Research blasts off towards future space factory development
DHL Acquires Reverse Logistics Leader, Inmar Supply Chain Solutions
DKSH and FrontierView Launch Insightful Whitepaper on Vietnam’s Rapidly Growing Healthcare Market
Kanadevia Inova acquires Iona Capital along with UK biogas portfolio
Siemens partners with University of Kent to decarbonize campus, cut emissions by 50%
Siemens closes acquisition of Danfoss Fire Safety
Siemens to deploy technology at 60 government buildings in UAE for 27% energy savings
Chesterfield Borough Council Partners with Totalmobile to Transform Housing Repairs
Siemens AG Supervisory Board extends contract of Matthias Rebellius
Duck Creek Technologies to Host Third-Annual “One Duck Creek-India Inclusion Summit” in Mumbai
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Genesis BBQ Steals the Spotlight at Seoul’s Biggest Global Influencer Halloween Bash in Gangnam
Genesis BBQ Group, world’s largest K-food franchise powerhouse renowned for its ownership of the No. 1 K-chicken brand “BBQ,” took Halloween to dazzling new heights on October 28th. Collaborating with @seoul.southkorea, a travel account boasting 1.5 million followers, Genesis BBQ Group was the center of attention at the largest-ever global influencer Halloween bash in Gangnam. More than 200 high-profile influencers from around the world joined the exclusive event, and the BBQ booth quickly became the night’s main attraction. ■ BBQ Booth: The Night’s Ultimate Hotspot The vibrant booth set up by Genesis BBQ Group was a magnet for influencers from diverse industries—fashion, music, acting, and entrepreneurship—all eager to sample BBQ’s signature Golden Olive Chicken, alongside the brand's other best sellers. With a minimum follower count of 20,000 required for entry, the event attracted a highly curated guest list, featuring some of social media’s most prominent stars who couldn’t get enough of BBQ Chicken’s mouthwatering flavors and dynamic booth atmosphere. The BBQ booth’s red-carpet press wall, interactive social media contests, and the viral “APT” dance challenge quickly made it the night’s most talked-about destination. Under the visionary leadership of Tamara T. H. Kim, who made headlines earlier this year as the youngest executive in Korea’s F&B industry, Genesis BBQ Group’s latest rebranding efforts were on full display. Kim has redefined BBQ as a global cultural icon cherished by a new generation worldwide. “The BBQ booth didn’t merely attract attention; it captured hearts,” Kim shared. “This was more than a celebration—it was a moment of connection, uniting people from all walks of life through the uniquely Korean flavors of the nation’s favorite chicken brand. True quality knows no borders.” ■ Exclusive Performances and Unforgettable Moments Enhancing the evening’s excitement were live dance performances, a DJ, and a special set from popular R&B artist Jword, who gave the crowd an exclusive sneak peek of his upcoming album Atlanta Seoul. “BBQ’s Black Pepper Chicken is hands down the best fried chicken of all time,” exclaimed Jword, cradling his special box of BBQ Chicken. “It just hits different. Trust me, I’m from Atlanta!” Jword’s performance electrified the atmosphere, perfectly aligning with BBQ’s mission of blending culinary and cultural experiences. The BBQ booth, complete with a Hollywood-inspired press wall equipped with a proper red carpet, wasn’t just about food; it offered a truly immersive experience. Guests snapped photos, filmed videos, and joined the trending “APT” dance challenge inspired by Rosé’s latest single. The night’s energy peaked with a social media contest with prizes totaling 800,000KRW in value—including an invitation to the coveted BBQ Village Chimakase, a premium dining experience that highlights Genesis BBQ Group’s dedication to culinary excellence. ■ Innovative Engagements and Memorable Content When asked what set BBQ apart as the evening’s star, Chris Georgiev and Jinmin Park, managers of @seoul.southkorea, summed it up as they sipped BBQ’s famous Lemon Pu’er Tea Highball: “Genesis BBQ Group truly lived up to its name—Best of the Best Quality. We are incredibly proud to see our favorite K-chicken brand shine.” The event underscored Genesis BBQ Group’s mission to connect with the next generation and bring the BBQ experience to a global audience. Since 1995, BBQ Chicken has been a household name in Korea, cherished for its commitment to premium ingredients like high-quality frying oil and locally-sourced chicken. Now with a presence in over 60 countries, BBQ Chicken has become a global icon of the K-food phenomenon, featured in hit K-Dramas like The King: Eternal Monarch, Goblin, and Crash Landing on You, and adored by international superstars like BTS. With fans spanning all generations, BBQ has become more than just a brand—it is a treasured part of Korean heritage. Attendees shared their best moments on social media, tagging @GenesisBBQgroup and #BestoftheBestQuality. For more updates on Genesis BBQ Group’s upcoming events and social media giveaways, follow @GenesisBBQGroup on Instagram.
