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HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. Announces Increase in Quarterly Cash Dividend to $0.05 Per Share

BROCKTON, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HONE), the holding company of HarborOne Bank, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share, which represents an increase of $0.02 per share compared to its most recent dividend paid on January 18, 2021. The dividend will be paid on April 28, 2021 to all shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 14, 2021.

“We are very pleased to provide an increase to the quarterly cash dividend payment on the Company’s common stock from $0.03 to $0.05 commencing in the first quarter of 2021,” said James W. Blake, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “The dividend increase is well supported by our current and projected earnings as we continue executing our business plan.” Joseph F. Casey, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, stated: “Our strong financial performance enables us to increase our quarterly cash dividend while maintaining sufficient capital to support our strategic growth initiatives.”

The increased quarterly dividend level equates to an annualized dividend rate of $0.20 per common share.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by words such as “believes,” “will,” “would,” “expects,” “project,” “may,” “could,” “developments,” “strategic,” “launching,” “opportunities,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets” and similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to, the negative impacts and disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to contain its spread on our employees, customers, business operations, credit quality, financial position, liquidity and results of operations; the length and extent of economic contraction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; the effects of continued deterioration in employment levels, general business and economic conditions on a national basis and in the local markets in which the Company operates, including changes that adversely affect borrowers’ ability to service and repay the Company’s loans; changes in customer behavior; turbulence in the capital and debt markets and the impact of such conditions on the Company’s business activities; changes in interest rates; increases in loan default and charge off rates; decreases in the value of securities in the Company’s investment portfolio; fluctuations in real estate values; the possibility that future credit losses may be higher than currently expected due to changes in economic assumptions, customer behavior or adverse economic developments; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and investments; competitive pressures from other financial institutions; acquisitions may not produce results at levels or within time frames originally anticipated; operational risks including, but not limited to, cybersecurity incidents, fraud, natural disasters, and future pandemics; changes in regulation; reputational risk relating to the Company’s participation in the Paycheck Protection Program and other pandemic-related legislative and regulatory initiatives and programs; changes in accounting standards and practices; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s financial statements will become impaired; demand for loans in the Company’s market area; the Company’s ability to attract and maintain deposits; risks related to the implementation of acquisitions, dispositions, and restructurings; the risk that the Company may not be successful in the implementation of its business strategy; changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements and the risk factors described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should underlying beliefs or assumptions prove incorrect, HarborOne Bancorp, Inc.’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, new information, future events or other changes, except as required by law.

About HarborOne Bancorp, Inc.

HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for HarborOne Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank. HarborOne Bank serves the financial needs of consumers, businesses, and municipalities throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island through a network of 26 full-service branches located in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and a commercial lending office in each of Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. The Bank also provides a range of educational services through “HarborOne U,” with classes on small business, financial literacy and personal enrichment at two campuses located adjacent to our Brockton and Mansfield locations. HarborOne Mortgage, LLC, a subsidiary of HarborOne Bank, is a full-service mortgage lender with more than 30 offices in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and New Jersey and is licensed to lend in five additional states.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005217/en/

Linda Simmons, EVP, CFO (508) 895-1379

KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Finance

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Clever Leaves Partners with Leading Latin American Company to Provide EU-GMP and INVIMA Certified Products to Brazil and Peru

FBL Financial Group Special Committee Sends Letter to Shareholders

Urges Shareholders to Vote “FOR” the Proposed Transaction

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) (“FBL Financial Group” or “the Company”) today sent a letter to shareholders urging them to vote “FOR” the previously announced definitive agreement under which Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company will acquire all of the outstanding shares of FBL Financial Group Class A and Class B common stock, excluding shares owned by FBPCIC and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, for $56.00 per share in cash.

The full text of the letter from the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of FBL Financial Group is below:

April 1, 2021

Dear Fellow Shareholder,

On April 29, 2021, FBL Financial Group will hold a Special Meeting of Shareholders to vote on the proposed sale of FBL Financial Group to Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“FBPCIC”) for $56.00 per share in cash.

The Special Committee of the Board of Directors has a singular focus on maximizing value for FBL Financial Group’s unaffiliated shareholders, and we are confident: This is the right transaction, at the right price, at the right time.

The transaction requires approval from a majority of all outstanding shares of FBL Financial Group common stock not owned by FBPCIC and its affiliates, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (“IFBF”) and its affiliates, or their respective directors and officers. Your vote FOR the transaction is critical to securing your $56.00 per share – a compelling valuation and opportunity to realize immediate and certain value.

