Mary Kay Inc clinches prestigious awards throughout 2019

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 -- Beauty company Mary Kay Inc, in 2019, has continued its decades-long commitment to enriching the lives of women worldwide, manufacturing irresistible products and building healthier, more sustainable communities.

In recognition of Mary Kay’s achievements throughout the year, the brand has taken home more than 20 coveted awards in the business, corporate citizenship and leadership categories from various reputable sources.

The awards, which range from Forbes ‘Best Midsize Employers for 2019’ to ‘Best in Show’ at Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Film Festival, highlight Mary Kay’s unwavering business values and dedication to the principles defined by its legendary founder, Mary Kay Ash.

The brand also received Gold Ranking in Educational Category (Spring 2019 OMNI Awards); Top 50 US-based Companies in Household and Personal Products Industry (HAPPI Magazine); and DSA Empowerment Award, 2019 (Direct Selling Association), among others.

Mary Kay's excellence in the realm of Leadership was also recognised, having received accolades such as the 10 Most Reputable CEOS in the World, David Hall, Mary Kay CEO, RepTrak 2019 Study (Reputation Institute); and 2019 Most Powerful Women in Corporate America, Sheryl Adkins-Green, Chief Marketing Officer (BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine).

More details at https://www.marykay.com.

-- BERNAMA

Mary Kay inspires beauty trends at European Spring/Summer 2020 Fashion Weeks

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 -- Mary Kay continues to make its mark on the beauty industry by inspiring beauty trends at Spring/Summer 2020 Fashion Weeks in Europe.

“As an innovator of beauty trends, Mary Kay along with beauty artists, unveiled 2020 runway looks throughout fashion weeks in Europe,” said Mary Kay (European Region) president, Tara Eustace.

Mary Kay Inc has partnered with Ukrainian and Belarus Fashion Weeks, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia as well as Bratislava Fashion Days in Slovakia and Czech Republic.

Designers, influencers, celebrities, makeup artists, beauty bloggers and editors attended all five events where Mary Kay was the official beauty partner for the spring/summer 2020 fashion week season.

Held in Kyiv, Ukraine between Aug 31 and Sept 4, Ukrainian Fashion Week kicked off the Mary Kay sponsored events in Europe, supporting women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Bratislava Fashion Days by Mercedes-Benz was next in Bratislava, Slovakia on Sept 16 until 19, and Prague, Czech Republic on Oct 5 to 6. For the second year in a row, Mary Kay Slovakia was the Official Makeup Artist for the event.

The largest fashion event in Eastern Europe, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia (MBFW Russia) was held in Moscow on Oct 15 to 19. Mary Kay Russia has been the Official Makeup Artist of the MBFW Russia for seven years in a row.

The Belarus Fashion Week (BFW) held in Minsk on Oct 17 until 20, wrapped up a successful fashion week season for Mary Kay in Eastern Europe. Mary Kay was BFW Official Makeup Artist for the seventh season in a row.

-- BERNAMA

Malaysian Reinsurance Bhd has stable credit ratings outlook

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘a-’ of Malaysian Reinsurance Bhd (Malaysian Re) Malaysia.

According to AM Best, the outlook of these credit ratings is stable.

The ratings reflect Malaysian Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best described as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Malaysian Re’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation that remains comfortably at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio.

The company’s capital and surplus has exhibited a strong growth over recent years from retained earnings.

In fiscal year 2019, a capital injection of RM100 million from its holding company, MNRB Holdings Bhd has strengthened its capital position to support business growth.

In addition, the company has a conservative investment portfolio, with focus on good quality fixed-income securities.

AM Best views the company’s underwriting leverage as low compared with its peers.

The rating agency views the company’s operating performance as adequate and assesses Malaysian Re’s business profile as neutral.

Malaysian Re is a dominant market leader in Malaysia’s non-life reinsurance market. More details on the ratings at http://www.ambest.com/

-- BERNAMA

Hotel Royal Classic Osaka promotes culture, sightseeing via Museum Hotel concept

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 -- Hotel Royal Classic Osaka, a new luxury hotel complex in Japan recently unveiled its Museum Hotel concept, driving Osaka's development as an international city of culture and sightseeing.

