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Photo Credit: Makaan.com
One of the best things about Google Street View is the freedom offered to the user – to not just look in any direction, but also move any way you please. Makaan, a Gurgaon-based online real estate marketplace, wants to build a version of this, for under-construction homes, which would help potential buyers better visualise what they are spending a fortune on, and push out the archaic 2D floor plan that’s been used for decades in the process.
The company is calling it “3D virtual realty tour”, a cheeky play of words on virtual 3D models, real estate aka realty, and virtual reality. Yes, you can put on an Oculus Rift and tour your next home, welcome to 2016. Makaan isn't the first company in the real estate space to look at 3D models for houses - Commonfloor and Housing.com have come up with similar ideas, and HDFC Red suggests that this will soon be a hygiene feature in real estate projects.
The challenge lies in the resolution and accuracy of the 3D models, and Ravi Bhushan, Chief Technology Officer for Makaan, and parent real estate platform PropTiger, reinforces its importance multiple times during our conversation.
Makaan is doing things differently than everyone else, he claims. Using 3DSMax and an internally-built engine called Peacock, it creates a 3D model based on a 2D floor plan and available dimensions. These details are then stored on the server, fetched locally when a browser requests them and rendered at the client end using WebGL, which is supported by all standard browsers, Bhushan says.
One important point about this, Bhushan tells us, is that most solutions available in the market right now are creating a perception that they are showing a 3D model. “While at the core, they are actually faking it by placing different 2D images to look like 3D,” he adds. “There is a software called KRPano, which is used by most others.”
Bhushan says that Makaan doesn’t rely on a pre-determined 3D model, but instead fetches the 3D metadata and constructs the entire 3D model in the browser itself. That allows viewers to manipulate it the way they want – you can see it in a top-down “floor plan” style, or switch to an isometric “doll house” view – and point-and-click at the room you want to zoom into and go full 360-degree view.
The visualisation technique extends to real-life images too. Bhushan has worked with his team – PropTiger acquired 3D visualisation start-up 3DPhy back in August – to ensure that all the heavy work happens on the software end, minimising the requirements and training needed for capturing the images on location. He says that any smartphone that comes with an 8- to 12-megapixel camera can sufficiently do the task, though it has used the likes of GoPro, and the Ricoh Theta S in the past. Once the images are with the Makaan team, they work on the enhancements to refine the images, to ensure things like contrast, and brightness are normalised across the stitching process.
This work is done with a mix of popular open-source software such as the ImageMagick suite, along with algorithms developed in house, for which, Bhushan claims, the company has applied for patents.
The real challenge today, it turns out, does not lie in gathering images or building models, but actually delivering the 3D content. That's why the Makaan team then has to go over the 3D models and decide which parts need detail, and what can be left low-res. The result is a file that's still around 3-4MB in size, so you'll want a fast Internet to take advantage of this feature.
Loading happens progressively, he adds, so when you drag or swipe in a new direction, you’ll notice that things go from being pixelated to clear. “But now we’re coming up with a technique wherein let’s say you have a 3BHK flat – the kitchen, bedroom, and living room get loaded gradually,” Bhushan says. “Users will get a feel that different modules of the flat are getting constructed in the browser, and they will align with each other in such a way that all these different portions are slowly making up the flat.”
That’s not the only new feature on the way. Makaan is also working to introduce motion into 3D visualisation, which it hopes will make the experience more immersive than ever. As an example, Bhushan mentions a fan or a swimming pool, which aren’t static objects in the real world – a fan can rotate, and the water moves and shimmers – and he wants to animate such things going forward.
The other big thing they are planning to bring in is modular construction, “which would allow users to attach and detach objects” as they please, he says. “For example, you could be looking at a room, and then could drag in a sofa from outside to see how it would affect the space and how it’d look,” he adds. And since they already have a proper 3D model, Bhushan remarks, they will be able to show this in a 3D perspective too and not just as a representative image that you might see in a catalogue.
Makaan is going to roll out a new version of this feature soon, but it's becoming increasingly clear that such solutions aren't just about using technology to stand out - for Makaan and the others in the real estate space, it really is becoming a hygiene factor, as the company revealed that over 90 percent of visitors on a 3D-enabled page actively used the “3D virtual realty tour”, and not just the 2D floor plans.


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Dukab UAE-based end-to-end solutions provider and manufacturing company Group has expanded its presence in India, opening a new office in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
DukabThe opening of the first offices in India and Southeast Asia will facilitate the Group’s operations and presence in the region and support the company’s overall growth strategy.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, who attended the opening of the new office, said: “The UAE and India share common interests and both have the resources and capabilities to strengthen industrial manufacturing. The comprehensive economic partnership signed in 2022 The Relationship Agreement (CEPA) further promotes commercial relations between the two countries, enabling businesses to invest and expand their operations, and to facilitate cross-border trade and forge new and constructive partnerships on the largest scale.
“This new trade and investment landscape is helping to achieve one of the UAE government’s top five priorities for 2023, which is ‘expanding the UAE’s international economic partnerships’.”
read: UAE, India sign comprehensive economic partnership agreement
Ducab Group expands its footprint in India#WamNews https://t.co/8FX1zLAmzL pic.twitter.com/AiJtqImpLF
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) February 9, 2023
Dukab has long-standing ties to India
Mohammad Almutawa, Group CEO Dukab The group said: “Dukab Already has strong relationships with key Indian industries; 25% of the group’s materials are imported from India. also, Dukab Serving more than 100 customers in India, delivering 263,000 metric tons of Cu-eq (copper equivalent), equivalent to powering 3 million homes. The group also employs more than 1,000 Indian nationals, directly impacting 10,000 families. The opening of the group’s new office in Bengaluru is yet another example of important commercial and international cooperation between the two countries. ”
“This is an opportunity for us to explore new prospects in India’s industrial sector and benefit from new advantages under the trade agreement signed between the two countries in February 2022, and build on existing achievements and strong ties, Dukab to the Indian market. This is an extension of the ambition and strategy of the company, which is currently expanding its presence in 55 markets around the world, where 60% of its production is exported,” he said.
The group started its operations in India more than three decades ago in 1988, supplying cables to Navashiva Port (Mumbai Port).
these years, Dukab Over 1,428 km of cables have been supplied to the Indian market, equivalent to the distance from Delhi to Mumbai.
the group has afFootprint spans 55 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe and the Americas.
read: Insights – The factory of the future is here
In recent news, Ducab and Union Pipes Industry (UPI) signed an agreement with Borouge to build Borouge 4 using their materials for energy production and infrastructure applications.
Ducab will produce low and medium voltage cables to power Borouge 4 using Borouge’s energy solutions, while UPI will use Borouge’s ‘Made in UAE’ solution to produce pressure piping for Borouge 4’s cooling and sanitation systems.
Ducab Group CEO Mohammad Almutawa said at the meeting: “Strategic partnerships with national champions in industry are in line with the goals of the 300 billion action plan to create domestic value and increase economic competitiveness. This contract will pave the way for more future collaborations to serve our common goals .”
read: Petrochemical company Borouge wins two contracts worth $15m from UAE manufacturers

domain: news


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This year, nearly 70 percent of Americans, or 164 million people, plan to shop during Thanksgiving weekend, the NRF says. » Read More
Amazon has told its Australian sellers to be ready to take orders on Nov. 23, according to a retailer. » Read More
By: Elizabeth Gurdus
Jim Cramer isn’t scared, but for investors who think there’s something terrible lurking in the market, this could be the time to lighten up. » Read More
The holiday season is known for Christmas cookies, pumpkin lattes and pecan pies, but there are also New Year's resolutions to consider.
The parent of Jared, Kay and Zales said weather-related incidents shaved 10 cents a share off its earnings.
Wal-Mart's Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon speaks at a luncheon hosted by the Economic Club of New York.
Package theft is more common in rural areas than in cities, according to a new report. Here's how to minimize your risk.
If Amazon launches pharmacies in Whole Foods and on Prime, an acquisition of Rite Aid would accelerate market share, according to Cowen.
Gifts for holiday party hosts are a must. Here are some ideas for what you can bring to the party this year.
Cowen and Co. also predicts 2017 is a time for smaller brands to win shoppers' dollars.
Shares of shoe retailer DSW tumble after the company posted disappointing earnings.
Dollar Tree reported third-quarter comparable store sales that beat Wall Street estimates, helped by higher customer traffic and spending at its stores.
Lowe's expects revenue to increase about 5 percent by the end of fiscal 2017.
Personal shopping is becoming increasing popular and a key tool for retailers seeking to know more about how people shop.
Jim Cramer explained why you don’t have to be a millionaire to buy a da Vinci.
Jim Cramer unpacked the bull and bear theses for Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings to determine which one is worth buying.
Jim Cramer gave investors his key takeaways from an interview with Liberty Media's John Malone that rocked his "whole investment world."
The report comes after a fight with activist investor, Engaged Capital.
Pay close attention to surprise moves from vendors and Amazon's move into private label.
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New day with new leak, today we got leak of colours of Huawei P10. In previous leak it was confirmed that the device will come with three colours option.
Evan Blass has leaked the colour variants of the device, the colours of the device are Blue, Gold and Green. And now I think it is clear about the look of the upcoming Huawei device. Because the person who have leaked is the most reliable person.
We already seen leaked photo and render, and now the colour variants of the device. Anyways let’s wait for the MWC 2017 event, to know all the details about the device.
Also check out our article on Press Image Rendered of Huawei P10 Plus with 5.5 inch Quad HD Curved Display and Dual Camera Setup. And many other interesting news and tips & tricks on our website.


