text:
Though cloud adoption in India is widespread but it hasn't been ubiquitous as initially projected.
According to industry analysts, IaaS is now the fastest growing area in the Cloud business due to the speed, cost and reliability with which organizations can create and deploy applications.
To ensure that the digital future is secure for all of its citizens, the country must be secured with robust cyber defenses.
Speaking at a program at the Military Institute of Technology here, Rear Admiral Mohit Gupta said the existing Information Technology Act does not have adequate provisions for cyber security.
The company said that it is engaging with all three telcos in India for its security-related products through its major IT outsourcing deals and through separate arrangements.
Are your medical records safe? Malicious attempts detected in four out of ten pharma devices in India
Hospitals are not alone in facing a barrage of attacks from hackers, pharmaceutical companies are also being targetted.
According to Uber, the bug was immediately fixed through the company's bug bounty programme. It also said that over $2 million was paid to more than 600 researchers around the world, including Indian researchers.
Arvind Bajaj, SVP, Head Big Data and Cybersecurity, Atos India, explains how the company’s supercomputer portfolio helps businesses in saving energy costs and precious real estate.
Anand Prakash, founder of Appsecure, a cyber security firm discovered the vulnerability in April and alerted Uber, which acknowledged the vulnerabilty immediately and fixed it.
With Indian IT managers being inundated with cyberattacks coming from all directions as cybercriminals exploit the weak links in security leading to supply chain or third party vendor compromises, 27 per cent of them consider Internet of Things (IoT) as threats while 21 per cent feel the internal staff are the top security risks, a new survey by global cyber security major Sophos said on Tuesday.
Many of these inexpensive tools are also available on global e-commerce sites and can be ordered right away. However, these are still not manufactured in India
Symantec enabled us with complete security landscape: Rajesh Uppal, Senior Executive Director for HR and IT & Member of the Executive Board, Maruti SuzukiHow Symantec Helped Maruti Suzuki in Strengthening its Cybersecurity Risk Posture
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G. Kishan Reddy said on Wednesday that India needs to strengthen its defence against rising cyber attacks and also formulate a national strategy for reducing the risk of cyber crimes.
Deloitte’s Future of Cyber Survey 2019 finds that only 4% of enterprises have cyber on their board agenda once a month.
Survey reveals how CISOs are shifting priorities and security strategies to manage increasingly advanced threats with limited resources
Cybersecurity no longer limited to building a moat and a castle wall to ensure compliance: McAfee MD
Venkat Krishnapur, Vice-President of Engineering and Managing Director, McAfee India shares how CISOs can mitigate cyberattacks, secure the cloud, and more.
Customer information, financial data and strategic plans of companies are the three most valuable pieces of information coveted by cyber criminals


text:
Russia’s Inflation and Monetary Policy in April 2015
Russian Economic Developments. Moscow, IEP, 2015, #6, pp. 6-10
5 Pages Posted: 21 Jun 2015
Date Written: June 19, 2015
On 30 April 2015, the Bank of Russia reduced the key interest rate from 14% to 12.5% per annum, noting in this connection that the inflation risks had become less pronounced, but that the risks of a more significant cooling of the economy were still there. By all indications, the RF Central Bank believes that any further strengthening of the ruble can hardly be feasible. On 14 May, the RF Central Bank announced that it would once again resort to interventions in the form of foreign exchange purchases in order to replenish its international reserves in the amount of $ 100m–200m per day. Over April 2015, the Consumer Price Index’s growth amounted to 0.5% (vs. 0.9% in April 2014.), which is 0.7 pp. below its March 2015 level. As a result, the inflation index in April 2015 amounted to 16.4% of its April 2014 level, thus having declined for the first time since July 2014. Over the first 25 days of May 2015, the Consumer Price Index’s growth rate dwindled to 0.3%.
Keywords: Russian Economy, inflation, monetary policy
JEL Classification: P24, E52
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

domain: news


text:
Machine to machine (M2M) technology specialist Aeris Communications announced the availability of GSP, a global M2M service platform for mobile network operators.
The GSP platform as a service can be deployed through multiple modular service packages and its machine-optimized service core, AerCore, allows operators to bypass typical costs of purpose-built network elements.
By tapping into big data, analytics and data sharing opportunities, the Aeris cloud-based data management service, AerCloud, allows operators to grow revenue beyond connected services alone.
“Our collaboration with Aeris is very valuable to Sprint. Their innovative technology and services are key components of Sprint’s Command Center M2M platform,” Mohamad Nasser, director of M2M product, platforms and marketing at Sprint, said in a statement. “The Aeris professionals are quick to resolve any issues, and their market-leading platform ensures that Command Center remains at the forefront of M2M services capabilities.”
Aeris AerSight connects operations personnel with real-time and historical network transaction details, which is designed to improve operational efficiency and lower operating expenses, while meeting the demands of M2M solution support.
“The forces shaping the M2M market demand a new approach. First generation M2M service delivery approaches are not going to make the cut,” Marc Jones, CEO of Aeris Communications, said in a statement. “Aeris GSP is a proven and hardened platform, borne from more than a decade of M2M experience, and will take this industry to a new level of growth and profitability.”
Rate plan structures are entrenched in business systems and processes, and Aeris AerB/OSS helps give operators the freedom of limitless charging models and rate plans without expensive customization and IT modification to existing systems. Integration with Aeris GSP service core allows development of new charging events.
The platform leverages Aeris’ carrier-grade M2M service platform that currently manages millions of devices and processes more than 200 million M2M messages per day.
In January, Multi-Tech Systems, a provider of M2Mproducts and services, announced a partnership with Aeris to provide a suite of products and services for deploying Internet-of-things (IoT) solutions globally.
Multi-Tech Systems continues to expand its global presence with a portfolio of modems, routers and gateway products. The company recently announced European-specific products, including the MultiConnect PCIe embedded PCIe mini card communication module, a communications device that offers standards-based penta-band HSPA+ 21 performance.
Aeris also announced a European expansion, becoming the first M2M service provider offering an end-to-end solution for any geo-market and any wireless technology–CDMA or GSM.
This means companies no longer have to sign contracts with different service providers across multiple regions, which the company said could minimize operational costs due to eliminating the need to manage multiple interfaces.


text:
(Photo courtesy scppv450wo-flywheel.netdna-ssl.com)
If the only charges on your credit card recently have been takeout and the Disney+ subscription you forgot to cancel, you’re not alone.
American credit card debt has plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic, dropping below $1 trillion for the first time in years.
- The amount of consumer revolving credit (which is predominantly credit cards) decreased by $24 billion in May
While it may seem strange that credit card debt is decreasing in the middle of a recession, it’s important to remember that consumer behavior has changed dramatically during the pandemic. Restaurants, bars, and professional sports were shut down, giving people much fewer opportunities to swipe their cards.
Plus, with rampant unemployment and economic uncertainty, many Americans are choosing to pay off their existing debt and avoid racking up new debt. “Americans are behaving in an eminently rational fashion,” said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM International.
Credit card debt typically comes with extremely high-interest rates. The fact that this type of pricey debt is shrinking is encouraging, especially given the current economic uncertainty.


text:
Majid Al Futtaim – shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure operator across the Middle East, Africa and Asia signed a landmark partnership agreement with UzOman — the largest private equity investment fund in Uzbekistan. Through this long-term partnership, both entities will combine their capabilities and expertise to develop modern retail in the country, creating value for the industry and the Uzbek economy.
Today the Governments of the United States of America, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan are announcing the launch of the Central Asia Investment Partnership. The participants welcome other countries to join this initiative to promote regional economic partnership and prosperity.
On 5 January, in the city of Urgench, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardor Umurzakov held a meeting with young entrepreneurs of Khorezm region.
On 5 January 2020, from a studio in Urgench, in the format of a video conference, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sardo Umurzakov, a meeting was held on monitoring work to stimulate the accelerated socio-economic development of Khorezm region.
On 5 January 2021, a meeting was held between the Chairman of the supervisory board of BMB Trade Group Bekzod Mamatkulov and General director of Abu Dhabi Uzbek Investment Joint Venture Timur Rakhmanov.
On 5 January 2020, the Uztekstilprom Association, with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized a round table with the participation of Ambassadors and trade advisors of Uzbekistan and representatives of the textile industry.
A highly efficient gas turbine unit with a capacity of 17 MW was launched at Ferghana thermal power station, which should help to cover the need for electricity in the Ferghana region.
Masdar (the UAE) has started construction of a solar photovoltaic plant in Karmana district of Navoi region.
The latest generation of Honeywell Experion Orion Console control panels has been installed at a synthetic liquid fuel plant, the design of which was specially developed for the GTL plant under construction in Uzbekistan.


text:
The third-generation family-owned transportation, logistics and warehousing provider recently purchased the land and building to provide a central location for both the trucking and warehousing sides of its businesses.
“We are based in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Bay Logistics owns and operates over 3 million square feet of warehouse space. Our sister company MTS runs a fleet of 1200-plus tractors and more than 3000 trailers, and recently earned another Supplier of the Year designation by General Motors,” Cuncannan said earlier about the company’s new spot. “Our new Michigan City operations will serve as a trucking terminal, truck/trailer maintenance shop, and a 180,000 square foot public distribution center.”
The building has undergone an extensive “make-over,” including a new roof, interior and exterior painting, new HAVC equipment, enhanced fire suppression system, new LED lighting, fence repairs/replacement, truck dock installations and parking lot upgrades.


