Market Newsdesk

DALLAS, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital Senior Living Corporation (the “Company”) (NYSE: CSU) announced it has completed the operational transfer of its independent living community in Deer Park, Texas, to Fannie Mae, the holder of the community’s non-recourse debt. The Deer Park community is the first of 18 properties (the “Transition Communities”) the Company will transition to Fannie Mae under a cooperative process initiated in August, 2020.

As previously announced, the Company plans to enhance liquidity and improve operating cash flow by eliminating underperforming operations and focusing on its core owned and managed portfolio. The Company will transfer the operations and ownership of the 18 Transition Communities, all of which are either underperforming or are in underperforming loan pools, to Fannie Mae. The Company expects all 18 of the community transitions to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2021. The Company receives a monthly management fee of approximately $0.2 million for managing the 18 communities.

The Company expects to extinguish $19.4 million in debt related to the Deer Park community when the legal transfer is complete, which is expected to occur in January 2021. The transfer of all 18 communities will reduce the Company’s debt by $217.7 million and improve annual cash flow by approximately $10 million.

“The transition of the Deer Park community is another step in our strategy to create a more focused, higher-performing portfolio while also reducing our liabilities and improving our liquidity,” said Kimberly S. Lody, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our employees at Deer Park will be missed, and we thank them for their unwavering commitment to the safety, care and engagement of the community’s residents.”

As part of its SING (Stabilize, Invest, Nurture, Grow) strategy to improve its operating performance and financial foundation, the Company has taken a number of actions, including asset sales, lease terminations and community transitions to other owners and operators. Upon completion of all asset transitions, the Company’s portfolio is expected to consist of 68 senior living properties that primarily serve the fast-growing middle market senior population.

About Capital Senior Living

Dallas-based Capital Senior Living Corporation is one of the nation’s leading operators of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities for senior adults. The Company operates 105 communities that are home to more than 9,000 residents across 22 states and provide compassionate, resident-centric service and care as well as engaging programming.  The Company offers seniors the freedom and opportunity to successfully, comfortably and happily age in place.  For more information, visit www.capitalsenior.com or connect with the Company on Facebook.

For Further Information, Contact:
Kimberly Lody
(972) 308-8323
[email protected]

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verizon Business is expanding its Software Defined-Wide Area Network (SD WAN) portfolio to include the Silver Peak^®Unity EdgeConnect™ edge platform as a managed service offering.

Recently acquired by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, the addition of the Silver Peak EdgeConnect platform to Verizon’s SD WAN portfolio provides enterprises with new optionality to transition to an SD WAN with integrated WAN Optimization environment for the management of business applications.

“There’s a transformative shift in the way that enterprises are looking to manage their WAN edge architecture, particularly in the context of today’s business climate. Legacy networks simply can’t keep up with the requirements of today’s cloud-first enterprises and the addition of the Silver Peak EdgeConnect platform to Verizon’s SD WAN portfolio is yet another achievement in driving value to businesses looking for rapid deployment of SD WAN and WAN Optimization experiences,” said Aamir Hussain, senior vice president of business products at Verizon Business.

Verizon’s SD WAN portfolio helps customers accelerate network transformation with advanced cloud control, centrally orchestrated and turnkey automated service assurance and management that is now integrated with Silver Peak^®Unity EdgeConnect™ appliances and SaaS-based controllers to deliver a seamless service experience. In addition, these capabilities can be delivered with other value-added capabilities such as Security, WAN Optimization and Verizon Wireless Connectivity.

“As enterprises continue to advance digital transformation initiatives, many are realizing that an intelligent WAN architecture is critical to achieving maximum value from existing and ongoing cloud investments,” said David Hughes, founder of Silver Peak and senior vice president of the WAN business at Aruba. “Enterprises can benefit from Verizon’s industry-leading managed services practice that now includes the Unity EdgeConnect SD WAN edge platform.”

Verizon was first to market with a global SD WAN offer and the first to deliver virtualized services globally and was recently recognized as a leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Managed SD WAN 2020 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US45837420, August 2020) report.

For three years in a row, Gartner has recognized Silver Peak as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure*.

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is celebrating its 20th year as one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $131.9 billion in 2019. The company offers voice, data and video services and solutions on its award winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

About Silver Peak

Silver Peak, recently acquired by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, delivers the transformational promise of the cloud with a business-first networking model. The Unity EdgeConnect™ self-driving wide area network platform liberates enterprises from conventional WAN approaches to transform the network from a constraint to a business accelerant. More than 2,000 globally distributed enterprises have deployed Silver Peak SD-WAN solutions across 100 countries. Learn more at silver-peak.com.

VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at www.verizon.com/about/news/. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.

Media contact:

Kyle Ragonese (US)
[email protected]
732.236.3526

Nilesh Pritam (APAC)
+65.6248.6599
[email protected]

Clare Ward (EMEA)
+44.118.905.3501
[email protected]

SEATTLE, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Porch.com, Inc. (“Porch” or “the Company”), a leading software and services platform reinventing the home services industry, today announced the appointments of Matthew Cullen to General Counsel and Secretary, and Joshua Steffan to VP and Group GM, Inspection and Real Estate.

Prior to joining Porch, Matt Cullen served in various roles at Expedia Group, Inc., most recently as Global Co-Head (Legal) of M&A and Integrations, where he was responsible for leading teams in acquisitions for aggregate deal value in excess of $10 billion, divestitures, company-wide complex projects (including COVID-19 response), and strategic sponsorships, as well as post-acquisition legal and integration matters. Prior to Expedia, Matt practiced law at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Davis & Gilbert LLP.

Joshua Steffan, who will lead Porch’s Home Inspection and Real Estate SaaS and services vertical, specializes in SaaS marketplace product strategy with over 15 years of experience growing digital businesses from startup to revenues of over $200 million. Prior to joining Porch, he was Chief Operating Officer at Home Bay where he was responsible for the real estate brokerage, closing and mortgage businesses and increased revenue by 40% year-over-year.

In July, Porch.com announced a merger agreement with PropTech Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: PTAC) (“PropTech” or “PTAC”), a special purpose acquisition company targeting businesses in the real estate technology industry that would result in Porch becoming a publicly listed company. With the expansion of its leadership team, Porch.com is well positioned to go public later this month.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have Joshua and Matt join our leadership team at such an exciting and important point in our Company’s history,” said Porch.com CEO, Chairman and Founder Matt Ehrlichman. “They are both extremely talented individuals, each with a pedigree of success throughout their career. I’m looking forward to working with each of them and building our own successes together in the months and years ahead.”

For detailed backgrounds on Porch’s executive leadership, please visit https://porch.com/about/team.

About


Porch.com

Seattle-based Porch, the vertical software platform for the home, provides software and services to more than 11,000 home services companies such as home inspectors, moving companies, real estate agencies, utility companies, and warranty companies. Through these relationships and its multiple brands, Porch provides a moving concierge service to homebuyers, helping them save time and make better decisions on critical services, including insurance, moving, security, TV/internet, home repair and improvement, and more. To learn more about Porch, visit porchcorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or PTAC’s or Porch’s future financial or operating performance. For example, projections of future revenue and adjusted EBITDA and other metrics are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “or“ or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by PTAC and its management, and Porch and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: 1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement with respect to the business combination; 2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against PTAC, the combined company or others following the announcement of the business combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; 3) the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of PTAC, to obtain financing to complete the business combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing; 4) changes to the proposed structure of the business combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the business combination; 5) the ability to meet the Nasdaq’s listing standards following the consummation of the business combination; 6) the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of Porch as a result of the announcement and consummation of the business combination; 7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; 8) costs related to the business combination; 9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 10) the possibility that Porch or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 11) Porch’s estimates of its financial performance; and 12) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in PTAC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and the section entitled “Risk Factors” in PTAC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Neither PTAC nor Porch undertakes any duty to update these forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.

Press contact:

Tailwind Public Relations, LLC
Jeff Pecor
(206) 948-1482
[email protected]

Investor Relations contact:

Gateway Investor Relations
Cody Slach, Matt Glover
(949) 574-3860
[email protected]

PropTech Contact:

[email protected]

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HireVue, the global leader in video interviewing, assessments, chatbot and recruiting automation technology, today announced it has appointed Andy Valenzuela as its new Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO). Valenzuela brings a track record leading HR organizations that leverage technology to disrupt legacy processes, having worked for leading global brands including Dell, SunPower and SAP.

HireVue’s growth potential, overall industry momentum and HR tech’s impact on propelling the success of the modern enterprise attracted Valenzuela to the role. As CHRO, he will ensure that HireVue is fully leveraging its own technology, and he will serve as an ambassador of the product with HR peers around the world. Additionally, Valenzuela will continue growing the inclusive culture at HireVue that creates opportunities for employee growth and enables the organization to best serve its customers.

