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Global meat market revenues are expected to almost double over the next 20 years; however, its growth looks set to be driven by the plant- and cell-based meat subsectors. Plant-based products should dominate the meat alternatives space over the next five years, where innovation is creating a credible consumer proposition. Products can now mimic the sensory profile of conventional meat, where tastes and textures offer a meat-like experience. Kearney estimates that revenue for the global plant-based meat market is projected to grow from US$46bn to US$120bn between 2018 and 2025, representing a 15% CAGR. Longer-term growth projections vary greatly, with revenue estimates for the global market in 2030 ranging from $140bn (Barclays) to $252bn (Kearney). The number of companies entering the market is proliferating, including a number of large multinationals that can support significant R&D investment. That said, the plant-based meat market is still in its infancy and faces several headwinds, including the threat of competition and regulatory scrutiny.
Innovation: A catalyst for growth?
Consuming a wholly plant-based diet is not a new concept, nor are the links between animal protein consumption and its impact on the environment, animal welfare and human health. However, the popularity of plant-based foods has accelerated recently, with 29% sales growth for the US plant-based meat market between 2017 and 2019, outperforming the overall US retail food market growth of 4% (Good Food Institute). Initiatives such as Veganuary and the emergence of flexitarianism (to reduce overall meat intake) have encouraged consumers to transition towards plant-based products. Pure-play Beyond Meat is a key innovator in the plant-based meat industry. Refinitiv consensus forecasts anticipate its sales to grow from US$298m in 2019 to US$480m in 2020 (+61%) and to US$1.5bn by 2024 (+38.5% CAGR). Additionally, Greggs’ addition of its vegan sausage roll contributed to outstanding like-for-like sales growth of 9.6% in the first seven weeks of FY19.
Growing number of investment opportunities
Beyond Meat’s debut on the Nasdaq stock market in 2019 represented the first public investment opportunity in plant-based meat; however, with demand rising significantly over the last few years, so too has the number of companies entering the market. Nestlé, Tyson and Tesco have all invested heavily in their own plant-based products and have leveraged their established market positions to compete with the likes of Beyond Meat. Restaurants provide another route for investors, with examples including Burger King (a Restaurant Brand’s company), which uses Beyond Meat in its plant-based range, (which has come under criticism as the plant-based patties are cooked on the same grill as conventional patties) or Greggs, which manufactures its own vegan range (which has come under criticism as the plant-based patties are cooked on the same grill as conventional patties). Alternatively, Science in Sport has a plant-based range of sports supplements, providing an alternative to traditional supplements such as whey protein.
Kearney forecasts (Exhibit 1) that the global meat market is projected to grow from c US$1tn in 2018 to US$1.8tn by 2040, which includes conventional meat, novel vegan meat replacement (plant-based meat) and cultured meat. Cultured meat is created from conventional meat by taking cells from an animal and then exponentially growing them in a bioreactor, which involves no animal slaughter and is far more efficient than traditional livestock farming.
There is a developing awareness of the increasing unsustainability of conventional meat as populations grow, providing significant scope for alternatives. Plant-based meat is the only commercially available alternative and is forecast to grow significantly over the next 20 years as conventional meat sales decline. Kearney forecasts that novel vegan meat replacements will have an 18% share of the global meat market by 2030 (US$252bn), up from c 4% currently (US$46bn). That said, 2030 revenue estimates vary, with UBS and Barclays expecting market sales to reach US$85bn (c 6%) and US$140bn (c 10%) respectively.
Exhibit 1: Growth of the total global meat market by type
Source: Kearney, Edison Investment Research
We see multiple and varied routes to investing in plant-based protein markets. This includes producers, ranging from those with a focused portfolio to companies with broader portfolios that include plant-based alternatives as part of the mix. Secondary to producers, investors can also gain exposure via companies that serve and distribute products containing these alternatives; for example, restaurants, cafés and shops that provide food services and prepared products. More tangentially, investment exposure can be accessed via food packaging and nutritional and health supplements. In Exhibit 3 we present valuations for a range of companies, split into these various categories.
Pure-play food producers
In Exhibit 2 we show the one-year performance of pure-play plant-based meat producers. Three of these have raised funds via IPO within the last two years. Beyond Meat’s 2019 IPO (which raised US$240m) was the first in the sector, followed by the Very Good Food Company (listed 16 June 2020, raised C$4m) and Modern Meat (listed 1 July 2020, raised C$2.5m). Burcon NutraScience, an R&D company focused on plant protein extraction and purification, also offers a pure-play investment opportunity. Some of the key points for this segment are:
Since the COVID-19 March related sell-offs, pure-play food producers have recovered more strongly than the broader food producer category, with Burcon NutraScience up 362% to a high of US$2.91/share and Beyond Meat up 261% to a high of US$195/share. Over the past 12 months, Burcon and Beyond Meat have outperformed the S&P 500 Packaged Food and Meats index by 65% and 37% respectively.
We note that Beyond Meat trades at a materially higher FY21 EV/sales ratio than all other companies and categories shown in Exhibit 3. Sales for Burcon, Very Good Food and Modern Meat are too small for multiples to be significant.
Multiple valuations, as typical for nascent companies reporting either negative or low earnings and absorbing high R&D investment tend not to be appropriate at this stage.
Long-term earnings visibility obscured by potential competition or regulatory headwinds.
In the shorter term, demand from restaurants may be constrained due to the perceived risk of adding to menu complexity with plant-based foods due to the earnings impact caused by COVID-19.
Exhibit 2: One-year price performance for a basket of pure play food producers
Source: Refinitiv, Edison calculations, priced at 27 October 2020
Exhibit 3: One-year price performance for a basket other food producers
Source: Refinitiv, Edison calculations, priced at 27 October 2020
Other food producers and relevant companies
Relative to companies focusing on plant-based proteins, other food producers are typically larger, with more diversified portfolios and stronger balance sheets. They offer lower risk but potentially less return if sales in the plant-based market reach the top end of the growth projections detailed in Exhibit 1. Some of the key points for these companies are:
Mid-cap food producers have been the strongest performers of the other companies in Exhibit 4 over the last 12 months, with Hain Celestial and Cranswick up 53% and 7% respectively. Looking comparatively at large caps, Nestlé is up 2% and Tyson is down 27%, but the overall price performances for the selected companies detailed in Exhibit 4 are more stable relative to pure plays.
Prospective multiples for food producers with hybrid models, particularly larger and more diverse players such as Nestlé, are higher on average than traditional meat processors such as Tyson.
Food producers outside of pure play are more attractive from an income perspective; median dividend yields range from 2–3% versus no dividend for companies focusing on plant-based products.
Forward earnings multiples for large-cap food service companies are significantly higher relative to the rest of the table (except for pure play); however, multiples for mid-cap food service companies are on par with the other averages.
Supermarkets and companies focusing on food packaging and sports supplements have the lowest forward earnings multiples; supermarkets also offer the highest yields, as can be seen in Exhibit 4.
We commented on the rapidly accelerating growth in the adoption of plant-based diets above. These include the most significant (and perhaps the easiest) one in the form of flexitarianism (focusing on a plant-based diet with the elimination of processed foods and low or occasional meat consumption). Veganism is increasingly being adopted, although rates of veganism are still low globally. That said, according to the Vegan Society, nearly half the UK is either flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan, providing significant scope for the entry of innovative plant-based products. We identify that ethics, health and climate change mitigation are the main consumer demand drivers, with plant-based products having several advantages versus animal meat. Exhibits 5 to 10 highlight the significant rise in the popularity of veganism since 2017, particularly among 18–34-year olds.
Food consumption trends
Kitchen Stories’ 2019 survey on food consumption outlines trends in leading world markets (China, the US, the UK and Germany), where the percentage of vegans is still small, ranging from 2% (China) to 7% (Germany). Additionally, when asked what trend they found most interesting, the majority of consumers chose high protein (c 34%) and low carbohydrate diets (c 25%) over the vegan diet, which ranged between 12.4% (China) and 17.5% (Germany). However, the number of innovative plant-based options that allow consumers to eat both a plant-based and high protein diet is increasing, exemplified by plant-based meat, which has a nutritional profile akin to animal meat.
In our view, a completely plant-based diet will never be dominant, but positively for the plant-based market there is a rising trend in new approaches such as flexitarianism, as mentioned above. Below are a few key points from a YouGov study on consumption trends in the UK in 2018:
Around 14% of the British population are on a flexitarian diet, twice as many as pescatarians, vegetarians and vegans combined.
Women between the ages of 18 and 24 are the most likely to limit the amount of meat they consume, with 18% considering themselves flexitarian and 3% vegan.
The highest category for men limiting the amount of meat they eat is between the ages of 25 and 34, where 14% consider themselves flexitarian and 2% vegan.
The three main drivers for consumers choosing to eat less meat were animal welfare, health and climate change. We explore each of these reasons in detail below.
However, according to Kitchen Stories, almost 15% of its UK polled consumers claimed to be vegetarian as of 2019, significantly higher than the 3% detailed in the YouGov study. Subsequently, this would mean almost 50% of the UK population follows a diet that requires plant-based protein.
Graphic videos and information displaying the links between animal welfare and farming have never been more accessible and we believe it is a principal demand driver for the plant-based market. A study published by the Vegan Trade Journal supports this, demonstrating that in July 2018, 51% of polled UK vegan consumers stated they were vegan for ethical reasons. The World Trade Organization’s free trade legislation is perceived in some instances to be a barrier to better animal welfare; governments with trade bans on imports from countries with crueller farming standards often carry complex terms and may not always be upheld. Consequently, the level of animal welfare is capped when it becomes too costly for domestic farms to compete.
Currently, animal welfare in the UK is among the best globally, with it being one of four countries to receive the highest grade in the Animal Protection Index and the fifth lowest user of on-farm antibiotics across 31 European countries; welfare is also supported by Red Tractor standards. That said, there has been no specific policy on animal welfare in US-UK trade talks, which could see the return of chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef imports post Brexit. These headwinds affecting animal welfare could exponentially increase the number of people wanting to try alternative plant-based proteins.
Exhibit 5: Share of adults on a vegan diet in the UK in 2019, by gender and age group
Exhibit 6: Share of adults who have tried plant-based meats in the US in 2019, by income
Exhibit 7: Google search trends showing interest in veganism over 10 years
Source: Google, Edison Investment Research
Exhibit 8: Interest in veganism by country, according to Google search trends over the last 12 months (dark green equates to highest share of Google searches)
Source: Google, Edison Investment Research
Exhibit 9: Number of people that signed up to Veganuary globally, by year
Source: Veganuary, Edison Investment Research calculations
Exhibit 10: Main reason for abandoning vegan diet in the UK, May 2018
Source: Edge Hill University; The Vegan Society
A plant-based diet is widely propagated as a healthier diet versus one with a significant intake of meat, particularly red meat. Indeed, there are a number of studies where life-threatening illnesses, such as cardiovascular and hypertension (high blood pressure), have been diminished through a decline in meat intake. In 2019, the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that in a study of more than 12,000 people those who ate mostly plant-based foods were 32% less likely to die from heart disease. It also highlighted the potential for a plant-based diet to promote weight loss and reduce body fat without restricting calories. So, given the myriad of diet options available, the idea of cutting out meat to improve health is one of the simplest to understand, making it a key demand driver of the plant-based diet.
We believe consumers will choose diets based on simple headline figures without understanding all the relevant variables, primarily due to the complex and ever-changing nature of nutrition research. A common example is limiting red meat intake and replacing it with more plant-based options in the hope of reducing the risk of developing cancer. A study by the World Cancer Research Fund did conclude there was a 17% increased risk of colon cancer from eating 100g of red meat per day; however, this is insignificant when compared to the 1,500–3,000% increased risk of getting lung cancer from smoking. The fact that nutritional advice constantly evolves is also important, as illustrated by the Cochrane Institute, which stated in August 2020 there was no link between saturated fat and the risk of dying of heart disease, contradicting its 2015 report, which showed there was a mortality risk.
It seems that an individual’s experience rather than research will dictate demand and this may change over time. The health impacts of switching to a plant-based diet may take years to definitively prove or disprove. For example, vitamin B12 deficiency, which is common among vegans, takes years to develop and can cause extreme fatigue and immunodeficiency. Conversely, it is not that prevalent among meat eaters as it is one of the main nutrients found in red meat. Therefore, health is a strong short-term demand driver, but its impact may vary over time.
Environmental cost in terms of water use
1 pound of beef = 90–100 grams protein
15 gallons of water per gram protein
1 gallon of milk = 128 grams of protein
15 gallons of water per gram protein
1 pound of tofu = 45–55 grams of protein
6 gallons of water per gram protein
1 pound of oats = 75 grams of protein
3.8 gallons of water per gram protein
Source: UCLA, Edison Investment Research
Mitigating climate change and environmental issues
Climate change awareness is growing rapidly; in 2020, 76% of UK residents were either very or fairly concerned about climate change (Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) and investments in clean energy globally have grown by a 15% CAGR over the last 15 years to $302bn in 2019 (2004: US$36.8bn) (Bloomberg). Mitigating climate change is a key reason why consumers choose a plant-based diet; in the UK 32% of respondents to a 2020 government poll said they chose to avoid or eat less meat to help limit the effects of climate change, up from 20% in 2019. Comparatively, in the same study only 26% of respondents walk, cycle, or use public transport instead of using a car, although this is up from 22% in 2019.
The substantial land and water needed for both meat and crop feed production are among the contributing factors towards its impact on the environment. Meat and dairy currently occupy 77% of the world’s agricultural landmass but only contribute 17% of the world’s calorie supply (Our World In Data); this disparity will potentially widen as the global population continues to grow. Further, Exhibit 11 illustrates that animal meat, especially beef, can require over 10x more water than plant-based foods, such as tofu and oats.
Noting the positive link between the environment and plant-based foods is not only key for determining demand drivers, but also for establishing why large conglomerates seek to enter the market. Starbucks, for example, is looking to increase its plant-based menu options as part of the environmental sustainability commitment it announced in January 2020.
However, there are negative environmental factors associated with plant-based foods, mainly caused by the limited number of protein options available. Soy, for example, is one of the principal proteins and its production is one of the leading causes of deforestation. In July 2020, the BBC highlighted that 65% of the world’s soya originates from countries with the highest deforestation rates, with the UK’s annual demand for soy between 2016 and 2018 requiring an area of land similar to the size of Wales (data from WWF and RSPB). That said, most of the soy produced in these regions is used to feed livestock, so switching to a plant-based diet may help reduce overall soy production and subsequently help mitigate associated environmental issues.
