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In response to the coronavirus, companies across the country are pursuing coronavirus relief efforts to help people and businesses most impacted by pandemic. Tech companies are donating millions to help small businesses, healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, companies outside the healthcare sector are producing hand sanitizer, masks and other products to curb the spread of the virus. Many are also establishing programs to help those who can’t come to work. In addition to benefitting from companies who are doing their part to help people stay safe and financially afloat, Americans can also work with a financial advisor to protect their investments during this time of uncertainty.
Amazon launched a $5 million Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund. It will support cash grants for Seattle-area small businesses with fewer than 50 employees or less than $7 million in annual revenue. The fund is aimed at businesses that heavily rely on foot traffic.
The e-commerce giant also plans to hire more than 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers to cope with a spike in demand. Amazon is also raising pay for these workers based in the U.S. by $2 per hour.
Google has pledged an $800 million coronavirus relief package to help small-to-medium sized businesses, health organizations, governments and healthcare workers affected by the coronavirus. Part of this package includes $340 million in Google Ad credits for small businesses with Google accounts. It also includes $240 million in ad grants meant to help the World Health Organization (WHO) and more than 100 government agencies “spread critical information about COVID-19.”
The company is also setting aside $20 million in Google Cloud credits for researchers and academic entities working on potential vaccines, therapies and other efforts against the coronavirus.
Facebook is also rolling out a coronavirus relief package for businesses. The social media giant intends to send $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to more than 30,000 small businesses based in the countries where its employees work and live. The company announced that it wants the cash to help businesses stay afloat and continue paying employees who can’t go to work.
Facebook plans to release applications for this relief package in the coming weeks. But users can sign up to receive more information as it’s made available.
In addition, Facebook announced it’s committing $100 million to help local news outlets cover the coronavirus pandemic. That includes a $25 million emergency grant for the Facebook Journalism Project and $75 million set aside to support the marketing efforts of these news organizations.
Facebook is also giving $1,000 bonuses to each of its employees.
GoFundMe is collaborating with Yelp and Intuit QuickBooks, the makers of TurboTax, to run the Small Business Relief Fund. Through this initiative, qualifying businesses that have raised at least $500 through GoFundMe will receive a matching $500 grant. GoFundMe has posted a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page designed to help businesses determine if they qualify.
“Social distancing and government-mandated shutdowns are disproportionately affecting businesses that need foot traffic to survive,” GoFundMe said in a statement. “Whether it’s the local bakery, pizzeria or nail salon – they need us.” As of this writing, the fund has raised more than $1.6 million. Its goal is to raise $1,700,000. Anyone can donate to this fund, which the company will use to support qualifying small businesses.
With the help of other businesses and government entities, Microsoft helped launch the COVID-19 Response Fund (CRF). Administered by the Seattle Foundation, this fund is designed to provide financial assistance to Puget Sound locals most affected by the coronavirus including individuals without health insurance, people who can’t take paid sick leave and healthcare workers. Microsoft donated an initial $1 million to the fund. But as of this writing, the CRF has generated more than $15 million. The Seattle Foundation will use this money to administer one-time grants for local public health organizations and nonprofits working directly with affected communities.
And to support its own employees, Microsoft announced it will continue paying hourly workers supporting its campus. The company will also keep paying vendors their normal pay even during times of reduced service needs.
Apple is donating millions of masks to healthcare workers across the U.S. and Europe. It’s also extending unlimited coronavirus paid sick leave to any retail staff member experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus.
Salesforce has created a $1.5 million dollar coronavirus fund for affected citizens in San Francisco.
UberEats has temporarily waived fees for its independent restaurant partners. And to give local businesses some fuel, the company is eliminating delivery fees on food from more than 100,000 independent restaurants.
CASETify, a company that produces phone cases and other accessories, is giving 100% of the proceeds on its new UV tech sanitizer to the Coronavirus Relief Fund. This is a registered non-profit sending supplies, food and other necessities to communities impacted by the virus.
Walmart has rolled out an emergency paid leave program. It will support workers suffering from the coronavirus and those under mandated quarantine with two-weeks pay. If they still can’t come to work after those two weeks, they may extend pay up to 26 weeks. This policy applies to part-time and full-time associates.
The grocery delivery company Instacart plans to hire 300,000 “shoppers.” The company is also providing paid sick leave benefits to workers suffering from the coronavirus and those in mandated self-quarantine. And as the delivery industry takes on added pressure, the company announced customer ratings won’t affect contractors’ access to future order requests.
Airbnb has pledged $25 million to support hosts impacted by cancellations in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The company is extending its extenuating circumstances policy to cover some reservations booked on or before March 14 with a check-in between March 14 and May 31. In a press release, Airbnb announced it would allow the following for covered reservations:
- Guests will be able to cancel for a full refund for COVID-19-related circumstances
- Airbnb will pay 25% of what you would’ve received for a cancellation based on your cancellation policy. For example, if you would normally receive $400 USD through your cancellation policy, the company will pay you 25% of that—or $100 USD.
- Future payments from the fund will be made on a monthly basis to hosts with qualifying cancellations.
- This policy will also apply retroactively, including any cancellations Airbnb hosts may have had since March 14.
As the coronavirus spread, the hotel industry became one of the hardest hit sectors. Nonetheless, Hilton is waiving cancellation fees for customers in countries where the coronavirus is present.
Delta’s CEO announced he is forgoing the rest of his 2020 salary in order to reduce the company’s layoffs.
College students who have been forced out of their dorms can request up to 30-days of free self storage space from U-Haul.
Food and Beverage
Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser, is redirecting its sports and entertainment sponsorship investments to non-profit organizations assisting those affected directly by the coronavirus. And in addition to a $5 million donation to the American Red Cross, the company is also working with its sports partners to turn arenas and stadiums into temporary blood drive centers. Anheuser-Busch is also donating media air time to the American Red Cross.
Moreover, the company announced that it’s using its supply and logistics networks to produce hand sanitizer. According to a company press release, the disinfectants will be transported to Red Cross blood donation centers to support emergency shelters.
Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs is foregoing the rest of this year’s $900,000 base salary in 2020 to give one-time $1,000 checks to general managers of companies it owns, including KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Part of that salary will also support the Yum Brands Foundation Global Employee Medical Relief Fund, which would provide grants to employees directly affected by the coronavirus.
Domino’s Pizza expects to hire about 10,000 workers nationwide in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The company is seeking drivers, cooks, customer service representatives, managers and licensed truck drivers.
The content streaming giant Netflix is setting up a $100 million relief fund to support cast and crew members of productions that have been put on pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the company stated it will provide $15 million to “third parties and non-profits providing emergency relief to out-of-work cast and crew personnel in the countries where it has a large production base.
The United Auto Workers (UAW), General Motors Co., Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have joined forces to create the COVID-19/Coronavirus Task Force. The group plans to share its resources in order to protect manufacturing and warehouse employees in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Financial and Insurance Services
The insurance company Allstate announced that it will allow some homeowner and auto policyholders to delay two consecutive premium payments with no penalties.
To help customers and businesses financially affected by the coronavirus, several banks are rolling out relief programs and donating to organizations assisting the most at-risk people in their communities. Below, we list some initiatives. Some banks have also established relief programs aimed at businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The best way to see if your bank has any relief program in place is to contact a customer service representative.
- Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan donated $100 million to support nonprofits
- JP Morgan Chase bank CEO Jamie Dimon donated $50 million to “address immediate public health needs as well as long-term economic challenges.”
- Citizens Bank donated $5 million to support small businesses and communities impacted by the coronavirus.
- Truist Financial Corp plans to commit $25 million to bring aid and supplies to communities that have been affected by the coronavirus. Through its Truist Charitable Fund, the bank is donating $1 million to the CDC Foundation and John Hopkins University. It’s also delivering $3 million to United Way organizations through its Truist Foundation.
More About Coronavirus Relief Programs
- You may soon receive a coronavirus stimulus check. You can use our calculator to see how much you can expect. Use it for necessities or put it in a savings account.
- The best thing you can do to shield your investments and savings during troubling economic times is to work with a qualified financial advisor. Our advisor matching tool recommends up to three local advisors based on your needs. Vetted by SmartAsset, all of these advisors are fiduciaries. So they’re legally bound to provide advice solely in your best interests.
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/freemixer, ©iStock.com/FG Trade, ©iStock.com/mixetto


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General Motors to cut jobs in international HQ in Singapore
THE ECONOMIC TIMESMay 25, 2017, 03.17 PM
GM International - which oversees markets such as India, Southeast Asia, and South Korea, among others will reduce its staff to about 50 from 180 by the year end, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
About 90 employees will leave the company by the end of June and 40 by the end of 2017.
Last week, the Detroit-based automaker said it would take a $500 million charge in the second quarter to restructure operations in India, Africa and Singapore.
The company plans to stop selling Chevrolet brand vehicles in India by the end of the year and will produce vehicles only for export.
Since Mary Barra took over as GM's chief executive in 2014, the company has doubled down on a bet that it can win by being less global but more profitable in an
The automaker has taken aggressive steps to narrow its focus on China, the highly-profitable North American light truck and sport utility market, Latin America, vehicle financing and transportation services. In March, the one-time largest automaker in the world also reached a deal with France's PSA Group to sell its European operations.

