AppHarvest Acquires Agricultural Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Company Root AI to Increase Efficiency

Acquisition of Root AI and its signature robot, Virgo, bolsters company’s 

intelligent tools to produce foods sustainably

Root AI CEO Joins AppHarvest as Chief Technology Officer

MOREHEAD, Ky., April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AppHarvest, Inc. (NASDAQ: APPH, APPHW), a leading AgTech company and Certified B Corp focused on farming more sustainably using 90 percent less water than open-field agriculture and only recycled rainwater, announced today that it has acquired Root AI, an artificial intelligence farming startup that creates intelligent robots to help manage high-tech indoor farms. The acquisition of Root AI and its robotic universal harvester, Virgo, is expected to provide AppHarvest with a baseline of harvesting support working alongside crop care specialists focused on more complex tasks. AppHarvest expects the game-changing advantage of the technology to be in the data the robots can collect as they harvest, which can help evaluate crop health, precisely predict yield and optimize overall operations of the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility. 

“Farming as we’ve known it is broken because of the increasing number of variables such as extreme weather, droughts, fire and contamination by animals that make our food system unreliable. Indoor farming solves for many of those challenges, and the data gathered can exponentially deliver more insights that help us predict and control crop quality and yield,” said AppHarvest Founder & CEO Jonathan Webb. “One of the key challenges in agriculture is accurately predicting yield. Many downstream decisions from work scheduling to transportation to retail planning are based on that. Any deviation between projection and actual yield can result in fire drills for numerous functions to adjust for the change, and AI can help solve for that.”  

Root AI co-founder and CEO Josh Lessing will take on the role of Chief Technology Officer for AppHarvest where he will take the lead in continuing to develop the robots and their AI capabilities for the network of indoor farms that AppHarvest is building. Lessing, along with co-founder Ryan Knopf who will join AppHarvest as vice president of technology, helped establish Root AI as an early leader in employing artificial intelligence in CEA. Virgo is the world’s first universal harvester, which can be configured to identify and harvest multiple crops of varying sizes including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and more delicate fruits such as strawberries among others.

Though Virgo can work indoors or out, the robot’s focus has been on controlled environment agriculture. Over the past three years, it has collected the world’s largest data set of tomato images to enable it to identify more than 50 varieties in multiple growing environments and at varying stages of maturity to learn how and when to harvest. 

Virgo uses a set of cameras combined with an infrared laser to generate a 3D color scan of an area to determine the work it can perform. Once it maps the tomatoes, it assesses their orientation and determines if they are ripe enough to pick. The robot can be programmed to make other quality assessments as well. The scan enables the robot to find the least obstructive and fastest route to pick the crop ahead of the arrival of the robotic arm and gripper. The robot can identify hundreds of tomatoes in a fraction of a second without having to connect to the cloud. Virgo keeps score on its success rate like a video game. A built-in feedback mechanism constantly evaluates its efficiency so it learns how to harvest any given configuration of fruit most effectively.

“A piece of food—whether that’s a tomato or a berry or a cucumber—is an outcome from many variables that are part of the growing process. Enhanced data collection for each plant through the robot can lead to insights that teach us precisely how to design better, more resilient food systems that are reliable and that produce more food with fewer resources,“ said Lessing. “Joining forces with AppHarvest is a natural fit: we want to ensure a stable, safe supply of the nutritious and healthy food that people should be eating — grown sustainably — and doing that at the scale of AppHarvest gives us the opportunity to make the greatest difference.” 

Gathering more data through AI enables growers to use real-time information to improve a number of sustainability efforts such as detecting and eliminating pests naturally, helping indoor farms successfully grow chemical pesticide-free fruits and vegetables.

AppHarvest is investing approximately $60 million, consisting of approximately $10 million in cash and the balance in AppHarvest common shares, to acquire Root AI. The Company will issue approximately 2,328,000 shares for the transaction.

Founded in 2018, Root AI is based in Somerville, Mass., and has 19 full-time employees, all of whom are expected to join AppHarvest’s technology group to help advance the mission of building a resilient and sustainable food supply.

About AppHarvest

AppHarvest is an applied technology company building some of the world’s largest high-tech indoor farms in Appalachia that grow non-GMO, chemical pesticide-free produce using 90 percent less water than open-field agriculture and only recycled rainwater while producing yields up to 30 times that of traditional agriculture on the same amount of land with zero agricultural runoff. The Company combines conventional agricultural techniques with cutting-edge technology and is addressing key issues including improving access for all to nutritious food, farming more sustainably, building a domestic food supply, and increasing investment in Appalachia. The Company’s 60-acre Morehead, Ky. facility is among the largest indoor farms in the U.S. For more information, visit https://www.appharvest.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements 

Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding AppHarvest’s future financial performance, as well as AppHarvest’s growth plans and strategy, ability to capitalize on commercial opportunities, future operations, estimated financial position, estimated adjusted EBITDA, revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of AppHarvest’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of AppHarvest. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-252964) filed with the SEC by AppHarvest on February 10, 2021 under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents AppHarvest has filed, or that AppHarvest will file, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect AppHarvest’s expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. AppHarvest anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while AppHarvest may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, AppHarvest specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing AppHarvest’s assessments of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Parman, [email protected] 
INVESTOR CONTACT: Matt Chesler, CFA, [email protected]
IMAGE/VIDEO GALLERY: Available here

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ddc83eaa-4466-407e-ab37-9bc31286e71d



Belden Complements I/O Systems Portfolio with New IO-Link Master Solutions

Belden Complements I/O Systems Portfolio with New IO-Link Master Solutions

New LioN-X and LioN-Xlight IO-Link Masters Simplify Connectivity for Fast and Secure Data Transmission

ST. LOUIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Belden Inc. (NYSE: BDC), a leading global supplier of specialty networking solutions, today announced the expansion of its Lumberg Automation LioN family to further advance IIoT connectivity in industrial automation.

The powerful new LioN-X IO-Link Masters provide a faster, more reliable and secure approach to collecting, converting and transmitting sensor and actuator data in automated production environments and is IO-Link specification V1.1.3 ready. Now with increased speed capabilities, the advanced solution enables manufacturers to optimize production processes and improve efficiency through state-of-the-art connectivity.

“The LioN-X portfolio enables our customers to deploy a full connectivity solution as they transition to Industry 4.0,” said Brian Lieser, VP and Managing Director Industrial Network Solutions at Belden. “The future-ready solution is at the core of providing secure communication from the sensor to the cloud.”

Available in two new variations – the LioN-X, built for maximum performance, and the cost-effective LioN-Xlight – each product line offers a flexible solution to meet the needs of any manufacturing operation for machine connectivity and data collection.