Corporate and industry dynamics
Rising competition from cell-based meat
Plant-based foods face limited competition from other commercial products that can act as sustainable substitutes to animal meat. That said, cell-based meat is becoming a prominent alternative and has the potential to significantly disrupt the market due to its ability to create animal meat without the environmental impact. The cell-based meat industry is still nascent, where global investments in 2018 totalled US$50m, equivalent to only 6% of the amount invested in plant-based food; however, as cell-based meat becomes revenue generating there will be scope for greater investment (Good Food Institute). This could be as early as 2025, which is when cell-based meat is expected to be produced on an industrial scale and at a price equal to conventional meat.
Crucially, large-cap public meat producers are among those to have already invested, with names including Tyson, Cargill and Merck. Cargill, for example, has chosen cell-based meat over plant-based by electing to invest in Aleph Farms, a cultured meat company focused on growing complex meat varieties such as steak, with some products anticipated to launch in the next three to five years. KFC, a YUM! Brands company, is another important example, where management signed an agreement with Mosa Meat in Q220 to receive its lab-grown chicken once it is commercially available.
Affordability, pricing and meat industry subsidies
The severe impact of COVID-19 on global employment places emphasis on the price of food, where consumers will purchase cheaper alternatives to save more while earning less. Looking at the last 15 years in the UK, the household savings ratio is at a high of 25%, while disposable income has seen the greatest year-on-year fall at 5.6% over the period; both of these metrics are not expected to normalise until mid-2021 (Oxford Economics).
Exhibit 12: Forecast UK savings versus disposable income
Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research
There are many global examples where livestock farming is heavily subsidised, helping meat products maintain lower prices than the plant-based alternatives, where the onerous costs of both ingredients and innovation are placed on companies. In the EU, direct payments for the animal farming sector amount to €28–32bn pa, c 18–20% of its total budget. The ability to sell animal meat at low prices potentially inhibits the long-term growth trajectory of plant-based alternatives, eclipsing the importance of ethics, the environment or health for the consumer. Burger King’s Impossible Whopper, for example, costs $1 more than the Whopper and average daily sales per store in Q419 fell to 28 from 32 when it was first introduced in Q319. As illustrated by Exhibit 13, these disparities in pricing are typical across a range of industries.
However, the cost advantage for the meat industry may be short lived, highlighted by the UK announcing it will be breaking from EU farm subsidies following Brexit, where the money will instead be used to benefit the climate, ecosystems and the public. Additionally, a report by environmental research group CE Delft discusses the importance of introducing a ‘sustainability charge’ on meat in the EU to help cover its environmental damage, where the levy would increase the price of a steak by c 25%. Comparatively, the Canadian government announced in June 2020 that it would be providing C$100m in financing for Merit Functional Foods, a JV of Burcon NutraScience that produces plant-based proteins. Further government support initiatives for plant-based producers and rising prices of meat should provide a key tailwind for the plant-based industry, securing long-term growth and diminishing the idea of it being a passing fad.
Impossible Whopper $5.49
Meat balls 500g $4.50
Plant balls $5.99
Sausage roll £1
Vegan sausage roll £1
Steak bake £1.55
Vegan steak bake £1.55
Milk chocolate batons £7.00
Nut milk chocolate batons £7.00
Southern fried breaded chicken mini fillets £8.20/kg
Plant Chef southern fried fillets £10/kg
Thin and crispy cheese feast pizza £0.63/100g
Plant Chef margherita pizza £0.93/100g
Science in Sport
PLANT20 Bar £2.50
Source: Edison Investment Research, company websites
Producers of plant-based meat aiming to disrupt the industry face a number of regulatory headwinds, which will only increase as the subsector grows. Soy, a primary protein used in numerous plant-based meats, is a key example. Companies such as Impossible Foods do not use genetically modified organisms (GMO) soy grown in the US due to the severe environmental impact of expanding soybean plantations in Brazil, the world’s largest soy producer. Subsequently, expansion into regions with tighter GMO regulation is limited and is the reason why Impossible Foods’ products have not been approved for sale in the EU. Brexit creates an additional unknown as the UK’s stance on GMO imports once it leaves the EU is still undetermined. Further, ingredients are not the only factor exposed to headwinds; marketing, particularly labelling products as meat, is another area in the regulatory spotlight. Plant-based food companies in France, for example, face a $370,000 fine for using ‘meat’ or any related terms as it has been deemed misleading to customers. A YouGov study also showed this could be a potential problem in the UK, with only 47% of respondents agreeing that it would be acceptable to label plant-based products as meat.
As previously established, the rise in popularity of plant-based products is primarily driven by climate change mitigation, human health and animal welfare considerations. This demand needs to be met by product innovation, which is necessary to create substitutes that can compete with animal products in both taste and texture. That said, plant-based products’ persistent dependence on innovation forms an underlying headwind, as low-margin sales and high R&D expenses during the development stages typically can result in companies remaining loss-making for long periods of time. For example, Beyond Meat, which listed on Nasdaq in 2019 and has been operating since 2012, reported a net loss of US$10.2m in its Q220 results despite achieving record net revenues of US$113.3m (Q219: US$67.3m).
Subsequently, the difficulty in reaching profitability leaves companies exposed to the threat of acquisition; Exhibit 14 shows this has been an accelerating trend in recent years. Acquirers, including typically large and diversified names such as Unilever, Nestlé and Danone, have the economies of scale and the established market presence and balance sheets to grow these new products quickly and generate a profit, leading us to believe there is scope for significant consolidation in the plant-based food market. Additional benefits for acquirers include creating both diversity and ESG in their portfolios, expanding regional capabilities and providing a faster route to market.
Exhibit 14: M&A activity
Continental and Mediterranean foods business that
broadens offering in a number of plant-based, non-meat categories
Pfeifer & Langen
AMIDORI Food Company
Provides entry into plant-based protein market
The Vegetarian Butcher
Part of its strategy to expand its portfolio into plant-based foods
50% JV providing exposure in the vegetarian market
New investment bolsters Nestlé’s position in the plant-food based segment in the Americas
KKR & Co
Private equity investment into Unilever’s plant-based spreads business
Sweet Earth Foods
Provided exposure to North America
Created DanoneWave plant-based business unit
Source: Refintiv, Edison Investment Research
COVID-19’s impact on animal meat processing has been well publicised, benefitting alternatives, such as the plant-based meat market, where US sales grew 264% in the nine weeks ending 2 May (Nielsen). Livestock factories, in particular, are typically cold and damp, in some cases creating perfect environments for spreading the virus, exemplified by the US where there have been at least 34,000 positive cases in over 384 meat-packing plants as of 14 August (Midwest Center). In Germany, more than 1,500 slaughterhouse workers tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the quarantine of over 7,000 workers (Financial Times). The full impact of COVID-19 on supply shortages is becoming increasingly apparent; however, African Swine Flu typifies how disease can create supply shortages that lead to significant price increases. As indicated by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, total hog production in 2019 was 544m heads, 21.6% lower than 2018, leading to average price increases of 63.3% y-o-y. COVID-19 presents a similar scenario, where the Guardian reported that over 10m chickens and 10m pigs in the US were likely to be culled by the end of September due to COVID-19 related shutdowns. The article adds that most of the culling was done by water-based foam, a method that animal welfare groups called ‘inhumane’. A report by Mintel highlights the potential tailwinds for the plant-based market, stating that 25% of millennials in the UK now found veganism more appealing as a result of the pandemic.
Beyond Meat BYND.O US$166
Beyond Meat offers a range of plant-based meat, including the Beyond Burger, Beyond Sausage, Beyond Beef Crumbles and Beyond Chicken Strips. The company sells a range of plant-based products across the three main meat platforms of beef, pork and poultry.
Mkt cap: US$10.96bn
Net cash: US$244.8m
Net loss: US$12.4m
First plant-based meat multinational company to bring production to China, with new facilities announced 8 September 2020.
Strong consumer awareness benefitted by a range of high-profile celebrity ambassadors.
Creators of plant-based meat so has first-mover advantage.
Creators of plant-based meat so has first-mover advantage.
Closest peer, Impossible Foods, has rapidly taken market share over the last four months.
Burcon NutraScience BU.TO C$2.50
Burcon NutraScience is a Canadian research and development company, engaged in the development of plant protein extraction and purification technology in the field of functional, renewable plant proteins. The company and its subsidiary are engaged in developing a wide array of protein products, which includes Peazazz, a pea protein, Puratein and Supertein canola proteins, and CLARISOY, a soy protein.
Mkt cap: C$240.6m
Net cash: C$8.3m
EBITDA loss: C$3.7m
Net loss: C$4.6m
Long-term deal with Nestlé to process plant-proteins announced at start of 2020.
In August 2020, Bunge invested $30m in JV, Merit Functional Foods, which will expedite construction of its new state-of-the-art plant-based protein production facility.
Has less than one year of cash runway.
Consensus forecasts of C$16k of revenue in FY20
Modern Meat MEAT.CD C$2.99
Modern Meat, formerly Navis Resources Corp, is a Canada-based meat alternative company, engaged in the business of developing organic plant-based meat alternative products and related branding and intellectual property. Its products include Modern Burger, Modern Crabcakes, Modern Meatball and Modern Crumble. It is focused on producing and distributing its products for retail sale in North America.
Mkt cap: C$110.9m
Net cash: US$0.5m
Net loss: C$0.1m
Soy-, nut- and gluten-free across the range, which differentiates it from many competitors.
The company has recently announced it is expanding production into the US to meet demand.
The company is investing in physical retail locations, thus spanning a hybrid model of manufacturer and retailer.
Tyson Foods TSN US$59.5
Tyson Foods is a modern, multinational, protein-focused food company producing approximately 20% of the beef, pork and chicken in the United States. In June 2019, it announced the launch of its alternative meat company, Raised & Rooted, which creates blended burgers (plant and beef mix) and faux chicken nuggets.
Mkt cap: US$21.5bn
Net debt: US$11.4bn
Net profit: US$2.0bn
Established brand name, particularly in North America.
Balance sheet to support rapid growth, following its launch Raised & Rooted became available in 7,000 stores.
Small business segment, so risk is significantly reduced and spread among its large meat business.
Creators of plant-based meat so has first-mover advantage.
Meat producers and processors typically have inherently lower margins than their branded fast-moving consumer goods peers, due to lower brand loyalty and higher costs.
Meat processors are affected by exogenous factors such as African Swine Fever, which can cause fluctuations in both demand and cost.
Hain Celestial HAIN.O US$34
Hain Celestial is an organic and natural products company and its subsidiaries manufacture, market, distribute and sell organic and natural products under brand names, which are sold as better-for-you products. The company’s segments include United States, United Kingdom and Rest of World. Its brand Yves Fine Foods offers nutritious vegan and vegetarian options that provide a good source of protein, which contain B12 and iron.
Mkt cap: US$3.8bn
Net debt: US$245.0m
Net profit: US$87.1m
It is undergoing a comprehensive transformation following underperformance, with brand divestments, an organisational restructuring and a review of the commercial team and supply chain.
Reduction in complexity has already started to bear fruit.
Creators of plant-based meat so has first-mover advantage.
There is still work to do in improving the cash flow and the margin of the remaining brands.
COVID-19 and greater at-home consumption provided a boost to FY20. Management expects some of the gains to recur, but time will tell.
Cranswick CWK.L 3,590p
Cranswick is a leading British supplier of premium, fresh and added-value products. It typically supplies a range of meat products, however its acquisition of Katsouris Brothers in July 2019 broadens its offering into a number of plant-based product categories. Katsouris Brothers is a leading processor and multi-channel supplier of Continental and Mediterranean food products.
Mkt cap: £1.9bn
Net debt: £146.9m
Net profit: £81.3m
Acquisition immediately earnings enhancing, contributing revenue of £42.4m and profit after tax of £2.9m from July 2019 to 28 March 2020, rising to £65.7m and £4.4m respectively if Katsouris had been acquired at the start of the financial year.
UK origin of produce resonates well with health-conscious consumers and minimises Brexit-related issues.
Product offering is skewed towards the premium and convenience ends of the markets, which are more likely to be affected by an economic downturn.
Brexit negotiations are ongoing and the impact is uncertain until full details are known.
Hotel Chocolat HOTC.L 347p
Hotel Chocolat is a leading UK premium chocolate brand, manufacturing innovative and accessibly priced luxury chocolate. Its products are sold via its 130 store locations, online and subscriptions. Recently, the company introduced a new range of chocolates suitable for vegans by replacing milk with nut-milk made with finely milled hazelnuts.
Mkt cap: £418.9m
Net debt: £18.9m
Net profit: £3.5m
Company is successfully expanding into new geographies, most recently the US and Japan.
Uses quality ingredients and so will benefit from growing consumer consciousness on health.
Pricing of nut-milk products on par with dairy products.
Premium pricing for products, more likely to be affected by an economic downturn.
Domino’s Pizza DOM.L 362p
Domino’s Pizza Group is the UK’s leading pizza brand and now has c 1,200 stores across six markets, including the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The company announced on 7 September 2020 the addition of vegan items to its menu across all its UK stores, following a successful trial at 46 stores earlier in 2020.
Mkt cap: £1.7bn
Net debt: £236.8m
Net profit: £81.1m
Strong customer response from the release of its vegan pizza range, contributing to a 19.6% uplift in summer sales.
Business model is resilient to economic shocks and lockdown periods.
Franchise model can cause disagreements with franchisees
Exposure to consumer discretionary spending and food inflation
Science in Sport SIS.L 37p
Science in Sport is a British premium performance nutrition company, which develops, manufactures and markets innovative nutrition products for elite professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and the gym lifestyle community.
Mkt cap: £49.1m
Net cash: £4.3m
EBITDA loss: -£0.5m
Net profit: N/A
Well-placed business in a category that is attractive in the long term.
Online opportunity is significant and should drive margin expansion.
Well capitalised to weather COVID-19-related disruption.
COVID-19 pandemic is still causing sports events to be cancelled and some gyms to be closed/lower attendance, hence consumption of Science in Sport’s products may decline.
Products are aspirational and ultimately discretionary.
The business is currently loss making as the management has made the conscious choice to grow sales more aggressively.
Enervit ENV €2.9
Enervit operates in the sport supplements, food and functional nutrition markets through the research, development, manufacturing and sales of foods and supplements for those who practice sports or live a healthy lifestyle.
Mkt cap: €51.0m
Net debt: €13.2m
Net profit: €0.7m
Business is well placed in an attractive category.
Market leader in Italy in sports nutrition, functional nutrition and omega-3 supplements. In Spain and Sweden, Enervit is market leader in endurance sport supplements.
COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected H120 (sales -26.3%), with Q2 in particular down 40%.
Products are aspirational and discretionary, hence it is hard to gauge how long it will take for a full recovery to take place.