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Consumer money transfer industry needs to cut send costs by 27% each year to reach G20 targets: FXC Intelligence analysis
To meet G20 targets to target global average retail cross-border payments costs of no more than 1% by the end of 2027, the consumer money transfer industry will need to reduce send costs by 27% each year. This is according to FXC Intelligence analysis of the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) annual report on meeting targets set for 2027 released this week. The FSB’s reporting includes extensive regional and market-type data, much of which is provided by FXC Intelligence, the leading provider of cross-border payments data and intelligence. FXC Intelligence’s data is used directly for the retail payments section of the G20 benchmarking, one of three segments that make up the roadmap. It also indirectly supplies the remittances segment, as FXC Intelligence data underpins the World Bank’s Remittance Prices Worldwide dataset used for this section. The retail section covers P2P payments (non-remittance consumer money transfers), as well as B2B, B2P and P2B payments. Overall, the FSB report showed that retail payments showed no marked improvement in 2024 compared to 2023, and moved away from the 2027 targets, with rising costs and reduced speeds across most metrics at a global average scale. The global average costs to send $1,000 and $10,000 P2P saw percentage point increases of 0.07 and 0.1 respectively, to 2.6% and 1.9%. FXC Intelligence analysis shows that to reach the G20 target, the global average cost to send a $1,000 consumer money transfer will need to reduce 27% each year from now until 2027, while the cost to send $10,000 will need to reduce by 19% each year. This is equivalent to a 0.7 percentage point reduction in 2025 for $1,000 and a 0.4 reduction for $10,000. Lucy Inhgam, Editor-in-Chief and Head of Content at FXC Intelligence, said: “It’s clear that the industry has a long way to go in order to meet the G20’s targets. While it may be easy to be discouraged by the limited progress over the past year, there is still significant potential to meet the G20’s goals over the coming years. With such a strong need to improve, particularly in some regions, there are clear opportunities for many providers of cross-border payments. “The benefits of data to improve costs and speed in cross-border payments are clear, and FXC Intelligence is proud to contribute. We hope our insights continue to help benchmark progress and guide the industry toward achieving the G20 targets over the coming years.” Read more about FXC Intelligence’s analysis of the FSB’s update in the report: ‘How did retail payments perform against the G20 cross-border roadmap targets in 2024?’.
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New data analysis shows TikTok takes 77% cut of Gift payments sent to creators
TikTok takes a 77% cut of Gift payments users send to creators according to new analysis from FXC Intelligence, the leading provider of cross-border payments data and intelligence. This margin is significantly higher than any platform whose primary focus is sending money directly to creators. In 2022, TikTok Europe, a rare part of the business that regularly reports revenue due to local market requirements, reported $790m in revenue from Gifts to creators. However, in 2023 TikTok Europe opted not to report its revenue segmentations by business type or geographical segment, arguing that “it would be seriously prejudicial to the interests of the company to do so”. FXC Intelligence conservatively estimates Tiktok Europe’s livestreaming Gifts revenue for 2023 sits between $1.4bn and $1.7bn, or 31-38% of total revenue. Based on these estimates, it is likely that users sent between $1.8bn and $2.2bn to creators, who would have received around $418m-511m. Using FXC Intelligence’s lowest estimates for TikTok Europe’s livestreaming revenue for 2023, it is likely that the total global revenue for livestreaming gifts sits at around $5bn. This means that users sent Gifts worth $6.5bn to creators, who would have received $1.5bn. However, given estimates here were conservative, this may be an underestimation. Lucy Ingham, Editor-in-Chief and Head of Content at FXC Intelligence, said: “TikTok handles well over $1bn in estimated payment flows year-on-year, making it tempting to think of it as a serious player in the global payments ecosystem. However, the margin TikTok charges would be unthinkable for any company overtly promoting itself as a payments provider and it is not realistic to consider it a payment company in the truest sense of the term. “Its huge take rate on Gifts sent to creators also undermines the idea of TikTok being an effective way to reward creators. Ultimately, livestreaming gifts are another way for the social media giant to significantly boost its revenue. It’s not surprising, therefore, to see a growing number of creators on the platform advertise alternative payment methods for users that want to ‘tip’ or financially acknowledge their favourite creators.”
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Hamamatsu Fuels SuperLight Photonics with Strategic Investment
SuperLight Photonics, a pioneer in cutting-edge laser technology, today announced the strategic investment of Hamamatsu Ventures to drive long-term synergy in laser innovation. Hamamatsu Ventures, Corporate Venture Capital, is a global VC looking to invest in photonics companies that address the “sakidori” needs - the future anticipated needs - in society, and more specifically through the development of disruptive photonics technologies with the potential to redefine industries. This partnership is poised to accelerate SuperLight Photonics’ development of next-generation photonic technologies and strengthen its global market presence. "Our partnership with Hamamatsu Ventures marks a pivotal moment in our growth journey,” said Cees Links, CEO of SuperLight Photonics. “Their support validates the enormous potential of our technologies and strengthens our ability to scale quickly, innovate, and meet the needs of global customers seeking innovative photonic solutions. We are excited to leverage their industry knowledge and network to bring our breakthrough products to new markets.” “As a strategic investor, we provide business expertise in areas where we have deep experience and we seek to create synergies which might lead to collaborative R&D and joint developments,” stated Katsuhiro Kobayashi, CEO of Hamamatsu Ventures. “It is our ambition to build a long-term, supportive partnership with our portfolio companies. We recognize SuperLight Photonics' groundbreaking technology as a game-changer with vast potential to transform a wide range of industries, they align perfectly with our investment focus on technologies shaping the future.” As part of the strategic investment, David Castrillo, EU-CVC Business Development Manager, will join the SuperLight Photonics Advisory Board and serve as a liaison. With over 30 years of experience in the optical industry at Hamamatsu, David brings valuable expertise and insights to SuperLight Photonics, enhancing the company's vision and direction. With this new investment, SuperLight Photonics will focus on expanding its team, scaling its production capacity, and driving innovation across its product portfolio. The company plans to expand into new geographic markets and establish stronger partnerships with global distributors, OEMs and key industry players.
