corporate executive category.
Earlier this year, Kamps Inc. also acquired Denver, Colo.-based L&R Pallet Services in a deal that bolstered the company’s presence in the state and added 100 people and 180 trailers, as MiBiz previously reported.
With the latest deals, Kamps Inc. now operates from 52 locations with more than 6,100 trailers and employs 3,500 people.


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Betty Boop gets online makeover!
Classic cartoon character Betty Boop has revealed a new look responsive website.
The site, designed and built by Bravand, features an extensive online shop powered by Amazon’s API, enabling fans of the character to shop across a wide range of clothing and merchandise from official licensed sellers.
The newly relaunched Betty Boop website is fully optimized for the multiple platforms and devices that fans have come to live by. Other features include competitions and promotions, a blog, live social media feeds across Twitter and Instagram featured on the homepage, as well as a triple-tiered Facebook feed taking in content from the character’s three core Facebook pages across the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.
“This has been a fantastic project to work on both in terms of design and development,” says Bravand Managing Director Jilly Cross. “From being able to get creative with such an icon of the cartoon world, to partnering with one of the largest of e-commerce engines, bringing Betty into the modern world has been an absolute pleasure.”
“We’re super happy with Betty Boop’s new online home. Fans of Betty can now both interact with her and buy the goods they love in an environment befitting such a character,” says Mark Karlan, Marketing Director of King Features. The New York-based company works closely with Fleischer Studios as the worldwide exclusive licensing agent for Betty Boop. King Features commissioned Bravand in December 2014 to redesign the site following a three-way pitch.


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First come, first served. That’s not the principle behind the clearance of Bitcoin transactions. Equally for other blockchain technology networks, the relevant factor to get a transaction on the next available block is not time, but often: money. “Paid prioritization” is a reality. Miners will first pick and clear those transactions which will most highly reward them.
Is this a … Continue Reading
The final report on the European Commission’s e-commerce sector inquiry was published last week and contains some important observations about how online channels of distribution are transforming consumer goods and digital content markets.
Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner in charge of competition policy, launched the Commission’s e-commerce sector inquiry in May 2015, announcing that “European citizens face too many barriers … Continue Reading
On 17 March Hogan Lovells hosted a live webinar where several of our Global TMT thought leaders interviewed a panel of academic experts from our Law and Technology Academic Advisory Council on the key legal and tech trends for 2017, including regulation of artificial intelligence, competition law and big data, global privacy and copyright trends, and the future of broadband … Continue Reading


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(Pocket-lint) - Microsoft and Google are pulling together to build a Windows Phone YouTube app that will serve ads and abide by Google's demands.
The Next Web reported on Friday that the rival companies have made amends and are collaborating on an update that will appease both parties. The new YouTube app is expected to release on the Windows Phone Store sometime in June.
“Microsoft and YouTube are working together to update the new YouTube for Windows Phone app to enable compliance with YouTube’s API terms of service, including enabling ads, in the coming weeks," said Microsoft and Google in a joint statement. "Microsoft will replace the existing YouTube app in Windows Phone Store with the previous version during this time.”
Read: WinPhone YouTube app update removes downloads to appease Google
The Windows Phone YouTube app recently updated after Google had asked Microsoft to remove it from the Windows Phone Store completely. Google had expressed concerns over a video-download feature and the shortage of advertisements within the app.
Microsoft originally added the video-download feature and removed ads in early May, but Google immediately sent a cease and desist letter and requested that Microsoft remove the app and disable existing downloads by May 22, 2013.
Microsoft removed the video-download feature in the Windows Phone YouTube app on 22 May, the same day as Google's deadline, but the app continued to block Google's ads. Microsoft this week told Wired that Google had "refused to work with us" to develop a YouTube app that was comparable with other platforms.
Today's joint statement means Windows Phone users will soon be able to enjoy a Google-endorsed YouTube app from Microsoft.


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KALEIDOSCOPE X MISSONI
October 3 2013
KALEIDOSCOPE is delighted to announce a new collaboration with defining Italian fashion brand Missoni, on the occasion of the launch of their renovated website and its new online journal – Missoni Moments, a web magazine published in collaboration with bloggers, photographers, illustrators, artists and video makers, including a column on contemporary art edited by KALEIDOSCOPE.
Divided in five theme sections – Stories, Visions, Making Magic, Nowon, Theplacetobe, constantly connected to the brand’s social channels of Instagram and Twitter – the new website talks about fashion, people, friends, art, creativity and lifestyle, with a new “handmade” look that evokes the stylistic essence of Missoni.
The kick-off posts contributed by KALEIDOSCOPE’s Editor-in-Chief, Alessio Ascari, including a homage to irreverent, iconoclast Italian artist Enrico Baj, are now online. Stay tuned!