text:
Why is Patagonia such a great company?
Patagonia belongs to both the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and 1% For The Planet. It rejects fast fashion by creating high-quality, long-lasting products, and offers a repair and reuse program. It even goes so far as to discourage customers from purchasing too many of its products.
How does Patagonia use technology?
Introduced in November 2019, Primaloft’s P.U.R.E technology uses air, as opposed to heat, to stabilise insulation during the thermal bonding process, reducing CO2 by almost 50 per cent. “It’s very appropriate for Patagonia to be our first partner using P.U.R.E.,” said PrimaLoft president and CEO Mike Joyce.
What brands are innovative?
Most Innovative Companies: A Breakdown of the Leaderboard
Why Patagonia is bad?
Back in 2015, Patagonia received criticism from Greenpeace, as toxic chemicals were found within the brand’s apparel material. The waterproof materials containing toxic are harmful to not only the flora and fauna, but also to humans. Unfortunately, chemicals are not the only concern within Patagonia’s products.
How does Patagonia treat their employees?
The company hires activist employees and encourages peaceful environmental protests. But for those wayward employees that get thrown in jail for their efforts, Patagonia will pay their bail (and their spouse’s bail), pay for their legal fees, and pay them for their corresponding time away from work.
Why is Patagonia so innovative?
Innovating for Circularity
For example, Patagonia practices total supply chain transparency, so that customers understand the environmental impact of their clothes. … These are highly innovative anti-growth business practices unheard-of in any industry, and effectively designed to fulfill the mission of Patagonia.
Is Netflix an innovative company?
Netflix is a technology juggernaut whose analytics, algorithms, and digital-streaming innovations have changed how customers watch movies and TV shows. But this technology has always been in service of a unique point of view — building a platform that shapes what customers watch, not just how they watch.
What is world’s most innovative company?
Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Tesla are considered the five most innovative companies, according to BCG’s analysis of the 50 most innovative companies of 2021.


text:
Myanmar mmBurma mm
Mmm Domains and many international extensions.
ALIBABABA gains a foot in the Myanmar eCommerce business, grows rapidly
The Alibaba Group has gained a foothold in Myanmar following the takeover of Daraz Group, the Pakistan i nline shopi ng platfom, which runs the Myanmar e-commerce site shop.com.mm. This step could be the beginning of a whole series of investment projects by the China based web giants and other competing companies.
There was also only a single weekend before the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) opened retailing and wholesaling for international corporations and joints, on May 14, allowing them to deal in all goods produced in Myanmar or exported oversee. On May 8, 2006, Alibaba purchased Daraz, which is in the possession of the Germany start-up Incubators Rocket Internets, for an unnamed number.
Prior to the transaction, Daraz was held by the CDC Group, the UK Government's Development Finance Institution (DFI) and the Asia Pacific Internet Group (APACIG), a JV between Rocket Internet and the Qatari telecommunications group Ooredoo. This is the second Rocket-based Alibaba purchase, the first two years ago being Singapore based e-commerce firm Lazada.
This takeover could represent a turning point for e-commerce in Myanmar, especially with overseas retail outlets now allowed to establish themselves in the state. "The move will transform the whole e-commerce eco-system and people's view of e-commerce in Myanmar," said Sumit Jasoria, former Rocket Internets WHO Regional Manager for Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Now Alibaba can open or investment in a portfolio of regional logistic and distributor firms. You can look at the construction of your own storage facilities or open your own e-commerce and digitally start-ups," Mr. Jasoria added. Alibaba would not be without its competitors. Daizen Myanmar, a Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) logistic innovator, began offering customs warehousing solutions to national and multinational corporations this year.
Yamato sees ASEAN trading and logistical integrations as a pivotal element in its move into Myanmar. A further pulling point is the authorisation to set up a loan agency in Myanmar. "The use of a real bailiff's office will only grow. In the last 3.5 years since the launch of shop.com. mm in Myanmar, the use of maps has already grown enormously," said Mr. Jasoria.
"Myanmar's new legislation on retailing and the Myanmar Credit Bureau's authorisation will allow even more international businesses access to the Myanmar market," he added. It is now likely that other e-commerce and logistic actors will also come into play. "Alibaba and other major ISPs from Japan, South Korea and China have been looking at Myanmar's e-commerce markets for a long time," said Jasoria.
Mr Erwin Sikma, Co-Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar's Digitally and Innovatively Advancedocacy Group, approved. "Alibaba's interest in Myanmar shows that they don't want to miss out and want to see how such a new emerging Indian domestic demand can develop," said Mr. Sikma. However, some believe that Alibaba intends to grow primarily in Daraz's other overseas territories.
It includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar - a combined figure of over 460 million people. Burma accounts for only about 10% of the country's GDP and is much less advanced than the Pakistan and Bangladesh states. "We believe Alibaba is focusing on concluding its South Asian growth and where growth is important to it, like in Pakistan and Bangladesh," said BarloLoLo. com, a local on-line trading place focused on providing small B2C and co-branded products.
Mr. Pietro Borsano, a professor at Mandalay International University and Shinawatra International University, expects Alibaba to be investing behind Lazada to open up the ASEAN-market. Meanwhile, Bangkok is working in close cooperation with the China company to expand its economic corridor to the east, which spans three of Thailand's east Asian states - Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao - into a platform for intelligent production, technology and innovations as well as e-commerce.
"Therefore, I believe that the Alibaba Group policy for the whole of Southeast Asia will necessarily be located within ASEAN and will be led by operation in Malaysia and Thailand. We believe that all ASEAN stores are at an early phase of introducing e-commerce platform, so you can see how new the Myanmar store is to them.
"I suspect Alibaba will prioritize Lazada for the most important ASEAN markets," said Borsano.


text:
Image courtesy of Bain & Company.
Ripple Insights recently had the pleasure of talking with David Gunn, a partner at Bain & Company, and co-author of a recent Bain Insights report focused on separating blockchain hype from reality. Gunn shared his thoughts with us on the future of this technology and what banks should be focused on as it develops.
Ripple Insights: In a recent report (“Distributed Ledgers in Payments: Beyond the Bitcoin Hype”), you reference how roughly $1 billion in capital has poured into hundreds of distributed-ledger investments since 2012. Is this just hype or are there real implications for banks?
David Gunn: There are real implications for banks. In the area of payments the most relevant use cases in the near-term relate to international transactions. This is where the benefits of the technology have the greatest potential to improve services for customers by addressing significant pain points. The attractive profit pools also stimulate focus from industry and technology players. This can fundamentally change the competitive landscape for the banks who benefit from the current correspondent banking networks.
If distributed ledgers-based ‘fiat’ currency is adopted (with support from central banks), domestic payments come meaningfully into play. Cards and automated clearing house value chains could ultimately be superseded by true digital transactions – C2C, C2B, B2B. The implications for banks can be profound, if they cease to control consumers’ primary electronic payment methods (cards and ACH), losing a critical part of the service they provide to customers, and weakening their customer relationships.
RI: In your report, you said that piecemeal development of blockchain technology use will eventually give way to broad disruption of our financial system. Which use cases do you see as the most promising starting points or proving grounds for this technology, and why?
DG: The most promising use case in the short term for payments is international transactions (underpinned by correspondent banking today). This use case has high friction for customers and is costly for banks due to the lack of a central intermediary. Distributed ledgers concept can address this.
Domestic payments in most markets are supported by a trusted central intermediary and generally work effectively today for a reasonably low cost.Consequently,, the hurdle a new distributed ledger-based payment mechanism must climb over is higher – in terms of improvements to payor/payee experiences and reduction of cost/price to the parties involved.
The successful adoption of this technology is possible through banks which are attracted to this large profit pool and will be incentivized to invest the money and time required. This is evidenced by recent announcements on trials being run by networks of banks for this purpose. As they refine the technology this creates confidence among central banks to move ahead and potentially launch distributed ledger based fiat currency to reduce payment infrastructure costs and improve services to customers while enabling better level of monitoring and control.
RI: With such strong use cases in international correspondent banking, what’s holding back rapid change?
DG: International correspondent banking is a network effect problem. Multiple banks are required to participate and invest in this to achieve scale which requires cooperation and a clearly-set objective.
A strong collective agreement, among only a small number of banks, to make the concerted effort to establish standards, agree approaches to major sticking points (e.g. privacy, underpinning technology choices) can unblock this quickly.
Early adopters will be part of networks which create a viable distributed ledger platform for international payments. Once this network achieves scale, there is little incentive for the participating banks to make it a completely open network to ensure that they can capture the profit pools. For new entrants this is a lost opportunity, but for incumbents this can be a significant threat to a large existing profit pool.
For domestic payments, even if it will take time for digital fiat currencies to emerge, there are other forces at work which banks must react to. Near-term threats for banks must be defended to avoid weakening payment relationships even before the advent of distributed ledgers – for example PSD2 in Europe, and the growth of third party alternative payment methods (e.g. Mobilepay in Denmark). Losing control of consumer payments relationships now weakens the banks’ ability to react to distributed ledgers in the future.
Image: Bain & Company report Distributed Ledgers in Payments: Beyond the Bitcoin Hype
RI: Many compare banks’ reluctance to adopt distributed financial technology to the slow adoption of mobile and online banking. When considering the Internet of Value that’s being built today, do you think the comparison is fair? Is this as fundamental a change as that was? Could it be even bigger?
DG: Yes and no. There is certainly potential for massive disruption in the years to come, but the speed of change (and therefore the speed of reaction required) is not uniform.
Distributed ledgers’ impact on domestic payments may still be years away, and it’s hard for banks to respond to what remain concepts rather than well-defined choices. For the more forward-looking banks there are opportunities to experiment, but for others the critical issue is having a clear view of how the market is evolving, and knowing when to move from ‘watching brief’ to rapid strategy development and execution as the future becomes clearer.
For international payments, the comparison is valid. It is already clear that distributed ledgers can resolve old pain points, allowing much better customer experiences, and that new entrants are capable of entering the market and taking material share (e.g. Transferwise in remittances, albeit this isn’t yet based on the technology). For banks who currently generate significant revenues from the existing correspondent approach, it is critical they have a robust strategy to improve their service, or risk having the revenues taken from them.
RI: Your report advised banks to accelerate their investment in digital wallets and payments apps. Why?
DG: Banks rely on strong customer relationships for their business models. Payment services, even if generating only a small proportion of revenue, are critical to these relationships as a fundamental service the bank provides, and loss of these services can severely weaken banks’ relationships with their customers.
The current wave of change, preceding distributed ledgers, is seeing payments shift from physical cards towards mobile equivalents (Applepay, AndroidPay), along with emergence of non-card payment types facilitated by mobile and ACH/account-to-account transfers. The latter is strongly encouraged by recent regulation in Europe – PSD2. Who provides these services is the key question for banks. If they are able to retain their position in the value chain as the primary consumer payments provider, it will position them well for a future underpinned by distributed ledgers (rather than cards or ACH). If, alternatively, the banks lose the battle and other third parties capture the consumer payment relationships, the banks will already be on losing ground as distributed ledgers become a reality.
RI: What’s the most exciting thing about this shift in financial infrastructure towards the Internet of Value? And what main piece of advice do you offer banks who are currently weighing their options?
DG: The excitement is the potential to create fundamentally better payment offerings for customers based on a new technology, eliminating pain points and inefficiencies which have existed for decades and even centuries. Fast-moving, innovative players can come out as winners through the transition; slower-moving players will lose out as the market landscape shifts.
Our advice for banks is to review how prepared they are for this new technology, articulate what they stand to gain or lose in terms the business understands, and have a clear strategic view of where to invest heavily, where to experiment, and where to wait. Where there is much to be gained or lost, individual banks then need to move decisively to partner up, to resolve the technical challenges, and create momentum within the organization to help drive change.
David Gunn is a partner at Bain & Company. This interview is part of our series on leaders in our industry. For more like this, please subscribe to Ripple Insights.