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“Essential only” travel between the United States and Canada is keeping the hours of operations reduced at six ports of entry in Montana and one in Idaho.
On Thursday, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the U.S. and Canada have signed an agreement extending “essential only” travel restrictions through at least Jun. 22 or until current travel restrictions are lifted.
Limited hours will remain in effect for ports of entry at the affected ports of entry. In Montana this includes Raymond, Opheim , Morgan, Turner, Del Bonita and Piegan in Montana, and Porthill in Idaho.
CBP will continue to operate the port of Wild Horse north of Havre in its winter hours, seven days a week. The opening of the seasonal port of Chief Mountain between Glacier National Park and Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park has been delayed until travel restrictions are lifted.
Cross border travel between Montana and Canada has significantly declined since “essential only” travel restrictions were first imposed on Mar. 21 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.


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New Delhi — China’s soybeans import were the highest on record for the month of August, according to customs data, as the country’s pig herd continues to recover from the African swine fever epidemic, market sources said.
Rising soybean imports by China – the world’s largest oilseed purchaser — is seen as a boost to an already rising soybean price on weather concerns in the US. A dry August in most parts of the US Midwest and China’s purchases of US beans in recent weeks have supported soy futures for the past few weeks.
November soybean futures are currently trading around $9.68/bu, an eight-month high, and look set to progress towards $10/bu in the coming weeks, an analyst said Sept. 7. Read more…..
Chart of the Day
Yahoo Finance’s Rick Newman, Kristin Myers, Dan Roberts and Heidi Cheung discuss why China is lifting tariffs on pork and soybeans.


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The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to all the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses with a series of new announcements.
A new Small Business Council, chaired by the Minister for Small Business, will be established to work alongside the PM’s Business Council and bring together industry leaders from across the SME community. The Council builds on the Department’s existing engagement activity and will provide a powerful voice for small businesses within Government. It will be tasked with overseeing three key areas for small firms – Access to finance, skills and support as well as removing barriers.
In addition to the formation of the Council, a new Help to Grow Plan is being launched.
The Help to Grow hub will be a one stop shop for SMEs to find the information they need to grow and scale up. The Government knows that for many people, starting a new business for the very first time can be a daunting process. That’s why they've also - for the first time ever - created a step-by-step guide on how to set up and grow a business in the UK.
Visit the Help to Grow website here: https://helptogrow.campaign.gov.uk/
The new site will bring together the support on offer from the government into one place, making it quicker and more convenient to find the resources business leaders and budding entrepreneurs need.
The government is committed to supporting small firms right across the country, which is why the British Business Bank has supported over 90,000 SMEs and their Start Up Loan Scheme has issued more than £1 billion in loans. Our business rates package worth £4.3 billion over the next 5 years will help high streets across England. The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief has been extended for 230,000 businesses which will save the average independent pub over £13,000.
Alcohol duty has been frozen until August 1st 2024 and Small Producer Relief is being introduced to allow small businesses who produce alcoholic products with an ABV of less than 8.5% to be eligible for reduced rates of alcohol duty on qualifying products.


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Geely is going to buy back a stake in Aston MartinJanuary 13, 2020
According to Reuters, the volume of sales of the stake will help Aston Martin improve its market position.
Chinese holding company Geely plans to acquire a stake in premium car maker Aston Martin. In the current period, discussions are underway on this issue, as well as a comprehensive assessment of the business.
Currently, the largest shareholders of the British brand are: an Italian investment fund under the name Investindustrial Advisors Ltd., which has a 38.8% stake, a Kuwaiti entrepreneur – 10.7%, and also the American company Advisers, Inc. – 9.18%.
For Geely, ownership of part of Aston Martin’s shares will be a profitable prospect, since the corporation in this case will be able to adopt the production technology of the premium brand.
It should be noted that the assets of the Chinese company already have stocks of brands like Lotus, Volvo, Lynk & Co and Proton. And the year before last, the Chinese brand bought almost a tenth of the assets of the Daimler concern.
- Updated Cadillac CT5 gets V Performance package
- Mercedes has updated the luxury SUV Maybach GLS
- Cadillac Lyriq will get an incredible projection system on the windshield
- Tesla admitted: yes, our bumpers fall off, and blow off roofs
- 80-year-old retiree drives a Ferrari F40 daily


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Fed still printing money and buying mortgage backed securities at record rates Inflation hasn’t peaked, it’s just getting startedThat was never what this Stay wild moon child shirt about. The recent inflation was driven by supply constraints: demand recovered from the pandemic faster than supply. no, they printing money we don’t have like nobodies business and devaluing the $1, that in itself should be a huge red flag.
Stay wild moon child shirt and ladies teemoney can’t inflate consumer prices unless the Stay wild moon child shirt gets into the hands of consumers, and very little of it is getting into the hands of consumers. It’s not about how much money they issue, it’s about where that money ends up. Way too much of it is flowing into asset markets, and that’s a bigger problem than consumer price inflation.
Stay wild moon child shirt, hoodie, sweater and long sleeve
it can look at Venezuela, they devalued their currency and now they hit rock bottom, you really think the Stay wild moon child shirt won’t end up in the same fate. That was the consequence of a long and extraordinary string of unbelievably bad policies, some of them going back way before Chavez. money that goes into stocks, real estate, cryptocurrency, etc does not inflate consumer prices.


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Cisco adds ActiveVideo technology to enable cloud services through its Videoscape TV platform. Meanwhile, ActiveVideo offers support for the HTML5 environment.
Ericsson CEO Hans Vestberg is never shy about expressing his vision for the connected-everything world of the future.
A federal program that provides discounts on landline and wireless phone service for low-income households is slated for a major overhaul under a plan announced by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
The Supreme Court is considering whether government regulators may still police the airwaves for curse words and other coarse content at a time when so many Americans have unregulated cable television and the Internet is awash in easily accessible adult material.
Motorola Mobility says the cost of defending itself against patent lawsuits and steep competition in the high-end smartphone market has had an impact on its fourth-quarter financial performance, with sales flat over last year and only "modest" profits.
Sprint plans to turn on its LTE service in 10 markets before the middle of this year, including Atlanta, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston.
AT&T announced today that it has expanded its LTE service to 11 new markets, bringing the total to 26 markets covering 74 million points of presence (POP).
SubscriberWise has come up with an interesting way of tracking down people who are viewing cable services after previously being disconnected for non-payment.
AT&T will pay TiVo at least $215 million through June 2018, becoming the latest TV signal provider to settle a patent lawsuit involving the digital video recorder pioneer.
The company will start selling an Android-based Samsung smartphone later this year equipped with an ATSC chip, the hardware needed to receive broadcast mobile television signals in the United States.
Six lawmakers have asked the State Department to investigate whether Huawei and other infrastructure vendors violated U.S. sanctions against Iran by selling telecommunications equipment to the Middle East nation.
Time Warner Cable once again has found itself in a nasty retransmission rights battle, this time with the MSG Network, which pulled its programming from the MSO's lineup.
The Federal Communications Commission approved wireless carrier AT&T's $1.93 billion purchase of unused wireless spectrum from Qualcomm.
LightSquared added some muscle to its top brass when it appointed an executive who oversaw the $70 billion merger between Sprint and Nextel as its new CFO.
Here at CED, the results of our annual Broadband 50 are unpredictable, with a different No. 1 for four years running now. The Broadband 50 celebrates the companies, trends and occurrences, and people...
While it may take a village to drive the development and implementation of something as far-reaching as the cable industry’s CCAP specifications, Comcast’s Jorge Salinger has beat the drum louder than anyone else.
The 2011 class of Pacesetter Award recipients represent innovators in a number of endeavors crucial to the competitive viability of cable operators around the world...
One of the persistent themes at Expo was the need to listen to the customer. There was repeated talk of understanding, anticipating and responding...
There is a lot of effort underway in the cable and consumer electronics industries to develop methods for conserving energy. Some of this is driven by the Energy Star 3.0 requirements for TVs, DVD players and set-top boxes.
The question of what to do with white space spectrum gets tangled up in the bitter partisan wrangling over tax policy in Washington.
With the threat of AT&T's merger with T-Mobile USA passed, the operator's competitors are turning their attention to its acquisition of 700 MHz spectrum used for Qualcomm’s discontinued Flo TV mobile television service.
With Sprint's legal battle against AT&T's merger with T-Mobile effectively at an end, the operator is turning its attention to cable operators.
Ads can still appear, even while viewers pause, fast forward or rewind through content – including through embedded commercials.
IEEE 1905.1, which bridges Wi-Fi, MoCA, Ethernet and HomePlug, takes an important step toward ratification.
An administrative law judge issued an initial determination that Motorola Mobility is in violation of one of six Microsoft patents listed in a patent infringement suit filed by Microsoft against Motorola Mobility.