With the LioN-X family, users benefit from:

  • Versatile protocol communication, easily connecting digital I/O signals and IO-Link devices for a variety of fieldbuses, as well as supporting IIoT integration for cloud applications.
  • Easy to configure with the LioN-Management Suite V2.0, an advanced software solution thatspeeds the time to configure both the LioN-X and IO-Link devices.
  • Fast data transfer with cycle times around 1ms, ensuring that IO-Link data reaches controllers quickly and reliably.
  • Innovative security functionality, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access to equipment and the network with ACHILLES and vulnerability-tested data transmission.
  • Unmatched power and connectivity through its M12 Power L-coded connectors.

“As manufacturers look to increase the efficiency of their operations through advanced automation, a simple and flexible solution that can streamline data collection and distribution offers them significant advantages,” said Svenja Litz, product manager at Belden. “The LioN-X portfolio is designed specifically for that purpose – providing seamless integration into many different PLC and cloud environments, allowing high-speed applications for maximum productivity, and providing additional industry-certified security.”

The LioN-X family is housed within a proven, strong design for durability and reliability even in the harsh environments of machine building, food and beverage, automotive, and metal manufacturing. The products’ smaller footprint optimizes space utilization and streamlines connections to improve productivity, security and network management.

For more information on the new LioN-X family, please visit belden.com/lion-x

In a world moving toward new levels of interoperability made possible by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), visibility is vital to operators as they face increasing demands to receive, analyze and share data. Belden’s industrial connectivity solutions address these needs head on. With more connected machines, rising data volumes and increasing productivity demands, customers can count on Belden cable and Lumberg Automation and Hirschmann industrial connectors for a complete communications infrastructure designed to last. Belden’s customized systems provide high levels of performance and reliability to help a wide range of industrial automation applications handle the growth of intelligent, networked devices and robust analytics. Visit https://www.lumberg-automationusa.com to learn more.

About Belden

Belden Inc., a global leader in high quality, end-to-end signal transmission solutions, delivers a comprehensive product portfolio designed to meet the mission-critical network infrastructure needs of industrial and enterprise markets. With innovative solutions targeted at reliable and secure transmission of rapidly growing amounts of data, audio and video needed for today’s applications, Belden is at the center of the global transformation to a connected world. Founded in 1902, the company is headquartered in St. Louis, USA, and has manufacturing capabilities in North and South America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit us at www.belden.com.

Belden, Belden Sending All The Right Signals, Hirschmann, Lumberg Automation and the Belden logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Belden Inc. or its affiliated companies in the United States and other jurisdictions. Belden and other parties may also have trademark rights in other terms used herein.

Lindsay Auer

Standing Partnership

Tel: 314-287-6355

E-mail: [email protected]

Kate D‘Imperio

Belden

Tel: 317-764-9766

E-mail: [email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Missouri

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Networks Hardware Data Management Technology Telecommunications

MEDIA:

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Integra Intersects High Grade Gold-Silver at Florida Mountain, Continues Exploration Success at Lucky Days, Adds Two Additional Drill Rigs

  • Florida Mountain drill highlights released today include:
    • Drill hole FME-21-106
      • 12.90 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold (“Au”) and 1,675.00 g/t silver (“Ag”) (34.46 g/t gold equivalent (“AuEq”)) over 1.52 meters (“m”)
      • 15.17 g/t Au and 250.00 g/t Ag (18.39 g/t AuEq) over 0.92 m
    • Drill hole FME-21-107
      • 16.86 g/t Au and 2472.00 g/t Ag (48.67 g/t AuEq) over 1.25 m
    • Drill hole FME-21-104
      • 0.49 g/t Au and 125.72 g/t Ag (2.10 g/t AuEq) over 16.92 m
  • Drill highlights from the Lucky Days Target include:
    • Drill hole LDE-21-002
      • 0.50 g/t Au and 41.15 g/t Ag (1.03 g/t AuEq) over 25.15 m, including 2.13 g/t Au and 213.28 g/t Ag (4.87 g/t AuEq) over 2.13 m
    • This drill hole, located on the southern end of a 1 kilometer (“km”) long zone of anomalous soil and rock-chip geochemistry associated with old workings, suggests the potential for a large bulk-tonnage target at Lucky Days, alongside the newly discovered bulk-tonnage gold-silver target at Georgianna located 2 km to the west
  • Two additional drill rigs are being added to the DeLamar Project, for a total of 4 drill rigs, to increase follow-up drilling on recent success at Florida Mountain and BlackSheep, expanding the effort to test for gold-silver mineralization expansion in multiple areas.
  • The NI 43-101 Resource Estimate Update is currently expected in late Q2 2021, on track with guidance.
  • The Pre-feasibility Study (“PFS”) is scheduled for completion in Q4 2021. Extensive metallurgical testwork is underway on the oxide and transitional material at Florida Mountain as well as grind optimization and flotation testwork on the unoxidized composites.
  • A video summary of today’s news release is available by clicking the following link:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Integra Resources Corp. (“Integra” or the “Company”) (TSX-V:ITR; NYSE American: ITRG) is pleased to announce multiple gold-silver drill results from the DeLamar Project, situated in southwestern Idaho. The drill holes announced today at Florida Mountain continue to demonstrate high-grade gold-silver mineralization continuity, in some cases 300 m outside of the resource model. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce a large, low-grade gold-silver intercept from the recently discovered Lucky Days Target situated in the BlackSheep District. The BlackSheep District, acquired in 2019, is a 30 square kilometer land package located immediately north-northwest of the DeLamar Deposit. As a result of recent exploration success in these two areas, the Company will add two additional drill rigs to the 2021 exploration program, which will bring the total drill count at the Project to four drill rigs by the end of April.

“In light of both continued success at Florida Mountain and the new gold-silver discoveries at BlackSheep, the Company has decided to accelerate exploration efforts by increasing the number of drill rigs on the project from two-to-four,” noted George Salamis, Integra Resources’ President and CEO. “At Florida Mountain it is becoming clear that a more meaningful drill program is warranted to advance the exploration of high-grade gold-silver potential below the existing low-grade pit-constrained resource. At BlackSheep, both the recent discovery of gold-silver mineralization at the Georgianna and Lucky Days Targets along with the sheer size of the untested, several-square-kilometer geophysical and soil geochemical anomalies present, indicate the necessity for additional drill rigs to accelerate further testing of the area. Drill success at multiple targets on the DeLamar Project over the past three years supports the Company’s view that current exploration is merely beginning to scratch the surface of upside potential, beyond the existing gold-silver resource already identified at the DeLamar and Florida Mountain Deposits. The vast potential for expansion at DeLamar in multiple areas and targets strongly merits an increase in drill rigs on the Project and a larger exploration program.”