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LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Hill City is in for a sweet treat.
Back in July, we reported that Crumbl Cookies is opening a location in Lynchburg.
Now, the company has announced its Grand Opening celebration, which they say will take place on Friday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. until midnight.
Starting the following Wednesday, Feb. 15, the store will offer unique weekly flavors served through takeout, curbside pickup, or by delivery, the store said.
We’re told that Lynchburg’s Crumbl Cookies will be located across the street from Sam’s Club.
Find the Facebook event for the Grand Opening here, and find Lynchburg’s Crumbl Cookies website here.

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WA's Dairy Innovation Day conference and exhibition showcases the latest technology, research and farm business innovation to dairy farmers and industry service providers.
Dairy Innovation Day
Get set for the biggest annual gathering of Western Australian dairy farmers and dairy industry stakeholders – Dairy Innovation Day 2020.
The Partridge family of White Rocks Dairy in Brunswick will welcome hundreds of delegates at their property for this significant conference and exhibition on Thursday 21 May.
Showcasing a range of dairy and agricultural production innovations and ideas, the Dairy Innovation Day program is designed to maximise audience learnings from the event hosts and their location.
White Rocks Dairy, together with the family’s White Rocks Veal brand established in 1989, have become a great South West business success story.
The Partridge farm is also home to the Brunswick Dairy Museum, filled with unique memorabilia and vintage farming equipment that will be open during the day for delegates to explore.
Following the conference and exhibition, the crowd will shift to Bunbury to celebrate at a formal Dairy Industry Gala Dinner with a special guest speaker.
Western Dairy has several sponsorship opportunities and trade display spaces available for the conference, exhibition and gala dinner.
Since its inception in 2000, Dairy Innovation Day has been free for delegates to attend therefore Western Dairy relies heavily on sponsorship to continue to deliver and grow this valuable event.
If you have a product or service that could benefit from exposure to the largest gathering of dairy people in WA, download our DID 2020 Sponsorship Prospectus.
Western Dairy regional extension officer Jess Andony is available to discuss these opportunities further via 0435 174 719 or firstname.lastname@example.org
The conference program is taking shape and will be released in February, along with details of the gala dinner.