Housed in this distinctive space, the innovative Museum Hotel provides guests with a hands-on experience in art museum-level quality - an original service that transcends the norms of business or suite hotels to offer a luxury experience for the soul.

The Museum Hotel concept has been unveiled to mark the hotel’s grand opening and features over 100 modern artworks.

Curated with the assistance of Professor Junji Ito of Tokyo University of the Arts, along with Tokyo's Whitestone Gallery, the collection was displayed throughout the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms.

The hotel was designed by globally celebrated architect, Kengo Kuma on the site of the former Osaka Shin-Kabukiza Theater.

The hotel is a unique architectural structure with a lower facade that replicates the magnificent ‘karahafu’ gabled rooftop of the original Shin-Kabukiza Theater, extending into an intricately dynamic aluminum fin motif on its upper floors.

More details of Hotel Royal Classic Osaka at https://hotel-royalclassic.jp/en/

-- BERNAMA

China's Shenzhen signs 560 billion yuan projects at recent investment conference

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 -- A total of 128 projects worth over 560 billion yuan combined have been signed during the Shenzhen Global Investment Promotion Conference 2019 held in the southern Chinese city. (100 yuan = RM59.06)

The event will enable Shenzhen to give a boost to its development of strategic emerging industries and its lead in establishing an advanced, quality, modern system of high-tech industries.

During the event, the strategies and policies to develop Shenzhen’s industries were unveiled, 30 square kilometres of industrial land promoted and the realities of the city’s business environment expounded.

Shenzhen is set to grasp the opportunities brought by the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics and step up efforts to implement the innovation-driven development strategy for its quality growth.

A new raft of industrial policies for biomedicine, integrated circuit, 5G-based communications, and other emerging and frontier fields was launched to gain an edge in the future.

Additionally, Shenzhen will carry out the national programme for emerging industrial clusters of strategic importance by fostering a host of industrial aggregates.

Enterprises embracing Shenzhen’s future development plan will be given sufficient space for growth, favourable policies and strong industrial support.

The conference was hosted by the People’s Government of Shenzhen and organised by such government entities as the Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality.

It was joined by over 600 guests, including representatives of foreign embassies and consulates in China, officials of Shenzhen’s sister cities, representatives of Fortune Global 500 companies and large multinationals.

-- BERNAMA

AM Best removes from under review with negative implications status of PICL New Zealand

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 -- AM Best has removed from under review with negative implications status of Provident Insurance Corporation Limited (PICL) New Zealand.

In a statement, AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘bb+’ of PICL, making stable outlook on the ratings.

The ratings were placed under review with negative implications in July, which reflected uncertainty around the finalisation of PICL’s year-end March 2019 financial position.

These rating actions follow the conclusion of AM Best’s assessment of the company’s current and prospective financial position.

The ratings reflect PICL’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best classified as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

PICL’s balance sheet strength assessment reflects its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which weakened notably as of fiscal year-end 2019, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio.

Its operating performance has generally exhibited an improving trend since its inception in 2013, primarily driven by a favourable trend in the expense ratio due to growing economies of scale.

AM Best views PICL’s business profile as limited given its relatively small scale of operations, and limited product and geographic diversification in New Zealand.

The company is a niche insurer, with focus on mechanical breakdown insurance, distributed through motor dealerships across New Zealand.

-- BERNAMA

LeddarTech to exhibit automotive LiDAR detection, classification technology

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 -- LeddarTech® will join the Canadian Automotive Parts and Manufacturers Association (APMA) and Karma Automotive at CES 2020 as an exhibitor from Jan 7 to Jan 10, 2020 in Las Vegas.

APMA in collaboration with Karma Automotive and the LeddarTech Automotive Center of Excellence will be presenting technology that advances the path to autonomous driving.

“LeddarTech is pleased to join APMA at CES. We believe that strategic partnerships and industry collaborations deliver significant value and benefits to our customers and end-users,” said LeddarTech’s Vice President of Product Line, Michael Poulin.

“We look forward to demonstrating our CES 2020 award-winning Leddar™ Pixell cocoon LiDAR technology with Karma Automotive in their luxurious 2020 Revero GT.