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Walgreens announced this week plans to close less than three percent of their overall stores in the United States.
Walgreens said in a statement, the closings will cause "minimal disruption to customers and patients" as they have multiple locations in many markets. The company plans to retain the majority of the store team members in other nearby locations.
The company did not offer any information on specific locations.
The company's full statement: "As previously announced, we are undertaking a transformational cost management program to accelerate the ongoing transformation of our business, enable investments in key areas and to become a more efficient enterprise. As part of this effort, we plan to close approximately 200 stores in the U.S.
"Given that these closures will represent less than 3 percent of our stores overall, and given that we have multiple locations in many markets, we anticipate minimal disruption to customers and patients. We also anticipate being able to retain the majority of the impacted store team members in other nearby locations."
Get your weather forecast from people that actually live in your community. We update with short, easy-to-use video forecasts you can watch on your phone every day. Download the iOS or Android app here.
- Get holiday shopping done early this year to avoid tariffs
- NYT: Bank employees reported suspicious Trump, Kushner activity
- Mueller report proves some ‘fake news' scoops were very real
- Facebook collected 1.5 million users' email contacts without their knowledge
- MoviePass confirms it may have exposed customer credit card numbers
- Pentagon kills contract for part of missile meant to hit ICBMs


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Apparel retailer Gap Inc said it would close a quarter of Gap specialty stores in North America over the next few years, including 140 this year.
Fast Retailing Co Ltd said on Monday it has closed the online Uniqlo store that it opened in April on China's popular JD.com Inc.
India companies’ dividend payout has consistently increased over the past three years to an all-time high of 33 per cent in 2014-15
Study on performance management by consulting firm People Business stated that some were doing away with the bell curve model and make the battle fiercer.
Amazon will manage inventory, fulfill orders using its own distribution network and provide customer service for a margin of the startup's sales.
United confirmed that it has paid out two awards worth 1 million miles each, worth dozens of free domestic flights on the airline.
Tracking the momentum, the Nifty index may retest its crucial psychological level of 8,250 in trade today.
A study on employee intentions for the current fiscal year shows that a higher percentage of women as compared to men speak up and ask for clear career progression.


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Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) ships with an out-of-date version of Adobe's Flash Player that's vulnerable to recently-spotted attacks, according to Microsoft's support documentation.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has narrowed the release window for the second beta version of Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) to sometime in August.
Mobile printing has never been easier. For a busy office, reliable and easy-to-use tools are essential. Samsung's latest smart printers are equipped for wireless printing from mobile devices. Find out more about what is all about.
National ISP Internode has launched an Australian mirror of the SourceForge open source software repository and development portal.
A former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) staffer and an ex-radiocommunications regulator have been appointed to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) board, under the government's new merit-based recruitment c...
Microsoft is disputing that its CardSpace authentication management technology can be hacked despite a research paper that outlines a proof-of-concept attack.
Adobe this week is set to unveil the next version of its Adobe Acrobat software, which adds support for the company's Flash multimedia technology. The company also plans to launch a new Web site offering users free hosted services for document creati...
If IT security professionals think they have challenges now, they should wait until new technologies such as quantum computing and devices embedded in skin arrive in the not-so-distant future, three science-fiction writers said Monday.
In an unusual move, Microsoft on Friday warned Windows users to swear off Apple 's Safari Web browser until a patch is available that plugs holes that could let attackers to compromise computers.
Mozilla's Firefox browser is on pace to hit the 20 percent market share mark next month, a Web metrics company said Monday.
The Web site for the Phoenix Mars Mission, NASA's most recent arrival on the Red Planet, was hacked over the weekend by a Turkish crew, according to a defacement database.
Facebook is releasing as open-source software parts of its application development platform in order to make it easier for programmers to create applications for the social-networking site, the company announced Monday.
A new online services directory, dubbed FreeConnect, launched last week, claiming to be Australia's first online VoIP directory service.
Users of the professional-oriented social networking site LinkedIn are being warned that scam artists are using the site to nab lucrative bank account information from naive victims, say security experts.
Adobe has updated its stable of design software, including releasing version 9 of is PDF creation tool Acrobat, and has introduced an online collaboration portal, Acrobat.com.
The British Library's ongoing projects to make thousands of books and other resources available digitally won't slow down significantly, despite the ending last week of a partnership with Microsoft, a senior library official said Friday.
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First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.


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The ridiculously charming world of ‘Ni No Kuni,’ Studio Ghibli’s gaming masterpiece
Hayao Miyazaki, renowned director and co-founder of Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, doesn’t like video games. He once tried to play a PC version of the Japanese board game Shogi but it wasn’t for him. “The PC checks all approaches,” he said in an interview. “That’s not fair.” But despite his lack of fondness for the medium, Miyazaki’s studio teamed up with developer Level 5 to bring Ghibli’s incomparable style to the world of gaming. Released on the PlayStation 3 in Japan back in 2011, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch finally made its way to an English-speaking audience this week. It combines two of the country’s greatest exports — it’s an epic role playing experience with the look and feel of a high quality animated film. And it took two of Japan’s most talented companies to pull it off.


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A man whose body was found in a car outside a Walmart parking was suspected to have been decomposing for days before authorities were contacted.
70-year-old Luis Ramirezís body was discovered in a car late yesterday morning in Orlando, Florida after police responded to reports of a man slumped over in a grey Chrysler van.....Several shoppers said that they walked past the car where Ramirez was thought to have been living for several weeks - just feet from the entrance to the store in the south east Orlando shopping plaza.
Many who crowded around the scene as he was removed from the van yesterday now fear that as they noticed Ramirez while entering and exiting the store over the past weeks they were slowly watching him starve to death.....'I see him ducking down and he's got his like clothes hung up inside the van, he should go to a shelter or hospital or something,' shopper Lamont Bagley told CF News 13 in Orlando.
According to a report filed by the Orlando police, Ramirezís body was found in a state of decomposition. It appeared that he had been dead for approximately 48 hours before his body was found....The Orange County medical examiner who responded yesterday also concluded that Ramirezís death was from natural causes.


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…as MTN retains lead in number of GSM subscribers
Telecommunication companies gained 195,313 subscribers in the month of July according to new industry statistics released by Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) on Tuesday.
According to the data, MTN Communications has maintained lead in GSM data by operator with 73,123,732 subscribers.
Meanwhile, other network operators such as Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile recorded, 50,301,237; 51,137,799 and 12,908,092 respectively in July 2021.
In June the total number of subscribers was 187,275,547. In July it grew to 187,470,860. This is a sustained growth from the month of June, when telcos began to witness subscriber growth after the effect of sim ban sale began to wane.
In December 2020, the sale and registration of new SIM cards was banned by the Federal Government and a December 30 deadline for people to link their National Identity Number with their SIM cards was set.
In April, the Federal Government approved the activation of new SIM card registration with mandatory National Identity Number synchronisation.
In April, the Federal Government approved the activation of new SIM card registration with mandatory National Identity Number linking.
While the total subscriber base grew, telcos lost 430,733 internet subscribers as internet subscribers dropped from 139,814,913 in June to 139,384,180 in July. Broadband penetration also dropped from 39.97 per cent to 39.79 per cent.
Subscribers continued to port as 734 subscribers ported between the networks, an increase from the 616 subscribers that ported in June.


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- Foxconn invested heavily in Vietnam for new EV battery facilities, as it wants to reduce the reliance on iPhone assembly.
- The business not only executes the project in Vietnam but also in other places in the world.
According to Nikkei Asia, Foxconn will pour 250 million USD into Northern Vietnam for 2 new plants. One of those 2 will be producing EV batteries.
In particular, a 200 million-dollar factory is reportedly built to produce charging equipment, as well as electronic components. This facility is likely to have 1200 employees and is supposed to start to work in January 2025. Not only that, another 46 million-dollar plant will be erected for producing details of telecommunication devices and types of dies. When it comes to the latter, the construction can be finished in around October 2024 and there will be 700 people working.
Those aforementioned facilities will be built at an industrial park located in Quang Ninh, which is 130 km away from Hanoi. Chau Nghia Van, an executive of Foxconn’s operation in Vietnam, in the granting investment registration certificate, stated: “After 16 years of investment and development in Vietnam, we chose Quang Ninh as the destination for this project.”
Besides that, Foxconn is intending to construct another plant in Nghe An, a province in central Vietnam, according to a local media outlet.
Trying to cut dependency
Nikkei Asia reports this is Foxconn’s strategy to reduce the reliance on iPhone production. Facilities in Vietnam are not the sole international project of Foxconn in 2023. In March of this year, the company announced to start EV battery production in Ohio and Wisconsin, America, reported by Nikkei Asia.


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NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks that traded heavily or had substantial price changes Wednesday:
Advanced Micro Devices Inc., down $1.20 to $98.09.
The chipmaker gave investors a disappointing revenue forecast for the current quarter.
PayPal Holdings Inc., up $8.29 to $97.92.
Insight by Contrast Security: During this exclusive webinar, moderator Jared Serbu and agency leaders discuss software implementation cyber risks and how they are measuring and mitigating those risks in their software ecosystem and supply chain. Register now!
Activist investor Elliott Management has reportedly taken a large stake in the technology platform and digital payments company.
Gilead Sciences Inc., up $2.73 to $62.27.
The HIV and hepatitis C drugmaker raised its profit forecast for the year.
Match Group Inc., down $13.47 to $63.24.
The owner of online dating services Tinder and OKCupid gave investors a weak revenue forecast.
RingCentral Inc., up $3.34 to $53.04.
The cloud-based phone system provider for small businesses reported strong second-quarter financial results.
Terex Corp., up $1.69 to $34.16.
Read more: Business News
The machinery products maker’s second-quarter profit beat analysts’ forecasts.
CVS Health Corp., up $6.01 to $101.38.
The drugstore chain and pharmacy benefits manager raised its profit forecast for the year.
Mercury Systems Inc., down $7.67 to $49.81.
The aerospace and defense contractor gave investors a disappointing financial forecast.
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Posted on 23-Jun-2010 08:17
| Filed under: News
Apple has sold its three millionth iPad yesterday, just 80 days after its introduction in the US.
“People are loving iPad as it becomes a part of their daily lives,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world, including those in nine more countries next month.”
Developers have created over 11,000 new apps for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch user interface, large screen and high-quality graphics. iPad will run almost all of the more than 225,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for a user's iPhone or iPod touch.
Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life, according to Apple.
The Apple iPad is set to be released in New Zealand during July 2010.


