ATS Homekraft delivers 1200+ homes in Happy Trails, two years ahead of RERA date

Noida, 24th June 2023: ATS HomeKraft, the 80:20 joint venture between ATS group and HDFC Capital Advisors, has started giving possessions of its first project – Happy Trails, comprising 1,239 residential units.

Spread over 8 acres in the prime location of Greater Noida, ATS Homekraft has built Happy Trails, a premium housing complex at an affordable price. The company launched the project in 2018 and despite the prolonged slow phase of construction during the Covid-19 pandemic, it completed the project two years before the stipulated time frame allotted by UP RERA.

“We are delighted to announce the early delivery of Happy Trails. This is a significant milestone for us and a testament to our commitment to delivering quality homes on time,” said ATS HomeKraft CEO Mohit Arora.

“Giving possession to the customers is an entirely new experience and a new beginning for HomeKraft”, said Mr Mohit Arora and further added that “the company is aiming to offer handover of another 1450 residential units and 140 plots in three separate projects to home buyers in the next six to seven months.”

“ATS HomeKraft is committed to delivering high-quality homes to its customers on time. ATS HomeKraft reiterates its commitment to providing the best-in-class homes, and customers can expect nothing but the best from its upcoming projects,” the CEO said.

The 2BHK and 3 BHK flats in Happy Trail were sold in the price range of Rs 40 lakh to Rs 65 lakh at the time of launch. Currently, the project is 100% sold out and the secondary market price is almost 200% of the launch price.

Experience the Opulence of the Past with The Great Eastern Home’s Exquisite Louis XV Style Bureau

The right style of furniture is one that suits your persona and also enables the functionality of the task for which it is to be used. The Great Eastern Home bureau not only improves your working atmosphere but its appearance and aesthetics enhance any space that you put it in. You can add that extra touch of elegance to your home with The Great Eastern Home Bureau.

The Great Eastern Home bureau is made of walnut wood and in the Louis XV-style and has a marble top finish. A warm finish is always a classic and adds just the right amount of panache to a home or workspace. When the front panels of this spectacular bureau are opened, they reveal an interior with multiple drawers and shelves. It also has a writing surface that folds down. The slightly curved legs and brass mouldings around the keyholes and aprons add a lightness of touch to the piece. There’s plenty of room for all of your books, stationery, and other essentials to keep you organized and functional.

Adding this stunning bureau to any room will completely change its look and feel. It adds a touch of class and sophistication to any room. The Great Eastern Home bureau is sturdy, and the style will enchant your décor for years to come, regardless of current trends.

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issues the industrial license to Ceer for electric vehicle manufacturing

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 23rd June 21, 2023: The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has granted an industrial license to Ceer, the first Saudi electric vehicle brand. An industrial license is a key step for Ceer to build its manufacturing facility over one million m2 in King Abdullah Economic City’s Industrial Valley in Saudi Arabia.

A joint venture between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Foxconn, Ceer was launched last November under the patronage of His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Jarrah bin Mohammed Al-Jarrah, the spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, emphasized the strategic significance of the automotive industry within the context of the Kingdom’s national industrial strategy. With the global light vehicles market expected to double in the next decade, the automotive sector presents a compelling regional opportunity.

Al-Jarrah further highlighted that the automotive manufacturing industry will serve as a catalyst for other priority sectors such as minerals and chemicals. The development aligns with the Kingdom’s diversification goals and its ability to export to neighboring markets, contributing to the growth of the non-oil economy.

In addition to direct economic benefits, the development of a national automotive sector will also indirectly benefit the economy and the local industry in several ways, through knowledge transfer, industry localization, the development of local content, and the creation of high-quality job opportunities for Saudi citizens.

Ceer is the first Saudi automotive brand to produce electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia, and will design, manufacture and sell a range of vehicles for consumers in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, including sedans and sports utility vehicles. Ceer’s vehicles will be manufactured in King Abdullah Economic City and will be tested to the highest global automotive quality control and safety standards. The brand’s electric vehicles are scheduled to be available in 2025. Ceer’s factory will be state-of-the-art, featuring the latest technologies to ensure manufacturing efficiency whilst minimizing energy and water usage.

Ceer will attract over 562 million Saudi Riyals of foreign direct investment and create up to 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. Ceer is projected to directly contribute 30 billion Saudi Riyals to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2034.

UltraTech ranked No. 1 cement company for sustainability in 2023

June 23rd, 2023: UltraTech Cement Limited, India’s largest cement and ready mix concrete company, has been ranked No.1 in Sustainability in the Infrastructure and Engineering sector in Sustain Labs Paris and BW Businessworld’s India’s Most Sustainable Companies list for 2022-2023.