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It was unclear whether the sales broke any trade rules, but the China Iron and Steel Association said in a statement it was monitoring them.
Indian Steel Production
The country had produced 9.059 MT of crude steel during the same month a year ago, the global steel industry body said in its latest report.
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The automotive industry is the fastest to recover, though the Indian economy is yet to come out of the woods. November has been a steady month, but brought negativity back to the market, dotting double-digit dip. As we enter December 2020, the industry remains on edge about the surprises in store for 2021. It could open a new can of disruptions for ‘Auto’, India’s most organised sector.
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- 39m Volkswagen set to miss EU emissions targets: CEO
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- 2h German industrial orders beat pre-pandemic level in October
- 2h France plans to push investment ties between its Indian Ocean territory and South India
- 2h Specific measures by RBI to ease pressure on exporters: EEPC India chairman
- 2h GST compensation: All states take Rs 1.1 lakh crore option, Jharkhand last state to join
- 3h Kolkata Police to reimpose "No Helmet no petrol" rule from Dec 8
- 4h India’s industrial production up by 2.8% in October: Morgan Stanley
- 4h India considers changing new farm laws after mass protests
- 5h Farm reforms not done in a jiffy: Nirmala Sitharaman


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Feedspot, which replaced Google’s RSS live feed for blog updates last year, has just published a new report on the Top 100 Wine Blogs.
A friend nudged me about it on Twitter, as it’s not something you can enter.
According to the editors of Feedspot:
In the world of wine, these are the best of the best wine blogs who run their craft and work hardest to improve the entire wine industry.
They are the most influential to both the trade and consumers.
Their voices influence thousands of other wine personalities and tens of thousands of wine professionals.
These wine blogs are ranked based on following criteria:
- Google reputation and Google search ranking.
- Influence and popularity on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.
- Quality and consistency of posts.
The U.S. site, Wine Folly, which produces amazingly great infographics that have been compiled into a New York Times bestseller was deservedly #1.
The much-respected Wine Spectator ranked #3. There were also several well-known sites from the U.K. and Europe in the top ten.
Our team is thrilled to rank #7!
We’ll drink to that … but then again, we’ll drink to anything ;)


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By Stephen Singer
Source: Hartford Courant
Stop & Shop workers, battered by COVID-19 and eager to avoid a second strike in three years, have ratified a four-year contract that delivers a $15 minimum hourly wage a year before Connecticut’s higher wage takes effect and boosts pay significantly for workers who fill online orders for curbside pick-up.
The agreement, approved Sunday and covering 30,000 members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island will increase wages by at least $4 an hour for all employees with at least six months on the job. Part-time workers will be paid a starting rate of $15 an hour and $17.30 as a starting rate for full-time employees, according to the union.
Connecticut’s minimum wage rises to $15 an hour on June 1, 2023.


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Corporate iOS Devices Targeted
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 @ 10:04 AM gHale
There is a new method to bypass iOS security protections in order to install malware on a device, researchers said.
This new attack, called SideStepper, targets iOS devices used in enterprise environments, usually enrolled in MDM (Mobile Device Management) setups, said researchers at Check Point.
MDM solutions usually end up installed in large companies that provide iOS devices to their workers, but also need custom apps to interface with their private data servers. Such apps can’t be hosted on Apple’s App Store, so Apple issues special enterprise certificates which the company then uses to sign these apps.
The employee then uses a process called app side-loading, which Apple allows, to install iOS apps from non-App Store sources.
In the past, malware authors have stolen enterprise certificates and used them to sign malicious apps which users would then side-load, fooled by advertising or the promise of features not found on the official App Store.
With the release of iOS 9, Apple has made the process of side-loading apps much harder, requiring much more user interaction.
Check Point researchers said they have discovered iOS users enrolled in an MDM setup can end up victimized by attackers to install additional apps, along their current enterprise-approved applications.
Researchers found they could send a malicious configuration profile (via SMS, IM, or email) to an iOS device already running MDM-approved apps that benefit from an Apple-approved enterprise certificate.
This malicious configuration profile piggybacks on the legitimate enterprise certificate to install malicious apps via a trivial MitM (Man-in-the-Middle) attack.
This method allows an attacker to deliver the malicious app to the device without being hindered by Apple’s security measures. The impact of this vulnerability depends on the type of malicious app the attacker wants to push to the device.
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For those who may not know, Google Maps has an offline feature. It's not all that useful (it doesn't allow saved locations to be searched nor does it provide directions/navigation - it's essentially a paper map on a small screen), but it's still a thing that may be useful to someone at some point. Assuming you think ahead and actually save a map of the location in which you may need for it to be offline, of course.
Just minutes ago we posted about the discovery of an Android 4.4.3 changelog in AOSP and we've already found some interesting information. Among the individual project repositories, there are a few dedicated to Google-supported devices, mostly those in the Nexus family. In particular, we came across new references to an HTC device codenamed "Flounder," and another device belonging to Google with the name "Molly." This is the first time that these names have appeared in AOSP.
A Google Search update is usually an occasion to celebrate – not only do we get new Google Now cards, but the Google Now Launcher can also be augmented with new features and tweaks. But all was not well when Google Search 3.4 rolled out. Users of the popular Xposed GEL Settings Module (XGELS) found that it no longer worked. The developer was pessimistic at first, but now it's back.
Google has begun rolling out an update to the Play Services package we all know and love. Details about version 4.4 have already been posted to the Android Developers blog, and it features updates and new features to the APIs for Maps, Mobile Ads, Activity Recognition, plus a few minor fixes for Games Services and Wallet. Aside from general bug fixes, it looks like this update is mostly about giving new tools to developers.
Time to check your email – Google is sending out some deals to an unknown number of users. If you get the magic email, Google will let you buy up to five new-ish albums for $1.99 each. This is attached to specific accounts, so there's no way to get access to the deal unless you are selected by the all-powerful Google computer.
Sprint got on the Google Voice train early – about when Google got bored and started ignoring the product. At any rate, things have been fine for users on Sprint, who get tight integration with Google Voice on their Sprint number. Well, except this last weekend. There's a pretty big thread going over at the Google Product Forums of Sprint users reporting strange behavior with GV.
Google is sneaking one more update in this week, and it's an odd one. After pushing out the new Docs and Sheets apps, Google is now updating the main Drive app and actually removing some functionality. You will now be prompted to install Docs or Sheets if you want to edit, but it's not as bad as it sounds at first.
Did your last phone cost too much? Do you hate, hate the fact that Google Search is included in Google's Android operating system? Does the sight of a pre-loaded Gmail app fill you with scorn? Then call the offices of Hagens Berman, a consumer rights class-action law firm. They want to sue the pants off of Google, Because it's easier to get the money out of someone's wallet that way.
Attorney Steve Berman of Hagens Berman.


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Tablet Tipping Point Means The End Of Microsoft (As We Know It)
2011 could see the demise of the Wintel hegemony as Microsoft and Intel are deemed absent from the slate revolution.
A few weeks back I wrote a column headlined "Microsoft Looking Like An End-Stage Company," in which I made the audacious suggestion that Microsoft as we know it may not exist in five years. I said Redmond's failure to perceive the grave threat to its core franchises posed by new computing form factors like tablets and smartphones could result in a vastly downsized company struggling for relevance in tech's most important markets.
Responses included a good number of hoots and guffaws from readers inside and outside the industry who said I was nuts to believe a company with $62 billion in revenue and a 90% share of the PC operating system market could be faced with an existential crisis in just the next half decade. One wag suggested my thinking was "madness."
He was right. In light of new information, it seems I was off the mark. So let me correct myself with the following: Microsoft as we know it might not exist in two years.
I'm revising my thesis based on research published Sunday by Goldman Sachs that is, in a word, stunning. Goldman's analysts dropped a pair of notes in which they predict the PC industry will grow next year not by the mid-teens number most in the industry expect, but by just 8%.
At the same time, Goldman thinks tablet shipments will increase by more than 500%! And the real game changer, according to the investment bank's world-class equity research team, is that all those tablet shipments will cannibalize PC sales at a rate of 35% in the next year alone. In other words, one in three PC sales will be lost to tablets in 2011, if Goldman Sachs is right.
Unless something changes real soon, almost none of those tablets will be running Windows software. "A tablet response is still not forthcoming," Goldman's Sarah Friar said of Microsoft, in her note.
How much revenue is at risk? If tablets knock down Windows sales by a third, that adds up to about a $5.5 billion haircut to Microsoft's top line. But it's more complicated than that.
With so much platform competition, Microsoft will be forced to lower the licensing fees it charges to OEMs. "With a multitude of operating environments popping up on tablets, Microsoft may not be able to capture a dominant share in this segment of the market. For PC vendors, this may mean that they finally have a powerful negotiating tool for OS pricing," says Goldman Sachs hardware analyst Bill Shope, in his note.
Google in the Enterprise SurveyThere's no doubt Google has made headway into businesses: Just 28 percent discourage or ban use of its productivity products, and 69 percent cite Google Apps' good or excellent mobility. But progress could still stall: 59 percent of nonusers distrust the security of Google's cloud. Its data privacy is an open question, and 37 percent worry about integration.
Join us for a roundup of the top stories on InformationWeek.com for the week of April 24, 2016. We'll be talking with the InformationWeek.com editors and correspondents who brought you the top stories of the week!


