Kolmar Korea Appoints Global Experts to Speed up Its Presence in North America

Wednesday, July 17,Seoul, South Korea :Kolmar Korea (KRX: 161890) is speeding up its global expansion by appointing experts in the global cosmetics industry to its North American subsidiary. With the plan to build its second U.S. plant early next year, the company has appointed a new head for its North American operations and a Global Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO). It has also set up a strategic framework that integrates production, sales, and R&D to better penetrate the local market. This plan includes creating an R&D team for North America and appointing a new manager.

Kolmar Korea announced that it has named President Yongchul Hur as CEO of Kolmar Laboratories and Kolmar USA, its North American subsidiaries. Philippe Warnery has been appointed as Global Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO), George Rivera as Chief Science Officer (CSO) of the North American subsidiary, and Managing Director Inki Park as head of the R&D Center for North America, responsible for bridging the Korean and North American markets.

The key part of the recent appointments is bringing in many people with vast experience in the global cosmetics market. This is expected to help the company enter the North American market successfully.

Yongchul Hur, the new CEO of Kolmar North American subsidiaries, brings a wealth of experience in the global ODM business, having overseen production of Kolmar Korea’s skincare and makeup products. He has previously served as president of Kolmar Beijing and Kolmar Wuxi, driving significant growth in Kolmar’s Chinese operations. Prior to his tenure at Kolmar Korea, he held prominent positions in the cosmetics manufacturing industry, including factory manager at Amore Pacific and CEO of Cosvision. President Hur intends to leverage his decades of industry experience to steer local business in North America.

Philippe Warnery, newly appointed as Global Chief Commercial Officer (GCCO), is an expert in the global cosmetics market. His prior roles include CEO of Intercos North America, an Italian cosmetics ODM, and President of the UK & Ireland Region and General Manager of the Canadian Affiliate at Estee Lauder. With 25 years of experience in the global cosmetics industry, spanning both brand companies and ODM companies, his extensive network is a key competitive advantage. Warnery aims to focus on securing significant sales from major global brands as well as indie brands and recruiting influencers that are gaining popularity worldwide.

George Rivera, appointed as Chief Science Officer (CSO) of Kolmar North American subsidiaries, is an expert with over 20 years of R&D experience at global cosmetics companies such as L’Oreal USA and Intercos. Most recently, he led process and technology innovation as president of Kolmar USA. CSO Rivera, in collaboration with Inki Park, head of the North American R&D Center, plans to concentrate on research and development tailored to the local market’s needs.

Center Head Park, a research expert with 18 years of experience, is responsible for adapting core technologies developed at the Kolmar R&D Complex, the Kolmar Group’s global R&D hub located in South Korea, to the local market. Utilizing data accumulated at the Complex, including color, formulation, and scent, Park’s team will analyze the needs of overseas markets and focus on developing customized formulations.

Kolmar Korea intends to leverage this strategic hires to maximize the operational capacity of its North American production facilities, including the first U.S. plant and the second plant under construction. The company aims to achieve $100 million in sales in the next five years. To this end, it plans to aggressively expand its sales network not only in North America but also in Central and South America. Moreover, with the rising popularity of K-beauty in the U.S. market through global distribution channels such as Amazon, the company plans to actively promote ODM sales that emphasize market accessibility and logistics efficiency for small and medium-sized Korean indie brands seeking entry into the U.S. market.

A representative of Kolmar Korea stated, “This appointment underscores our commitment to gaining new momentum in the North American market by placing industry experts at the forefront. Kolmar Korea will focus on fostering growth through the synergistic collaboration of sales, production, and R&D and expanding its influence beyond North America to Europe.”

Understanding the importance of the North American market, Kolmar Korea has acquired Kolmar USA (formerly known as PTP) and Kolmar Canada (formerly known as CSR) in 2016 preemptively establishing a foundation for global expansion. In 2022, Kolmar Korea acquired 100% of the ‘Kolmar’ brand trademark rights, securing exclusive rights to the brand and enabling unrestricted business operations in the U.S. and global markets. The company is expanding its sales network with the recent opening of the Kolmar Innovation Center in New Jersey, USA.

Taiwan-New Zealand Reaffirm Deep Cultural Ties, Shining Spotlight on Indigenous Culture

Wednesday, July 17,Taipei, Taiwan : This year marks the 11th anniversary of ANZTEC, New Zealand’s economic cooperation agreement with Taiwan. Historically, the Māori people of New Zealand and Taiwanese indigenous peoples share a profound historical heritage. There is an academic theory that the Māori people originated from Taiwan, which has fostered numerous exchanges between the indigenous peoples of both nations due to their shared cultural heritage.

