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Sir Purrcival wrote:I had the same question. What now for some of these large retail spaces. I suppose it is possible that Walmart might take advantage of a few of the open spaces to position stores in better places or bigger places but there is a definite lack of big box retailers to just take over spaces of this size. Sears is struggling, the Bay is not going to take them over. I don't think you are going to see a JC Penny or Kohl's come up from the US after the Target experiment. So it is a big what now.
Never was all that impressed with Target. Seemed like another Zellers. I remember the big hoopla about the grand opening. People lining up like it was some kind of special day and here we are a year and half later. Probably one of the shortest lived, highest costing failures in the Canadian market by a retailer ever.
At least one observer seems optimistic for the future of this retail space, although they could be biased in their outlook, from the Georgia Straight:
Canadian Target closures will create new shopping opportunities, say experts
by Carlito Pablo on Jan 15, 2015 at 12:52 pm
The closure of Target stores in Canada will create new shopping opportunities and perhaps “more creative” alternatives to big box stores, according to real-estate experts.
James Shandro, vice president of retail, leasing, and sales at the Vancouver office of the commercial real estate services firm Avison Young, noted that consumer demand remains strong.
“We have some very sophisticated and savvy landlords and developers in this country who have experienced loss of anchor tenants off and on many times over their histories of mall ownership,” Shandro told the Straight in a phone interview following an announcement today (January 15) by Minneapolis-based Target Corporation to cease operations in the country.
“So while Target is a big name to be losing based on their place in the world landscape, I think ultimately, this will just create opportunities for other anchor tenants and maybe even some new, more creative solutions to take care of some of the big box spaces that will be coming back when Target leaves,” Shandro continued.
Target’s announcement came less than two years after the American retailer launched operations in Canada.
There are 133 Target stores across the country, employing about 17,600 people.
“Target Corporation’s cash costs to discontinue Canadian operations are expected to be $500 million to $600 million, most of which will occur in the Company’s 2015 fiscal year or later,” the retailer stated in a media release.
The company also announced that it filed an application before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. According to a CBC report, the request was granted by the court.
Target has 19 stores in B.C., including one at Metrotown in Burnaby.
The American retailer previously acquired leases held by the Zellers chain to gain a foothold in the Canadian market.
Avison Young’s Shandro doesn’t think that there is an excess of retail spaces in Metro Vancouver and across the province.
“There’s still plenty more consumer demand for more retail,” Shandro said. “It’s just a matter of having the right mix of retailers that that demand is yearning for.”
Shandro anticipates that the spaces to be vacated by Target will host both big and small retailers.
“There is still lot of interest and demand from other American and other international retailers that, irrespective of Target’s decision, have great interest in entering the Canadian marketplace,” he said. “This will just now give them other opportunities to consider as far as where they want to locate. But I’m sure in other markets, some of these big spaces that Target will be vacating will be demised and carved up to accommodate multiple tenants, again depending on exactly what market you’re in.”
The Avison Young executive doesn’t see Target simply walking away from its leases.
“There are definitely going to be financial considerations and implications that Target will have to deal with, which will then of course give these landlords and developers time to sort out what their plans are going to be for these spaces,” Shandro said.
Real-estate consultant Peter Austin was following news about Target’s announcement when reached for comment at his Vancouver office.
“I would anticipate that if there isn’t another major chain coming from the States that wants to take over, the spaces will likely get split up,” Austin told the Straight by phone.
Austin doesn’t see the closure of Target stores giving pause to the development of new shopping spaces.
“People are still building shopping centres and expanding because the population is increasing, and and as population increases, in theory, you’ll need more square footage,” he said.
As for Target’s experience in Canada, Austin said that “it’s just a chain that has not done very well”.
“Obviously, their sales will now be divided up by other people,” Austin said. “That’s a positive for the other stores.”
I see there's a Canadian chain called Giant Tiger with most of its locations in ON & QC, a smattering of stores in most other provinces but apparently none in BC. Just noticed them on one of those flyer websites so I don't know much about them but they look like a Zellers style of discount department store. Wonder if they would consider breaking into BC, although I don't think they would last in Vancouver any more than Zellers could.
Sports can be a peculiar thing. When partaking in fiction, like a book or movie, we adopt a "Willing Suspension of Disbelief" for enjoyment's sake. There's a similar force at work in sports: "Willing Suspension of Rationality". If you doubt this, listen to any conversation between rival team fans. You even see it among fans of the same team. Fans argue over who's the better QB or goalie, and selectively cite stats that support their views while ignoring those that don't.


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The global economic environment seems to be healthier than it was a year ago. Notably, we see evidence of more solid growth around the world, and not just in the U.S. as was the case through much of 2018. The consumer sector in particular has been quite strong and has propelled the broader economy.
One year ago, investors were highly worried about a global recession, but those risks appear to have faded. In fact, if anything, we think investors may have grown too optimistic over prospects for stronger growth, as reflected by rising stock prices. We think risks remain, especially regarding the manufacturing sector and global trade levels. We don’t think it will happen, but weak manufacturing and trade could act as a drag and significantly slow down global economic momentum. We think it is more likely that the strong consumer and service sectors could help provide a lift to manufacturing data. But so far evidence of that scenario has been scant.
Trade woes represent a significant risk. The main culprit behind any economic weakness continues to be the rise in protectionism and broad trade policy uncertainty. Trade issues have clearly hurt global manufacturing levels, caused a downshift in business sentiment and depressed capital expenditure spending. If protectionism persists and new tariffs continue to be enacted, this damage could deepen.
We see some glimmers of hope, however. While the latest rounds of negotiations over the U.S./China phase one trade deal have stalled, we think prospects remain for a limited agreement and new tariffs could likely be delayed. Even as tariffs have been in place and as economic data from the eurozone has been spotty, Chinese export levels have been picking up, which is a critically important indicator of broader global trade levels. It is too early to say whether this improvement is a harbinger of better things to come, but it is clearly an optimistic signal.
At present, equity prices reflect a better trade environment, and we hope those signals are correct. A reduction in tariff levels (or even an easing in trade tensions and more clarity around future policy) would be bullish for stocks. If corporate management teams had a better sense of where trade issues were heading, they would be more willing to invest in their businesses, which would be a positive for corporate earnings and profits.
Monetary policy may have run out of steam. Part of the reason we have a cautious outlook toward the economy and global financial markets is that monetary policy may have exhausted its ability to provide a tailwind for stocks. Global monetary policy remains extremely accommodative, but central banks, including the Federal Reserve, now appear in a holding pattern.
The drop in interest rates over the course of 2019 has been a positive for stock markets. But at this point, we have a hard time seeing additional cuts without also seeing notable economic weakness. And such weakness would be a negative for stocks and would probably outweigh any additional benefits arising from even lower rates.
In contrast, if economic growth does pick up (perhaps due to better news on the trade front), policymakers will come under increasing pressure to once again raise interest rates. We don’t see that happening in the near term given how cautious central bankers have been, but monetary policy is less clear now than it was earlier in the year.
This is particularly true given the current monetary policy backdrop. Conditions remain extremely accommodative and equity friendly, but the Federal Reserve seems unlikely to push interest rates any lower, unless it sees fresh evidence of economic weakness. And such evidence would be a bearish sign for stocks.
We remain mildly constructive toward stocks. We are hopeful that a modest improvement in economic growth will take hold, and we see prospects for better trade conditions from here. A slow recovery in manufacturing and trade would probably cause interest rates to rise modestly, but not to the point that rising rates would damage equity markets. At the same time, corporate profits could grind slowly higher in 2020. All told, such an environment causes us to be mildly constructive toward stocks.
The risks, however, appear skewed to the downside. The problem is those risks are more about political issues and policy decisions rather than economic fundamentals. Politics and policy mistakes are much harder to handicap than issues such as economic weakness or credit fundamentals, making them particularly tough to plan for.
Additionally, we think that valuations for equities and other risk assets have gotten full over the past few months. At this point, most of the good news appears already baked into prices. That means that economic growth and trade clarity will need to deliver in order for prices to continue moving higher.
Source: Bob Doll, Nuveen
Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.
Last Week's Headlines: 12/2/2019
1. MONTHLY ADVANCE REPORT ON MANUFACTURERS' SHIPMENTS, INVENTORIES AND ORDERS OCTOBER 2019 New orders for manufactured durable goods in October increased $1.5 billion or 0.6 percent to $248.7 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This increase, up four of the last five months, followed...
Market Snapshot: S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit records on po...
The U.S. stock market saw a higher start for Monday as investors remain attuned to developments in the U.S.-China trade relationship.
Chasing Amazon, Retailers Are in a Never-Ending Arms Race
The economy is relatively strong, and consumers are spending. So why are things so tough for some retailers?
This Economic Indicator Is Proving the Naysayers Wrong
Flying in the face of negative economic news, U.S. factories picked up steam for the third straight month in November. The preliminary manufacturing purchasing manager's index (PMI), a le...

domain: news


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Brace yourselves. Animal Crossing for the Nintendo Switch has just been announced for a 2019 release during today’s Nintendo Direct. Fans of the series have been very vocal about wanting a new entry for the series and today is the day Nintendo finally came through. No details have been announced other than the announcement that it is indeed coming and slated for a 2019 release. You can see Nintendo’s official tweet about it here:
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 13, 2018
More information to come as it breaks.