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Adobe has a admitted that Flash won't be ready for the first wave of Android tablets running Honeycomb, but hasn't said exactly when it will be ready, explained the reason for the delay, or apologised to expectant tablet punters for keeping them waiting.
In a blog post the company's Matt Rozen simply explains that Adobe will offer Flash player 10.2 pre-installed on some tablets and as an Over The Air (OTA) download on others "within a few weeks of Honeycomb devices becoming available".
The first such device is the Motorola Xoom which is expected to hit any day now but will disappoint many potential purchases as its much-trumpeted ability to offer 'the full web experience with built-in Flash' will be conspicuous by its absence.
And with the flood of iPad wannabes expected to continue apace over the next few weeks and months, there's no telling how many of them will ship without the seemingly essential Flash Player. It also remains to be seen how 'finished' the first release will be, given that the Windows and Mac versions of the grown-up software have been around forever and still have a well-founded reputation for being crashtastic.
Apple's well-publicised ban on the Flash Player on its own portable devices was partly down to Adobe's inability to meet launch deadlines for Apple devices, and it looks like this latests announcement is yet another vindication of Steve Jobs' unpopular yet practical decision to look to HTML 5 as the future of Internet video.
The blog post runs out of steam after the first paragraph and waffles on about how great Flash is and how many mobile phones can run it, and how it got 4.5 stars on the Android Market place, but it's all just window dressing in our book.
It does, however, let slip that at least 50 Android-based tablet devices will ship in 2011. Let's hope at least some of them have a properly finished, stable version of the Flash Player.


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eWeek: HPE Exec: How to Disrupt the Business of Hacking
May 23, 2016 • Blog Post
A Hewlett Packard Enterprise executive details how hacking now has an organized business model and suggests steps to make it less profitable for hackers.
Andrzej Kawalec, CTO for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Security Services, has seen a significant shift in recent years in how hackers operate. While hacking was at one time just a disorganized, ad hoc activity, it has become a business and is structured that way.
In a new report, HPE details how the business of hacking and modern cyber-crime operate.
"Today, we're not just facing talented individuals or groups of hackers; we're facing a globally integrated, industrial-scale and highly profitable adversary,"Kawalec told eWEEK.


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After two years in operation, SMSwarriors unveiled a slightly modified, bolder logo, keeping the same style and corporate colors.
“After months of brainstorming, we came up with a sleek, simple, yet powerful logo that symbolises the brand,” CEO Jonathan Caruana said. ”We worked closely with all stakeholders to guarantee a sense of continuity from 2014 and pave the way for a bolder identity moving forward. This was the first time the brand has made major changes to mark its identity since its set up in 2014. This update in design reflects the strength of our product and our core value – simplicity.”


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This research is the first of its kind to investigate the exercise benefits of consuming olive fruit water.
According to recent findings, a natural by-product of olive oil production can provide antioxidant benefits and enhance physical exercise.
The study published in the journal Nutrients Led by nutritionists at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), is the first to study the benefits of natural olive fruit water for individuals engaged in recreational physical activity.
Olive fruit water is a waste product derived from olive oil production. Olives contain polyphenols that have antioxidant properties, and a commercially available olive fruit water product, called OliPhenolia, contains a number of phenolic compounds and is particularly rich in hydroxytyrosol.
The first study on its potential benefits for people who exercise involved 29 recreationally active participants who took either OliPhenolia or a placebo, matched in taste and appearance, over 16 consecutive days, and found positive effects on several key markers of running performance.
OliPhenolia consumption improved respiratory parameters at the start of exercise as well as oxygen consumption and economy running at lower levels of intensity (lactate threshold 1).
Respiratory parameters were not affected at a higher intensity (lactate threshold 2) to a greater extent, but perceived exertion—how hard participants thought their bodies thought their bodies were working—was improved, as was acute recovery after additional exercise.
Lead author Dr Justin Roberts, Associate Professor of Health and Nutrition at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) said: “I have long been interested in the benefits of exercise polyphenols, such as those derived from cherries and beets. To get similar benefits from olives, you need to consume large amounts daily. , which isn’t realistic, so we made sure to test concentrated olive fruit water.
“Like olive oil, it contains hydroxytyrosol, but this olive fruit water is a sustainable by-product. It’s usually discarded during olive oil production, and we found a company in Italy — Fattoria La Vialla, a biodynamic farm in Tuscany — that decided to convert this wastewater into Dietary supplement.
Our study is the first to look at the use of this olive fruit water in an exercise setting and we found that 16 days of supplementation can have a positive effect on aerobic exercise, most notably at submaximal levels.
“We found that the lower oxygen cost and improved economy of running, combined with improvements in acute recovery, suggest that it is likely to benefit those who do regular aerobic exercise.
“We now intend to conduct further research at Anglia Ruskin University to confirm these findings. We are also looking forward to investigating whether this product can be used in marathon training and recovery, as well as testing its effectiveness in suppressing exercise-related inflammation.”
Reference: “Effect of a hydroxytyrosol-rich plant compound derived from olives on aerobic exercise and acute recovery” by Justin D. Roberts and Joseph B. Zakka and Ashley JB Wilmott Nutrients.
The research was funded by Fattoria La Vialla, Arezzo, Italy. The funders had no role in the design of this peer-reviewed study; in collecting, analyzing or interpreting data; in writing the manuscript. or in the decision to publish the results.


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Many investors are worried about the stock market.
One look at a long-term chart and it’s easy to see why many people think this bull market is getting a little long in the tooth. Sure, we’ve had corrections over the last decade, but none of these really amounted to anything. Stocks sold off and then almost immediately rebounded.
Certain economic indicators are flashing red, too. The yield curve recently inverted, a metric that has traditionally been a pretty accurate recession indicator.
Manufacturing numbers out of the United States also continue to be weak. Central banks around the world are taking various steps to kick-start the economy, which aren’t actions you take when things are rolling along nicely.
Besides, markets are up against new highs, including the TSX Composite Index, which recently surpassed 17,000 points for the first time.
If you’re worried about a recession, take a little while today to position your portfolio accordingly. You’ll be prepared for the worst and sleep better at night in the meantime. Let’s take a closer look at three stocks you can buy to de-risk your personal holdings.
Rogers Communications (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) is a great choice leading into a possible recession because of its steady business model, low valuation, and solid dividend yield.
The company is Canada’s largest wireless provider, a communications segment that has evolved from a luxury to a necessity: I know I can’t imagine life without a smartphone.
The company’s other divisions — which include wireline services like TV, phone, and internet, and its media assets — should continue to post steady profits no matter what the underlying economic conditions.
Thanks to a recent sell-off, Rogers shares are the best value they’ve been in years. The stock trades at a mere 13 times forward earnings expectations, which is quite inexpensive compared to its peers. It’s also the cheapest forward valuation I’ve seen from a stock in the sector for years.
Rogers pays a 3.2% dividend, a payout with good dividend growth potential behind it.
Northview Apartment REIT
Even if the economy tanks, people will still need a place to live. In fact, demand for rental real estate might actually increase as nervous consumers delay purchasing property.
This would be a nice boost for Northview Apartment REIT (TSX:NVU.UN), which has quietly grown to become one of Canada’s residential landlords. It owns some 30,000 units from coast to coast, with large pockets of its portfolio focused on Northern Canada and the Southern Ontario markets.
The company has several growth avenues going forward. It continues to make strategic bolt-on acquisitions. It has an active development program and an expanding commercial portfolio that recently surpassed a million square feet of gross leasable area.
Despite slowly growing the company over the last few years, Northview’s debt-to-assets ratio has crept down. That bodes well for further expansion.
The stock also protects investors in two important ways. First, its valuation continues to be less than its peers. And second, Northview pays a nice dividend of 5.4%. That’s an excellent yield compared to other residential REITs.
Grocery stocks are a popular choice for bearish investors. After all, people still have to eat during recessions.
Empire Company (TSX:EMP.A), the parent of grocery brands like Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Freshco, and, most recently, Farm Boy, is Canada’s second-largest grocer with some 1,500 locations across Canada. It also has significant real estate investments both in retail and residential property.
The company has been transforming itself after it over-extended buying Safeway back in 2014. Costs have been cut, operations have been streamlined, and non-performing stores have been closed. The balance sheet is in much better shape, too.
Operations have really turned the corner. The Safeway acquisition left Empire with a lot of assets in oil-rich areas of Canada, right when these regions begun to struggle.
Numbers have been a lot better lately, including same-store sales increasing 2.4% and quarterly earnings jumping nearly 40%.
Finally, like any good recession-resistant stock, Empire pays a steady dividend. The current yield is 1.4% and the payout has been hiked each year since the 1990s.
Motley Fool Canada's market-beating team has just released a brand-new FREE report revealing 5 "dirt cheap" stocks that you can buy today for under $49 a share.
Our team thinks these 5 stocks are critically undervalued, but more importantly, could potentially make Canadian investors who act quickly a fortune.
Don't miss out! Simply click the link below to grab your free copy and discover all 5 of these stocks now.
Fool contributor Nelson Smith owns shares of Northview Apartment REIT. Rogers Communications is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.


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It was a sad week for children of all ages, as global toy retailer Toys’R’Us went out of business, closing all its stores in the US, UK and elsewhere.
The chain has been in trouble for some time, having struggled to compete against online retailers and big general stores like Walmart. The company filed for bankruptcy in September 2017, with debts of over USD 5 billion, but still hoped to find a buyer who would keep it trading. After a disastrous Christmas, many of the stores were shuttered in January, and are now to be closed or sold. It’s one of the biggest liquidations in economic history, with 885 stores closing, and 33,000 people likely to lose their jobs.
It’s not all gloomy news though. Toys’R’Us Asia, along with operations in Canada and Central Europe, were described by the company as “strong, viable businesses”, and it remains possible that the 15 stores in Beijing, including outlets in Chaoyang Joy City and Wangfujing, may yet stay open.


