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Blog posts August 2020

Andersen Unifies Latin America Platform

 

SAN FRANCISCO-Wednesday 26 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Latin American member firms of Andersen Global will now operate under the brand “Andersen,” reinforcing the organization’s position as a one-stop shop for tax and legal services globally. The announcement comes less than two months after the adoption of the Andersen brand by the European member firms of Andersen Global.

The member firms of Andersen Global in Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Uruguay, which previously operated under the brands “Andersen Tax” and “Andersen Tax & Legal,” will now feature Andersen as their brand along with the new member firms, MODO Law and GSRC in Argentina, who became member firms of the organization earlier this year.

Andersen Global continues to view expansion of both its footprint in Latin America and its newly established platform in the Caribbean as high priorities. In Latin America, the global organization also has a presence in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru through its collaborating firms and has added collaborating firms in 11 countries in the Caribbean region over the last six months.

“Our expansion is driven by client service, and our objective isn’t to be the biggest firm; rather, our focus is about our commitment to building one firm where clients are afforded best-in-class tax and legal services in a seamless fashion across the globe,” Andersen Global Chairman and Andersen CEO Mark Vorsatz said. “Our organization is dedicated not only to our clients, but also to investing in our people and the next generation. We all share the same values and vision regardless of borders and it is only fitting that this is also reflected in our common name.”

The organization’s journey began in 2002, when 23 former Arthur Andersen partners created the tax-only firm WTAS. In 2014, the U.S. member firm proceeded to adopt the brand “Andersen Tax,” and most recently transitioned to the Andersen brand in 2019. The global organization has grown exponentially since the establishment of Andersen Global (formerly WTAS Global) by founding U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC in 2013. After launching its global platform in Europe, Andersen Global debuted in Latin America in 2015. The region has since expanded to more than 34 locations, 1,000 tax and legal professionals, and 90 partners today.

Leonardo Mesquita, Regional Managing Director for Latin America added, “Our organization’s foundation is based on our common vision to remain independent and provide seamless, synergistic services to our clients globally. We’re eager to have a brand that reflects what we already know – we are one firm.”

Over the course of the next year, member firms globally will continue to adopt the Andersen brand, while Andersen Global will continue its expansion efforts in critical markets, including the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax and legal professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 6,000 professionals worldwide and presence in over 191 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005347/en/

Contacts

Megan Tsuei
Andersen Global
415-764-2700

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Gulf Brokers: markets to be less predictable if Biden wins

Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Sunday 30 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

 

Financial markets are volatile ahead of the biggest political event of the year, the US presidential election on November 3, which are held every four years and always on the first Tuesday in November.

The stock markets usually widely fluctuate as soon as the election results are published. The main question here in case Democrat leader Joe Biden elected is how the financial markets will react. The market participants believe that it will be negative for the stock market mainly because Biden has said he will roll back Trump’s corporate tax cuts, which would hit corporate profit margins. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has generated 83% average return during Democratic administrations compared with 45% for the Republicans.

The S&P500 index recovered from 2020 March low, surged more than 40% after the Federal Reserve pumped liquidity into the market. According to a 2019-Dimensional Funds report, the market has been positive in 19 of the last 23 election years spanning 1928-2016. The S&P has traded positive in each six-month period before a presidential election except 2008.  Since 1929, the total return of the S&P500 has averaged 57.4% under Democratic presidential administrations, versus just 16.6% under Republicans.

Will gold continue to rise?

On starting of this month, the gold price hit an all-time high of $2075. The safe-haven metal surged more than 35% this year. The Investors have been buying up gold this whole year as first rising coronavirus cases, escalating tensions between the US and China and then lower interest rates, and now the US election have heightened uncertainty among investors.

If you look at the technical chart, the last election period shows that the trends of gold prices soaring in the months of July to October before the election and then they witnessed significant drop after the event. On average, gold prices continue to decrease until January of the following year.

As the 2020 election comes close, GulfBrokers expects the coming weeks in the US presidential election will be volatile for the financial markets due to high levels of uncertainty. The single best way of protecting investors from downside that an election offers is to ensure they have a truly diversified portfolio.

 

Trading is risky and your entire investment may be at risk. TC’s available at https://gulfbrokers.com/

 

 

Contacts

Syam K.P.

Chief Analyst

+442080689907

support@gulfbrokers.com



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CitiIQ Launches Global4000 City Scoring Platform

A Human-Centric measurement for comparing cities around the world

TORONTO-Friday 28 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CitiIQ (http://www.citiiq.com) has applied its novel measurement standard to 1,170 global cities as an important step toward measuring the 4,000 cities of the world with a population over 100,000.

The 1,170 cities include those with populations greater than 500,000, the world’s country capitals, and the state capitals of Brazil, India China and the USA.

“Increasingly, the health and wellbeing of people depend upon the effectiveness of their city,” says Don Simmonds, Chief Executive Officer of CitiIQ. “Municipal leaders face immense challenges and benefit greatly when comprehensive, comparable data is available to guide their decisions.”

Most cities struggle to translate disparate data into actions that can make life better for their citizens. The CitiIQ measurement system is an objective assessment of the overall health and wellbeing of a city. It converts raw data into scores out of 100 so that city elements are readily compared within a given city, or with other cities around the world.

CitiIQ uses an evidence-based methodology to score 35 essential elements, or Considerations, within five prioritized Dimensions including Basic Needs, Competitiveness, Opportunity, Livability, and Destiny. Using an intuitive online dashboard, a city’s measurements are readily available to clients through a cloud-based annual subscription.

“The CitiIQ measurement helps immensely in understanding the factors that influence a city,” says Harry Loubser, Managing Director of Unashamedly Ethical based in Cape Town, South Africa. “It's value to municipal leaders is readily apparent but the ability to compare city to city across so much of the world is a powerful advantage. We can clearly identify where best practise has been applied, but also illuminate cities with the greatest needs.”

The CitiIQ system is easy to use, economical, and effective with no need to purchase new software or abandon existing metrics. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, CitiIQ provides a practical way for a city to mark progress toward SDG achievement.

City Administrators appreciate the integration of economic, environmental, social and cultural infrastructure measures reflecting how a city actually functions. The algorithm normalizes data into a comparable, holistic picture of their city’s strengths and weaknesses bringing coherence and comparability to their operations and an ability to compare with other cities.

In April 2020 CitiIQ was selected by UN-Habitat to develop a COVID-19 Readiness and Responsiveness tracking site for more than 1,000 global cities. Data was often unavailable at a city level where the real battle is fought. The scoring reflects both how ready a city was for COVID-19 and how well they are responding to the pandemic. COVID-19 data is collected daily for the 1,000 cities supporting improve responses to the pandemic. Visit: https://unhabitat.citiiq.com/.

About CitiIQ
CitiIQ is a comprehensive system that objectively measures the overall health and wellbeing of a city. Using an intuitive online dashboard style interface, a city’s measurements are made readily available to clients through a cloud-based annual subscription.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200827005026/en/

Contacts

Milton Friesen, General Manager
mfriesen@citiiq.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/citiiq-launchesnbspglobal4000nbspcity-scoring-platform/en 

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The Open Group Launches the Open Footprint™ Forum

 The Forum will collaborate to increase accuracy and transparency around industry measurement and reporting of environmental footprint data

LONDON-Wednesday 26 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Open Group, the vendor-neutral technology consortium, today announced the formation of the Open Footprint™ Forum, a Forum of The Open Group. This Forum will be focused on developing open and vendor-neutral industry standards to provide consistent and accurate measurement and reporting of environmental footprint data. The initial launch will focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data. The Forum will also cover the entire physical environmental footprint to include water, waste, and land data.