To view a video summary of today’s news release, please click the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZpTLDmKcc0

Florida Mountain Drill Results

The following table highlights select intercepts from the Florida Mountain drill holes announced today.

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m)

(1)
g/t Au

(3)
g/t Ag

(3)
g/t AuEq

(2)
FME-20-097


including
138.53

139.36
140.51

139.60
1.98

0.24
2.76

18.76
474.82

3543.00
8.87

64.35
FME-20-099 142.34 143.87 1.53 2.09 3.87 2.14
FME-20-099 265.79 267.31 1.52 2.50 11.65 2.65
FME-20-099
including
306.93
306.93
311.20
308.46
4.27
1.53
0.43
0.98
133.87
294.00
2.16
4.76
FME-20-100

including
170.69

170.69
179.22

172.21
8.53

1.52
1.80

4.97
12.51

10.69
1.96

5.11
FME-20-101 159.41 160.93 1.52 4.53 1.16 4.54
FME-20-102
including
including
157.89
157.89
168.55
170.08
159.41
170.08
12.19
1.52
1.53
0.39
0.72
1.78
24.85
110.00
39.12
0.71
2.14
2.28
FME-21-103 211.23 212.75 1.52 5.13 48.85 5.75
FME-21-103 272.40 273.71 1.31 2.43 240.00 5.52
FME-21-104


including
38.71

40.23
55.63

44.81
16.92

4.58
0.49

1.21
125.72

332.67
2.10

5.49
FME-21-105
including
43.28
44.81
51.82
46.03
8.54
1.22
0.51
2.79
83.75
97.36
1.58
4.04
FME-21-105 192.63 194.77 2.14 1.94 890.12 13.40
FME-21-105 216.71 217.32 0.61 1.89 723.00 11.20
FME-21-106 108.81 109.73 0.92 15.17 250.00 18.39
FME-21-106 221.59 223.11 1.52 12.90 1675.00 34.46
FME-21-107 122.83 124.08 1.25 16.86 2472.00 48.67

 

  (1)   Downhole thickness; true width varies depending on drill hole dip; most drill holes are aimed at intersecting the vein structures close to perpendicular therefore true widths are close to downhole widths (approximately 70% conversion ratio)
  (2)   Gold equivalent = g Au/t + (g Ag/t ÷ 77.70)
  (3)   Intervals reported are uncapped

To view a plan map of the drill results announced today, click on the link below:

https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/florida_mountain_plan_april.pdf

To view a cross section of a selection of the drill results announced today, click on the link below:

https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/fm_xn_april.pdf

The intercepts reported today consist of mineralization with wide-spread low-grade gold-silver values, crosscut and underlain by narrower high-grade, steeply dipping low-sulphidation quartz-adularia veins. Widespread intercepts from both historic shallow oxide and transitional resource definition drilling and recent deeper drilling to vertical depths up to 400 m below surface (and 250 m below the base of the current resource) conducted by Integra over the previous two years has confirmed potentially mineable widths and grades for these high-grade structures.

Integra’s exploration team has modeled 7 high-grade vein structures that appear similar in size and orientation to the historically productive high-grade Trade Dollar – Black Jack vein system. Most historic underground production reportedly stemmed from the Trade Dollar – Black Jack vein, while the remaining 6 veins saw limited production up until mining operations ceased with the start of World War I. Geometrically, the veins occur in the form of plunging shoots over an altitude difference of approximately 300 m below the apex of Florida Mountain. Strike lengths of the individual shoots tend to be 100 m to 200 m long and with widths of between 1 m and 8 m.

Integra refined its understanding of the controls on high-grade vein mineralization at Florida Mountain in early 2020 and has been using this model to specifically target the higher-grade “shoots” within the several vein systems identified to date. These higher-grade shoots are interpreted as being localized at the intersections of the four principal North-Northwest vein structures with a series of north-east trending splays. The Florida Mountain plan views linked below show the interpreted distribution of the principal veins and splays and the development of high-grade shoots (shown in thicker red) localized at the intersections with splays and at the sites of dilatational jogs. The level depicted, which is relatively shallow and will fall within the planned open pit, was chosen because of the abundant historic drill data available to demonstrate continuity of grade over lengths of up to 200 m. Historic records indicate that the grade within these structures will be more coherent at greater depths within the granite. The deep intercepts on both the Stone Cabin / Tip Top and Alpine vein systems announced today are situated within some of these structurally controlled high-grade shoots.

Since 2018, Integra has drilled 35 drill holes at Florida Mountain that have specifically targeted high-grade shoots, in which 60 intervals with grades over 4.7 g/t AuEq and widths greater than 1.5 m have been encountered. The success of current high-grade drill targeting at Florida Mountain lends increased confidence to the exploration model and is a positive step towards the stated goal of defining a high-grade underground resource at Florida Mountain.

To view the interpreted vein structures at Florida Mountain at the 2,025 m level, click on the links below:

https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/fm_2025_m_level_dh_1-34.pdf

https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/fm_2025_m_level_dh_36-73.pdf

Drill Results for the Lucky Days Target within the BlackSheep District:

The following table highlights selected intercepts from the Lucky Days drill results announced today:

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m)

(1)
g/t Au

(


3


)
g/t Ag

(


3


)
g/t AuEq

(


2)
LDE-21-002
including
11.58
26.82
36.73
28.95
25.15
2.13
0.50
2.13
41.15
213.28
1.03
4.87
LDE-21-002 63.40 64.92 1.52 0.20 68.73 1.08
LDE-21-002 135.03 142.65 7.62 0.61 36.21 1.07

  (1)   Downhole thickness; true width varies depending on drill hole dip; most drill holes are aimed at intersecting the vein structures close to perpendicular therefore true widths are close to downhole widths (approximately 60-70% conversion ratio)
  (2)   Gold equivalent = g Au/t + (g Ag/t ÷ 77.70)
  (3)   Intervals reported are uncapped

To view a plan map of the Lucky Days drill results announced today alongside IP chargeability, click on the link below:

https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/lucky_days_diagram.pdf

Drill hole LDE-21-002, released today, was designed to intercept a vein structure at a shallow depth (25-30 m), and the high silver intersected at this interval along with the shallow-level vein textures indicate the potential for high-grade mineralization at depth. In addition, this drill hole clipped the southern end of an extensive zone of lower grade stockwork vein mineralization delineated by soil and rock-chip geochemistry and IP geochemistry. The 25.15 m intercept averaging 1.03g/t AuEq at the southern end of this 250 m x 100 m stockwork zone is a very encouraging indication of low-grade open pit potential. A 2,500 m Reverse Circulation (“RC”) drill program is planned for early summer to further test the potential of this southern zone of stockwork vein mineralization at Lucky Days. A similar sized zone of stockwork vein mineralization is located approximately 1 km to the north at the northern extent of Lucky Days, and the area in-between these two areas corresponds with a high-chargeability zone associated with soil arsenic (“As”) and Au anomalies. Additional surface work is planned to delineate future drill targets in this central portion of Lucky Days.