While a dissident, Capital Returns Management, LLC (“CRM”), may try to convince you otherwise, this is a compelling transaction that the Special Committee carefully reviewed and vigorously negotiated over several months in order to provide you with a significant premium as well as certain and immediate value.

Significant Premium and Certain, Immediate Value: $56/Share in Cash

•

The $56.00 per share transaction value represents a substantial,50%+ premium to FBL Financial Group’s unaffected stock price. The $56.00 per share value also compares favorably to relevant trading and non-controlled company1 transaction multiples, and is at the high end of a full, policy-by-policy independent actuarial appraisal of FBL Financial Group. There is no doubt in our mind that $56.00 per share is a compelling offer for your FBL Financial Group shares.

Rigorous, Public Process; No Path for an Alternative Buyer

•

The Special Committee conducted an in-depth three-month process including multiple rounds of rigorous negotiation with FBPCIC, which ultimately secured a 19% increase in FBPCIC’s initial offer price. The Special Committee maintained its right to review offers from other parties. No alternative potential acquirers have come forward, and 60% majority holderIFBF indicated that it has no interest in selling its position in FBL Financial Group or voting in favor of a competing offer.

Secures Compelling, Premium Value Compared to Standalone Value Creation Potential

•

The Special Committee evaluated the offer as compared to FBL Financial Group’s standalone prospects based on management’s projections for 2021 and beyond. In addition to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business, management expects future results to be pressured by several headwinds, including a challenging low-interest rate environment and annuity account withdrawals. These factors were key elements in the Special Committee’s recommendation to approve the $56.00 per share transaction.

Your Vote is Important! Secure Your Cash Value and Vote for the Proposal on the WHITE Proxy Card Today!

Your vote is important, as a failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote against the transaction. No matter how many shares you own, we urge you to sign and return the enclosed WHITE proxy card and vote FORthe proposal to approve the transaction and secure your certain, immediate and compelling value of $56.00 per share in cash. You should discard any gold proxy cards you may receive from CRM. If you have already cast your vote on another proxy card, you have every right to revoke your prior vote by simply using the WHITE proxy card to vote again, as only your latest-dated proxy will count. Please vote your WHITE proxy card today, either by Internet, phone or mail. If you have questions about how to vote your shares, please immediately contact Okapi Partners, our proxy solicitor, at (877) 629-6357 or at [email protected].

Sincerely,

The Special Committee of the

FBL Financial Group Board of Directors

1No suitable controlled company transaction comparables were identified. Valuation is in line with or better than most comparable transactions, despite being a controlled company.

About FBL Financial Group

FBL Financial Group is a holding company with the purpose to protect livelihoods and futures. Operating under the consumer brand name Farm Bureau Financial Services, its affiliates offer a broad range of life insurance, annuity and investment products distributed by multiline exclusive Farm Bureau agents. Helping complete the financial services offering, advisors offer wealth management and financial planning services. In addition, FBL Financial Group manages all aspects of two Farm Bureau affiliated property-casualty insurance companies for a management fee. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, FBL Financial Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FFG. For more information, please visit www.fblfinancial.com and www.fbfs.com.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, FBL Financial Group has filed with the SEC a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A and a Schedule 13e-3 Transaction Statement, and may file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. This communication is not a substitute for the definitive proxy statement or any other document that FBL Financial Group may file with the SEC. INVESTORS IN, AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF, FBL FINANCIAL GROUP ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement and accompanying WHITE proxy card (when available), any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC by FBL Financial Group through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by contacting the individuals listed below.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this letter are forward-looking statements (or forward-looking information). When we use words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “believe,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project,” “expect,” or similar expressions, we do so to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, operational and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the inability to obtain the requisite shareholder approval for the proposed transaction or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the proposed transaction; the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations; the ability to recognize the benefits of the transaction; the amount of the costs, fees, and expenses and charges related to the transaction; change in interest rates; changes in laws and regulations; differences between actual claims experience and underwriting assumptions; relationships with Farm Bureau organizations; the ability to attract and retain sales agents; adverse results from litigation; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and any future pandemics and the impact and results of the contested solicitation by Capital Returns Management, LLC. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, is contained in FBL Financial Group’s filings with the SEC, including FBL Financial Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and FBL Financial Group’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The statements in this communication speak only as of the date of this communication and we undertake no obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005171/en/

