Goodyear Strengthens Commitment to Sustainable Procurement of Soybeans

PR Newswire

AKRON, Ohio, March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) today announced a new sustainable soybean oil procurement policy that reflects its strong commitment to the responsible sourcing of raw materials. The company believes that, through this policy, it can help guide processors, farmers, and all other members of the supply chain to establish practices and make sound environmental and social decisions related to the growing, harvesting, and processing of soybeans. 

“Goodyear’s use of soybean oil is growing, and we want our actions to make a difference in the lives of soybean farmers and others in the soybean supply chain,” said Maureen Thune, VP and Chief Procurement Officer. “Our new policy will help guide us as we work with processors, farmers, and others to strengthen the sustainability of the global soybean supply chain.”

Building upon the company’s Business Conduct Manual and Supplier Code of Conduct, the policy, which can be reviewed here, features these important components:

  • Human Rights – Goodyear will work to ensure its soybean oil supply chain supports and protects the rights of all involved and fosters a positive working environment at all levels of the supply chain.
  • Responsible Land Acquisition and Use – Goodyear will work to promote an environmentally and socially responsible soybean supply chain, free from deforestation and land grabbing.
  • Soybean Oil Processing – Goodyear expects its soybean oil suppliers to manufacture their products in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.
  • Soybean Growing and Harvesting – Goodyear encourages its suppliers and any sub-suppliers to implement the best-known cultivation and agricultural practices, including, as applicable, those outlined by The Round Table for Responsible Soy.
  • Supplier Alignment – Goodyear encourages its soybean oil suppliers and sub-suppliers to demonstrate commitment to responsible practices.
  • Policy Implementation and Compliance – Goodyear is committed to the corruption-free and transparent implementation of the policy.

As part of its commitment to sustainable sourcing, Goodyear is increasing its use of sustainable materials in its products, including soybean oil. Goodyear scientists and engineers – with the support from the United Soybean Board – developed a tread compound in which soybean oil replaced some or all petroleum-derived oil, discovering that soybean oil helps keep a tire’s rubber compound pliable in changing temperatures, a key performance achievement to maintaining and enhancing vehicle grip on roadways.

Goodyear commercialized this innovation in its Assurance WeatherReady™ consumer tire line in 2017, the Eagle Enforcer All Weather™ in 2018, the Eagle Exhilarate™ in 2019 and the Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive in 2020.

Goodyear’s 2020 use of soybean oil increased 73% over 2019 usage, making progress toward its long-term goal of full petroleum oil replacement in its products by 2040.

Goodyear’s soybean oil procurement policy is effective immediately and applies to all soybean-based materials sourced by Goodyear operations worldwide.

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 62,000 people and manufactures its products in 46 facilities in 21 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Pace Acquires 44 Additional ENCAxess® 30’ Low-Floor Buses

Pace Acquires 44 Additional ENCAxess® 30’ Low-Floor Buses

RIVERSIDE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
ElDorado National (California), a subsidiary of REV Group®, Inc., and industry leader in rightsized heavy-duty transit buses, today announced that Pace Suburban Bus (“Pace”) has awarded ENC a contract for 44 additional thirty-foot clean diesel Axess model heavy-duty transit buses.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210318005843/en/

ENC Axess 30’ transit bus for Pace. Its design is ideal for navigating neighborhoods and downtown areas. (Photo: Business Wire)

ENC Axess 30’ transit bus for Pace. Its design is ideal for navigating neighborhoods and downtown areas. (Photo: Business Wire)

Pace provides public transportation services to the Chicago suburbs encompassing 284 municipalities and a service area of 3,677 square miles: nearly 15 times the size of the city of Chicago. Pace’s innovative approach to public transportation gives the agency a national reputation as an industry leader.

“ENC has a long partnership with Pace,” said Mike Ammann, Vice President of Sales, ElDorado National (California).ENC has delivered nearly 700 heavy-duty low-floor buses to Pace over the past fifteen years. The latest Pace order is part of a contract for up to 164 30’ fully accessible low-floor ENC buses.”

In Pace’s ongoing effort to modernize its fleet to benefit customers and reduce maintenance costs, the Axess 30’ low-floor buses feature a 100% 304 grade stainless steel body structure and advanced composite exterior bodywork, creating a truly corrosion free transit bus. This is a key advancement in transit bus design and rust-free material integration. The 30’ design is ideal for navigating neighborhoods and downtown areas where a conventional 40’ bus cannot fit or is not desired.

About ElDorado National (California)

ElDorado National-California (ENC®), a subsidiary of REV Group, has manufactured low floor and standard floor buses for over 45 years to public transit/paratransit, airport, parking and university transportation markets. ENC is best known in the industry for its customizable options including thousands of floorplan configurations, as well as ensuring unparalleled manufacturing and safety standards. All ENC models pass a comprehensive battery of durability and crash tests. ENC can also accommodate nearly any fuel system request – including one of the greenest buses in the industry; the Zero Emissions, hydrogen-powered Axess-Fuel Cell. All buses are crafted in the state-of-the-art 227,000 square-foot, ISO 9001 certified production facility in Riverside California.

About REV Group, Inc.