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Report: San Francisco has lowest retail vacancy rate in the U.S.
New York — Prospects for stellar rent growth and low vacancy helped make San Francisco the top-ranked city, followed by New York, in Marcus & Millichap’s 2015 National Retail Index, an annual real estate ranking of 46 major U.S. markets. Rounding out the top five: San Jose (#3); Austin (#4) and San Diego (#5).
San Francisco’s retail market will benefit from strong tenant demand and minimal construction, resulting in the lowest vacancy rate in the country by nearly 100 basis points, according to the report. The imbalance between retail inventory and number of residents in the city will widen further as developers focus on apartment and office towers with minimal ground-floor retail offerings.
The report notes that thousands of Class A apartments are coming online in the city, attracting well-paid technology workers.
“The South of Market area, where Salesforce is hiring thousands of workers through 2017 to fill space at a new skyscraper, will be a hotbed for the next few years,” the report said. “Another emerging area is the intersection of Van Ness and Market. The once-overlooked spot will house hundreds of apartments on each of its four corners. Overall, extremely low vacancy will facilitate impressive rent gains, securing San Francisco’s position as the strongest retail market in the nation.’
In other highlights:
• Dynamic retail conditions carry into 2015 with net absorption of nearly 88 million sq. ft. outpacing still-modest additions to supply. Vacancy is forecast to decline another 60 basis points to 6.0%.
• Scarcity of quality retail space for chain retailers has resulted in creative redevelopment of select urban storefronts, reconfigured in-line and end-cap space, and repurposing of functionally obsolete buildings, according to the report.
• Retailers absorbed nearly 75 million sq. ft. in 2014, eclipsing the nearly 40 million sq. ft. of new space delivered and resulting in a 2.2% gain in asking rents, according to the report.
Here are the top 10 markets in the report:
#1: San Francisco
#2: New York
#3: San Jose
#5: San Diego
#8: Orange County (CA)
#10: Los Angeles
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In Conversation with Dassault Systemes' Manish Kumar
Artificial Intelligence is enabling companies to expedite the product design process by the multitude of choices that are now proposed by AI which learns a company's patterns based on its historical data. Dassault Systemes is integrating generative AI into one of its largest used design products - Solidworks - to fastrack development.
Automotive design relies on CAD tools, and one of the most prominent solutions available to companies globally is Solidworks from the French technology major Dassault Systemes, which is integrating generative AI into its design solutions.
The company says AI is the reality and is enabling automakers to expedite their design process by virtue of the multiple possible options suggested by AI, which learns from an OEM's past data, and comes up with new ideas based on the problem statement.
Manish Kumar, CEO, Solidworks, talks about how Dassault Systemes is enabling automotive companies to get to the market faster by delegating mundane design tasks to AI, and pinpointing the human resource to innovation, and solving critical problems. Kumar says how data analytics, and AI, are enabling companies to get relevant insights that help drive cost efficiencies.
Kumar also tells how the pandemic accelerated the shift towards cloud, and how the business model is now shifting from a perpetual license-based one to a subscription-based model.
The company VP, VP, Sales & Service (used car business) shares the new Taisor's strong emphasis on style, performance an...


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. Netflix Hulu. . YouTube Spotify???
Ever since Spotify first entered the market back in 2008 it's
slowly been making a name for itself as the most popular music streaming service. (Sorry, iTunes.)
High-profile contract disagreements with celebs and Taylor Swift have given the music player Adele some strong headlines, but it looks like they're ready to get some attention all on their own.
Related: T.Swift Accidentally Returned To Spotify For 3 Days Last Month!
Starting next week, users will be able to play videos and podcasts on the Spotify App!
And we're not just talking music videos — channels like
BBC, Vice, ESPN, and Comedy Central will all be offering up clips from your favorite TV shows to watch on your mobile devices.
The new service has been tested on some Android and iOS users in Sweden already, but
music lovers in the UK and US can expect to start Spotify's latest feature by the end of next week.
Tidal had an effect on them after all…
Ch-ch-check out Spotify's original video announcement of the update (below)!!!
Unfortunately, desktop users will not be able to access the video function… but as a trade-off there won't be video ads on the app regardless if you pay for a premium
subscription or not!
Are U at all interested in this new kind of Spotify??
Image via Spotify/.]
adele, bbc, business blitz, comedy central, espn, hulu, music minute, netflix, spotify, taylor swift, tech talk, tidal, vice, youtube


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Mansfield firm creating new jobs as it expands after best ever year
A Mansfield business is looking to create up to 13 new jobs in the town as part of ambitious re-structuring and expansion plans.
CCM Group has just enjoyed it’s best ever financial year and is looking to relocate to a new base to house its expanding warehouse operations and growing team.
The company offers business to business services and business to consumer products, including creative, marketing and print services to well-known brands across the UK including The Range, CEF, Leicester City FC, Fittleworth and Carlisle Construction.
The last 12 months has also seen in celebrate its best ever financial performance,while adapting to a new management structure and strategy and also transforming its business model to supply PPE to support the nation’s health and careworkers.
Tina Brown, managing director of CCM Creative, said: “Our recruitment journey continues and we feel extremely lucky to be in a position to expand our teams in the current climate.
“We are currently on the lookout for multiple marketing roles, a graphic designer, product sales consultants, and head of operations and many more.
"Investing in great people has had such a positive impact on the business as a whole and we all look forward to welcoming more team members over the next couple of months.”
For more details, or to apply for one of the new roles, click here.