Recently, Taiwan and New Zealand launched the largest cultural exchange program in years, with the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Zealand inviting four Taiwanese indigenous artists from different tribes for a residency project. From July 6 to Oct. 13, their works will be showcased in the “Without Centre, Without Limits” special exhibition at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. The artists will also participate in on-site exchanges with local art institutions and Māori artists, marking a new chapter in Austronesian cultural diplomacy.

The interaction between Taiwanese and New Zealand indigenous peoples has a rich history. Earlier this year, in March, an oil painting exhibition was held in Auckland, New Zealand, centered on the theme of New Zealand Māori and Taiwan’s 16 indigenous tribes. The works were on display during the 2024 New Zealand Taiwan Day as well as at the Māori meeting grounds. In April, a Māori cultural performance group and a local high school basketball team from Rotorua, New Zealand, visited Taiwan to participate in a cross-national basketball friendship match and cultural dance exchange, showcasing the unique connection and friendship between Taiwanese and New Zealand indigenous peoples.

Taiwan was also well-represented at the 13th World Choir Games, which took place in New Zealand on July 10 and featured over 10,000 singers from more than 30 countries. The Nibun Chorus, Baolai Junior High School Choir, and Kahuzas Children’s Choir from Taiwan showcased the nation’s rich cultural heritage through traditional tunes of its indigenous and Hakka communities, highlighting the profound cultural significance of Taiwan’s indigenous arts.

JSW MG Motor India’s ZS EV Records 95percent Q-on-Q Growth

July 17, 2024,Gurugram, Haryana, India : JSW MG Motor India has achieved a significant milestone in its NEV (New Energy Vehicle) journey through its ZS EV, India’s first Pure-Electric Internet SUV, recording its highest monthly sales. Sales of the ZS EV increased by 95% in Q2 ’2024 compared to Q1 ’2024, demonstrating its growing appeal among EV buyers in India. Notably, electric vehicles accounted for 40% of the company’s total sales in June, highlighting the rising demand for MG EVs and greater customer acceptance and satisfaction and a shift towards ZS EV.

JSW MG Motor India’s June NEV sales increased by 21% year-on-year, further solidifying its strategy for this category. The manufacturer’s overall NEV segment exhibited a 39% growth in Q2 2024 compared to Q1 2024, pointing to an accelerating adoption of its electric vehicles. The company remains committed to investing in advanced technology and NEV infrastructure to support a greener future. Their focus continues to be on providing customers with cutting-edge NEVs that prioritize efficiency, performance, and sustainability.

“Our focus on expanding our electric vehicle portfolio is yielding positive results, as evidenced by the strong sales performance of MG EVs,” said, Satinder Bajwa, Chief Commercial Officer, JSW MG Motor India. “The significant contribution of NEVs to our overall sales reinforces our commitment to sustainable mobility. We remain dedicated to supporting the transition to electric vehicles in India and providing our customers with innovative and environmentally friendly transportation solutions,” he added.

Beyond the strong sales figures, JSW MG Motor India has taken concrete steps to solidify its position as a leader in India’s NEV space and contribute to strengthening and boosting the country’s EV infrastructure. With 6-way charging and its ecosystem partners, JSW MG India has installed more than 15,000 charging touchpoints nationwide, including public and home chargers.

The carmaker has been focused on bringing a world-class technology-enabled futuristic suite of automobile products including the new generation of intelligent connected ICE and NEVs in India. With a strong focus on EVs, the company is also looking at battery assembly at its plant along with cell manufacturing and a major production ramp-up with extensive localisation.

MOURI Tech & Vertisystem Unite with Grand Collaboration Day in Indore’s Crystal IT Park

Wednesday, July 17,Indore, Madhya Pradesh : MOURI Tech and Vertisystem celebrated their merger with a vibrant Collaboration Day event at their Indore offshore office. Associates from both companies participated in various activities, including an office tour, a group plantation drive, a team balloon release, and a gala evening event. Led by global leaders from both organizations, the event emphasized the united message of “soaring high together” as associates from across the globe joined in the festivities.

Excitement for the Future

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Anil Yerramreddy, Global CEO of MOURI Tech, expressed his excitement, stating, “Vertisystem joining the MOURI Tech group is a major step forward. We plan to invest 200 crores over the next three years and expand our Indore headcount to 1,000 people.” This significant investment underscores the commitment to growth and Indore’s potential.