BlackSheep: Geology, Structure and History

The BlackSheep District is cut by the large, north-northwest trending Milestone Fault. The Milestone Fault is host to a series of deep-seated mineralized controlling structures that have been mapped northwesterly from the DeLamar Deposit, through the Milestone Deposit and BlackSheep gold-silver occurrences. Geological evidence suggests that this structural zone controlled the formation of a volcanic graben, with normal faulting, that extends to the west of the fault. As the basin formed, it filled with permissive deposit host rocks, mainly rhyolites, latites, and volcanic sediments. The Milestone Fault localized the flow of metal-rich hot spring waters, which altered and leached the host rock, and deposited metals in these areas.

To view the BlackSheep District and the Milestone structural corridor in relation to the DeLamar Deposit, click on the link below:

https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/bs_topo_map_vuse.pdf

Further underscoring the potential of the region, the BlackSheep District is host to extensive gold-silver-arsenic soil geochemical anomalies analogous to the size and scope of gold-silver-arsenic anomalies present at the multi-million ounce DeLamar and Florida Mountain Deposits. The drill results announced today targeted a very small fraction of these geochemically anomalous areas, with large tracts of land at both Georgianna and Lucky Days still to be drilled. In addition, multiple targets with large geochemical anomalies within BlackSheep remain untested, including Twin Peaks, Statute Hills/Spain, Argentum and other highly gold-silver anomalous areas that remain untested by the Company.

To view the geochemical anomalies and targets within the BlackSheep District, click on the link below:

https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/bs_au_geochem_map_vuse.pdf

The geochemical anomalies within the BlackSheep District also coincide strongly with geophysics, including strong Induced Polarization (“IP”) chargeability at both Georgianna and Lucky Days. The chargeability anomalies as shown in the diagram below, bare striking resemblance to the IP signature at the DeLamar Deposit, host to 2,810,000 ounces AuEq (1,572,000 oz Au and 96,183,000 oz Ag) (119,621,000 tonnes grading 0.41 g/t Au and 25.1 g/t Ag) in the Measured and Indicated (“M&I”) and 401,000 oz AuEq (266,000 oz Au and 10,418,000 oz Ag) (21,291,000 tonnes grading 0.39 g/t Au and 15.2 g/t Ag) in the Inferred category. As is the case with the soil geochemical anomalies, only a small fraction of the IP chargeability anomaly has been tested to date by the exploration team. Several square kilometers of this these IP chargeability anomalies remain to be tested in future exploration work.

To view the IP chargeability signature of the DeLamar Deposit in relation to the BlackSheep District’s IP chargeability anomaly, click on the link below:

https://www.integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2572/bs_ip_map_vuse.pdf

The BlackSheep District has been host to historic mining dating to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s; however, due to the lack of accentuated topography in this area, and the relatively shallow level of erosion as compared to DeLamar and Florida Mountain, it is interpreted that these shallow historic workings did not go deep enough to intersect the level likely to be productive for high-grade mineralization. The vast land area is approximately 30 square kilometers and has seen very limited modern exploration. Integra’s drill campaign in the BlackSheep District represents the first concerted exploration program in this highly prospective area.

Current Drill Status and Future Exploration Drilling

The drill results announced today provide a significant basis for expanding the current exploration drill program from two drill rigs to four drill rigs by the end of April. Currently the Company has one drill rig positioned at Florida Mountain and one drill rig positioned at Henrietta Ridge, an area located on the far western edge of the DeLamar Deposit resource. The additional drill rigs will be positioned at Florida Mountain and in the BlackSheep District.

Pre-feasibility Study and Resource Estimate Update

The updated DeLamar Deposit and Florida Mountain Deposit NI 43-101 Resource Estimate is expected to be delivered in late Q2 2021. All modelling is well advanced. The PFS is on track for completion and delivery in Q4 2021. As part of the PFS, the Company has undertaken an extensive metallurgical program to ensure consistent recoveries on the heap-leach pads and milling scenario. Planned Florida Mountain oxide and transitional metallurgical testwork is nearing completion with the 19th and final composite in column leach testing. This final test is a master composite of transitional material at 1/4” crush designed to test for size sensitivity analysis. Unoxidized material from the Florida Mountain Deposit is also being further analysed for grind optimization and flotation work. Additional PFS related work is underway for the Q4 2021 report. For further details related to the current PFS and optimization / trade-off studies currently underway, please refer to the January 21, 2021 press release linked below:

https://integraresources.com/site/assets/files/2834/2021-jan-21_delamar_silver_and_plans_for_2021_vfinal.pdf

Sampling and QA/QC Procedure

Thorough QA/QC protocols are followed on the Project, including insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples in the assay stream for all drill holes. The samples are submitted directly to American Assay Labs in Reno, Nevada for preparation and analysis. Analysis of gold is performed using fire assay method with atomic absorption (AA) finish on a 1 assay ton aliquot. Gold results over 5 g/t are re-run using a gravimetric finish. Silver analysis is performed using ICP for results up to 100 g/t on a 5 acid digestion, with a fire assay, gravimetric finish for results over 100 g/t silver.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by E. Max Baker Ph.D. (F.AusIMM), Integra’s Vice President Exploration, and Timothy D. Arnold (PE, SME), Integra’s Chief Operating Officer, both of Reno, Nevada. Each is a “Qualified Person” (“QP”) as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Integra Resources

Integra is a development-stage mining company focused on the exploration and de-risking of the past producing DeLamar Gold-Silver Project in Idaho, USA. Integra is led by the management team from Integra Gold Corp. which successfully grew, developed and sold the Lamaque Project, in Quebec, for C$600 M in 2017. Since acquiring the DeLamar Project, which includes the adjacent DeLamar and Florida Mountain gold and silver Deposits, in late 2017, the Company has demonstrated significant resource growth and conversion while providing a robust economic study in its maiden Preliminary Economic Assessment. The Company is currently focused on resource growth through brownfield and greenfield exploration and the completion of a Pre-feasibility Study in Q4 2021 designed to advance the DeLamar Project towards permitting and a potential construction decision. For additional information, please reference the “Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the DeLamar and Florida Mountain Gold – Silver Project, Owyhee County, Idaho, USA (October 22, 2019).”