FBL Financial Group:

Media:

Bryan Locke and Lindsay Molk

Sard Verbinnen & Co

[email protected]

Investors:

Kathleen Till Stange

Vice President Corporate & Investor Relations

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Iowa

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Insurance Finance

MEDIA:

Posted on April 1, 2021 8:03 am

Kiniksa Announces Commercial Availability of ARCALYST ® (rilonacept) for Recurrent Pericarditis

– ARCALYST is the first and only FDA-approved therapy for recurrent pericarditis –

– ARCALYST now available on prescription basis in the U.S. –

– Kiniksa One Connect™ program provides ongoing patient access and support services –

HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (Nasdaq: KNSA) (Kiniksa), a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of assets designed to modulate immunological pathways across a spectrum of diseases, today announced that ARCALYST ^® (rilonacept), a weekly, subcutaneously-injected, recombinant fusion protein that blocks interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) signaling, is now commercially available for recurrent pericarditis. On March 18, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ARCALYST for the treatment of recurrent pericarditis and reduction in risk of recurrence in adults and children 12 years and older.

“We are excited to announce that ARCALYST is now available as the first and only approved therapy for patients with recurrent pericarditis,” said Ross Moat, ARCALYST General Manager. “Our experienced commercial and medical affairs teams have already begun to engage with physicians, payers and patients to raise awareness of this innovative treatment option. Kiniksa is committed to patient access and has established Kiniksa One Connect™, our patient support program, which provides comprehensive access and support services for any patient prescribed ARCALYST.”

ARCALYST is available through a distribution network comprised of several specialty pharmacies, which provide extensive and timely access across the United States.

Kiniksa One Connect™ is available to assist patients on their treatment journey with ARCALYST. The program will help provide potential access, initiation, affordability solutions and ongoing patient support. For more information, call 1-833-KINIKSA (1-833-546-4572).

ARCALYST was discovered and developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Regeneron). Upon the approval by the FDA for recurrent pericarditis, Kiniksa took responsibility for sales and distribution of ARCALYST for all the approved indications in the United States, including cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) and deficiency of IL-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA), and will evenly split profits with Regeneron, as described in the ARCALYST License Agreement.

For more information on ARCALYST, visit www.arcalyst.com.

About Kiniksa

Kiniksa is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, acquiring, developing and commercializing therapeutic medicines for patients suffering from debilitating diseases with significant unmet medical need. Kiniksa’s portfolio of assets, ARCALYST, mavrilimumab, vixarelimab and KPL-404, are based on strong biologic rationale or validated mechanisms, target underserved conditions and offer the potential for differentiation. These assets are designed to modulate immunological pathways across a spectrum of diseases. For more information, please visit www.kiniksa.com.

About Recurrent Pericarditis

Recurrent pericarditis is a painful and debilitating autoinflammatory cardiovascular disease that typically presents with chest pain and is often associated with changes in electrical conduction and sometimes buildup of fluid around the heart, called pericardial effusion. Patients who have additional pericarditis episodes following a symptom-free period of 4-6 weeks are identified as having recurrent pericarditis. Recurrent pericarditis symptoms have an impact on quality of life, limit physical activities, and lead to frequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Data show that approximately 40,000 patients in the U.S. seek and receive treatment for recurrent pericarditis each year. Of that group, approximately 14,000 patients experience a second or subsequent event (recurrence) due to persistent underlying disease or inadequate response to conventional therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine and corticosteroids.

Kiniksa launched the RESONANCE Registry (REgiStry Of the NAtural of recurreNt periCarditis in pEdiatric and adult patients; clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04687358), a voluntary patient registry database led by physician-researchers with experience in managing patients with recurrent pericarditis, in March 2021. This registry aims to capture retrospective and prospective, longitudinal, observational data in up to 500 patients across the U.S. The continued advancement in recurrent pericarditis research underscores Kiniksa’s commitment to partner with the healthcare and patient communities to improve the collective knowledge of this debilitating disease.

About ARCALYST

ARCALYST is a weekly, subcutaneously-injected recombinant dimeric fusion protein that blocks IL-1α and IL-1β signaling. ARCALYST was discovered by Regeneron and is approved by the FDA for recurrent pericarditis, CAPS, including Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome and Muckle-Wells Syndrome, and DIRA. The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to ARCALYST for the treatment of recurrent pericarditis in 2019 and Orphan Drug designation to ARCALYST for the treatment of pericarditis in 2020.