“Accurate data on environmental footprint data is critical for modern enterprises – not only for mandatory government compliance reporting and meeting customer and partner demands, but also for taking action,” said Johan Krebbers, GM Digital Emerging Technologies/VP IT Innovation at Shell. “Yet organizations face significant challenges when it comes to managing their environmental footprints such as a lack of consistency, compatibility, and interoperability throughout supply chains, as well as a shortage of standards for recording and processing this type of data.”

To meet the increasing business need for transparent and uniform reporting on environmental footprint data, the Forum will collaborate on the definition, design, and delivery of Open Footprint Data Platform standards. In the case of reporting GHG emissions, accurate data on emissions, consumptions, and base calculations will enable businesses to compare the footprint of goods and services in the value chain across every industry.

Alongside these standards, the Forum will create an open source-based system which will be accessible to all organizations. This Reference Implementation will act as the foundation for organizations to harness their own Open Footprint Data Forum implementations expected to be available from multiple parties.

“There is an urgent need to transform how we manage and report on environmental footprint data,” said Steve Nunn, President and CEO of The Open Group. “By utilizing new digital technologies and drawing on a huge amount of industry expertise, we are dedicated to enhancing reliability, credibility, and accountability around environmental data reporting to benefit businesses, governments, NGOs, and society as a whole. As an increasing number of organizations join the Forum, including operators, suppliers, and academic institutions from all industries, we are set to make substantial headway in helping businesses to better measure, monitor, and report their environmental footprints through the creation of open technology standards.”

There are currently fifteen organizations from multiple industries committed as members of the Open Footprint Forum, including Accenture, BP, Chevron, Cognite, DNV GL, Emisoft, Equinor, Halliburton, Infosys, Intel, Microsoft, Schlumberger, Shell, University of Oslo, and Wipro. Working together, member organizations will take an agile approach to the development of the Open Footprint Data Platform standards.

The Open Footprint Forum is open to all organizations. Information about the Forum and membership can be found here.

-ENDS-

About The Open Group

The Open Group is a global consortium that enables the achievement of business objectives through technology standards. Our diverse membership of more than 750 organizations includes customers, systems and solutions suppliers, tool vendors, integrators, academics, and consultants across multiple industries. Further information on The Open Group can be found at www.opengroup.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005591/en/

Contacts

Media
Jenny Morris
Hotwire Global
07393465529
UKOpengroup@hotwirepr.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/the-open-group-launches-the-open-footprinttrade-forum/en

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Afton Chemical Announces Phase 3 Investment in the Singapore Chemical Additive Manufacturing Facility to Add GPA Blending Capabilities

SINGAPORE-Wednesday 26 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Afton Chemical Corporation, a global leader in the lubricant and fuel additive market, has received approval from the Afton Chemical board to invest in Gasoline Performance Additives (GPA) blending capabilities at its Singapore Chemical Additive Manufacturing Facility.

The investment is part of Afton’s “Made In” strategy that focuses on globally lean supply chain solutions that enable quicker support and more effective supply to its customers in Asia. It will also provide the additional infrastructure required to support the company’s long-term global growth plans.

The demand for GPA in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4% through 2024. “The additional GPA blending capacity in Singapore will help satisfy the increase in demand driven by the expected growth in China and other parts of Asia,” said Mr. Sean Spencer, Vice President and Managing Director of Afton Chemical Asia.

Afton has invested approximately S$400 million in the Singapore Chemical Additive Manufacturing Facility. The decision to continue Phase 3 investment is due to the integrated petrochemical hub in Singapore and trade connectivity to all parts of Asia and the Middle East. The Singapore government and Economic Development Board has been providing strong support to Afton from the start of its “Made In” investment in the region.

The new unit will help Afton and, in turn, our customers, by:

    Developing cost-effective and customized solutions for the region that will allow our customers a competitive edge in their markets

    Strengthening our ability to serve our customers worldwide and support their future growth

    Connecting our capacities globally to support regional and global business continuity, providing security of supply and shorter lead-times

The new blending unit will be operational by the fourth quarter of 2021 and designed to comply with Quality, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Assessment and all applicable regulations. This investment complements the blending and terminal operations in the Americas and Europe.

Afton is a global market leader in performance additive technology for fuels. Afton’s GPA solutions help fuels burn cleaner and more efficiently, enabling engines to perform as designed during their equipment lifetime on fuel economy, power and acceleration.

In Asia Pacific, Afton has established two fuel and lubricant additive Technology Centers in Suzhou, China and Tsukuba, Japan that provide Afton’s customers with enhanced technical services, including sample blending, physical and chemical analysis, and performance testing.

The continued investment in the manufacturing facilities and technology centers in the region underscores Afton’s commitment to providing increased customer support to the fast-growing GPA business in Asia Pacific.

About Afton Chemical Corporation:

Afton Chemical Corporation is part of the NewMarket Corporation (NYSE: NEU) family of companies. Afton Chemical Corporation uses its formulation, engineering and marketing expertise to help their customers develop and market fuels and lubricants that reduce emissions, improve fuel economy, extend equipment life, improve operator satisfaction and lower the total cost of vehicle and equipment operation. Afton Chemical Corporation develops and sells an extensive line of unique additives for gasoline and distillate fuels, driveline fluids, engine oils and industrial lubricants. Afton Chemical Corporation supports global operations through regional headquarters located in Asia Pacific, EMEAI, Latin America and North America. Afton Chemical Corporation is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. For more information, visit www.aftonchemical.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Some of the information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although NewMarket’s management believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, the availability of raw materials and distribution systems; disruptions at production facilities, including single-sourced facilities; hazards common to chemical businesses; the ability to respond effectively to technological changes in our industry; failure to protect our intellectual property rights; sudden or sharp raw material price increases; competition from other manufacturers; current and future governmental regulations; the gain or loss of significant customers; failure to attract and retain a highly-qualified workforce; an information technology system failure or security breach; the occurrence or threat of extraordinary events, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and health-related epidemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic; risks related to operating outside of the United States; political, economic, and regulatory factors concerning our products; the impact of substantial indebtedness on our operational and financial flexibility; the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; resolution of environmental liabilities or legal proceedings; limitation of our insurance coverage; our inability to realize expected benefits from investment in our infrastructure or from recent or future acquisitions, or our inability to successfully integrate recent or future acquisitions into our business; and the underperformance of our pension assets resulting in additional cash contributions to our pension plans; and other factors detailed from time to time in the reports that NewMarket files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is available to shareholders upon request.

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by NewMarket in the foregoing discussion speaks only as of the date on which such forward-looking statement is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this discussion after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the events described in any forward-looking statement made in this discussion, or elsewhere, might not occur.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005959/en/

Contacts

AP: Chong Kit Lee on +65 6739 6330 or KitLee.Chong@AftonChemical.com
EMEAI: Kate Edrupt on +44 1344 356823 or Kate.Edrupt@AftonChemical.com
NA: Lauren Packard on +1 804 788 6081 or Lauren.Packard@AftonChemical.com

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Gedget: Surging Interest in eSports Opens New Market Niches in UAE

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates-Wednesday 26 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- A rapidly growing eSports fandom in the United Arab Emirates is creating new opportunities for the country’s young and tech-savvy gaming population. In an indication of this trend, Gedget, a small firm that sells products designed for gamers, has enjoyed a 60-percent increase in sales within the last year alone.