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Bad news for those of you looking to get your hands on Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution 2 Plus this month – the game’s official Facebook page has announced the game will now release next year.
So,in other words, the game is ready to go but Sony is deciding to wait until the end of January to release it in the US and Europe. Maybe Xcom will be announced at Playstation Experience to release this month,that would be nice.
Man I want Xcom on Vita so bad. I've never played a Cod Meier's game, and I plan on buying this when it finally releases.
I really hope this game comes out for consoles as well.
Damn, anyway when is the Xbox release? Civ Rev is still one of my favourite games, & It's because of that, now I play Civ 5.
You can get Civ V with all the expansions for $10. It's pretty much the gold standard for 4x games. It's 5 years old now so you don't need a super new gaming rig or anything to play it.
Best RTS around
Technically it's not an RTS, its a turn-based strategy game, while one of my Fav genres, it's not Real Time Strategy - C&C , Halo Wars, Supreme Commander are RTSs'
Can the Vita ever get a break?
N4G is a community of gamers posting and discussing the latest game news. It’s part of NewsBoiler, a network of social news sites covering today’s pop culture.


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France to open first electric car battery factories over next 3 years
French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, alongside France's Energy Transition and Industry Ministers, will attend the inauguration, along with German and Italian officials, and the heads of Mercedes, Stellantis, and TotalEnergies.
As part of French President Emmanuel Macron's "reindustrialisation" plan for France, a set of battery factories for electric cars is set to open in the country over the next three years.
The opening of the "gigafactory" in Billy-Berclau in France is owned by Automotive Cells Company (ACC), which is a partnership between French TotalEnergies, Germany's Mercedes-Benz, and US-European automaker Stellantis - the producer of brands including Peugeot, Fiat, and Chrysler.
French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire and France's energy transition and industry ministers will be present at the inauguration, along with German and Italian officials, the heads of Mercedes, Stellantis, and TotalEnergies.
The production is scheduled to begin in the summer of this year, as officials and business leaders are hoping to turn the region into "Battery Valley", to match the US' Silicon Valley.
This comes as Sino-Japanese group AESC-Envision is currently building a plant near the city of Douai in France, intended to supply French automaker Renault from 2025 while production at French startup Verkor is due to begin at a facility in Dunkirk from 2025 as well. Taiwan's ProLogium has also selected the coastal city for its first European factory, with production due in 2026.
Europe is racing to hasten its production of batteries and electric cars in light of the deadline set by the European Union of phasing out the sale of new fossil fuel cars by 2035.
So far, nearly 50 battery factory projects have been announced in the EU, and France set a production target of two million electric cars per year by 2030, according to the economy ministry.
The ministry said the ACC plant will be able to produce 500,000 cars per year by that time.
Currently, China leads the world in electric car battery production and controls producing the raw materials required to manufacture them. Last year, China accounted for over 60% of worldwide electric car sales and more than 50% of all-electric cars on the world's roads, with a total of 13.8 million.
The US is also a fierce competitor against Europe, since the former is implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, which consists of $370 billion in clean energy incentives.
Europe remained the world's second-largest electric car market, accounting for 25% of total electric car sales in 2022 and 30% of worldwide stock. New electric car sales in the US have surpassed one million, accounting for 10% of the worldwide sales increase.


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Meet Mike Manley: New FCA CEO
Photo credit: AutoBlog
Mike Manley has become CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles after last month’s sudden passing of former CEO Sergio Marchionne. Manley was considered to be a contender to take Marchionne’s role as Marchionne was set to retire in less than a year. Just before Marchionne’s passing, Manley was informed with the news that he would take over. With the new found role, Manley had previously served as head of Jeep since 2009 and head of the Ram brand since 2015.
Manley inherits control of FCA with his Jeep brand already surging in sales, hitting record highs for the Jeep Cherokee, Compass and Wrangler, each surpassing previous expectations.
Under Manley’s watch, Jeep vehicles saw orders climb up 5.9 percent in July to 170,970 vehicles sold. Now as CEO of FCA, Manley can help grow the rest of the brands (Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati) grow just the same as Jeep has both in the United States and globally. The combination of adding Fiat to Chrysler, merging together the American automaker with the Italian car company back in 2009 provided to be a success and the company grew predominantly under Manley’s watch. Most notably, Manley oversaw the Jeep brand’s expansion into China for manufacturing operations while head of the Jeep Asia-Pacific region from 2011-2017.
Future For Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
The future of FCA will hinge on continuing to build each brand with plans set earlier this summer by Marchionne. Jeep will be among the top brands to continue to receive intense focus. Jeep’s global sales have quadrupled and aim to surpass 1 million vehicles sold in the United States for the first time ever. Manley’s first responsibilities will be to name his successor for his previous role as well as continue to steer the FCA ship ahead with their intended five-year plan.
“Mr. Manley and his management team will proceed with the implementation of the 2018–2022 Business Plan as presented on June 1 of this year, a plan that will further assure FCA’s strong and independent future,” the FCA statement said.
More on Mike Manley and Upcoming FCA Memorial Service for Marchionne
Michael “Mike” Manley, 54, was born in Edenbridge, United Kingdom and attended Ashridge Business School, graduating with his Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from South Bank University in London. He first joined FCA before FCA became what it is today, as a Director / Network Developer for DaimlerChrysler United Kingdom.
He first joined FCA’s governing body in 2011 as a part of the Group Executive Council. While the future looks bright for FCA, Fiat Chrysler has released plans for a memorial service for Sergio Marchionne in Italy on September 14, 2018 and on September 27th at FCA North America headquarters in Michigan.
Want to Drive an FCA Vehicle?
We know you’re excited to drive something new. You want to test-drive and enjoy your entire car buying experience from start to finish. That’s why you’re going to go to Kendall Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. We’ll be here for you to provide that great customer experience.
From our brand new vehicles to our pre-owned vehicles, we are proud to help our guests buy, lease and trade-in with us.
If you’re hoping to receive help, our financing team will give you all the options you need to take home a vehicle and our staff will help with any vehicle selling you might want to do.
If you’re in need of servicing at any point, even if you didn’t make any deal with us and are a first time customer, by all means make an appointment with our service team. We look forward to being your prime destination for all things car related. Come by today!