REV Group® (REVG) is a leading designer and manufacturer of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services. We serve a diversified customer base, primarily in the United States, through three segments: Fire & Emergency, Commercial, and Recreation. We provide customized vehicle solutions for applications, including essential needs for public services (ambulances, fire apparatus, school buses, and transit buses), commercial infrastructure (terminal trucks and industrial sweepers) and consumer leisure (recreational vehicles). Our diverse portfolio is made up of well-established principal vehicle brands, including many of the most recognizable names within their industry. Several of our brands pioneered their specialty vehicle product categories and date back more than 50 years. REV Group trades on the NYSE under the symbol REVG. Investors-REVG

Julie Nuernberg

Director of PR & Social Media

+1.262.389.8620 (mobile)

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America California Illinois

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Automotive Automotive Manufacturing Transport Manufacturing Public Transport Fleet Management

MEDIA:

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ENC Axess 30’ transit bus for Pace. Its design is ideal for navigating neighborhoods and downtown areas. (Photo: Business Wire)

BrandSafway announces agreement to acquire National Coating & Lining Company

Complementary core strengths will provide broader range of services for combined customers

Kennesaw, Georgia, USA, March 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BrandSafway has signed an agreement to acquire the National Coating & Lining Company, a privately owned business specializing in the restoration and protection of concrete and ferrous metals for the water and wastewater industry throughout the western United States.

“We’re pleased to announce this agreement with the National Coating & Lining Company,” said Art Eunson, president of Metro and Infrastructure for BrandSafway. “Bringing National Coating & Lining’s highly specialized knowledge in surface preparation, concrete repair, coatings and linings in the water industry to BrandSafway will provide additional expertise and allow us to expand our services throughout North America, especially in the western region. Our combined customers will benefit from a broader range of solutions and greater depth of expertise in access, forming, shoring and industrial services.”

Based in Murrieta, California, National Coating & Lining is the water industry leader in concrete and ferrous metals protection and restoration in the western United States. Established in 2006, as a division of the SoCal Pacific Construction Corporation, National Coating & Lining has a proven leadership team, committed to the highest industry quality standards and exceeding the requirements of the SSPC (The Society for Protective Coatings) Painting Contractor Certification Programs.

“This is a great opportunity for National Coating & Lining Company and our employees,” said Jim Pleasants, National Coating & Lining Company president. “National Coating & Lining has a highly experienced team with a great depth of knowledge in the water and wastewater industry, which will complement the expertise that BrandSafway has in access, scaffolding, forming, shoring and related services.”

The closing of this transaction is anticipated on or before April 1, 2021.

About BrandSafway
With a commitment to safety as its foremost value, BrandSafway provides the broadest range of solutions with the greatest depth of expertise to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets. Through a network of 340 strategic locations across 30 countries and more than 38,000 employees, BrandSafway delivers a full range of forming, shoring, scaffolding, work access and industrial service solutions. BrandSafway supports maintenance and refurbishment projects as well as new construction and expansion plans with unmatched service from expert local labor and management. Today’s BrandSafway is At Work For You™ — leveraging innovation and economies of scale to increase safety and productivity, while remaining nimble and responsive. For more information about BrandSafway, visitwww.brandsafway.com.

 

PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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Attachments



Karla Cuculi
BrandSafway
262-523-6580
[email protected]

Fifth Third Bancorp Announces Cash Dividends

Fifth Third Bancorp Announces Cash Dividends

CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Today Fifth Third Bancorp announced the declaration of cash dividends on its common shares, Series I preferred shares, Series J preferred shares, Series K preferred shares, Series L preferred shares, and Class B Series A preferred shares.

Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) today declared a cash dividend on its common shares of $0.27 per share for the first quarter of 2021. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2021.

Fifth Third also declared a cash dividend on its 6.625% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series I (Nasdaq: FITBI), at the rate of $414.06 per preferred share, which equates to approximately $0.41406 for each depositary share. Each depositary share represents a 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of Series I Preferred Stock. The Series I dividend is payable on March 31, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 29, 2021.

Fifth Third also declared a cash dividend on its 4.90% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series J (quarterly rate of 3 month LIBOR plus 3.129% per preferred share), at the rate of $211.50 per preferred share, which equates to approximately $8.46 for each depository share. Each depositary share represents a 1/25th ownership interest in a share of Series J Preferred Stock. The Series J dividend is payable on March 31, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 29, 2021.

Fifth Third also declared a cash dividend on its 4.95% Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series K (Nasdaq: FITBO), at the rate of approximately $309.375 per preferred share, which equates to approximately $0.30938 for each depositary share. Each depositary share represents a 1/1000th ownership interest in a share of Series K Preferred Stock. The Series K dividend is payable on March 31, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 29, 2021.

Fifth Third also declared a cash dividend on its 4.50% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series L, at the rate of $281.25 per preferred share, which equates to approximately $11.25 for each depositary share. Each depositary share represents a 1/25th ownership interest in a share of Series L Preferred Stock. The Series L dividend is payable on March 31, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 29, 2021.