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Emil was a reporter for The Next Web between 2012 and 2014. Over the years, he has covered the tech industry for multiple publications, incl Emil was a reporter for The Next Web between 2012 and 2014. Over the years, he has covered the tech industry for multiple publications, including Ars Technica, Neowin, TechSpot, ZDNet, and CNET. Stay in touch via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Yahoo on Thursday announced some good news coming from its legal department. The Superior Court of Justice for the Federal District in Mexico granted the company’s appeal and reversed the ruling of the 49th Civil Court of Mexico, which had ordered Yahoo and Yahoo Mexico to pay $2.75 billion.
The court agreed to overturn all monetary awards against Yahoo and reduced the monetary award against Yahoo Mexico to $172,500. In the original judgment, Yahoo Mexico was awarded $2.6 million.
The non-final judgement was made in favor of Worldwide Directories, a holding company of Ideas Interactivas, against Yahoo in Mexico with regards to yellow pages listings. Ideas Interactivas is the publisher of Yahoo! Páginas Útiles, a printed and online phone book for Mexico with business listings, similar to the yellow pages.
It’s still unclear what went wrong between the two companies, but we do know one thing: it’s been over nine years since the original deal was struck. It’s therefore certainly possible a breach of contract occurred as a lot can change in a decade.
Nevertheless, the amount that a company must pay over such an issue is clearly in dispute. Yahoo may be a big firm, but it didn’t’ even make $2 billion last quarter.
In November 2012, Yahoo was ordered to pay the $2.75 billion sum in a contract dispute by the 49th Civil Court of Mexico City. At the time, Yahoo issued the following statement about the ruling: “Yahoo! believes the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit and will vigorously pursue all appeals. The plaintiffs alleged claims of breach of contract, breach of promise, and lost profits arising from contracts related to a yellow pages listings service.”
On December 12, 2012, Yahoo Mexico appealed the judgment and the next day Yahoo did the same. While Yahoo has won this round, this lawsuit is far from over. The plaintiffs can still appeal the decision, drawing out the battle for even longer into the year.
Top Image Credit: Yahoo! Blog
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Verragio has just launched a sweepstakes that will sweep lovebirds off their feet. For the next 10 weeks, the manufacturer of engagement rings and wedding bands will award their top 10 selling 18K gold and diamond engagement rings to 10 lucky couples.
If you’re dreaming of taking that first step toward “I do,” to enter the contest you will need to:
- Become a fan on Verragio’s Facebook page.
- Visit the jeweler’s official website.
- Look at the collections of engagement rings on display, clicking on “+ Enlarge View” on each ring photo to see if the ring is among the 10 that will be given away during the sweepstakes.
- Save the image of your ring of choice on your hard-drive.
- Post your ring of choice on Verragio’s Fan Page on Facebook.
- Write a brief description explaining why you believe that you should win the ring.
- Share your post with others and encourage them to “Like” it. Each week’s winner will be determined by the number of votes the entrant receives.The sweepstakes will continue through December 20, 2010. The winner of the first eligible engagement ring will be announced on Verragio’s Facebook page on October 18, 2010 at 1 pm Eastern, with the recipients of subsequent sparklers announced at the conclusion of each week.
For more information:
Photo courtesy Verragio


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Nov. 17, 2022 /SemiMedia/ -- According to reports, Apple will start purchasing chips from a chip fab under construction in Arizona, USA, in order to reduce its dependence on Asian supply chains.
Apple CEO Cook mentioned at the company's internal meeting recently that the company has decided to purchase chips from a chip fab under construction in Arizona, USA, which will be opened in 2024.
The report pointed out that the chip fab mentioned by Cook is likely to be the fab built by TSMC in Arizona. The fab started construction in June 2021 and is scheduled to be put into use in 2024.
Recently, TSMC also revealed that the building of its second chip factory in Arizona is under construction.
The report further states that Apple may also expand the supply of chips to its European factories.


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Thursday, April 1, 2010
"Offshore drilling" poll
Is US offshore drilling a good idea?
The consumption of oil/gas will not decrease anytime soon. It's more than just gasoline. There are thousands of consumer products made from oil. And in an unstable economy it will take a long time to reduce those gasoline inefficient vehicles. Furthermore, in the past decade many new and safer improvements have been made in extracting the black gold from the sea. The environmental issue is not that important.


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Future of Worthing's Debenhams uncertain as retail giant announces store closures
Reports of a major department store chain closing dozens of stores has raised doubts around the future of one of Worthing's flagship retailers.
This morning (October 25) the BBC reported Debenhams had posted ‘record annual losses’ and said it would close up to 50 stores, putting 4,000 jobs at risk.
In the report, Debenhams’ chief executive Sergio Bucher is quoted as saying the stores earmarked for closure were ‘currently contributing positively’, but current trends suggested they would not remain profitable and would be closed down ‘over the next three to five years’.
See more on the closures here: Debenhams announces 50 store closures and puts 4,000 jobs at risk
The future of Worthing’s South Street Debenhams has not been revealed, but town centre manager Sharon Clarke is keen for the retail giant to remain in the town.
“They are not announcing anything at the moment,” she said.
“Any retailer is important, as it gives people a reason to come to town. A department store is somewhere where you can buy anything and it is important that Worthing has a good retail offering.
“Debenhams is very good at offering discounts and bringing people in. We are very hopeful that Debenhams will stay open.”
Mrs Clarke said Sergio Bucher had visited the Worthing store recently and told town centre management that he was happy with how it was performing.


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Ultra-thin tablets available for the coming holiday season promise to boost PC-level performance, thanks to the deployment of Intel’s new Core M processors in a number of models.
Along with several new desktops designed for space-efficient business use, Dell has unveiled a new desktop monitor with super-high 5120x2880 resolution, seven times that of ordinary HD.
E-book readers are great for reading books, but they can't be used get directions or watch videos of people dumping ice over their heads. Tablets can. Here's a look at reading-centric tablets.
HP is recalling about 5.6 million notebook computer AC power cords in the U.S. and another 446,700 in Canada because of possible overheating, which can pose a fire and burn hazard.
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20 Jun Final countdown to this year’s County Big Day Out
See below for picture opportunities on eve of show, Tuesday 21st June 2011. Photo archive available on Flickr for download: click here
As the final preparation is made for the spectacular annual event that is the Lincolnshire County Show, a complete town has emerged on the 200 acre showground site at Grange de Lings.
Signposts and road names are in place and 10,000 square metres of marquees have been erected. Some 20 miles of electrical cable has been laid, 800 tables and 3,000 chairs have been set out. And there are car parks for 12,000 cars, and 45,000 copies of an 88 page programme.
There are 11 rings, 1800 horses and ponies entries, over 1300 cattle, pigs, sheep and goats in the livestock entries, and there are over 600 trade stands selling everything from frying pans to fashion.
More than 100 stewards are involved, one for every aspect of the show, each in their distinctive bowler hats.
Said Mark Farmer, chief executive of Lincolnshire Agricultural Society : “Everything is going very well and we’re hoping to beat last year’s record for overall visitors. We’ve received record bookings from traders to attend and the livestock and equine entries are also excellent.”
This year’s event features an even wider array of events for the whole family, including a concert on the Wednesday that will entertain visitors through into the evening.
“As the flagship event at the Showground, this year’s Show is set to be a fantastic day out for the whole family,” added Mark Farmer.
Visitors can follow the set up through the Showground’s live Twitter stream at @lincsshow or through the Show’s Facebook page.
Picture opportunities Tuesday 21st June 2011: Eve of Show
Mark Farmer, chief executive will be on site and available for interview, but a slot would need to be pre-arranged.
Mambo the mammoth – constructed entirely of straw bales. Originally created for a Weetabix competition. Mambo on Facebook
Cross country fences go in place around 2.30 – 3.00pm – forklifts in the main ring putting huge fences into place.
Cattle coming into the showground, being washed down and going into the stock lines. Throughout the day.
Food court – set up of stall and producers throughout the day. E.g. Redhill Farm, prize winners at Lincs Show last year and also recent winners of Countryside Alliance Local Food Award for East of England 2010 and Tastes of Lincolnshire BIG Sausage Festival 2010 for Lincolnshire’s Favourite Sausage.
Flower show / floral decorations – day-long activity to create huge floral displays.
Tennyson Pavilion – latest new building on site, which will be opened for the first time at the Show and being used for corporate hospitality guests at the Show.