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

George Salamis
President, CEO and Director

CONTACT INFORMATION

Corporate Inquiries: [email protected]
Company website: www.integraresources.com
Office phone: 1 (604) 416-0576

Forward looking and other cautionary statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: statements about the estimation of mineral resources; magnitude or quality of mineral deposits; anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future exploration prospects; the completion and timing of mineral resource estimates and PEA; future growth potential of Integra; and future development plans.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Company’s business; the Company’s formative stage of development; the Company’s financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; actual results of reclamation activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of Integra believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, Integra cannot assure its shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources

The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource”, “inferred mineral resource” used herein are Canadian mining terms used in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as may be amended from time to time (the “CIM Definition Standards”). Inferred mineral resources’ have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Industry Guide 7 (“Industry Guide 7”). United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

Under Industry Guide 7, a mineral reserve is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made. While the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource”, and “inferred mineral resource” are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they are not defined terms under Industry Guide 7 and historically they have not been permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. As such, information contained herein concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources under Canadian standards may not be comparable to similar information made public under Industry Guide 7 by U.S. companies in SEC filings.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



Aurora Mobile Partners with Chinese Online Marketplace Weidian to Jointly Promote AI-powered Smart Marketing

SHENZHEN, China., April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading mobile developer service provider in China, today announced that it has entered into a partnership agreement with Beijing Koudai Fashion Technology Co., Ltd., also known as Weidian, to jointly develop digital marketing, digital “new retail”, and intelligent connected systems. Leveraging its leading artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and strong analytical capabilities, Aurora Mobile will help Weidian facilitate an integrated and end-to-end ecosystem that serves merchants, developers, brands and consumers.

Established in May 2011 and after a decade-long period of development, Weidian has transformed from a software platform, where merchants can easily set up their online business using their mobile phones, to an integrated online marketplace with various service offerings for merchants. Weidian is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs achieve success with its powerful e-commerce ecosystem which consists of various APPs including Weidian Community, Weidian Shop Manager Edition, Weidian Mall Edition, Weidian Distribution and Weidian Park, offering digital marketing and software services for merchants. At present, there are nearly 90 million merchants on Weidian’s platform offering more than 3 billion goods and services, and has an annual gross merchandise volume of over RMB100 billion.

With today’s consumer appetite for AI-powered smart shopping experiences growing rapidly, the technology strengths of related service providers have become one of the most important challenges for competitiveness in the e-commerce space. Through the partnership with Weidian, Aurora Mobile will use its AI and machine learning technology-based digital marketing capabilities, to help Weidian service its merchants more effectively by improving operational efficiency across the entire customer journey from marketing to after-sales services. Both companies have shown full confidence in the success of the collaboration and will jointly explore more opportunities in the smart marketing sector.

Aurora Mobile is a leading mobile developer service provider in China and was listed on Nasdaq in July 2018. Recently, Aurora Mobile signed milestone agreements with a number of leading platforms in the finance, insurance, weather, internet tools, gaming, fresh food e-commerce, online education, telecom, new energy vehicle, community buying-group and local on-demand delivery sectors, including Ping An Bank, Data Center of China Life, Moji Weather, WiFi Master, Lilith Games, Missfresh, 17zuoye, Beijing Unicom, Dongfeng Motor, Nice Tuan, Dada Now and other well-known companies, to drive user growth, improve user experience and increase traffic value.

About Aurora Mobile Limited

Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile is a leading mobile developer service provider in China. Aurora Mobile is committed to providing efficient and stable push notification, one-click verification, and APP traffic monetization services to help developers improve operational efficiency, grow and monetize. Meanwhile, Aurora Mobile’s vertical applications have expanded to market intelligence, financial risk management, and location-based intelligence, empowering various industries to improve productivity and optimize decision-making.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SaaS-model; its ability maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For general inquiry, please contact:

Aurora Mobile Limited

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen

In China

Mr. Eric Yuan
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: [email protected]

In US

Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: [email protected]



Torex Gold Reports Strong Operational Start to the Year

Delivers Highest First Quarter of Production to Date
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated)

TORONTO, April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the “Company” or “Torex”) (TSX: TXG) reports Q1 2021 gold production of 129,500 ounces, which is the Company’s highest first quarter of production on record. During the quarter, Torex sold 129,010 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,775 per ounce.

With the strong start to the year, Torex is well-positioned to achieve full year production guidance of 430,000 to 470,000 ounces of gold in 2021.

TABLE 1: Q1 2021 OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

    Q1 2021
Gold Produced oz 129,500
Average Plant Throughput tpd 12,340
Average Underground Ore Mined tpd 1,360
Average Open Pit Ore Mined tpd 15,090
Strip Ratio waste:ore 7.4:1

The Company plans to release its first quarter 2021 financial and operational results early morning on Thursday, May 13, 2021, followed later in the morning by a conference call hosted by senior management. Gold grades mined, gold grades processed, and gold recoveries will be reported with the quarterly results.

Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated:

“The operational momentum gained in H2 2020 has continued, with the team delivering the strongest first quarter of gold production on record. The open pits and underground continued to deliver solid, reliable performance, with the underground achieving a new quarterly record of ore mined. The process plant achieved a record monthly milling rate in March of 13,810 tonnes per day.

“The strong operational results were matched by an equally solid safety performance, with no lost time injuries in the quarter. Our culture of safety continues to be reflected in ongoing adherence to our multi-layered COVID-19 protocols, to ensure business continuity and mitigate spread of the virus within our operations and host communities.

“As outlined during our Q4 2020 conference call, operating cash flow is expected to be weighted towards the second half of the year, given tax and royalty payments in Q1 and profit-sharing payment in Q2. We have never been in a stronger financial position with our remaining long-term debt paid in the quarter and the refinancing of our debt facility, providing us with significant financial flexibility to develop Media Luna, potential M&A and continue the exploration program on the Morelos property.

“We continue to demonstrate our ability as a team to deliver excellence on a consistent basis. With such a strong start in the first quarter we are well positioned to deliver on 2021 guidance.”

FIRST QUARTER 2021 CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS

The Company plans to release first quarter 2021 financial and operational results before market open on Thursday, May 13, 2021. A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held the same day at 9:00 AM ET.

Telephone Access

Please join the conference call approximately ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Dial-in details for the conference call are as follows:

  • Toll-Free (North America): 1-800-319-4610
  • International: 1-416-915-3239

Webcast Access

A live webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.torexgold.com/investors/webcasts. The webcast will be archived on the Company’s website.

ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Gold Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometers southwest of Mexico City. The Company’s principal assets are the El Limón Guajes mining complex (“ELG” or the “ELG Mine Complex”) comprising the El Limón, Guajes and El Limón Sur open pits, the El Limón Guajes underground mine including zones referred to as Sub-Sill and El Limón Deep (“ELD”), and the processing plant and related infrastructure, which commenced commercial production as of April 1, 2016, and the Media Luna deposit, which is an advanced stage development project, and for which the Company issued an updated preliminary economic assessment in September 2018. The property remains 75% unexplored.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.           
Jody Kuzenko
President and CEO
Direct: (647) 725-9982
[email protected]
  Dan Rollins

Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
Direct: (647) 260-1503
[email protected]
     

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. While the Company intends to advance the Media Luna project to production in the first quarter of 2024 and has taken the decision to commence the early works program to maintain the schedule to first production, the Company has not taken a production decision in advance of completing the Feasibility Study for Media Luna. Forward-looking information also includes, but is not limited to, statements that: Torex is well-positioned to achieve full year production guidance of 430,000 to 470,000 ounces of gold in 2021; ongoing adherence to our multi-layered COVID-19 protocols, to ensure business continuity and mitigate spread of the virus within our operations and host communities; operating cash flow is expected to be weighted towards the second half of the year; the Company’s stronger financial position, and the refinancing of our debt facility, providing the Company with significant financial flexibility to develop Media Luna, potential M&A and continue the exploration program on the Morelos property; and Torex is well positioned to deliver on 2021 guidance . Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expects”, “continues”, “ongoing” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “will”, “is expected to” or “well positioned to” occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, those risk factors identified in the technical report titled “NI 43-101 Technical Report ELG Mine Complex Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Preliminary Economic Assessment” dated effective March 31, 2018 (the “Technical Report”) and the Company’s annual information form (“AIF”) and management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Notwithstanding the Company’s efforts, there can be no guarantee that the Company’s measures to protect employees and surrounding communities from COVID-19 will be effective. Forward-looking information are based on the assumptions discussed in the Technical Report, AIF and MD&A and such other reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.



Avalara Announces Avalara CRUSH Virtual Keynote Details and Featured Speakers

Avalara Announces Avalara CRUSH Virtual Keynote Details and Featured Speakers

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Avalara (NYSE: AVLR), a leading provider of tax compliance automation for businesses of all sizes, today announced details of its keynotes and featured speakers for Avalara CRUSH Virtual, its fifth annual tax conference and industry gathering. Bringing together professionals and practitioners at the forefront of the complex world of tax compliance, commerce, and technology, Avalara CRUSH Virtual offers opportunities to participate in interactive learning experiences, exchange ideas, and engage with peers and experts.

This year’s event will be hosted by award-winning documentarian, journalist, speaker, author, and philanthropist Soledad O’Brien, CEO of Soledad O’Brien Productions, and Scott McFarlane, co-founder and CEO of Avalara.

Avalara CRUSH Virtual will present four keynote sessions spanning compliance, commerce, and technology:

  • Winning the regulatory change game: Learn about current trends in tax compliance, what the future holds for tax legislation, and what your business needs to know to mitigate risk and stay compliant. This panel will be moderated by Soledad O’Brien and speakers include:
    • Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton
    • Kim Rueben, fellow and director of the State and Local Finance Initiative at the Urban-Brookings Institute Tax Policy Center
    • Liz Armbruester, SVP of global compliance at Avalara
  • Ecommerce and multichannel imperative: Hear about the macroeconomic trends influencing global commerce and understand how compliance plays a role in business growth. This panel will be moderated by Amit Mathradas, president and COO at Avalara, and speakers include:
    • Brent Bellm, CEO and chairman of BigCommerce
    • Joe Dawalt, corporate tax manager at FULLBEAUTY Brands
  • The digital mandate, post-COVID-19 era: Leverage technology to navigate the complexities and challenges of doing business in a heavily regulated world. This panel will be moderated by Mickey North Rizza, head of digital commerce and enterprise applications at IDC, and speakers include:
    • Brad Caproni, senior manager of global indirect tax at Groupon
    • Lockie Andrews, chief information officer and chief digital officer at UNTUCKit
    • Nancy Harris, managing director at Sage North America
  • The future of tax compliance with Avalara: Learn about products and technologies that can simplify your compliance tasks now and in the future. This keynote will be presented by Sanjay Parthasarathy, chief product officer at Avalara.

“This year, Avalara CRUSH is designed to help attendees navigate the new rules that are defining global commerce as we know it,” said Scott McFarlane, co-founder and CEO of Avalara. “We’ve assembled thought leaders and experts on the forefront of tax compliance to share their insights, views, and strategies for success. I’m confident that attendees will walk away with the knowledge and insights needed to tackle tax compliance and help ensure tax never stands in the way of opportunity.”

In addition to the keynote sessions, new for 2021 is an immersive activity center — CRUSH City — which allows attendees to select experiences to learn how to solve pain points, watch detailed product demos, use tools to determine tax obligations, and more. The event will also include a performance from Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, open to all attendees.

Follow Avalara

  • Visit Avalara CRUSH Virtual at AvalaraCRUSH.com for access to special offers, updates on session topics, speaker announcements, and more. Register at no cost today.
  • Twitter: For continuous Avalara CRUSH Virtual news and event updates, follow @Avalara and join the conversations using #AvalaraCRUSH21.
  • Facebook: Like Avalara on Facebook for updates from Avalara CRUSH Virtual.

About Avalara

Avalara helps businesses of all sizes get tax compliance right. In partnership with leading ERP, accounting, ecommerce, and other financial management system providers, Avalara delivers cloud-based compliance solutions for various transaction taxes, including sales and use, VAT, GST, excise, communications, lodging, and other indirect tax types. Headquartered in Seattle, Avalara has offices across the U.S. and around the world in Brazil, Europe, and India. More information at avalara.com.

Media Contact

Jesse Hamlin

[email protected]

518-281-0631

Investor Contact

Jennifer Gianola

[email protected]

650-499-9837

KEYWORDS: United States North America Washington

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Accounting Professional Services Data Management

MEDIA:

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Freedom Boat Club Acquires New York Franchise Operation and Territory

NEW YORK, April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freedom Boat Club, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), announced today that it has acquired the Freedom Boat Club of New York franchise operation and territory.  This announcement comes just four weeks after Freedom announced that it had acquired the franchise operation and territory rights in the Chicago market.

The scope of the transaction includes six New York area locations covering Long Island based in Northport, Glen Cove, Lindenhurst, Freeport, Port Jefferson, and Port Washington.  In addition, Freedom Boat Club will acquire the corresponding territory rights which includes all of Long Island, New York City (excluding Staten Island), the eastern coastline of Westchester County and the western coastline of Westchester County to the Tappan Zee bridge.