“HireVue is adding to our executive team an HR leader who can truly put himself in the shoes of our customers,” said Kevin Parker, Chairman and CEO of HireVue. “Andy’s experience building global teams that focus on innovation, customers, and business outcomes will help drive our global efforts by giving HireVue’s biggest asset, our people, the tools and skills needed to make an impact.”

Valenzuela joins at a time when HireVue is balancing tremendous growth, recently reaching 18 million video-based interviews and acquiring AllyO who have conducted 114M chat-based candidate engagements, against the backdrop of a global pandemic. His experience as an HR leader with a strong business and technology background will help build an HR organization that is passionate about helping the business deliver on its goals while at the same time deliver an exceptional employee experience for our existing employees and those candidates thinking about joining HireVue.

“As an HR leader, HireVue’s platform just makes sense – supporting efforts to rapidly fill job roles and reach a more diversified applicant pool,” said Valenzuela. “Our exceptional products are often an employee’s first experience of HireVue and of our customers’ business. I look forward to being an ambassador of HireVue’s product amongst my HR peers around the world whilst delivering an exceptional inclusive employee experience – leveraging and enhancing HireVue’s customer focused purpose driven culture.”

About
HireVue

HireVue is where hiring happens – transforming the way organizations discover, engage, and hire the best talent. Connecting companies and candidates anytime, anywhere, HireVue’s industry leading end-to-end hiring platform features video interviewing, assessments and conversational AI. HireVue has hosted more than 18 million video interviews and 114M chat-based candidate engagements for over 700 customers around the globe.

Press Contact

Andrea Judson-Torres
Highwire PR
310-592-6341
[email protected]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brixton Metals Corporation (TSXV: BBB) (the “Company” or “Brixton”) is pleased to announce the initial drill results from its fall/winter exploration program on the Langis Mine Project located in the Cobalt Camp of Ontario. The Company has received assays for the first 17 holes totaling 1624m of NQ size core. Approximately 6,000m of the 20,000m planned fall/winter drilling campaign have been completed. Drill holes follow a fan-type array with depths ranging from 52.5m to 148.4m across the main trend.

Highlights

• Hole LM20-93 intercepted three mineralized intervals near surface, including:

       • 6m of 193 g/t Ag from 2.6m; including 3m of 351 g/t Ag, including 1m of 990 g/t Ag
       • 4m of 127 g/t Ag from 17.6m, including 2m of 238 g/t Ag
       • 3m of 647 g/t Ag from 32.6m including 1m of 1845 g/t Ag

• LM20-96 returned 7m of 222.9 g/t Ag including 4m of 360 g/t Ag and 1m of 692 g/t Ag
• LM20-102 intercepted 4m of 333 g/t Ag including 1m of 904 g/t Ag, 0.2% Co

Chairman and CEO of Brixton, Gary R. Thompson stated, “It is encouraging to see the high-grade silver and cobalt mineralization over meaningful intervals above the historic workings. Based on the current gold/silver ratio of 75:1, the lower interval in hole LM20-93 of 3m of 647 g/t Ag is equivalent to 8.6 g/t Au. Drilling is ongoing as we work toward a maiden resource at Langis.”

These drilling results continue to support the existence of new, shallow, high-grade silver-cobalt mineralization around the Shaft 3 area. Historical drilling around the Shaft 3 area is very limited and mostly underground. Silver-cobalt mineralization was first drilled by the Company in 2018 and has continued to bring encouraging results from subsequent drilling campaigns. “Defining and adding a new silver-cobalt zone could significantly increase the Langis silver resource potential,” said Antonio Celis, Senior Geologist and QP for Brixton Metals.

Click link for Figure 1. Location of the Shaft 3 drilling area:

http://brixtonmetals.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-1_8dec2020.jpg

Table 1. Langis Fall 2020 Drilling Highlights near Shaft 3.