The rising popularity of eSports, both in the UAE and across the wider Arabic-speaking world, has served to create exciting new opportunities for many young, entrepreneurially-minded Emiratis. An innovative UAE-based startup, Gedget, has been quick to seize the opportunity, selling tens of thousands of products online to eSports enthusiasts all over the world.

“The surging interest in eSports has had a positive knock-on effect on other sub-sectors within the wider gaming market,” Gedget founder Mohammad Al-Kaabi said. “It has allowed me to turn my love of gaming into a viable startup, which has seen sales growth of some 60 percent over the course of the last year.”

‘The next big revenue growth engine’

According to recent estimates, the eSports industry in the Middle East is now worth a whopping $3 billion per year, with massive potential for further growth in the short and medium term.

“ESports is the next big revenue growth engine for entertainment entities,” Saeed Sharaf, a board member of the World eSports Consortium, was recently quoted as saying by Dubai’s Khaleej Times.

Knock-on effects

The region’s burgeoning love affair with eSports has not been lost on the UAE’s new generation of young entrepreneurs.

“The rise of eSports has opened the way for people like me,” Al-Kaabi said. “It has created new market niches and novel spikes in demand, especially for products that cater specifically to gamers.”

With an eye on the lucrative ‘geeks and gamers’ market, Al-Kaabi is now successfully producing and marketing a range of gaming- and eSports-related items on his website.

And it’s not just about retail. Al-Kaabi also creates gaming and eSports-related content for his Arabic-language YouTube channel (Uae Skills), which currently boasts more than 1.75 million subscribers from across the Middle East and beyond.

“The growing appetite for gaming and eSports, both in the UAE and the Arab world, has allowed me to become a digital influencer of sorts,” he said.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52272529/en

Contacts

Kassem Mohammad
kassem@gedget.ae
0509209699


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/gedget-surging-interest-in-esports-opens-new-market-niches-in-uae/en

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P.I. Works and Beeline Russia Partner to Transform Mobile Experience of Millions

Beeline Russia, a prominent digital operator with approximately 50 million subscribers, has selected P.I. Works to move towards experience-driven and automated network operations.

 

ISTANBUL-Tuesday 25 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Beeline, a prominent digital operator in Russia, has selected P.I. Works’ advanced network services and cutting-edge automation technology to transform its network operations and enhance customer experience.

The partnership involves the deployment of P.I. Works’ 24/7 Automated Network Management solution and its Performance Management solution for Beeline’s 2G, 3G and 4G networks with services encompassing radio, transport and core. Initial rollouts began in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Krasnodar through intelligent operations of Beeline’s network.

According to Beeline, early results of the deployment show higher efficiencies in terms of spectrum resources, paving way for faster data speeds and increased service reliability. The deployment also saw major enhancements in Beeline’s network performance indicators in terms of capacity, accessibility and throughput. These combined with P.I. Works’ long-standing expertise, global experience and best practices have contributed towards making Beeline’s network more competitive and customer centric.

Valery Shorzhin, Executive Vice-President for Technological Development, VimpelCom PJSC (brand Beeline), said:

“Network development remains our strategic focus area. LTE network is currently available in Russian cities locating 87% of the country's population, and we continue to spread coverage meeting the interests of our clients through an ambitious network development program. To optimize its built infrastructure, Beeline was the first Russian operator to transfer to the new generation of the SON system. It improved network performance in Moscow, provided high data speeds and increased service reliability. After the system was deployed, mobile Internet speed in Moscow grew by 27%. With the new system at work Beeline will become an even more customer centric company on the telecom and digital technology market.”

Zafer Genc, Network Services Director at P.I. Works, said, “As an independent automation vendor, P.I. Works gives utmost priority to its customers’ best interests. Our global services expertise, combined with the multi-vendor and -technology automation portfolio, is very well poised to address Beeline’s quality, efficiency and transformational requirements. Such capabilities empower us to understand Beeline’s existing and future network transformation needs much better and further expand the scope of our partnership with Veon Group.”

To learn more about P.I. Works’ advanced network services and network automation portfolio, please contact us at marketing@piworks.net.

About

https://pi.works/2QjNUlX

Contacts
Media, P.I. Works, Melih Murat, marketing@piworks.net

 

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Kohlberg and Mubadala Sign a Definitive Agreement to Acquire Majority Stake in PCI Pharma Services

PHILADELPHIA-Tuesday 25 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PCI Pharma Services (“PCI” or “the Company”), a leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical global supply chain solutions provider, and portfolio company of Partners Group, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a majority stake in the company by Kohlberg & Company, LLC (“Kohlberg”).

Kohlberg is a leading private equity firm headquartered in Mount Kisco, N.Y. with over 30 years of successful experience partnering with management and companies like PCI Pharma Services. Mubadala Investment Company (“Mubadala”), an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor, will also become a significant investor in PCI.

Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager, has agreed to the sale of its majority equity stake in PCI Pharma Services on behalf of its clients and alongside its investment partners Thomas H. Lee Partners and Frazier Healthcare Partners. Following the sale to private equity firm Kohlberg and Mubadala, Partners Group will retain a meaningful minority equity stake in the Company. The terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., PCI Pharma Services is a recognized industry leader and trusted partner providing a broad range of integrated pharmaceutical supply chain solutions from the earliest stages of drug development through to commercial launch, and delivering ongoing supply with global capabilities for drug development and manufacturing, clinical trials services and commercial packaging services. PCI spans a global footprint of 25 GMP facilities across six countries and employs ~3,900 people worldwide.

“Our teams at PCI have embarked on a purposeful journey over recent years to transform the company by executing a successful growth strategy, providing customers with innovative and integrated supply chain solutions and delivering the industry-leading customer experience by differentiating through investment in global capabilities, operational excellence, technology and our biggest asset, our talented people,” said Salim Haffar, PCI’s CEO. “I am grateful for the support of our board and the director representatives from Partners Group, THL and Frazier.”

Haffar continues, “Kohlberg brings considerable successful experience in the biopharmaceuticals and medical device areas, and I am thrilled to be continuing with them to accelerate the growth of our commercial, clinical trial services, and development manufacturing businesses under this new alliance. Both Kohlberg and Mubadala’s experience and track record in supporting successful management teams will make a great impact on PCI’s continued journey of transformation as we focus on building capabilities to support the future demands of our biopharmaceutical customers in our shared goal of bringing life changing therapies to patients worldwide.”

"We identified PCI through our Outsourced Pharmaceutical Services White Paper, and our larger industry practice in Pharmaceutical and Medical Products & Services, as a best-in-class company led by a premier management team,” commented Chris Anderson, Partner of Kohlberg. “We are honored to have the opportunity to work with Salim and his team on their next phase of transformational growth and value creation."

Kohlberg and Mubadala plan to partner with PCI's management team, led by CEO Salim Haffar, to continue the Company's transformation journey by adding specific capabilities and geographies organically and inorganically to improve its customer service experience and enable its customers to bring life-changing biopharmaceutical therapies to market. Leveraging the global growth trends in biologics and specialized drug therapies, future capabilities include sterile fill finish of injectables, expanding high potent and specialized manufacturing and further geographic expansion into Asia and greater Europe.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with PCI's world class management team, and we believe the partnership of Kohlberg, Mubadala and Partners Group is an optimal combination to support management's acceleration of its growth and value creation pathways," said Matt Jennings, Operating Partner of Kohlberg and future Chairman of PCI. "Salim's inspirational leadership, clear vision for the future and focus on expanding customer experience gave us confidence in him, his management team and the long-term future potential for the PCI business.”