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Tesco appoints new PR firm
Tesco has appointed a new PR agency to handle its global business and has created a new communications director post as it looks to boost its overseas growth.
The supermarket giant has ended its 12 year relationship with Maitland and brought in rival PR firm Brunswick. It is understood that the move reflects the retailer's increasing focus on growth outside of the UK.
Tesco has also created a new communications director role focused on international business with Ian Hutchins, previously international corporate affairs manager, being promoted to the position.
The retailer said it will split the role of board member Lucy Neville-Rolfe who is retiring in January as executive director of corporate and legal affairs. Her role will be divided into two separate areas of legal and corporate affairs, with Brunswick’s Rebecca Shelley taking on the role of corporate affairs director. Shelley will join Tesco early in the summer and will be a member of the retailer’s executive committee.
Tesco issued its first UK profit warning in 20 years in January after its £500 million Big Price Drop campaign failed to draw in the required number of customers to offset the lower prices. The retailer has also recently announced the departure of its UK and Ireland CEO Richard Brasher after little more than a year in the job.
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On December 18, 2012, Hon. Dr. Agnes Kalibata and the CEO of Kigali Farms, Laurent Demuynck, discussed the progress and current status of their efforts into bringing mushrooms to the Rwandan market.
Mushrooms are almost non-existent within the Sub-Saharan African market, and Kigali Farms uses European models of spawn and sub-strate technology to develop farmers as out-growers who can profitably grow mushrooms, while maintaining an affordable retail price. Kigali Farms views Rwanda as an exceptional place to invest due to the mushrooms’ nutrient-rich qualities and its potential to open quality markets for farmers and tackle food security.
Demuynck brings good news to the Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources; they have just obtained financing, and looking to receive more funds in addition. Kigali Farms is now looking at prospective land plots of Rwanda as the most effective area to begin building mushroom houses and facilities. Demuynck and Minister Kalibata plan to partner together to find ideal locations. Their ideal location is close to the markets and customers of Rwanda, as well as near raw materials. Length of transportation and climate are also crucial factors in determining locations for a facility. Plans to secure a land size of at least 2 ha are to occur within the next 2-3 months, with the goal of building facilities throughout the coming year, 2013.
Other discussions arise around the possibilities of producing not only fresh mushrooms, but dried mushrooms and mushroom powder. Dried mushrooms and powder present a quality market due to the long shelf-life and easy transportation that comes with production of these particular items. This also becomes another source of revenue for farmers within the mushroom market.
Demuynck also mentions that not only are oyster mushrooms a target for production, but other varieties of mushrooms, such as white-button mushrooms, should also be under consideration to expand the market in Rwanda.
A crucial topic underway are the sub-strate European models that will be used for production, that uses wheat-straw.
"Although wheat-straw is not seen as a quality item among farmers, it can be used to lower the retail prices of mushrooms significantly,” urges Demuynck.
"Mushrooms are a quality market that should be exploited,” said Minister Kalibata. The Minister has no trouble believing that mushrooms grown in Rwanda will be easily accepted in markets across borders, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kigali Farms hopes to host a launch day in mid-January, in which Rwandese people will be taught about the benefits of mushrooms, as well as how to cultivate and consume mushrooms in the home.
This project will open many doors for farmers to become out-growers, provide much-needed nutrient-rich food, as well as headway serious economic development within the agriculture sector.


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Police arrest a Wichita couple for going on a spree with stolen credit cards in Salina.
According Captain Mike Sweeney, 41-year-old Christopher Sampson and 32-year-old Elizabeth Sampson were arrested on Sunday night after they allegedly removed a wallet from a woman’s shopping cart at the Dillons Grocery Store at 2350 Planet Ave, then used a credit card and gas card at numerous locations.
Police used updates from the credit card company to inform them where the financial card was being used and a physical description of a dark truck seen in a video at a gas station to find the suspects.
Just after 11pm, an officer found the truck in the Wal-Mart parking lot and confronted the two when they emerged from the store with illegally purchased electronics.
Police say the woman threw down the stolen wallet when she saw the officer.
The two are now facing charges that include forgery, theft and criminal use of a financial card.
Captain Sweeney tells KSAL News that illgall purchases were made at two Rod’s Travel Centers on West Crawford and West Magnolia and also at a Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store.


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AmericasMart® Atlanta presents thousands of gift lines on display at The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market® January 12-19, 2011. Show organizers search the country for exciting product lines to debut from a variety of categories, with a focus on offering retailers innovative products that will keep their stores ahead of the trends. This season, products range from well-known characters with a twist, such as the limited edition Hello Kitty collection, to classic gifts with new appeal like hand-painted wooden yo-yos, and hand-made slippers that look like they should be on display in an art gallery!
As the primary trade show for independent retailers and manufacturers of juvenile products, ABC Kids Expo is growing as quickly as the children who use the products it showcases. With over 900 exhibitors, Expo’s October 2010 show in Las Vegas was testimony for the power of partnership that drove domestic and international attendance and fostered new business relationships. Among the numerous exhibitors whose innovative products intrigued The Giggle Guide® were Straw-Lution™, The Juno Company, Spuds, Inc., and ViveVita.
Four times a year, ENK Children’s Club in NYC features the best in children’s apparel and accessories. The Children’s Club show is a premier destination for both established and up-and-coming brands to present their newest products to retailers. During its October show last month, The Children’s Club included a fashion show sponsored by Vogue Bambini, hundreds of vendors and lots of business networking. fiveloaves twofish, ROCK ME!, Kai Bean, and PureLime Kids are a few of the fantastic brands that caught the attention of The Giggle Guide® editors.
The 2010 ABC Kids Expo concluded on another high note, as total attendance climbed to 14,655 – a 7.8% increase over the prior year and another all-time record for ABC.
Retailer attendance increased by 4.9%, exhibitor attendance by 10.9% and media attendance by 34.1%. Booth count soared to 3,670 from 3,306 the prior year. Retailers were in attendance from 64 countries as well.
Bookings for booth space at the 2011 show are already well underway, with 469 exhibitors already registered occupying 2,539 booths.
Wry Baby makes parenting fun! Dave Sopp talks to The Giggle Guide® about their laugh-inducing lineup of cool gifts, including witty Snapsuits, humorous parenting books, Mysterio Predicts tees and new plush stuff.
Chris Ryan of Noodle Head Inc. introduces adorable new Pawparazzi celebrity theme sets, which are packed full of playful accessories, and also shares some info on the brand’s popular Travel and Bag Buddies.
Sean Gildea of SOZO describes some of the brand’s fabulous products including the top-selling WeeBlocks, award-winning Swaddle Blanket and Cap sets, graphic rompers, exciting Glow-in-the-Dark pj’s and more!


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The trade show dedicated to women’s collections and accessories will be on stage from 22nd to 25th September 2017 in three locations: Superstudio Più Tortona 27, Hotel Nhow Tortona 35 and Ex Ansaldo, Tortona 54, in the heart of the Tortona Fashion District
Interview with Birgit Horn, Director of A + A – Global Head Occupational Health
The lifestyle and fashion accessories fairs in Berlin from 4th to 6th July 2017
From 22 to 24 June in Florence
The preparations for the 84th edition of the MICAM are getting underway, in the wake of the long wave of success characterizing the four days of the February edition, which was rewarded by an increased turnout (compared to the February 2016 edition, with a +5% in general attendance numbers and +8% in foreigners) and by the general approval expressed on the exhibition’s new layout.
Following the success of the previous editions, the 51st Moda Italia and the 61st Shoes from Italy are taking place from the 4th to the 6th of July.
From Sunday 27 August to Tuesday 29 August 2017, in Dusseldorf at Areal Bohler
The Expo Riva Schuh opening talk with Daniel Agis Branchi as the protagonist
Scarpa, leading brand of mountaineering footwear, sets itself the goal of achieving 150 million euros in annual sales over the next five years.
Rendezvous with the 14th edition of Super, the Pitti Immagine fair dedicated to experimental and quality accessories and prêt-à-porter for women, will be at the Visconti Pavilion in via Tortona, Milan from 20 to 23 September 2019, with more than 5,700 professional visitors expected to attend.
The new event organised by IFEMA in collaboration with FICE this past 1 to 3 March, attracted more than 2,700 industry professionals, who were given the opportunity to learn more about Spanish and international quality footwear in the striking ex-industrial complex of La Nave in Madrid.
The boat shoe becomes street fashion.
The visit of 14 buyers from Russia and the CIS area to the Venetian district of Rivieria, organised by ACRIB, with the support of the Venezia-Rovigo Chamber of Commerce and in collaboration with the Nuovo Centro Estero for the Veneto Region, ended on a successful note.