“We are also excited to unveil LeddarTech’s Pedestrian Classification technology, this live demo powered by the LeddarEngine™ further demonstrates our company’s motivation to lead and advance driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving.”

The APMA is Canada’s national association representing OEM producers of parts, equipment, tools, supplies, advanced technology and services for the worldwide automotive industry.

The association’s fundamental objective is to promote the original equipment automotive supply manufacturing industry both domestically and internationally.

-- BERNAMA

AM BEST MAINTAINS UNDER REVIEW WITH POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS STATUS FOR CREDIT RATINGS OF CENTURY INSURANCE COMPANY (GUAM) LIMITED

HONG KONG, Dec 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AM Best has maintained the under review with positive implications status for the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” of Century Insurance Company (Guam) Limited (CIC Guam) (Guam).

These Credit Ratings (rating) were placed under review on July 3, 2019, following an announcement that DB Insurance Co., Ltd. (DBI) has entered into an agreement with CIC Guam’s parent company, Tan Holdings Corporation (THC), to acquire an 80% stake in each of THC’s three insurance subsidiaries, including CIC Guam and two other insurers in Saipan and Papua New Guinea. DBI also is expected to secure the management rights in all three companies. At that time, AM Best indicated that the ratings would remain under review until the transaction was completed, and an assessment of the subsequent impact to CIC Guam’s business and credit profile could be determined.

The under review with positive implications status has been extended as regulatory approval is still pending. The companies now anticipate a transaction closing date in early 2020. CIC Guam’s ratings will remain under review until the close of the transaction, while AM Best continues to conduct further discussions with CIC Guam’s and DBI’s management teams to fully assess the rating impact.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data provider specializing in the insurance industry. The company does business in more than 100 countries. Headquartered in Oldwick, NJ, AM Best has offices in cities around the world, including London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191217005710/en/ 

Contact

Yizhou Hong
Senior Financial Analyst
+852 2827 3426
yizhou.hong@ambest.com

Jason Shum
Associate Director, Analytics
+852 2827 3424
jason.shum@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source : AM Best

--BERNAMA

SKYDRIVE BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY IN HARD-TO-REACH PLACES VIA CARGO DRONE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- SkyDrive Inc has launched test flights of a cargo drone, revolutionising the way heavy goods are transported and speeding up the movement of equipment in remote locations.

In a statement, the leading flying-car developer said the first operational testing took place earlier this month in Toyota City, Japan.

This new technology has been tested with a load capacity of 30kg, utilising SkyDrive’s world-leading aircraft development technology to achieve high safety standards.

There is the potential to develop this further and achieve greater capacity loads of up to 50kg and 80kg, according to demand.

With flight speed of 40 km/h and 15 minutes flight time, the drone can be used by companies for transporting materials to hard-to-reach places such as slopes, mountain valleys, overpasses and sites of steel tower maintenance.

Usage of cargo drones will help avoid dangerous works, save personnel and shorten the term of work.

Demonstration flights of the flying car are scheduled for summer next year, and its commercial release in 2023. Pre-sale orders for the cargo drone will be taken from spring in 2020.

-- BERNAMA

AM Best removes from under review with developing implications status of Australia's Pacific

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 -- AM Best has removed from under review with developing implications and affirmed the credit ratings of Pacific International Insurance Pty Limited (Pacific) Australia.

According to a statement, Pacific has Financial Strength Rating of B++ (good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘bbb’, resulting in stable outlook of the ratings.

These ratings were placed under review with developing implications in April, following notification to AM Best of a material change in Pacific’s business plans and prospective scope of operations.

Historically, Pacific operated as a niche insurer underwriting principally general liability and professional indemnity products for the pest control and building inspection industries in Australia and New Zealand.

However, following its acquisition by Badger International (Pty) Ltd (Badger), an insurance group domiciled in the Republic of South Africa, Pacific recently acquired the renewal rights to a sizeable portfolio of existing motor business in Australia, distributed by affiliated underwriting agencies of the Badger group.