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This year, the Slickdeals team ventured out to attend CES 2020 in Las Vegas, NV. Our mission was to document the coolest, most bizarre and most expensive tech we could find, and this year’s showcase did not disappoint.
Among other technological marvels, we got the chance to see Alienware’s Concept UFO, which is basically a gaming PC shaped like a Nintendo Switch, and we finally got our hands on the upcoming foldable smartphone from Motorola Razr. In terms of strange products, we sampled an alcoholic Keurig and had our faces melted by a massive, 24-foot Micro LED TV.
Check out our video to see all the products that (for better or worse) caught our attention.
Enjoy this hot tech deal from our Frontpage:
Search URL: https://slickdeals.net/newsearch.php?firstonly=1&pp=20&sort=newest&rating=frontpage&filter%5B%5D=40&forumid%5B%5D=9&hideexpired=1&r=1


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27 Dec. 2011
CANADA GOOSE CEO NAMED ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEARDani Reiss, president and CEO of Canada Goose, Canada’s leading manufacturer of extreme weather outerwear, has been awarded by Ernst & Young as Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2011.
Reiss said “The entrepreneurial spirit runs through everything we do at Canada Goose ... Even as we’ve grown on the world stage, we have stayed true and authentic every step of the way and that’s illustrated by the significant decision we made years ago to keep our manufacturing in Canada when many other apparel manufactures went off-shore.”
Reiss will now go head-to-head with entrepreneurs from 50 other countries for the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year honours, to be named in June 2012.
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Editor's note: The article was first published in China Plus on September 12. The article reflects the authors' opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
The 114-year-old American car maker Ford announced that it is canceling plans to produce the small crossover Focus Active in China for sale in the United States, citing the financial toll of the Trump administration's tariffs on 50 billion US dollars' worth of imports from China.
Following this announcement, President Trump said on Twitter that if they made the car in the United States, it wouldn't be subject to tariffs. Ford responded on Monday that it has no plans to move production back home.
At the same time, American tech giant Apple recently said in a letter to the Office of the US Trade Representative that if the government enacts its plan to introduce an additional 200 billion US dollars' worth of tariffs on imports from China, the company's running costs will rise, putting Apple at a disadvantage compared to its competitors overseas.
President Trump has since called on Apple to make their products in the United States instead of China, but many analysts suggest that Apple will not do this since the move will definitely increase its costs.
The reason why these American companies have resisted shifting production back to the United States is simple. They can keep their costs relatively low and maintain relatively high profits if their production and assembly lines remain in China.
China has been the world's largest auto market for nine consecutive years. In the first half of this year, 12.23 million automobiles were sold in China, making it the world's largest market. The most popular seller is Ford's F-series, with around half a million sales. No automakers would give up such a profitable market.
And if American automakers moved their production back to the United States, and both China and the United States impose an additional 25 percent tariff on each other's imports, the price of imported cars would rise by at least 30 percent. This would make cars imported into China from the United States extremely uncompetitive in terms of price, so Ford has a massive incentive to maintain its production in China.
As for Apple, China has been consistently gaining value in the global technology industrial chain. Thirty-four suppliers from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland made it onto Apple's Top 200 list of global suppliers in 2018 - seven more than the year before.
Lower labor costs, improvements to the business environment and industry conditions, and increasing efficiency are among the main reasons why Apple is engaging more suppliers based in China.
If the manufacturing movies back to the United States, it's destined to face rising labor costs, and the cost of maintaining its industrial supply chain is also bound to rise. This will lead to either higher price for its customers or lower returns for its shareholders. And this, in turn, will lead to it losing ground against its rivals.
Ford and Apple provide case studies on why the Trump administration's tariffs won't help to divert manufacturing and jobs back to the United States. Instead, it may have the opposite effect: As it becomes harder and harder for American companies to trade from within the United States, the more likely it is that they will look to more open markets overseas.
Under these circumstances, China has undeniable advantages in terms of the availability of technical expertise, its broad industrial capacity, and its extensive global supply chains. And it is home to teams of engineers and researchers from around the world that can provide the innovations that will drive the future of manufacturing innovation.


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Qualcomm announced this morning its new mobile processor, Snapdragon 690, which brings 5G to phones at even more affordable prices. The San Diego-based chipset giant said six phone makers will be ready to ship smartphones with the new Snapdragon 690 5G in the second half of 2020, including HMD Global (Nokia), LG, Motorola, Sharp, and TCL. , among others.
“We want connectivity to be upgraded to 5G everywhere, and we want it to be affordable for everyone,” said Cristiano Amon, president of Qualcomm, in a recorded video message during a pre-launch press conference.
Designed for budget smartphones, the Snapdragon 690 5G includes a Kryo 560 CPU offering an improvement 20% performance compared to its predecessor. The chipset also features the company’s fifth-generation artificial intelligence engine that not only improves camera performance but also vastly improves gaming experiences. Using the company’s X51 5G modem, the Snapdragon 690 processor will bring 1GBs speed and “advanced” 5G coverage to the Series 6 platform for the first time.
For the first time, Qualcomm offers support for displays with a refresh rate of 120Hz on budget phones. Most high-end Android smartphones today have displays with a refresh rate of 90Hz or 120Hz.
Another great improvement is on the image side. Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 690 would allow phones to record 4K video with HDR, first on a budget phone. The company promises that the videos will have more colors and a greater dynamic range. Furthermore, the camera will also be able to capture a whopping 192MP still images.
Dipu John, senior director of product management at Qualcomm, said the Snapdragon 690 will make 5G devices more affordable. For John, the goal is to bring many cutting-edge features, such as HDR, 5G and 4K video recording to low-end devices with the new Snapdragon 690.
Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 690 is designed for global devices. “We put ourselves in the customer’s shoes and ask some fundamental questions, like who is the target market, how much will the device cost, and what are the key features, and then connect these features from the highest levels to the lowest levels, so that we can cover all segments and meet the needs of our consumers »
Although 5G launch has been slow in many parts of the world, that hasn’t stopped Qualcomm from launching a new 5G-enabled chipset.
This processor goes straight to attack the MediaTek Dimensity 820, where both chipsets including 5G for the mid / low range are expected to be crowned kings of connectivity. MediaTek Dimensity 820 we saw it arrive a few weeks ago on the Redmi 10X.
Snapdragon 690 5G vs Dimensional 820: Spec Sheet
To know which of the two processors is better, we will have to wait to see the Snapdragon 690 in action on a smartphone from Xiaomi or from another company. MediaTek Dimensity 820 can offer users slightly better performance (more powerful CPU and GPU) than Snapdragon 690 5G. However, this is pure speculation and we will need to have phones with these chipsets in our hands to know better the performance.
Be aware of all the news and offers of your favorite brand in our Telegram channel. If you are thinking of acquiring a new product of the brand and you have doubts you can consult our group on Telegram or Facebook with a continuously growing community.
And of course, you can find us in the rest of the RRSS: Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Are you a fan of photography? Share your best snapshots in our photography group


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Microsoft's write down on the Nokia phone-handset unit will wipe out nearly all of the value of a business it acquired under then-CEO Steve Ballmer
JPMorgan beats analysts' estimates, Nokia is in advanced talks to buy Alcatel-Lucent, and Element Financial may also want to look at GE Capital Corp assets
The N1, which runs on Google’s Android Lollipop operating software, is due to be in stores in China in the first quarter of next year for an estimated price of US$249 before taxes
Microsoft Corp said it would roll out its Lumia 535 smartphone this month with an affordable price tag in its key markets, dropping the Nokia name just months after buying the Finnish company’s handset business
Finland's PM on Apple Inc.'s effect on his country's economy: 'I guess one could say that the iPhone killed Nokia and the iPad killed the Finnish paper industry, but we’ll make a comeback'
Nokia's first phone featuring the Windows Phone 8.1 operating system is undeniably a budget model. One would think, then, that it’s perhaps not worth having. You’d be wrong. It’s a surprisingly nice little phone
Nadella’s approach underlines the low-key and analytical style he brings as CEO. “He’s one of those people where you just hate to say no to the guy,” says Microsoft's head of corporate strategy.
To find growth beyond base stations and antennas that transmit calls and data, Rajeev Suri, is seeking to take Nokia more aggressively into new areas like equipment and services
Nokia has won approval from Chinese competition authorities to sell its mobile phone business to Microsoft Corp without having to change its main technology patent practices, it said on Tuesday
Nokia does not expect to close the sale of its phone business to Microsoft until April as talks with Asian regulators drag on, it said on Monday, fuelling speculation it may have to make technology patent concessions to get the deal done
As it stands, the top tax rate (29%) matches the credit for donations over $200, but what happens to the donation credit when the top tax rate is boosted to 33% is anyone's guess
It's a David and Goliath moment for the CEO of G-Kup, who wants to replace the K-Cup completely with his environmentally friendly coffee pod
David Kaufman: Rather than rehash the specifics of the 2008 crisis, I am determined to spend all that valuable time looking forward, fighting the next war instead of the last war
Terence Corcoran: Since 2012, when Canadian banks and government-backed pension giants acquired TMX through a kind of internal coup d’état, the stock exchange company has stalled out
It's been a mixed year for equity markets, but despite a generally positive outlook the months ahead, there are a few things investors should be wary of in 2016


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The first Business Fair of the year will be held in Andover High Street on Friday, 11 May from 10am – 3pm.
The fair is an opportunity for local businesses to gain a day of High Street exposure and pitch their wares in the town centre. Businesses from a wide variety of sectors have attended previous fairs including local solicitors, estate agency, garden care, an electrical company and a martial arts school.
You will gain the opportunity to talk to prospective customers and increase customer awareness, as well as networking with the other participating businesses, all for a pitch fee of just £10.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil North, said “The Business Fairs have been an established part of the High Street calendar for several years, and are a way of increasing the profile of local businesses which would not otherwise have a High Street presence. I am really pleased that we can continue to support this initiative and provide such a cost effective way for local businesses to gain brand awareness.”
For more information about the fair, or to book a pitch, contact Heather Whittam by email email@example.com or by telephoning 01264 368814.
A second Business Fair will follow on Friday, 7 September.