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Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM) , the global fast food giant boasting a market capitalization of $34 billion, $13 billion in annual sales, and well-known brands like Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut has some interesting issues it must deal with. The U.S. is the company's largest single market, accounting for 25% of total sales, which have been pressured in recent years thanks to the rise of Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG). Yet, while Chipotle remains a significant threat to Taco Bell, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (NASDAQ:PLKI) is also creating new risks for Yum!. Therefore, is Yum! too big to fail, or should investors start looking elsewhere?
Taco Bell struggles against Chipotle
Investors have often considered Yum! Brands an investment of diversity and safety in an uncertain market. Because after all, global exposure to three very different types of large restaurants seems safe, as people all throughout the world have to eat.
Therefore, thanks to a five-year 121% gain, Yum! Brands' stock has become significantly more valuable regarding its premium. Specifically, it trades at a whopping 31 times earnings, which isn't cheap by any means but implies that Yum! is a strong company with measurable growth.
While Yum!'s first-quarter worldwide system sales did grow 4% year over year, the company continued to struggle in its largest segment, the U.S. Specifically, Taco Bell has been a major laggard, as its sales were flat and its operating profit declined by 14% in its last quarter. This flat performance ends a long term of year-over-year growth, which has been decelerating in recent years and is likely nearing negative numbers.
In contrast, Chipotle is as strong as ever. In the company's last quarter, revenue rose nearly 25%, and comparable sales posted a very impressive 13.4% gain. Granted, Chipotle did see some weakness in margins during its last quarter, as did Taco Bell, but according to RBC, Chipotle has been hiking prices in recent weeks. RBC estimates a 6.5% core-menu-item price hike and 7.3% for side items, yet no consumer backlash. Essentially, this shows the power of Chipotle, a luxury not seen with Taco Bell.
With that said, Taco Bell's problem with Chipotle is well documented. But with Yum! being so large, it has managed to weather the Chipotle storm fairly well. However, Yum! has yet to face the threat of a competitor stealing share from two of its restaurants in the U.S., which would consequently affect earnings to a greater degree.
Particularly, Popeyes is really giving KFC a run for its money. Specifically, Popeyes' stock rose nearly 15% last Thursday after the company announced a 4.5% rise in global comparable sales. Meanwhile, KFC's U.S. operations saw a 4% drop during its last quarter.
As a result, Popeyes increased its market share in the domestic chicken quick-service restaurant segment to 22.3%, up 210 basis points. By contrast, we can assume that KFC's share dropped with a decline in U.S. sales.
In 2013, Yum! was negatively affected when avian flu-related fears crushed sales for KFC in China. Therefore, Yum!'s earnings might look good on paper in the first half of 2014, but if current trends with Popeyes and Chipotle continue, it does appear that a large chunk of Yum!'s U.S. operations will face increased competitive pressures.
At 21 times this year's estimated earnings Yum! is not cheap especially for a company with limited growth potential. In addition, Yum!'s 2% dividend yield does not provide enough downside protection for investors either. Therefore, investors might be beter served holding shares in Popeyes or Chipotle, which would be equivalent to investing in faster-growing versions of KFC and Taco Bell at nearly the same price to earnings.
Brian Nichols owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Entries in 'steam' (565)
The PC release of Galak-Z: The Dimensional will arrive on Steam later this week, developer 17-Bit has announced.
Valve has released Steam's latest weekly top ten sellers chart, with pre-orders for Fallout 4 outpacing the rest for the second straight week.
The PC edition of Batman: Arkham Knight will be relisted for sale on Steam later this week, Warner Bros has announced.
Permadeath has become pretty common in modern games – but new PC title One Life interprets the concept far more literally.
The Steam edition of the original Deus Ex has received a facelift thanks to the fan-developed Revision mod, and Square Enix is surprisingly in full support of the release.
Pre-orders for Fallout 4 have vaulted the upcoming game to number one on Steam's latest weekly top ten sellers chart.
Mac owners who have invested early in Valve’s recently released Steam Controller and upcoming Steam Link have been told that neither device will currently work with their machine.
Valve has removed its SteamOS icon from a batch of Linux-compatible games on Steam, which has reportedly resulted in Linux players no longer having the option to download said titles.
Valve’s PC platform Steam looks to remain out-of-bounds for advertising partners for the foreseeable future.
Having won plenty of admirers throughout its stint on Steam Early Access, Darkest Dungeon now has a full release date.
Early Access hit Ark: Survival Evolved has retaken the top spot on Steam's weekly best sellers chart, thanks to a feature discount promotion on Valve's storefront.
Introversion has revealed its popular in-development sim Prison Architect has made $19m in sales ahead of its official release.
Valve has announced that areas dedicated to Steam will be present in GAME stores in the UK this Christmas.
Valve's own Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has climbed to the top of the heap on Steam's latest weekly best-selling products chart.
Frictional Games' latest horror release Soma has sold nearly 100,000 copies since its launch late last month.
The Stanley Parable creator Davey Wreden has announced the launch of his next game The Beginner's Guide.
Developer RosePortal Games has had all user reviews wiped for its PC RPG Epic Quest of the 4 Crystals by Valve.
Elite: Dangerous has nabbed the top spot on Steam's latest weekly best-selling titles, thanks in large part to a featured discount promotion.
In-development co-op RPG Dungeon Defenders II will become the first Early Access release on PS4 when the game's pre-alpha version arrives for Sony's console later this month.
Steam's latest best sellers chart shows Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has taken the top spot for its fourth consecutive week.
Square Enix has listed a season pass-style DLC offering on Steam for its upcoming action sequel Just Cause 3.
Disney Interactive has made its mobile free-to-play puzzle game Frozen Free Fall: Snowball Fight available on PC via Steam, as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy V to PC next week via Steam release.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Mad Max lead this past week's Steam top ten sellers chart.
Free-to-play eSports hit Smite is now available through Valve’s Steam service.


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Ethan Baehrend is only 18 years old but has already launched a 3D printing company and new 3D printer. Creative 3D Technologies officially launches today, based in Chicago, Illinois and offering a large format, dual extrusion 3D printer called the CreativeBot Duo. While there are similar 3D printers on the market today, Creative 3D Technologies wants to offer access to large format, dual extrusion 3D printing for a lower cost, and is selling the CreativeBot Duo for $8,800. A limited edition “Founders Edition” is being made available for $8,000.
Creative 3D Technologies claims that the CreativeBot Duo is larger, faster, easier to use and more capable than any other similar 3D printers near its price point. That remains to be seen, as the printer is still in presale mode, but it is being offered at a decent price point. It boasts a sizable build volume, too, at greater than 10.5 cubic feet, yet does not compromise on precision, according to Creative 3D Technologies. The Independent Dual Extrusion System allows the 3D printer to create more prints, or more complex prints, in a briefer amount of time. Mirror mode enables the creation of a print and its mirror image simultaneously, while ditto mode enables the creation of duplicate parts.
Modular toolheads are capable of printing engineering-grade materials, and a modular frame can handle high temperatures – as well as remain uprgradeable as new innovations become available. The CreativeBot Duo features high quality linear rail guides on each axis, removable and flexible build plates, and easy to use 32-bit electronics with a user-friendly interface.
Baehrend is currently a senior in high school who bought his first 3D printer at age 13 and started a business refurbishing and upgrading 3D printers later that same year. He was unimpressed with the current large format 3D printers available on the market, so he decided to design his own. Last year, he was the youngest exhibitor at CES, displaying one of his 3D printer prototypes.
“We’re bringing a fresh perspective on a market structure that’s more or less not changed for long time,” said Baehrend. “We’re willing to take the risks and put forth the work to push boundaries and provide the very best that this technology has to offer, at a price that customers want and can afford. The CreativeBot Duo was created because nothing exists that can perform like the Duo. We’re a company stepping up to the plate, putting in the work to make great printers come to fruition and will continue to make even better in the future.”
Whether the CreativeBot Duo lives up to its impressive claims will become clear once the printer is available for testing. It was designed to be flexible enough for use by a variety of customers, including small businesses, researchers and prototypers. The Founders Edition is available for $8,000 starting this week, with delivery slated for fall of 2019.
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Modern Mold South cited the sales tax break Florida’s Legislature allotted manufacturing firms as too attractive to pass up.
ORMOND BEACH — A northern plastics manufacturer has expanded its operations with a new plant in Ormond Beach.
Modern Mold & Tool, founded in 1950 in Pittsfield, Mass., opened its southern division in Ormond Beach — called Modern Mold South.
“We’re very glad to open up here,” said Joe Pedrotti, president of Modern Mold South, who officially opened the division in early fall in suites 22 and 23 of the Hull Pointe Business Park, located at 1230 North U.S. 1.
The company’s 10,000-square-foot warehouse specializes in design engineering, plastics mold manufacturing and injection molding for the medical, electronics, aerospace, security and automotive industries.
Pedrotti said Modern Mold, an ISO 9001 certified company, considered opening a location in Utah, but Florida’s business-friendly environment proved more favorable for his business.
Pedrotti cited the sales tax break Florida’s Legislature has allotted the state’s manufacturing firms as too attractive to pass up.
“That’s really what brought us here,” said Pedrotti, adding that he also wanted to be where his clients are.
“This is a business-friendly state and several of our customers brought their operations here,” said Pedrotti.
Pedrotti said his clients are “any major medical company you can think of.”
The company currently has four employees at its Ormond Beach location. Another 70 are in the Massachusetts location.
Pedrotti said his hopes for the coming year include adding a second shift for production at the Ormond Beach site, which would add four additional workers, including quality assurance operators and a second shift manager.
Joe Mannarino, Ormond Beach’s director of economic development, said he is working with Modern Mold South to help it obtain economic incentives.
“I have worked with David Pedrotti during his initial planning for a facility in our region and was pleased that he has made a capital investment in Ormond Beach and is providing employment opportunities for residents of the city and Volusia County,” Mannarino said in an email to The News-Journal.
“I also look forward to assisting Modern Mold South in any expansion plans in the future,” he said.
Jayne Fifer, president of the VMA manufacturing alliance, praised Modern Mold for its decision to open its southern division here.
“Bottom line is were always looking to grow our manufacturing segment,” said Fifer. “We’re always excited when a new manufacturer calls Volusia County home.”


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Mirriad Advertising plc. (OTCQX: MMDDF, LSE: MIRI) Mirriad, the leading in-content advertising company, is pleased to announce its CEO, Stephan Beringer, will be guest presenting at the OTCQX International Virtual Investor Conference on Thursday, 17 June, 2021
Beringer will share insights with US investors as to why Mirriad is at the tipping point for enabling its in-content format programmatically and how it is scaling into a $135 billion total addressable digital advertising market.
For US and global investors, Mirriad recently cross-listed its stock in New York on OTC Markets Group’s top tier OTCQX exchange.
With the end of Apple and Google’s cookie-based targeting, the advertising marketplace is in upheaval and the content industry needs solutions to both maximise audience success and monetisation. This is where Mirriad steps in with its game-changing, proven and protected advertising technology that is being adopted by the world’s leading companies to drive significantly improved consideration, engagement and reach.