Camilla Macapili Languille, Head of Pharma & Medtech, Mubadala, said, “Outsourced pharmaceutical services has been a key investment theme for us over the past few years, and we are excited to be partnering with one of the global leaders in this industry. We have been particularly impressed by the quality and depth of PCI’s management team, as well as the company’s strong execution track record, impeccable values, and distinct vision for the long-term development of their business. We have strong conviction in the company’s growth trajectory and are committed to working with Kohlberg and Partners Group to ensure their long-term success.”

Remy Hauser, Managing Director and Head of Healthcare, Industry Value Creation, Partners Group, states, "We are extremely proud of our work with PCI Pharma Services. Though the last few months have been immensely challenging ones, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the essential nature of the services that PCI provides to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. On more than one occasion, PCI was the critical link in the supply chain responsible for ensuring life changing therapy reached those in need."

Sujit John, Member of Management, Private Equity Directs Americas, Partners Group, adds, "We initially identified PCI as a prospective investment via our Thematic Sourcing strategy, based on the strong fundamentals supporting outsourced pharmaceutical services. During our ownership, we were able to add significant value to the business through a combination of operational improvements and bolt-on acquisitions. PCI has a strong growth trajectory ahead and we are excited to contribute to that through our continued investment in the Company."

Todd Abbrecht, Managing Director and Head of Private Equity at Thomas H. Lee Partners said, “ Supporting Salim and his team’s efforts to drive efficiencies while pursuing organic and acquisitive growth initiatives has fulfilled a key part of our value creation strategy. PCI is well positioned to continue its history of outstanding customer service and profitable growth.”

About PCI Pharma Services

The global healthcare industry trusts PCI for the drug development solutions that increase their products’ speed to market and opportunities for commercial success. Only PCI brings the proven experience that comes with more than 50 successful product launches each year and over five decades in the healthcare services business. Leading technology and continued investment enable us to address global development needs throughout the product life cycle — from Phase I Clinical trials through commercialization and ongoing supply. Our clients view us as an extension of their business and a collaborative partner, with the shared goal of improving patients’ lives. For more information, please visit www.pciservices.com.

About Kohlberg & Company, LLC

Kohlberg & Company, LLC (“Kohlberg”) is a leading private equity firm headquartered in Mount Kisco, New York. Since its inception in 1987, Kohlberg has organized nine private equity funds, through which it has raised over $10 billion of committed equity capital. Over its 33-year history, Kohlberg has completed 81 platform investments and approximately 200 add-on acquisitions, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $25 billion. For more information, please visit www.kohlberg.com.

About Mubadala Investment Company

Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for its shareholder, the Government of Abu Dhabi.

Mubadala’s US $232 billion portfolio spans five continents with interests in multiple sectors including aerospace, ICT, semiconductors, metals and mining, renewable energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals, utilities, healthcare, real estate, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, agribusiness and a global portfolio of financial holdings across all asset classes. Mubadala has offices in Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York, San Francisco and London.

Mubadala is a trusted partner, an engaged shareholder and a responsible global company that is committed to world-class standards of governance.

About Partners Group

Partners Group is a leading global private markets investment manager. Since 1996, the firm has invested over USD 135 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally. Partners Group is a committed, responsible investor and aims to create broad stakeholder impact through its active ownership and development of growing businesses, attractive real estate and essential infrastructure. With over USD 96 billion in assets under management as of 30 June 2020, Partners Group serves a broad range of institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and private individuals globally. The firm employs more than 1,500 diverse professionals across 20 offices worldwide and has regional headquarters in Baar-Zug, Switzerland; Denver, USA; and Singapore. It has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2006 (symbol: PGHN). For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com

About Frazier Healthcare Partners

Founded in 1991, Frazier Healthcare Partners is a leading provider of private equity capital to healthcare companies. With more than $4.2 billion total capital raised, Frazier has invested in more than 170 healthcare companies ranging from company creation and venture capital to buyouts of profitable lower-middle market companies. Frazier has offices in Seattle, WA, and Menlo Park, CA, and invests broadly across the U.S., Canada and Europe. For more information about Frazier Healthcare Partners, please visit www.frazierhealthcare.com

About Thomas H. Lee Partners

THL invests in middle market growth companies, headquartered primarily in North America, exclusively in four sectors: Consumer, Financial Services, Healthcare and Technology & Business Solutions. We couple our deep sector expertise with dedicated internal operating resources to transform and build great companies of lasting value in partnership with management. Since 1974, we have raised more than $25 billion of equity capital, invested in over 150 companies and completed more than 400 add-on acquisitions representing an aggregate enterprise value at acquisition of over $200 billion. For more information on THL, please visit www.THL.com.

Jefferies LLC served as lead financial advisor to PCI and Morgan Stanley & Co LLC served as co-advisor.

Centerview Partners LLC served as financial advisor to the Kohlberg-Mubadala consortium.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005398/en/

Contacts
Bailey Watroba, WE Communications
bwatroba@we-worldwide.com / +1-617-234-4110

 


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Alpho: The Most Interesting Stock Market Investments

Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Tuesday 25 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

In the positive atmosphere at the beginning of the week, the President of the United States Donald Trump announced that his administration “seriously” considered reduction of capital gains tax together with other measures aimed at easing the tax burden on Americans. The market confidence was enhanced by long-term massive monetary and fiscal incentives, and the growing hope of an effective vaccine against Covid-19, which followed the announcement made by Russia that its vaccine was approved for use outside of clinical trials.

The promise of potential vaccine developed by major pharmaceutical companies supported by governments all over the world has not been fulfilled so far. Accordingly, the benchmarking barometer, S&P500 Index, opened close to its high, which was determined before the market slump caused by the coronavirus. The economic recovery resembles letter “V“.

The chart above reflects the appreciation of S&P500 (candlestick chart) and NASDAQ (orange line).

In these times, there is a chance to appreciate your investments by investing in companies that are far from their intrinsic value.

The first alternative such as Tesla, Kodak or Nikola that experienced their rapid growth but subsequently, their price on the stock exchange dropped or steadied at the current values. Analysts say about all of the above-mentioned companies that their fundamental value is lower than their current market value. Another category comprises technological companies such as Facebook, Netflix or Microsoft whose price to earnings ratio achieves its record high at present but nobody has the courage to stake on their decline. On the other hand, there are commodities and their miners that are considered to be undervalued for a long time compared to other sectors and that is why some investors stake on their future growth.

There are many options to appreciate your investments. Nevertheless, the crucial current problem in the market is the stock exchange experiencing a massive inflow of retail investors who mostly invest based on mass hysteria, which results in an abnormal growth in certain financial instruments. However, such growth is an opportunity for rapid gains and losses. This is the reason why at present, you should pay much more attention to the selection of appropriate stocks than in the past.

Trading is risky and your entire investment may be at risk. TC’s available at http://www.alpho.com

Contacts
Milosh Pham

Chief Analyst Alpho

+442080689907

support@gulfbrokers.com


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Rapport sur un segment de marché Best : Le Maghreb - Une région, trois marchés de l’assurance uniques

LONDRES -Mardi 25 Août 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Malgré leur proximité géographique et de nombreux points communs, les marchés de l’assurance au Maroc, en Algérie et en Tunisie présentent des divergences importantes, qu’elles soient économiques, démographiques ou culturelles. Un nouveau rapport segment de marché AM Best : Maghreb - Une région, trois marchés de l’assurance uniques, examine les perspectives à long terme des trois marchés de l’assurance au Maghreb.