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BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
BUSINESS advisory firm, Morgan&Co this week queried the price tag placed on South Africa-based Cape Grace Hotel after Meikles unveiled plans to dispose of its stake in a company that controls the asset.
The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange- listed Meikles recently said it could sell its 35% shareholding in Mentor Africa, which owns Cape Grace.
Mentor Africa is a diversified business with tentacles in the tourism, hospitality and energy sectors.
Morgan&Co said Cape Grace was valued at around US$17,8 million in 2013.
It said its current price of US$4,5 million could be a big undervaluation.
“In its latest annual report, Meikles valued the Mentor Africa stake at a paltry US$4,5 million which represented an 87% loss on the investment and left many investors’ questions unanswered,” it Morgan&Co said.
“We note that the depreciation of the rand was also key in the loss of value but given that the depreciation effect of the rand to the United States dollar between 2012 and 2021 was only -46,3%, the remaining sources of value erosion are yet to be ascertained,” it added.
“We note that, had the business not consummated the transaction and remained with full ownership of Cape Grace, the investment would be worth more than US$15 million today,” Morgan&Co added.
It said with its agriculture and hotel businesses out of the way, Meikles had evolved into a fast-moving consumer goods retailer with the TM Pick n Pay chain stores that it owns in partnership with JSE-listed Pick n Pay.
“We estimate that the supermarkets business will contribute…99,9% to Meikles financial year 2022 earnings results,” the report said.
In 2018, businessdigest reported that Meikles chairperson John Moxon had a tough time defending some of the group’s offshore investments as shareholders sought answers.
A minority shareholder, Eddie Cross, took Moxon to task at an annual shareholders’ meeting over Meikles’ investment in Mentor Africa Ltd, questioning if it was creating value for investors.
Cross told businessdigest that he was not happy with the performance of the Mentor Africa investment.
“Meikles acquired Cape Grace for US$20 million,” he said then.
“In 2012, they placed the investment under Mentor and got a 35% equity stake in Mentor. Because the shareholding in Mentor is 35%, it’s not consolidated into the accounts of Meikles. There are no financial statements that come. In instances where a dividend has come from this investment, it has been tiny or non-existent,” Cross said at the time.
“In the annual report, we have also seen that Meikles does not have a directorship at Mentor. I investigated Mentor and discovered that two directors of Mentor are close associates of Moxon. He confirmed to the meeting this week that he is the chairman of Cape Grace (hotel),” he said.
In 2012, when the deal was inked, Moxon said his board was confident that the “strategic
investment” in Mentor would produce significant “high growth opportunities, similar to those that the company derived from its previous investments in Rebhold/Mvelaphanda”.


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China Mobile relaunched a service it hopes will drive business from overseas mobile users by providing free calls enabled by data connections.
The Jego app allows users to receive free incoming calls on a China Mobile number if they have one or, alternatively, on a rented number. The app – which is available for Android and iOS platforms – also supports free video calls, text messages and picture messages, as well as cheap international calls.
Tiger Lin, CEO and chairman of China Mobile International, which is China Mobile’s international business division, told Reuters the service will target China and foreign markets through partnerships with other operators using its network.
Despite being the world’s biggest operator with more than 740 million connections, China Mobile has made little impact outside of its home market. Its only foreign mobile operation is Zong in Pakistan.
According to John Jiang, China Mobile CTO, Jego was launched in June but had to be withdrawn due to the demand it created on China Mobile’s network and the fact it was a prototype.
The rise of so-called Over-The-Top (OTT) messaging apps such as Skype, WhatsApp, LINE and Tencent’s Weixin/WeChat have impacted operator revenue around the world, as they bypass traditional cellular networks and run over WiFi. Operators are therefore looking to partner with, or compete against, OTT players in an effort to create new revenue streams.
Rival China Telecom launched an OTT messaging app in August, through a joint venture with Chinese internet company NetEase, while China Unicom formed a partnership with Tencent in July to launch a SIM card for the Weixin OTT messaging app.


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Google's parent company, Alphabet, smashed its piggy-bank to spend $7.7 billion on capital investments in the first quarter of 2018, up from $2.4 billion year-over-year. Much of that investment is going to Google data centers, and the parent company is also investing in R&D and engineering personnel, sales and marketing and more to drive future growth.
Alphabet Inc. reported $31.1 billion revenues for the first quarter 2018 ending March 31, up 26% year-over-year, in results announced Tuesday. Operating income was $7 billion, with diluted earnings per share of $9.93 adjusted. (See Google Assesses Its Strengths in Its $1B Per Quarter Cloud Business.)
That's "the best revenue growth we've seen since 2014, offset by margin compression and elevated capex spend," Brent Thill, equity analyst for Jefferies & Company Inc. , said in an emailed statement.
Thill added, "2018 sounds like an investment year, given the company is taking on multiple challenges." These include catching up with Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) in both the home and the cloud, and "driving multiple large businesses forward," including YouTube, hardware, and Alphabet's Waymo self-driving car business. These investments "will ultimately help fuel sustained revenue growth and improved competitive positioning longer-term."
The majority of Alphabet's capex spending was "investments in facilities, production equipment and data center construction," Alphabet CFO Ruth Porat said on the company's earnings call with analysts Tuesday. "Facilities was the largest component of capex of this quarter due primarily to the $2.4 billion purchase of Chelsea Market that we announced in March," she said. (See Reuters: Google closes $2.4 billion Chelsea Market deal to expand New York campus.)
Capex was "almost evenly split this quarter between compute capacity and facilities," Porat said. On compute capacity, "the largest component" of capex spending "is for machines that incorporate the latest technologies." These include newer CPUs, memory and networking.
She added, "We are also investing in data center growth and increased network capacity through undersea cables. These combined investments will expand our compute capacity to support our growth outlook across Google, including machine learning, the Assistant and cloud." (See Google Launches 3 Submarine Cables.)
Capex investment will continue; it's not a "one-off" for the quarter, Porat said.
On cloud, Google is in the unusual position of being a challenger, rather than the incumbent. It is the fourth-largest cloud provider, lagging far behind Amazon -- which has such a strong lead that its revenue is larger than the next four competitors combined, including Google. Also beating Google are Microsoft and IBM, according to a report from Jefferies. (See Google & Alibaba Cloud Gaining Fast in Public Cloud – but AWS Still Rules.)
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says Google Cloud Platform is growing fast. Though he didn't provide specifics, he said on Tuesday's earnings call that Google Cloud Platform surpassed $1 billion per quarter last year.
"In Q1, we saw increasing momentum," Pichai said. "We are growing across the board and are also signing significantly larger, more strategic deals for cloud."
In addition to the new cables, Google announced new regions for its cloud platform in Canada, Japan, Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, bringing the total of recently launched and upcoming regions to 20, Pichai said.
G Suite is part of that growth; Google signed G Suite agreements with Airbus and Thailand's Krung Thai Bank, accelerating G Suite's revenue growth in the first quarter, Pichai said.
In addition to capex, Alphabet is also directing opex spending to future growth.
"Operating expenses [for Alphabet] were $10.7 billion, up 27% year-over-year, with the biggest increase in R&D expenses reflecting our continued investment in technical talent," Porat said. "The growth in sales and marketing expenses reflects advertising investments in cloud and hardware as well as [Google] Assistant."
Moreover, the company added 4,940 people to the payroll in Q1, bringing total headcount to 85,050, including just over 2,000 who joined when Alphabet closed its acquisition of HTC. Most new hires were engineers and product managers, Porat said. (See Google Buys HTC's Pixel Team for $1.1B.)
- Google Straps On Cloud Armor
- Amazon Cloud Tops $20B Run Rate
- Google & Amazon Heat Up Machine Learning Rivalry
- What If Kubernetes Is One Big Google Conspiracy?
— Mitch Wagner Executive Editor, Light Reading


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The FDA unveiled a fresh package of measures including guidance that outlines ‘increased flexibilities’ regarding the import of certain infant formula products as it attempts to increase availability in the US. The agency said it encourages infant formula manufacturers worldwide to take advantage.
“The FDA is leaving no stone unturned to further increase the availability of infant formula. We are doing everything in our power as part of the all-of-government efforts to ensure there’s adequate product available wherever and whenever parents and caregivers need it,” said FDA Commissioner Robert Califf.
‘We hope this call to action will be answered’
The US normally produces 98% of the infant formula it consumes. However, shortages have hit the country following higher demand and a large-scale recall from one of the country’s biggest manufacturers, Abbott Nutrition.
The FDA acknowledged that ‘many’ US shoppers haven’t been able to buy infant formula and other medical foods. The organization has been working with US producers to try and improve supplies – and now it hopes overseas manufacturers will also step into the breach.
Califf said the relaxed rules would allow manufacturers who don’t already sell product in the US to enter the market ‘efficiently and safely’. “We are hopeful this call to the global market will be answered and that international businesses will rise to the occasion to assist in bolstering the supply of products that serve as the sole source of nutrition for many infants.”
What are the new rules?
The FDA has said it would not object to the imports of certain infant formula products produced overseas and intended for foreign markets. It also may provide 'flexibilities' to those who manufacturer infant formula products domestically for export, meaning these supplies could be re-directed to the domestic market.
“Companies seeking to take advantage of these flexibilities should submit information for the FDA to quickly evaluate whether the product can be used safely and whether it provides adequate nutrition,” the FSA said. This will include subjects like labeling, information on nutritional adequacy and safety testing, and information about facility inspection history.
The FDA is performing a balancing act between the dual priorities of safety and speed, it acknowledged. “The agency intends to prioritize submissions for products that can demonstrate the safety and nutritional adequacy and have the largest volume of product available and/or those who can get product onto US shelves the quickest.”
Discussions with manufacturers over additional supply are already underway, it revealed.
Streamlined processes already sees imports up 300%
This is the FDA’s latest move to make it easier to import infant formula into the country since the crisis began in February. The organisation has already implemented a streamlined process for formula at US ports of entry. This means formula coming from abroad can be dispersed quickly throughout the country.
This work has already resulted in a 300% increase in imports in the year-to-date versus last year. The FDA 'has and will continue' to actively work with the US Department of Agriculture, UK and European authorities to expedite entry for products made abroad, it said.
“All of this around-the-clock work has already begun to improve supply and availability with most manufacturers, now producing at normal or expanded capacity. The FDA expects that the measures and steps it is taking with infant formula manufacturers and others will mean more and more supply is on the way or on store shelves moving forward.”
Citing data from IRI, in-stock rates across retail stores are ‘improving’, with nearly 80% in-stock rates reported for the week ending May 8. FDA predicted the supply of infant formula will ‘continue to improve over the next couple of months’.
Abbott: Production could restart 'within two weeks'
Progress has also been made on efforts to get production moving at Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis, MI facility.
Production at the site has been suspended since February, when Abbott initiated a voluntary recall after four consumer complaints of infant illness related to products produced at the facility. These complaints include three reports of Cronobacter sakazakii infections and one report of Salmonella Newport.
In a statement yesterday, Abbott revealed it has entered into a 'consent decree' with the FDA, a ageement on the steps necessary to resume production and maintain the facility. The decree is subject to court approval.
"Our number one priority is getting infants and families the high-quality formulas they need, and this is a major step toward re-opening our Sturgis facility so we can ease the nationwide formula shortage. We look forward to working with the FDA to quickly and safely re-open the facility," said Robert Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "We know millions of parents and caregivers depend on us and we're deeply sorry that our voluntary recall worsened the nationwide formula shortage. We will work hard to re-earn the trust that moms, dads and caregivers have placed in our formulas for more than 50 years."
Once the FDA confirms the initial requirements for start-up have been met, Abbott could restart the site within two weeks. The company would begin production of EleCare, Alimentum and metabolic formulas first and then begin production of Similac and other formulas. From the time Abbott restarts the site, it will take six to eight weeks before product is available on shelves.