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Wrapports, parent company of the Sun-Times newspaper group, is taking a cue from Chicago-based Tribune Co. and developing a separate unit to produce lower-cost content for its papers. Called Aggrego, the unit already is contributing content to some of the company's 40 daily and weekly suburban papers under the brand name "Wrapports news service." Crain's reports on hopes for the new unit, and on the union's concerns about the venture.
Morning 10: Sun-Times' new content | TechStars' show time | helpful hackers
Demo Day for the startup TechStars Chicago requires more than a simple 10-minute presentation to explain their business. The entrepreneurs must also “have a storyline and be somewhat entertaining,” says the accelerator program's managing director. Read Crain's continuing series on TechStars Chicago to see how the startup teams are trying to do just that.
While most references to hackers in the news involve stolen credit card schemes or national security concerns, the Wall Street Journal reports on an entirely different breed. Cash-strapped cities like Chicago are turning to civic-minded hackers to improve their online services on the cheap. The helpful hackers use city data to create tools tracking everything from real-time subway delays to where to get a free flu shot near your home.
Downstate university and prison towns have proportionately more government workers than anywhere else in Illinois, according to an intriguing new study. African-American areas of the South Side and south suburbs come in a close second. Crain's Greg Hinz has more.
At elite parking lots around the city, the Tesla Model S, which began delivery late last year and lists for about $70,000, is maneuvering into spots normally taken by other luxury sports cars. The sleek, all-electric sedan that blends sports car zip with a luxury car feel is turning early owners into evangelists for the brand. Crain's looks at their newfound love.
In another sign of Kraft Foods' eagerness to update its marketing tactics, the company takes a cheeky tack in ads for its new product line Kraft Recipe Makers by using some mildly naughty wordplay. “Get your chef together” doubles as the address of a special website devoted to the new line, which also features celebrity chefs Rocco DiSpirito and Carla Hall in the ad campaign. Read the New York Times story here.
Democratic leaders yesterday picked a top aide to former Ald. Richard Mell to replace his daughter in the Illinois House of Representatives, according to the Chicago Tribune. Deb Mell stepped down last month to take over her father's spot at City Hall.
A year ago, UI Labs was just an interesting notion to build a high-profile research hub in Chicago, combining top-flight university researchers with private-sector companies to tackle big problems. Now the venture is zeroing in on a downtown Chicago home and chasing a $70 million Defense Department grant. Crain's John Pletz reports.
Like a retailer trying to boost its customer base, the Chicago Park District is starting a rewards program, known as Park Points, that will allow its most loyal patrons to accumulate points for one-of-a-kind recreational experiences such as skating with a member of the Blackhawks or turning the switch at Buckingham Fountain. Find the Sun-Times story here.
Crain's talks with Dan Salls, owner of the Salsa Truck, the first to receive one of Chicago's new licenses for mobile food preparers, about opening a food truck in the city. Find out what it takes to be a rolling-restaurant entrepreneur, including what it'll cost you.


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TheSecurities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) unveiled a broad fintech effort today, developing an advisory committee that will look into blockchain and other innovations in the locations of possession management, fundraising and post-trade settlement, to name a few. Shri T.V. Mohandas Pai, the chairman of education company ManipalGlobal and a previous board member of Indian IT huge Infosys, will chair the committee.
Perhapsmost especially, the Committeeon Financial and Regulatory Technologies (CFRT) will take a look at whether blockchain might be put to usage by SEBI itself, though it’s not completely clear at this moment which particular applications will be thought about.
SEBI stated in its release:
“[The committee will assess] technological solutions for regulatory functions of SEBI viz. information management and data mining, risk management including cyber security, intermediary supervision, consumer protection, etc. through application of new technological solutions like application of distributed ledger technology, big data, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine Learning etc.”
Thecommittee, according tothe declaration, will likewise contribute in developing a more accommodative workplace for business dealing with brand-new product or services.
Echoingother securities regulators, the CRFT will prepare prepare for a “regulatory sandbox” that is targeted at promoting ingenious brand-new innovations in the financing area.
Theadvancements likewise come as India’s federal government approachesregulating cryptocurrency activities Recent reports recommend that a minimum of some authorities are promoting a more limiting position, though to date, state authorities have yet to expose any concrete propositions or plans.
ImageCredit: mdsharma / Shutterstock.com


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Toby Hagon With the imminent arrival of BMW’s first ever front-wheel-drive model the brand says buyers are ready.
Toby Hagon It may not be ideal for large families but this new compact people mover has a lot going for it.
Toby Hagon In the market for a new car? Make sure you get what you're paying for.
Toby Hagon On a frozen Siberian lake there's a huge difference between Mazda's best seller and its iconic roadster.
Great DrivesClick to play video
Toby Hagon National Drive Editor Toby Hagon takes a leisurely cruise along the French Riviera from Nice to Monaco, then straps in for a blast up the twisting Col de Turini.
Toby Hagon Iconic American SUV brand is developing its next generation Wrangler, which will be lighter and more efficient and possibly have a ute variant.
Toby Hagon Race-inspired Fiat Abarth 695 Bipostos could be coming to Australia as an exclusive race-inspired flagship for Italian brand.
Toby Hagon Japanese luxury brand Lexus still shunning diesels in favour of petrol-electric hybrid models.
Toby Hagon The maker of iconic models such as the MX-5, RX-7 and various turbocharged MPS models is not planning any high performance heroes – for now.
Toby Hagon Lexus NX baby SUV could be best seller for Japanese luxury car brand.
Toby Hagon Talk of cheaper new cars could be foiled in the short term by a downward shift in the exchange rate.
Toby Hagon Car makers are increasingly turning to bright colours and pastels to tempt buyers to small cars
Toby Hagon A new breed of models from General Motors' European manufacturer could soon be wearing Holden badges.
Toby Hagon Two privately registered McLaren P1 supercars have been spied on public roads.
Toby Hagon Entry-level five-door Mazda takes shape in Geneva motor show concept car.
Toby Hagon Drive's tilt at the 2014 Mazda ice racing title ended abruptly in Russia.
Toby Hagon This Italian four-door combines luxury and performance with style.
Toby Hagon A few too many corners have been cut.
Reuters and Toby Hagon German sports car maker halts deliveries of its race-focused GT3 to fix an engine fault that could cause a fire.
Toby Hagon An embarrassing fire in an Australian-made Commodore occurred while the car was acting as the pace car for a Daytona race meeting.


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Akron-based RVshare, the fast-growing startup that offers a peer-to-peer online platform for RV rentals, has secured a $50 million investment from Austin, Texas-based Tritium Partners, which hopes to take the idea of RV sharing to a global level.
RVshare announced the investment early Tuesday, Feb. 20, in a news release.
Tritium's managing partners Phil Siegel and David Lack led the first investment in vacation rental giant HomeAway and said they hope to take the Akron company to the same level.
Those who have been following RVshare will see another HomeAway connection.
The company in January named Jon Gray, former chief revenue officer of HomeAway, also based in Austin, as its new CEO. Gray held several roles in his 12 years at the online vacation rental marketplace that has grown to include more than 2 million homes and was sold in 2015 to Expedia for $3.9 billion.
"A $50 million investment from Tritium is an incredible validation of RVshare and its already multi-million dollar marketplace business that is poised to disrupt an entire industry," Gray said in the release. "We will reshape the way people think about RVs, turning them into a second source of income for RV owners and broadening the uses for renters from classic family vacations to weekend warriors and overflow accommodations to tailgating."
RVshare initially will use $20 million of the investment toward more growth, focusing on user experience, marketing and new hires, the release stated.
For Siegel and Lack, they see another big opportunity, as they did with HomeAway, and a lot of similarities between that company and RVshare.
"I led HomeAway's first investment and I was there the day they rang the IPO bell on Wall Street and the parallels between HomeAway and RVshare are significant," Siegel said in a release. "HomeAway, which was ultimately acquired for $3.9 billion by Expedia, took vacation home rentals from a fringe category to a celebrated mainstay of global travel. With a massive lead and substantial funding, we see RVshare doing the same for RV rentals."
Thus far, RVshare has been able to grow without outside investment, co-founder and president Joel Clark said.
In November, the company entered the Canadian market by partnering with RVezy, which offered a dedicated team and bilingual support, plus fully insured status for rentals across Canada. And in January, RVshare announced the opening of an Austin office with expectations it would match the size of the Akron office with about 50 employees.
"Up until now, we've been able to build RVshare without any outside investment," Clark said in the release. "We now have the luxury of raising capital not out of necessity but of an irresistible opportunity to combine Jon's leadership, the HomeAway investor experience and the capital all at once."
Founded in 2013, RVshare serves more than 60,000 RV owners across the United States, the company said. For its role as a connector and providing background services — insurance, most importantly — RVshare takes a share of each rental, starting at about 15%.


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The UK’s newly-appointed Minister for Trade & Investment, Lord Green, visited CADCAM developer Delcam on 2nd March. He attended the Aerospace Opportunities 2011 event being held at the company’s Birmingham headquarters and took the opportunity to tour the site.
The event, which was organised by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in partnership with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and the Enterprise Europe Network, was attended by more than 20 buyers from across the world, all looking to do business with West Midlands companies. Companies taking part included Rolls Royce, Aerotech Peissenberg, Lufthansa Technik and Hispano-Suiza.
Following his visit, Lord Green praised the dynamism of West Midlands companies, highlighting the success of firms like Delcam. "I find that, when you look at companies like Delcam, you see real excellence,” he commented.
"With these companies, we have a great deal of talent in a lot of industry sectors in the UK and we are starting from a position of strength,” he added. "The advanced engineering sector, in particular, is a good example of an area where there are thousands of SMEs in the supply chain, which are exporting overseas and winning business in growing markets.”
Delcam hosted the event after working successfully with UKTI to build its international business. The company now has more than 35,000 customers in over 90 countries and receives around 85% of its turnover from outside the UK.
"UKTI has been very supportive of our drive to increase our sales globally,” commented Delcam Marketing Manager, Peter Dickin. "We have taken part in UKTI events in Europe, in North and South America, and in Asia. We were very happy to let the organisation use our conference facilities for this event as a small thank you for the help we have received over recent years.”
- COMET robot machining consortium meets at Fraunhofer
- EDS Technologies Signs MoU With Mar Baselios College Of Engineering
- Delcam's ArtCAM speeds ice bar production
- Delcam launches DentSCAN dental scanner
- Rapiscan Uses Autodesk Vault to Effectively Collaborate on Security Products
- InventorCAM 2012 makes its debut, reducing cycle times by up to 70% for Autodesk customers, with iMachining
- Delcam's new web site for PartMaker CAM system for production machining
- SigmaNEST Delivers Results to Tampa Bay Steel
- Registration Opens for 2012 AVEVA World UK User Meeting
- GE Scientists Decorate the Christmas Tree With 3-D Printed Ornaments