Au cours des cinq dernières années, les trois marchés de l’assurance au Maghreb ont démontré de solides trajectoires de croissance supérieures aux moyennes mondiales du marché. Cette tendance devrait persister, en dépit des défis sur le court terme liés à la pandémie de COVID-19 et au ralentissement économique associé.

Mais AM Best souligne qu’il existe de nombreux défis sur le court à moyen terme, qui pourraient limiter l’expansion de l’assurance dans la région. Parmi ces défis, citons les pressions politiques et économiques, la perception négative de l’assurance parmi la population et le caractère évolutif des cadres réglementaires et de gouvernance. De plus, la pandémie de COVID-19 (et ses répercussions sur les marchés financiers et les économies de par le monde) vont sans doute avoir un impact négatif sur les perspectives de croissance des assureurs locaux sur le court terme.

Pour accéder à l’intégralité du texte de ce rapport, veuillez visiter notre site http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=300506.

AM Best est une agence de notation de crédit, un éditeur de presse et un fournisseur d'analyses de données d’envergure mondiale spécialisé dans le secteur de l'assurance. La société, dont le siège social se trouve aux États-Unis, exerce ses activités dans plus de 100 pays et possède des bureaux régionaux à New York, Londres, Amsterdam, Dubaï, Hong Kong, Singapour et Mexico. Pour de plus amples renseignements, visitez www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2020 par A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. et/ou ses filiales. TOUS DROITS RÉSERVÉS.

Consultez la version source sur businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005298/fr/

Contacts

Charlotte Vigier
Analyste Financière Senior
+44 20 7397 0270
charlotte.vigier@ambest.com

Alex Rafferty, ACA
Directeur adjoint, Pôle analytique
+44 20 7397 0312
alex.rafferty@ambest.com

Richard Banks
Directeur, Recherche sectorielle – EMEA
+44 20 7397 0322
richard.banks@ambest.com

Edem Kuenyehia
Directeur, Développement du marché et
Communications
+44 20 7397 0280
edem.kuenyehia@ambest.com


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Best’s Market Segment Report: The Maghreb – One Region, Three Unique Insurance Markets

LONDON-Tuesday 25 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Despite their geographic proximity and many commonalities, the insurance markets of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia have significant differences – economic, demographic and cultural. A new AM Best report, “The Maghreb – One Region, Three Unique Insurance Markets,” examines the long-term prospects of the three insurance markets of the Maghreb region.

Over the past five years, all three Maghreb insurance markets have demonstrated solid growth trajectories, above global market averages. That trend is expected to persist, despite the near-term challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic downtown.

However, AM Best in its Best’s Market Segment Report notes there are numerous challenges in the short- to medium-term, which have the potential to limit the region’s insurance expansion. These challenges include political and economic pressures, the population’s negative perception of insurance and the evolving nature of regulatory and governance frameworks. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic, and its knock-on effects on financial markets and economies worldwide, is expected to adversely impact the growth prospects of local insurers in the near term.

To access the full copy of this report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=300506.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200825005297/en/

Contacts

Charlotte Vigier
Senior Financial Analyst
+44 20 7397 0270
charlotte.vigier@ambest.com

Alex Rafferty, ACA
Associate Director, Analytics
+44 20 7397 0312
alex.rafferty@ambest.com

Richard Banks
Director, Industry Research – EMEA
+44 20 7397 0322
richard.banks@ambest.com

Edem Kuenyehia
Director, Market Development &
Communications
+44 20 7397 0280
edem.kuenyehia@ambest.com


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Nathan’s Famous Expands Brand Offering in Dubai and Announces Hot Dog Eating Contest Regional Qualifier Event

Iconic brand begins search for venue and partnerships for Dubai Contest

 

NEW YORK-Monday 24 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nathan’s Famous, Inc., the American tradition serving New York favorites for more than 100 years, is expanding in Dubai and the Middle East through a variety of partnerships and deals aimed at bringing the iconic brand to fans across the region. On the heels of the brand’s announcement to work with Mezzan Holding KSC and its subsidiary, Khazan Meat Factory, to produce halal hot dogs, today Nathan’s Famous announces its intent to bring the storied American tradition, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest to Dubai with a regional qualifier event in the coming months.

“Our team is excited about the growth and potential we see for Nathan’s Famous in Dubai, especially following our trip there just a couple of weeks ago,” said James Walker, SVP, Restaurants. “We’ve made great strides with some incredible partners and look forward to growing our brand there and creating a new group of Nathan’s enthusiasts in the Middle East. It’s only fitting that with this growth, we bring the world-renowned Hot Dog Eating Contest to Dubai, and we look forward to finding a fantastic venue and partners to make it a reality.”

Nathan’s Famous is currently sourcing venues and sponsors for the Hot Dog Eating Contest Regional Qualifier event in Dubai. The contest will be the first ever International contest with Halal hot dogs. The male and female winner will join the world’s most notable competitive eaters on stage at the July 4, 2021 contest in Coney Island, NY.

In addition, Nathan’s Famous also announces that its partnership with Dubai based Kitopi Kitchens ramps up this month with delivery throughout the region. Also, on tap for 2020, is distribution in grocery stores and food service, including cart service in popular spots around Dubai.

To learn more about Nathan’s Famous, visit www.nathansfamous.com. To contact Nathan’s Famous about sponsorship or venue opportunities for the Hot Dog Eating Contest, contact Phil McCann at PMcCann@NathansFamous.com.

About Nathan’s Famous

Nathan’s is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 11 foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Last year, over 700 million Nathan’s Famous hot dogs were sold. Nathan’s was ranked #22 on the Forbes 2014 list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. For additional information about Nathan’s, please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.

Except for historical information contained in this news release, the matters discussed are forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are based on the current belief of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company’s management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include but are not limited to: the status of our licensing and supply agreements, including the impact of our supply agreement for hot dogs with John Morrell & Co.; the impact of the recent COVID-19 outbreak; the impact of our indebtedness, including the effect on our ability to fund working capital, operations and make new investments; economic; weather (including the impact on the supply of cattle and the impact on sales at our restaurants particularly during the summer months), and change in the price of beef trimmings; our ability to pass on the cost of any price increases in beef and beef trimmings; legislative and business conditions; the collectability of receivables; changes in consumer tastes; the ability to attract franchisees; the impact of the minimum wage legislation on labor costs in New York State or other changes in labor laws, including regulations which could render a franchisor as a “joint employee” or the impact of our new union contracts; our ability to attract competent restaurant and managerial personnel; the enforceability of international franchising agreements; the future effects of any food borne illness, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE and e coli; and the risk factors reported from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200824005359/en/

Contacts
Kate Laird
Trevelino/Keller
404.214.0722 x.125
klaird@trevelinokeller.com

 

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Tsedal Neeley and Ritcha Ranjan Join Brightcove’s Board of Directors

Bringing expertise in remote work, digital transformation and technology, the new members will help guide Brightcove to the next stage of growth

BOSTON-Thursday 20 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

 

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Brightcove Inc. (NASDAQ: BCOV), the world’s leading video technology platform, today announced the appointment of two new members to its board of directors, Tsedal Neeley of Harvard Business School and Ritcha Gupta Ranjan of Google.

Dr. Tsedal Neeley has been a professor at the Harvard Business School since 2007 and has been the Naylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School since 2018. Dr. Neeley heads the required Leadership and Organizational Behavior course in the MBA program and co-chairs the executive offering, Leading Global Businesses. Dr. Neeley has also chaired faculty recruitment. She serves on the Board of Directors of Harvard Business Publishing, the Partnership Inc., and is a member of Rakuten Inc.’s Advisory Board. Dr. Neeley is the author of several books, articles, and cases focused on the virtualization of work, globalization, and digital transformation. She received her B.A. in Communication from Boston College, an Ed.M. in Human Development Psychology from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Management Science and Engineering, specializing in Work, Technology, and Organizations.