About the ARCALYST License Agreement with Regeneron

In 2017, Regeneron granted Kiniksa an exclusive license to develop and commercialize ARCALYST worldwide, excluding Israel, Egypt, Turkey and select countries in the Middle East and North Africa. In the United States and Japan, Kiniksa’s license is for all indications other than those involving oncology and local administration to the eye or ear. Upon the approval of the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for ARCALYST in recurrent pericarditis, the scope of the license granted to Kiniksa expanded to include DIRA and CAPS in the United States and Japan, and Kiniksa assumed the responsibility for sales and distribution of ARCALYST in these additional indications in the United States. Outside the United States and Japan, Kiniksa’s license is for all indications other than CAPS and certain periodic fever syndromes, DIRA, oncology, and local application to the eye or ear. Kiniksa and Regeneron will evenly split profits on sales of ARCALYST after deducting certain commercialization expenses, subject to specified limits.

Important information about ARCALYST Injection

• ARCALYST can affect your immune system and can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Serious infections, including life-threatening infections and death have happened in patients taking ARCALYST. You should not begin ARCALYST if you have an infection or have infections that keep coming back. After starting ARCALYST, if you get an infection or show any sign of an infection, including a fever, cough, flu-like symptoms, or have any open sores on your body, call your doctor right away. Treatment with ARCALYST should be stopped if you get a serious infection.
• While taking ARCALYST, do not take other medicines that block interleukin-1, such as Kineret^® (anakinra), or medicines that block tumor necrosis factor, such as Enbrel^® (etanercept), Humira^® (adalimumab), or Remicade^® (infliximab), as this may increase your risk of getting a serious infection.
• Before starting ARCALYST, tell your doctor if you think you have an infection, are being treated for an infection, have signs of an infection, have any open sores, have a history of infections that keep coming back, have asthma, have diabetes or an immune system problem, have tuberculosis, or have been in contact with someone who has had tuberculosis, has or has had HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, or takes other medicines that affect your immune system. 
• Before you begin treatment with ARCALYST, talk with your healthcare provider about your vaccine history. Ask your healthcare provider whether you should receive any vaccines, including the pneumonia vaccine and flu vaccine, before you begin treatment with ARCALYST.
• ARCALYST can cause serious side effects:
  • Medicines that affect the immune system may increase the risk of getting cancer.
  • Stop taking ARCALYST and call your doctor or get emergency care right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, swollen face, trouble breathing).
  • Your doctor will do blood tests to check for changes in your blood cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Common side effects of ARCALYST include injection-site reactions, upper respiratory tract infections, joint and muscle aches, rash, ear infection, sore throat, and runny nose.
• Tell your doctor if you are scheduled to receive any vaccines, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, and if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
• Tell your doctor if you take other medicines that affect the immune system such as interleukin-1 blockers, tumor necrosis factor blockers, or corticosteroids.

For more information about ARCALYST, talk to your doctor and see the

Product Information

.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements regarding: our belief about the continued availability of ARCALYST; our targeted patient population; the potential impact of the Kiniksa One Connect program to help provide access, initiation and affordability solutions as well as ongoing support for any patient receiving ARCALYST therapy; and our beliefs about the mechanisms of action of our product candidates and potential impact of their approach.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, the following: the potential inability of our Kiniksa One Connect program to effectively help provide access, initiation, affordability solutions and ongoing support for any patient receiving ARCALYST therapy; the potential for ARCALYST to not gain market acceptance by physicians, patients, or third-party payers for the treatment of recurrent pericarditis; the potential delay or failure of ARCALYST to obtain or maintain coverage and adequate reimbursement for the treatment of recurrent pericarditis; the incidence and prevalence of our target patient population for ARCALYST in recurrent pericarditis may be smaller than we estimate; potential undesirable side effects caused by ARCALYST; our reliance on Regeneron as the sole source of supply of the drug substance and drug products used in ARCALYST and to manufacture our clinical and commercial supply of ARCALYST; drug substance and/or drug product shortages; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response to the pandemic on our business and operations as well as the business and operations of our manufacturers, including Regeneron, and other third parties with whom we conduct business or otherwise engage, including regulatory authorities; changes in our operating plan and funding requirements; and existing or new competition.