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Microsoft offers to keep 'Call of Duty' on PlayStation for at least a decade as it seeks to close Activision deal
By Wallace Witkowski
After agreeing to deals with Nvidia and Nintendo to put Activision's biggest games on those companies' platforms, Microsoft tells U.K. it is willing to do the same with Sony
Microsoft Corp. proposed a series of licenses that would allow wide availability of Activision Blizzard Inc. games to be available for at least a decade in a bid to get U.K. regulators to sign off on its $69 billion acquisition of the videogame publisher.
The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority said in February it would block the acquisition unless the publisher's top franchise, "Call of Duty," was divested to ensure it was available on more than just Microsoft's (MSFT) Xbox consoles. In its response to the CMA, PlayStation maker Sony (6758.TO)agreed with U.K. regulators and said that acquisition should be blocked or that "Call of Duty" should be divested.
Microsoft, however, noted to the CMA that it has already taken steps to ensure wide availability in a 10-year deal to make games available to Nintendo Co. and to Nvidia Corp.'s (NVDA) cloud gaming service.
In a response to regulators, Microsoft said the agreements with Nintendo and Nvidia will bring "Call of Duty" to an additional 150 million gamers worldwide if the acquisition is allowed. The company also said it would be willing to strike a similar deal with Sony for the Activision Blizzard (ATVI)game.
"In addition to the legally binding agreements entered into with Nintendo and Nvidia, Microsoft is proposing a package of licensing remedies which (i) guarantee parity between the PlayStation and Xbox platforms in respect of CoD and (ii) ensure wide availability of CoD and other Activision titles on cloud gaming services," Microsoft told regulators.
Shares of Microsoft slipped 0.8% in Wednesday trading, while Activision shares rose 0.3%, and American depositary receipts of Sony rose 0.8%.
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 09, 2023 08:22 ET (13:22 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.


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The US government has opened a formal investigation into Tesla's Autopilot partially automated driving system, saying it has trouble spotting parked emergency vehicles. The investigation covers 765,000 vehicles, almost everything that Tesla has sold in the US since the start of the 2014 model year, per the AP. Of the crashes identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as part of the investigation, 17 people were injured and one was killed. The NHTSA says it has identified 11 crashes since 2018 in which Teslas on Autopilot or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control have hit vehicles at scenes where first responders have used flashing lights, flares, an illuminated arrow board, or cones warning of hazards. The agency announced the action Monday in a posting on its website. The investigation covers Tesla's entire current model lineup: the Models Y, X, S, and 3, from the 2014 through 2021 model years.
The crashes into emergency vehicles cited by NHTSA began on Jan. 22, 2018, in Culver City, Calif., when a Tesla using Autopilot struck a parked firetruck that was parked partially in the travel lanes with its lights flashing. Crews were handling another crash at the time. Since then, the agency said there was a crash in Laguna Beach, Calif., as well as ones in Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, Michigan, and Florida. Tesla and other manufacturers warn that drivers using such systems must be ready to intervene at all times. "The investigation will assess the technologies and methods used to monitor, assist, and enforce the driver's engagement with the dynamic driving task during Autopilot operation," NHTSA said in its investigation documents. In addition, the probe will cover object and event detection by the system, as well as where it's allowed to operate. An investigation could lead to a recall or other enforcement action by NHTSA.
(Read more Tesla


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Two thirds of contract and temporary roles in the rapidly-growing field of e-commerce are taken by women, new research suggests.
Specialist recruitment firm Cranberry Panda’s 2015 salary survey reveals that contracting and freelancing is becoming an increasingly popular way of working within e-commerce.
The report finds that female contractors have managed to smash through the glass ceiling and overturn the male dominance that exists in the e-commerce sector.
Across the permanent and contract market, men outnumber women by 53% to 47%. Although a pay gap does exist, it is less pronounced than in most industries and is closing.
While the sector is still largely dominated by ‘traditional’ full-time permanent roles, some 10% of survey respondents work on a contract basis.
In a further indication of the fluidity of the jobs market, some 45% of those questioned had been in their role for less than a year. Only 5% had been with their current employer for more than five years.
The report also found that most people expect their e-commerce team to grow this year. The sector is described as ‘young’, with only 3% of responses coming from those aged over 45.
‘Hot’ skills within e-commerce include web analysis, user experience (UX), web designers and search.
Jonathan Hall, CEO and founder at Cranberry Panda, said: “There is significant growth happening across the retail e-commerce sector. With more than half of all roles for online retailers being brand new jobs, there is a constant shortage of great people.”
Click here to download the report.
Have your say
Are you a contractor working in e-commerce, or a ‘permie’ thinking of making the leap to becoming a freelancer? What do you think of the survey findings? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or getting in touch via Twitter.


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It would offer a taste of the Med on Yarm High street.
But neighbours fear a new wine bar could lead to yobs urinating in doorways and gardens.
Currently a disused burger bar, applicant Fiona McClain’s vision would see the one-storey courtyard site transformed into a sophisticated nightspot.
Alongside tapas and sharing boards, there would be wine tasting courses to educate and inform people about what they are drinking.
But locals are trying to get the plans squashed.
In letters to Stockton Council, they highlight worries over safety and noise should the authority grant a licence later this month.
And another fears that if it is allowed to open, it would erode the town’s reputation as the “jewel in the crown” of Stockton.
However, despite concerns about it leading to an increase in anti-social behaviour, Ms McClain states it would actually offer a “relaxed, friendly atmosphere”.
Customers will be able to graze on continental cuisine while sampling a rotating list of wines.
And she adds: “Traditional wine retail is limited as people can’t try it like in a clothing store, and this is why we would like to be able to offer the wines in house as well.
“This breaks down the barrier allowing the customers to have a better experience and to learn more about the subject, informing them rather than being solely for drinking purposes alone.”
She adds that her vision is offer wine course in a “safe environment”.
But safety is a concern for some locals.
With the venue proposed to stay open until 11pm on a Friday and Saturday, one neighbour states: “I often have to return home late on evenings - I am concerned about my safety.”
And another added: “I myself, recently at great expense, had no option but to install security gates to my property due to late night revellers wandering through my access gate on the High Street into my garden and using it as a urinal.”
The application comes after concerns over the changing face of Yarm High Street were raised last month.
Callum Murray, of Yarm Butchers, said the popular street is shifting away from traditional shops to become a location focused on wining and dining.
He made the comments amid the closure of his Yarm outlet, although the business continues to operate from Ingleby Barwick.
The wine bar plans will go before the council’s licencing committee on August 15.
The Gazette contacted Ms McClain for further comment.


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Tags » Shoplifters
Most retailers take steps to encourage people to shop their stores and seek to get those who do so to remain customers. The CVS pharmacy has been accused of turning those concepts on their heads: Several discrimination suits filed against the chain in New York City on Oct. 452 more words
CHICAGO (STMW) — Chicago Police are warning high-end retailers of a group of shoplifters targeting designer handbags at shops along the Magnificent Mile.
Groups of between two and four people have run off with several purses in at least four afternoon incidents since late June, according to a business alert issued by Chicago Police early Monday. 71 more words
Unlike a lot of teenagers, I didn’t go through the ‘shoplifting phase’ that a lot of them go through. There is a reason for this which I will now share, although it is my absolute deepest and darkest confession and one which I have only ever told a few people in my life. 699 more words


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Detailed plans put forward for discount food store
Property developers Morbaine Limited and Ackroyd & Abbott have submitted detailed plans to Sheffield City Council to construct a new Lidl food store off Lane End in Chapeltown.
It follows the granting of outline planning permission for the vacant site by the authority last year.
The proposal – which also features a development of eight detached homes on Thorncliffe View – includes direct pedestrian access off Thorncliffe Lane, as well as a new pedestrian crossing on Lane End to ensure the store will be accessible to all and encourage journeys to be made on foot.
Keith Nutter, director at Morbaine, said: “When we launched our plans back in April 2019, we discussed the proposals with local people including those residents who live next to the site.
“Having listened to their concerns, we have spent significant time and resources planning the layout of the site to arrive at a scheme which we believe delivers maximum environmental benefits and minimises any future impact on local residents.
“The dense landscaping areas proposed, which includes the planting of over 45 new trees, will mean much of the store will be screened from view.”
A spokesperson for Lidl GB said: “We have been searching for a suitable site in Chapeltown for more than a decade and are therefore extremely excited about the prospect of opening a new store on Lane End which will provide an enhanced shopping experience for the local community whilst delivering our range of high quality and affordable produce.
“Our plans are set to create around 35 jobs, which would be fantastic for the local area and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support so far.”


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Swagelok Co. announced it has acquired the shares of RHPS B.V. as part of its strategy to broaden the company’s offering of products and services for fluid system technology.
Located in Nieuw-Vennep, The Netherlands, RHPS is a manufacturer of pressure regulator products used mostly in oil and gas, chemical/petrochemical, alternative fuels, semiconductor, biopharmaceutical, and other demanding applications. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
"We are excited to welcome the RHPS team to Swagelok," says Arthur F. Anton, Swagelok president and CEO. "We think the two cultures are a natural fit and have similar values including the passion to truly understand the needs of our customers and act on them."
For more information, visit: http://www.swagelok.com.