text:
Canary Hires Ex-Googler as COO, Ships Its Smart Home Sensor
The team at New York-based Canary has beefed up its leadership with a seasoned executive from the technology scene.
On Tuesday, the company named Julio Pekarovic as its chief operating officer. He previously was chief financial officer and chief administrative officer at Quantcast, which develops technology for audience measurement. Prior to that, he was a vice president at Google.
Pekarovic’s role at Canary will include overseeing internal operations such as finance, customer service, and the product supply chain.
Canary is a smart home security device—equipped with sensors and video camera—that can send alerts to the users’ smartphones if there is a fire, an intruder, or other types of trouble. After a few years of development, the product began shipping to its early backers this month.
The connected devices, Internet of Things sector is getting a lot of attention, with more startups creating sensors, remote means to control appliances, and other uses for linking hardware and software. Canary has also worked with grad students at Cornell Tech to develop new ideas for its product.
The company landed in the spotlight in 2013 when an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign took off overnight and raised nearly $2 million.
Canary also raised funds the old-fashioned way, including last March’s $10 million Series A round led by Khosla Ventures. We shall see if the addition to its leadership team, and the release of its product, can further cement Canary’s place in the connected device, smart home scene.


text:
The new tough rules on car loans have unleashed yet another public outcry. New car buyers now have to fork out 50-60% of the total amount. In the past, one used to be able to waltz into a car showroom and come out with a car without much immediate cash payment, since we could get a 100% loan.
Isn't such easy financing one of the biggest reasons for the astronomical COE prices we are seeing? If people actually feel the pinch of coughing up cash for the car, we are less likely to see such indiscriminate bidding for the precious COE, and then everyone would get to pay less for the certificate. What is the problem?
Don't forget that whether you get a loan, or pay upfront, the money eventually comes from your own pocket. Seen in this light, a loan is simply delayed pain, a form of self-delusion even. Can't afford the cash payment? Then save up for it. Eventually, you would accumulate enough, right? And if you can't, why are you even thinking of buying a car?


text:
On India's fastest road in a Mercedes-AMG GT R
Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil talks about ...
Rajasthan – Routes of Revival Part 2: Jaipur to Jai...
Quick News video: December 19, 2020
Atal Tunnel in an Audi RS Q8
Quick News video: December 12, 2020
Arnab Banerjee, COO, Ceat Tyres talks about the Indian ty...
Ferrari 812 GTS first look video
Quick News video: December 5, 2020
A week with the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe video
Exploring Kozhikode in a Lamborghini Huracan video
Get all the latest updates from the automobile universe
Add Autocar India to Home Screen ×


text:
GAC Aion, the new energy vehicle brand of GAC Group, started to experiment with a new sales model, with the opening of its first directly operated experience center in Guangzhou on Sunday.
According to Gu Huinan, General Manager of GAC Aion, this means that the brand is starting to serve customers directly both online and offline and is an innovative change in its channel model.
GAC Aion previously adopted the same model of relying on 4S stores for sales as traditional car companies, owning more than 200 such stores.
After adopting the direct model, it needs to balance the relationship between direct stores and 4S stores.
The move is in line with the trend of the industry as there are several new energy car companies have adopted the direct sales model.
These companies include Tesla, Nio, Xpeng Motors, and Li Auto, and the direct model has allowed them to revolutionize the customer purchase process and bring a new approach to customer relationship management.
Traditional car companies, including Volkswagen and Toyota, have also started to adopt the direct model in the first half of the year for new energy vehicles and fuel-efficient vehicles that go to market.
Intelligent electric vehicles are naturally suitable for the official direct sales model, but also the best choice for traditional car companies in the sales model exploration, Volvo Greater China sales company vice president of new business development Li Jingye has previously said.
The direct model breaks the barrier of traditional 4S dealerships, reduces channel costs, and is transparent in pricing, Li said.
(Photo source: GAC Aion)


text:
Global Payments To Acquire PayPros, A Leading Integrated Payments Technology Company
Global Payments Inc., one of the largest worldwide providers of payment solutions, announced recently an agreement to acquire Payment Processing, Inc. (PayPros). PayPros, based in California, is an innovative provider of fully-integrated payment solutions for 58,000 small-to-medium sized merchants in the United States. PayPros delivers its products and services through a network of over 1,000 technology-based enterprise software partners to vertical markets that are complementary to the markets served by Accelerated Payment Technologies, Inc., a Global Payments company since October 2012.
Global Payments’ President and CEO Jeffrey S. Sloan said, “Our acquisition of PayPros will expand our direct distribution, add new vertical markets, accelerate growth in our largest geography and further enhance our existing integrated solutions business with the addition of PayPros’ talented team.”
Chuck Smith, Founder and CEO of PayPros, added, “I am very pleased to announce this partnership with Global Payments. This transaction is the culmination of nearly two decades of hard work and vision at PayPros. I am confident that Global Payments will be a fantastic partner for our customers and employees.”
“We are very excited to be joining the Global Payments team. The strength of Global Payments’ distribution combined with our differentiated service offering will accelerate value delivery to our partners and provide opportunities for growth over the long-term,” said PayPros President, Eddie Myers.
Under the terms of the agreement and pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, Global Payments will pay $420 million in cash to acquire PayPros, inclusive of tax assets. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Global Payments’ 2014 fiscal year. PayPros’ calendar 2013 annual revenues are anticipated to be approximately $100M. Global Payments will provide further details when the transaction closes.
Global Payments also announced that it plans to expand its current credit lines to support its ongoing capital deployment and growth strategies. The company expects this expansion to be completed in the company’s fourth fiscal quarter of this year.
About Global Payments
Global Payments Inc. is a leading provider of payment processing services for merchants, value added resellers, financial institutions, government agencies, multi-national corporations and independent sales organizations located throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Global Payments, a Fortune 1000 company, offers a comprehensive line of solutions and services for credit and debit cards, business-to-business purchasing cards, gift cards, electronic check conversion and check guarantee, verification and recovery including electronic check services, as well as terminal management. For more information, visit www.globalpaymentsinc.com.
PayPros is a payments technology company, dedicated to delivering innovative and profitable integrated payments solutions. Our belief is that payments should add value to software applications, resulting in better solutions for developers and their customers. It’s what we mean by “Software Differentiation Through Payment Innovation.” The PayPros Innovo technology platform is the backbone of this vision, delivering payment applications that support new technologies and allow for custom software solutions. This unique approach to payments is why–since 1995–more than 1,700 partners and 58,000 businesses have turned to PayPros.
SOURCE: Global Payments Inc.


text:
Microsoft has released an application to manage groups for Office 365 in Windows 10 Mobile, and Windows Phone 8.1
Microsoft has released a new tool for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile, which is intended to facilitate communication between participants of working groups Office 365. The app was released after a long period of internal testing.
Outlook allows Groups to cooperate with the project participants through the account Office 365 for business or education institutions. With it, you can participate in group discussions via e-mail, share photos, and OneNote notes and collaborate in editing Office documents.
For open groups, you must use the web portal of Office 365; it is impossible to do directly from the app. Being the first version, the app has a feedback section, thanks to which users can report bugs and send suggestions to the development team.
Outlook Groups at the link below. The app is free, but to use you need a subscription to Office 365.
Developer: Microsoft Corporation


text:
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, entrepreneurs over 50 are one of America’s fastest growing groups of business owners. In fact, the Kauffman Foundation reports that Americans age 55 to 64 start businesses at a higher rate than those in their 20s and 30s. This author offers six success steps for those considering taking the plunge.
LST Statewide and Virtual "Beer & Biotech" Meet-up
- May 28 2020
PYA Webinar on “So You Have a PPP Loan. Now What?”
- Jun 03 2020
Sky City "Virtual Happy Hour"
- Jun 04 2020
Innov865 Alliance Webinar with Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon
- Jun 24 2020
First Virtual Session: Tennessee Valley Corridor "National Summit"
- Jul 16 2020


text:
Signs of growth in the Israeli tourism industry may be related to a period of relative stability between Israelis and Palestinians. According to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, 25% more tourists visited the country during the first three months of 2005 than during the same period last year. Tourism has also increased in the Palestinian territories, but to a lesser degree than in Israel.
According to the Los Angeles Times, one notable effect of recent stability has been a resurgence in mid- and high-priced tourism packages to Israel. Business for some Israeli- and Palestinian-owned hotels in Jerusalem has increased as much as twofold since last year.
Yosuf Daher, director of the Arab Hotel Association, says Palestinian-owned tourist businesses grew in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, but stagnated in Nablus. To fortify the industry, he says, “We need freedom of movement for tourists into Palestinian areas. We need the calm to continue and more political developments. It is vital that the two sides keep talking.” (Guardian UK, May 3)
A Rand Corporation study released in late April recommends development of a “much-needed tourism industry” as one step toward a successful Palestinian state. According to the study, a transportation corridor, preserved historic city centers and a national park system would help support tourism.
Some commentators from peace-promoting NGOs have drawn parallels with past regions of conflict, such as Croatia, where peaceful times drew tourists, creating prosperity that had overall stabilizing effects.
Read Ethical Traveler's Reprint Policy.