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Soil Association Certification is teaming up with the Carbon Trust to develop a bespoke sustainable catering standard to complement the Food for Life Catering Mark.
To be launched as a pilot, it will enable businesses to be recognized for exemplary practice in environmental sustainability and help them reach ‘Good’ or higher on DEFRA’s Balanced Scorecard.
This will be the first scheme to provide ‘one-stop shop’ verification that aligns across all areas of DEFRA’s Balanced Scorecard.
“This partnership between Soil Association Certification and the Carbon Trust is an exciting opportunity to inspire businesses and caterers to improve their environmental performance and show a clear commitment to buying fresh, healthy, locally sourced, sustainable food and champion British producers via the Red Tractor scheme,” commented Dr Peter Bonfield, who originally developed the Balanced Scorecard. “The Food for Life Catering Mark is making it easy to verify a good or excellent score across all areas of the DEFRA balanced scorecard for public procurement, including food production, social and economic value, quality and now resource efficiency too.”
Martin Sawyer, chief executive of Soil Association Certification, added: “We’re close to reaching a remarkable two million Catering Mark meals served daily in the UK – wouldn’t it be great if those meals could also be provided with the justifiable claim they are using less energy, are more efficient and have less impact on our environment. I’m sure that many businesses will be interested in our pilot project, and in turn can see the benefit, both socially and economically, of this partnership.”
“Over eight billion meals a year are served by caterers in the UK across 260,000 sites,” said Darran Messem, MD of Certification at the Carbon Trust. “Even small improvements in the environmental impact of each meal served can add up to a huge total. Fortunately in many cases large improvements are possible. For example Carbon Trust analysis suggests that many caterers could achieve reductions of around 30% in energy costs, equivalent to an annual saving of £250 million. Catering as a sector has the opportunity and the capability to drive significant positive change in the health and sustainability of our diets.”
As well as helping caterers meet procurement requirements, the scheme can help with companies’ CSR requirements, improve efficiency in energy and water saving, enhance the company’s reputation and provide a comprehensive assurance of quality and integrity of catering operations.
Caterers are being called upon to express their interest in the new standard.


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I’ve been saying for quite some time that I’m a big fan of Nokia hardware. I think their cell phones are great, but the operating system can leave a lot to be desired. Well, it turns out that we just be able to address that with Google Android.
This is nowhere near an official solution coming out of Finland. Instead, the NITDroid project is heralded by some enthusiastic developers and it effectively puts Android on your Nokia hardware. They haven’t done it with a phone yet, but they have managed to do it with Nokia’s Internet tablets.
Getting past that “not always the best user experience,” UK mobile consultant Terrence Eden was able to load Android 1.6 Donut on his Nokia N810. The result? “Android is a much better software environment for Nokia hardware than what Nokia provides.”
Aside from a lack of support for Google Market (and certain apps), the Android-powered N810 is working just fine. Other developers have created a version of Android 2.2 Froyo for the Nokia N900 and it’s actually stable, including the ability to get calls and run Google apps. The camera doesn’t work yet, though.
For those of you brave enough to give it a try, there is an installation guide for getting the Droid action happening on your Nokia device. Proceed at your own risk and discretion.


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Study: Older patients, preventive services on rise at retail health clinics
NEW YORK — Retail-based health clinics are attracting more older patients and delivering more preventive care, particularly flu shots and other vaccinations, according to a new study from the Rand Corp.
Researchers found that visits to retail medical clinics increased four-fold from 2007 to 2009, with the proportion of patients older than 65 years old growing from 8% to 19% of all visits during this period.
More than 44% of visits to the clinics occurred on the weekend or other hours when physician offices typically are closed, suggesting retail clinics meet a need for convenient care, according to the study published online as a "Web first" by the journal Health Affairs.
"Retail medical clinics continue to grow rapidly and attract new segments of users," said lead author Ateev Mehrotra, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a researcher at Rand, a nonprofit research organization. "They remain just a small part of outpatient medical care, but appear to have tapped into patients' needs."
While retail clinics have begun promoting such new services as caring for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, researchers stated that it remains uncertain whether demand for the clinics will continue to grow as the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is enacted.
"If demand for primary medical care drives longer wait times to see a doctor as it has following healthcare reform in Massachusetts, then this could drive greater demand for convenient alternatives, such as retail clinics," Mehrotra stated.
Researchers examined the latest trends in the use of retail medical clinics by analyzing information from 2007 through 2009 obtained from the three largest retail clinic operators, which account for 81% of the clinics operated nationally. Trends in usage were compared with earlier findings from 2000 to 2006.
Visits to retail clinics reached 5.97 million in 2009, up from 1.48 million in 2007. Visits to retail medical clinics for vaccinations increased sharply from 2007 to 2009, researchers found. Another recent study published by Rand researchers found that vaccination visits to the three major retail clinic chains quadrupled to more than 1.9 million in 2009. Most of the inoculations given were for influenza.
"The number of vaccinations provided at retail clinics could grow even larger if providers started counseling patients about the need for inoculations when they visit the clinics for other care," added Lori Uscher-Pines, an associate policy researcher at Rand.
In the latest study, researchers found that the proportion of retail clinics visits made for acute medical problems dropped from 78% to 51%. There was a corresponding increase in visits for preventive care, making up more than 47% of visits by 2009. The study does not capture the impact of a push made by retail medical clinic operators beginning in 2010 to increase the services offered for chronic illnesses.
The proportion of patients who reported that they did not have a primary care physician remained at more than 60%, although researchers had expected the number to drop as use of the clinics increased. Researchers stated it is possible that patients with no or weak relationships with a primary care physician are more likely to seek care at a retail clinic than patients with strong relationships with a physician.
Support for the studies was provided by the California HealthCare Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropy based in Oakland, Calif. Other authors of the studies are Judith Lave, Katherine Harris and Rachel Burns.


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Since the purchase of Lala late last week by Apple, the topic of discussion is how much Apple paid for it and what they plan to do with the music streaming company. We heard yesterday from Peter Kafka at Media Memo that the price was $80 million and that Warner music alone got $10 million of their investment back.
Today, TechCrunch is saying that Apple only paid $17 million for Lala and since they had $14 million in cash, the “rest” of the company was only valued at $3 million. If this information is accurate, it would lend to the idea that Apple is purchasing companies like this for the engineering talent and experience.
Apple purchased a similar-size organization called PlaceBase earlier this year. There is some speculation that this purchase was a talent-based purchase as well, as the company had some financial issues.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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Challenged with effectively routing several thousand boxes of meat per hour, a major Kansas beef producer sought help to ensure efficient production from multiple plants, and confirmation that its meat was automatically and accurately moving from the warehouse to the retail location without human intervention.
With the industrial automation process as a top priority, a solution had to provide routing direction within seconds from the point of data flow. Any miscommunications would cause significant delays in routing and overloading, slowing conveyor belts and costing money.
The beef producer found Cirrus Tech Inc., a Cary, N.C. warehouse system management company. Bob Harris, founder of Cirrus Tech, said the beef producer “required a solution that could read 20,000 tags from 10 PLCs every three seconds. Its previous system was draining nearly 80 percent of CPU time and slowing the process. For Cirrus to help, it had to offer an automation solution that provided routing direction within seconds.”
Harris found Kepware’s KEPServerEX offered the right capabilities for the job. Specifically engineered to connect disparate devices and applications, KEPServerEX is “middleware” that manages, monitors and controls industrial devices and applications while supporting a variety of open standards. Its OPC drivers, for example, eliminate the need to learn new communications protocols and applications.
Teaming up with Kepware (www.kepware.com), Cirrus helped the beef processing plant pull data from dozens of PLCs and equipment, analyze the detail, and send direction back to the system controllers. “The combined Kepware and Cirrus automation system filters information and provides direction within two seconds,” says Harris.
Cirrus now uses Kepware as its communications platform for industrial automation for all customer deployments, Harris said. “Anytime we introduced a new piece of equipment, it required an entirely new PLC. We don’t have the time to write a new driver, which could easily take eight weeks in development and testing. Since Kepware has such broad support and flexibility, it took the responsibility off of our shoulders,” he added.
The latest version of Kepware’s Communication Platform, KEPServerEX V5.12, was just released and it provides increased security functionality and better interoperability with modern OPC UA standards. A new Security Policies plug-in and updated user manager settings leverage user authentication in OPC UA to help ensure that only intended users receive access to the server runtime through trusted client applications. Administrators can provide access permissions at the group level or restrict read, write or browse access at the object level. KEPServerEX V5.12 also includes two new Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley Micro800 Serial and Ethernet drivers, as well as additional enhancements to more than 20 of Kepware’s drivers.