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Kuwait firm Value Plus Business Advisory joins Russell Bedford International
Value Plus Business Advisory, a professional advisory firm, has joined global accountancy network Russell Bedford International to relaunch Russell Bedford Kuwait. Founded in 2016 under the leadership of Executive Director Waleed Ehsan, Value Plus Business Advisory provides comprehensive accounting and business advisory services. The firm’s team of professionals serves across diverse sectors including retail, technology, manufacturing, education, food and beverages, and healthcare. Value Plus Advisory’s wide range of services includes financial advisory (such as feasibility studies, business valuation, due diligence, and restructuring), accounting (including bookkeeping, management accounting, virtual CFO and financial reporting), and business risk and compliance (encompassing internal audit, risk management, corporate governance, and internal controls). The firm also provides expertise in business start-up support, offering guidance on budgeting, structuring, and software selection. Stephen Hamlet, CEO of Russell Bedford International said, “This strategic move allows the network to expand its global reach, strengthening our international capabilities and further solidifying our position in the Middle East.” Waleed Ehsan, Executive Director of Value Plus Business Advisory said, “We are excited to announce the relaunch of Russell Bedford Kuwait and are ready to continue providing expert accounting, tax, GRC advisory and corporate finance services tailored to the Kuwaiti market. At Russell Bedford Kuwait, we leverage global resources alongside deep local expertise to support businesses as they navigate the complexities of both international and domestic markets. With a refreshed focus and renewed energy, we're here to help local and multinational businesses thrive in today's ever-changing business landscape."
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insured.io Offers AI-Powered Features for Midsized Carriers
insured.io, provider of a modern omnichannel customer engagement platform, today introduced its next-generation Omnichannel Customer Engagement Platform, adding an array of new features, including AI-powered voice, enhanced mobile functionality, and real-time claims updates. These advancements make it the industry’s leading consumer front-end for mid-size P&C carriers and their demanding customers. Research has proven the significant role user experience (UX) plays in customer acquisition and retention. insured.io’s recently released research shows that UX is a significant consumer selection consideration, equivalent to a carrier’s brand reputation. Research conducted last year established UX's outsized influence on customer retention. The same research shows that 60% of insureds are willing to switch carriers to one that offers real-time updates on claims status. The challenge for mid-size insurance carriers has been to keep pace with ever-increasing customer demands for advanced features that make interactions fast, easy, real-time, and synchronized across all channels. With the introduction of insured.io’s next-generation Customer Engagement Platform, mid-size carriers now have an affordable and easily integrated UX that keeps them at the forefront and allows them to compete better with large carriers. Among the new features are the following: Optimized Progressive Web App (PWA) offers a seamless, mobile-first experience for today’s insurance customers. New enhancements allow users to access their policy from any device with ease, improve speed, convenience, and security, and eliminate the need for app store downloads. With the PWA, users can make payments and access essential information, such as policy details and ID cards, ensuring support when needed. AI-powered voice technology, users will enjoy an enhanced IVR experience that is contextually intelligent, natural, conversational, and closely mimics human speech. The enhancements will improve customer satisfaction and make every call easier and more efficient. insured.io has partnered with ElevenLabs, the industry-leading AI audio platform, to power the AI speech enhancements. Insured Claim Suite is a comprehensive solution for insureds to create, view, and track insurance claims. It enhances the claims process by offering a configurable, multi-device first notice of loss (FNOL) solution, real-time claims notifications, and an updated claims view in the customer portal. This suite is designed to simplify the claims process and keep policyholders informed throughout every stage. This mobile-first approach ensures that claims can be filed anytime, anywhere, improving customer satisfaction and reducing delays. Policyholders can receive real-time text messages that keep them updated on the status of their claims, reducing uncertainty. “These three upgrades—enhanced mobile engagement, AI-powered IVR, and the new Claims Suite—further solidify insured.io’s commitment to innovation and to providing a comprehensive omnichannel experience that keeps mid-size P&C carriers competitive with the nation’s largest carriers,” said Steve Johnson, co-founder and head of products at insured.io. “Every channel offers a high-quality user experience and consistent, real-time access to policy information, enabling insurance carriers to deliver personalized, proactive customer service.” insured.io will showcase these new enhancements live at ITC Vegas, October 15-17, 2024, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, show booth 2656. For more information about insured.io’s Customer Engagement Platform and how these updates can transform your customer experience, visit www.insured.io or contact us at get@insured.io
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Siemens to acquire fire safety business from Danfoss to strengthen sustainable portfolio
Siemens Smart Infrastructure has agreed to acquire Danfoss Fire Safety, which specializes in fire suppression technology and is a subsidiary of Denmark-based Danfoss Group. The acquisition is expected to boost growth and accelerate the transition towards offering a sustainable fire safety portfolio. Danfoss Fire Safety will report into the Buildings Business Unit, which is part of Smart Infrastructure, mainly enriching its portfolio with its high-pressure water mist, a superior and fast-growing fire suppression technology. The efficient extinguishing system is non-polluting, allowing Siemens to serve customers globally with an environmentally friendly solution. “With the acquisition of Danfoss Fire Safety, Siemens will be strongly positioned to cater to a shift towards sustainability in the fire suppression market. Improving our offering will position us to better address specific needs, especially in fast growing industries such as data centers, industrial process space and tunnels,” said Susanne Seitz, CEO Buildings Business Unit at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “This strategic step will also enhance our position in the global fire safety market, paving the way for further growth.” “Danfoss Fire Safety has grown into a global leader in the sales, development, production, and service of certified fixed firefighting systems. However, it falls outside our strategic focus. We are confident that the business, along with our Fire Safety colleagues, will thrive under Siemens' ownership. Our priority now is ensuring a smooth transition for our employees, customers, suppliers, and partners,” said Troels H. Petersen, Senior Vice President for Corporate M&A at Danfoss. Since 2019, Danfoss Fire Safety has operated as a fully-owned, non-core business of Danfoss Group, and currently employs 125 people. It will continue to operate as a separate legal entity, under the banner “A Siemens Business”. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, with closing expected by the end of calendar year 2024. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.