Mr. Rakesh Sadhwani, CEO of Vertisystem, echoed Mr. Yerramreddy’s enthusiasm. He highlighted the “rich, untapped talent pool” in Indore and Madhya Pradesh, stating, “We aim to provide global opportunities, especially in artificial intelligence, data analytics, IT infrastructure, cloud & security solutions, and digital transformation.” This focus on attracting talent aligns with the vision of becoming a leader in these critical sectors.

Global Impact, Local Celebration: A United Front

The acquisition and Collaboration Day resonated powerfully with associates from both MOURI Tech and Vertisystem worldwide. Vertisystem’s team embraced the opportunity to join a larger, dynamic force, and a palpable sense of excitement permeated the air. The event solidified a shared vision and unwavering commitment to growth, innovation, and IT sector leadership. This Indore celebration marked the beginning of a collaborative journey – MOURI Tech and Vertisystem, soaring high together.

Future Electronics Reintroduces the 2024 Bike to Work Initiative

Pointe Claire, Canada, July 17, 2024 — Future Electronics, a global leader in the electronic components industry, is excited to announce the return of the 2024 Bike to Work initiative, an effort led by the company’s Green Team to promote sustainable transportation.

As part of Future Electronics’ commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, all employees living within 5 km of the corporate location are encouraged to bike or rollerblade to work every Friday, from July 5 to October 25. Those that participate are entitled to a complimentary breakfast at the corporate cafeteria.

This year’s initiative builds off the success of prior events; during Future Electronics’ 2023 Bike to Work Initiative, participants traveled a total distance of 735 km, and saved 153.96 kg of CO2 emissions.

Future Electronics is passionate about the planet and is dedicated to creating a cleaner and greener world. The company’s Environmental Management System ensures compliance with environmental legislation and the continual improvement of operations. The company works in partnership with customers, suppliers, governments, and communities to minimize the environmental impact of its activities.

Future Electronics encourages all its partners to join in and help make a positive impact while enjoying the benefits of active commuting this summer and fall.

Parkway International Capital Group Successfully Closes $7.3 Million Real Estate Construction Loan Deal in Bakersfield-Delano, California

Bakersfield-Delano, CA, July 17, 2024 — Parkway International Capital Group (PIC-Group) has announced the successful closure of a significant real estate construction loan deal in Bakersfield-Delano California, valued at $7.3 million. The transaction, finalized on July 12, 2024, marks a pivotal moment for both PIC-Group and the borrower, facilitating the commencement of ground construction for a multifamily project.

The borrower, who was shovel-ready but required funding to initiate construction, approached PIC-Group for financial assistance. The loan, with a term of 36 months, was processed swiftly, taking only 28 days from submission to closure.

“We are pleased to have facilitated this crucial stage of the project’s development,” said Peter Aman, CEO of Parkway International Capital Group. “Working with experienced and qualified borrowers, supported by comprehensive documentation, streamlines the financing process significantly. This efficient execution underscores our commitment to delivering timely and effective financial solutions.”

The smooth processing of the loan was also credited to the collaboration with the broker involved in the transaction. Their expertise and proactive approach contributed to overcoming potential challenges and ensuring a seamless closing process.

This successful transaction not only highlights PIC-Group’s capability to support complex real estate ventures but also reinforces its position as a trusted partner in the financial landscape. By enabling timely access to capital, PIC-Group continues to empower developers and investors to realize their strategic goals.

Social Entrepreneur Launches Female-Led Production Company “Witchcraft” to Revolutionize Nonprofit and Publishing Industries

Charleston, SC, July 17, 2024 –Social entrepreneur Samantha Wilson has launched a storytelling production company which aims to revolutionize the nonprofit and publishing industries.

Wilson, a studying Doctor of Philosophy in Transformative Social Change, is the Founder of Witchcraft – an all-female start-up who draw upon the power of books to generate awareness, positive media attention and new revenue streams for nonprofits in the form of book royalties, with each book purchase resulting in a direct, elevated and unrestricted donation to the organization.

Witchcraft aims to ‘revolutionize’ the nonprofit industrial complex and publishing industry by providing a social enterprise model that unites causes and conscious consumers to dismantle systems of oppression through the celebration of purchasing power. Whereas in traditional publishing models, an author only receives 5-10% of book royalties, Witchcraft flips the royalties back into the nonprofits’ favor, with the rest set to be reinvested into their mission to help continue the success of their books and beneficiaries. Their work aims to address the historical and ongoing injustices faced by women and other marginalized communities by providing innovative solutions in the social impact field, while encouraging readers to take action for positive change.