These rating actions follow the conclusion of AM Best’s assessment of the impact of this strategic shift on the credit rating fundamentals of Pacific.

Pacific has received a series of capital injections to support the change in operational scope and associated increasing capital requirements arising from the incoming motor portfolio as it is underwritten at renewal by Pacific.

Despite these capital injections, the company’s risk-adjusted capitalisation remains sensitive to a number of factors, including changes in underlying business plan assumptions for future business volumes and underwriting performance.

-- BERNAMA

China's Horse Capital Xilingol League aims for equine industry growth

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 -- Xilingol League in north China boasts rich grassland and Mongolian horse culture, as well as enjoys unique equine industry development resources.

It is also the core birthplace of the world famous horse breed, ‘Mongolian Horse’ and was honoured as ‘Chinese Capital of Horses’ by the China Horse Industry Association in 2010.

Xilingol League has extended its industrial chain around the development of the ‘Chinese Capital of Horses’ cultural industry gathering area in recent years, promoting equine culture, tourism, competition, products and other related fields with remarkable progress.

As the core area of ‘Chinese Capital of Horses’, Xilinhot City has implemented a number of key projects such as the cultural ecotourism area, set up the Zhongyun Horse Industry Group and hosted top equestrian events at home and abroad.

The projects promote the transformation and development of the traditional equine industry into a modern one and boost the horse capital’s reputation and influence.

Xilingol League has also cultivated a number of well-known equine cultural tourism festival brands such as the ‘White Horse Culture Festival’ and ‘Dark Horse Culture Festival’.

Local governments have leveraged traditional Mongolian festivals to develop various tourism products and roll out projects like leisure riding and equestrian performances.

-- BERNAMA

KOPI KENANGAN REACHES 200 STORES AND BECOMES #1 TOP-OF-MIND BRAND IN KOPI SUSU CATEGORY; EXPANDS SERIES A ROUND

JAKARTA, Indonesia, December 23, 2019/Antara-AsiaNet/--

The Company Raised Additional Investment from Sequoia India, Arrive, and Serena Ventures Amongst Others

Kopi Kenangan, the fastest growing 'grab-and-go' coffee chain in Southeast Asia, announced an expansion of its June Series A round with additional investment from Arrive, a Roc Nation company, Serena Ventures, world-renowned basketball player Caris LeVert, and Sweetgreen CEO & Co-Founder Jonathan Neman, amongst others. Sequoia India, which led the US$20 million Series A round in June 2019, also participated in this expansion.

"We are inspired by Kopi Kenangan's tenacity, vision, and ability to execute," said Neil Sirni, Arrive Co-Founder and President. "In just two years, they have expanded to 18 cities, 200 stores, and over 1,800 employees. We're excited to be an investor in and partner to Kopi Kenangan as they introduce Indonesian-style coffee to the world."

Founded in 2017 by Edward Tirtanata, James Prananto, and Cynthia Chaerunnisa, Kopi Kenangan has managed to fill a sweet spot between the high-priced coffee served at international coffee chains, which are beyond the price range for most Indonesians, and the instant coffee sold at many street stalls. Just a year ago, Kopi Kenangan only had 16 stores while serving a few thousand cups a day. Today, Kopi Kenangan has expanded to over 200 stores nationally and serves more than three million cups of beverage each month. On average, the company is opening more than 1 store per day. The company, which is already profitable, has grown 20 times in revenue since its seed round led by Alpha JWC last year.

Kopi Kenangan plans to add more than a thousand new stores over the next two years and expand across Southeast Asia. "We want to build a legendary brand, and we're excited to work with our new investors and advisors who have built global consumer franchises spanning sports, entertainment, F&B, and technology," said Edward Tirtanata, CEO and Co-Founder. "We have come a long way since our humble beginnings two years back and want to continue learning and improving our service and products to meet the expectations of our customers in Indonesia and other markets."

Nielsen Company named Kopi Kenangan as the number one in top-of-mind awareness in the Kopi Susu or milk coffee category and second only after an established multinational coffee chain in the general coffee category – a notable ranking given Kopi Kenangan has been operating for less than two years. The company’s best-selling beverage "Es Kopi Kenangan Mantan" has been a customer favorite and helped it in securing the top spot for Kopi Susu or milk coffee category. Kopi Kenangan was one of the first to bring a take on the classic Indonesian Kopi Susu or milk coffee recipe to the Indonesian market at an affordable price and, most importantly, accessible locations for everyday consumption. 