text:
Frustration over governor's veto of bill to expand Minnesota's fireworks laws
BROOTEN -- Gov. Mark Dayton's veto of a bill that would have legalized consumer fireworks in Minnesota both "disappointed" and "frustrated" one of the prime advocates for the change.
"It's politics at its best or worse, depending on how you look at it,'' said Garry Hanson, owner of Precocious Pyrotechnics and Glacial Ridge Fireworks in rural Bro-oten.
Precocious Pyrotechnics is one of the country's largest producers of display fireworks. Glacial Ridge Fireworks is a large wholesale distributor of consumer fireworks. Hanson said his company sells to retailers in the Dakotas and Wisconsin the fireworks that Minnesota consumers illegally bring back to the state.
By not allowing legal sale here, Minnesota is losing anywhere from $95 million to $115 million a year in sales and taxes, he said. The revenue represents 500 to 700 full- and part-time jobs.
Hanson said most states now allow consumer fireworks, and their use is growing across the country every year.
Yet the rate of accidents compared to usage is declining, he said.
He's not so sure Minnesotans are any safer as a result of the veto. It means Minnesotans will only continue to use fireworks on the sly, increasing the likelihood for their misuse.
"It's just a sad situation,'' Hanson said.
He said supporters of the legislation believed Dayton was going to allow the bill to become law. Hanson made 10 different trips to the capitol to testify as the bill made its way through the House and Senate this session.
The governor cited concerns about safety in his decision to veto the bill Saturday evening. Hanson said the governor had received letters and pleas from fire marshals and physicians Wednesday urging him to veto the bill.
Groups ranging from the Society for the Prevention of Blindness to the state fire marshals pointed out the dangers of lost eyes and fingers, severe burns, and house fires associated with the misuse of fireworks.
Hanson said the biggest cause of injuries, representing about 60 percent of the total, are burns from sparklers. Sparklers are classified not as fireworks but as novelties and remain legal in Minnesota
There were no deaths associated with fireworks in the U.S. in the last three years, and roughly 3,000 accidents in that period, according to Hanson.
Asked while testifying at the capitol if $100 million in new revenue is worth one child being injured fireworks, Hanson said he responded: "If that is your attitude we should make bicycling illegal.''
He said the U.S. recorded 1,000 deaths and 750,000 accidents in the last year associated with bicycling.


text:
Settlement compensates owners for things like lost wages or child care while they were taking their vehicle in for the recall repair.
Voluntary early retirement and separation packages will be offered to about 15,300 workers, including 600 in Canada.
Members of the service can use a smartphone app to unlock access to the automaker’s vehicles for up to 28 days.
$2.3 billion sale also includes GM’s European auto financing arm.
Automaker says disclosing further results of the probe would expose it to “unacceptable legal risks.”
Of major automakers, only Hyundai and Volkswagen reported increases.
Parts of the factory date to 1886 when the facility was used by Flint Road Cart Co. to build horse-drawn carriages.
Attorney says ruling exposes automaker to around 1,000 additional lawsuits and liabilities up to $10 billion.
Vehicles were programmed to turn on pollution controls during testing and off while on the road.
Profit forecast for the full year remains unchanged at between 6% and 7% return on sales.
Recall covers Impreza cars from the 2017 model year.
Manufacturing output fell 0.4%, led by a 3% drop in the production of motor vehicles and parts.
A pickup truck offering will follow within two years.
Retooling will sustain 8,200 jobs at the facility, where about 25% of all Toyota vehicles produced in NA are made.
The region of Lanaudiere, north of Montreal, has the highest per capita electric car ownership in Quebec.


text:
By NORA G. HERTEL Associated Press, Published in the Star Tribune
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — Agriculture stories this past year focused on the affects of a trade war and the impact of climate change on farmers.
Arlene Jones has a different story to tell.
She's a farmer with 80 acres and the executive director of Sprout, a food hub in Little Falls that connects local farmers with markets in schools and restaurants and with consumers directly.
"The trade wars don't impact small, biodiverse farms," Jones told the St. Cloud Times. “The trade wars are impacting the growers that have thousands and thousands of acres of mostly corn and soybeans that are sitting in grain elevators, because there's no market for them.”
The small farmers who work with Sprout don't rely on the international market, Jones said. She co-founded Sprout after she found local buyers for her own and others' produce.
"Growers that practice variety over volume are less likely to have access to markets," Jones said — and they're less vulnerable to trade actions.
The nonprofit took root in 2012 and has grown in the last three years. Sprout is home to a rental kitchen for cooking classes and small food processors, and it's a monthly marketplace in the winter and hosts other food and artistic programs.
Their marketplace expanded from 20 vendors three years ago to 45 with a waiting list.
On a recent Saturday morning the Sprout warehouse echoed with songs from the Cold Spring Area Maennerchor. Craft and food vendors displayed their wares. And the kitchen smelled like garlic as Central Minnesota farmers prepped for a cooking demonstration.
Sprout has used an arts grant over the last three years to beautify its space and highlight minority groups in the community. Staff applied for another grant and hope to get funding to tell farmers' stories and feature cooking demonstrations with their food.
"Consumers are continuing to demand the story behind their food," Jones said.
"I think it is the consumer conscience, (the) consciousness of really starting to care about the economic vitality of the communities that they live in," she said. “And you pair that with personal responsibility for our own well-being through food, and those are value propositions that no one's going to turn their back on.”
And it's good for the environment.
Kate Droske mixed sour cream into a skillet of ground beef for the filling of pierogis, Polish dumplings, at the start of Saturday's marketplace. She prepped to demonstrate her great-grandmother's recipe with her husband Tyler Carlson. The two run Early Boots Farm in Sauk Centre and raised the beef used in the recipe.
Jim and Audra Chamberlin of Island Lake Farm in Deerwood brought garlic, onions and potatoes for the demonstration.
All four farmers in Sprout's kitchen have used Sprout for freezer space or sold their produce through the nonprofit. They attended Saturday to represent the Sustainable Farming Association's Central Chapter.
"Agriculture done well heals," said Jim Chamberlin. “Agriculture done poorly degrades. Degrades our water. Degrades our soil. Degrades our health. Degrades our rural communities.”


text:
This year’s NAMPO Harvest Day is set to attract record numbers of visitors to the Bothaville, Free State venue from 16 to 19 May 2017, with leaders in the agricultural sector demonstrating the latest in products and services.
From strength to strength
Organised by Grain SA, the four-day exhibition last year attracted an unmatched 75 116 visitors who came to interact with the 685 exhibitors. One of these successful exhibitors was a leading supplier of agricultural equipment and tools, Radium Engineering, who will be returning for the 49th year running in 2017.
“This show provides an incredible platform for those in the agricultural industry to interact with various business owners and suppliers face-to-face,” said Grant Roest, CEO of Radium Engineering. “This is vital to the growth of this sector within the country as it opens up local farmers and industry players to an international market.”
Radium Engineering offers a broad range of expertly designed, dependable implements aimed at satisfying the agricultural and farming equipment needs. With Radium being at the forefront of technological advances and ground-breaking design, each piece of machinery is carefully designed and manufactured according to strict specifications. Their range includes pasturators, spreaders, tillage and feeding equipment.
Because of the trade show’s calibre, global interest by exhibitors and visitors is increasing year on year with 2016 welcoming some 60 foreign exhibitors and more expected in 2017. This, as well as the boost in numbers overall, is indicative of growth in the industry despite tough agricultural conditions.
The importance of NAMPO
The exhibition’s 50-year run has seen massive growth from its humble 1967 origins when a total of eight exhibitors participated and 203 people attended. The exhibition obviously fulfilled a massive need in the South Africa market for an agriculturally-focused, needs-driven trade show that now attracts representatives from every aspect of the industry.
The initial focus of maize production and its mechanisation has been transformed into static exhibitions and virtual displays, with specialists in the various fields giving knowledgeable insights into modern products and practices. The NAMPO 2017 Harvest Day’s exhibitors and facilities have managed to keep up with developments in farming technology, ensuring almost every facet of agriculture is addressed.
According to Cobus van Coller, chairman of the NAMPO Harvest Day: “Over the past half-century the NAMPO Harvest Day has evolved into a brand that accurately resonates modern agriculture in South Africa. It speaks to the general public as consumers of our agricultural products; it speaks to all producers in our country; it speaks to decision makers in government and the industry; it even appeals to the international arena and the growing interest from abroad confirms it.”
He said the recent drought has made it particularly important for producers to visit NAMPO 2017 festival for the exchange of information and insights.
Visitors to NAMPO 2017 will be exposed to a combination of the latest mechanisation technology, a wide variety of input products, vehicles and fixtures all dedicated to improving the agricultural process. In the animal section, there will be representation of large-stock and small-stock breeds – with a daily livestock exhibition – as well as horses and even exhibitions by the wildlife industry. The auctioneers’ competition, hosted in the auction hall, is also one of the show highlights.
Visit NAMPO Harvest Day 2017 from 16 to 19 May outside Bothaville, Free State. Tickets available at www.ticketpros.co.za