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Empowering Elder Care: DKSH’s Mission for “Patient Purpose Day 2024”
For the second consecutive year, DKSH Healthcare Business Unit is marking “Patient Purpose Day 2024” with a series of impactful initiatives across Asia dedicated to elder care. These programs, which include health screenings, educational workshops, and donation drives, aim to meet the needs of the aging population and promote healthy aging through community involvement and partnerships. Singapore, October 8, 2024 – DKSH Healthcare Business Unit, a leading partner for healthcare companies seeking to grow their business in Asia and beyond, is excited to announce a series of initiatives across Asia in observance of its second annual “Patient Purpose Day 2024”. This year, the focus is on elder care, acknowledging the urgent requirement to support the region’s aging populations through collaborative community efforts. - DKSH’s Commitment to Elder Care in Asia Given the rapidly aging population in APAC, elder care has emerged as a critical priority. By 2050, one in four individuals in the region is projected to be aged 60 or older.1 This demographic shift underscores the need to address both the physical and mental health needs faced by older adults. In line with this, DKSH is committed to playing a pivotal role toward enhancing the well-being of elderly communities, particularly in the key therapeutic areas of cardiovascular disease, diabetes management, ophthalmology, and respiratory care. Observing the day not only embodies DKSH’s commitment to a patient-centric approach but also reflects the belief of DKSH’s workforce that their roles extend beyond their jobs, for the purpose of providing better healthcare for all. The objective is to reinforce solidarity and action to patient safety and well-being. “This year, we turn our ‘Patient Purpose Day’ focus onto elder care, a topic that touches us all, regardless of our age. I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by older adults and their families. From dealing with sickness to navigating complex healthcare systems to coping with loneliness and isolation, the journey can be daunting. As an organization dedicated to enriching people’s lives by providing healthcare for all, DKSH Healthcare is committed to playing a pivotal role in supporting the needs of our aging population,” said Bijay Singh, Head of Business Unit Healthcare at DKSH. - “Patient Purpose Day 2024”: Regional Initiatives To commemorate “Patient Purpose Day 2024”, DKSH Healthcare is launching impactful elder care initiatives across several markets. These programs are designed to offer practical support, enhance awareness, and promote healthy aging. They are being developed in collaboration with several clients and customer partners, including Abbott, Omron, and Alcon. DKSH also aims to increase its overall monetary donation by 35% across markets this year, demonstrating its commitment to making a real difference in the lives of older adults. Australia: DKSH is joining forces with Meals on Wheels to combat loneliness and isolation among seniors. Employees will participate in a heartwarming “Bake Off” to raise funds and bake delicious cakes, write heartfelt messages of kindness, and donate to this worthy cause, ensuring that no senior feels alone. Hong Kong: Partnering with The Hong Kong Society for the Aged, DKSH will engage employees in activities with elderly dementia patients, including workshops, interactive sessions, and a ceremony honouring their resilience. Cambodia: In alignment with World Sight Day, DKSH provides eye education for employees, screens 300 patients, and sponsors 50 cataract surgeries, complemented by an in-kind donation drive. Korea: Collaborating with the Korean Red Cross for the “Love Sharing Campaigns”, DKSH will host a blood donation drive and the “Healthy Life Project”, focusing on educating employees on geriatric diseases. Malaysia: DKSH is working alongside key clients, including Abbott, Omron, Alcon and People Bio, to organize health talks, on-site screening tests, and product sales booths, all aimed at raising awareness and support for elder care, held at the Damansara Specialist Hospital. Philippines: In partnership with San Lorenzo Ruiz, DKSH will conduct an in-kind donation drive, offering free eye clinic services, dental check-ups, and blood sugar testing. Singapore: DKSH Singapore is collaborating with Dementia Singapore to carry out befriending activities at a Dementia Day Care Centre, followed by a “Dementia Awareness Talk” for employees. Thailand: The “Patient Purpose Day Run 2024” will raise funds for The Thai Red Cross Society’s Mobile Eye Surgery Clinic, which provides essential eye care services to elderly patients in remote areas. Taiwan: DKSH Taiwan is partnering with the Cedar Tree Elderly Community Care Association to enhance their healthcare and dementia course curriculum and hosting a step challenge competition for employees, with voluntary participation for elderlies, to encourage regular exercise. Additionally, the team will produce a themed video, “A Light Ahead,” based on a true employee story, highlighting early detection of cognitive impairment. Vietnam: In collaboration with the Vietnam Youth Physician Association, DKSH Vietnam will host the “Eyecare for Elderly and Office People” webinar and a “Patient Purpose Day” offering free health checks to the elderly. ### 1 Source: Aging Well in Asia: Asian Development Policy Report, https://www.adb.org/publications/asian-development-policy-report-2024?utm_source=blogs&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=adpr_2024&utm_content=day1-clog
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Banks take 92% of global B2B payments – but are still waking up to $56tn opportunity
In 2023, the entire B2B cross-border payments market saw payment flows of $30.2tn globally. Of that, $27.8tn was handled by banks, or 92%, with non-banks having grown their share from previous years to 8%. This is according to a landmark report on the state of banks featuring exclusive data from FXC Intelligence, the market-leading provider of cross-border payments data and intelligence. Of the 13 global banks assessed in the report, all offered extensive cross-border services, including payables, receivables, FX and clearing for corporate clients. However, only two out of the 13 banks assessed, Standard Chartered and Citi, directly report financial metrics related to cross-border payments on a regular basis. This may be indicative of a lack of interest in cross-border payments at the executive level of banks, despite it being a significant contributor to their overall revenues and considerable work from individual teams. This could also lead to a lack of support for projects and initiatives – lending weight to the commonly held belief that