These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 25, 2021 and our other reports subsequently filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

ARCALYST is a registered trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ENBREL, HUMIRA, KINERET, and REMICADE are trademarks of Immunex Corporation, AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd., Sobi, Inc., and Janssen Biotech, Inc., respectively.

Every Second Counts!™

Kiniksa Investor and Media Contact

Mark Ragosa
(781) 430-8289
[email protected]

Posted on April 1, 2021 8:03 am

Renesas Simplifies Safe and Power-Efficient Sensor-Less Brushless DC Motor Control Design for Industrial and Home Appliances

Renesas Simplifies Safe and Power-Efficient Sensor-Less Brushless DC Motor Control Design for Industrial and Home Appliances

Highly Integrated Motor Control ICs and Starter Kit Improve Motor Efficiency by 35 Percent, Reduce Board Size by Up to Half, and Accelerate Motor Control Application Development

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today expanded its motor control solutions portfolio with two system-in-package (SiP) solutions to simplify brushless DC (BLDC) motor control design for a wide range of cordless battery-powered applications such as power tools, drones, water pumps, vacuums, cleaning robots, fans, and other systems. Combining multiple functions into an SiP solution, the new RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 motor drive ICs deliver improved low-speed or high-speed rotation and high torque control compared with competitive solutions while minimizing required board space and reducing solution cost. This results in a turnkey design for easy, efficient, and safe BLDC motor control.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005162/en/

Integrated motor drive ICs enable easy, robust BLDC motor solutions (Graphic: Business Wire)

The RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 are single-package motor control ICs that control three-phase BLDC motors used in a wide range of battery-powered devices. The ICs integrate an RL78/G1F microcontroller (MCU) and pre-driver into an 8x8mm QFN package. The highly integrated SiP form factor allows customers to eliminate as many as 30 external components shrinking the solution area by up to 50 percent and with lower control system costs.

Designed with heat management in mind, the new ICs feature self-aligned dead time (SADT) to prevent the shoot through and offer adjustable pre-driver output current capacity – up to 500mA – to drive large-capacity MOSFETs, which makes heat dissipation design easier . This allows the ICs to drive MOSFETs at the optimum switching timing – reducing FET switching margin times to approximately 1/10 the time compared with conventional systems and enabling highly efficient motor drive control with reduced heat generation.

“Cordless devices offer many conveniences for users, and with the prevalence of motor-based devices such as power tools cutting the cord, demand is high for motor control solutions that deliver higher output levels, long-term operation, and safety improvements while adhering to size and cost constraints,” said Chris Stephens, Vice President of Communications & Motor Control, Industrial and Communications Business Division at Renesas. “Smaller ,lighter, and more reliable with long life than brushed DC motors, BLDC motors are a very effective solution to these challenges, and we are excited to introduce our new sensor-less motor control ICs, which pack the increased control, high-precision, and high-efficiency levels customers require in a smaller package.”

Domel, Inc., a global supplier of electric motors, vacuum motors, blowers, and components, is integrating Renesas’ new motor control IC technology into a cordless vacuum system.

“By combining Domel and Renesas technologies, we can provide customers complete, competitive and innovation solutions,” said Peter Korošec, President and CEO at Domel. “Our collaboration with Renesas allows us to offer our customers complete vacuum motor systems with best-in-class in performance, quality and reliability such as our first venture – a cordless vacuum solution with over 300W air power performance using our new BLDC vacuum motor and Renesas’ motor drive and battery management solutions that operates up to an hour at full speed between charges.”

The RAJ306001 or RAJ306010 ICs can be combined with Renesas’ complementary analog and power offerings to create comprehensive solutions for a variety of motor control applications. These “Winning Combinations” showcase the unique capabilities of the new motor control ICs, and the breadth and depth of Renesas’ product line-up for applications such as the 24V Cordless Blender and Portable Power Tools. Winning combinations using the RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 will help customers further optimize their solution in terms cost and space critical for these applications.