text:
ROQUE DIAS | NT
Floriculture is not a big business in the state as hardly 25 hectare of farmlands is used to raise floriculture crops, which produce some 40 tonne of various flowers every year.
The poor floriculture cultivation fails to meet the rising demands for flowers in the state, which is frequented by lakhs of tourists from across the world.
Experts in agriculture research point out that floriculture has been neglected in Goa: floriculture crops have been less than one per cent of the total horticultural crops.
The dismal situation in the segment has been attributed to poor marketing strategies and inadequate spaces for farmers to sell their flowers.
The agriculture department says that nearly 10 hectare of land is cultivated for raising orchids, zebra flowers, anthurium and other varieties of flowers.
Agriculture director Madhav Kelkar maintains that the department has already adopted strategies to improve marketing chains, and that efforts are on to increase the cultivating areas for floriculture.
The attempts made in the past to give a boost to floriculture has proved ineffective, as poor marketing has played a spoilsport. Farmers rue that proper atmosphere is not created to market their floral products.
“There is an opportunity to boost floriculture in this state so as to make Goa self-sufficient in meeting the demands fuelled by tourism and festivals,” explains Director, ICAR-Goa, E B Chakurkar, who is also the chairman of the Goa state level coordination committee.
The committee has been studying as how to double income of floriculture farmers in Goa.
Chakurkar is of the opinion that panel’s suggestions must be acted upon by the state government to give a push to the business.
It is pertinent to note here that former agriculture minister Vijai Sardesai had made an effort to set up a floriculture industrial estate in the state so as to boost up floriculture and lure the youth to the business.
There are some 100 naturally ventilated polyhouses with an area ranging from 500 to 2000 m2. Besides, there are nearly 100 other polyhouses where high-hybrid flowers are raised. The people who run these polyhouses have burnt their fingers owing to the poor marketing strategies and inadequate spaces for selling the exotic flowers.
The agriculture researchers opine that `heliconia’ is the most suitable crop for coastal areas of Goa, which can turn to the flower variety to turn around floriculture business.
A successful model has already been demonstrated for farmers, who have been informed about the profitability of the crop.
The flower crop can be taken up as an intercrop in coconut plantations: it can fetch an income of up to Rs 60,000 per hectare of land.
The experts explain that Goa is basically a ‘horticulture region’ and sees cultivation of cashews, coconuts, areca nuts, pineapples and other fruits.
ROQUE DIAS | NT


text:
Each year Ernst & Young issues a bi-annual Capital Confidence Barometer which is a regular survey of senior executives from large companies around the world. The survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), gauges corporate confidence in the economic outlook and identifies boardroom trends and practices in the way companies manage their capital agenda.
According to Ernst and Young’s 8th Bi-annual Capital Confidence Barometer, conducted for the period April 2013 to October 2013, 81 percent of the senior executives in the MENA region say the current regulatory environment is conducive for business growth.
Phil Gandier; “There is a clear positive sentiment amongst respondents in MENA on regional economic growth, particularly in regard to corporate earnings growth and short term economic stability. The favourable regulatory environment and improving confidence across the region could be possible drivers of the increased appetite for acquisitions and will hopefully encourage companies to create more jobs and to further grow their businesses.” — Phil Gandier, MENA Head of Transaction Advisory Services, Ernst & Young
The report has indicated positive sentiments concerning the global economy and the MENA economy growth. The major findings from the report are as follows:
- Since the last survey in October 2012, respondents exhibited positive expectations regarding global economic growth, corporate earnings and employment levels, and significantly more positive on credit availability and improvement in short-term market stability
- 90% of the respondents expect the local MENA economy to grow in the next 12 months and 50% of the companies surveyed believe that growth will exceed 3% over the next 12 months.
- Globally, 29% of the respondents expect to pursue acquisitions in the next 12 months compared to 46% in MENA. The activity concerning acquisitions is particularly more positive in the MENA region, when compared to business interest six months back, owing to an increase in number and quality of opportunities.
- 90% of respondents in Saudi Arabia believe that the global economy is either improving or is stable and 97% are confident in economic growth in Saudi Arabia.
- 5% of Saudi respondents expect their companies to create jobs or hire talent in the next 12 months.
- 64% of UAE respondents believe that the local economy continues to improve, and 36% believe it to be stable.
- Compared to 88% of the respondents expressing confidence in the Egyptian economy in October 2012, only 40% revealed positive expectations in the latest survey.
- Confidence in the local Qatari economy has also decreased over the last six months, with the number of respondents who believe the local economy is slowing down rising to 20% compared to 10% in Oct 12.
The survey also gauged the preference for cash transactions throughout the MENA economy and revealed that MENA respondents have high cash liquidity.
- 53% of the respondents stated that they will use cash as the primary source to fund deals in the next 12 months, whereas this figure was a mere 29% in October 2012.
- Compared to 60% of the respondents planning to use debt as the primary source of deal financing over the next 12 months, six months ago, this figure has now dropped to 16%
- Majority of the respondents view credit availability as stable or improving by 47% and 40%, respectively.
- 54% of the companies with excess cash plan to employ organic growth strategy, their top two drivers for organic growth strategy being research and development/product introductions and more rigorous focus on their of core products.
Phil Gandier; “With the significant increased appetite for acquisitions in the MENA region coupled with the high number of respondents indicating the ability to finance with cash, we may see the MENA markets capitalizing on these opportunities. It is encouraging to see that the MENA countries have the resources and confidence to help boost performance in their local transaction markets and now might be the right time for them to invest and focus on growth.”


text:
By Cara Smith
This article first appeared in print in the June issue of Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.
It’s no secret that vacation rentals in Revelstoke have exploded over the last few years and, for better or worse, it appears their availability is still on the rise.
According to data from AirDNA, a business based in Denver, Colorado that provides short-term vacation rental data and analytics, the number of vacation listings in the city has continued to increase. As of March of this year, there were a total of 221 Airbnb and HomeAway listings available in the city.
The number of entire home listings has increased by six per cent year over year from 208 in March 2018 and the number of entire home bookings has gone up by 12 per cent from 187 to 209 in that time. The average occupancy rate for entire home rentals has increased by 18 per cent from 58.5 per cent to 69 per cent since then as well.
This is fairly consistent with other areas in the province such as Fernie and Nelson. Fernie saw an increase in available listings of eight per cent since March 2018 from 222 to 239, while Nelson saw an increase of nine per cent from 122 to 133.
The price of vacation rentals has also gone up in Revelstoke, with an increase of two per cent in the average daily rate. In March 2018, the average daily rate was $394.12, whereas in March of this year, the rate was $403.70.
The actual revenue for hosts and property managers grew by 21 per cent over that year, from an average rate of $230.63 in revenue per available room in March 2018 to $278.63 this year.
While Revelstoke has seen an uptick in rates and revenue, the opposite is happening in Nelson as the average daily rate there has gone down by nine per cent from $171.86 to $155.60 and revenue has dropped by 12 per cent from $113 to $98.67.
AirDNA representative Keti Rostomashvili says this is due to a decrease in occupancy rates.
“[This is] great news for tourists, but of course, bad news for vacation rental hosts and local property managers who are making less in revenue this year than they were last year,” she says.
The City of Revelstoke effectively stopped issuing new vacation rental permits over a year ago, and although there have been signals that a new vacation rental policy would be unveiled early in the new year, so far there has been nothing.
The increase in listings doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in illegal vacation rentals; the Mackenzie Village development allows for short-term rentals under its strata rules and is a significant short-term rental hotspot on the AirDNA map. In addition, vacation rentals are permitted on many other strata and commercially zoned properties in Revelstoke.


text:
E-commerce boom strains air freight capacity, while overcapacity keeps ocean rates low
The e-commerce boom has significantly impacted the global shipping industry, particularly in the...
Who should attend?
Women in the trucking industry who want to learn from human resources professionals and other industry managers.
All trucking industry managers who want to learn more about programs and practical solutions designed to support women in the workplace.
Industry leaders who want to develop a female-friendly work culture.
Everyone in the trucking industry who is concerned about the growing shortage of drivers and other skilled personnel.