"We are humbled to have been able to reach an important milestone in our two years' journey," said Cynthia Chareunnisa, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, "We recognize that this is a joint effort from our Teman Mantan which includes our baristas and employees, partners, shareholders, and most importantly our customers who have made us top-of-mind for Kopi Susu."

Kopi Kenangan is the fastest-growing grab-and-go non-franchise coffee retail chain in Southeast Asia.

Sequoia helps daring founders build legendary companies from idea to IPO and beyond. Sequoia India operates in Southeast Asia and India where we actively partner with founders from a wide range of companies, across categories, including BYJUs, Carousell, Druva, GO-JEK, OYO Rooms, Tokopedia, Truecaller, Zilingo, Zomato and more. We spur founders to push the boundaries of what's possible. In partnering with Sequoia India, startups benefit from 47 years of tribal knowledge and lessons learned working with some of the world’s most enduring companies. From the beginning, the vast majority of money we invest has been on behalf of non-profits and schools like the Ford Foundation, Mayo Clinic, and MIT, which means founders' accomplishments make a meaningful difference. For more information on Sequoia's work in India and SE Asia, visit sequoiacap.com/india

Arrive is a Roc Nation company. Roc Nation is a full-service management, music publishing, and entertainment company founded by Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter. Launched in 2017, Arrive provides strategic capital and advisory to startups and early-stage ventures with a focus on the United States and Southeast Asia. Previous investments include Ethos, Robinhood, Sweetgreen, Manticore Games, Scratch, amongst others. 

Serena Ventures was created in 2014 by entrepreneur, philanthropist and tennis icon, Serena Williams, with the mission of giving opportunities to founders across an array of industries. Serena Ventures invests in companies aligned with its core themes of diverse leadership (women and POC), individual empowerment, creativity, and opportunity.

Under the guidance of Serena herself, Serena Ventures focuses on early-stage (angel/seed/series A) companies, as well as mentoring young founders and taking burgeoning entrepreneurs to the next level.

Serena Ventures extends relationships, encourages portfolio companies to collaborate, and expands partnership opportunities across Serena Williams' vast network. Serena Ventures has investments in over 30 companies across multiple industries. The SV portfolio includes businesses that touch e-commerce, food & beverage, fashion, health & wellness, social good, and more Alpha JWC Ventures is a Southeast Asian venture capital firm with an Indonesian angle and a focused value-add approach. Alpha JWC has deep financial technology (Fintech) and sustainable consumer sector expertise and has established a strong reputation and clear positioning in the market as the leading venture capital firm that has the best on-the-ground team with world-class complementary skill-sets and strategic network in Indonesia, Southeast Asia, China, and US. The firm currently manages two funds of US$ 50 million and US$ 100 million; and more than 25 active portfolio companies. Learn more about Alpha JWC at www.alphajwc.com. 

Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global measurement and data analytics company that provides the most complete and trusted view available of consumers and markets worldwide. Nielsen is divided into two business units. Nielsen Global Media, the arbiter of truth for media markets, provides media and advertising industries with unbiased and reliable metrics that create a shared understanding of the industry required for markets to function. Nielsen Global Connect provides consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers with accurate, actionable information and insights and a complete picture of the complex and changing marketplace that companies need to innovate and grow. Our approach marries proprietary Nielsen data with other data sources to help clients around the world understand what’s happening now, what's happening next, and how to best act on this knowledge. An S&P 500 company, Nielsen has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world's population. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com  

Source: Kopi Kenangan

Toshiba unveils discrete IGBT for voltage resonance circuits with lower power consumption

Picture : IGBT GT20N135SRA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 -- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (Toshiba) has launched the ‘GT20N135SRA’, a 1350V discrete power semiconductor device IGBT for use in voltage resonance circuits in tabletop induction heating (IH) cookers, IH rice cookers, microwave ovens and other home appliances.