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Greenpoint, a neighborhood lined with the bones of industry and infused with a rich Polish heritage, has avoided much of the tumult that churns neighboring Williamsburg. Greenpoint’s main commercial drag, Manhattan Avenue, is still a village high street, lined with Polish bookstores, cafes and meat markets. Even nearby Franklin Street, a trendy stripe of restaurants and bars, manages to feel sleepy. For now at least, Greenpoint’s stunning views of Manhattan are still mostly clear, unobstructed by the kinds of high-rise developments that are starting to sprout — and wither — in Williamsburg.
A 2005 rezoning that was supposed to transform both neighborhoods has foundered in the recession, leaving its promise of affordable housing unfulfilled and parts of Greenpoint in a curious stasis. Condominium projects
have stalled and some developers have resigned themselves to renting.
“There’s an impact on the neighborhood,” said City Councilman David Yassky, who represents the area and said there are currently ten stalled development projects in the neighborhood. “An empty site is an eyesore. It leaves an unsettled feeling.”
Beyond the woes of developers, the city’s financial belt-tightening is also being felt. “The macroeconomy of the city is affecting the development of open space in Greenpoint,” said Ward Dennis, the chairman of the local community board’s land use committee, referring to slow-moving or postponed parks projects in the neighborhood.
And in another worry with echoes across the city, local merchants say there are more empty storefronts on Manhattan Avenue. At Zayas Appliance, a store the owners say might be the oldest in Greenpoint, they are starting to feel the pinch. Gina Zayas, 29, who took over the store from her father eight years ago, talked about her experience.
In what ways are you feeling the recession?
It started last August. A lot of regulars, we just haven’t seen. The appliances are usually the biggest sellers, but people are cutting back. This other stuff [teapots, vacuum cleaners, kitchen gadgets] helps.
You’re part of a local merchant’s association. Are you hearing the same thing from other members?
Everybody’s moaning. Being a business owner is hard enough, but our margins are getting smaller and smaller. We’re trying to make the neighborhood a more pleasant place to shop, and we’re trying to encourage people to shop local.
Did you sell any air-conditioners this summer?
No. It rained for two months. And a lot of the renters, these young hipsters, are very energy conscious.
New York on Less is a new weekly City Room feature about coping with the recession. We will be posting reader questions on selected topics and profiling how neighborhoods are doing. For more coverage on the human side of the recession, visit the Living With Less guide, where readers can share their photos, moods and tips for weathering the economic downturn.


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With an array of classic diamond pieces, from earrings to pendants, Laings understand the timeless appeal of elegant jewellery. And to celebrate their reopening, they've launched a brand new campaign for the summer, focusing on sustainability. Taking inspiration from the 'promise of forever' that a diamond makes, Laings are looking at how they can commit to a more sustainable future.
The campaign features thousands of flowers, all made from 100% recycled paper. The petals are all individual hearts, the international symbol of love and care, to show how we must extend these sentiments to the world around us. The canopies of flowers represent the blossoming magic of nature that should stop and be admired.
Many of Laings’ materials, including the catalogues and receipt wallets, are already made from 100% recycled material, but the brand’s aim is to take this to the next level, and over the coming year will be building a plan to ensure the use of recyclable materials as much as possible, as well as working on other projects to promote sustainability.


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Rite Foods Limited has unveiled its ‘Unleash The Bull 2.0’ campaign in Lagos.
In a statement, the company stated that ‘Unleash The Bull 2.0’ is the second edition of its ‘Unleash The Bull’ campaign, a digital campaign activated by the company’s market-leading sausage brands, Rite Spicy and Bigi Beef sausage rolls, to engage online consumers through a call-to-action.
It noted campaign allows customers to interact with the brand and get selected for an adventurous offline experience that recharges them to unleash their bulls while having fun.
Digital Marketing Lead, Rite Foods Limited, Olawale Odenusi, said that the consumers remain at the heart of the company’s operations, hence it is committed to ensuring it stimulates exciting experiences in the hearts of consumers nationwide to always keep them glued to its arrays of refreshing and recharging products.
“As the consumer-centric company that we are, we are poised to create activities and experiences to keep our consumers all over the country engaged and excited about our numerous brands, and to keep them constantly delighted by enjoying and having fun the Rite way,” he asserted.


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On saturday, 23rd of March, Mr. Hacker invited to his 20-year-jubilee of Hacker Motor in Ergolding.
A great event with famous guests, interesting guids through the company and an exhibition of their projects in RC-business and industry made this day to one of the highlights in 2019.
Even the weather was perfect with a deep blue sky and warm temperatures, maybe also a merit of the past 20 years.
What started in the loft of his families´ house is nowadays a mid-sized company with almost 40 employees and projects around the world.
For more than 10 years I am Pilot for Hacker Motor. Since my beginning I trusted in the products from Bavaria. When I look back, that was probably my best decision I made in my rc-career. I am more than proud to be part of this team since that long time.
For some time Hacker Motor is also the exclusive distributor in Europe for my RT DESIGN models- nothing better could happen to me!
At this jubilee last week we took the chance to introduce my latest design coming this summer the market: Acrostar mk2 XL – the big brother of our 6S successor came to the market last year.
(More information about this plane coming soon.)
Again congratulations to Rainer Hacker for 20 years of Hacker Motor GmbH!
I´m looking forward to the next 20 😉


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The Monaco Mairie is organising several special events at the Monte-Carlo Market over the coming weeks, including a Spanish-themed lunch featuring delicious food and drinks.
Spend a day in Spain without leaving the Principality on 24th September when the Town Hall of Monaco invites the public to the Monte-Carlo Market for a day of food and fun.
In addition to the already wonderful selection of traders on site, there will be exhibitors offering specialities such as paella, sangria and a multitude of other Iberian products. The food will be available for take-away from 11am, and for those who prefer to relax and eat on-site, meals will be served from 12pm.
Other upcoming market events include the Forager’s Market (Marché des Cueilleurs) coming on 8th October, when mushrooms and chestnuts will be on offer, as well at a Regional Wine and Cheese Market coming on 22nd October.
Access to the market is free and the day runs from 8am until 2pm.
Photo by Young Shih on Unsplash


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News that the recession deepened in the first quarter took a back seat Wednesday to hopes that the economy may soon begin to improve.
Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA), Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), HP (NYSE: HPQ) and Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) were among the leaders as the Nasdaq notched its highest close since early November and the S&P hit its highest level since early January.
Comcast will report its quarterly results Thursday morning, while Cisco, Dell and HP will report their quarterly earnings in May.
The Commerce Department reported that the economy shrank by more than 6% for a second straight quarter, making the current downturn the worst since 1957-1958, but lower inventories and Federal Reserve comments that the worst may be over sent stocks surging. A rebound in consumer spending was a bright spot in the first quarter, with the bulk of the decline coming in inventories and equipment, software and construction spending.
SAP (NYSE: SAP) fell 4.7% on its results, and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) was another weak spot, off 3.2%.
E*Trade (NASDAQ: ETFC) plunged 34% on capital concerns, while Savvis (NASDAQ: SVVS) soared 29% after posting a surprise profit.
Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) slipped on news of insider selling and the possibility of competition from Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).
After the close, JDS Uniphase (NASDAQ: JDSU) fell on its results, while Citrix (NASDAQ: CTXS) and Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) gained on their reports.
The Nasdaq rose 38 to 1711, the S&P 500 gained 18 to 873, and the Dow rose 168 to 8185. Volume rose to 9.04 billion shares on the NYSE, and 2.82 billion on the Nasdaq. Advancers led by a 31-6 margin on the NYSE, and 21-6 on the Nasdaq. Upside volume was 88% on the NYSE, and 80% on the Nasdaq. New highs-new lows were 24-71 on the NYSE, and 31-22 on the Nasdaq.


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The retailer that operates the Macy’s and Bloomingdales department store chains slipped 10 spots on this year’s list, but it ended fiscal year 2017 on a high note, reporting its first quarterly comparable sales increase since the end of 2014. After shuttering some 100 underperforming stores in the past year and seeing its headcount drop by 12% to 130,000, Macy’s is trying to stage a dramatic corporate turnaround amid a reckoning in traditional retail. Its comeback plan includes de-emphasizing discounting, ramping up exclusive products, and boosting its online shopping experience with services like faster delivery.
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News about Macy’s
Sales fell 5.8% despite a strong consumer environment.
The luxury retailer will have a focus on high-end LG appliances.
The department store clocked yet another stellar quarter.
Slow cookers, slippers, and plushes are on the house (after rebate).


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Latest Fireworks Stories
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, Disney's Hollywood Studios will be celebrating "Frozen," the hit animated feature film from Disney, with a daily character procession,
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to celebrate safely.
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Using consumer fireworks on our nation's birthday is as traditional as cookouts and parades.
Orthopaedic surgeons provide safety tips ROSEMONT, Ill, June 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amid the family barbecues and parades each Independence Day is the popular tradition of fireworks
With their fleet of first-rate vehicles, State Van has made convenient and comfortable 4th of July travel an American tradition. LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- At
Texas Ophthalmological Association Offers Tips for Fireworks Safety AUSTIN, Texas, June 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- June is Fireworks Eye Safety Awareness Month, and the Texas Ophthalmological
Leading Florida Resort Announces Special Sale for First Weekend of Summer DESTIN, FL, June 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, a top rated Florida destination,
COLUMBUS, Ind., June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies in Columbus, Ind., announced that it will help sponsor the fireworks display during the "Columbus Regional
Eye physicians and surgeons remind the public that fireworks are not toys SAN FRANCISCO, June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on consumer fireworks,
PICK YOUR OWN ULTIMATE SOUNDTRACK TO ATLANTIC CITY'S JULY 4TH FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR AND YOU COULD WIN A DO AC SUMMER BEACH PACKAGE ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate
- The act of burning, scorching, or heating to dryness; the state or being thus heated or dried.
- In medicine, cauterization.