Witchcraft’s maiden production “Home. Made.” documents the remarkable story of The Man That Rescues Dogs – a former chef, who quit his job to open a rescue and rehabilitation center for stray and paralyzed dogs in Thailand, after leaving behind a life of drug and alcohol addiction. The Sanctuary provides life-saving care to over 1,000 dogs and is home to The Wheelchair Mafia, a TikTok-famous group of nearly 50 handicapped dogs.

The memoir will be launched on International Dog Day (Monday, August 26, 2024) with a staggering 70% of royalties to be donated back to TMTRD, meaning anyone who purchases the book will be making a direct donation to the dogs in need. Furthermore, “Home. Made.” will be available to purchase on Witchcraft’s own website: heywitchcraft.com, which also ensures TMTRD will receive the maximum donation amount possible without having to pay distribution fees and platform usage costs.

Deeply passionate about social justice, Wilson’s introduction to social activism began in 2010 after watching a television documentary on animal agriculture, and the meat and dairy industry. Choosing to adopt a vegan lifestyle, she stepped into the ethical and environmentally-conscious fashion space, quitting her job as a restaurant manager to study Fair Trade practices in New Delhi, India, before creating a vegan-friendly and sustainable fashion brand. She also began spreading the word about her findings at talks and in the media.

Gaining experience at award-winning marketing agency, Candorem, and continuing her studies with a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology at LIFE University in Marietta, GA, she considered the possibility of publishing a book and opted to achieve further certification in the publishing industry. However, the course uncovered the unfair truths of the traditional publishing model, which sparked Wilson’s idea for Witchcraft, as a creative solution to bring the world’s issues to the forefront, whilst helping nonprofits to succeed in their cause.

“There are so many stories that really could impact the world for the better, that are being lost to the wayside, because of the way the publishing industry and nonprofit industrial complex models are set up,” Wilson explains. “Traditional publishing has been done the same way since the beginning of time, and it’s so unfair to the authors and creators. Unless you have the time, the resources and money to put into it, you are not going to succeed. I wanted to do something about it, and I wondered: ‘What would happen if I published a book, and flipped the royalty rates?’

“We use the art of book publishing to craft powerful narratives that transform lives and create lasting social change. We produce and publish high-quality books that nonprofits can use as a unique and effective means of funding their critical work through an equal exchange with consumers who want to use their dollars to vote for a better world.

“We’re passionate about what we do, and we love being ‘in the work’ with our clients. Every day is different at Witchcraft – one day we’re walking paralyzed dogs in Thailand; the next day, we’re rage-singing with 93-year-old women who happened to be the leaders of the second wave of feminism and the civil rights movement in a peaceful protest in North Carolina.”

In addition to its connotations of crafting narratives as a female-led company, the name “Witchcraft” also marks an acknowledgement to those who suffered in one of the very first examples of social injustice in the United States: the Salem Witch Trials. During the Puritan era, women who spoke up for themselves or advocated for change were labeled as “witches” to silence dissent, and faced severe punishment, with their stories suppressed or forgotten. Witchcraft honors the legacy of those women by reclaiming the term and using it as a symbol of empowerment.

New 1.8″ and 1.91″ Full-Color OLEDs at Newhaven Display

Elgin, IL, July 17, 2024 –Newhaven Display releases four cutting-edge additions to their OLED display line in 1.8” and 1.91” graphic sizes with full-color (65K – 262K color depth). These passive-matrix color OLED displays mark a significant advancement in small-screen OLED technology with versatility, reliability, and visual brilliance for a wide range of applications.

Each OLED size offers the option of a fully assembled module with PCB and bezel for robustness, simple connection, and easy mounting, or a glass-only model, giving more installation design control to the user. The 1.8” and 1.91” color OLEDs feature multi-level contrast and brightness adjustment, ensuring optimal viewing in various lighting conditions along with exceptional viewing angles. They can handle a wide operating temperature range for demanding environments, they are compatible with Arduino, and they include a built-in driver for simplified setup and enhanced performance. One of the most remarkable aspects of these color OLED displays is their extended operational lifetime, surpassing that of most full-color OLEDs currently available in the market.