GT20N135SRA features a collector-emitter saturation voltage of 1.75V and a diode forward voltage of 1.8V, approximately 10 per cent and 21 per cent lower, respectively, than the current product, Toshiba said in a statement.

Both the IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor) and diode have improved conduction loss characteristics at high temperature, and the new IGBT can help reduce equipment power consumption, according to a statement.

The new IGBT suppresses short circuit current that flows through the resonance capacitor when equipment is switched on. Its circuit current peak value is 129A, a 31 per cent reduction from the current product.

More information at https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/company.html.

-- BERNAMA

Soteria AI secures US$5 million to boost first gaming assistant development

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 -- Soteria AI has announced US$5 million in private funding from N5 Holdings, led by chief executive officer and chairwoman Princess Nouf bint Bandar Al Saud. (US$1 = RM4.17)

In a statement, the company developing the first AI assistant for gaming said the funding would drive the continued development of Natasha, Soteria’s AI assistant for amateur and semi-professional gamers.

According to Soteria AI founder William Nobrega, the company is delighted to receive the support of the N5 team as they work to create the first AI assistant for gamers.

“Princess Nouf bint Bandar Al Saud has taken a personal interest in the development of advanced AI and will be working closely with us, our partners, the Saudi Government and the team at MIT to effectively bring a new form of life to our world.”

Soteria is working closely with AI experts, Aigo and innovation lab, Axion Ventures to develop its AI assistant. It will release its first game next year, Rising Fire Battle Royale, soon to be available in Asia via Tencent’s distribution network.

The company is currently valued at US$75 million, and the investment from N5 will help to increase this value as the project approaches the launch of its first AI-assisted game.

-- BERNAMA

Nippon Express, FSC partner to be India’s leading logistics player

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 -- Nippon Express Co Ltd, via its subsidiary Nippon Express (South Asia & Oceania) Pte Ltd (Nippon Express), and Future Supply Chain Solutions Limited (FSC) recently signed a business collaboration agreement in Mumbai, India.

Starting January next year, both companies will jointly explore growth opportunities for new and existing customers, based on their strategic partnership and business collaboration, as well as expand revenue.

According to a statement, Nippon Express and FSC aim to pursue three business strategies via this collaboration.

Firstly, offering FSC’s integrated and high-quality service offering to Japanese and other foreign customers of Nippon Express who are currently doing business in India and are planning to penetrate into the Indian market in the near future.

Secondly, this collaboration also offers Nippon Express’ global logistics services to Indian customers via FSC.

Thirdly, increase FSC’s operational efficiencies through introduction of latest/global technologies and process improvements/Kaizen activity.

Nippon Express (International Business Headquarters) senior managing executive officer and chief managing officer, Satoshi Horikiri said: “To be specific, we hope to increase our sales outside Japan from our current sales of US$4 billion to US$12 billion by 2028, and become a proud world-class logistics company.”

Both companies have received all necessary approvals with respect to Nippon Express’ acquisition of a 22 per cent stake in FSC. This includes approval from the Competition Commission of India, FSC shareholders, BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.

-- BERNAMA

Zynga commemorates Bugatti'€s 110th anniversary with mobile drag racing game

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 -- Zynga Inc, a global leader in interactive entertainment, is launching an event series in partnership with the hyper sports car manufacturer, Bugatti in the hit mobile drag racing game, CSR Racing 2 (CSR2).

The event series, which celebrates Bugatti’s 110th anniversary, will give players the opportunity to collect and compete with the world’s most powerful and exclusive hyper sports cars in CSR2.

Zynga in a statement said the series showcased 24 different Bugatti cars, three of which were available exclusively in CSR2.

Every aspect of the Bugatti cars, from the grills to the paint colour, dashboard finish and stitching, has been meticulously recreated in CSR2 to mirror the real hyper sports cars.

Players can explore the cars by tapping special points to trigger handcrafted, bespoke animations, allowing them to open doors, pop the hoods, inspect the engine bays, extend the spoilers and others.

Players can also view the cars in augmented reality, giving them the experience of sitting in the driver’s seats of the most desirable hyper sports cars ever designed.