Hole ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Ag g /t	Co %	Ag g/t*m
LM-20-91	1.4	7.4	6.0	76.1		456.7
including	2.4	3.4	1.0	177.0	0.6	177.0
including	5.4	6.4	1.0	183.0		183.0
LM-20-91	14.4	19.4	5.0	122.6		612.9
including	17.4	18.4	1.0	200.0		200.0
LM-20-92	1.5	7.5	6.0	167.4		1004.5
including	5.5	6.5	1.0	778.0		778.0
LM-20-92	15.5	21.5	6.0	62.2		373.4
including	18.5	20.5	2.0	138.5		277.0
LM-20-93	2.6	8.6	6.0	193.6		1161.5
including	2.6	3.6	1.0	71.6	1.2	71.6
including	5.6	8.6	3.0	351.0		1053.0
including	6.6	7.6	1.0	990.0	0.1	990.0
LM-20-93	17.6	21.6	4.0	127.0		507.9
including	18.6	20.6	2.0	238.0		476.0
LM-20-93	32.6	35.6	3.0	647.0		1941.0
including	32.6	33.6	1.0	1845.0		1845.0
LM-20-94	3.7	8.7	5.0	115.4		577.0
including	6.7	7.7	1.0	342.0		342.0
LM-20-95	4.0	10.0	6.0	74.0		443.8
including	5.0	6.0	1.0	132.0	0.4	132.0
LM-20-96	5.0	12.0	7.0	222.9		1560.3
including	7.0	11.0	4.0	360.2		1440.8
including	7.0	8.0	1.0	692.0		692.0
including	10.0	11.0	1.0	596.0		596.0
LM-20-97	7.3	8.3	1.1	18.4	0.7	19.3
LM-20-98	9.4	10.4	1.0	21.5	0.9	21.5
LM-20-100	15.2	16.2	1.0	49.3	0.5	49.3
LM-20-101	18.3	19.3	1.0	298.0		298.0
LM-20-102	2.0	6.0	4.0	333.0		1332.0
including	3.0	4.0	1.0	247.0		247.0
including	4.0	5.0	1.0	904.0	0.2	904.0
LM-20-103	6.0	8.0	2.0	372.0		744.0
including	6.0	7.0	1.0	597.0		597.0
LM-20-104	3.4	4.4	1.0	13.8	0.3	13.8
LM-20-104	7.4	8.4	1.0	397.0	0.1	397.0
LM-20-105	4.7	5.7	1.0	15.2	1.0	15.2
LM-20-105	7.7	9.7	2.0	36.4		72.8
LM-20-106	8.8	10.8	2.0	118.9		237.8
including	9.7	10.8	1.1	170.0	0.2	187.0
LM-20-107	6.0	7.0	1.0	7.0	0.3	7.0

Intervals represent drilled lengths and the true widths of the silver and cobalt mineralization have not been determined at this time. Results are weighted average grades.

Click link for Figure 2. Cross-section showing select drill results:

http://brixtonmetals.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-2_8dec2020r.jpg

Click link for Figure 3. Quartz carbonate vein at 32.9m, LM-20-93, with 2-5% silver arsenides and tabular rip up clasts of host conglomerate. Chaotic native silver stringers penetrate the host rock within the 10cm wide vein salvage:

http://brixtonmetals.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-3_8dec2020.jpg

Click link for Figure 4. LM-20-91 from 2.73m depth, cobaltite, cobalt bloom, native silver in quartz-carbonate veins:

http://brixtonmetals.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-4_8dec2020r.jpg

Click link for Figure 5. Hole LM-20-98, quartz carbonate cobaltite-silver arsenide vein and cobalt bloom at 9.48m hosted in conglomerate.

http://brixtonmetals.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-5_8dec2020r.jpg

Click link for Figure 6. Hole LM20-102 silver arsenide stringers with native silver and silver rosettes at 3.5m:

http://brixtonmetals.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-6_8dec2020r.jpg

Click link for Figure 7. Hole LM20-102 quartz carbonate cobaltite vein with silver arsenides, native silver and cobalt bloom at 4.17m:

http://brixtonmetals.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Figure-7_8dec2020r.jpg

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Diamond drill holes were drilled to depth NQ size. Samples were collected using 1m average sample length. Three quality control samples (one blank, one standard and one duplicate) were inserted into each batch of 20 samples. The drill core was sawn, with half put in batches, sealed and shipped by the Company geologists to ALS Minerals preparation lab in Sudbury, Ontario. ALS Minerals Laboratories are registered to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 17025 accreditations for laboratory procedures.  Blank, duplicate and certified reference materials were inserted into the sample stream. All elements were analyzed by Aqua Regia Digest with ICP-AES finish. Silver over-limits were analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish. Base metal over-limits were analyzed with Aqua Regia Digest and AES finish. A copy of the QAQC protocols can be viewed at the Company’s website.