Additionally, with sizes larger than most full-color OLEDs readily available today, these displays offer expanded possibilities for engineers and developers to create captivating visual experiences. The 1.91” color OLED achieves a perfect square form-factor design having the same number of pixels in both horizontal and vertical directions. These 1.8” and 1.91” color OLEDs feature user-selectable 8-bit 6800/8080 Parallel and 4-wire SPI interface modes, while the 1.91” size also features I2C interface for added flexibility. Moreover, both module options were engineered with onboard DC/DC boost converter for OLED power supply and a single-low voltage power supply (3.3V) required for operation.

Whether it’s portable consumer electronics, wearable technology, automotive applications, smart home devices, medical equipment, aerospace, military equipment, or any other field requiring high-quality graphics, these 1.8” and 1.91” full-color OLEDs provide the visual power and performance needed to stand out in a competitive landscape.

Features
– 1.8” and 1.91” full-color graphic OLEDs
– 65K – 262K color depth
– 160×128 pixels or 176×176 pixels
– Available as glass-only or fully assembled module
– 10,000:1 contrast ratio
– 256-step contrast and 16-step brightness adjustment
– User-selectable interface modes (Parallel / SPI / I2C)
– Full viewing angles
– Configurable display orientation on 1.8” model
– Built-in SSD1353 or SSD1333 display driver
– Longer operational lifetime than most color OLEDs

Product Part Numbers:
NHD-1.8-160128B
NHD-1.8-160128UBC3
NHD-1.91-176176B
NHD-1.91-176176UBC3

U.S. Precision Medicine, Inc. Signs MOU to Deploy microNeb’s VIGIL Series Inhaler Technology to Enhance Absorption of Its New Drug Candidate in IND Process

St. Petersburg, FL, July 17, 2024 — Frederick Fey, co-Founder and CEO of USPM, stated, “The use of a nebulizer/inhaler from microNeb for U.S. Precision Medicine’s new cancer drug candidate can offer several specific advantages for cancer patients compared to oral or IV administration:

1. Targeted Delivery to Lungs: For lung cancer or cancers that have spread to the lungs and respiratory system, an aerosolizer targets the medication directly to the affected tissues, potentially enhancing its effectiveness.

2. Elimination of IV access: Utilizing this method for chemotherapy substantially reduces the risk of infections and subsequent hospital readmissions associated with IV delivery, which is prone to complications such as catheter-related bloodstream infections. Studies show that CRBSIs occur in up to 25% of patients with central lines, leading to extended hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and, in severe cases, mortality.

3. Significant Reduction in Infection Rates: Alternative methods for drug delivery have been clinically shown to greatly reduce infection rates and decrease infection- related hospital readmissions by 50%.

4. Enhanced Patient Quality of Life: Improve the quality of life for patients by lowering the rate of invasive procedures and lower anxiety associated with potential complications.

5. Optimized Healthcare Resource Use: Improves patient outcomes and promotes more efficient use of healthcare resources.

6. Minimized Systemic Side Effects: By targeting delivery to the lungs, the drug’s systemic exposure is minimized, which in turn reduces the side effects often associated with oral or IV treatments.

7. Rapid Onset of Action: Inhalation leads to quicker absorption through the lungs into the bloodstream, providing a faster therapeutic effect compared to oral medications.

8. Precision Dosing: The design feature of the VIGIL delivers exact doses, crucial for maintaining optimal therapeutic levels while avoiding toxicity.

9. Circumvention of First-Pass Metabolism: Unlike oral drugs, inhaled medications avoid initial processing by the liver, achieving more consistent dosing due to bioavailability.

10. Customizable Treatments: Nebulized treatment can be tailored to individual patient needs, allowing for personalized dosage and formulation adjustments to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

These advantages highlight the potential of microNeb’s technology to improve the administration and effectiveness of USPM’s new cancer drug candidate, offering substantial benefits to patients battling cancer.

Brian Artze, CEO of microNeb, added, “With our sophisticated inhalation technology and formulation expertise, we are transforming the delivery of pharmaceuticals and wellness products. Our dedication to quality and innovation compels us to develop cutting-edge solutions with a team committed to improving patient outcomes. Our Personal Nebulizing Devices (PNDs) represent the future of precise medication delivery, boosting efficacy in numerous medical applications. We are excited to support U.S. Precision Medicine’s mission to introduce their new, promising cancer drug candidate and look forward to progressing through the trials together.”

U.S. Precision Medicine, Inc. and microNeb, Inc. extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in making this collaboration happen. A special thanks to Scott Kelly and Black Dog Venture Partners for their invaluable contributions to this achievement. Your support and partnership have been instrumental in our progress and success.