Ritcha Ranjan is the Director of Product Management for Google Finance. While at Google, she has also worked on GSuite, Google Wallet, Adwords Editor, and Mobile search products. In particular, she was the director of the product management team that took Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites and Keep from consumer and education-focused products to one used by enterprises all over the world, helping them with their digital transformation. Ritcha is a co-founder of an educational not for profit company, Five Pumpkins, and has previously worked at Microsoft in the Speech Group, leading the Speech SDK product management team and Yahoo! as a Product Marketing Manager. She holds several patents and has won a Google Founder’s Award for her product work. Ritcha currently serves on the Product Management Hiring Committee and Promotion Committee at Google. She has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada.

“I am thrilled to join the Brightcove board of directors at a time when the opportunities for using video have never been more important,” said Neeley. “With the unprecedented virtualization of the world and digital transformation of industries, Brightcove is poised to connect people with stellar digital tools at scale. I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members to ensure Brightcove continues to lead the way in connecting people globally.”

"With Brightcove's established reputation, the breadth of its products and solutions, and broad customer base, it is set up for long-term success," said Ranjan. "Technology is rapidly evolving to connect people around the world and with video now engrained into our everyday lives through entertainment, work, and education, we need to democratize it for the masses. I am delighted to join Brightcove's board of directors to help guide the company to deliver the best video technology products and solutions to the market, ensuring the best experience for all viewers."

“This is a pivotal moment in history where the world is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, and Brightcove is at the forefront, enabling companies to continue to work effectively through video,” said Jeff Ray, CEO, Brightcove. “We are thrilled to add Tsedal and Ritcha to our board of directors. By bringing progressive, forward-thinking ideas and deep technical expertise, they both will help Brightcove build and scale, enabling our company to best serve our customers and the video industry.”

About Brightcove Inc. (NASDAQ: BCOV)

We are the people behind the world’s leading video technology platform. With our award-winning technology and services, we help organizations in more than 70 countries meet business challenges and create strategic opportunities by inspiring, entertaining, and engaging their audiences through video.

Since Brightcove was established in 2004, we have consistently pushed boundaries to create a platform for people who are serious about video: one that is robust, scalable, and intuitive. Benefiting from a global infrastructure, unrivalled customer support, an extensive partner ecosystem, and relentless investment in R&D, Brightcove video sets the standard for professional grade video management, distribution, and monetization. To learn more, visit www.brightcove.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements regarding anticipated objectives, growth and/or expected product and service developments or enhancements. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the following words (among others): “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “should” or “anticipates,” or comparable words and their negatives. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees but are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations contained in these statements. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Brightcove assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of changing circumstances or otherwise, and such statements are current only as of the date they are made.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200819005351/en/

 

 

Contacts

Press
Meredith Duhaime
Senior Public Relations Manager
Brightcove | 603-785-8518
mduhaime@brightcove.com

 


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What Are ‘Zoomers’ In the Region Watching

Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Thursday 20 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

 

Continuing to take a closer look at how the COVID-19 Pandemic has given rise to an entirely new and very significant TV audience - GEN Z “Zoomers” - in the MENA region, our latest research piece (Powered by Choueiri Group’s Data Team) identifies the most popular content (Top 5 Series) which this audience segment has been tuning into. With media consumption on the rise and TV viewership in particular soaring to new heights, this information is aimed at benefiting brands seeking the most impactful advertising and sponsorship opportunities which TV can deliver today.

 

About Choueiri Group:

As the leading media representation group in the Middle East, Choueiri Group is a company built from the ground up over the past forty plus years. Today, the Group’s companies market and manage the advertising space of 25 television stations, 10 print titles, the largest outdoor signs network in the UAE, 12 radio stations, 40+ web portals along with their apps, the exclusivity of cinemas in Kuwait, the largest exhibitions venue in Lebanon, and most recently, a growing presence across the regional cinema ecosystem. Choueiri Group operates in ten markets covering the MENA region, Europe and Japan and ensures the best support for its regional and international clients through its extensive network of twelve subsidiaries, 6 representative offices and more than 700 committed executives.

 

 

Contacts

Choueiri Group

Assad Jamil, +97144545454

ajamil.mr@choueirigroup.com

 

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Comedian Trevor Noah and Host Tamron Hall Lead PMI® Virtual Experience Series Event on 25 August

Professionals from all industries are welcome to join to connect with innovative leaders, participate in intriguing conversations, and maximize their skills in order to make an impact 

PHILADELPHIA-Thursday 20 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Project Management Institute (PMI), the world's leading association for the project management profession, invites professionals across the globe to register for Virtual Experience Series titled, “The Community: Together We Rise” on 25 August 2020 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The second event in this innovative series is headlined by comedian and host of The Daily Show® program Trevor Noah, and hosted by journalist, talk show host, and executive producer, Tamron Hall. Additionally, more than 20 industry experts will lead thought-provoking sessions, including artificial intelligence thought leader and author of Girl Decoded: A Scientist’s Quest to Reclaim Our Humanity by Bringing Emotional Intelligence to Technology, Dr. Rana el Kaliouby.

The Virtual Experience Series connects participants with global innovators, inspirational voices, and project leaders to help them navigate a world defined by challenge, and embrace the opportunity to make a new reality. In the opening session, Trevor Noah will discuss how he taps into his inner project manager to galvanize a community, practice agility daily, and lead a global team. In 2015, Trevor succeeded long-time program host, Jon Stewart, and has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award win. In response to COVID-19, Trevor began hosting a modified virtual version of The Daily Show called The Daily Social Distancing Show with Trevor Noah to continue tackling the biggest stories in news, politics and pop culture. This year, The Daily Show received eight Emmy nominations.

Participants who want to boost their career or pivot to a new one can discover the Brand You Hub containing useful tips for all professionals looking to adapt and thrive in this new dynamic work environment. They can also network with project professionals in the Networking Hub and join a fireside chat with leaders of Fortune 500 organizations to explore the human side of leading during disruption, as well as lessons and takeaways from the pandemic.

“Now more than ever, PMI’s goal is to bring to the forefront insights and resources that are essential to help empower people to move projects forward and turn ideas into reality,” said Michael DePrisco, vice president, global experience & solutions at PMI. “In our post-COVID new work ecosystem, teams are putting increased emphasis on collaborative leadership and empathy to help deliver value in our virtual workplace. These are what we refer to as ‘power skills’ and PMI is here to provide the resources necessary to build and perfect these skillsets.”

Each month, the Virtual Experience Series will feature a new roster of thought-leading personalities and industry experts. Upcoming series dates and topics include:

    9 September - A Deep Dive in Organizational Agility: Adaptability, Resilience and Learning
    20 October - The World: Our Global Impact
    12 November - A Deep Dive in Business Analysis: Drawing a Map to the Future
    9 December - The Future: Forging Our Path Forward

Registration for PMI members is $99 for a single experience or $359 for the entire series. Registration for non-members is $149 for a single experience or $899 for the event series. Purchasing a series pass includes complimentary on-demand access to the PMI® Talent and Technology Symposium, which took place in June, and select recorded sessions for attendees to peruse through January 2021. Each session is eligible for professional development units (PDUs) toward maintaining PMI® certifications.