About the
Langis
Mine
Projec
t

Brixton’s wholly owned Langis Mines Project is a past producing mine located 500km north from Toronto, Ontario, Canada with excellent infrastructure. The silver mineralization occurs as native silver and within steeply-moderately and in some cases shallow dipping veins, veinlets and as disseminations rosettes and fracture infill and can be associated with calcite, hematite, pyrite, cobaltite, chalcopyrite, niccolite and gold. Mineralization is hosted within any of the three main rock types: Archean volcanics and metasediments, Coleman Member sediments and Nipissing diabase. The Langis mine produced 10.6Moz of silver at 787 g/t Ag and 358,340 pounds of cobalt. Historically, the combined mines in the Cobalt Camp produced 550 million ounces of silver with 30-50 million pounds of cobalt as a by-product.

Mr. Antonio Celis, P.Geo., who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, reviewed and approved the information in this press release.

About Brixton Metals Corporation

Brixton is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its mining projects toward feasibility. Brixton wholly owns four exploration projects, the Thorn copper-gold-silver Project, the Atlin Goldfields Projects located in NWBC, the Langis-HudBay silver-cobalt Project in Ontario and the Hog Heaven silver-gold-copper Project in NW Montana, USA. Brixton Metals Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol BBB, and on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol BBBXF. For more information about Brixton please visit our website at www.brixtonmetals.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Gary R. Thompson, Chairman and CEO
Tel: 604-630-9707 or email: [email protected]

For Investor Relations, please contact:

Mitchell Smith, VP Investor Relations
Tel: 604-630-9707 or email: [email protected]

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

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, and “intend”, statements that an action or event “may”, “might”, “could”, “should”, or “will” be taken or occur, including statements that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, potential size and expansion of a mineralized zone, proposed timing of exploration and development plans, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds, By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fc1fdef3-664d-48a3-b615-efef50938772

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QUEBEC CITY, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSXV: HEO) – H₂O Innovation Inc. (“H₂O Innovation” or the “Corporation”) is proud to present its first 3-year strategic plan aligning its long-term vision with key strategic objectives. These objectives and their progress over time will be regularly communicated to key stakeholders to ensure proper alignment at all levels within the framework of the 3‑year strategic plan.

The current Global Water market is estimated at $842 B for the year 2020. This market is expected to grow annually between 5 to 14% depending on the sub-market or geography. Fundamental drivers such as population growth, tightening regulations, water scarcity, and growing demand from agriculture and industries are just a few of the multiple factors influencing this expected growth. These market drivers would add pressure on existing infrastructure to become leaner and more efficient with their operations.

To develop the 3-year strategic plan, the Corporation’s executive team, in collaboration with the business line managers, has identified specific sub-markets and sub-segments to determine a current addressable market for H₂O Innovation in the range of $4.5 B. This addressable market is where the Corporation intends to continue its growth during the next three years, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions. The Corporation intends to build out its businesses in a way that will enhance cross-selling opportunities, maximize customer synergies and retention, and improve its operational efficiency.

By the end of fiscal year 2023, the current goal is to expand H₂O Innovation’s adjusted EBITDA margin above 11%. To reach this objective, focus will be put on improving the gross profit margin, reducing fix costs percentage over revenue, and completing acquisitions. In three years, it is expected to reach $175 to 250 M in revenues, depending on the number of acquisitions completed.

The Corporation is expecting to reduce its cost of goods sold and improving operational excellence by taking the following measures: leaner business processes in the acquired companies, implementation of comprehensive business intelligence solutions, smart procurement, rebranding & merger of the O&M business pillar, as announced last week, and pro-active health & safety practices.

The Corporation should reduce its fix costs percentage over revenues by leveraging its centralized corporate support services. New innovative products will be developed and taken to market through the Corporation’s large distribution network which will leverage the sales organisation and enable to increase the gross profit margin.

The pipeline of acquisition targets is rich in opportunities and is diversified in size as well as company profile. The Corporation intends to complete between two to four acquisitions within the next 30 months. Based on its current situation and on financial forecasts, the Corporation has the ability and financial capacity to acquire complementary businesses. The intention is to do it without dilution for the shareholders, unless it is required to complete a significant transaction in size, and to remain disciplined in the multiple paid for these transactions. Most importantly, proper integration will be key to maximize sales and costs synergies. 