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Celebrity landscaper announced as LNA Ambassador
Celebrity landscaper Charlie Albone has joined the LNA Master Landscapers Association as an official LNA Ambassador.
Best known for his role in the hit series Selling Houses Australia on Foxtel’s The Lifestyle Channel, Albone cut his teeth maintaining the grounds of a British country manor before coming to Australia on a working holiday and launching his own landscaping company, Inspired Exteriors. He obtained his Landscaping Sculptural Licence in 2015.
“I am passionate about all aspects of the landscape industry and, as a designer and contractor, I understand the importance of quality craftsmanship for the immediate and long-term benefits in any landscape project, no matter how big or small,” said Albone.
“Hopefully my association with the LNA will bring some light to the importance of using good quality tradespeople.”
A former winner of a Silver-Gilt Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show, Albone will enter the 2016 show as the LNA Ambassador with LNA member Mick Conway of Conway Landscaping & Design leading the construction design of the entry. Albone’s creation of the winning entry was documented in a two-part television series, Charlie’s Chelsea Garden.
“It is a fantastic achievement to have a landscaper of such calibre become an LNA Ambassador. It is such an exciting time to be an LNA member as this will generate huge amounts of publicity for the LNA and its members,” said LNA CEO Joanne Aquilina.
For more information about the LNA, visit www.landscapenswact.com.au.
Australia's record-breaking heat this summer has taken its toll in some surprising ways.
It really is that time of year... the LNA Landscape Excellence Awards are just around the corner.
Australia's top landscape designs have been named at the 2017 AILDM National Landscape Design...


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BANGOR, Maine —
Tucked away from Bangor's shopping centers and peaceful neighborhoods you can find Essex Woods.
"It's a large enough property for folks to come out and enjoy," Bangor Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Willette said.
There's something for everyone at Essex Woods to use. It's a new mountain bike park.
"It offers a variety of trails for youth and beginning mountain bikers all the way to the most experienced adults," Willette said. "Some folks have even been walking these trails which we encourage."
The trails create a pump track scenario. They consist of bumps, banked turns, and other features designed to be ridden completely by riders generating momentum by up and down body movements rather than pedaling.
Bangor will also be opening a new trail by the I-95 Exit 186 off-ramp that intersects Stillwater Avenue across from the Kohl's shopping plaza. Willette hopes to open the path by August 1.
"It will allow folks from the east side of Interstate-95 to get to the Stillwater mall area safely," Willette said.


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Published on the 19/09/2017 | Written by Jonathan Cotton
Calculates potential savings of some $400 million per year just by replacing paper-based transactions…
The Queensland State Government has committed to what it describes as a “digital by default” strategy that will see more services available online and the use of machine learning, data analytics and cloud tech.
Known as DIGITAL1ST: Advancing our digital future, the strategy for 2017-2021 proposes the government work more closely with industry to improve services and streamline consumer access to information.
“Most customers now want digital by default,” says the document, “and our workforce wants to design and deliver digital services to an exceptional standard.”
“So, we are working with our citizens, stakeholders and communities, building connections and trust, as well as drawing on knowledge, experience, insight and creativity to make our vision a reality, to deliver the best outcomes for all Queenslanders.”
The government is predicting “hundreds of millions of dollars a year” in savings under a new digital strategy.
“The cost efficiencies driven by digital technology are really starting to make an impact so we can invest in better services for our communities,” said minister for innovation, science and innovation, Leeanne Enoch MP at the launch last week.
“In just one example, by replacing paper-based transactions with over 400 new online services, the government can save an estimated $13 per transaction. This amounts to around $400 million per year that can be redirected to other services, and there is so much more to come.”
When implemented the strategy should reduce the time Queenslanders are spending in queues, filling out paperwork and waiting for forms to be processed.
“Hundreds of government services still need you to spend time out of your day to visit a counter with a form and ID when you want to apply for things like a licence, vehicle permits, or land tax payments,” Enoch said.
“By freeing up employees from manual processing activities, the Palaszczuk Government will be able to reinvest the time saved into the continual improvement of its services to Queenslanders.”
Enoch said the strategy will also increase opportunities for startups and small-and-medium-sized enterprises in Queensland and make it easier for the ICT industry to work with government to deliver new digital services.
“Whether you are a startup, SME or a larger player, the Queensland Government is committed to supporting digital businesses by being a better lead customer of innovation,” says the Digital1st strategy document.
“Given how rapidly technologies are changing, and the opportunities that platforms provide, we know we need to partner in new and different ways with industry if we are to provide the best services to Queenslanders. So we are going to continue to diversify our supplier base, create new testbeds to co-design digital solutions and reduce the burden of doing business with government.”
The government began phasing in its new IT contracting framework earlier this month.
The document recognises the need to keep initiatives current, and commits to regular review and reporting on its progress.
“We know that our world and technology is changing at a rapid pace, so the actions listed as part of DIGITAL1ST are at varying stages of their lifecycle. Other actions will develop during the life of DIGITAL1ST. We will need to respond to changes in the community and use emerging technologies to benefit Queensland.”
“We will review and update our initiatives regularly, reporting on our achievements and outlining ‘what’s next’. This will demonstrate that DIGITAL1ST is making a difference to Queensland.”
Read the Digital1st strategy document.