Fifth Third also declared a cash dividend on its 6.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Class B Preferred Stock, Series A (Nasdaq: FITBP), at the rate of $15.00 per preferred share, which equates to approximately $0.3750 for each depositary share. Each depositary share represents a 1/40th ownership interest in a share of Class B Series A Preferred Stock. The Class B Series A dividend is payable on March 31, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 29, 2021.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, National Association, a federally chartered institution. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $205 billion in assets and operates 1,134 full-service Banking Centers, and 2,397 Fifth Third branded ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. In total, Fifth Third provides its customers with access to approximately 52,000 fee-free ATMs across the United States. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Wealth & Asset Management. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of December 31, 2020, had $434 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $54 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations through its Trust and Registered Investment Advisory businesses. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.”

Category: Dividends

Chris Doll (Investor Relations) March 18, 2021

[email protected] | 513-534-2345

Ed Loyd (Media)

[email protected] | 513-534-6397

KEYWORDS: United States North America Ohio

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Finance

MEDIA:

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Nautilus, Inc. Investor Day Outlines Long-Term Strategic Plan

Nautilus, Inc. Investor Day Outlines Long-Term Strategic Plan

Company Provides Financial Aspirations for Fiscal Year 2026 Including $1 Billion in Revenue and Two Million Digital Members

VANCOUVER, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE: NLS) today hosted its Virtual Investor Day and unveiled the Company’s long-term strategic plan, North Star: Journey to 2026, to unlock sustainable growth and digitally transform the Company. Jim Barr, Nautilus Chief Executive Officer, was joined by other members of the executive team to introduce the “new” Nautilus. The team discussed its view of the enhanced home fitness market opportunity, how Nautilus is well-positioned for continued growth, pointed to strong momentum which began even before the pandemic, and how the Company leveraged pandemic demand to not only grow but also create durable assets for the long-run. The day featured a detailed presentation of Nautilus’ long-term vision and strategic direction and its ambitious long-term objectives.

“My goal since joining Nautilus over 18 months ago, was to leverage our many strengths to transform into a company that empowers healthier living through individualized connected fitness experiences. I am pleased to say, we are well down the path to transforming into the “new” digital Nautilus and our North Star strategy has us well positioned to dramatically expand all areas of our business in the coming years,” said Jim Barr, Nautilus Inc. Chief Executive Officer. “The five key strategic pillars of North Star we outlined during our virtual investor day have us well positioned to achieve many aspirations including revenue of $1 billion and two million digital members by the end of fiscal 2026.”

Mr. Barr continued, “Today, we are not a one product driven company but a much more diversified revenue platform with a rapidly growing digital component enabling all consumers to rely on Nautilus for their entire fitness journey. We operate in a very dynamic industry with a profoundly expanded opportunity that includes changing consumer habits, technology preferences, and connectedness providing us a way to help our consumers on all aspects of their journey. The North Star strategy will ensure the “new” Nautilus will properly leverage our leading brands, products, innovation, distribution and digital assets to build a healthier world, one person at a time.”

During the Investor Day, management highlighted the Company’s core strengths to achieve its long-term aspirations:

Strong Brands

Nautilus has great brands with very high consumer recognition, resulting from many years of building great products and investing in them. The Company’s brands stand for high quality and good value. Bowflex started the home fitness movement over 35 years ago and is one of the three leading brands in the at-home fitness category, trusted by over one million people. Bowflex has a strong foundation of quality and broad assortment, both strength where the brand has its roots, and cardio, with its award-winning bikes, treadmills, and exclusive MAX high-intensity trainer. Schwinn has been around for 125-years and is the most respected name in upright and recumbent bikes, group indoor cycling, and other cycling-related exercise equipment.

Hardware and Innovation Heritage

The Company’s brands and long-standing track record of innovation has allowed the Company to be a leader in the home fitness market for 35 years. Innovation is in the Company’s DNA with over 300 patents and a history of delivering high quality, award-winning modalities. Nautilus has had success with products across all modalities of fitness and going forward every product launched will be connected to the Company’s JRNY ecosystem. In today’s environment of bringing the entire gym and personal trainer into one’s home, Nautilus is uniquely positioned to offer the full experience.

Broad Distribution

Over many years, the Company has built an incredible network of retail partners, which, combined with its Direct-to-Consumer roots, gives Nautilus an omni-channel experience. The Company leverages an expanding stable of retail partnerships, both in brick and mortar stores and online, and augments these further with international distributors. In the US and Canada, the Company partners with some of the largest players in the industry, and internationally, partners with over 40 distributors in 80+ countries. Nautilus makes it easy for consumers to shop its brands, offering choice in when, where and how they purchase.

During the Investor Day, management outlined the five strategic pillars of the Company’s North Star strategy:

Adopt a Consumer First Mindset

Nautilus has been successful in developing innovative, award-winning products and will leverage that strength in order to become consumer-obsessed in everything it does. Adopting a consumer first mindset means looking at how Nautilus helps its consumers across every aspect of their journey. The Company has restructured its product development approach to gather consumer input at the very beginning of the process and started testing its marketing messaging early in the development cycle to ensure its communications are driving an emotional connection with the consumer. The Company has moved from traditional product management tocategory management, whereby category managers own a portfolio and a P&L, find white spaces, and advocate for projects that drive customer success. Nautilus will focus its product portfolio in the mid and premium tiers of the category and going forward the brand portfolio will be Bowflex, Schwinn and JRNY. Bowflex is the Company’s premium connected brand that offers a broad assortment of strength and cardio products; Schwinn is the specialty brand, singularly focused on mid-priced bikes; and JRNY is the ingredient brand that offers variety and makes both Bowflex and Schwinn better and stronger. Importantly, this refined brand portfolio allows Nautilus to invest appropriately to accelerate each brand’s growth.