Key Features of the RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 Motor Control ICs

• Renesas MCU and pre-driver integrated into a single 8×8 mm QFN package, including a charge pump, linear regulators, current detection, programmable slew rate control and BEMF detect circuitry for sensor-less operation
• High integration optimizes board space and reduces control system BOM costs
• Supports operating ranges from 6-30V (RAJ306001) and 6-42V (RAJ306010)
• SADT generator allows MOSFETs to run cooler while maintaining high efficiency
• Sensor-less motor control enables stable operation from low-speed to high-speed rotation and could eliminate the Hall ICs
• Integrated safety functions, including IEC 60730 safety standard support, can detect errors and halt the motor if an error occurs

A new Renesas Solution Starter Kit (RSSK) is also available for developers working on a motor control solution using the RAJ306010 ICs. The new easy-to-use RSSK features a complete evaluation environment that includes a development board, motor, and reference firmware, offering easy motor control debugging and allows customers to immediately begin evaluating their motor control design, executing real-time analysis and tuning to accelerate development.

Availability

The RAJ306001 and RAJ306010 Motor Control IC and RAJ306010 RSSK are available now from Renesas’ worldwide distributors. For more information, please visit: renesas.com/motorcontrolics.

About Renesas Electronics Corporation

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) delivers trusted embedded design innovation with complete semiconductor solutions that enable billions of connected, intelligent devices to enhance the way people work and live. A global leader in microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC products, Renesas provides comprehensive solutions for a broad range of automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT applications that help shape a limitless future. Learn more at renesas.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Remarks) All registered trademarks or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005162/en/

Americas

Don Parkman

Renesas Electronics Corporation

+ 1-408-887-4308

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: California United States Japan North America Asia Pacific

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Semiconductor Hardware Manufacturing Technology Engineering

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Integrated motor drive ICs enable easy, robust BLDC motor solutions (Graphic: Business Wire)

ADTRAN Appoints Industry Veteran Todd Gandy to Expand Focus on Federal Agencies

Gandy brings wealth of experience managing complex negotiations with Fortune 500, federal, military and technology clients

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ADTRAN®, Inc., (NASDAQ:ADTN), the leading provider of innovative business and residential connectivity solutions, today announced that it has appointed Todd Gandy to lead the company’s expanded focus on federal and state government agencies. These organizations represent some of the largest, most complex businesses in the world with distributed offices located across the country. Gandy and his team will look to address the opportunity created by these agencies as they seek to address the need for agile, reliable and secure network solutions that can improve operational efficiencies through automation, as well as create next level end-user experience. This includes the broader federal government marketplace, including civilian and Department of Defense agencies.

“Federal networks are in the process of digital modernization, with agencies placing a priority on improving employees’ digital experience. ADTRAN is well positioned to play a part in this transition because of our experience in helping service providers and enterprises alike build networks designed for bandwidth-intensive applications,” said Jay Wilson, Chief Revenue Officer at ADTRAN. “Todd’s experience in creating and executing aggressive strategic roadmaps and sales programs that have helped his companies expand market footprints, grow strategic partnerships and sales channels will be a valuable asset to ADTRAN as he leads the team that drives our growth in this market. Our breadth of products helps our customers connect seamlessly and efficiently, so they can focus on business priorities and their employees’ needs.”

Beyond modernizing users’ digital experiences, federal agencies are also tasked with complying with the administration’s latest Made in America initiative. On January 25, 2021, President Biden signed an executive action to ensure the federal government is investing taxpayer dollars in American businesses. ADTRAN meets this indigenous standard, as a trusted partner with more than 35 years of American innovation experience. It was founded and is still today headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, with a large U.S.-based manufacturing capability and a portfolio of solutions designed by American engineers.

“I am proud to join ADTRAN, whose corporate Huntsville roots are deep in the soil that many federal agencies call home, like the Army’s Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Missile and Space Intelligence Center. ADTRAN has a short line of communication to these agencies to better understand their challenges and find the right solutions needed to address them,” said Gandy. “I look forward to working with ADTRAN’s expanding federal sales team, as we focus on providing the solutions and services that federal agencies need to create the same level of digital experience and capabilities that other private sector enterprises now offer employees.”

The federal sales team will initially focus on ADTRAN’s reliable enterprise campus solutions, including routers, switches, IP business gateways and Wi-Fi, as well as fiber access and fixed wireless access platforms. These solutions can extend gigabit connectivity to alleviate dependencies on existing infrastructures, and facilitate rapid and secure deployment for temporary, first response and communication infrastructures.

To learn more about ADTRAN’s federal solutions, please visit adtran.com/government.