The integration has seven different events over an eight-week period and will be highlighted in a continued beta version of CSR2’s new player-versus-player feature, Showdown.

CSR2 is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play Store.

-- BERNAMA

HIMSS, Forrester to study digital doctor-patient relationship

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 -- HIMSS and Forrester recently announced a research partnership to investigate the evolving digital doctor-patient relationship.

The research effort will survey global health system leaders to measure digital health technology adoption and emerging strategies for measuring and managing patient experience, as well as physician burnout.

Health systems are making increased investments in new patient engagement channels, virtual care platforms, chronic disease management solutions and healthcare analytics solutions that have the potential to impact both clinical outcomes and total cost of care.

The healthcare industry has long struggled to meaningfully address physician burnout and there is little consensus on the best approach to measure its prevalence within an organisation.

The industry needs more visibility into emerging strategies aimed at measuring and managing provider burnout and patient experience. This research partnership aims to achieve this goal.

Results from the HIMSS-Forrester research effort will be presented at the 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, on March 11.

HIMSS is a global adviser and thought leader supporting the transformation of the health ecosystem via information and technology while Forrester is one of the world’s most influential research and advisory firms.

-- BERNAMA

EASTWEST BANKING CORPORATION EXPANDS USE OF WOLTERS KLUWER'S ONESUMX SOFTWARE TO MANAGE MARKET RISK AND ALM

SINGAPORE, Dec 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- EastWest Banking Corporation (EastWest) has selected Wolters Kluwer’s OneSumX for Risk Management to manage its Market Risk and Asset and Liability Management (ALM) requirements. The Philippines-based bank will implement the solutions to work alongside other Wolters Kluwer software modules, including OneSumX for Finance, which it has used for many years.

EastWest is a universal bank in the Philippines that provides a wide array of products and services to retail and mid-market corporate customers.

Wolters Kluwer FRR’s OneSumX Market Risk solution provides an integrated view of profit and loss and risks on balance sheet. Based on a centralized data structure specifically designed for financial institutions, the OneSumX Market Risk solution offers all modern risk analytics and techniques, from basic sensitivity and gap analysis, through more advanced Value at Risk (VaR) techniques and into simultaneous dynamic simulation of credit and market risk, based on Monte Carlo modeling.

The ALM component of OneSumX for Risk Management is based on Wolters Kluwer’s integrated platform, enabling balance sheet modeling, stress testing and dynamic planning.

“Wolters Kluwer is a trusted technology partner of ours, having provided software that helps us manage our financial reporting obligations for many years now,” commented Grace Ang, Chief Risk Officer, at EastWest. “We look forward to working with Wolters Kluwer’s experts on what is an important implementation for us in the risk area.”

“We are delighted to be expanding our relationship with EastWest to ensure it has a robust platform for managing its risk profile,” said Rainer Fuchsluger, Managing Director, APAC, for Wolters Kluwer’s Finance, Risk & Reporting (FRR) business. “Our business continues to attract clients for its leading risk solutions across the APAC region and we very much look forward to working with EastWest on the implementation.”

Wolters Kluwer FRR, which is part of the company’s Governance, Risk & Compliance division, is a global market leader in the provision of integrated regulatory compliance and reporting solutions. It supports regulated financial institutions in meeting their obligations to external regulators and their own board of directors.

Wolters Kluwer FRR receives frequent independent recognition of its excellence and innovation, celebrating a record year for award wins. Risk magazine recently awarded the company its coveted Regulatory Reporting System of The Year Award for the second year running and Waters Technology has named the company the Best Market Risk Solution Provider in its annual Technology Rankings. Wolters Kluwer is also the #1 provider in both Regulatory Reporting and Liquidity Risk according to the RiskTech100, as compiled by Chartis Research.

About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance

Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance.

Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2018 annual revenues of €4.3 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 18,600 people worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191217005850/en/

Contact

Paul Lyon
Director of Global Corporate Communications, Banking & Regulatory Compliance
Governance, Risk & Compliance
Wolters Kluwer
Office +44 20 3197 6586
Paul.Lyon@wolterskluwer.com

Source : Wolters Kluwer