Scale a Differentiated Digital Offering

A strong JRNY Platform will enable the Company to give its consumers the best, connected fitness experience. Nautilus has an amazing combination to offer: high quality, innovative physical equipment combined with a digital platform that allows members to get a personalized workout that includes coaching and entertainment at an incredible value. JRNY creates a highly personalized fitness experience, allowing end-users to both personalize the experience themselves by deciding how they want to work out and, through Artificial Intelligence, making sure that each workout is unique and pushes their fitness. JRNY is a platform that crosses modalities and makes life easier for members by bringing things together as they plan, execute and track towards their fitness goals. Today, there are two versions of JRNY: embedded screen equipment that features JRNY and the app which can be downloaded on iOS or Android phones or tablets, referred to as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). The Company plans to scale JRNY through its large current and future customer baseand look for partnerships to accelerate its growth.

Focus Investments on Core Businesses

Nautilus will be disciplined about investments across brands, sectors, consumer segments, products and geographies making fewer, bigger and bolder bets. In 2020, Nautilus made the decision to focus on Home Fitness and sold its commercially focused brand Octane Fitness. Nautilus has already discontinued the Universal brand and is in the process of evaluating next steps for the Nautilus brand. The Company plans to have a more focused and deliberate portfolio, where each product within each brand will have a clear identified reason for being, all centered on what the consumer wants. Focused international growth will be a large growth opportunity and the Company has identified which countries it believes represent the best profit pools. Nautilus intends to partner with leading retailers in those countries, in addition to exploring the idea of bringing its Direct-to-Consumer business to top markets where it already has a strong presence and brand awareness. International will not be meaningful in the first 5-year period of North Star, but the Company believes it will be a strong driver of growth beyond 2026.

Evolve Supply Chain to be Strategic Advantage

Nautilus will transform its supply chain into a strategic advantage. In 2020, this became mission-critical and the Company worked to increase capacity of up to five times the level it entered the year with. In the short term, the Company plans to continue its progress to bring capacity more in line with the new levels of elevated demand. In the long term, the Company will work to create geographic diversity to reduce its risk and transport times.

Build Organizational Capabilities to Win

The most important platform of Nautilus’ strategic plan is unleashing the power of its team. The profound change in the Company’s digital transformation must be carefully sequenced and managed and requires existing skills be leveraged in new ways and requires new capabilities. Nautilus has assembled a talented and diverse group of leaders, who have already delivered record revenue, cash flow and earnings in 2020 and are determined to win long-term. Every one of the Company’s leaders is passionate about people development and the Company’s people are the foundation for North Star and are all pulling in this direction.

As part of the Company’s North Star strategy, management also provided the following financial aspirations for 2026:

2 million digital members

The Company has the opportunity to scale JRNY so that it gets the platform used by as many people as possible though it’s embedded screen products, BYOD products, and non-connected products. Today, the Company attaches and activates JRNY to the embedded screen products at a high rate and has a strong outlook for sales with hundreds of thousands forecast this year. In the past quarter alone, Nautilus has seen a 4x increase in members since launching the VeloCore bike and connected treadmills. On top of that, the Company has hundreds of thousands of BYOD products that have shipped in the last few years and is seeing great demand moving forward. Layer on top the millions of non-connected products out in the field. Nautilus sees a lot of opportunity to grow the JRNY member base internationally as it deploys JRNY products into existing and new markets. Additionally, the Company will look to expand JRNY’s presence through strategic partnerships – wearables, SmartTVs, commercial gym operators, etc. – to help JRNY reach greater scale.

$1 billion in total revenue by FYE 2026

There has been a structural change in the fitness industry as some portion of gym-goers have permanently shifted into home fitness and the Company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growth in its industry. Nautilus has built a strong foundation – combining the core strengths of the Company with new assets that the executive team has built over the last six quarters. Nautilus is planning on a 5-year CAGR of 10% and on the equipment side of 6%. The Company does not expect revenue growth to be linear on a quarterly basis.

At least 20% of total revenue from digital subscriptions

The planned growth in digital revenue leverages Nautilus ecosystem and the Company has a short-term goal to cross 250,000 members by the end of fiscal year 2022.

At least 10% annual operating margins

Once North Star is fully executed, the Company will be a digitally forward company with an improved earnings profile and more prepared to deliver sustainable, profitable growth. A more reliable revenue stream combined with higher gross margins will help create a path to sustainable operating margins of at least 10%.

Nautilus operates in an attractive, dynamic industry with structural, long-term changes underway based on evolving consumer needs. The Company’s brands, products, distribution and digital assets have it well positioned to grow within this industry. Nautilus has made excellent progress over the past six quarters and has transitioned from the old Nautilus, focused on inventing the next “hero’ product, to the new Nautilus, focused on the consumer and creating a holistic, connected fitness experience. After an in-depth assessment of the Company’s strengths and weaknesses, the management team implemented their North Star strategy to leverage those considerable strengths and make durable changes to usher the Company forward in its digital transformation. The North Star strategy has Nautilus moving in the right direction and early points on the board provides the Company confidence it can achieve its goals and financial aspirations.