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Will the identity of the creator of bitcoin be revealed soon? This could be the case, taking into account Elon Musk’s latest assertions. In an interview with artificial intelligence researcher Lex Fridman, posted online Tuesday, the Tesla boss spoke about the identity of the person behind Satoshi Nakamoto, the current pseudonym of the creators of bitcoin, reports Capital.
And his suspicions fell on … Nick Szabo, a global cryptocurrency expert. While admitting to not knowing for sure the identity of the creator of bitcoin, Elon Musk felt that Nick Szabo was the one who “seems to be more than anyone responsible for the ideas behind bitcoin”. “You can watch the development of ideas before bitcoin’s launch and see who wrote about those ideas,” the billionaire added.
All roads lead to Nick Szabo
The track evoked by Elon Musk follows on from other analyzes highlighting the role of Nick Szabo in the creation of bitcoin around 2008. In 2014, a team of linguistics researchers had notably pointed out similarities between the vocabulary of the expert and that used by Satoshi Nakamoto in the bitcoin white paper. “None of the other possible authors matched so well,” they said.
Likewise, in 2015, the New York Times had also attributed the creation of this cryptocurrency to Nick Szabo. Among the clues mentioned, it was put forward that the expert had already created in 1998 a cryptocurrency called “bit gold”. But for his part, the man has always denied being the inventor of bitcoin and blockchain technology.


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The eBay owned classifieds provider has launched a peer to peer (P2P) trading platform that means buyers and sellers never have to meet in order to complete a transaction.
The company hinted that its P2P platform is the first of a series.
“Our first affiliate, Motofinn (powered by Deloitte), deals purely with car transactions. Using Motofinn significantly reduces the risks associated with selling a car as a group of expert evaluators will ensure the legitimacy of the buyer, protecting both sides,” Johan Nel, Gumtree SA CEO told Fin24.
The P2P platform acts like an escrow and verification service that seeks to protect both buyer and seller in the transaction. But safety is a key component, said Nel.
“Motofinn ensures full transparency – documents and information will be independently validated before you hand over your vehicle. Motofinn will reduce the chances of encountering an online scammer as they will take charge of the entire sales process on your behalf.”
On its website, Motofinn says that it charges the seller R795 and the buyer R1 995, which covers items such as a roadworthy test, licensing, inspection and verification of mileage
“The buyer can rest assured knowing that the car has undergone full DEKRA testing and verification, the seller knows that the buyer is verified financially and the sales amount paid into their account without incident,” said Nel.
Estimates suggest that there are about eight million credit cards in SA, and Nel argued that the Gumtree P2P platform did not obligate people to transact via credit cards.
“Very few of our customers transact via credit card on Gumtree – the buyer and seller typically agree on a convenient payment method, whether it’s cash or EFT or even a swop. We wanted to ensure that we aren’t limiting buyers and sellers, so there are alternatives for making payment through our affiliates (EFT, cash deposit).”
Nel added that the site, which hosts over 600 000 ads and with 30 000 being posted per day, will soon expand the service for other transactions.
“There is no need to handle large amounts of cash or to negotiate with the buyer personally. A second service will be introduced shortly to fulfil the same role for general deals.”


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Despite the volatility and legality of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in Pakistan, investors and “hodlers” continue to speculate and market prices continue to rise. Slowly but surely, Bitcoin has created much interest among Pakistani investors despite the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies. With some investors gaining tremendously despite some calls of a “bubble”, conventional investors have not been scared off and market prices have continued to rise.
The Bitcoin currency has seen a large increase since the beginning of 2017 from 800 US dollars to its current rate of 13000 US dollars at time of writing. Even the local Pakistani cryptocurrency, Pakcoin has steady growth among all cryptocurrencies, acheiving more than 10x growth in 2017. According to the owner of Urdubit (the only Bitcoin exchange in Pakistan), Bitcoin is steadily capturing the attention of Pakistani investors worldwide, reporting a regular increase in its website visitors. Pakistani cryptocurrency market gurus are also anticipating a much higher acceptability by investors of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the very near future, which they claim will stabilize digital currency prices in Pakistan.
Local cryptocurrency Pakcoin have announced on their facebook page this week that due to so many requests for its cryptocurrency under their Airdrop project, Pakistanis would have to wait for about a week before they would receive their allotted free 50 Pakcoins. Founder of Pakcoin, Mr Abu Shaheer, said in a recent interview that thanks to their airdrop project, Pakcoin would soon be a household name in over 150,000 Pakistani homes. He added: “The airdrop project is open to all Pakistanis worldwide, but only the first 150,000 to claim a free gift of 50 Pakcoin will have the chance of really seeing just how well cryptocurrency works for making transfers, with virtually 0% commissions and transactions completed in under a second being just two of its many benefits.” He also apologized for the current delay in people receiving their 50 Pakcoins, which he said was due to a sudden surge in Pakistanis signing up to the Airdrop project.
According to the Pakcoin website, the Pakistani cryptocurrency is an online peer-to-peer currency which empowers immediate, low cost payments to anybody anywhere in the world. Pakcoin also features much faster transaction confirmation times and better storage efficiency than other leading math-based currencies like Bitcoin. Although its primary focus is on Pakistani users both in and outside of Pakistan, they say international users are welcome to participate in mining, trading or long term holdings. More information and investor tutorials about the Pakistani cryptocurrency can be found on the official Pakcoin website, www.pakcoin.io


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DASH integrates with Living Room of Satoshi bill pay service
Dash, the “better bitcoin,” has been integrated into one of Australia’s most promising cryptocurrency companies, Living Room of Satoshi, a business that has already revolutionized the way people pay their bills online. Founded only two years ago, Living Room of Satoshi was named 2015 Australian Startup of the Year award by StartupSmart for the innovative way the company allows Australians to pay their everyday bills with cryptocurrency, including rent, utilities, insurance bills, phone bills, speeding fines, credit card debt, and government tax bills. The service is linked to BPAY, an online bill payment mechanism accepted by over 45,000 companies across Australia. Today, Dash joined Bitcoin as the only alternative currency option for bill payers on Living Room of Satoshi, a company which has soared in popularity with over $2 million AUD processed in the first three quarters of 2016, a 250% increase from $800,000 AUD the previous year.
Living Room of Satoshi Founder and CEO Daniel Alexiuc said, “We attribute the success of Living Room of Satoshi to an unwavering focus on ease of use. When I pay a bill, I want the process to be as quick and easy as possible, and that attitude is reflected in every aspect of our service. Even those new to digital currencies have noted how simple our site is to use; there is no signup required, just simply enter the bill details, pay your bill, and you’re done. We have just passed the milestone of processing over $100,000 AUD per week, with no sign of slowing down.”
From humble beginnings as a privacy-centric cryptocurrency project, Dash has evolved into a next-generation payments alternative for the real world, perfectly matching the requirements for Living Room of Satoshi.
“We’ve tested other coins like Ethereum, but frequent hard forks and reliability issues made it unfeasible. Dash is perfectly suited as a payment system for bills and real world purchasing of goods and services. From the start, Dash was able to fill the holes Bitcoin created. Dash has the ability to effect transactions instantly, compared to prolonged bitcoin payments lagging over 10 minutes,” added Alexiuc.
The Dash market cap has quintupled in value in a year and experienced a 3000% increase in 24 hour trading volume from October 31, 2015 ($40,000 USD) to October 31, 2016 ($1.2 million USD).
VP of Business Development for Dash Daniel Diaz said, “We are happy to see true innovators in the space endorse Dash as the leading payment network alternative for their users. In this case, Dash’s focus on instant confirmations and usability makes it the ideal fit for Living Room of Satoshi and will dramatically enhance the user experience. The growing amount of options to use Dash as ‘digital cash’ is the result of our overall strategy to develop a smooth roadway bringing cryptocurrencies into the hand of consumers all over the world.”
Living Room of Satoshi will be tapping into Dash’s InstantSend technology when the Australian Banking Industry unleashes its New Payments Platform, scheduled for early 2017. The initiative will allow real-time bank transfers between domestic Australian banking institutions to be possible, meaning that Dash will be used to make instant, international fiat payments to any Australian bank account from anywhere in the world.
“The InstantSend feature of Dash separates them from every other cryptocurrency in the space. The integration with Living Room of Satoshi will ensure that money is sent and received faster than ever before, heightening user experience,” Alexiuc added.


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The telco wars ahead of the iPhone 12 launch continue with Telstra firing the latest volley with a $50 discount per month on its XL mobile plans which includes a massive 180GB of data.
The discount is available to new and existing customers who sign up to Telstra’s SIM-only plan for 12-months.
That brings the price down from $115 a month to $65 a month for 180GB data per month and adds up to a saving of $600 in a year.
That’s the same price of the Telstra Medium month to month plan which includes 80GB data.
The discount offer is available until November 16 and can be combined with a pre-order for the iPhone 12 on a $65 plan or above.
After the promotional period ends, customers are free to move to another plan.
“We’re giving customers more data for less with this offer and it’s perfectly timed as new 5G devices hit the market so people can try Telstra 5G for themselves and see why it’s Australia’s best 5G,” says Telstra group executive, consumer and small business, Michael Ackland.
“With Telstra 5G now available in more than 60 cities and towns, along with more 5G devices hitting the market, this offer is perfectly timed.
“Telstra is giving customers a big discount on big data allowances for the next 12 months so people can try Telstra 5G for themselves.”
Customers can take advantage of the offer via the MyTelstra app, at a Telstra store, online through Telstra.com or on 13 22 00.