“New York City is the largest metropolitan area in the United States and Long Island alone has nearly eight million residents” said Cecil Cohn, Freedom Boat Club Network president. “Growing our footprint in top boating communities such as this one is consistent with our continued growth plans. We are excited for the opportunity to continue to serve our members in New York which is home to some of the best boating experiences in the world.”

Freedom Boat Club of New York currently has more than 600 memberships and continues to grow in popularity as boaters from Manhattan and Long Island look to experience great fishing on the northern shores and great beaches on the southern shores. Memberships at the New York club locations have grown nearly 30 percent annually over the past three years, a testament to prior ownership and staff along with the continued growth in popularity of Freedom Boat Club.

“Brunswick Corporation has done a fantastic job growing Freedom Boat Club and my wife and I  are excited for the opportunities they will be able to provide to Freedom’s members and staff in New York,” said Peter DeVilbiss, former Freedom Boat Club of New York franchise owner.

This marks the third acquisition made by Freedom Boat Club over the past year, following the purchase of the Chicago territory in early March and the Charleston, South Carolina territory in the spring of 2020. Freedom Boat Club of New York is now Freedom’s seventh corporate owned territory, joining Southwest Florida, Southeast Florida, Raleigh, North Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, Chicago, Illinois, and the United Kingdom.  

About
Freedom Boat Club:

Founded in 1989, Freedom Boat Club is the largest boat club operator and a premier marine franchisor in the nation.  FBC and its franchisees service over 38,000 memberships at over 260 locations across 31 states, Canada, and Europe. For more information, visit https://www.freedomboatclub.com.

About Brunswick:

Headquartered in Mettawa, Ill., Brunswick Corporation’s leading consumer brands include Mercury Marine outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; Mercury global parts and accessories including propellers and SmartCraft electronics; Power Products Integrated Solutions; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Mastervolt, and Whale marine parts; Land ’N’ Sea, BLA, Payne’s Marine, Kellogg Marine, and Lankhorst Taselaar marine parts distribution; Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Heyday, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern boats; Boating Services Network, Freedom Boat Club and Boat Class.  For more information, visit brunswick.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about Brunswick’s business and by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “position,” “intend,” “target,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “believe,” “predict,” “outlook,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations as of the date of this news release. These risks include, but are not limited to: the effect of adverse general economic conditions, including the amount of disposable income consumers have available for discretionary spending; changes in currency exchange rates; fiscal policy concerns; adverse economic, credit, and capital market conditions; higher energy and fuel costs; competitive pricing pressures; the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including, without limitation, the impact on global economic conditions and on capital and financial markets, changes in consumer behavior and demand, the potential unavailability of personnel or key facilities, modifications to our operations, and the potential implementation of regulatory actions; managing our manufacturing footprint; weather and catastrophic event risks; international business risks; our ability to develop new and innovative products and services at a competitive price; our ability to meet demand in a rapidly changing environment; loss of key customers; actual or anticipated increases in costs, disruptions of supply, or defects in raw materials, parts, or components we purchase from third parties, including as a result of pressures due to the pandemic; supplier manufacturing constraints, increased demand for shipping carriers, and transportation disruptions; absorbing fixed costs in production; joint ventures that do not operate solely for our benefit; our ability to successfully implement our strategic plan and growth initiatives; attracting and retaining skilled labor, implementing succession plans for key leadership, and executing organizational and leadership changes; our ability to identify, complete, and integrate targeted acquisitions; the risk that strategic divestitures will not provide business benefits; maintaining effective distribution; adequate financing access for dealers and customers; requirements for us to repurchase inventory; inventory reductions by dealers, retailers, or independent boat builders; risks related to the Freedom Boat Club franchise business model; outages, breaches, or other cybersecurity events regarding our technology systems, which could affect manufacturing and business operations and could result in lost or stolen information and associated remediation costs; our ability to protect our brands and intellectual property; changes to U.S. trade policy and tariffs; having to record an impairment to the value of goodwill and other assets; product liability, warranty, and other claims risks; legal and regulatory compliance, including increased costs, fines, and reputational risks; changes in income tax legislation or enforcement; managing our share repurchases; and certain divisive shareholder activist actions.



Lee Gordon
Vice President – Brunswick Global Communications & Public Relations
Brunswick Office: 847-735-4003
Mercury Office: 920-924-1808
Cell: 904-860-8848
[email protected]

DMC Global Schedules First Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DMC Global Inc. (Nasdaq: BOOM) will announce its 2021 first quarter financial results after the stock market closes on Thursday, April 22, 2021. Following the earnings release, executive management will host a conference call and simultaneous webcast.

The conference call will begin at 5 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. Mountain) and will be accessible by dialing 888-506-0062 (973-528-0011 for international callers) and entering the code 329873. A telephonic replay will be available through April 29, 2021, by calling 877-481-4010 (919-882-2331 for international callers) and entering the Conference ID #40777.

Investors are invited to listen to the webcast live via the Internet at: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2204/40777

The webcast also will be available on the Investor page of DMC’s website, located at:
www.dmcglobal.com/investors.

A replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days. For additional information, please contact Geoff High at 303-604-3924.

About DMC Global Inc.

DMC Global is a diversified holding company.  Our innovative businesses provide differentiated products and services to niche industrial and commercial markets around the world. DMC’s objective is to identify well-run businesses and strong management teams and support them with long-term capital and strategic, legal, technology and operating resources. Our approach helps our portfolio companies grow core businesses, launch new initiatives, upgrade technologies and systems to support their long-term strategy, and make acquisitions that improve their competitive positions and expand their markets. DMC’s culture is to foster local innovation versus centralized control, and stand behind our businesses in ways that truly add value. Today, DMC’s portfolio consists of DynaEnergetics and NobelClad, which collectively address the energy, industrial processing and transportation markets. Based in Broomfield, Colorado, DMC trades on Nasdaq under the symbol “BOOM.” For more information, visit the Company’s website at: http://www.dmcglobal.com.

CONTACT:
Geoff High
Vice President of Investor Relations
303-604-3924



Bloomington, Ill., is the Best Market for First-Time Home Buyers

Realtor.com®’s best markets for homeowner hopefuls offer more affordable homes and job opportunities as well as other millennials and a good mix of amenities

– About one-third of this year’s buyers are purchasing their first home

– Millennials make up the largest generation of home buyers

– Four of the top 10 markets for first-time home buyers are in the Midwest

PR Newswire

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — First-time buyers looking for an affordable home as well as job opportunities and quality of life may have to bypass major urban cities for more rural, secondary cities as the competition heats up for finding a home. In fact, they will have the best luck in Bloomington, Ill., according to realtor.com® ‘s 2021 Best Markets for First-Time Home Buyers analysis.