The Investor Day presentation and an archived replay of the webcast are available on the Investors section of Nautilus’ website at http://www.nautilusinc.com.

About Nautilus, Inc.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE: NLS) is a global technology driven fitness solutions company that believes everyone deserves a fit and healthy life. With a brand portfolio including Bowflex®, Nautilus®, Schwinn® and JRNY®. Nautilus, Inc. develops innovative products to support healthy living through direct and retail channels. Nautilus, Inc. uses the investor relations page of its website (www.nautilusinc.com/investors) to make information available to its investors and the market.

Forward-Looking Statements

This presentation includes forward-looking statements (statements which are not historical facts) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including: projected, targeted or forecasted financial and operating results, including FYE26 financial aspirations, anticipated demand for the Company’s new and existing products, statements regarding the Company’s prospects, resources or capabilities; planned investments, strategic initiatives and the anticipated or targeted results of such initiatives, including targeted number of JRNY memberships; the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business; and planned operational initiatives and the anticipated cost-saving results of such initiatives. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time. Our financial results could also be impacted by our sale of Octane Fitness and the impact of any divestiture or separation transaction on our remaining business. Factors that could cause Nautilus, Inc.’s actual expectations to differ materially from these forward-looking statements also include: weaker than expected demand for new or existing products; our ability to timely acquire inventory that meets our quality control standards from sole source foreign manufacturers at acceptable costs; risks associated with current and potential delays, work stoppages, or supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including shipping delays due to the severe shortage of shipping containers; an inability to pass along or otherwise mitigate the impact of raw material price increases and other cost pressures, including unfavorable currency exchange rates and increased shipping costs; experiencing delays and/or greater than anticipated costs in connection with launch of new products, entry into new markets, or strategic initiatives; our ability to hire and retain key management personnel; changes in consumer fitness trends; changes in the media consumption habits of our target consumers or the effectiveness of our media advertising; a decline in consumer spending due to unfavorable economic conditions; risks related to the impact on our business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises; softness in the retail marketplace; changes in the financial markets, including changes in credit markets and interest rates and the impact of any future impairment. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings are available on our website or at www.sec.gov. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent developments, events or circumstances.

Investor Relations:

John Mills

ICR, LLC

646-277-1254

[email protected]

Media:

John Fread

Nautilus, Inc.

360-859-5815

[email protected]

Carey Kerns

The Hoffman Agency

503-754-7975

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Washington

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Online Retail Other Retail Health Retail Fitness & Nutrition

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Inmar Intelligence Named Top 10 Marketing Attribution Provider in 2020 by MarTech Outlook Magazine

Shoppersync™ data platform recognized for providing direct attribution across Inmar Intelligence’s entire suite of products, including influencer marketing

Winston-Salem, NC, March 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inmar Intelligence, a data-driven technology-enabled services company, today announced that it has been selected as a Top 10 Marketing Attribution Solution Provider in 2020 by MarTech Outlook Magazine. This award recognizes organizations that offer solutions and services that help put businesses on the right path to more efficient marketing and higher conversion rates. 

Inmar Intelligence has been recognized for having an impressive solution that not only offers many different shopping channels, on and off-site media placement options, and in-store messaging, but also links these touchpoints together unlike most offerings on the market. As a result, the company’s ShopperSync™ data platform provides direct attribution across their entire Retail Cloud ecosystem, helping retailers and brands connect these touchpoints to gain a deeper insight into their customers.

“We are honored to have been selected as a Top 10 Marketing Attribution Solution Provider by MarTech Outlook,” said Spencer Baird, EVP and President, MarTech, at Inmar Intelligence. “In 2020, customers opted for a hybrid shopping experience through multiple channels, platforms, and even retailers and it’s critical to connect all of these touchpoints effectively. We are proud to provide solutions and insights that enable brands and retailers to track and measure the rapidly evolving shopping behaviors while driving profitability and fostering shopper loyalty.”

In addition, Inmar Intelligence is capable of proving the return on investment for an influencer marketing program. The company has analyzed over 150 influencer campaigns for sales lift, across nine distinct categories, and has delivered a 6.05 percent average sales lift across all retail channels and a 2X average incremental return on ad spend (ROAS).

In a recent Inmar Intelligence study of over 250 brand marketers and their agencies, 60 percent of respondents said they would increase their influencer marketing budget by 11 percent – 25 percent if they could prove ROI by linking activations to retail sales data. Inmar Intelligence’s platforms not only allow this but also offer a variety of other measurement solutions like brand sentiment analysis and foot traffic studies. 

For more information about Inmar Intelligence, please visit www.inmar.com

About Inmar Intelligence

Commerce Accelerated.™ 

Inmar Intelligence is a leading data and tech-enabled services company. $120 billion dollars of commerce runs through our market-driven platforms which are propelling digital transformation through unified data and workflows to help leading Fortune 5000 companies, emerging brands and health systems drive innovation.