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Can Ascent Solar, once a rooftop solar aspirant, become a consumer-facing solar gadget sales company? Can a technology company change its corporate DNA and become a sales and marketing firm?
In early 2011, Ascent Solar (ASTI), a distressed CIGS thin-film solar manufacturer, shifted its strategy from solar rooftops and building-integrated PV to solar device chargers for consumer, off-grid, and military applications. Ascent suggested higher margins were possible in those fields compared to ground-mount applications or BIPV markets. This shift came after years of unsuccessful attempts to succeed in the BIPV space.
In August 2011, Ascent found a savior in new majority owner: Asian conglomerate TFG Radiant. TFG Radiant Group is a JV of Radiant Group, a Chinese construction and real estate conglomerate, and Tertius Financial Group, a Singapore-based investment firm. Recently, Ascent completed a $10 million preferred stock purchase with institutional investor Ironridge Technology.
In a press release from late last year, Victor Lee, CEO of Ascent, said, "Ascent Solar has initiated a paradigm shift by directly entering the consumer market with our EnerPlex brand, drastically changing the dynamics of our intrinsic value proposition, especially when compared to companies which remain exclusively in the business of manufacturing commercial solar."
That salty language means that the company's scale and CIGS product were uneconomical for rooftop products.
Publicly traded -- and profitless -- Ascent's third-quarter 2013 financials show some of the pitfalls of the company's new strategy. Product revenue in Q3 was $268,000 compared to $166,000 in the previous quarter. Net loss for the third quarter was $6.5 million compared to a net loss of $7.1 million in the previous quarter and a loss of $6.4 million in the third quarter of 2012. Cash and cash equivalents were $3.9 million as of September 30, 2013, but Ascent has recently raised additional funding.
Ascent's stock currently hovers at $0.68 per share, appearing ripe for a Nasdaq delisting notice. Current market cap is $40.2 million.
Can Ascent's line of CIGS-based solar device- and battery-chargers turn the moribund concern into a thriving public company?
Amit Kumar, the Chairman of Ascent Solar, spoke at Wednesday night's Silicon Valley IEEE (and Asperger's support group) meeting at PARC in Palo Alto. He pointed out that Ascent's thin-film CIGS on flexible polymide is an order of magnitude lighter than other solar products and hits about 12 percent efficiency. Kumar said, "We shifted our strategy to where cost is not as big a factor."
Kumar described the company's strategy this way: "We are targeting premium markets with high margin products." He said he longer needs to speak of price-per-watt, but rather of price-per-unit. He pointed out that there is one-third of a watt of solar in the phone charger and it sells for $79 or $89 -- "That's more than $100 per watt." He continued, "We don't want to touch any product unless we're getting $20 per watt." (But if solar is such a small piece of the device BOM, why even bother owning an uneconomical 30-megawatt CIGS factory?)
"We're not fighting against all the other solar companies. It's not as important to reduce [solar] cost when you're operating in this marketplace. There's no twenty-year warranty, said Kumar, adding, "If you're selling it to a consumer, it's only going to last a year or two."
The firm designs and builds chargers for iPhones and Samsung phones, as well as backpack chargers and a set of related battery and portable low-power gear.
Kumar and Ascent are radically shifting both the company's product and its sales channel. It's a tough trick. With limited resources, Ascent has to restart the company with newly established sales and distribution channels, supply channels and capital-light marketing efforts. Ascent doesn't need engineers -- it needs sales executives, sales managers and sales channels.
Ascent has a partnership agreement with the Denver Broncos and sales at Fry's Electronics and other retailers.
As chairman, Kumar seems focused on mall or airport kiosk sales as a scalable method of growing and as "a way to make Wall Street treat us like Starbucks instead of SunPower."
Ascent is not the only company going after this market. Companies such as Goal Zero (with $60 million in 2013 revenue according to the New York Times) and Joos Orange have stylish products on offer. Alta Devices has spoken about moving into this market. BBOXX, with $1.9 million from Vinod Khosla's personal fund, Khosla Impact, and the U.K.’s Synergy Growth, makes a line of PV plus storage plus charging systems for third-world distributed power. Stellaris, another solar company that has had rooftop plans, makes a device charger. Fuel cell companies such as MTI and Lilliputian have attempted to address this market, as well.


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Next week, Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA) Xfinity customers can use Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) on their X1 cable TV boxes. This move could benefit both Comcast and Netflix by enticing new customers who want both services. The Netflix stock price has climbed 20% over the last month because it's been able to massively grow its audience. For Q3, Netflix announced it added a total of 3.57 million new members.


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Take-Two has had a long year -- we mean really long -- but it looks like the publisher may finally be emerging from its dark days. After last month's finalization of the formal inquiry into the company's stock option granting policies and the issuance of Take-Two's financial reports for fiscal 2006 and Q1 2007, the company today announced that it has regained compliance with NASDAQ's listing requirements. The result of all this: Take-Two's common stock will again be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market as usual.
"We are pleased to put this issue behind us," said Ben Feder, Take-Two's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer. "The new management team and Board of Directors intend to resolve all outstanding regulatory issues as quickly and effectively as possible."
Things have been pretty hard of late for Take-Two. Much of the board of directors was ousted recently, as were the CEO and CFO. Due to the legal expenditures related to the investigation, the company posted huge losses for last fiscal year. Hopefully, this latest development is a step in the right direction for the faltering publisher.


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Called "GDPR: The Complete Guide", the app provides busy business professionals with a complete guide to Europe's new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
With just under a year to go until the GDPR takes effect, businesses need to start acting now to get ahead of the upcoming changes. Failure to comply with the new regime could result in fines of up to €20M or 4% of turnover – whichever is greater. Business leaders will need to examine and correct how client and employee information is collected, stored, processed and protected within their business.
Fieldfisher's easy-to-use GDPR app provides essential insights and tips to help meet the demands of the new regulation. Along with a fully-searchable and cross-referenced copy of the regulation itself, the app also provides a 'GDPR checklist' to ensure clients understand the key operational impacts of the GDPR and are on-track to stay ahead of the new rules.
There are also direct links to the firm's market-leading privacy blog and official GDPR regulatory guidance, which gives users a broader depth and understanding beyond just the regulation itself. For businesses wondering when the new rules come into effect, the app even includes a GDPR countdown clock on its home page. The app is free to download on all Android devices.
Phil Lee, a Partner in Fieldfisher's Privacy, Security and Information Law group said: "The feedback from the launch of our iOS app was tremendous, and we received a lot of requests to release an Android version too. We've listened to those requests and are delighted to launch our Android app today. Like the iOS version, it is fully searchable and cross-referenced, which makes it incredibly user-friendly and will really help businesses to better understand how the GDPR will impact them."
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Just Lamps Launches Initiative to Help Identify Counterfeit Projector Lamps
Just Lamps, the world’s largest specialist projector lamp distributor, has issued this dramatic warning to the channel - the AV market is...
Just Lamps, the world’s largest specialist projector lamp distributor, has issued this dramatic warning to the channel - the AV market is rife with counterfeit lamps – and is taking steps to address the issue.
According to the distributor, after first alerting the industry two years ago that fake projector lamps were infiltrating western markets, the problem has escalated. They conducted a series of test purchases across the world where the advertised price appeared too-good-to-be-true, and the results indicate that there are now thousands of phony lamps in circulation in all markets.
Dave Bethell, CEO and founder of Just Lamps explains “The fact is, people are being duped. If you were offered a £1,000 Rolex watch for £20 you’d know you are buying a knock off copy, but if you’re offered the same Rolex watch for £900, you start to think you may have a great deal. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s happening in the replacement lamp industry today with customers paying a high price for what they think is a genuine product and unwittingly receiving a fake.”
The lamps that have made their way into the supply chain are visually very convincing. The packaging, manuals and bulbs all look genuine and they have the correct logos and markings. Unless buyers have the original lamp to compare with, it’s almost impossible to tell them from the genuine article.
This means that many in the channel are being duped, starting with the distributor who imported the lamps thinking they were getting a great deal. With many orders being fulfilled direct to the end user on behalf of the reseller, trade customers may not even see the lamps before they land with their clients.
In a bid to counter the problem and promote lamp education, Just Lamps has launched the reference website www.counterfeitlamps.com. The site helps identify 80% of fake lamps by giving a guide to bulb markings and clearly showing what a customer should expect to see. It is designed for anyone in the channel who feels unsure about their ability to spot a fake.
As well as demonstrating bulb markings, there is guidance on other tell-tale signs in lamp construction, advice on courses of action and a free evaluation service for worried consumers.
“We want to rid our market of these illegal and potentially hazardous lamps”, says Bethell. “Some distributors are inadvertently making criminals out of hundreds of resellers and thousands of projector users. The whole issue of supply management needs addressing, and having a better educated market will help drive this. Our hope is that when they and their customers look at their lamps in detail, if counterfeits are present they will take the right steps to stop this unlawful practice”.
In addition to the website, Just Lamps provides a simple checklist, by bulb manufacturer, for service engineers to carry with them when they replace a lamp, available from their local Just Lamps office. They also intend to share the findings of their free consultation service with the projector manufacturers in a further move to help keep the replacement lamp industry reputable.


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VIPdesk is excited to be exhibiting at Internet Retailer again this year
Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) June 9, 2008
VIPdesk, a pioneer of premium home-based contact center solutions and concierge services, will be showcasing the company's award-winning service offerings at the Internet Retailer 2008 Conference and Exhibition, June 9-12, 2008. VIPdesk will be showcasing its expertise in virtual customer support for online retailers from booth # 326 in the Internet Retailer exhibit hall, at McCormick Place West in Chicago.
VIPdesk currently provides phone, email, and chat support to more than 70 brand-name customers, including retailers with an online presence or traditional brick-and-mortar store. The company's virtual contact center service is a means for retailers to revolutionize their customer service function. VIPdesk clients have seen an increase in key performance indicators such as average order size, customer satisfaction levels and reduced cost per contact, and have been able to turn their call centers into healthy profit centers.
"VIPdesk is excited to be exhibiting at Internet Retailer again this year," said Mary Naylor, CEO and Founder of VIPdesk. "We always enjoy connecting with our current customers who attend the show, and speaking with potential new customers about how a virtual call center can enhance their specific customer service needs."
VIPdesk specializes in delivering virtual call center solutions and concierge services to national brand leaders in several industries including retail, travel, auto and financial services. VIPdesk's high-touch, high-tech branded service platforms deliver results and real return on investment. To find out more about VIPdesk, visit http://www.vipdesk.com.
VIPdesk is the pioneer of premium home-based call centers and Concierge Services. We offer virtual customer care services to global brand leaders in industries including financial services, travel, retail and automotive services. We serve more than 70 blue-chip clients with over 10 million customers and are continually recognized as a progressive industry leader as evidenced through numerous awards, including the Inc. 500, Inc. 5000, NCBEA Business Ethics Award, Stevie Awards for Women in Business and Smart CEO Future 50. For more information, visit http://www.vipdesk.com