text:
Tesla is yet to announce the pricing for its electric pickup, having faced multiple delays over the past few years.
Tesla has updated its Vehicle Purchase Agreement for the Cybertruck, where it mentions that the company could sue owners for reselling the electric trucks too soon.
According to the update in the purchase agreement, Tesla could either sue customers who flip their Cybertrucks or fine them at least $50,000. The agreement though does mention that if a situation arises where customers need to sell their Cybertruck, Tesla will get the first right of refusal before it can be offered to the general public. It also mentions that if customers don’t inform Tesla about their Cybertruck sale, the company could also ban them from buying any future models from the brand.
The clause has been added to Tesla’s Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement, which specifically starts with “For Cybertruck Only”.
However, with the Cybertruck yet to enter full-scale production, it is yet unknown how the market will be. Tesla is yet to announce the pricing for its electric pickup, having faced multiple delays over the past few years. CEO Elon Musk recently stated that deliveries of the first models will start by the end of November 2023; however, it would take a year to 18 months for the Cybertruck to actually become a significant cash-flow contributor.
Source: Read Full Article


text:
In the year of its 60th anniversary, Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz do Brasil looks back on a number of successes in Brazil. Despite facing a very difficult economic environment and declining commercial vehicle markets over the last three years, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil has increased its market position in the truck, bus, and van business.In its most important market in Latin America, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is number one with an interim market share of 29.3 percent based on the latest available data, an increase of 2.7 percentage points in comparison to the same period in the previous year. Similarly, Daimler Buses was able to further expand on its undisputed market leadership in Brazil, reaching a total market share of 59.3 percent (+5.6 % pts). Mercedes-Benz Vans also increased its share of the market to 26.1 percent (+1.4 % pts). With regard to sales, Daimler sold around 11,200 trucks, 4,800 buses, and 4,700 large and mid-size vans in Brazil between January and November 2016.
“2016 was a challenging year in Brazil. We are proud we regained the number one position in this market. This shows: We know what our customers in Brazil want and offer them the right products. Meeting the demands of our customers is more important than ever before,” said Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, and added: “Our commitment to Brazil remains strong and we continue to invest in our market presence. We are ready for when the market recovers.”
Continuous investments: Daimler believes in Brazilian market
As the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Latin America, Daimler remains strong in its commitment to the Brazilian market. From 2015 until 2018, Daimler is investing about € 400 million in Brazil in a new product lineup, the highest product quality standards, and efficient production processes. The investments also include the construction of a state-of-the-art test track site for commercial vehicles in Iracemápolis near São Paulo. Simulating real-life traffic and safety situations on 18 separate tracks will be possible there starting next year. Between 2010 and 2015, Daimler already invested around € 700 million in products and local production sites in Brazil.
New truck launches and intelligent platforms strengthen Mercedes-Benz lineup in Brazil
Local market share gains in Brazil are the result of a strong product offering. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil continued to launch new trucks, buses and light commercial vehicles. Since sales launch in the beginning of this year, the new Mercedes-Benz Actros is being received very well by customers. Its robust chassis and comfortable driver’s cab are tailored specifically to the different road conditions in Latin America. The Actros boasts up to five percent less fuel consumption and up to ten percent higher torque, lowering the operational cost considerably compared to the previous model. Sales until November increased by over 90 percent to 838 units (2015: 436 units) compared to the previous year. With the Accelo 1316 and the new Atego line, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil has also started sales of new medium-sized and semi-heavy trucks that cater specifically to market requirements. Daimler Buses meets increasing demand for modern public transit in Brazil
In 2016, Daimler also launched the Mercedes-Benz O 500 MDA super articulated bus – the world’s largest articulated bus capable of transporting up to 220 passengers. It was fully developed by Mercedes-Benz do Brasil aimed at local demand for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and similar modes of urban bus transportation. Having been tested in operation during Brazil’s Olympic Games in summer of 2016, the bus has already become a fixture in the urban landscape of its largest metropolitan centers. Right after launch, the city of Rio de Janeiro ordered an additional 50 units of the bus made in Brazil, for Brazil.Mercedes-Benz Vito and new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter launched in Brazil
Daimler’s light commercial vehicles are market benchmarks with regard to safety, comfort, performance, and operational cost – as shown by the successful new Mercedes-Benz Vito in the medium-size van segment in Brazil. Vito brings an unprecedented array of assistance systems to the segment, including Attention Assist and Hill Start Assist, while offering high load capacity in a compact form factor. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz Vans introduced the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for the large van segment in Brazil. The new Sprinter includes technological innovations, such as fog lights with integrated direction assistance and the exclusive Crosswind Assist system.
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil wins 21 awards in 2016
A total of 21 trade awards won in 2016 honor Daimler’s commitment and underscore the strength of the Mercedes-Benz product lineup in Brazil. For example, the new Actros was chosen as Best Extra-Heavy Truck 2016 by Top Truck TV. Together with the Actros, Mercedes-Benz Accelo, Atego and Sprinter were elected Best Trucks of 2016 by Motorpress Brasil, who also named Mercedes-Benz do Brasil “Best Engine Manufacturer”. Moreover, the company was awarded the prestigious title of “Best Manufacturer of Commercial Vehicles” in Brazil by the publishers of Autodata.


text:
MyImage 2019: Magnetix Linked by Isobar crowned the strongest digital agency in the country
Scandlines Chooses New Agency for CRM and Marketing Automation
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Scandlines was looking for a new agency partner for CRM, dialogue strategy and marketing automation. Following a bidding round, the company has chosen Magnetix Linked by Isobar.
When it Comes to Commerce Specialist Service Providers, Forrester Ranks Isobar is the ‘Global Leader’
Monday, December 3, 2018
In the latest Forrester Wave™ report, the analytics firm ranks Isobar as ‘Leader’ from the world’s leading commerce specialist service providers.
New ‘My Money’ App from SDC
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Very young bank customers and customers with simple needs are now getting an app to help them keep track of their money. The new app is for all banks using SDC’s online banking solution, and Middelfart Sparekasse is the first to provide this new option for customers.
BankNordik Bans Jargon
Friday, November 9, 2018
New BankNordik campaign developed with Magnetix tackles banking jargon. Finally, a bank that everyone can understand.
L’Oréal in Nordic partnership with Isobar and Magnetix to elevate customer experience
Monday, October 15, 2018
In 2017, L’Oréal went looking for a new creative and CRM agency to help with the marketing efforts across the Nordics. After an extensive agency pitch process, L’Oréal Nordics chose Isobar as their new creative and strategic marketing partner.
danbolig wins silver at the ECHO Awards for Our Neighbourhoods
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
On Monday night (Danish time), at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas it was prize-giving time for the traditional ECHO Awards – the unofficial world championship for Direct & Data-Inspired Marketing. In the ‘Best Digital Destination’ category, danbolig won the silver award for ‘Our Neighbourhoods’, a project that was created and developed in cooperation with Magnetix Linked by Isobar.


text:
May 3, 2019
Facebook's potential settlement with FTC will likely include WhatsApp
May 3, 2019
Facebook Inc's potential settlement with federal regulators over breaches of consumer data privacy is nearing completion, and will likely cover related services like its WhatsApp messenger, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Politico reported on Wednesday that Facebook and the Federal Trade Commision (FTC) were negotiating a possible settlement that would require the company to create an independent privacy oversight committee and take other steps to safeguard users.
The FTC has been investigating revelations that Facebook inappropriately shared information belonging to 87 million of its users with the now-defunct British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica.
The probe has focused on whether the sharing of data and other disputes violated a 2011 agreement with the FTC to safeguard user privacy.
Facebook announced last week that it has set aside $3 billion to cover settlements with U.S. regulators.
It was not immediately clear whether Instagram, another Facebook-owned service, would be covered under the settlement being negotiated with the Federal Trade Commission, the Wall Street Journal report said.
Facebook and the FTC did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment.
© Thomson Reuters 2022 All rights reserved.


text:
Janus opening Hong Kong office
By Bloomberg News
Feb. 21, 1:30 p.m.
Janus Capital Corp., the Denver-based mutual fund company, said it's opening a Hong Kong office to coordinate fund sales in Asia outside of Japan, where it already has an office.
The office will have three employees, including a regional sales director and a sales manager, and comes as Janus prepares to sell its Dublin-based Janus World funds through Citigroup Inc.'s Asian sales network, said Richard Garland, chief executive at Janus International.
Janus now sells funds internationally through Merrill Lynch & Co. and other companies, including HSBC Holdings Pls and Chase Manhattan Corp.
"We've had alliances with some institutions, but this time we're putting a team on the ground," Garland said.
The office will open withing the next two months.
Copyright 2000 Bloomberg News. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Return to top


text:
The 2019 countdown of the Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers was the twelfth such poll but the first since it moved – with the GABS festival – to new owners. Late last year, founders Steve Jeffares and Guy Greenstone sold to a team led by entrepreneur Mike Bray, who took two of the key players in the GABS operation with him: Ruta Marcinkus and Craig Williams.
Mike says the countdown, which saw Stone & Wood Pacific Ale return to the top spot – the campaigning by breweries, and the day itself were everything he expected and more, particularly given how the quality of craft beer in the country makes voting for just five beers so hard.
“Not only are we lucky enough to have such a wonderful choice of world-class craft beers in Australia which makes selecting your top five in the GABS Hottest 100 near impossible," he says, "but to have a record year of over 35,500 people, from all over the country, take the time out of their day to vote just shows how strong the growth of craft beer is and what a great conversation starter the GABS Hottest 100 is for the whole industry.”
Mike adds that while more people than ever voted in this year’s GABS – and that the poll is arguably the biggest act of beer democracy in the world – the space between beers remains tight.
“I was surprised at just how close the voting is, you can literally have just a few hundred votes separating up to twenty nominations all over the list.”
Article continues below the table...
For Craig, who's been with GABS since 2016, he says the poll has been running for so long that, while each year new breweries make the list and beers rise and fall over time, he’s unsure anything would surprise the team anymore.
“Certainly every year, we'll see new breweries really harness the power of their audience to make the leap into the Hottest 100,” he says, adding how impressive it is to see beers like Pacific Ale Beechworth Pale Ale remain favourites for so long.
“To me, it's about whether that success can be sustained year to year. It's the beers that consistently make the upper echelons of the list that amaze and impress me, and to even make it into the list for two or three years running is something that any brewery should be very proud of.”
This year’s list has also seen the disappearance of small breweries that made a splash last year, such as Darwin’s One Mile and The Welder’s Dog in Armidale. Craig says strong campaigns can push beers into the list even without national distribution, yet believes the top end tens to reflect the beers people are thinking about, and drinking, all year.
“I think there are two factors at play here, one is campaign driven 'reminder voting' and the other is 'no-need-to-remind-me-that-this-is-my-favourite-beer voting',” he says.
“The top beers that are there every year are capturing more votes because they are naturally top of mind when people think of their five favourite craft beers, not because they saw an ad. To get into that 'top-of-mind' position, that always comes back to the basics – brewing high-quality beer consistently all year, and building your brand and community over the longer term.
Mike says that, while the bigger breweries with flagship beers might find success, beer fans know what they like and vote accordingly.
“I think we need to give the tens of thousands of craft beers lovers that do vote far more credit,” he says. “They will vote for the beers they enjoy which may be mainstream or a local brew only found in their hometown.
“This is reflected in the sheer number of beers that actually receive votes, nearly every beer in the poll had a fan out there. While the top end of the main list could be considered heavy in beers from the bigger breweries and indie flagships, this is probably directly reflective of the distribution reach and year-round focus these beers receive, which will make them far more accessible.”
Even if some beers at the top might not excite drinkers at the pointier end of the craft beer world, Mike says the more seasoned or adventurous beer fan is partially responsible for the thirty new beers in the top 100 and can always look to the Hottest 100 New Beers 2019 list for more diversity. Due to the sheer number of breweries in the country, Mike adds that marketing and connecting with drinkers should always be high on the agenda for a brewery.
“It is one of the best annual opportunities for all brewers to become part of a national conversation with the spotlight solely on craft beer,” he says. “This doesn’t mean you have to have a big budget to create content, this year social channels were full of fun and creative posts and videos that were created on mobile phones and got great cut through.”