Throughout our 40-year history, we have served retailers, manufacturers, pharmacies, health systems, government and employers as their trusted intermediary in helping them redefine success. For more information about Inmar, please follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook, or call (866) 440-6917.



Holly Pavlika
Inmar Intelligence
(336) 770-3596
[email protected]

Acme United Corporation to Present at the Sidoti Spring 2021 Virtual Conference

FAIRFIELD, Conn., March 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acme United Corporation (NYSE American: ACU) will present at the Sidoti Spring 2021 Virtual Conference on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 12:15 PM Eastern Time.

Acme United’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Walter Johnsen will also meet one-on-one with institutional investors on Wednesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 25, 2021. 

A webcast of Acme United’s presentation and supporting material will be available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at: https://acmeunited.gcs-web.com/.

To obtain additional information about Acme United’s participation in the Sidoti Spring 2021 Virtual Conference please contact Sidoti & Company.


About Acme United

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative safety solutions and cutting technology to the school, home, office, hardware, sporting goods and industrial markets. Its leading brands include First Aid Only®,  First Aid Central®,  PhysiciansCare®, Pac-Kit®,Spill Magic®, Westcott®, Clauss®, Camillus®, Cuda®, and DMT®. For more information, visit www.acmeunited.com

CONTACT: Paul G. Driscoll Acme United Corporation 55 Walls Drive Fairfield, CT 06824
    Phone: (203) 254-6060 FAX: (203) 254-6521  



GBBT-R3 Score Announces the Expansion of the Bank on 100 Million Campaign 


Mission: Launch, Inc. and Legacy Block Network join 


the strategic team to expand the coalition’s reach to include social entrepreneurs and grassroots organizations. 

BALTIMORE, MD, March 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

via NewMediaWire 
— Global Boatworks Holdings, Inc. (OTC: GBBT), (“Global” or “the Company”) an innovative provider of better-contextualized data to businesses for the 1-in-3 Americans living with a criminal record, and consumers with thin credit files, today announces it has partnered with Mission: Launch, Inc. and the Legacy Block network on their Bank on 100 Million campaign. 

The new realities we all face after the global pandemic highlight the significant disparities among already marginalized communities. Industry coverage shows that for groups already disadvantaged – women, communities of color, young workers, and those with lower educational attainment – it could be 2024 before we see pre-COVID employment numbers return, if at all. R3 Score is committed to being a marketplace tool that can address these enduring work and financial inclusion gaps but tech alone will not solve this problem. President & CEO Leonard says, “Bank on 100 Million’s focus must expand to bring thought leaders from the DeFi, cooperative, and blockchain sectors together alongside social justice leaders because it will take diverse viewpoints and all sectors working together to close the gaps furthered by the Coronavirus pandemic.” 

On October 8th, 2020, the Company launched the Campaign to encourage the private sector to evaluate employees and consumers with records more fairly.  Specifically, the campaign was built to speak to businesses and financial institutions in an effort to grow the dialogue and find actionable ways to address the racial inequalities and the income and wealth gaps in America for 100 million Americans. There has been growing inbound interest from social entrepreneurs and grassroots organizations who are actively addressing racial and income inequalities through their solutions who want to become a part of this initiative.  

Mission: Launch a national criminal justice nonprofit and one of the architects and founding partner of Bank on 100 Million will serve as the manager of this coalition going forward. They have started convening other stakeholders who align with a democratized access to opportunity approach to include those within the solidarity economy (worker-owned cooperatives) and those in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space who are committed to financial inclusion by way of new tools.  

The Legacy Block network has 50,000 registered members who have collectively pledged more than 3 million hours of help to social innovators who are committed to financial inclusion and leveling the opportunity playing field. The incoming partner’s first mission is to expand access to this initiative and build a coalition of support who can deliver resources to consumers who want greater access to economic mobility opportunities.  

R3 Score will continue to be an active member of the coalition reaching out to governments and corporations to make available its product and service offering as solutions alongside these other coalition members. 

About Global Boatworks Holdings, Inc. and R3 Holdings, Inc.

Global completed a definitive Share Exchange Agreement with Baltimore, Maryland-based R3 Technologies, Inc. on September 23, 2020. R3 Holdings, Inc. is a SaaS company that provides a more contextualized criminal background report and alternative credit score for use by businesses of all sizes and in every industry. R3’s AI-enabled, financial software platform uses proprietary data-driven scoring designed to unlock new valuable information about employees and financial services consumers utilizing a multi-factor algorithm based on 11 factors assessing character, capacity, and current choice. To learn more about R3 Score, visit www.R3Score.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements reflect the current view about future events. When used in this presentation, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements contained in this presentation relating to the view of the management of R3 Score Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) concerning its business strategy, future operating results, and liquidity and capital resources outlook. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees of assurance of future performance. We caution you, therefore, against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

Contact:
[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

TraDigital IR
Kevin McGrath
+1-646-418-7002
[email protected]



Charter Communications Partners With Ovation TV To Present $10,000 Stand For The Arts Award To Writers & Books

Writers & Books Awarded $10,000 Stand for the Arts Award to Support Their Local Efforts

PR Newswire

ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Expanding upon its Stand for the Arts Awards initiative launched in 2017, Ovation, America’s only arts network, continued its partnership with Charter Communications, Inc. to recognize outstanding local arts, cultural, and educational organizations and programs in five of Charter’s Spectrum markets across the country in 2020. The initiative is part of the independent network’s national arts advocacy platform called Stand for the Arts, and committed $50,000 in 2020 to support arts education in Spectrum communities.