“We believe that our first 3-year strategic plan defines a comprehensive framework which will inspire and guide our managers to develop solid annual budgets and tactical roadmaps to achieve our strategic objectives and our financial targets by the end of fiscal year 2023. But most importantly, this plan will allow us to create a winning and engaging alignment between our employees, customers, and shareholders. Through its execution, we will maintain our focus on long-term goals and respect the need for short-term wins. Our entrepreneurial motivation, driven by our fundamental values and our continuous desire to grow the Corporation will be done with the objective of creating value for all stakeholders, while preserving our company’s strong culture”, stated Frédéric Dugré, President and Chief Executive Officer of H₂O Innovation.

From H₂O Innovation’s Mission and Vision statements, and 10 key strategic objectives come the new Playbook. The H₂O Innovation Playbook centers around creating value, allowing the Corporation to compete enthusiastically for customers, talent, and shareholders.

“Our Playbook is comprised of four (4) themes. First, we must delight our customers, continuously seeking higher customer satisfaction to build long-term relationships and increase recurring business. Second, H₂O Innovation will retain our customers and gain new ones by pushing for innovation, challenging the status-quo, and delivering world-class solutions through our products and services. Third, by reinventing ourselves and continuously pursuing improvements in the business process, we must relentlessly strive for operational excellence. Operational improvements maximize synergies, better leveraging our cost structure and global sales organization. Finally, to execute this plan and reach these ambitious objectives, team engagement is key; H₂O Innovation must create an inspirational and meaningful work environment where people feel safe and have an opportunity to develop talents along their chosen career path”, added Gregory Madden, Chief Strategic Officer at H₂O Innovation.

Prospective disclosures

Certain statements set forth in this press release regarding the operations and the activities of H₂O Innovation as well as other communications by the Corporation to the public that describe more generally management objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or forecasts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation. Forward-looking statements concern analysis and other information based on forecast future results and the estimate of amounts that cannot yet be determined. Forward-looking statements include the use of the words such as “anticipate”, “if”, “believe”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “should” or “will” and other similar terms as well as those usually used in the future and the conditional. Those forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which may result in actual and future results of the Corporation to be materially different than those indicated. Information about the risk factors to which the Corporation is exposed is provided in the Annual Information Form dated September 23, 2020 available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Unless required to do so pursuant to applicable securities legislation, H₂O Innovation assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements contained in this press release or in other communications as a result of new information, future events and other changes.

About H

₂

O Innovation 
H₂O Innovation designs and provides state-of-the-art, custom-built and integrated water treatment solutions based on membrane filtration technology for municipal, industrial, energy and natural resources end-users. The Corporation’s activities rely on three pillars which are i) water technologies and services; ii) specialty products, including a complete line of specialty chemicals, consumables and specialized products for the water treatment industry; and iii) operation and maintenance services for water and wastewater treatment systems. For more information, visit www.h2oinnovation.com.

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

Source:

H₂O Innovation Inc.
www.h2oinnovation.com

Contact:
Marc Blanchet
+1 418-688-0170
[email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onfleet, the fastest growing provider of last mile delivery software, is pleased to announce its first non-founder C-suite hire, Scott Cross, who joins the team as Chief Financial Officer. In his new role, Cross will be responsible for building a strong financial foundation to enable the business to scale both efficiently and effectively. He will also help identify and support investment opportunities that align with Onfleet’s strategy.

Cross has nearly 30 years of financial services experience and began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has a proven track record of successfully building, managing, and leading finance, HR, and administrative teams for startups and established companies in a variety of industries. Cross has hands-on IPO experience and has also managed numerous capital raises and acquisitions. A native of Phoenix, AZ, Cross moved to the Bay Area to attend school at Santa Clara University and has remained in the area throughout his career.

“The consistent themes I see for companies who achieve success are businesses that offer an innovative solution to a large market need and are backed by a high-caliber leadership team and culture,” notes Cross. “I see both of these key elements in place at Onfleet. With the recent announcement of Onfleet’s $14M Series A funding, the company is very well-positioned to capitalize on the exciting opportunity in the last mile logistics space.”

Onfleet has reached an inflection point and plans to grow its team by 50% through the end of 2021.

“This past year, we’ve seen consumers accelerate behavior trends that started years ago,” said Khaled Naim, CEO and Co-founder of Onfleet. “The demand for delivery is here to stay. As we have seen significant traction and adoption of our technology, we recognized it was the right time for Onfleet to raise additional capital and install financial discipline and leadership to support us in our next phase of growth. We are thrilled to have Scott on board for the road ahead.”