text:
Review of Ssense x Parajumpers Fall 2022 Ad Campaign by Photographer Valerio Nico
Parajumpers and Ssense join forces for an extreme new campaign by photographer Valerio Nico.
While it’s been in existence for over 15 years, Parajumpers has been achieving newfound notoriety thanks to the burgeoning luxury outerwear trend that has picked up over the last few years, and has recently started to appear on luxury retail platforms like Ssense. Founded in 2006 by Massimo Rossetti, himself an avid explorer and outdoorsman, the brand is inspired by the Anchorage, Alaska’s 210th Rescue Squadron – a highly-trained unit tasked with extreme rescue missions in the wildest and most remote corners of the world.
Nico’s campaign imagery references this spirit of high performance under extreme conditions. Utilizing the visual structure of monumental setpieces like super deep indoor pools – the kind astronauts might train in – or an indoor skydiving wind tunnel, he sees his models subjected to high intensity physical experiments, complete with doctors in lab coats monitoring their progress. The images aren’t without a sense of humor though, with high velocity facial distortions or bodies frozen in ice, or even the strangeness of wearing a puffer jacket underwater, providing a bit of surreal levity.
While a bit of art direction or graphic design would have elevated the campaign – there’s no logos or text to be seen, so out of context we wouldn’t necessarily be sure what this is even a campaign for – it still takes a smart premise and executes it with clarity and wit.
Photographer | Valerio Nico Stylist | Paolo Zagoreo
WHERE FASHION GETS CREATIVE
Press ESC to close
Stay up to date on news, analysis, real-time runway coverage, campaigns, trends, store design and more. Join our newsletter today.
Newsletter sent Mon - Fri 1:30 AM EST
This article is available exclusively to The Impression+ members
The Impression+ provides premium insights and creative intelligence for industry leaders and their teams to stay ahead of the trends transforming the fashion industry.


text:
By Chloe Aiello
Cannabis will play a crucial role in the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, CannAmerica CEO and veteran Dan Anglin told Cheddar.
"I think that President Trump or any of the folks running against him would absolutely benefit from embracing cannabis as a policy platform," he said.
Anglin's position in the marijuana industry is at odds with his status as a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. Even as marijuana businesses like his flourish in 420-friendly states, veterans looking to use the plant for medicinal purposes or to cash in on the industry risk losing their government support.
"Let's say somebody got prosthetics or something else and they don't want to be on opioids ーthey'd rather be on some kind of cannabinoid for pain or inflammation ー they could literally lose their benefits," Anglin said.
An advocate for both veteran rights and cannabis rights, Anglin said the federal government should remove cannabis from the controlled substances act in order to "give veterans and all Americans that access to have the freedom of choice for either medicine or adult use."
Anglin's comments come on the heels of an announcement that his company, which is known for its cannabis-infused gummies, entered a long-term licensing agreement and brand partnership with cannabis wholesaler Flower One. The partnership will expose CannAmerica's products to a wider customer base, as well as give the company the opportunity to innovate.
"We are expanding into other lines besides edibles, so vaporization lines, gel cap lines, pods, as well as cookies and beverages," Anglin said. "Really in a place like Flower One ... we really expect to see a lot of product development and start to create exciting new trends."
For full interview click here.


text:
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Place: Union Depot - St. Paul
Send this story to a friend
Cargill to increase spending with minority, women-owned firms to $1 billion
Cargill CEO Greg Page told a room full of minority entrepreneurs on Thursday that the agricultural giant intends to double spending with companies such as theirs, as well as with women-owned businesses.
Wayzata-based Cargill "wants to join the billion-dollar club," he said, referring to giant corporations that already do that much business with minority- and women-owned companies. Cargill projects it will spend $460 million on such firms in its 2013 fiscal year.
Page didn't provide a date by when the company wants to hit $1 billion. Cargill spokeswoman Susan Eich later said that Cargill's ongoing goal is to increase such spending between 7 and 10 percent each year.
Page was the keynote speaker at the annual meeting for the Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council, an organization that helps large companies such as Cargill forge business relationships with smaller minority-owned businesses. Nearly 500 people attended the event at the Golden Valley Golf and Country Club.
For example, Cargill has a partnership with St. Paul-based Catalina Specialty Foods to produce tortillas for McDonald's, Page said. That partnership is called Catallia Mexican Foods, which is based in Eagan and serves restaurants and other food-service providers.
Page said fostering diversity is not just altruism, but is good business that is demanded by the family owners of the $134 billion Cargill, which is one of the largest private firms in the world. It's also demanded by Cargill's customers that are trying to meet their own supplier-diversity goals, he said.
Cargill's focus on diversity extends beyond suppliers to employees, their skills and ways of thinking, and the industries and worldwide regions in which it does business, he said. That's required to ensure the long-term survival of the company.
- Most popular
- Seven Minnesota families ranked among richest in U.S. by Forbes
- These 31 Minneapolis bars will be open late for the MLB All-Star Game
- Supervalu reverses HQ shift, will move 1,000 workers back to old site
- Medtronic discloses Minnesota job cuts
- Hy-Vee has a deal for first Twin Cities store
- Minneapolis ranked best place to raise children in U.S.
- Target Field adds self-serve beer machines
- Posh restaurant to debut at Old Log Theater
- Dream Homes: Home with huge poolhouse listed for $3M (Photos)
- Total Wine wins the fight for another Twin Cities store
Sign up to receive afternoon and morning edition newsletters and breaking news as it happens.
Vice President of Organizational Development and Technology Kansas City Area Transportation Authority | Kansas City, MO
CEO BRIDGE Healthcare Partners | Denver, CO
Assistant Store Manager Wireless Lifestyle | Brooklyn Center, MN


text:
Halston on Weinstein's runway
EmptyIn a bid to diversify its business, the Weinstein Co. has partnered with Hilco Consumer Capital Llc. to acquire the Halston fashion brand.
The Weinstein Co. plans to make a documentary about the fashion icon and feature Halston products in its films and on Bravo's "Project Runway" to revitalize the label.
The Weinstein Co.'s docu plans also signal another case of dueling gay icon movies for production company Killer Films. A Killer executive said its long-delayed and unrelated narrative biopic, "Simply Halston," is now on the front burner of its development slate.
The film might end up competing with the Weinstein Co. project, just as Killer's Truman Capote biopic "Infamous" was delayed a year because of Sony Pictures Classics' 2005 release "Capote."
Killer recently signed a nonexclusive first-look deal with ThinkFilm, but the Halston project was not among those the companies initially discussed.
While studios and networks frequently plug their sister companies' films and TV shows and integrate advertisers' brands into their content, it is rare for an entertainment company to own a consumer brand and market it through its own content. The Weinstein Co., however, is not the first to make such a move. In 1996, New Regency Prods. acquired an equity stake in Puma AG and once Regency cut a deal with Fox Filmed Entertainment for distribution and an investment, Puma products were featured in Fox fare.
"Two years ago, when my brother and I started the Weinstein Co., one key component we were talking to the investors about was finding a name brand to acquire to diversify our company, just like Arnon Milchan did with Regency and Puma," Harvey Weinstein said. "I knew that Halston would be the perfect fit.
"Our company has already had tremendous success turning the hit fashion show 'Project Runway' into a global brand and we see the same potential with Halston," he added. "We are thrilled to be joining this group of investors and advisers to help reinvent one of the greatest brands in fashion history. We believe this innovative partnership furthers the natural connection between the adjacent worlds of entertainment and fashion." Among the fashion leaders who will help structure management and provide creative direction for Halston — best known for designing fashions for the international jet set during the 1960s and '70s, including Jackie Onassis' pillbox hats — is Tamara Mellon, founder-president of Jimmy Choo Ltd. A board of directors has been formed and the investment group is in the process of assembling an advisory board of leading business and fashion figures that will be charged with finding a CEO, lead designer and creative team.
"This acquisition allows the Weinstein Co. to participate in the Halston brand equity upside that will be created by leveraging the collective assets and abilities of our partnership," said John Semel, senior vp business development at the Weinstein Co., who will oversee the partnership on behalf of the studio.
The Halston brand and other assets were acquired from Neema Clothing Ltd., whose founder and principal shareholder is James J. Ammeen.