With four of the top 10 markets, the Midwest ranks as the best region of the country for first-time home buyers, who according to the National Association of Realtors®, account for nearly one-third of recent buyers. Iowa City, Iowa, ranked No. 2 in this analysis followed by Kalamazoo, Mich.; Great Falls, Mont.; Eau Claire, Wis.; Savannah, Ga.; Schenectady, N.Y.; Taylorville, Utah; Harrisonburg, Va. and Rapid City, S.D.

“With 50% fewer homes on the market this year than last, the U.S. housing market is competitive for all buyers. First-time buyers are at a bigger disadvantage since they don’t have the funds from a previous home sale to help with their down payment or compete with bidding wars. Our recent survey of potential first-time home buyers confirmed this with 44% indicating they haven’t saved enough for a down payment,” said realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. “While relocating isn’t an option for everyone, the pandemic has caused many to rethink their priorities, including where they want to live. This analysis was meant to provide some insight for those who are open to expanding their search as they weigh their homeowner options.”

To determine the best markets for first-time home buyers, the majority of whom are millennials, many between the ages of 25 and 34, realtor.com® took into account six factors, including housing prices relative to local incomes, the share of 25- to 34-year-olds living in the market, the availability of homes for sale, job opportunities, distance to work and amenities such as bars and restaurants. To achieve geographic diversification, the ranking was limited to one city per state.

All of the top 10 best markets have median home prices below the current national median price of $370,000. Kalamazoo, Mich., has the lowest median home price at $155,000 and Taylorsville, Utah, the highest at $350,000.

Nine of the 10 top cities are home to at least one four-year college or university, which likely contributes to the fact that their residents tend to skew younger than the country overall. Savannah, Ga., has the largest share of adults aged 25-to-34 at 16.9% of the city’s total population. Only Rapid City, S.D., and Harrisonburg, Va., had a lower share of younger adults than the median national average. What these two cities lack in a younger population they make up for in lower unemployment rates, more food and drink establishments per household and a shorter commute to work than the national average.

For those looking for more homes to choose from, Schenectady, N.Y., with a median home price of $210,000, tops the list with nearly 18 listings per 1,000 households, Iowa City, Iowa offers 13.3 listings per 1,000 households, followed by Savannah, Ga., at 13.1 listings per 1,000 households. 

Realtor.com
®
‘s Top 10 Markets for First-Time Home Buyers


Rank


City


March 2021
Median
Listing
Price


March 2021
Active
Listing per
1,000
Households


Metro Food
and Drink
Establish-


ments per
1,000
Households


25- to 34-
Year-Old
Population
Share (2021
Estimate)


December
2020 Metro
Unemploy-
ment Rate


Estimated 2021
Travel Time to
Work (Minutes)

1

Bloomington, Ill.

$160,000

10.1

5.8

14.3%

5.2%

18

2

Iowa City, Iowa

$305,000

13.3

6.0

14.8%

2.7%

20

3

Kalamazoo,
Mich.

$155,000

7.4

6.1

13.9%

4.9%

21

4

Great Falls,
Mont.

$265,000

6.2

6.1

14.3%

4.4%

17

5

Eau Claire, Wis.

$275,000

6.0

5.8

14.0%

5.1%

18

6

Savannah, Ga.

$275,000

13.1

6.2

16.9%

6.0%

22

7

Schenectady,
N.Y.

$210,000

17.6

6.1

13.5%

5.4%

24

8

Taylorsville,
Utah

$350,000

6.5

5.6

15.9%

3.8%

24

9

Harrisonburg,
Va.

$265,000

11.9

5.6

12.2%

4.0%

18

10

Rapid City, S.D.

$281,000

7.2

5.5

13.2%

3.2%

18

Methodology: To determine the top first-time home buyer markets, realtor.com® ranked 774 cities with a population of more than 50,000 based on the following criteria: the share of 25- to 34-year-olds in the local population; the availability of inventory, measured by active listings per 1,000 existing households; affordability, estimated by the ratio of listing prices to gross incomes of 25- to 34-year-olds in that city; job opportunities estimated by the unemployment rate of the city’s surrounding metro area; the average commute time to work and amenities in an area, estimated by the number of food and drink establishments per 1,000 existing households in the city’s surrounding metro area.

About realtor.com®
Realtor.com® makes buying, selling, renting and living in homes easier and more rewarding for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 20 years ago, and today through its website and mobile apps is a trusted source for the information, tools and professional expertise that help people move confidently through every step of their home journey. Using proprietary data science and machine learning technology, realtor.com® pairs buyers and sellers with local agents in their market, helping take the guesswork out of buying and selling a home. For professionals, realtor.com® is a trusted provider of consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today’s on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. under a perpetual license from the National Association of REALTORS®. For more information, visit realtor.com®.

Media Contact

Janice McDill, [email protected]

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bloomington-ill-is-the-best-market-for-first-time-home-buyers-301264727.html

SOURCE realtor.com

Fagerhult Group acquires Seneco A/S to strengthen connectivity offering

PR Newswire

HABO, Sweden, April 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — To strengthen our connectivity offering for outdoor environments, the Fagerhult Group has acquired the remaining 80% shares in Seneco A/S.

Seneco is a Danish lighting connectivity company founded in 2010. The system consists of a full wireless product range for outdoor luminaires, connected to the system is also an online portal for remote monitoring and integration to other installations. Besides creating more safe outdoor environments, the system leads to significant energy savings and lower maintenance costs. Most of Seneco’s installations are today found in Denmark and adjacent European markets.

‘In 2017 we acquired 20% of Seneco and we have since seen a good adoption of the technology across our brands. As a leading European outdoor lighting provider this acquisition helps us to further strengthen our offering and increase our competence level, which is a key strategic initiative for us. Seneco’s solution fits well with our ambition to provide open solutions that are easy to use for our customers and partners. I am very happy to welcome the Seneco team to Fagerhult Group’, says Bodil Sonesson, CEO Fagerhult Group.

The process was completed April 8th 2021

Contact information:

Bodil Sonesson, CEO, +46 722 23 76 02, [email protected]

Michael Wood, CFO, +46 730 87 46 47, [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/fagerhult/r/fagerhult-group-acquires-seneco-a-s-to-strengthen-connectivity-offering,c3319922

The following files are available for download:


https://mb.cision.com/Main/1781/3319922/1398730.pdf

Fagerhult Group acquires Seneco A/S

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fagerhult-group-acquires-seneco-as-to-strengthen-connectivity-offering-301264900.html

SOURCE Fagerhult