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While on one side there is a boom of cryptocurrency, the same way 0the industry is getting more prone to hacking and scams. The losses and scams related to crypto hacks continue to rise sharply, with nearly $1 billion stolen so far this year, new research suggests.
In the first nine months of 2018, hackers stole nearly $927 million from the cryptocurrency exchanges and other platforms, according to a recent report from blockchain security firm CipherTrace.
The document, titled “Cryptocurrency Anti-Money Laundering 2018 Q3,” indicates the losses are 3.5 times higher than the levels seen in 2017, which came to $266 million. CipherTrace estimates the total figure will reach over $1 billion by the end of 2018. And that’s not a good news.
The most notable theft of the year 2018 was the hack of Japanese exchange Coincheck, in which around $530 million-worth of cryptos stolen.
Other major crypto breaches included a number of crypto exchanges such as Italy’s BitGrail ($195 million), Japan’s Zaif (around $60 million) and South Korea’s Coinrail (over $40 million) and Bithumb (over $30 million). Other types of businesses hit included token creation platform Bancor ($23.5 million) and Geth, an ethereum client (over $20 million).
While the biggest attacks dominated the headlines, the report also cited a steadily growing number of “smaller” thefts in the range of $20 million–$60 million, totaling $166 million since the second quarter report.
The report states:
“This data indicates a pattern of smaller robberies on a regular basis and sophisticated professional cyber thieves who carry out hacks at both the exchange and platform levels by capitalizing on exposed vulnerabilities, as well as by socially engineering employees who work at these companies.”
Some other hacks such as the CoinHoarder phishing thefts, estimated at $50 million, were excluded from the report, CipherTrace said, adding that it will include them in the 2018 annual report if the figures can be confirmed. The firm also said that it is aware of an over $60 million hack, which has not been reported publicly.
CipherTrace further revealed that 97 percent of the direct bitcoin payments from criminals went to exchanges in countries with weak anti-money laundering (AML) laws, and that the exchanges have laundered a significant amount of bitcoin, totaling 380,000 BTC or $2.5 billion at current prices.
Some governments around the world have taken stricter measures to curb the thefts, the report said, while many other governments are expected to come up with tighter cryptocurrency AML regulations by the end of this year.
What are your thoughts about crypto scams and hacking? Let us know in the comments sections.
Bitcoin under $4000
Bitcoin is crashing again in crypto market along with other cryptocurrencies, as Bitcoin again dipped under $4000 mark.
2018 will be remembered as one of the worst years for crypto currencies, after spectacular boom of crypto market in 2017 in terms of adoption and increase in market cap, this year so far has proven to be the opposite of that, Crypto market cap reached the level of $800 billion at the start of 2018 and now the total worth of crypto market is $125 billion which shows more than 80% of decline in overall market cap.
Bitcoin dipped below the level of $3500 few days ago and now market is crashing one more time, shows that bottom is still not here and we are far away from bottom as of now, market dynamics are changing, shows that all the speculators in the market are taking a big hit from this bear market.
It will be interesting to see, how bitcoin will survive this crucial time period, but the biggest question is, where is the bottom? because according to many analysts in crypto market, bottom lies somewhere between $2000-$3000
India’s largest Mobile & Internet industry forms Blockchain Committee
India is promoting the blockchain ecosystem in the country and the latest move in this regard is the country’s influential internet and mobile industry association has formed a committee dedicated to the decentralized (blockchain) technology.
India’s most-read business daily the Economic Times reported, with the new blockchain committee, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is batting an eye on the government to widen the blockchain industry and startups. India’s most-read business daily the Economic Times report.
The focus is to use blockchain technology to facilitate job creation and reduce the unemployment rate in the country. This will give a boom to the new digital economy in the country, the report added.
The new committee within the influential non-profit will be chaired by Tina Singh, digital chief at private lending giant Mahindra Finance.
She told the publication:
“Blockchain is undeniably the technology of the future, slated to bring decentralization and trust and accountability into multiple areas of business. However, in order to be more effective and enter the mainstream, blockchain technology needs the intervention of government bodies, regulatory authorities, and corporates.”
The committee includes several includes many well-reputed executives of major corporate giants spanning tech and financial sectors such as Microsoft, Mastercard, IBM and HDFC Bank, India’s biggest private bank.
Interestingly, the committee also includes Sandeep Goenka, founder of major Indian bitcoin exchange Zebpay. The app-only exchange was among India’s earliest and largest exchanges until it closed trading services less than a month ago. However, Zebpay continues to provide a wallet service to users, the exchange said it was “unable to find a reasonable way to conduct the cryptocurrency exchange business” following the central bank’s comprehensive ban that bars banks from providing services to exchanges and the wider crypto sector.
Despite the ban and less viability on the cryptocurrency sector, which remains unregulated, the formation of the blockchain committee proves the consistent effort to integrate the groundbreaking tech into wider society.
The IAMAI Blockchain Committee will focus on creating dialogue between all stakeholders; curate and create content to aid skill development and move towards creating a participative economy with the usage of blockchain.”
BTCC Chinese Crypto firm plans to start its services in South Korea
BTCC, China’s first cryptocurrency exchange, has planned to expand its services in South Korea on October 31, 2018.
Initially known as BTC China, the cryptocurrency trading exchange was one of the largest in the world in terms of trading volume. However, owing to China’s crackdown on crypto trading and initial coin offerings (ICOs), the exchange was asked to shut down its services in the country in September last year and transferred to Hong Kong in January 2018.
According to a report, BTCC’s Korea operations will be headed by Lee Jae-beom. He said that BTCC Koplannedaned to highlight a new vision of cryptocurrencies. The exchange will first launch its beta services this month, with the official debut set for November.
Furthermore, the exchange stated that it will provide not only the trading, buying and selling services to its customers, but it also plans to create own a wallet, a mining pool, and a consumer payments service. However, there is still no information about the coins listed on an exchange. On the South Korean version of its website, the company has not yet specified which coins will be supported on the exchange.
Commenting on the launch, Lee said: “Cryptocurrency exchanges are facing a turning point due to a downturn in local exchanges while global exchanges are making a leap here. BTCC Korea will be able to present a new strategy and vision of crypto exchanges.”
The report said, BTCC also plans to expand its services and it wants to achieve this via strategic tie-ups with local and global firms. Recently, the company announced that it had joined hands with Defytime, a producer of anti-ageing products. The partnership will helpDefytime to adopt blockchain in healthcare products.
In Hong Kong, BTCC offers a range of services and products for trading to a global customer base. In particular, the exchange facilitates the trading of five cryptocurrencies against the USD – BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC, and DASH. In addition, BCH, ETH, LTC and DASH can also be traded against BTC.
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MILK DEALERS SEEK 'CZAR' FOR INDUSTRY; Harris Says Commerce Chamber Wants Leader of Integrity to Act as a Landis.
Despite the investigation of conditions in the dairy industry, being conducted by Health Commissioner Louis I. Harris and Chief Assistant District Attorney Ferdinand Pecora, information was placed before Dr. Harris yesterday that independent milk dealers continue to violate health department regulations in ways that threaten public health.
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- Articles tagged "smart phone"
One year after announcing its partnership with Microsoft to adopt Windows Phone 7 as its main mobile platform, Nokia stole the thunder away from the competition at MWC 2012 with a nifty trick up its sleeves. We round-up all the news and developments on the Finnish company.
- Huawei unveils 5.5-inch Mate S with Force Touch display
- Uber just hired the two guys who wirelessly hacked Jeep
- Patriot announces DDR4 kits of two for Skylake, ups frequency to 3400MHz
- Google updates its logo to keep up with the times
- Here’s more reason to root for a fourth telco: Free 1-year unlimited mobile data for MyRepublic subscribers
- Minecraft creator has US$2.5 billion in his pockets, but is also wildly unhappy
- Samsung developing own curated news app for Galaxy devices
- Lenovo schedules event on 8 Sep, teases the launch of new Moto 360 smartwatch


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Comcast and Motorola Expand Relationship With Next-Generation Digital Set-Top DealMonday, January 8th, 2007
The two companies expand their previously announced agreement to include advanced, next-generation set-top technologies.
LAS VEGAS — Motorola, Inc (NYSE:MOT) and Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) today announced that the companies have expanded their previously announced multi-year purchase agreement for digital set-tops.
The announcement was made at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics show (8-11 January, Las Vegas Convention Center) where Motorola (Stand #8545) is exhibiting.
Under the expanded agreement, Comcast will purchase several set-top models from Motorola, including dual-tuner, high-definition (HD) digital video recorders (DVRs), and all-digital cable receivers. These next-generation digital set-tops will support Comcast’s Residential Network Gateway (RNG) specification along with the Open Cable Application Platform (OCAP) initiative. Several of the models will support Motorola’s Follow Me TV solution and Motorola’s Linux-Java™ software platform. Specific models will be compliant with government-mandated separable security, including CableCARD™ technology, as required.
“Comcast is focused on deploying advanced video services that add consumer value,” said Steve Burke, President of Comcast Cable and Chief Operating Officer of Comcast Corporation. “Expanding our relationship with a leader like Motorola supports our ongoing commitment to being the provider of choice for home entertainment and information services.”
“Comcast is a valued and long-time customer, and this extension strengthens our relationship,” said Dan Moloney, Motorola executive vice president and president, Connected Home Solutions business. “Comcast and Motorola share similar visions of next-generation consumer experiences, and we are proud to provide them with advanced platforms that will help them deliver compelling new experiences for their customers.”