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For example, CQI has used unrestricted support to award scholarships to producers to attend online processing education, to enable access to post-harvest processing techniques for women producers in Jamaica, and most recently through the LOT program, to provide direct education to six different coffee producing communities.
Support from the industry, from individual donors or from anyone who appreciates fine and specialty coffee is essential for the benefit of coffee producers. Become a supporter today.
“This was the first step in a holistic plan we call ‘Higher Ground,’” said JAWiC President and Co-founder, Andrea Johnson. “Getting our members access to training is something we can do now during the pandemic, thanks to technology.”Read the full story
“CQI is focused on increasing our impact,” said Tina Yerkes PhD, CEO of the Coffee Quality Institute. “The work we have done at origin has been through relationships with other entities, and that has been a good model, and we see opportunities to expand our reach with an additional, and slightly different approach. The LOT program, Learning Online Together, is an opportunity for us to identify coffee growing communities and offer training directly to them on their schedule at no cost – because we are a nonprofit, we want to give back in ways that we can.”Read about LOT
During the pandemic CQI pioneered and brought online training to our community. We were able to offer spaces in the new Introduction to Post-Harvest Processing to producers around the world at no charge.Read one producer's experience


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Launch of Next Gen ATM system inaugurates global race to reinvent ATMs
SIOUX FALLS, SD (November 19, 2020) — The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) today launched the official global certification system for Next Gen ATMs, the culmination of a four-year long industry project to create a new API App model for ATMs, integrating ATMs and mobile phones in one seamless new ecosystem.
“I’m proud and delighted to announce that the Consortium for Next Gen ATMs, made up of over 400 participating companies in 55 countries, working together since 2017, has created a brand new global architecture for app-based ATMs,” said Mike Lee, CEO of ATMIA, Chairperson of the Consortium for Next Gen ATMs and President of the ATM Security Association. “Now that the online certification system for the new architecture has gone live on the ATMIA Next Gen portal, companies from anywhere in the world can certify their ATM products and services as Next Gen ready and receive their association certification badge of approval.”
The launch of the official certification system to test Next Gen ATM readiness inaugurates what the trade association calls a “race to the top” to see where the world’s first certified Next Gen ATM will soon be installed.
“In addition to identifying the world’s first Next Gen ATM, ATMIA will highlight regional firsts across the regions of the world, so the industry can celebrate its successes in the reinvention of the ATM after over 50 years of excellent service to millions of customers,” Lee added.
A qualified futurist, and author of Codebreaking our Future, available on Amazon, Lee believes that Next Gen ATMs, which will enable customers to pre-stage ATM transactions on their mobile phones, could signal the beginning of the end of the plastic bank card. At the same time, Next Gen ATMs will make depositing and withdrawing cash easier.
“Customers will transact at Next Gen ATMs using their mobile phones, reducing the time of the transaction while increasing its convenience, security and intimacy, and so they won’t need their cards to make ATM cash withdrawals in future,” Lee said.
“The interoperability made possible by the vendor-agnostic Next Gen architecture creates a level playing-field for the industry and will create a new supply and demand cycle,” the project’s Technical Adviser, Marcel Ficken, MBA, of Result XL in the Netherlands, explained.
The online certification system will be simple to use and allow companies to certify their products rapidly, according to ATMIA’s Web Development & IT Director, Eric Cross.
“The certification process can be started within minutes by creating an account and completing the initial product assessment,” he said.
“This was a mammoth future-proofing exercise, based on unprecedented levels of global consensus, which has produced a watertight blueprint for the future and I call upon the ATM industry to become fully integrated into the mobile-digital world that dominates society in our times, optimizing the channel’s growing power,” Lee added.
ATMIA is the leading non-profit trade association representing the entire global ATM industry. ATMIA serves more than 10,000 members from over 650 participating companies in 70 countries spanning the whole ATM ecosphere, including financial institutions, independent ATM deployers, equipment manufacturers, processors and a plethora of ATM service and value-added solution providers. ATMIA provides education, advocacy and connections to help its members keep abreast of industry news and developments; increase knowledge and professionalism; improve operational efficiencies; understand and influence regulatory processes; participate in the local, regional and global ATM community; and forge new relationships to advance their businesses. Founded in 1997, ATMIA has active chapters in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Asia, Africa, India and the Middle East focusing on the unique needs and issues of each region. For more information, please visit atmia.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.


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Android as a working machine has had some exceptional success over a previous couple of years. Android producers took a lower back seat to Apple; Android became right, but iOS became higher, the critics stated. Over a previous couple of years, Android’s achievement has critics seeing the Apple enemy in a whole new light, with some suggesting that the future of the telephone enterprise lies with Android producers and no longer with the Apple Corporation – a company that many as soon as notion changed into invincible and beyond fail.
Android’s achievement becomes supposed to turn out to be a perfect thing; it was supposed to assist Android manufacturers in seeing the fulfillment that they could reap and propel them to heights of which they’d in no way dreamed. Android’s success changed into speculated to be its producers’ incentive and impact to surpass Apple and iOS. I fear the worst, but: with Android’s rising success, its manufacturers are beginning to see their very own individual agencies as “superstars,” dividing Android, once a cohesive whole, into person portions or fragments. We are on the point of the fragmentation of Android.
Before you put this newsletter down and stroll away, could you permit me to explain? Earlier this week at the International CES, LG Electronics announced that the Nexus 4 turned into handiest, the first of collaborative efforts with Google:
“Through our collaboration with Google, we launched the LG Nexus four telephone. This is the first of many gadgets to come back from our developing partnership with this very selective employer” (underline mine).
What this means is that we will stay up for a Nexus five and six, likely a “Nexus nine” or “Nexus eleven” one of nowadays (depending on how the Nexus smartphones are named, in contrast to the Nexus tablets). Sometime after LG made this declaration, however, the International Business Times claimed that “the Nexus four production ‘is said to have [been] halted,’ with LG interested by building its next-gen gadgets” (Chris Smith, “Nexus four production reportedly halted, as LG is that specialize in destiny smartphones, Nexus five included?”). What is that this intended to intend? To be blunt, LG has decided to desert the Nexus four in want of its own smartphones. Supposedly, the LG Optimus G has made the organization grow assured in transferring ahead to improve its motive. As for its challenge with Google? Well, LG looks to work with them within the destiny. However, no exact time frame turned into given wherein the two agencies would come collectively. Consumers who wanted to get their arms on a Nexus 4 are now left watching for the following Nexus assignment (which will be in a year or two).
In an editorial I wrote on the Google X Phone, I stated that it might no longer be a wise flow for Google to push Samsung out of the manner. I assumed that Samsung might want to stay within the Android production institution. While Samsung’s telephones have made Android the OS to be envied, Samsung has also been running on an OS of its own: Tizen. Reports have surfaced in the final weeks that Samsung will produce extra Tizen telephones this year than ever earlier than. This means that Samsung, who has never gone public about its “OS in the wings,” intends to sell its personal OS in its own hardware this yr. Some say that that is in response to Google’s plans to create an X smartphone; thinking about that Google published its statement first, I could no longer be amazed if Samsung’s selection to press ahead has something to do with Google’s preference to rule Android (and Samsung’s choice to rule Tizen).
Now, LG has improved and made the same pass as Google: finding out to position its personal paintings ahead of the partnership between itself and Google. LG’s circulate could also be a political response to Google’s X cellphone announcement: considering Google is transferring ahead with its own cellphone, LG seems to do the same. Unlike Google or Samsung, however, it does not have the economic assets to maintain producing one line of smartphones while working on a brand new line, so it has determined to tug its sources together and begin on some other cellphone (past the LG Optimus G and Nexus 4). What this says to the consumer is the following: “at the same time as LG and Google produced a nice smartphone collectively, nothing subjects extra than our own phone line and organization called. If left to pick out among our phones and a partnership telephone, the accomplice cellphone task may be the first to move.” This does now not bode well for a company that, until the Optimus G and Nexus four, become now not known for its telephone collections.
With Google’s circulate to create a 100% Google smartphone, Samsung’s flow to have its own autonomous Tizen OS, and LG’s withdrawal from its Google undertaking to pursue its personal line, we’ve got the start of what is called “the fragmentation of Android.” This curious assertion refers back to the breakdown of what turned into once a unified OS, a set of smartphone and software manufacturers who, once unified, decided to head their personal separate ways and create their personal Android flavors that stick out from the relaxation. The fragmentation of Android refers back to the breakdown of a unified OS into individual agencies and their tech achievements. In other words, corporations that once stated, “it is about we” (more than one producer) will now say, “It’s about me” (our one corporation)!
Android has ended up a hit via no longer only its team spirit, however also its diversity. The variety of the Android atmosphere, running together with the settlement of its hardware manufacturers, has kept the running system together – even via the times while it struggled to compete with Apple’s iOS. There is harmony in variety and variety in team spirit, and those principles have made Android what it’s far these days. Unfortunately, Android producers are beginning to believe that there may be no variety in solidarity (handiest in the department); this mindset will allow Apple to divide and overcome in its method to stay on pinnacle inside the telephone global. This mindset, sadly, will prove unfavorable for Android as a whole.
Apple has made its fulfillment show up with a dictatorial, exclusive method. The employer produces its personal OS and maintains stern control over its providers and plans. It does the whole lot for itself and, most effectively, does what it wants to do. Samsung has already proven in 2012 when it beat Apple inside the closing zone ($8.Three billion vs. Apple’s $eight.2 billion) that working with Google has been a successful project, in preference to going on the tech industry by myself. Now that Samsung has validated that “there may be no ‘I’ in ‘team,'” Android manufacturers should do what they could to hold to push their economic profits above that of Apple. These 12 months, but Android manufacturers are beginning to think that they could accomplish more independently than they could in collaboration with others. This is a risky mindset with a purpose to handiest depart a course of destruction behind. The truth is within the sales: If customers are pressured to choose among companies instead of operating systems, Google and Samsung will rack up income while corporations including HTC, LG, and different lesser-recognized names will lose in the cellphone warfare.