“Processes and controls, system upgrades and robust analytics and business intelligence will help us pinpoint insights that help Onfleet achieve its mission to make it easy for every retailer to offer fast, affordable and delightful delivery to their customers,” said Cross.

As most business interactions these days rely on a less personal experience of video conferences, taking on a critical new role demands intuition and trust. “This felt like a blind date, at first,” said Cross. “However, it’s been one where I have been pleasantly surprised by the depth of the people, the culture, and how Onfleet’s product powers deliveries around the world. I have truly felt the human connection between our business, customers, and employees and I’m happy to join the team.”

To learn more about Onfleet, please visit their website.

About Onfleet

Onfleet is the fastest-growing provider of last mile delivery management software. The company powers hundreds of thousands of deliveries per day in more than 90 countries. Onfleet connects businesses, dispatchers, and recipients in real time to simplify the last mile experience, resulting in increased operational efficiencies and consistent cost savings of 50% for customers. Launched in 2015, Onfleet is headquartered in San Francisco. Learn more at https://onfleet.com/.

Contacts

Wynne Ahern, CommStrat for Onfleet
T. 510.206.2161
[email protected]

Liz Hawkins Tahawi, Director of Marketing, Onfleet
T. 415.350.1013
[email protected]

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NSTAR^® Global Services (NSTAR), a leading provider of asset life cycle management services for high tech manufacturing industries, today announced the opening of its first fabrication facility and training center. The new facility, located in Boise, Idaho, will accelerate customers’ tool and facility support projects, as NSTAR can now manufacture and supply required parts as needed. Supported services include contract manufacturing of subassemblies, control panels and selective tool refurbishment projects. The site will also house a specialized training center to meet dedicated customer requirements.

Often, integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) need support for chemical and wet process systems, new electrical and control panels or component refurbishment. This new fabrication shop allows NSTAR to leverage its extensive product and manufacturing expertise to supply components and subassemblies to its customers. This reduces the cost and lead time needed to procure parts and complete repairs, and helps customers extend the lifetime of their existing assets.

“This new facility allows us to provide simple solutions for various types of projects,” said Jimmy Lyngar, director of business development at NSTAR. “As IDMs increasingly move to performing their own facility services, NSTAR can help by providing contract manufacturing services that address customers’ unique requirements, even for small or one-off projects. In the past, our customers have worked through multiple vendors to secure specific solutions when servicing, repairing or refurbishing equipment. Opening this facility allows us to become a one-stop shop for our customers by accelerating project completion.”

The site’s extensive service capabilities include a training center, where NSTAR technicians and engineers receive hands-on training for specific equipment and services. Additionally, customers can use the center to establish training protocols to meet site requirements for new and existing employees.

Opening the facility in Boise, Idaho further expands NSTAR’s western U.S. presence, allowing it to better serve customers located across the United States. The facility is now operational.

About NSTAR

^®

Global Services

NSTAR^® Global Services, based in Garner, North Carolina, has decades of experience providing customer service and technical solutions through its asset life cycle management services to companies around the world in a variety of high tech industries. The company’s breadth of experience, including the technical expertise of its field team, allows it to develop and deliver flexible solutions to assist customers in maximizing the value of their facilities and assets. NSTAR services include NSURE^SM Asset Relocation Services, NSITE^SM Facility Services, NSHIELD^SM Equipment Services and NSOURCE^SM Direct Hire Services.

For more information about NSTAR Global Services, go to http://www.nstarglobalservices.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/681d1afa-e902-4b86-af9e-1bc6cb5524c4

Press Contact:

Eric Lawson
Kiterocket
480-276-9572 
[email protected]

NEWARK, Calif., Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nexient, the digital product strategy and development company, today released the last round of tickets to its half-day executive summit. Nexus 2020 – Product Practitioners: The New Superheroes will take place on December 11, 2020 from 9.00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. PST, and business leaders can request access to the event by contacting Nexient.

Nexus 20
2
0
features tactical panels, networking sessions, and a must-see keynote by serial entrepreneur Spencer Rascoff. Rascoff is the Co-founder of Hotwire.com, the Co-founder, former CEO of Zillow, and an active angel investor in over 50 companies.

This year’s event focuses on building digital products to defy the odds in a business landscape completely changed by COVID-19.