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Breadsmith, a chain of independently owned retail bakeries, is opening a new shop in Hyde Park (3500 Michigan Ave., breadsmith.com). And before they open their doors, they'll be hosting an open house and preview to "raise dough" for ArtWorks — the local nonprofit organization that empowers and inspires the creative community to transform our everyday environments through employment, apprenticeships, education, community partnerships and civic engagement — from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18.
One hundred percent of the sales of the bakery on Saturday will benefit ArtWorks and their youth development programs this summer.
“Breadsmith is committed to giving back to the community that we live and work in,” Ward Bahlman, owner of the Breadsmith and resident of Cincinnati, says in a press release. “We want to celebrate our new store by supporting the worthwhile projects of ArtWorks which is doing so much for our community’s landscape.”
Tamara Harkavy, the founder, CEO and artistic director of ArtWorks added, “ArtWorks is grateful to Breadsmith for donating their sales to our Adopt-an-Apprentice campaign that will directly support the 120 teen apprentices we’ll hire this summer to work on ten new community murals and other creative projects.”
The fundraising event for ArtWorks will also include behind-the-scenes tours and free samples of Breadsmith's award-winning breads, muffins and sweets. Customers will get a look at the European-style interior design which allows them to see the “hand-made, hearth-baked” Breadsmith process.
For more information visit artworkscincinnati.org.


text: U.S. residents will increase their online spending for retail products and services at a 12% annual average clip through the end of 2010, according to a Jupiter Research study.Americans bought goods and services worth $81 billion from online retailers in 2005, a figure expected to jump to $95 billion in 2006 and to $144 billion in 2010.That, in Jupiter Research's view, is strong and healthy growth, and proof that the convenience of e-tailing will remain attractive. "This reinforces the strength and longevity of online shopping," said Patti Freeman Evans, a Jupiter Research analyst and author of the study, titled "U.S. Online Retail Forecast, 2005 to 2010."What will change in the next five years is the dominant driver for online sales growth. Until now, growth has been fueled by the steady stream of new online shoppers. But that will change as the market matures, and growth is generated by existing buyers, she said.Online retailers will need to adapt to this changed landscape by focusing on retaining their current customers through loyalty incentives and on luring away competitors' customers, because brand-new buyers will be harder and harder to come by. To thrive, e-tailers will need to increase what she calls their "wallet share" of existing shoppers. "Retailers are competing for the same pool of fish now," she said. "This heats up the competitive waters."At the same time, online retailers have to deal with increasingly experienced and savvy shoppers who expect and know how to look for offers such as free shipping and who are comfortable using price comparison shopping tools. "Retailers need to think strategically about developing a loyal customer base," Freeman Evans said.The study also found that offline and online purchases will increasingly be influenced by buyers' online research activities, from 27% of total retail sales in 2005 to almost half in 2010, a proportion she described as "enormous.""This talks to the need by retailers to have a cross-channel, multi-channel strategy and become much more integrated over the next five years. They need to be much more savvy about the value of online in terms of influencing purchases," Freeman Evans said.Jupiter Research, a division of Jupitermedia Corp. excludes automotive, travel and prescription drug sales from its definition of the online retail market.


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Microsoft updates 360, DOA4
Two updates out for 360 owners; dashboard fix prepares consoles for further updates, DOA4 fix includes option to reset online statistics.
Xbox 360 owners who turn on their machines and load up Tecmo's Dead or Alive 4 may be hit with consecutive loading screens. Microsoft has announced that a new autoupdate for the Xbox 360 is ready and will be downloaded the next time gamers log into Xbox Live. What does the update do? Microsoft doesn't mention anything specific, only saying, "The March 2006 Xbox 360 update will prepare your Xbox 360 console for future system and title updates."
A new DOA4 update is also up, reports Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hryb on his blog MajorNelson.com. Hryb reports that the update will also give gamers the opportunity to reset their online statistics at the time the patch is installed, giving those who have been pummeled black and blue a fresh start. However, other than that option, it's unclear what the update actually does.
Xbox Live has been busy of late, with new demos and customizing options appearing several times a week over the past few weeks. Upcoming files expected to be posted soon include demos of THQ's The Outfit and Ubisoft's Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter.
The products discussed here were independently chosen by our editors. GameSpot may get a share of the revenue if you buy anything featured on our site.


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Mari Frank’s nightmare began late one night in 1996 when she received a call from the Bank of New York asking why she hadn’t made the monthly payment on her credit card. Frank didn’t have a credit card with Bank of New York. But her double – who looked nothing like her – took Frank’s background, her credit, and even some of her business cards. The impostor also bought $50,000 in clothing and luxury items, plus a Mustang convertible, and charged it to Frank’s tab. The impostor, living in Ventura County 200 miles to the north, had been enjoying the high life for more than a year before the fraud was detected. Fixing the damage required about 500 hours of Frank’s time and cost $10,000.
Identity theft ruins reputations, destroys credit ratings, and empties bank accounts, and in most cases, there is nothing anybody can do about it. Fraud artists sweep up personal information, take on the personas of victims and steal money from their accounts, or rack up bills in their names. It’s one of the fastest-growing white-collar crimes, fueled by the exponential growth of the Internet and instant credit as well as widespread use of Social Security numbers. Fraud examiners and investigators need to know the scams and the ways they can be detected.
The Victim’s Plight
Identity theft occurs when a thief uses another person’s personal identification – name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, or other identifying information – to open new credit card accounts, take over existing accounts, obtain loans in the victim’s name, steal funds from the victim’s checking, savings or investment accounts, lease cars and apartments, or even apply for telephone service.
The victims go through a difficult and time-consuming ordeal to clear their names. They must first try to convince the lenders and the credit-reporting agencies that they are victims of identity theft. They also must deal with calls from collection agencies and endless paperwork that results from trying to expunge erroneous information and fraudulent accounts from a credit record.
Many victims of this fraud are unwittingly impersonated for years. They struggle to get their finances, jobs, and lives back in order. The thieves seldom discriminate. For instance, several cases filed with the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., revealed a variety of victims – from the unemployed to the self-employed and from an electrician to a judge. The main offenses committed were establishing public utility accounts, and obtaining credit cards to order merchandise in the victims’ names. Identity thieves target everyone – they cross all boundaries.
In Mari Frank’s case, the crook simply crossed her own name off a mass-mailing credit application and inserted Frank’s name, Social Security number, and other personal information. The address and phone number didn’t match Frank’s, but the bank still approved a $10,000 account. Making things even easier for the impostor, the bank then passed along Frank’s “new” address to credit bureaus. They then sold her credit information to other direct marketers, who wooed the impostor with even more offers. “It was sent to her door like candy and flowers,” Frank said.


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In this second special report from The Gambia, CIWM’s Immediate Past President Dr Anna Willetts describes the complex issues behind textile reuse and how the circular economy network has earned itself a new name.
Textile waste is a fascinating issue in The Gambia and something that the delegation from CIWM and WasteAid was keen to study on our recent fact-finding visit to the country. Wayne Hubbard, CEO at ReLondon, is particularly interested in learning about how textiles can be kept in circulation for longer and prevented from ending up in landfill or incineration.
He explains to me that fashion supply chains are very long, and the transport of clothing causes significant social and environmental problems. Londoners, like the rest of the UK population, consume huge amounts of clothing – more than any other European citizen. The effect of fast fashion is that clothing is less durable and doesn’t last as long.
Vast amounts of used clothing from the UK and the ‘global north’ are sent to markets in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.
“Most unwanted clothing ends up in charity shops, but they cannot possibly sell everything they have back into the UK market,” Wayne tells me. “Vast amounts of used clothing from the UK and the ‘global north’ are sent to markets in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, with Ghana being the largest hub in Africa. From here, clothes are sent around the globe, but what happens to them next is not really known.”
Indeed, from the moment we landed on the tarmac at Banjul Airport, evidence of imported second-hand clothing was clearly visible: one of the ground crew wearing a fluorescent tabard with the name of a well-known supermarket on the back.
As we drove into town from the airport, imported clothes were on sale everywhere: from shops, market stalls and blankets by the side of the road. They are proudly advertised as “imported” – a mark of status and quality.
In some ways, this is excellent circularity: perfectly good garments, unwanted by their original owners, being used by others and kept in circulation for longer. But there are two sides to every story.
Youma Wally-Ndong is a fashion designer who has spent time in Europe and now runs the Bakoteh Production and Innovation Centre (BPIC) in The Gambia. She told me that imported second-hand clothes are dominating the market and squeezing out locally made clothes.
“People think they are better quality than the locally produced clothing, to the point where there is now very little local industry,” she says. “In fact, there are so few textile manufacturers that, if a machine breaks down, no uniforms can be made for the police.”
There is a huge demand for clothes from the UK and EU in countries such as The Gambia, but this can be at the expense of a thriving local industry.
BPIC is currently offering business development training to The African Swag, which hopes to redress the balance by offering locally made clothing and accessories, often using repurposed materials – for example, aprons that incorporate bubble wrap.
Clearly, there are complex issues to be considered here. Wayne says: “There is a huge demand for clothes from the UK and EU in countries such as The Gambia, but this can be at the expense of a thriving local industry.
“Also, we have no control over the disposal of any unsold or unwanted clothing. It is common for rubbish to be burnt on open fires or disposed of in dumpsites with no sanitary controls. Ultimately, of course, we cannot escape the fact that we need to buy fewer clothes, of better quality, that we make last longer by sharing, repairing and cherishing.”
The vision of The Gambia’s Circular Economy Network is a kind of “CIWM lite”, but it’s been named locally as Dennakuwo, meaning “together we can”. To date, the project has focused its efforts in the Greater Banjul Area, which is home to 26% of Gambia’s population and where a lack of waste-management systems leads to significant health risks, marine pollution and climate-changing emissions.
For the past 18 months, WasteAid has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders through training and networking events, educating people about the benefits of a more circular approach to various waste streams, including textiles, plastics and organic waste.
It also ran a challenge, giving businesses the opportunity to access training and seed funding. The winner of this was Plastics Recycling Gambia, which is using the investment to speed up the collection of up to 30 million tonnes of plastic each year that would otherwise end up in landfill. The organisation is also employing 20 people.
WasteAid is working on creative methodologies to promote behavioural change, using art and music. A 200m long wall surrounding Banjul’s current waste-dump site has been painted with a mural depicting positive reasons to keep materials in circulation.
Dennakuwo now numbers more than 200 members, and I loved seeing how many activists, councils, private sector organisations and creatives it has brought together, all with a common purpose: to clean up The Gambia.
We cannot escape the fact that we need to buy fewer clothes, of better quality, that we make last longer by sharing, repairing and cherishing.
The ideas we saw and heard from the members we met on our visit were fascinating and encouraging, and I really feel that we can learn a lot from the way things are approached here. Something that made a big impression was a discussion with a member of Dennakuwo over lunch.
She asked me: “How is it that you are a doctor?”
I replied that I have a PhD in landfill engineering and that my interest in the waste sector had stemmed from my dad’s career and my degree in geology. I will never forget her reply: “I would really like to do a PhD. I didn’t know girls could do them.”
I had completely misunderstood her question. The limitations on education and career advancement are significant in The Gambia, and it made me stop and think about what we take for granted in the UK.
I really hope that our discussion, and the networking opportunities provided by Dennakuwo, will help her to make the advances she wants.
In the third and final article in this series, Anna will look at the work of the local authority and newly formed waste collection systems in The Gambia.