For more information on this event and to register, visit experience.pmi.org.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading association for those who consider project, program or portfolio management their profession. Through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research, we work to prepare more than three million professionals around the world for The Project Economy: the coming economy in which work, and individuals, are organized around projects, products, programs and value streams. Now 50 years in the making, we work in nearly every country around the world to advance careers, improve organizational success and further mature the project management profession through globally-recognized standards, certifications, communities, resources, tools, academic research, publications, professional development courses and networking opportunities. As part of the PMI family, ProjectManagement.com® website creates online global communities that deliver more resources, better tools, larger networks and broader perspectives. Visit us at www.PMI.org, www.projectmanagement.com, www.facebook.com/PMInstitute and on Twitter @PMInstitute.

“The Daily Show” is a registered mark of Comedy Partners.

“PMI” and “Projectmanagement.com” are registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200819005404/en/

Contacts

Mary Ortega
Tel: 610-356-4600 x17030
Mary.Ortega@pmi.org


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SES Picks SpaceX to Launch Four Additional O3b mPOWER Satellites

SES's next-generation MEO communications system to scale and deliver proven low-latency, high-performance connectivity services as of 2021 

LUXEMBOURG-Thursday 20 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES announced today that it has selected SpaceX as a launch partner to deliver the four newly-ordered O3b mPOWER spacecraft of its next-generation Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) communications system. Just like the initial seven O3b mPOWER satellites procured, these additional four satellites will be launched into space on board Falcon 9 rockets from Cape Canaveral. A total of four Falcon 9 rockets will be used to support the deployment of all O3b mPOWER satellites.

SES's O3b mPOWER fully-funded communications system comprises 11 high-throughput and low-latency satellites as well as an automated and intelligence-powered ground infrastructure. Built by Boeing, each satellite will generate thousands of dynamic beams and can deliver connectivity services ranging from 50Mbps to multiple gigabits per second to telecommunications, maritime, aeronautical, and energy, as well as governments and institutions across the world. SES has previously announced Orange and Carnival Cruises its first O3b mPOWER customers. O3b mPOWER is SES’s next-generation MEO system. It is built on the proven track record of SES’s current O3b constellation of 20 MEO satellites. Today, the O3b system is delivering high-performance communications services to customers operating in nearly 50 countries.

SES and SpaceX disrupted the industry back in 2013 when SES became the first to launch a commercial geostationary (GEO) satellite with SpaceX, and later as the first ever payload on a flight-proven SpaceX rocket. Their next O3b mPOWER launch in 2021 will be another one for the record books as the revolutionary terabit-scale capabilities of SES’s O3b mPOWER communications system disrupt the industry again.

“SES’s selection of SpaceX to support launch of the full O3b mPOWER constellation is a testament to our deep partnership built over the past decade,” said SpaceX Vice President of Commercial Sales Tom Ochinero. “We look forward to working with SES to make history again through the successful deployment of this new system.”

“O3b mPOWER is the cornerstone of our multi-orbit, cloud-enabled, high-performance network that will serve our enterprise, mobility and government customers into the next decade, and we are merely a year away from its first launch,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. “We have a strong and long-standing partnership with SpaceX and we are excited to add the launches of additional O3b mPOWER satellites that will drive higher throughput, greater efficiency and substantially more bandwidth to our industry-leading network.”

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About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world’s only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world’s leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES’s video network carries over 8,300 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 367 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200819005803/en/

Contacts

Suzanne Ong
External Communications
Tel. +352 710 725 500
suzanne.ong@ses.com


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Hillstone Networks Announces an Application Delivery Solution for Guaranteed Business Continuity and Customer Experience

SHANGHAI-Monday 9 March 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- INVISTA’s technology and licensing group, INVISTA Performance Technologies (IPT) and Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Co., Ltd (Hengli) announce that Hengli’s 4th PTA line has reached full rate.

This PTA line of 2.5 million tonnes per annum capacity, located in Changxing Island, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, utilizes INVISTA’s P8 PTA technology with industry leading variable cost, capital productivity and environmental performance, came online on January 8th, 2020. This PTA line also produces benzoic acid as co-product, utilising INVISTA’s proprietary R2R technology.

Mike Pickens, IPT President, commented, “I congratulate Hengli on the successful operation of its PTA Line 4. Both Hengli and INVISTA teams have demonstrated extraordinary commitment under difficult circumstances. The successful start-up of Hengli’s fourth line yet again demonstrates INVISTA’s capability in technology transfer in the global PTA market.”

INVISTA’s industry-leading PTA technology, including its latest version of P8 technology, is available as a license package from IPT. For more information, please visit the IPT website at www.ipt.invista.com.

About INVISTA:

From the fibers in your carpet to the plastic in your automobiles, INVISTA’s commitment to continuous improvement has led its employees to develop some of the most durable, versatile polymers and fibers in the world. A subsidiary of Koch Industries since 2004, INVISTA brings to market the proprietary ingredients for nylon 6,6 and recognized brands including STAINMASTER®, CORDURA® and ANTRON®. INVISTA also offers specialty chemical intermediates and process technologies. See the bigger picture at INVISTA.com.

About Hengli Group:

Hengli Group is an international company that owns a diversity of business: petrochemical, advanced polyester materials, textiles, trading, finance and thermal power. In 2018, Hengli’s total revenue was 371.7 billion RMB, ranking No. 181 in the Fortune Global 500 list. Hengli operates the largest PTA plant in the world combined with the biggest performance fibre textile production base.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200308005034/en/

Contacts
Shelley Zhang
INVISTA
+8621 6389 9202
Shelley.Zhang@INVISTA.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/hengli-petrochemical-announces-full-rate-operation-on-its-4thnbsppta-line-utilizing-invistarsquos-p8-pta-technology/en

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Fluor Joint Venture Achieves Final Provisional Turnover of the Facilities on Clean Fuels Megaproject in Kuwait

IRVING, Texas-Wednesday 19 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) announced today that its joint venture with Daewoo Engineering & Construction and Hyundai Heavy Industries has successfully achieved final provisional turnover of the facilities for Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s (KNPC) Mina Abdullah Package 2 (MAB2) Clean Fuels Project in southern Kuwait.

“This significant milestone marks the completion and successful handover of MAB2 facilities to KNPC,” said Mark Fields, president of Fluor’s global Energy & Chemicals business. “It has been an honor to complete this megaproject alongside KNPC while training hundreds of their personnel and leveraging multiple local suppliers and contractors. We look forward to providing ongoing support to the refinery’s commercial operations and helping KNPC deliver on its mission to strengthen Kuwait’s economy by producing high-quality fuels to meet both local and international demand.”

The Clean Fuels Program is being executed on the three KNPC-owned and operated refineries in Kuwait. As part of the program, KNPC plans to retire existing processing facilities at the Shuaiba Refinery and perform a major upgrade and expansion of the MAB and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries to integrate the refining system into one complex with full conversion operations.

The MAB2 package facility is comprised of a world-scale hydrogen plant (steam reformers), sulfur block (sour water stripper, amine regeneration unit and sulfur recovery unit) and utilities, off-sites and non-process buildings. It also covers extensive modifications to the existing Mina Abdullah refinery units.

“Working together with the Fluor-led joint venture team to achieve this important milestone for the CFP is a true success not only for KNPC but for the State of Kuwait as well, as it will bring further prosperity for all of us,” said Abdulla F.S. Al Ajmi, deputy CEO of KNPC. “It has been a long, but truly amazing journey that now has reached its destination.”