banks have not been paying sufficient attention to the sector. With the global B2B market expected to reach $56tn in flows by 2030, according to FXC Intelligence market sizing data, the opportunity for non-bank players to step into the gaps left by banks and so take market share is immense. Lucy Ingham, Editor-in-Chief, Head of Content and author of the report at FXC Intelligence, said: “Many banks are engaging in significant innovation in cross-border payments at a department level, but we aren’t seeing that reflected in how many banks’ leadership talk about the space. Standard Chartered and Citi are notable exceptions, and provide blueprints for how others in the industry can better showcase their work in this area at an executive level. “While the non-bank B2B payments industry is comparatively small, it is growing fast and innovating quickly – and banks only have share to lose if they don’t recognise the value that cross-border payments brings to their business at the highest levels.” To read the report in full, click here. https://www.fxcintel.com/research/reports/ct-state-of-cross-border-payments-banks-banking-2024 Further information ● The report assessed earnings of 13 different global banks who together are responsible for a significant portion of the world’s B2B cross-border payments flows: Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, NatWest, Societe Generale, Standard Chartered, UBS and Wells Fargo. ● FXC Intelligence is the industry leader in cross-border payments data and intelligence. ● The world's biggest banks, payments and big tech companies use our critical data to make vital decisions that shape their day-to-day operations, product development and strategy. ● Our data is also used by a number of international bodies, including the World Bank and the Financial Stability Board, to provide the most important indices in the sector. ● We track pricing, market size and product changes as they happen and update our dataset at high frequency, giving our clients the competitive edge they need to stay on top in a rapidly changing market. ● Our platform, which is built on top of our data, offers solutions such as a price engine and sales enablement tool to drive our clients’ growth and profit. ● Our data gives us a unique understanding of cross-border payments and we share our analysis and insights every week with subscribers to our newsletter, the most widely read in the cross-border payments market globally. Interested and want to find out more? Sign up to our newsletter here.
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New Technology to Tackle Housing Sector Challenges
Totalmobile today announced the launch of its cutting-edge Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM) solution, a breakthrough technology developed over 24 months in collaboration with some of the UK’s largest private and public housing associations. ALM is designed to meet the specific needs of the housing sector, providing the most advanced data insights available and establishing a new benchmark in comprehensive asset management. The ALM solution complements Connect, Totalmobile’s existing housing job management solution, by creating a single source of truth for all asset processes. It permanently digitises asset records, providing full lifecycle management capabilities that allow housing providers to shift from reactive to strategic and predictive service delivery. This ultimately empowers providers to maximise asset value, ensures compliance, and improves operational efficiency. “Totalmobile's Asset Lifecycle Management solution is a significant advancement that reflects extensive collaboration with the housing sector to tackle its most pressing challenges,” said David Webb, Totalmobile’s Managing Director of Housing & FM. “This isn’t just an enhancement; it’s a complete transformation of asset management, equipping housing associations with the tools to manage assets more effectively, comply with regulations, and deliver better services to residents. We are confident that ALM represents the most advanced solution in the market today.” Totalmobile’s ALM solution addresses key issues faced by housing providers, such as fragmented data, rising costs, and evolving regulatory requirements. By maintaining a permanent, digitised register of assets, ALM ensures organisations have access to accurate, real-time data on asset condition, streamlines maintenance operations, and supports compliance with safety and quality standards. "With regulatory demands increasing and financial pressures mounting, the need for an integrated, robust asset management system has never been more crucial," said Chrissi Jackson, Totalmobile’s Chief Product Officer. "Our ALM solution provides a comprehensive, data-driven approach that enhances operational efficiency and supports long-term sustainability. It helps housing providers reduce reliance on costly reactive maintenance, enabling a shift to predictive, cost-effective service delivery." Key Features of the Asset Lifecycle Management Solution Integrated Asset Management, Works Management, and Field Service: ALM unifies asset information across all operations, providing a comprehensive view that streamlines processes, reduces data silos, and supports informed decision-making. Seamless Interoperability: The solution integrates with the broader Totalmobile Platform, offering additional capabilities such as Work Order Management, Mobile Workforce Management, and Dynamic Scheduling. This interoperability enhances service delivery and operational agility across all stages of field operations. Vertical Expertise: Totalmobile’s extensive experience with over 140 property organisations, including leading housing associations, ensures ALM aligns to specific regulatory requirements and legislative changes. Migration and Transition Support: To facilitate a smooth transition from legacy systems, Totalmobile provides comprehensive training and ongoing assistance, minimising operational disruption and helping users quickly adapt to the new system. The launch of Totalmobile’s ALM solution coincides with significant regulatory shifts in the UK housing sector, including the Building Safety Act 2022, the Social Housing Act 2023, and stringent decarbonisation goals. These changes have created an increased demand for advanced asset management solutions. ALM offers a next-generation platform that aligns with the growing market trend towards investing in innovative technology. It enables housing providers to optimise operations, enhance compliance, and transition towards predictive, cost-effective service delivery, ultimately ensuring long-term sustainability and efficiency. To learn more about how Totalmobile’s Asset Lifecycle Management solution, visit www.totalmobile.com. Further imagery, videos, and detailed product demos are available upon request.