On March 23, Ovation and Charter will present a $10,000 Stand for the Arts Award to Writers & Books, a Rochester-based nonprofit organization. The award will enable Writers & Books to grow their mission to foster and promote reading and writing as lifelong activities for people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Even in this challenging time, Writers & Books is doing meaningful work, showing how access to the arts and arts education can bring diverse communities together and enrich the lives of their residents,” said Camille Joseph, Group Vice President, Government Affairs at Charter. “Charter is pleased to extend this partnership with Ovation for a fifth consecutive year and support the creative work of these arts organizations, as part of our commitment to invest and improve the communities we serve.”

Stand for the Arts Awards are granted based on how well an organization empowers the community, builds strategic partnerships, drives engagement through volunteerism and delivers creative programming.

Sol Doten, Senior Vice President, Content Distribution Marketing, Ovation said, “Together with Charter, we’re thrilled to provide support to community-driven art organizations, especially in times like these when they may need it most. Ovation encourages everyone to advocate for arts access in their community and to enjoy and support the arts in their own way throughout the pandemic.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition from Charter and Ovation, especially meaningful in a year of unprecedented challenges,” said Alison Meyers, Executive Director, Writers & Books. “Ovation’s Stand for the Arts Award shines a light on the important role the arts in general, and the literary arts, in particular, play in the life of a community. Our Writers & Books team will put this generous award to excellent use in the months ahead.”

“Writers & Books is an institution in our community with a long history of ensuring that reading, writing, and literacy are accessible for people of all ages,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “This award will help ensure they continue to empower young readers and writers for years to come. I’m grateful to Charter and Ovation for supporting our vibrant local arts community, especially during these challenging times when they need our support the most.”

Rochester is a city that is at its best when artists have the opportunity to thrive,” said Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Through this award from Charter and Ovation, young people will have the chance to explore reading and writing and nurture their artistic minds. As a School of the Arts graduate, I know the value of experiencing artistic creativity, no matter your chosen path as an adult.”

For more information about Stand for the Arts and the Stand for the Arts Awards, visit: www.standforthearts.com. And to learn more about Writers & Books, visit wab.org.


About OVATION TV

 
America’s Only Arts Network
As an independent television, production, and digital media company, OVATION TV has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture, and captivating entertainment.  Showcasing a lineup of critically-acclaimed premium dramas, specials, documentaries, and iconic films, OVATION TV salutes innovative storytelling with popular programming that includes Inside the Actors StudioMurdoch MysteriesRivieraFrankie Drake MysteriesMiss Fisher’s Murder MysteriesThe FallLutherMidsomer MurdersLandscape Artist of the YearGrand DesignsAmazing HotelsChasing the Sun, and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. Ovation also powers JOURNY, the dedicated streaming service where art, culture, and travel intersect.  The company has provided more than $15M in contributions and in-kind support to arts institutions and arts education.  Its signature advocacy platform, STAND FOR THE ARTS, includes a coalition of over 130 arts organizations, cultural institutions, and arts leaders throughout the country raising awareness about art’s positive impact, protecting access for everyone, and encouraging action on behalf of the arts.  OVATION TV is available on major providers via cable, satellite and telco systems including Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV/AT&T TV, SPECTRUM, Verizon FiOS, as well as on demand. You can follow OVATION TV on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, OvationTV.com, and through our App, OVATION NOW.  

About Charter
Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 30 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, the company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.

For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals. More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter.com.

Ab
out Wr
iters & Books

Writers & Books is one of the oldest and largest community-based literary centers in the nation and the only one of its kind in the eight-county Greater Rochester, NY, area. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1981, Writers & Books moved to its three-story home at 740 University Avenue in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts in 1985. The organization promotes reading and writing as lifelong enrichment, engaging youth and adults through workshops; summer camps; readings; presentations; and Ampersand Books, an in-house independent bookshop. Writers & Books also owns and operates Gell: A Finger Lakes Creative Retreat, sited on 24 acres in Naples, NY.  www.wab.org    

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SOURCE Ovation

COVIDsmart Study Launched to Understand Pandemic’s Impact on Individuals and Communities Across Virginia

Virtual study utilizes advanced health research technology to examine health, well-being, social and economic effects of COVID-19 on people of all walks of life

Fairfax, VA, March 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — COVIDsmart, a digital health study designed to examine the many impacts of COVID-19 on individuals and their communities launched today, with an open call for participation. The study welcomes participants from all walks of life across Virginia to share information on how the pandemic has affected their lives, even if they have not had COVID-19.

The initiative is sponsored by EVMS-Sentara Healthcare Analytics and Delivery Science Institute (HADSI), George Mason University (Mason), and health technology company Vibrent Health who are leading the initiative to gather information to help participants, researchers and public health entities better understand and address the impacts of the pandemic and future health crises.