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DETROIT – The Red Wings today announced that partial and full season ticket plans are now available for the upcoming 2014-15 campaign. Returning this season, the Red Wings are giving the fans of Hockeytown the flexibility to create a custom ticket plan around their schedule by utilizing the Build-a-Plan feature to create personalized 10 and 20-Game Plans.
In addition to the Build-a-Plan option, fans can choose from pre-selected partial plans for additional savings. All Red Wings partial ticket plans feature savings off of Box Office prices, along with flexible payment plans and the opportunity to purchase tickets for the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs® before the general public. Partial season ticket holders also have access to the Red Wings Account Manager, which gives users the ability to sell seats through NHL Ticket Exchange as well as transfer tickets and print tickets from home.
Red Wings pre-selected 10-Game Plans come in two options – the “Weekend 10” and the “Weeknight 10.” The “Weekend 10” offers a convenient mix of Friday, Saturday and Sunday games, including the first weekend game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 11 against the Anaheim Ducks and a matchup against the Eastern Conference Champion New York Rangers on Saturday, Dec. 6. The “Weeknight 10” includes the Red Wings Home Opener on Thursday, Oct. 9 against Boston and matchups against the Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins. Red Wings 10-Game Plans start at $340.
Fans can also take advantage of two pre-selected 20-Game Plans. The “Red 20” game lineup is highlighted by a Thanksgiving Eve showdown against the Philadelphia Flyers and matchups against Original Six™ rivals the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks. The “White 20” package includes the Halloween tilt against the defending Stanley Cup® Champion Los Angeles Kings, along with premium matchups against Original Six™ opponents. Fans can purchase 20-Game Plans starting at $660.
Full season plans start at $1,395 and feature an action-packed 45 game schedule that gives fans the chance to see every Original Six™ opponent at Joe Louis Arena. In addition to all the benefits of the 10 and 20-Game Plans, full-season ticket holders are guaranteed the same seat location for all regular season home games and have the first right of refusal to purchase the same seat for the 2015 Stanley Cup® Playoffs. Full season ticket holders will also have access to exclusive team autograph sessions and events.
Additional information on Red Wings Ticket Plans can be obtained by calling the Ticket Sales & Service Office at 313-471-7575 or by clicking here.