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Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake personally thanked customers and shop Partners for their support of the Holiday Match campaign by getting behind the register! Take a look:
When: Wednesday, December 22nd 9:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Stewart’s Shop at 309 6th St. and 3rd Ave. in Watervliet, NY
Why: Customers at this shop increased their Holiday Match donations 155% over last year.
As of December 19th, our customers have donated $765, 177 and with the Stewart’s Holiday Match, that’s over $1.5 million. The money raised through Holiday Match goes to nonprofit charities that are centered around helping children. All the money stays in local communities, your donation could help a little league team, a food pantry or an arts program at the library.
Holiday Match funds are collected through Christmas Day, there’s still a few days left of collection. Last year, our customers donated over $900,000, with our match the total came out to $1.88 million. We cannot thank our customers enough for their generosity so far this year and every year with our Holiday Match program.
Let Us Double Your Gift
Holiday Match Applications
Organizations are encouraged to apply for funding online. The deadline for submission is January 31, 2022. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization. A listing of all the local organizations that received funds last season is available online.


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TIJUANA.- The Baja California state government, through its Tourism Ministry (SECTURE in Spanish), has set out on creating ties between the Napa Sonoma Mexican-American Vintners Association, or NSMAVA, and the Ejido El Porvenir Vintners Association in Baja, with the aim of establishing a cultural and commercial relationship between winemakers on both sides of the border.
The closer ties began during a meeting held in the Valle de Guadalupe wine region in Baja, and attended by the head of SECTURE, Óscar Escobedo Carignan; the SECTURE International Affairs Director, Mariano Escobedo Lavin; NSMAVA President, Rafael Rios, as well as his Vice-president, Hugo Maldonado.
Escobedo Carignan detailed some of the most notable deals reached by the meeting, including one where the Ejido EL Porvenir Vintners Association will write a work proposal together with the NSMAVA that will be developed through short, medium and long-term actions in both countries.
"NSMAVA will analyze with their associates the more viable joint work option that can be done by both parts and we will work together to make them happen, besides also carrying out coordinated events aimed at incentivizing cultural and commercial exchange", said Escobedo Carignan.
The tourism minister highlighted that Baja California Governor "Kiko" Vega believes that it is of vital importance to provide commercial competitiveness to the Guadalupe Valley wine region, where the quality of wines is recognized both at a national and international level.
It was through a tour by official from both SECTURE and the International Affairs Office of Napa Valley that the idea to unite Mexican winemakers in both Baja and Northern California first came to light, and after officials showed just how much the Baja wine industry has grown in these last few years.
"Besides also addressing some common challenges, we also talked about wine making techniques from local producers, the trade relationship they have with other markets and took the opportunity to take a tour through some wineries and the Vine and Wine Museum", noted Escobedo Carignan.
Also on hand at the event was the Ensenada SECTURE delegate, Héctor Rosas Rodea; local winemakers Laura Villareal from Emevé, Gustavo Ortega from El Cielo, Fernando Pérez from Finca La Carrodilla, Víctor Segura from Las Nubes, Vena Cava, Phill Gregory, Villa Montefoiori, Paolo Paoloni and a representative from Adobe Guadalupe, Karla Márquez.


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Globalization in Transition
Global value chains are being reshaped by rising demand and new industry capabilities in the developing world as well as a wave of new technologies. According to the report by the McKinsey Global Institute, Globalization in Transition, over the past decade global trade in services has grown 60 percent faster than trade in goods.
Globalization is in the midst of a transformation. Yet the public debate about trade is often about recapturing the past rather than looking toward the future. The mix of countries, companies, and workers that stand to gain in the next era is changing. Understanding how the landscape is shifting will help policy makers and business leaders prepare for globalization’s next chapter and the opportunities and challenges it will present.
Global value chains are changing in fundamental ways as demand soars in the developing world, China and other developing economies build more comprehensive supply chains, and next-generation technologies come online. These shifts have implications for where and how companies compete. This period of transition is an opening for countries and regions to carve out new specializations and new roles in value chains, but policy makers will need to address the dislocations globalization can cause even as they prepare for the opportunities of the future.
You can read the full report at mckinsey.com.


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As part of its Series D fundraising round, the beauty and cosmetics company SUGAR Cosmetics has attracted Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as an investor. The amount of the funding was not made public by the company.
$50 million was raised by SUGAR Cosmetics in May 2022 as part of its Series D round, which was steered by L. Catterton’s Asia fund. A91 Partners, Elevation Capital, and India Quotient, all returning investors, also participated in the round.
There is an art to making something beautiful. IIM Ahmedabad alumni Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee founded the luxury cosmetics company SUGAR. While giants like Lakmé, L’Oréal, and MAC Cosmetics ruled the market before SUGAR came along in 2012, they are no longer alone. The target was to deliver a range that worked better with the Indian skin tone and was more accessible to the average Indian consumer. As of now, SUGAR has grown at an incredible rate.
When the pandemic struck, the couple watched in horror as their carefully laid plans came tumbling down. The business quickly developed novel approaches to bolster the public’s faith in the company’s product. After tackling problems head-on by, for example, reducing overhead and reorganising the team, SUGAR Cosmetics has successfully carved out a niche for itself in the burgeoning beauty industry through a combination of social media marketing and an online storefront push.
“Content will continue to be a big push for us, We experienced its benefits firsthand during the pandemic. Our plan is to use effective influencer and social media marketing to grow our brand,” Vineeta says.
Despite suffering a setback during the pandemic, the cosmetic company has bounced back strongly in the years since. They’ve proven to the market just how far resistance can take you in the business world.
Sugar has become one of the big bulls in the makeup industry. Their strategy indicates that they are all set for a run to be the market leader in a few years.
The research conducted for this cosmetics firm is now available in a case study format for IIM-A students. Despite all the established competitors, the market has been stunned by the company’s potential.


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We’re announcing some big news about how we’ll be helping consumers make sustainable choices, and how we’re challenging ourselves to be a more sustainable organisation.
Posts tagged with "environment"
We’re hearing a lot these days about sustainability, Eco living, saving the planet, war on waste, plastic bags, recycling and a lot more. All these issues are part of something much bigger; to use a time-worn phrase, it’s all about living within our means.
While clearing out my room for a move, I found 32 old plastic membership cards hidden away in my drawers and cupboards – are they really necessary?
On what’s set to be the hottest day of the year so far, we’re discussing open supermarket fridges. Are they wasting energy?
Food waste can cause just as much damage to the planet as plastic waste, but not everyone has, or can have, a food waste bin. Is yours going straight to landfill?
Waitrose is trialling allowing customers to bring their own refillable containers for fruit and veg, pasta, cereals, coffee and wine. Do you back its initiative?
How much do we know about the chemicals in our homes? How dangerous are they? Our guest, Mary Creagh MP, wants to hear your views.
You told us you didn’t like our plastic magazine wrappers – we listened and agreed. After research and testing, we’ve decided a compostable potato-based wrapper is the one for us. What do you think?
There’s been growing concern this year about glitter and its effect on the environment. Is it time phase out the sparkly microplastic?
Cordless appliances are handy and popular, but they’re powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are hard to recycle. Are we storing up the next environmental disaster?
The work Which? does, whether testing products or campaigning for change, doesn’t only protect consumers today, but has an impact on the future.
If you’re reading this in Wales, give yourself a pat on the back. Wales has the third-best recycling rate in the world – what makes it so good?
John Lewis will start buying back old and unwanted clothing in a drive to reduce waste. What do you do with your unwanted or worn-out clothes?
The 100% biodegradable Choose Water bottle reportedly decomposes within three weeks, so could it be the solution to our plastic water bottle problem? Here, in a guest post, Choose Water’s founder and director, James Longcroft, explains more…


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The Giant Company announced today that it has named Rebecca Lupfer chief financial officer and Dave Lessard senior vice president of operations, customer experience, and perishable distribution. Both will report directly to The Giant Company’s president, John Ruane. Both appointments are effective Monday, Oct. 16.
In her new role, Lupfer will lead the finance, format, real estate, and strategy departments while Lessard will oversee the retail operations, perishable distribution, and transportation teams.
After beginning her career at Highmark Blue Cross, Lupfer joined Ahold Financial Services in 2005 as a business analyst and held various internal audit positions of increasing responsibility before joining Ahold USA in 2016 as a portfolio lead for seasonal merchandising. She joined The Giant Company in 2018 as director of merchandising planning and was promoted to vice president of merchandising, center store, in 2019. Most recently, Lupfer served as divisional president of the company’s Mid-Atlantic division, overseeing retail operations at 100 Giant and Martin's stores in Central and Western Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, a role she has held since February 2022.
Lupfer currently serves on the board of directors for the Academy of Food Marketing and The Food Marketing Educational Foundation at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
Following a nearly 25-year career at The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) where he held a variety of positions in merchandising and operations, Lessard joined the Ahold Delhaize family of brands in 2002 as director of produce at Giant Landover, where he also served as vice president of produce. At Ahold USA, he held a variety of roles including director of produce and vice president of produce and floral, helping to lead the transformation of the company’s produce department in 2014. Lessard joined The Giant Company in 2018 as vice president of fresh merchandising, overseeing the produce, meat and seafood, bakery, deli, prepared foods, and floral departments; in 2022, he added oversight of the company’s perishable distribution center to his responsibilities.
Lessard currently serves on the board of directors for the York County Food Bank and on the Food Marketing Institute Fresh Food Leadership Council.