At peak, more than 12,000 craft workers were on site supported by a joint venture team that spanned three continents. The project team executed more than 127 million workhours at site and, through an intense and effective HSE program, together achieved a world-class total case incident rate (TCIR) of 0.046.

“Through our unwavering commitment to safety, integrity, teamwork and execution excellence, we are proud to have teamed with KNPC to complete this exciting project and build on our legacy of successful project delivery in Kuwait,” said Menko H. Ubbens, senior vice president and project director. “It has been a privilege for the project team to be able to meet the needs of KNPC while conducting business in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible manner to the benefit of current and future generations.”

Following commissioning, both refineries will have a capacity of 800,000 barrels per day to meet local and international demand for clean fuels.

About Fluor Corporation

Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) is a global engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction and maintenance company with projects and offices on six continents. Fluor’s 47,000 employees build a better world by designing, constructing and maintaining safe, well-executed, capital-efficient projects. Fluor is ranked 181 among the Fortune 500 companies. With headquarters in Irving, Texas, Fluor has served its clients for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit www.fluor.com or follow Fluor on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

#ec

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200818005168/en/

Contacts

Brian Mershon
Media Relations
864.281.6484

Jason Landkamer
Investor Relations
469.398.7222


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/fluor-joint-venture-achieves-final-provisional-turnover-of-the-facilities-on-clean-fuels-megaproject-in-kuwait/en 

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Pour la première fois depuis son lancement, La 18éme édition d'ADIHEX sera étendue sur 7 jours de salon international

Abou Dhabi, Émirats Arabes Unis-Mardi 18 Août 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

Le Salon International de la Chasse et des Sports Equestres d'Abu Dhabi (ADIHEX) a annoncé que sa 18ème édition se déroulerait sur sept jours du 27 septembre au 3 octobre 2021, au Centre des expositions national d'Abou Dhabi (ADNEC) sous le haut patronage de Son Excellence Cheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Représentant du Gouverneur dans la région d'Al Dhafra, Président de l'Emirates Falconers' Club. L'exposition sera étendue pour la première fois de son histoire sur 7 jours consécutifs, et ce conformément à sa stratégie de développement, lui permettant ainsi de devenir un salon international complet.

Son Excellence Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Secrétaire général de l'Emirates Falconers 'Club et Président du Haut Comité d'Organisation de l'ADIHEX, a déclaré que le geste aimable du patron de l'événement, Son Excellence Cheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Représentant du Gouverneur dans la région d'Al Dhafra, Président de l'Emirates Falconers' Club, et ses directives de prolonger l'exposition pour une semaine entière reflètent l'empressement sans précédent des participants à l'événement.

Son Excellence Al Mansouri a expliqué que cette extension offrira aux visiteurs et aux exposants une plus grande opportunité  leur permettant de profiter de l'événement pour tisser des relations et conclure leurs affaires. Il aidera également à répondre aux attentes croissantes des visiteurs, y compris ceux intéressés par la fauconnerie, la chasse et l'équitation venant du monde entier.

Il a ajouté que l'événement avait témoigné une augmentation impressionnante du nombre de ses visiteurs, atteignant un total de 1,6 million depuis son lancement jusqu'à  l'édition 2019.

Son Excellence a réitéré que la prochaine édition sera unique puisqu'elle coïncidera avec la célébration des 50 ans de succès et d’exploits réalisés par les EAU et le lancement du plan du Jubilé d'or pour ses 50 prochaines années.

L'Emirates Falconers 'Club a approuvé un plan stratégique pour préserver ADIHEX comme la plus grande exposition de son genre dans la région du Moyen-Orient au cours des prochaines années. Le plan comprend l’agrandissement progressif de l’espace de l’événement ; afin de réaliser une augmentation  dans le nombre d'exposants et de visiteurs locaux et internationaux.

"En se préparant pour les 50 prochaines années, les EAU ont réalisé des exploits uniques dans divers domaines au cours des dernières décennies ; et ont réussi à occuper des positions pionnières aux niveaux régional et mondial dans le domaine de l'efficacité gouvernementale et de la compétitivité économique tout en préservant leur héritage", a souligné son Excellence Al Mansouri.

La prochaine édition d'ADIHEX se tiendra sous le thème "Durabilité et Patrimoine… Une ambition réincarnée", qui reflète les efforts déployés par Abou Dhabi et le monde afin de promouvoir la chasse environnementale et durable, les sports patrimoniaux et les industries connexes.

ADIHEX fournit à ses participants et visiteurs des offres complètes dans ses 11 secteurs englobant : Produits et Services Vétérinaires, Armes de Chasse, Médias, Véhicules et Equipements de Loisirs en Plein Air, Tourisme de Chasse et Safari, Arts et Artisanats, Equitation, Fauconnerie, Pêche et Sports Nautiques, Equipements de Chasse et de Camping et enfin Patrimoine Culturel.

 

Le texte du communiqué issu d’une traduction ne doit d’aucune manière être considéré comme officiel. La seule version du communiqué qui fasse foi est celle du communiqué dans sa langue d’origine. La traduction devra toujours être confrontée au texte source, qui fera jurisprudence.

Contacts

Abeer Mahmoud

abeer@pyramedia.biz

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/fr/news/pour-la-premiegravere-fois-depuis-son-lancementla-18eacuteme-eacutedition-d39adihex-sera-eacutetendue-sur-7-jours-de-salon-international/fr

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A free to join knowledge-sharing panel discussion on “Decoding the myths of fire stopping in MEP services.”

Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Sunday 16 August 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

fischer, the pioneer in fixing and firestop solutions, has teamed up with industry experts on a knowledge-sharing panel discussion “Decoding the myths of fire stopping in MEP services” by Senior project engineer Jonathan J. Gonzalez of Underwriters Laboratories and Muzaffer Ahmed Syed, the regional manager for firestop from fischer MEA as panelists, 18th August 2.00PM UAE time.

fischer strongly believes that knowledge sharing should be a core function of every organization, and they conduct free online seminars, workshops, and much more.

fischer’s online seminars delve into the current and most engaging topics surrounding the Middle East’s building sector as an additional value add to a broader regional audience and wishes to spread the knowledge.

The importance of this topic comes from the recent accidents in the region makes it essential to discuss and educate the engineers of the field as fire is both good & bad considering the place/time where & when it comes. The history of construction has ample examples of fire stop failures. Many iconic buildings were in the headlines because of application failure due to fire! Fire stopping is one of the hottest topics in the construction industry, yet it is one of the most misunderstood and neglected components worldwide!

We cannot avoid fire, but we can prevent the spread of flame, smoke, and toxic gases and help the smooth entry of firefighters, the safe exit of inmates, and considerably reduce the damage caused by the fire. This can be done by the practical application of both Active & Passive fire stopping products and constant monitoring.

Fire stopping is no more a complicated concept when you understand the Codes, standards, get expert technical advice, or handled by industries best brand like fischer!!

The panel discussion will throw light on the Codes & standards that define fire stopping in MEP, Different types of testing Methods, Certifications that are required, and various solutions of fire stopping for MEP services 
This Panel Discussion is suitable for Architects, Fire engineers, Project engineers, Project owners, Civil engineers, and Applicators.

If you are in the same field and have a provocative question that needs an answer then, register and post the questions to the panelists by clicking here.

www.fischer.ae 

Contacts

Naveen Shanmugavel

Regional Marketing Head 

marketing@fischer.ae


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/a-free-to-join-knowledge-sharing-panel-discussion-on-ldquodecoding-the-myths-of-fire-stopping-in-mep-servicesrdquo/en 

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