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Item 9 Labs Corp. Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Sessions Cannabis, One of Canada’s Largest Cannabis Retail Franchisors
- Transformative Acquisition Creates World’s Largest Publicly Listed Cannabis Franchise Company
- Sessions Cannabis generates approximately $70 million CAD in annual system-wide sales with 43 stores currently open
PHOENIX , May 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) (the “Company”) — a vertically integrated cannabis dispensary franchisor and operator that produces premium, award-winning products — announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Sessions Cannabis (” Sessions”), one of from Canada largest cannabis retail franchisors.
“This is a transformative acquisition that accelerates our entry into the Canadian market and brings significant value to our shareholders,” said the CEO of Item 9 Labs Corp. Andrew Bowden. “With an exponential increase in the number of stores across North America, this acquisition would move us from a multi-state operator to an international cannabis company and the world’s largest cannabis franchisor. The potential for accelerating growth through both franchising and other opportunistic acquisitions is immense. It is simply the first step towards a much deeper penetration of the market, both in Ontario and other provinces. »
Founded in 2019, Sessions currently has 43 stores across the province of Ontario, the majority of which are located in prime malls, typically anchored by national tenants such as Costco, Walmart, well-known grocers, quick service restaurants and more. The OntarioThe company has a franchise system comprised of 18 franchisees, the majority of whom are multi-unit owners, and plans to continue growing through Canada with multiple openings already planned for this year. Sessions also anticipates that he will continue his strong and consistent performance.
Item 9 Labs Corp. acquired ONE Cannabis Group (“OCG Inc.”) in March 2021, the parent company of the U.S. cannabis dispensary franchise, Unity Rd. – making the Company the nation’s first vertically integrated cannabis dispensary franchisor. The combination of the Unity Rd. franchise system — which currently has more than 20 partners developing more than three dozen stores in more than 10 U.S. states — with Sessions makes Item 9 Labs Corp. the largest publicly traded cannabis franchise company in the world.
Canadathe world’s second-largest cannabis market, reported C$3.9 billion in cannabis sales in 2021, a 50% year-over-year growth, according to federal data agency Statistics Canada. Ontario is the largest cannabis market in the country with CA$1.47 billion in sales in 2021. According to BDSA, the Canadian market is expected to grow to CA$4.7 billion in 2022 and close to CA$6.3 billion Canadians by 2026.
“The Canadian cannabis market has grown significantly over the past few years, and we have certainly felt that impact and enjoyed first-mover advantage in multiple markets,” said Steven Fry, CEO and co-founder of Sessions, noting that Sessions locations that have been open for more than a year have an average annual revenue of C$2.46 million. “We have amazing multi-unit franchisees and a strong franchise system that is dedicated to their success, but to further innovate the industry and expand our reach, we need the right partner. We believe we’ve found that with Item 9 Labs Corp. and their franchise brand, Unity Rd.”
The director of franchises of the company Michael Weinberger agrees with Fry that it’s the perfect synergy. He added, “From the brand values and education-focused approach with customers to the rock-solid franchise program that Steven and his team have put in place, there are many similarities between Sessions and our brand of Unity Rd franchise. This is a huge opportunity for Item 9 Labs Corp. and further solidifies our brand as a cannabis franchise leader. »
The Company’s merger and acquisition activity for calendar year 2022 has rapidly intensified. Item 9 Labs Corp. acquired a dispensary license and storefront at North of Denver, Colorado and recently signed an asset purchase agreement (“APA”) for a medicinal and recreational dispensary and grower, The Herbal Cure, also located in denver. Colorado is one of the main markets where Item 9 Labs Corp. actively seeking cannabis dispensary acquisitions.
“We are committed to accelerating our growth and opening the doors for more potential entrepreneurs to enter the complex cannabis space, and this is reflected in our merger and acquisition activity,” said the vice president. mergers and acquisitions of the company, Mark Busch. “Acquire one of from Canada largest cannabis retailers is an important milestone for our team and demonstrates our ability to close major deals. »
The closing of this acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, details of which can be found in the 8k deposit on May 24, 2022.
Invest in Item 9 Labs Corp. at keepcannabislocal.com. For more information about the company and its brands, visit item9labscorp.com.
For potential merger and acquisition opportunities, contact Mark Busch at [email protected].
About Item 9 Labs Corp.
Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor that offers premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. Award-winning brand Item 9 Labs specializes in the best products and user experience across multiple cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the nationwide Unity Rd. retail brand. By lowering barriers to entry, franchising provides an opportunity for new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings industry best practices to markets nationwide through a distinctive retail experience, culture capabilities and product innovation. The seasoned management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis industry, franchising and capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that deliver transparency, consistency and well-being. Based in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operating space to more than 640,000 square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned for growing and growing flowers. For more information, visit Investors.item9labscorp.com/.
About Cannabis Sessions
Sessions Cannabis is a community-driven retailer that sells safe, Health Canada-regulated cannabis. Sessions are one of from Ontario first brick-and-mortar cannabis retailers with multiple locations in Ontario. The company’s mission is to bring people together by providing an inviting, comfortable and educational retail experience. More information can be found at www.sessions.ca.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and effects of judicial and administrative proceedings and governmental proceedings. regulation, particularly in a foreign country, future financial and operating results, competition, general economic conditions, proposed transactions that are not legally binding on the company and the ability to manage and pursue growth. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this press release include the introduction of new technologies, market conditions and those set forth in any reports or documents we file from time to time. another with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update these statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events.
Section 9 Labs Corp.
Jayne Levyvice president of communications
Section 9 Labs Corp.
SOURCE Element 9 Labs Corp.


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December 9 2016 - Products
The Accident Plan app leads drivers through each step of the accident reporting process, keeping administrators informed in real time and documenting every aspect of the event to assemble into a comprehensive report.
October 27 2016 - Products
Phillips & Temro Industries
Phillips and Temro Industries have launched a mobile app that provides truckers with important information about their Idle Free Auxiliary Power Unit.
August 15 2016 - Products
C.H. Robinson has released the Navisphere Carrier app, designed to support contract motor carriers and their business.
August 2 2016 - Products
Luber-finer’s mobile app is designed to help users identify the right filtration technology and locate where to obtain it for commercial vehicle applications.
August 1 2016 - Products
The Accident Plan app is a mobile accident reporting tool that guides drivers through the accident reporting process while keeping administrators up to date in real time.
July 27 2016 - Products
Kenworth Truck Company has launched the Kenworth Essentials app for Apple and Android mobile devices, offering relevant information on trucks, engines and technologies.
July 7 2016 - Products
Fleetio has released a native mobile app called Fleetio Go, allowing fleet operations teams to use fleet management software on mobile devices.
June 30 2016 - Products
TravelCenters of America
TravelCenters of America has updated its TruckSmart Mobile App, allowing drivers to reserve and pay for an available parking space at any TA or Petro location up to 30 days in advance.
June 7 2016 - Products
CarriersEdge has announced a mobile training app for truck drivers that gives access to the company’s library of orientation and refresher courses and knowledge tests.
May 11 2016 - Products
Peterbilt has released a free iPad app that allows customers to build and configure a Model 579, choosing specs, colors and other options.
May 2 2016 - Products
ENGS Commercial Finance
ENGS Commercial Finance, an independent truck and trailer leasing and financing company, introduced a mobile app that allows customers to access their online accounts.
April 21 2016 - Products
Fleet Complete has launched an Hours of Service mobile app ahead of the new electronic logging device regulations which take effect in December 2017.
April 4 2016 - Products
Air-Weigh has released a mobile app to complement to its LoadMaxx Air-Weigh onboard scale designed to help fleets manage loads more efficiently.
March 1 2016 - Products
Cummins has released the Connected Diagnostics mobile app, bringing the guidance and actionable information of the company’s diagnostics system to smart devices.
February 18 2016 - Products
The Blue Bloodhound app is designed to connect truck drivers with available jobs from carriers and is now available for Apple’s mobile devices on the App Store.
November 20 2015 - Products
Spill Center's new app for mobile devices offers users a direct link to technical, environmental and legal specialists who can provide expert advice and assistance after pollution events at fixed facilities and in transportation, 24/7.
November 19 2015 - Products
Trucker Path has launched Truckloads app for iOS and added several new features to its portfolio of Android apps for the commercial trucking industry. Most of these additional features have been designed to give users more input capabilities.
October 26 2015 - Products
Trucking fitness personality and fitness coach at Prime, Siphiwe Baleka, has launched the Active Trucker fitness program for Android and iOS mobile devices.
October 5 2015 - Products
McLeod Software launched a “customer-branded” mobile app, the Carrier Driver App, which lets drivers interact with the carrier’s McLeod LoadMaster transportation management system to get information on their next load and their settlements, scan documents, capture signatures, report accidents and more.
October 1 2015 - Products
Accuride’s mobile app is a product search tool and information resource for the company’s wheel and wheel-end products.
September 24 2015 - Products
Stemco has launched the Stemco Mobile app that is designed as a resource and reference guide for distributors, technicians, parts managers and fleet managers.
July 29 2015 - Products
KeepTruckin’s Electronic Logbook App has been redesigned with a new interface, features and expanded support.
July 1 2015 - Products
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has launched the 511 Wisconsin app that provides statewide travelers with information on traffic conditions.
June 22 2015 - Products
Pegasus TransTech announced the version 1.5 upgrade to its Transflo Mobile+ application designed for customizing load workflow for drivers.
June 10 2015 - Equipment
Cummins released an Android version of its free QuickServe Online (QSOL) mobile app, which offers information on fault codes, parts options and more.


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Reston, Va.; July 14, 2016 — The Showcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), will return to PACK EXPO International (Nov. 6–9, 2016; McCormick Place, Chicago), according to PACK EXPO producer, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The showcase will display the latest innovations and award-winning designs in packaging.
“Packaging has evolved over the years into vessels that not only protect the products inside but enhance them,” says Chuck Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI, “The Showcase of Packaging Innovations at PACK EXPO International spotlights the innovations and inspires future breakthroughs in design and technology.”
The packages featured in the showcase are winning entries from competitions all around the world.
“We are proud to have been involved with the Showcase of Packaging Innovations since its inception at PACK EXPO 13 years ago,” says Karen S. Carter, commercial vice president for Dow’s North America Packaging and Specialty Plastics business. “The cutting-edge packaging designs presented in the Showcase over the years have made a major contribution to moving the industry forward, and we are eager to continue that legacy at the show.”
This year’s showcase will feature award-winning entries from 15 organizations:
- ABRE – Brazilian Packaging Association
- AIMCAL – Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators
- AMEE – Asociación Mexicana de Envase y Embalaje
- DOW – The Dow Chemical Company
- DuPont – E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
- FPA– Flexible Packaging Association
- FSEA– Foil and Specialty Effects Association
- HCPC– Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council
- IMDA– In-Mold Decorating Association
- IAE– Instituto Argentino del Envase
- IoPP– Institute of Packaging Professionals
- OpX Leadership Network
- PPC – Paperboard Packaging Council
- SPC– The Sustainable Packaging Coalition
- WPO– World Packaging Organisation
The Showcase of Packaging Innovations will take place in the Upper North Building of McCormick Place in Booth N-5765.
To register for the PACK EXPO International 2016, visit www.packexpointernational.com.
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents the voice of more than 700 North American manufacturers of equipment, components and materials for processing and packaging. We work to advance a variety of industries by connecting consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through the world class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, leading trade media and a wide range of resources to empower our members. The PACK EXPO trade shows unite the world of processing and packaging to advance the industries they serve: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Pharma EXPO, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK México, EXPO PACK Guadalajara and ProFood Tech, launching in April 2017. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends and innovations in processing and packaging year-round through brands including Packaging World, Automation World, Healthcare Packaging, Contract Packaging and Packaging + Processing OEM. PMMI Business Drivers assist members in pursuing operational excellence through workforce development initiatives, deliver actionable business intelligence on economic, market and industry trends to support members’ growth strategies, and actively connect the supply chain throughout the year.