text:
The Wall Street Journal just celebrated 125 years in print, and along with scooping up Taylor Swift to divine the future of the music industry, they asked Alice Waters to weigh in on the direction food was heading in the next century.
She calls out the predictable parties and champions local farmers and mom-and-pop restaurants “with little enthusiasm for franchises” as the best method of overcoming fast food and Big Ag. However, she argues, we can’t dismantle the factory farming system without some political accountability:
“[The local and sustainable] movement poses a threat to fast-food businesses and industrial food companies, both of which I predict will continue to shape-shift and co-opt their values for profit. As long as their products continue to be supported by government subsidies, they will be successful. The reality is that the sustainable-food movement’s reach will grow only to a point and ultimately will be limited to those with access, means and education—unless legislators dramatically change food and agriculture policy.”
Your move, legislators.
Have a tip we should know? email@example.com


text:
Earlier this week, Massive Inc. gathered agencies, advertisers and game publishers together to showcase new titles available through the Microsoft-owned in-game ad network. Based on interviews at a reception afterward, media buyers seem to have received the event warmly.
“Rarely can you get all the publishers in one room,” said Adam Bow, senior strategist of emerging media and innovation at PHD, a unit of Omnicom Group. For Bow and others like him, the event was a rare first opportunity to see a slate of games to be released in 2009 from five top-tier publishers: Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, 2K Games, THQ, and Electronic Arts.
“It was really helpful to see what the game was like and where the ad placements were,” said Rose Ahn, media supervisor at PHD.
Publishers took the stage at Le Poisson Rouge club in SoHo to present ad-relevant titles. Activision, which just extended its agreement with Massive, detailed franchises including “Guitar Hero,” “Transformers,” “Tony Hawk,” and “James Bond.” Massive’s national sales manager, Ian Ali, said the game ad broker wants to delve more deeply into fixed product placement, and is in talks with Activision and Ford Motors to so with a future title.
Product placement is just one of a suite of new ad formats Massive is rolling out. Streaming video ads are another relatively new offering, and one that’s built into the upcoming Ubisoft title “I Am Alive,” due out in the first half of 2009. The dynamically served ads can take the shape of the label on a bottle of water cast on the pavement, the logo on a coffee cup placed on a newspaper machine, or other branded items that seamlessly become part of the game.
Jeff Minsky, director, Next, at Omnicom Media Group’s Emerging Media practice, told ClickZ he was thrilled to get game publishers together in the same room. “With the economy where there is so much bad news, this is one bright spot,” he said.
Yet the economy could affect in-game ad budgets for marketers not already entrenched in the media channel. “In-game advertising is a fairly new thing for clients that haven’t jumped in; it takes a while for preparation, tests, and planning,” said PHD’s Bow. “It may take up to a year before a traditional advertiser throws money [into a campaign].”
Any pulling back won’t happen across the board, Bow and Ahn assure ClickZ. They say budgets are determined on a client-by-client and even campaign-by-campaign basis. Ahn said she is interested in the streaming dynamic video format for one of her clients and thinks “new format” won’t translate to “experimental,” “They understand and grasp [the media],” she said.
While the event was billed as an upfront, and Massive’s goal is to sell ads for the upcoming year, the focus was on getting media buyers and advertisers comfortable with the games and media on the market. The sell sheet, detailing five sales packages from premium ad placements to sponsorships, brand integration, and package marketing was briefly noted in closing remarks and included in gift bags for all attendees.
One attendee summed up the soiree this way: “It’s a hype event, but it’s good.”
A class action lawsuit against an internet-connected pleasure device highlights the potential pitfalls a growing number of companies will face as they embrace ... read more
Google sparked a small firestorm last week as reports surfaced that its intelligent assistant device Google Home delivered an unsolicited advertisement to unsuspecting owners.
According to Internet Retailer's newly released The Best Digital Marketers in E-Commerce report, Target is the most effective marketer in online retail. So why is it struggling overall?
The rise of YouTube and digital video generally has a lot to do with the rise of the internet and the abundance of digital video content. But YouTube's ascendency is also the result of Google's savvy use of algorithms.


text:
The tills were ringing once again in the towns former Woolworth store as Poundland gave shoppers a taste of TV soap razzamataz to celebrate it’s offical opening.
As an instore DJ got the crowd bopping Emmerdale Farm’s Jeff Hordley AKA ‘nasty’ Caine Dingle declared the store open and signed autographs for star struck shoppers.
Long queues quickly formed on the checkouts in scenes reminiscent of Woolworth’s closing down sale in December 2008.
None of the former Woolworth staff however, have been re-employed by Poundland.
Meanwhile as shoppers flocked to Poundland for it’s celebrity opening, discount rival the 99p store in the Swan centre appeared to be trading normally while the ’89p Extra’ store was seen to have only two customers in it and three members of staff.[poll id=”3″]
Do discount shops offer better value for money than the big supermarket chains? Look out for our report next week!


text:
Resilient beverage division drives Coca-Cola Amatil’s profit growth
Coca-Cola Amatil, Australia’s largest soft drink bottler, has reported their first half profit after tax has risen 22% to $171.9 million.
The distributor of Coca-Cola in Australia advised that stronger cash control was one of the reasons for the increase. New beverage products added impetus to the results, with the Mother re-launch, Kirk’s Ginger Beer, Powerade Edge and Recovery and Glacéau – which is likely reap sales 4 times the original forecasts – among the successful new products introduced to the Australian marketplace. Mother, which represents the company’s desire to gain a foothold in the energy drink market, is delivering ahead of expectations with strong initial results following a promotional campaign which highlighted that the new Mother tasted “nothing like the old one”.
Their alcohol division, Pacific Beverages, banked strong returns as their share of the premium beer market grew to 7%.
“CCA has delivered another strong profit result in tougher trading conditions with excellent performances from the Australian and New Zealand beverage businesses, and the continued growth of our Indonesian operations,” CCA CEO Terry Davis said. “The result has been driven by well balanced revenue and mix management and tight cost control programs across the business. In addition, CCA continues to benefit from efficiency gains from its capital spending program while the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages contributed nearly 20% of the Australian beverage business growth.”
The resilience of the Australian beverage operations, was particularly pleasing for the company. “The Australian business delivered 10.0% EBIT growth for the half despite being impacted by poor weather and heavy discounting by our major competitor in the first quarter. The earnings result was driven by a strong second quarter trading performance with 2.0% volume growth while continuing to recover cost increases and grow margins,” Mr Davis advised.
In the Food & Services Division CCA reported growth of 7.2% in a “difficult environment”, as Grinders grew its share of the coffee market and Neverfail delivered solid results. The expansion of SPC Ardmona in the UK and Canada continued, while their Australian SPC operations were able to maintain earnings. The company expects more than 35 new products to be launched by SPC over the coming year.
The challenges to SPC were outlined two weeks ago when the company scaled back their Victorian operations due to “increasing pressure because of the combined effects of the drought and a higher currency”. The restructure will result in the Mooroopna plant scaling down production to tomatoes, fruit snacks and some juice and paste production. “SPC Ardmona is proactively taking this restructure to ensure our business remains competitive in the Australian and international markets,” Nigel Garrard, Managing Director of SPC Ardmona, advised earlier this month.
CCA was bullish about the future with a “robust” financial position and “at least high single digit” profit growth anticipated.
Australian teenage boys are eating more than 10kg of free sugar from soft drinks alone, prompting th...
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is inviting comments on a draft undertakin...
Parent company of Coles supermarkets, Wesfarmers, has announced its 2016 financial year results.
Donut King is taking a different direction, opening a new concept store.
Coles is testing low-sensory supermarket shopping for customers with autism.
One of Australia’s leading global wine brands Jacob’s Creek has added star-power to its latest campa...
Fonterra is now using virtual reality technology to show employees how to navigate its manufacturing...
Woolworths will be removing all single-use plastic bags from its Australian stores by 20 June 2018.


text:
Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli was named Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Council’s The Fashion Awards 2022 on Monday night at Royal Albert Hall.
The accolade, voted for by an international judging panel of over 1000 industry experts, saw Piccioli beat off tough competition from Jonathan Anderson for his namesake label and Loewe, Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta, and Miuccia Prada. While Balenciaga’s creative director Demna was pulled as a nominee following the controversy over the luxury label’s recent ad campaigns.
2022 has been a big year for Piccioli as the designer created a new Pantone colour, a bright magenta hue ‘Pink PP’ for his autumn/winter 2022 collection and introduced a series of installations from guerrilla projections to pop-ups and parties celebrating the pink colour.
There was also British success, with S.S. Daley winning the BFC Foundation Award, an accolade recognising an emerging designer from those receiving support from the BFC Foundation who had a major creative impact on global fashion in the last 12 months.
While Wales Bonner scooped the Independent British Brand award, which included nominees Bianca Saunders, Erdem, Molly Goddard and Jonathan Anderson.
The Model of the Year accolade was presented to Bella Hadid, while Jefferson Hack won the Special Recognition Award for Cultural Curation and Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award.
The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator was presented by Charlotte Tilbury to Katie Grand, and Burberry were recognised for its gaming activations with the Fashion Award for Metaverse World and Gaming Experience.
The Fashion Awards names 2022 winners
The event also celebrated fifteen Leaders of Change, highlighting brands, creatives, and individuals who created positive change within the fashion industry this past year under three categories: Environment, People and Creativity.
Included in the creativity line-up was the former creative director of Gucci, Alessandro Michele, alongside emerging designer Harris Reed, Raf Simons, Daniel Roseberry and Ibrahim Kamara. The environment category championed Bethany Williams, Connor Ives, Gabriela Hearst, Marine Serre, and Priya Ahluwalia.
The people category, celebrating those who have led change by encouraging equal, diverse, empowered workforces from head office to supply chain and shop floor, included Aurora James, Harry Lambert, Julie Pelipas, Sinéad Burke and Rafael Pavarotti.
The Fashion Awards event raises funds for the BFC Foundation, a charity that supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on talent, education, grant-giving and business mentoring. In the financial year 2021/2022, the BFC said it remitted more than 1.3 million pounds in funds to designers and scholars.