Session topics include:

• The product development playbook used by famously successful companies
• Pivots to help businesses thrive in a COVID-19 world
• Technologies and practices to drive fundamental changes in the new market
• How product development methodology is tied to innovation and disruption
• Practical digital transformation tips from fellow Fortune 500 executives

“This has been a transformative year for every organization. The challenge now is not just how to survive but to thrive in 2021,” said Nexient CEO Mark Orttung. “That’s going to require a product strategy that ensures competitiveness and maintains agility. Nexus 2020 will shine a light on the product practitioners that are the superheroes of today – making that transformation a reality.”

About Nexient
Nexient is America’s leading provider of 100% US-based Agile software services. The company has been named a Gartner Cool Vendor and HFS Hot Vendor for its innovative, product-minded development approach. Established in 2009, Nexient is headquartered in Silicon Valley, delivering services from Midwest product development centers and client sites around the country. Nexient offers product development and strategy services for tech companies like Bill.com and enterprises across a range of industries, including retail, healthcare, financial services, media, utilities, manufacturing, travel and hospitality. Learn more at Nexient.com.

Media Contact

Theresa Carper
[email protected]
415 848 9175

MONTREAL, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Syntax, a provider of cloud-managed ERP services, announced today its acceptance into the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Managed Service Provider (MSP) Program. This designates it as an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner that helps customers solve complex business needs at any stage of their cloud adoption journey through innovative, end-to-end AWS solutions.

To earn this distinction, Syntax exceeded several milestones that showcased its proficiency managing AWS cloud environments. One of these milestones was its creation of the Syntax AWS Academy, launched in July 2019. In this six-month program, recent college graduates are immersed in the platform’s environment through shadowing and training opportunities before becoming certified as AWS Solutions Architects at Syntax.

“Syntax’s top priority is to help our customers migrate and manage their mission-critical applications and ERP workloads in the cloud, especially now, during this time of rapid digital transformation,” said Christian Primeau, Global CEO at Syntax. “With our extensive ERP on AWS managed services experience, and our unique, serverless platform built on top of AWS, our customers can feel confident that their ERP cloud migrations are in experienced, knowledgeable hands. Being accepted into the AWS MSP Program confirms and solidifies our standing as a dependable, technical and functional services provider that can support customers through their entire digital transformation.”

Other milestones Syntax achieved to earn this designation include:

• Building the Intelligent Autonomous Platform (IλP), a serverless mission-critical business application platform, on top of AWS by combining the power and scale of the public cloud with Syntax’s ERP expertise.
• Presenting a well-defined and highly detailed customer satisfaction survey that demonstrated positive customer experiences with Syntax’s management of AWS environments.
• Developing a robust and highly detailed ERP-focused AWS Well-Architected Framework methodology that has been embedded into the Syntax migration practices.
• Creating a Cloud Center of Excellence comprised of highly experienced and skilled personnel to work as a very effective and efficient team.

“In today’s remote work environment, organizations are relying on their cloud infrastructure more than ever,” said Marcelo Tamassia, Global CTO at Syntax. “Our new AWS MSP designation demonstrates our undisputed strength when it comes to using enhanced solutions to navigate the constantly evolving business environment. Our AWS and ERP System Architects are committed to deploying a consistent data migration methodology and delivering world-class monitoring and automation support to modernize our customers’ IT infrastructures.”

To learn more about Syntax’s AWS-powered workload enterprise cloud modernization and migration services, visit: https://www.syntax.com/enterprisecloud-powered-by-aws/

About Syntax

Since 1972, Syntax has been providing comprehensive technology solutions to businesses of all sizes with thousands of customers trusting Syntax with their IT services and ERP needs. Today, Syntax is a leading Managed Cloud Provider for Mission Critical Enterprise Applications. Syntax has undisputed strength to implement and manage ERP deployments (Oracle, SAP) in a secure, resilient, private, public or hybrid cloud. With strong technical and functional consulting services, and world class monitoring and automation, Syntax serves corporations across a diverse range of industries and markets. Syntax has offices worldwide, and partners with Oracle, SAP, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM, HPE, and other global technology leaders. Learn more about Syntax at www.syntax.com.

For press inquiries and more information, contact:

Matthew Royse Tel: 919-287-4873 Marketing Director, Syntax [email protected]

Katy Hoeper Tel: 312-964-9110 PR Manager, Walker Sands [email protected]