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PeopleSoft has rewritten its "customer assurance programme" (CAP) in the final week of a Delaware court trial relating to Oracle's hostile takeover bid for the company.
During extended negotiations Oracle executives criticised PeopleSoft's business in an apparent attempt to drive down PeopleSoft's selling price, while PeopleSoft's CAP could significantly increase Oracle's acquisition costs.
The trial concluded on 15 October, and the two companies will now wait for a decision from Judge Leo Strine.
Oracle has asked the court to invalidate PeopleSoft's "poison pill" anti-takeover defence and its CAP, an initiative PeopleSoft added to customer contracts that promises sizable payouts if PeopleSoft is acquired by a company that disrupts development and support plans.
Strine indicated that he would like to see the CAP amended but was not inclined to void it on already signed contracts. Strine called customers relying on earlier versions of the CAP "innocent purchasers" whose contracts cannot now be altered.
In response to questions raised during the trial, PeopleSoft revised the CAP to clarify some of the language around events that would trigger payments being made to customers, according to PeopleSoft spokesman Steve Swasey.
PeopleSoft's CAP began as an ad-hoc response to customer concerns about Oracle's takeover plans and has been through numerous incarnations as PeopleSoft worked to refine the programme's promises.
As of 30 June, the CAP carried a potential liability of $2bn (£1.1bn). Payments would be triggered if an acquirer bought PeopleSoft and soon thereafter reduced support, licensing, updates or new releases to PeopleSoft's products in specific ways spelled out in the programme's provisions.
Meanwhile, Oracle executives used their time on the stand last week to cast doubt on PeopleSoft's value and prospects.
Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and co-president Safra Catz both highlighted PeopleSoft's weaknesses and said Oracle could lower its current $7.7bn offer because of what Oracle sees as PeopleSoft's eroding business. The jockeying for position by both companies led Strine to observe that the trial was as much a business deal as a legal action.
If the two companies don't come to an agreement, they're scheduled to head to court again in January, when trial will begin on a lawsuit PeopleSoft filed. The company is seeking $1bn in compensation and damages for what it claims are Oracle's unfair business practices and illegal competitive actions.
Stacy Cowley writes for IDG News Service


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The business of advertising someone else’s content has become a major traffic driver.
Yahoo Movies (s YHOO) said Friday that the exclusive debut earlier this week of a new trailer for Summit Entertainment’s Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 drew more than 7 million unique users in its first 24 hours. That was Yahoo’s best one-day performance ever for a movie trailer, beating out the exclusive premiere in September for Summit’s previous franchisef installment, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.
Not bad numbers to get from video that’s considered editorial content and which is obtained at not cost to Yahoo.
“Yahoo Movies attracts over 27 million unique users a month, so 7 million streams is a sizable achievement for a single day, noted a Yahoo Movies staffer, in an email to paidContent.
Although Yahoo lost exclusivity soon after the Breaking Dawn – Part 2 trailer’s debut at 5 a.m. Wednesday, it has continued to see a traffic spike from the promo.
“It’s holding strong,” the staff member added. “The outreach on social channels from both the Yahoo and Summit side really established us as the place to go for the trailer.”
This is only the latest example of trailers for highly anticipated films becoming major audience drivers for digital content companies. In December, for example, the first trailer for Warner Bros.’ The Dark Knight Rises scored 12.5 million downloads through Apple’s iTunes store (s APPL) in just 24 hours. Two months earlier, a promo for Disney/Marvel’s The Avengers generated 10 million downloads on iTunes in one day.
Earlier in 2011, the trailer for Paramount’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon was downloaded 6 million times in one day off of iTunes. (Sure, for Apple, it was a freebee, but that’s a lot of virtual foot traffic through iTunes.)
Here, in case you haven’t seen it and you’re interested, is that Twilight trailer:


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The company introduced its spring collection, which will go into stores in December, Tuesday at Milk Studios here. “My responsibility as ceo was to keep the team focused on moving the business forward,” said Blum, who was previously ceo of Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. and David Yurman Inc.
For spring, the fashion looked back to the brand’s Los Angeles roots, offering deliveries inspired by Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont, the beaches of Malibu, Calif., and the streets of downtown Los Angeles, among others. There were tweed moto jackets with a rocker feel paired with skinny jeans or slouchy silk track pants, plenty of novelty print dresses in feminine or bohemian shapes, as well as a group of kitsch accessories that were created in collaboration with graffiti artist Baron Von Fancy, who sat in the driver’s seat of the vintage Porsche at the center of the collection space.
The company also launched a new division, Juicy Couture Sport, for spring, which has pieces that can be worn to the gym and out afterwards. The Sport line will retail from $108 to $138 for jackets; $32 to $58 for sports bras, tanks, T-shirts and sweatshirts, and $32 to $98 for bottoms. The line will hit stores at the end of December.
As part of the Authentic Brands deal, Fifth & Pacific Cos. Inc., Juicy’s parent, has entered into a short-term licensing agreement with ABG that runs through the end of 2014 and guarantees ABG a minimum royalty payment of $10 million. F&P will continue to operate Juicy retail stores through June. The plan is for ABG to find operating partners or licensees for Juicy.
The brand, which virtually exited the wholesale business a few years ago, has 71 full-price and 50 outlet stores in North America and another 174 stores internationally. Fifty percent of the business is done internationally. Last year, the company had sales of $498.6 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $24.5 million.
Jamie Salter, ceo of ABG, said in a telephone interview his company is currently in negotiations with several interested parties to take a good portion of the U.S. retail stores. He said the international Juicy stores are licensed and are part of the agreement. The deal also includes North American licenses for categories such as swimwear, watches, eyewear, children’s wear, fragrance and tech accessories. Salter said now that ABG has signed the deal, it will be able to talk to certain Juicy employees. “We couldn’t talk to a lot of people until we committed to the purchase of the company. There are tons of talented people at the company. We plan on sitting down with a number of them,” he said. Asked if Blum would be going with the new operation, Salter said that would be the call of the new licensed partner.
Salter said that reentering the wholesale business would be a big part of Juicy’s strategy. “We’re very excited. Juicy Couture has got great global reach. It’s a cornerstone of ABG,” said Salter, whose portfolio includes Hart Schaffner Marx, Hickey Freeman, Judith Leiber, Prince Sport, Tapout and Marilyn Monroe.
According to Blum, Juicy Couture has found its footing with the Millennial customer. A recent Teen Vogue-Goldman Sachs survey revealed it was ranked number 11 in desirability, said Blum. “Our customer lives online,” said Blum, noting that the firm has 5.5 million social media fans. “The opportunity to market and communicate with that customer is so amazing,” he said. Blum described the Juicy Couture customer as an 18- to 25-year-old woman. “She is very digitally connected and fashion is very important to her. She’s inspired by Los Angeles,” he said. He noted that 15 to 20 percent of Juicy’s business is done internationally online.
Over the past year, Blum said the company has lowered prices by about 20 percent overall. Blum also sees key growth opportunities in the handbag and jewelry businesses, which are currently done in-house. Untapped categories for the brand include footwear and intimate apparel. In the sportswear category, Blum is intensifying its programs in tracksuits, jeans and dresses, which are selling well. The firm has six licensees in the categories of swimwear (Swimwear Anywhere), children’s wear (Tawil Associates), eyewear (Safilo), watches (Movado), fragrances (Elizabeth Arden) and tech accessories (Contour).
When asked whether Blum was hired with the intention of getting the business ready for a sale, William L. McComb, ceo of Fifth & Pacific, told WWD, “Paul was hired to grow the business. He accomplished a lot in nine months — including a proven restage of the outlet business, a smart entry into performance casualwear via Juicy Sport this spring and a meaningful reorganization of accessories. He also introduced pillar categories for apparel.
“That is where Paul spent his time — not on selling the brand. He was responsible for ensuring a successful step forward in 2014 in the event we decided not to sell. Ultimately, despite what we believe was a very successful series of initiatives and strong leadership of the team, we made the decision to sell for a more macro reason....The turnaround we were undertaking would present prolonged uncertainty and volatility to the company — which alternatively has the rare opportunity to drive the Kate Spade business through significant growth for years to come via even greater focus.”
Juicy Couture was founded by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor in 1996. The designers sold their profitable company, which was generating about $48 million in sales, to Liz Claiborne Inc. (now F&P) in 2003 for a reported $53 million, and the business exploded with freestanding stores, accessories, swimwear and fragrances, reaching sales of about $600 million in 2008.
The annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Pacific Palisades this weekend drew Kate Hudson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laura Dern and more. See pictures of the star-studded event on WWD.com. (📷: @chelsealaurenla) #wwdeye
In his new book “Hollywood Royale,” Andy Warhol’s Protégé Matthew Rolston celebrates the Eighties revival of Hollywood glamour. Featuring more than 100 portraits taken by Rolston from 1977 to 1993, the book contains photos of icons like Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and @drewbarrymore, pictured here in 1991. “Hollywood Royale,” out today, will be accompanied by an exhibition opening at Los Angeles’ Fahey/Klein Gallery on March 1. #wwdeye
"Nowadays when life is not so happy with everything going on in the world, I think people come to me for a little bit of whimsy and color and fun." - Designer Rebecca De Ravenel on her cult-favorite jewelry line. (📸 : @vsteves) #wwd40
“Everyone is talking about how the retail industry is struggling, but I think it’s an incredible time because brands who are doing something different and innovative are setting themselves up for the future,” said @adamgoldston, who founded the luxury athletic brand @apl with his brother @ryangoldsten. The Goldston’s are part of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables. See the rest of the list on WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40
@eyeswoon blogger Athena Calderone debuted her first-ever cookbook, “Cook Beautiful,” which is heavily centered on the presentation and visual expression of food. Pictured here are her miso glazed carrots from the book. Get the recipe on WWD.com. (📷: @johnny_miller_) #wwdeye
“It’s passion that helps get anybody to a certain point and it’s what’s propelled me,” said Kith founder @ronniefieg, one of WWD’s 40 under 40: a group of industry notables who are changing the face of retail, fashion and beauty. Fieg, who opened a Manhattan flagship on October 7, began his career at age 13 as a stock boy and salesman for footwear chain David Z. “I think staying true to [my] beliefs, hard work and passion have gotten me to where [Kith] is today.” See the rest of the 40 at WWD.com. (📷: @vsteves) #wwd40
25-year-old @samweaving is about to break out this fall, starring in Netflix’s horror film “The Babysitter,” fittingly out today on Friday the 13th. That’s not the only place you’ll be seeing her, though — Weaving’s got a role Showtime’s “SMILF” and another alongside Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Though she’s got a full plate at the moment, there’s one role she’s got her eye on: Marilyn Monroe. “I’m a little too young at the moment, but it’s on my bucket list,” the actress told WWD (📷: @dandoperalski) #wwdeye
BFF's Poppy Jamie and Suki Waterhouse celebrated the launch of their bag line Pop x Suki at Nordstrom last night. "The line is really about our friendship, and how we are so different but complement each other," said Waterhouse. 👯 (📷: Katie Jones) #wwdeye
After designing the new @louisvuitton and @bulgariofficial flagships and a @chanelofficial boutique opening in Japan, @petermarinoarchitect has another project on his plate: The Lobster Club. Located in the Seagram Building, it’s the famed architect’s first restaurant project in New York, serving up modern Japanese brasserie-style cuisine. Bronze hues, bespoke material detailing, blush and chartreuse tones and a heavy emphasis on Picasso can be seen throughout. Mark your calendars for Nov. 1 for the much-anticipated opening. (📷: @clint_spaulding) #wwdeye