The study asks participants questions related to the pandemic and its impact on daily life, particularly its impact on financial, mental, and physical well-being such as, “Over the past 30 days, has your consumption of alcohol increased, decreased, or remained the same?” and, “How likely are you to want to receive COVID-19 vaccination?”

“Minimizing the impact of future pandemics on you and your community requires a deeper understanding of how COVID has affected you – even if you or those you know have not had COVID-19. Everyone can make a difference during this pandemic by contributing to research. Sharing important information not just about your health but how you’ve been impacted emotionally, socially, economically, and other ways will help inform decisions that benefit all of us,” said Sunita Dodani, MBBS, PhD, Professor of Internal Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), Director of HADSI and member of the Federation of American Scientists’ COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Force.

COVIDsmart differs from other COVID-19 studies because it will give back aggregate de-identified study data to participants, so they can see how the pandemic has impacted them and their community. The study will also provide participants with resources and information — such as health and safety recommendations from governmental organizations — to help them protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19 infection.

“As we look to the future, policymakers will require a deep understanding of the multi-faceted impact of the pandemic on people and on our public health infrastructure,” said Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Daniel Carey, MD, MHCM. “Studies like this one can help us to fully assess the effects of COVID-19 and chart a path forward.”  

To represent the full picture of COVID’s impact, the study aims to recruit individuals who are diverse in age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race, and culture to reflect Virginia’s diversity and to include groups historically underrepresented in biomedical research.

“Diversity in COVID-19 research is essential for the public health decision-makers to accurately address disparities, such as infection rates, access to testing, health care, unemployment and availability of support services,” said Amira Roess, an epidemiologist and professor in the Department of Global and Community Health at George Mason University. “Our goal with COVIDsmart is to gain and share knowledge that will aid public health organizations in giving guidance and dedicating resources that will help minimize the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and any other future health crises among individuals, their families and communities.”

COVIDsmart uses a privacy-protecting, secure platform, provided by Vibrent Health, developers of the technology platform for NIH’s All of Us Research Program. The platform, which was built to collect many types of data from diverse populations, can expand to accommodate broad data sources such as wearables and biospecimens, depending on the needs of the longitudinal study. COVIDsmart’s anonymized results will be made available to researchers and public health policy officials to help guide them in identifying at-risk communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. These insights can help direct resources and services where they are most needed during the coronavirus pandemic and any potential future health crisis.

“One of the valuable features of COVIDsmart is that participants can engage in the study virtually and remotely,” said Vibrent Health CEO Praduman “PJ” Jain. “Technology allows us to reach people wherever they are, so that everyone can have a voice and make an impact in this important health research.”

The study is open to anyone at least 18 years old living in Virginia and will gather information about participants’ experiences through the course of the pandemic. The study consists of easy-to-understand online surveys.  As an incentive to participants, COVIDsmart offers gift card drawings for those who stay active in the study.

To learn more about COVIDsmart, visit:

www.covidsmartstudy.org

About HADSI

EVMS-Sentara Healthcare Analytics and Delivery Science Institute (HADSI) is committed to improved patient outcomes through enhanced analytics.  A partnership between Eastern Virginia Medical School and Sentara Healthcare, the institute designs, implements and evaluates clinical research, healthcare delivery system evaluation, health economic analysis, and patient-centered outcome effectiveness projects. HADSI leads EVMS and Sentara efforts in applying rigorous, high-quality analytic science to the evaluation of real-world innovations aimed at improving the quality, safety and value of healthcare and aims to reduce health disparities in the Hampton Roads region and beyond through community partnerships and collaborative efforts. To learn more, please visit: https://www.evms.edu/research/centers_institutes_departments/healthcare_analytics_and_delivery_science_institute/

About George Mason University

George Mason University’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation (IBI) bridges disciplines to promote progress and share innovation with the goal of enhancing health and well-being through new ideas to predict, prevent, treat, and eradicate disease. IBI harnesses the collective talent of faculty, staff, and students at Mason including those in the College of Health and Human Services, and College of Humanities and Social Sciences who are conducting translational research in the fields of cancer, infectious diseases, brain and behavior, injury and performance, reproductive and family health, cardiovascular and metabolic health, and digital health and informatics. The IBI provides a collaborative space that allows researchers to make novel connections to implement innovative solutions to today’s most pressing health issues. To learn more visit: https://ibi.gmu.edu/

About Vibrent Health

Vibrent Health’s mission is to accelerate health research to optimize human health through precision technology and digital tools that empower participant engagement, research analytics and research management for researchers, research organizations and research participants. Through its Digital Health Solutions Platform, the company provides a large-scale versatile global platform for health research. The platform provides an infrastructure for data collection from broad sources including genomics, environment, lifestyle, behaviors and electronic health records. Since February 2017, Vibrent Health has served as the Participant Technology Systems Center for the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program, which aims to collect health data from one million or more people to support a wide variety of research studies. To learn more, please visit: vibrenthealth.com.

Media Contacts:


Vibrent Health

Pearson Brown
(310) 994-7057
[email protected]

George Mason University
Michelle Thompson
(703) 993-3485
[email protected]

EVMS/HADSI
Doug Gardner
(757) 446-6073
[email protected]

 



Michelle Thompson
George Mason University College of Health and Human Services
703-993-3485
[email protected]