About ADTRAN

ADTRAN, Inc. is a leading global provider of open, disaggregated networking and communications solutions that enable voice, data, video and internet communications across any network infrastructure. From the cloud edge to the subscriber edge, ADTRAN empowers communications service providers around the world to manage and scale services that connect people, places and things. ADTRAN solutions are currently in use by service providers, private enterprises, government organizations and millions of individual users worldwide. Find more at ADTRAN, LinkedIn and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005091/en/

Ashley Schulte

919-435-9112

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Alabama

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Telecommunications Public Policy/Government Software Networks Internet Hardware White House/Federal Government State/Local Data Management

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Golden Brings Vertical Investment Strategy to Austin-Headquartered Real Estate Investment Firm as it Targets Sun Belt and Domestic Growth

Wolters Kluwer adds cryptocurrency integrations to its CCH Axcess™ Tax and CCH® ProSystem fx® Tax expert solutions

Cloud-based and on-premise expert tax compliance solutions now integrate with CoinTracker and Ledgible Tax Pro to help tax professionals automate reporting of virtual currency holdings

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting today announced that it has partnered with CoinTracker and Verady – developer of Ledgible Tax Pro – to provide integration between these cryptocurrency solutions and its award-winning cloud-based CCH Axcess™ Tax and on-premise CCH® ProSystem fx® Tax expert solutions for tax compliance. Both CoinTracker and Ledgible Tax Pro are cryptocurrency tools designed for tax professionals and their clients.

“Recognizing that virtual currencies are becoming a mainstream investment vehicle for many businesses, individual taxpayers, and traders, the IRS has made reporting of the gains and losses from cryptocurrency transactions a reporting requirement for the 2021 tax season,” said Cathy Rowe, CPA, CA and Vice President of Product Management at Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting North America. “Integrating these virtual currency tools with our expert solutions helps tax professionals accurately report on these unique investments for their clients.”

Now, with every virtual currency transaction considered a taxable event, it’s the tax professional’s responsibility to calculate the gains and losses, track cost basis, and ensure tax returns are accurate, which can be especially complex if clients use multiple exchanges. With the addition of a virtual currency field in the 2020 IRS Form 1040, tax and accounting firms of all sizes will now find themselves needing to service more business and individual taxpayer clients who require reporting on their virtual currency holdings. This creates an opportunity for forward-thinking tax professionals to enhance their service offerings to include the cryptocurrency space.

“With the recent questions on the IRS tax forms and more individuals and businesses buying, holding, and spending cryptocurrency, there’s a growing need to understand how digital assets align with tax, accounting, and reporting as cryptocurrency adoption goes mainstream,” added John Wandrisco, Chief Commercial Officer at Verady. “We’re very excited to partner with Wolters Kluwer to solve these challenges for professionals with Ledgible Tax Pro in a way that saves their practices both time and effort, while adding lucrative new advisory offerings.”

CoinTracker and Ledgible Tax Pro are designed specifically to automate IRS Form 8949 for virtual currency assets, and the integration with tax preparation and compliance solutions from Wolters Kluwer makes it easier for firms to import this data into tax returns.

“There are a lot of new clients coming into the virtual currency space these days,” adds Shehan Chandrasekera, CPA and Head of Tax Strategy at CoinTracker. “We’re excited to partner with Wolters Kluwer and integrate our tool with their solutions to help tax and accounting firms capitalize on this opportunity and become practice leaders in the space.”

You can listen to a podcast with Cathy Rowe, John Wandrisco, and Kell Canty, CEO of Ledgible, here, and a podcast with Cathy Rowe and Shehan Chandrasekera here to learn more about how these integrations will help tax professionals during the 2021 tax season and beyond.

About CoinTracker

CoinTracker is a trusted and secure cryptocurrency tax and accounting software with over 250,000 users. It was founded by a team of former Google employees in San Francisco, with the goal of increasing the world’s financial freedom and prosperity. Today, CoinTracker tracks over $10 billion of cryptocurrency across 300+ exchanges and 8,000+ assets. For more information, please visit www.cointracker.io.

About Ledgible

Ledgible by Verady provides AICPA SOC assured tax reporting and portfolio tracking for crypto assets. The Ledgible platform is the proven crypto asset solution for professionals in use at leading accounting firms and major crypto companies around the world. Ledgible Tax Pro is used by hundreds of firms to make tax reporting easy for their professionals and clients. For more information, please visit ledgible.io.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the healthcare; tax and accounting; governance, risk and compliance; and legal and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of €4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,200 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY).

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210401005083/en/

MARISA WESTCOTT

212-771-0853

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Technology Legal Other Technology Software Finance Accounting

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