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WATERVILLE — Four entrepreneurs educated at Waterville colleges and invested in city-based businesses have chalked up milestones this month.
Two of the startups have landed software development grants, and one has sealed a deal with a collaborator it hopes will give both companies a boost in providing outdoor recreation opportunities during the coronavirus pandemic.
Three of those companies operate out of Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space at the Hathaway Creative Center.
Since opening in June 2018, Bricks has become a hub for technology-based business pursuits, hosting Central Maine Tech Nights, monthly events hosted by the Central Maine Growth Council, and providing space, office resources and proximity to area resources for startup companies and entrepreneurs.
The four entrepreneurs, three Colby College students and a Thomas College student, have all been involved in the televised Greenlight Maine Collegiate Challenge pitch competition, a statewide collaboration of entrepreneurial catalysts and corporate leaders that promotes and mentors the development and growth of business in the state.
Over the challenge’s five years, presenters at pitch competitions have received $20 million in investments, according to Greenlight.
Maine Technology Institute, or MTI, has awarded software development grants to two Waterville startups — Easy Eats and Sklaza — to support their expansions across Maine’s college campuses, according to the Central Maine Growth Council, the public-private collaborative partnership funded by area municipalities and businesses.
Both startups were founded by current Colby College students and address “pain points” in students’ experiences with food delivery and the sale of furniture, books and other college necessities.
Much like its web-based predecessor, Mayflower Eats, Easy Eats, founded by Christian Krohg and Katharine Dougherty, is an app-based food-delivery service platform that delivers to college dormitory doors. It employs college students who have access to campus dorms as delivery drivers.
Relaunched in early 2020, the app has logged more than 1,000 orders and 5,000 app downloads.
“Not only does Easy Eats fulfill a demand for an easier delivery experience, but it also represents an opportunity to improve the connection between Colby students and Waterville-area restaurants,” co-founder Dougherty said in a prepared statement.
“With the MTI funding, we look forward to making technical improvements based on customer feedback, scaling our efforts, and bringing these benefits to students and restaurateurs all across Maine.”
Sklaza, a name derived from “school plaza,” is an online marketplace founded by Josh Kim and devoted to college students. It tackles overconsumption, encourages recycling and environmental sustainability.
Launched in February 2020 on the Colby College campus, Sklaza has recorded more than $10,000 in transactions and 800 student users.
“I’m really excited to use the MTI funding to bring Sklaza to my next college campuses in the fall,” Kim said.
Easy Eats is a current finalist in Greenlight Maine’s Collegiate Challenge pitch competition. Sklaza was a semifinalist in Greenlight Maine’s Collegiate Challenge.
Located at the Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space, Easy Eats and Sklaza are seeking team members. Easy Eats is hiring a full-time software developer, and Kim is seeking a partner who is a college student with web development expertise.
“Technology and innovation is a key area of growth for downtown Waterville, and the mid-Maine region, and the success of Easy Eats and Sklaza is both a testament to their founders’ hard work and to the support of incredibly dynamic partners including MTI, Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space, and Colby College,” said Garvan Donegan, director of planning and economic development at Central Maine Growth Council.
Bioenergy startup TreeFreeHeat, founded in 2019 by Dylan Veilleux, a senior at Thomas College and entrepreneur based at Bricks Coworking & Innovation Space, has signed its first distribution deal with Back40, another Maine startup that operates an e-commerce site for outdoor gear rentals.
The new partnership gives consumers — whether experienced in outdoor activities or first-time campers — access to TreeFreeHeat’s initial product offering: Hemp stalk-based fire starters for campfires and cooking grills.
Henry Gilbert, founder of Back40, wrote in a prepared statement: “We are excited to supplement our gear rental options with TreeFreeHeat’s fire starters. It’s a great product that makes camping easier, and partnering with another Maine business is a no-brainer for us.”
Both companies were contestants in the Greenlight Maine pitch competition: Back40 in the flagship competition, TreeFreeHeat in the Collegiate Challenge.
The two startups formalized their connection at Waterville’s Central Maine Tech Night. For TreeFreeHeat, Back40 provides promotion and distribution to its target market, including campers, campgrounds and employer wellness programs.
For Back40, the bioenergy fire starters made of renewable hemp stalk waste reflect the brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation, while fulfilling consumer demand.
“Partnerships have been essential to TreeFreeHeat’s growth, and Henry’s commitment to making adventuring easy makes Back40 an ideal partner,” Veilleux said. “As soon as I learned about what he was building, I knew he’d be a perfect match.”
Added Donegan, “TreeFreeHeat’s growth is a testament to Dylan Veilleux’s tenacity and strategic use of the entrepreneurship resources in the Waterville area,”


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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Statistics Indonesia records that the total export in February 2013 declines 2.51 percent worth 14.99 billion USD from the previous month. The Head of Statistics Indonesia, Suryamin, announced on Monday that the volume of non-oil and gas export was 12.45 billion USD, declining 2.14 percent, while the export of oil and gas worth 2.54 billion USD or decreasing 4.29 percent.
He mentioned that the oil export decreased 15.36 percent worth 324.1 million USD and gas export declined 12.32 percent or 1.40 billion USD. Meanwhile, vegetable oil contributes to the biggest declining export of non-oil and gas. It decreases by 14.3 percent worth 1.65 billion USD.
The export of vehicles and its spare parts also falls 3.07 percent worth 368.7 million USD while to clothes, which decline 2.74 percent with the value of 318.6 million USD, and footwear falls 2.47 percent or 277.4 million USD.
"The biggest fall is mineral fuel, which is 16.65 percent," he said.
He added that in February, non-oil and gas products were mostly exported to China (1.8 billion USD), Japan (1.37 billion USD) and followed by US with 1.16 billion USD.


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When General Motors debuted the Buick Regal GS at this year's Detroit Auto Show, they made it very clear that the car on stage, which looked production-ready, was purely a concept – nothing more. Even though the white show car with its beefed up appearance and 20-inch wheels looked like it was ready to roll (it was, after all, a rebadged Opel Insignia OPC), no final decision had been made about whether or not the automaker would actually produce the turbocharged version of the new pride-and-joy Regal sedan. Lest anyone forget, this is an important car for Buick, as it's charged with attracting a significantly younger crowd of buyers to the brand. The GS would certainly help do the trick, and now, it sounds like all systems are go for the hotter than hot Regal.
The Detroit News reports that Tom Stephens, Vice Chairman of Global Product Development for GM, has confirmed that the Regal GS has been approved for production and that it could hit showrooms at some point next year. If the specs outlined for the Detroit show car are anything to go on, this means that a turbocharged 2.0-liter four will be under the hood, likely producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. What's most interesting, though, is that the show car routed this power to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. On top of that goodness, the Regal GS uses a new system called Interactive Drive Control, which allows drivers to choose from normal and sport driving modes, as well as a top-thrill GS mode where the torque split has a stronger rear bias.
If the production car is largely unchanged from the concept we saw back in January, we'll jump for joy. And while we're definitely getting our hopes up, we'll wait until GM issues the official word before we start saving our pennies.
[Source: The Detroit News]


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A report from last week said that Microsoft will be cutting
$50 off the price of the Xbox 360 sometime in August. New evidence is now
surfacing that lends credence to the expectations for a price drop.
Found on gaming forum website Cheap
Ass Gamer are supposed images from upcoming circulars from retailers
Wal-Mart and Toys “R” Us, both of which clearly display the Xbox 360 Premium
console at $349 beginning around August 12.
The Wal-Mart ad has above its new price a “rollback” logo, highlighting
the reduction, while the Toys “R” Us flyer clearly points out the difference
with a “$50 Price Break” message. Both of the retail circulars advertise the
new, lower-priced Xbox 360 alongside Madden NFL 08 – one of the top selling
game franchises in the U.S.
In response to the initial report of a price drop, a
Microsoft representative gave the expected company line, saying, "We have
no announcements to make on pricing at this time. While price matters, content
is king. And no other system is offering all the games people want to play this
holiday at a better price than Xbox 360."
Expectations of an Xbox 360 price cut came shortly after
Sony lowered the price of its 60GB PlayStation 3 by $100 to $499. One
analyst forecasted that Microsoft would announce at E3 that the $299 Core
system would drop to $249, the $399 Premium down to $349, and the $479 Elite to
$399. Although Microsoft showed no movement on pricing at its E3 conference,
industry onlookers continue to expect that a price drop to happen before the