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Embraer celebrates 55th anniversary and 35 years of public listing with event at Brazilian stock market
Today, Embraer gathered shareholders, investors, and financial analysts at the headquarters of B3, the São Paulo Stock Exchange, to mark 35 years as a publicly traded company, amidst celebrations for its 55th anniversary, which was observed on August 19. During the event, company executives detailed their growth strategy for the coming years and the reasons behind the strengthening of the company's financial performance over recent years. "We are currently reaping the results of an intense cycle of investments in our existing product portfolio, leading to a significant increase in revenue and profitability. The capital market has acknowledged this prosperous period for Embraer through the substantial appreciation of our shares this year. We are optimistic and confident about the future, ready to deliver very positive results in 2024,” says Embraer's CFO, Antonio Carlos Garcia. With an order book at its highest level in seven years, totaling $21 billion in the second quarter, the company projects to conclude 2024 with revenues between $6.0 and $6.4 billion. Since 2020, the company has seen a 49.8% increase in this metric, considering the closing of Q2 2024. The adjusted EBIT margin, which was negative (-2.7%) in 2020, is expected to close 2024 approximately 10 percentage points higher, in the range of 6.5% to 7.5%. In response to the increased aircraft production and anticipated future growth, Embraer is investing in initiatives such as the development of new technologies, expansion of aeronautical services, and projects aimed at improving and expanding industrial activity. As Brazil's largest exporter of high technology, the company is well-positioned across all its operational segments: commercial aviation, business aviation, defense, and services.
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PhilTower and PowerX Transform Mobile Tower Infrastructure, Achieving Significant Cost and Energy Savings
Phil-Tower Consortium Inc. (PhilTower), the Philippines’ leading tower company, in partnership with PowerX, the premier data intelligence platform for optimising tower energy infrastructure, today announced the transformative results of their year-long strategic collaboration. This partnership, initiated in late 2023, and now extended from the original 1,350 sites to 3,500 sites, has delivered substantial capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) savings, enhanced operational efficiency, and significant reductions in energy usage across PhilTower’s network. In the six months since PhilTower began leveraging PowerX’s AI-driven data intelligence, it has successfully identified and eliminated diesel generators (DG) at 50% of its locations, transitioning to battery backup systems. This move has yielded nearly half a million USD in generator OpEx savings and reduced annual CO2 emissions by over 700 tons. The streamlined operations, enabled by reduced DG usage and full visibility into the tower estate, have lowered maintenance costs, decreased Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) by 30%, and increased network availability to 99.98%. This has boosted telecom customer data usage and revenue while reducing annual OpEx by an additional half a million USD in fuel savings. Furthermore, comprehensive battery health assessments and targeted investments of over $2.8M USD into battery replacements and upgrades are set to optimise backup capabilities while right-sizing CapEx. The automation of reporting and decision-making processes has also reduced operational workloads and improved the efficiency of alarm and trouble ticket management through closed-loop operational workflows - reducing the need for human intervention. Looking forward, PhilTower is set to continue its modernisation journey with initiatives including hybrid power installations, solar energy integration, cooling optimisations, and power system consolidations. Armed with critical insights into the health status of its network and energy growth projections, PhilTower anticipates saving over $1.5M USD in the coming year and reducing CO2 emissions by nearly 10,000 tons annually - reinforcing PhilTower’s commitment to sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective tower operations. These initiatives are extended with an additional 2,000 towers across the region when PhilTower completes its anticipated merger with Miescor Infrastructure Development Corporation (MIDC), bringing the estate to a total of 3,500 optimised towers. Devid Gubiani, CEO at PhilTower, stated: “Applying data science tools and optimisations to over a thousand sites within half a year is a significant milestone for PhilTower. Our commitment to digitalisation has transformed our network, enabling rapid sale and leaseback transitioning, full remote asset visibility, efficient operations, and data-driven decisions that optimise CapEx and OpEx - passing those savings to our customers while increasing uptime by three hours per site per month “We now have the tools to maximise asset leverage and drive revenue, creating a 21st-century tower network with next-generation maintenance and proactive energy efficiency plans. With PowerX, we optimise our distributed assets using a range of KPIs and have set ambitious targets to deliver substantial growth and value to our stakeholders, including unparalleled service to our mobile operators and ambitious carbon reduction initiatives.” Andrew Schafer, CEO at PowerX, commented: “We are delighted that PhilTower is seeing immediate and strategic benefits from the data-driven optimisations and automation provided by the PowerX platform. This collaboration highlights our pioneering role in leveraging deep data analytics, AI, and machine learning to deliver outstanding network efficiency. The PowerX platform has empowered PhilTower’s teams to drive operational excellence, enhancing asset and energy performance and integrating data intelligence for future energy programs. Together, we are raising the bar, setting a new standard for network intelligence and site efficiency in the Philippines.”