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Betsson Group has announced its acquisition of Holland Gaming Technology Ltd, a licensed gaming operator in the Netherlands, and Holland Power Gaming B.V., a game development studio. The acquisition, valued at €27.5 million (£23.5 million/US$29.6 million) on a cash- and debt-free basis, leverages Betsson’s own funds for the transaction.
Holland Gaming Technology Ltd operates under a Dutch gaming license, offering casino games through its platforms, www.goldruncasino.nl and www.goldruncasino.com. Holland Power Gaming B.V., on the other hand, specializes in creating casino games exclusively for Holland Gaming Technology Ltd.
The transaction was finalized on 19 February 2024, with an initial payment of €16 million at closing. Deferred payments of €9 million and €2.5 million are scheduled for six and twelve months post-closing, respectively.
This strategic acquisition aligns with Betsson’s objective to enhance its revenue from regulated markets and underscores its commitment to profitable growth through geographical diversification. The acquisition awaits post-closing approval from the Dutch gambling regulator, KSA.


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As consumers continue to seek healthier, better-for-you products, plant-based foods and beverages are inundating the market with no signs of waning and sober curious consumers are exploring low and no alcohol beverage options. The younger demographics continue to explore multicultural flavors with a current cultural affinity for Asian flavors while the popularity of raw cookie dough has remained prevalent as consumers enjoy nostalgic treats. In response to the consumers’ evolving behavior, Comax Flavors introduces the 2020 Flavor Trends divided into four unique flavor collections.
Plant-Powered Snacks: According to Innova Market Insights, there was a 17% increase in the growth of snacks with a health claim in launches between 2013 and 2017 and a 22% rise in those with a nutritious claim. Launches with plant-based ingredients grew at a 44% CAGR during the period. Furthermore, 80% of consumers are willing to pay more for snacks with health attributes, according to the Hartman Group’s The Future of Snacking Study. Flavors in this group include: Maple Bacon Ranch, Honey Sriracha, and Lemon Truffle.
No Proof Needed: According to IWSR, bottled low and no alcohol beverages in the United States will grow by about 32% between 2018 and 2022—triple the category’s growth over the previous five years. This growth is evidenced by consumers’ changing behavior. According to Morning Consult data, nearly half of consumers, regardless of age, have purchased non-alcoholic alternatives, and just over four in 10 of the drinking-age population does not drink. Flavors in this group include: Matcha Pineapple Punch-less, No-Geroni, and Mango-No-Tini.
Asian Influences: The younger generation continues to crave adventurous and authentic global flavors and share their discoveries on Instagram as well as other social media sites. Attracted to unique flavors, colors, and textures, there has been a boom in Asian food and beverages. According to Foodable Research Labs, Asian flavors on menus at fast-casual restaurants are up nearly 30% year over year. Furthermore, millennials have increased menu consumption of Asian flavor-based menu items by more than 12% year-over-year. Flavors in this group include: Milk Tea, Japanese Pancake, and Ube Vanilla.
So Doughlicious: Eating raw cookie dough is a nostalgic act and thanks to pasteurization and heat treatment, 2017 was the breakout year for safe, edible raw cookie dough. Regardless of age, edible cookie dough continues to excite adults and children alike. According to Technomic’s MenuMonitor, cookie dough is seeing a 9% year-over-year growth on restaurant menus while the cookie category increased 2.6% to reach $8.8 billion for the 52 weeks ending March 24, 2019, according to IRI data. Flavors in this group include: Birthday Cake Cookie Dough, Cold Brew Coffee Cookie Dough, and S’mores Cookie Dough.
The latest research from Mintel shows that after several years of growth, the foodservice industry is expected to decline by up to 30% from 2019 to 2020, following nationwide dine-in bans/restrictions, restaurant closures, job losses, and lowered consumer confidence.
According to Innova Market Insights’ COVID-19 Consumer Survey (conducted in March 2020), in China, India, and Indonesia, personal concerns center on health, personal income, and the availability of healthcare and products to buy.
Geltor has announced the closing of a $91.3 million Series B financing that will fuel the global expansion of its ingredients-as-a-service platform.
COVID case surges across the United States and the subsequent rollbacks in re-opening plans have stalled the U.S. restaurant industry’s recovery, reported The NPD Group.


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December 9, 2016
By Thanussha Priyah
The ATF, part of the on-going Singapore Media Festival (SMF) runs until 9 Dec. Over the 3 days, the Singapore Pavilion will play host to an exciting line-up of partnership and investment announcements by Singapore content creators, as well as Sneak Peeks of fresh film, television and digital content expected to be released in the coming year. This includes a multi-financing deal with Kathy Morgan International, cross-border partnerships for the launch of a new Food Channel, as well as the world’s first VR lifestyle web-series.
Singapore-based BananaMana secures funding and global distribution for new feature film, Jimami Tofu. Written, directed and produced by Jason Chan and Christian Lee, Jimami Tofu, a romantic feature set in Okinawa and Singapore has secured production funding and global distribution. Set to finish principal photography in early December it will be BananaMana Films’ first full length feature but has garnered pre-sales agreements with international distributors including Korean media giant IHQ, Japanese global TV platform VIKI and Encore Inflight.


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The World's Largest Food & Beverages Trade Show
Gulfood, the world's largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition, is coming , next year – we are back from 13-17 Feb 2022 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Gulfood 2021 marked the most successful return for food businesses worldwide as the only live, in-person food & beverage sourcing event of the year.
Business was thriving across the show floor as exhibitors from 85 countries met up with buyers and attendees from 156 countries to kick-start 2021 with major orders. All, in the safest face-to-face business space.
Move fast to get ahead next year – we are back from 13-17 Feb 2022 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Dubai, the trading hub of the Middle East
- UAE is blessed with a strategic location between the east and west, which makes it accessible to major emerging economies, linking shipping routes and facilitating goods' transportation between the various regions in Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa.
- DP world total capacity is set to exceed 100 million TEUs by 2022
- Dubai’s re-exports registered a AED 24-billion and grew 14 per cent to AED 203-billion