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ATLANTA and PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Cox Enterprises Inc. and Providence Equity Partners announced late last week that a definitive agreement by which Cox will acquire Providence Equity’s 25% equity interest in AutoTrader Group. Cox Enterprises now holds a 98% stake in AutoTrader Group, with the remainder being held by current and former employees. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
"With more than 32 million monthly visitors to our industry-leading sites, AutoTrader.com and KBB.com, AutoTrader Group continues to grow as a trusted and valued online automotive resource for customers across the nation. Our portfolio of media advertising and software products serves more than 27,000 dealer relationships, and we are confident we will continue to lead the way in connecting automotive dealers with the car-buying public,” said Cox Enterprises’ President and CEO John Dyer. “We have greatly appreciated Providence’s strong contributions to the company's exceptional performance as a partner in this growth."
Providence Equity acquired a 25 percent stake in AutoTrader in 2010 to help accelerate the company’s growth. Since that time, AutoTrader acquired Haystak Digital Marketing, HomeNet Automotive, Kelley Blue Book, vAuto and VinSolutions. The collective companies now constitute AutoTrader Group.
“We are extremely gratified to have partnered with Cox and the AutoTrader team,” said Providence’s Managing Director Michael Dominguez. “Through strategic acquisitions and the introduction of dealer software solutions, they have advanced the original vision of the company and created a game changer. We are proud to have contributed to its growth and believe the company has a very bright future ahead.”
AutoTrader Group operates a digital automotive marketplace and provides marketing and software solutions to automotive dealers throughout the United States. The company touches more than 62% of in-market automotive shoppers. AutoTrader Group also holds a 21.8% stake in Bitauto, a provider of Internet content and marketing services for China's automotive industry.
“Since we launched AutoTrader.com 15 years ago, we have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of our customers by expanding our online and software products. With this acquisition, Cox Enterprises and AutoTrader Group will continue to look for opportunities to grow our leadership position and further innovate ways to meet the needs of car buyers,” said Dyer.
Cox Enterprises also owns and operates Manheim, a global provider of vehicle remarketing services. It registers nearly eight million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing more than $50 billion in value.
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Michigan’s medical marijuana program has been facing some serious shortages so far in 2019. And that has left patients and regulators scrambling for solutions. Now, the state has agreed to let unlicensed growers and dispensaries, including those currently in the process of completing the licensing process, to continue operating. The hope is that the additional suppliers will provide enough product until the state’s licensed growers and shops can adequately keep up with demand.
A Short-Term Solution to a Pressing Problem
Earlier today, Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Licensing Board agreed to the stopgap measure. As outlined by the agency, provisioning centers and suppliers who are not fully current with all required state licenses will be allowed to operate for the next three months.
The objective is to address the state’s medical marijuana shortage. Since the beginning of the year, patients around the state have struggled to access their medicine.
This is primarily because of new changes to the state’s medical marijuana program. As of January 1, state officials closed 72 unlicensed provisioning centers. Additionally, the state is going through an ongoing shortage of licensed growers.
The combination of both of these has led to severe shortages throughout the state.
But now, under the newly instituted changes, provisioning centers that haven’t yet completed the licensing process can remain open.
Additionally, they can get their supply of product from smaller-scale caregivers or temporary growers, as opposed to waiting for large-scale, state-licensed commercial cultivators.
The owner of one of Michigan’s many unlicensed medical marijuana provision centers told Green Rush Daily that he believes they will be given more than three months to operate because of a lack of supply at prices patients can’t afford.
“Our new Governor Gretchen said that they have to allow these shops to reopen. The majority of licensed shops don’t even have the necessary amount of product for the patients. One licensed facility had to destroy a thousand of their plants because they tested positive for heavy metals that weren’t properly flushed out,” said Jeff, the owner of Double Dutch Flower Shop.
Additionally, he blames the way licensing is being done for the consequences patients are currently paying for.
“They’re giving license to people who are only in it for the money. The people doing licensing are only concerned with money, not the patients. They keep shutting shops down and opening them back up. It’s a mess. At licensed shops, patients are paying $35 to $60 an eighth for products that are being recalled for e.coli and other horrible things.”
Recalls, Shortages, and the Evolution of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Program
Michigan’s medical marijuana program has also seen at least three recalls in recent weeks. More specifically, the recalls came when lab tests found mold, yeast, e.coli and other contaminants in several batches of cannabis products being sold in at least two dispensaries.
The recalls added to the state’s shortage of medical marijuana. But, for many state regulators, the recall is also proof that the program is working the way it’s supposed to.
More specifically, regulators are pleased that tests quickly found the contaminated product. Similarly, they are happy that the program was able to implement a recall quickly and efficiently.
“This is the system working properly,” cannabis advocate Rick Thompson told local sources. “All the cannabis provided in 2018 was all from caregivers. If we didn’t hear of any illnesses in 2018, then it doesn’t rise to the level of an emergency or concern in my mind.”
Michigan has been in the process of overhauling its medical marijuana program for the past couple of years. And it’s been an up and down journey.
At one point in 2017, regulators thought about closing all dispensaries. The thought at the time was that this would give the state time to draft a new regulatory framework.
Fortunately for patients, that didn’t happen. Instead, the state has been rolling out new regulations and requirements while allowing dispensaries to remain in operation.
And hopefully, today’s move will ensure that patients can access medical marijuana while the state irons out its last remaining regulatory details. Ultimately, the goal is for the entire program to operate without relying on these types of interventions.


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The ladies have one less place to shop.
The Limited closed all 250 of its retail stores this weekend. Yes, that includes the ones right here in North Texas.
Not much of a warning, huh?
But there is a slight glimmer of hope. The Limited’s website says, “We’re sad to say that all The Limited stores nationwide have officially closed their doors. But this isn’t goodbye. The styles you love are still available online. We’re just a click away 24 hours a day.”
Everything online is now 50% off. So, get your click on.