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ISS Partners with Totalmobile to Enhance Safety for 7,000 Frontline Workers Across the UK
Totalmobile, a leader in field service management software solutions, is excited to announce a new strategic partnership with ISS, one of the world’s premier facilities services companies. Together, they are launching a groundbreaking safety initiative to safeguard 7,000 lone and isolated workers across the UK. This initiative positions ISS as the first company in the UK to implement such a comprehensive safety solution. For ISS, employee safety isn’t just a priority—it’s a core value. By incorporating Totalmobile's Lone Worker Protect technology, ISS has set a new standard for safety in its operations. This rollout will see 6,000 Protect apps and 1,000 SOS fobs deployed, giving lone workers the controls they need to ensure they are safe when they have to work in isolated situations with confidence. “We’re absolutely committed to the safety of our frontline workers,” said Nicholas Bray, Head of HSEQ at ISS UK & Ireland. “Partnering with Totalmobile to implement their Protect solution is a significant step forward for ISS. As part of our SafeChoice program, it’s about making sure that we always look out for each other and all of our people have the tools and agency to always make the safe choice.” David Webb, Managing Director of Property & FM at Totalmobile, echoed the sentiment: “This partnership with ISS represents a significant milestone. By adopting our Protect solution, ISS is leading the charge in workplace safety, and we’re proud to support them in this vital mission.” The decision to partner with Totalmobile followed a rigorous RFP process, with Totalmobile emerging as the top choice for its comprehensive platform and user-friendly interface. As the rollout begins this month, both ISS and Totalmobile are looking forward to the benefits this partnership will bring, not just in safety, but in setting new industry standards. For more details on how Totalmobile is helping organisations like ISS enhance safety and protect their workforce, visit www.totalmobile.co.uk/software/lone-worker-protection-centre
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PRYSMIAN SIGNS €600 MILLION CONTRACT FOR MARINUS LINK IN AUSTRALIA
Prysmian and Marinus Link Pty Ltd. have finalised an around €600 million contract for a new power interconnector between Victoria and Tasmania, Australia. The commencement of the works is subject to the issuance of a notice to proceed, which is expected by August 2025. This agreement follows the prior announcement of a capacity reservation agreement, communicated in September 2023. The project’s cables will span 345 km – 255 km undersea across Bass Strait and 90 km underground in Gippsland, Victoria, with the completion date set for 2030. With a capacity of 750 MW for the first stage, the Marinus Link will facilitate the flow of electricity and telecommunications between the two states, enabling an efficient transfer of power from the areas where renewable energy is generated to those where it is needed, and will help Australia meet its emissions reduction targets by saving up to 70 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2050. Prysmian will design, test, supply and install a HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) cable system, consisting of 320 kV single-core cables with XLPE insulation and single-wire armouring, covering both submarine and land sections. Prysmian will also provide a fully integrated PRY-CAM permanent monitoring system. Submarine cables will be produced at Prysmian’s centre of excellence in Arco Felice (Italy), while land cables will be produced in Delft (The Netherlands) or Gron (France). Installation operations will be delivered with Prysmian’s record-setting cable-laying vessel, the Leonardo da Vinci. Hakan Ozmen, EVP Transmission at Prysmian said: "This project strengthens our global leadership, as well as our position in Oceania's fast-growing renewables market. We are proud to support Australia in its goal to combine the benefits of renewable energy to deliver low-cost, reliable, and clean energy to customers.”
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DKSH and Kyowa Kirin Forge Strategic Partnership Across Asia-Pacific
DKSH has signed a strategic business partnership with Kyowa Kirin, a Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company, to provide comprehensive services for their specialty drugs in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong & Macau. With DKSH’s expertise, distribution networks, and strong commercial capabilities, this partnership further enhances patient care and accessibility in the region. Singapore, August 2, 2024 – DKSH Business Unit Healthcare, a Strategic Healthcare Solutions Partner and leading provider of Market Expansion Services for pharmaceutical, over-the-counter (OTC), consumer health and medical device companies, enters a partnership with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Kirin, TSE:4151, President and CEO: Masashi Miyamoto), a Japan-based global specialty pharmaceutical company, in line with Kyowa Kirin’s announced plans to transform its business in Asia-Pacific. The scope of the partnership covers a promotion and distribution agreement for commercial rights of Kyowa Kirin’s established medicines portfolio in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong & Macau as well as global products -- Crysvita® in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong & Macau, and Poteligeo ® in Singapore. Recognized for offering a full range of integrated solutions to support sustainable growth for client partners, DKSH has been chosen by Kyowa Kirin as its strategic partner to implement a full agency alliance business model that delivers end-to-end healthcare solutions prioritizing healthcare access to patients. With DKSH’s deep expertise in nephrology, robust distribution networks, and strong commercial capabilities this collaboration reinforces a significant step forward in continuing patient care and accessibility in the region. “We are very confident about this new journey with DKSH”, stated Abdul Mullick, Ph.D., Chief International Business Officer (CIBO), Kyowa Kirin. “Given DKSH’s proven healthcare expertise and commercial strength across Southeast Asia and North Asia, we are convinced we have chosen the right business partner to continue serving our patients, taking care of our employees and making people smile.” Bijay Singh, Global Head Business Unit Healthcare, Member of the Executive Committee, DKSH, added: “We are thrilled to embark on this brand new partnership with Kyowa Kirin, especially as they chose DKSH as a regional partner across six markets. This collaboration reflects DKSH’s commitment to driving growth for our clients while at the same time pursuing our mission of providing better healthcare to all patients in our markets. By combining our expertise and resources with Kyowa Kirin’s excellent brands, we are confident we can provide a more cost-effective yet high quality commercial access solution that provides outstanding patient outcomes and customer service.”