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OSHA’s current policy regarding seat belts on powered industrial trucks is under review for possible change. The Industrial Truck Association (ITA) has made its opposition known in a recent letter to OSHA’s director.
Currently, OSHA guidelines state that employers must train operators to use seat belts, and employers must require operators to use seat belts. Employers that do not train operators in the use of seat belts will be cited for violating the Operator Training Rule and employers that do not require the use of operator restraints will be cited under the “general duty clause,” section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA Act.
OSHA’s unambiguous policy regarding the use of seat belts is based upon OSHA’s findings that lift trucks are particularly susceptible to tipovers and that “failure to wear the seat belt that is provided in the lift truck increases the risk of injury to the operator in the event of such an accident.”
However, a draft revision of the enforcement policy would require the OSHA inspector, before issuing a citation under section 5(a)(1), to “first determine whether a tipover hazard exists under the particular circumstances of the workplace,” using “relevant considerations” listed in the draft. The draft concludes: “When an evaluation of the above factors, and of any other factor determined to be relevant, indicates that the possibility of a tipover is remote, and in fact there is no history of tipovers or near misses, a citation for failure to use an active operator protection device or system will not be issued.”
In his letter to OSHA director Richard Fairfax, William Montwieler, executive director of the ITA, pointed out that some of OSHA’s reasons for issuing the proposed revision are not disclosed in the draft itself, and they include: (1) the inability or perceived inability to prevail in administrative proceedings where the compliance officer has not identified the risk of tipover, and (2), the claims by automobile manufacturers that restraints present ergonomic concerns. Neither of these “unofficial” reasons justifies the course that OSHA has proposed, Montwieler says.
“As to the alleged enforcement problem,” says Montwieler, “it provides a poor reason, amounting to abdication, for relaxing an important safety requirement.
“If there is an enforcement problem, it arises not because there is no risk of tipover, but because compliance personnel have not adequately identified the risk. Given the dozens of identified factors that increase the risk of tipover (risk that is already present in every work site, simply because employers and operators are fallible), inspectors can always identify conditions, or potential conditions, warranting the use of operator restraints, especially given the severity of injury if tipover occurs. If OSHA wishes to modify the compliance directive in order to win a larger percentage of cases, the proper approach is to better document the citations, not to stop issuing them.”
An OSHA spokesperson told MHM that it routinely reviews directives and that in this case it was approached by some industry groups that asked it to look at their concerns. OSHA is currently reviewing comments on the draft. “It’s not a proposal — only a directive that was sent out for comments,” the source said. “When it comes to the use of seatbelts, there’s no specific standard at this point, just the general duty clause.”
As to the alleged ergonomic concerns, Montwieler concludes that OSHA has performed no analysis as to whether restraints present ergonomic issues, much less an analysis comparing the obvious benefits of restraints against their alleged drawbacks. “Thus, OSHA is not in a position to justify this change in policy,” says Montwieler, “on the grounds that operator restraints present a greater hazard than they protect against.”
For more information on both sides of the issue, visit osha.gov, and indtrk.org.
Material Handling Online
Check out the new TOTALsupplychain Evaluation Center — called the “Rolls Royce of decision support tools.” This new addition to Penton’s supply chain portal provides a collection of templates that will assist buyers in making educated supply chain system selections. Complementing the TOTALsupplychain SOURCE online directory, the Evaluation Center speeds the decision-making process by making system selection data readily available through the Internet. IT decision-makers and software solution providers alike can rely on the menu of knowledge bases of leading software product’s features and functions. See “Resources” on totalsupplychain.com.
Read the new industry Report Spending Analysis and Supply Chain ROI. This timely report describes the process of aggregating, cleansing and analyzing corporate spending data to reduce costs and improve operational performance. Included are responses to an industry survey conducted by Aberdeen Group Inc. and TOTALsupplychain.com. It’s now available in our “Online Store” at totalsupplychain.com.
Penton’s Supply Chain Group will launch a new monthly electronic newsletter, EXTENDING THE ENTERPRISE, focusing on issues related to trends, technologies and business strategies that affect manufacturing enterprises. What realistic business goals and what business strategies are actually working? What initiatives and technologies are changing the world of manufacturing, from the boardroom to the plant floor? Who are some of the companies responsible for moving best practice standards forward? These are some of the topics that will be discussed by our cadre of field experts working in the industry — and writing for the industry.
Companies Making News
MeadWestvaco Corporation announced that it is closing its Westvaco Brand Security (WBS) business and merging the wholly owned subsidiary’s brand-protection services into the company’s core packaging business.
WBS, as well as other company business units, has found strong market interest in brand-protection initiatives, particularly for packaging applications. MeadWestvaco determined, however, that WBS’s services can be provided more efficiently and effectively through existing corporate channels, rather than through a stand-alone business model.
The Raymond Corporation announced that its Greene, New York, facility has met the requirements to upgrade its quality systems to the ISO 9001-2000 standard. Fewer than 10 percent of ISO 9001 registered companies in the U.S. have met the ISO 9001-2000 standard.
Retrotech Inc. has acquired Woodson Inc. Under terms of the agreement, Retrotech will own all of Woodson’s system drawings, software and PLC code that are unique to its product lines.
Manhattan Associates has acquired certain assets of Logistics.com from Internet Capital Group for a one-time cash payment of approximately $20 million.
S&P Report Card on Capital Goods
Despite signs of recovery in the U.S. economy, the capital goods sector is still mired in a recession that began in mid-2000, with the timing of its recovery uncertain, according to a Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services report published in January. Unlike consumers, businesses have curbed their spending in the face of excess production capacity, continued profit pressures, and a potential war in Iraq, the report notes. While economic forecasters expect a modest GDP growth of 2.5 percent for 2003, poor visibility for industrials in turn blurs the timing and magnitude of recovery for capital goods, according to the report.
“Standard & Poor’s best estimate is for some improvement in capital goods markets in the second half of 2003, gaining momentum in 2004,” said Standard & Poor’s credit analyst Robert Schulz.
“Sector firms should show some year-over-year earnings growth in 2003, largely driven by cost-cutting actions, and a modest market recovery starting in the second half of the year,” Standard & Poor’s credit analyst Dan DiSenso added. The report includes comments on 92 rated firms and a summary of recent rating actions. Industry Report Card: U.S. Capital Goods is available on RatingsDirect, Standard & Poor’s Web-based credit analysis system, at ratingsdirect.com.
More Companies Join Smart and Secure Tradelanes
The Smart and Secure Tradelanes (SST) initiative to improve the security and productivity of ocean container shipments now has about 35 partners, including major multi-national manufacturers, carriers, best-of-breed technology and service providers. The latest to join SST are technology providers Sun Microsystems, EXE, Manugistics and Intermec. Recently, more than 100 containers holding products have been transported between ports in Asia and ports on the U.S. Pacific and Atlantic coasts, which are monitored in real-time through Internet software uniquely integrated with automatic identification technologies, including electronic bolt seals that transmit alerts as certain events occur, such as tampering.
Rite-Hite Receives Award
At the Preventica trade show in Marseilles, France, a jury of regional Sickness Assurance Board professionals awarded Rite-Hite Corporation the Innovation Award for its Global Wheel-Lok vehicle restraint. According to Danny Mulder, European marketing manager for Caljan/Rite-Hite Corporation, “This award is recognition of the safety issues in the material transfer zone.”
CEMA Reports Slight Increases
The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) reports that its October 2002 Booked Orders Index was 131, up two points (an increase of two percent) from September 2002’s index. The October index, however, represents a decrease of 29 percent from that of the previous year.
December Business Conditions Improve
The packaging machinery sector improved during the November 15-December 20, 2002, time period, with all four measures rising above 50, and two staying above 60, according to the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute’s (PMMI) Business Conditions Index (BCI). Shipments rose 16.7 points to 69.9; New Orders rose 2.3 points to 63.2; General Business Conditions fell 2.8 points to 57.6; Quotations fell by 20.9 points to 54.8 from its record high of 75.7. The report, specifically the growth in shipments and new orders, echoes the recently released Institute of Supply Management’s Report on Business that indicates manufacturing activity rose to 54.7 from 49.2 in November, the largest increase since June of 1991.
“Companies spent considerable time and energies on new quotes and proposals following the PackExpo International trade show” says Charles D. Yuska, president of PMMI, “and we are now beginning to see the results of these efforts. Shipments are nearing 70 points and activity across the sector is relatively strong, despite the holiday season.”
An index of more than 50 indicates an expansion in the period and an index below 50 indicates a slowdown in activity. The December BCI tabulates the input of approximately 100 of PMMI’s 500 member companies. The BCI is based on PMMI’s “How’s Business” survey, a weekly poll of member companies. PMMI’s Business Conditions Index (BCI) collects data on four business indicators: general business conditions, new orders, shipments, and quotations/proposal activity on a weekly basis.
Managers Making News
David D. Petratis has been appointed president and COO for the U.S. business of Schneider Electric.
ITC Manufacturing and Powder Coating has named Jim Bradshaw company president. He joined the company two years ago as vice president, sales and marketing.
Brian Lamb has joined Lift-Tek Elecar as vice president of sales and business development in the Americas. Tim Sevick has also joined the company as vice president of engineering, responsible for managing engineering resources and projects. In other appointments, Russ Johnson has been promoted to director of OEM and aftermarket field sales, and Rick Paddock has been promoted to director of product marketing and development. He also takes on Asian sales responsibilities.
Roadway Corporation has appointed John T. Hickerson president of its wholly owned subsidiary, Roadway Next Day Corporation.
KWS Manufacturing Company has new leadership. Mark Osborn has been appointed president; Bill Mecke, P.E., vice president; Jarod Pratt, national sales manager; and Lola Haught, sales manager, catalog sales.
Food Distributors International (FDI), which has served the food industry for 96 years, is gone. According to John R. Block, president, wholesalers will become part of “an even more vigorous Food Marketing Institute [FMI], and foodservice distributors will embark on their own, through the International Foodservice Distributors Association [IFDA], headed by John M. Gray, former executive vice president of FDI, and IFDA’s president for many years.” Block, former Secretary of Agriculture in the Reagan administration, will continue as president of the wholesale division of FMI.
Middle-Market Executives Optimistic
According to a survey by global accounting firms Grant Thornton and Wirthlin Worldwide, eight out of 10 (79 percent) U.S. middle-market companies are optimistic about the future of their business over the next six months, and half plan to increase hiring.
“To survive and thrive in the current economic climate,” says John Desmond, partner-in-charge of the Grant Thornton Business Owners Council, “middle-market businesses are tightening their belts and getting back to basics. With clear goals set for the future, these business leaders are preparing for business growth — both financial and headcount.”
Additional findings of the survey include:
• 84% are optimistic about the growth of their business over the next 12 months;
• 54% expect their business’ growth to be organic;
• 50% expect to hire more employees over the next six months, with 7% expecting to reduce work force;
• 73% approve of President Bush’s performance.
To request a copy of the survey report, visit Grant Thornton’s Web site, grantthornton.com/boc.
Orders for Material Handling Equipment Improve
Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (MHEM) shows new orders down 13.5% for the 12 months ending November 2002 and virtually even for the quarter ending November 2002 compared to the same periods in 2001, as released by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) releases the forecast of Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing each quarter. The MHEM forecast looks 12 to 18 months forward to anticipate changes in the Material Handling and Logistics marketplace.
MHIA is an international trade association that has represented this industry since 1945. MHIA members include material handling equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers, and third-party logistics providers. Member companies come from all areas of material handling and various parts of the world, making MHIA a strong national and international representative for the material handling industry. Much of the work of the industry is done within its product-specific sections, councils and affiliates. The association also sponsors trade events, such as ProMat and NA 2004, to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate industry professionals on the productivity solutions provided through material handing and logistics.


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The Pacific Northwest is a video game lover's paradise, what with both Microsoft and Nintendo of America in our back yard. Nintendo actually has numerous employees who GET PAID to play video games all day long, and help callers get to the next level of gaming.
In that spirit, the Pacific Science Center presents Game On! through Aug. 31. Kids of all ages can play more than 100 current and old video games and learn what it takes to be a game developer or designer in the $10 billion gaming industry.