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EIB provides €450 million to Prysmian to promote European energy transition
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Prysmian, world leader in the power and telecom cables sector, have signed a new, €450 million finance contract to facilitate electricity transmission and distribution in Europe. With a view to meeting the growing demand for renewable energy in general and offshore wind in particular, Prysmian will use the EIB funds to build new production lines for extra-high-voltage submarine cables, lines for high-voltage onshore cables and other technical improvements to existing lines. The EIB-financed investment will enable Prysmian to double its production capacity for extruded cables at its three factories in Pikkala (Finland), Pozzuoli (Italy) and Gron (France) from around 2 000 km a year to over 4 000 km a year. This will help to meet EU targets for clean energy transmission via submarine cable solutions and long-distance interconnections, improving the integration and efficiency of renewable energy. According to Prysmian estimates and in line with time frames and procedures that are still being defined, this investment will also promote the creation of new jobs, thereby generating major economic benefits for the countries involved. The project is fully in line with the EIB’s climate action and environmental sustainability goals and the REPowerEU framework, which the EU bank has committed to support with €45 billion of additional investment by 2027. In addition, almost half of the operations covered by the agreement will take place in cohesion regions such as Campania in Italy and Burgundy in France, thereby helping to address regional economic disparities and promoting more balanced and inclusive economic development. This contract follows previous agreements between Prysmian and the EIB. In the past, the EIB has backed Prysmian’s research and development across Europe, helping to support its production centres of excellence while promoting clean and renewable energy with interconnections between integrated renewable resource systems via cable solutions. EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti said: “The EIB is the EU climate bank, and this financing shows our commitment to backing clean energy transmission in Europe. This agreement with Prysmian will help achieve the REPowerEU objectives by mobilising vast resources to address the most pressing energy and environmental challenges.” Prysmian CEO Massimo Battaini added: “Prysmian is playing a key role in promoting the European energy transition. We are proud that the EIB is supporting our commitment to help build additional capacity to meet the growing demand for clean energy across the continent. The EIB shares our unwavering commitment to innovation in our products and services to promote efficiency, which is crucial both to making the energy transition more achievable and to implementing it more quickly. This new step forward shows how the European Union is aware of the essential role our company has in achieving this transition.”
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Bloomberg and ICMA Survey Finds Reforms are Expected in KTB Markets by Global Investors to Boost Interest and Trading Efficiency
New survey analysis of Korea Treasury Bonds (KTB) reveals significant untapped market potential for KTB trading. The survey, conducted by Bloomberg and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), suggests that recent market reforms can generate increased interest in KTB trading. The study surveyed more than 300 respondents within the global financial sector to assess the impact of existing reforms from a market stakeholder’s perspective and to understand market expectations of further reform initiatives in Korean capital markets. The survey found that a staggering 91% of respondents had never engaged in KTB trading, indicating significant untapped market potential. While the majority of the respondents (88% of those who had never traded KTBs) do not have a clear plan to enter the market in the near term, the survey suggests that clearing with International Central Securities Depositories (ICSDs) and allowing KRW to be tradable offshore could be factors which drive them to consider entering the KTB markets. Only 3% of respondents said they currently traded KTBs, with only 6% having done so in the past. Consistent across all participant types, they traded KTBs mostly for portfolio diversification, however they experienced difficulties when trading KTBs offshore. The survey noted that recent market reforms have sparked increased interest. Nearly half of the respondents expressed heightened interest due to latest operational reforms such as the “Simplified process for third-party onshore foreign exchange” (57%), the “Abolition of the Investment Registration Certificate[1]” (47%) and “Omnibus account” (47%). Market participants also agreed that the likely impact of those measures will make KTB trading easier. Furthermore, the anticipated use of the omnibus account for KTB trading has garnered significant attention, with 56% of respondents indicating plans to utilize this facility. This reflects a real demand for the omnibus account among market participants. Looking ahead, there is cautious optimism for the KTB markets' growth, with the potential for increased trading volumes facilitated by clearing with ICSDs and a positive impact expected from the inclusion of KTBs in global major indices. Survey respondents commented on strategic improvements that could bolster the appeal of the KTB markets, including technological advancements such as developing a robust e-trading platform for KTBs to improve transparency, efficiency, and accessibility for domestic and international investors, and leveraging AI, blockchain and Straight Through Processing (“STP”) measures that would reduce settlement costs and improve operational efficiency. According to comments provided by respondents, ensuring high-quality collateral availability would boost market confidence, and implementing Delivery Versus Payment (DVP) clearing arrangements with custodians would streamline settlement processes and reduce settlement risks. Promoting the use of the Global Master Repurchase Agreement (GMRA) for repo trades would standardize and streamline transactions. Bloomberg and ICMA shared preliminary findings of the survey with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) of South Korea in May 2024 and sought its feedback to global investors’ comment. “Despite uncertainties in global markets, Korea remains one of the most dynamic economies in Asia and continues to be on a growth trajectory, presenting opportunities for global investors. Enhancing global investor access to the KTB markets is a key priority of the Korean government and Korean regulators. We have been launching a set of measures to simplify the trading of KTB and Korean Won, and will continue to optimize infrastructure to facilitate foreign participation in KTB markets,” Sang Hyun Kwak, MOEF’s Director of Government Bond Policy Division said. “We wish to thank Bloomberg and ICMA for conducting this survey of global investors, helping us better understand their current views and expectations.” Bing Li, Head of APAC, Bloomberg, said: “The KTB markets remain broadly untapped by global investors and contain substantial potential for growth. Key reforms such as offshore KRW trading and ICSD clearing are potential catalysts to attract new market participants. Technological enhancements and infrastructure improvements could also be real game-changers for increased participation in the markets.” Mushtaq Kapasi, Chief Representative, Asia-Pacific, ICMA said: “We are deeply encouraged by Korea’s recent capital market reforms to enable the inclusion of Korean government bonds in international bond indices. Our KTB market survey not only demonstrates the significant untapped opportunities for both international investors and Korean issuers, but more importantly, the willingness of these investors to consider KTBs as part of their portfolios.” ### [1] For more information, please refer to https://www.fsc.go.kr/eng/pr010101/80123