UltraTech has seen an improvement in its overall position in India’s Most Sustainable Companies ranking. From being ranked No. 15 in 2021-22, the Company has improved two positions to No.13 in 2022-23. This improved ranking is a recognition of the significant progress made by UltraTech in its key sustainability focus areas of decarbonisation, circular economy, energy transition, water conservation and biodiversity management, as well as its ongoing efforts towards community development.

The rankings were unveiled at an awards event held in New Delhi on 20th June 2023. The rankings are based on extensive research done by Sustain Labs Paris to assess the sustainability performance of India’s 500 largest companies by revenue for FY2023 in accordance with the SLP Sustainability Cube framework. Basis the research and deliberations of an esteemed jury, 200 companies were selected as among India’s Most Sustainable Companies for 2022-23.

Championing Climate Action

UltraTech is a signatory to the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to Net Zero Concrete Roadmap announced by GCCA. UltraTech has taken a holistic approach to embed sustainability across its value chain. It has integrated a low carbon strategy into its business conduct. It is scaling up investments in the development of innovative products and services, improving energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewable energy, and scaling up the use of alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR) in its manufacturing operations.

UltraTech’s key sustainability commitments include:
• Reduce Scope 1 CO2 intensity by 27% by 2032 from 2017 levels, and
• Reduce Scope 2 CO2 intensity by 69% by 2032 from 2017 levels.
• To become 5 times water positive by 2024.
• To meet 100 percent of its electricity requirement through renewables sources by 2050.

M1xchange powered digital Supply Chain Finance Exchange Platform for Fiducia Data Services in Nigeria

New Delhi, 23^rd June 2023: M1xchange by Mynd Solutions a leading Trade Receivable platform in India has successfully established an exclusive Supply Chain Finance Marketplace system for Fiducia Data Services, a company based out of Nigeria to allow MSMEs faster access to working capital. The platform is aimed to deliver liquidity to MSMEs from across industries in the geography within 48hours fostering a future where effortless transactions and rapid growth are within reach of everyone.

India’s fintech sector is expanding its footprint globally. M1xchange’s leading-edge technology solution will transform supply chain financing on large scale empowering small and medium businesses to optimize working capital, unlock liquidity, and create seamless financial ecosystems enhancing their productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.

“M1xchange technology platform is modular and can be configured to comply with requirements of Nigeria. We are excited on the launch of Fiducia Data services in a limited time of 6 months fueled by our unique technology. M1xchange platform has integrated with local bureaus and related platforms of the country for enabling KYC requirements of the country. Together we will strive to empower MSMEs in the Nigerian business ecosystem and drive progress. Being a leading Trade Receivables Discounting System platform in India, we are expanding horizons and poised to establish Supply Chain Finance Marketplace Platform across different parts of globe” said Mr. Sundeep Mohindru-Promoter and Founder of M1xchange.

The CEO of Fiducia, Mr. Imohimi Aig- Imoukhuede, in his statement on the launch of Fiducia and the partnership with M1xchange, said “Fiducia is founded with the express purpose of levelling the playing field for business owners in Africa by unlocking the value of their supply chains. Today, Fiducia is successfully driving inclusive GDP growth by broadening financial inclusion – as a much wider pool of small and mid-sized businesses enter Africa’s financial markets on the same terms and rates previously only available to large corporates. We are really glad to be able to provide this important solution with the support of M1xchange.”

HCLTech Earns Intel’s 2023 EPIC Distinguished Supplier Award

One of only 22 Distinguished Award recipients across Intel’s global supply chain

NEW YORK and NOIDA, India, June 23, 2023:  HCLTech, a leading global technology company, is proud to announce that it has earned Intel’s EPIC Distinguished Supplier Award. Through its dedication to Excellence, Partnership, Inclusion, and Continuous (EPIC) quality improvement, HCLTech has achieved a level of performance that consistently exceeds Intel’s expectations. 

“As one of only 22 Distinguished Supplier Award recipients across the Intel global supply chain, HCLTech stands out among suppliers in the semiconductor industry,” said Keyvan Esfarjani, chief global operations officer at Intel. “Their customer orientation and commitment to excellence is a testament to their dedication and serves as a global benchmark for others to follow.” 

The Intel EPIC Distinguished Supplier Award recognizes a consistent level of strong performance across all criteria. Of the thousands of Intel suppliers around the world, only a few hundred qualify to participate in the EPIC Supplier Program. The EPIC Distinguished Award is the second-highest honor a supplier can achieve. In 2023, only 22 suppliers in the Intel supply chain network earned this award. 

To qualify for an Intel EPIC Distinguished Supplier Award, suppliers must exceed expectations, meet aggressive performance goals, and score 80 percent or higher in performance assessments throughout the year. Suppliers must also meet 80 percent or more of their improvement plan deliverables and demonstrate formidable quality and business systems. 

St. Louis Area Diaper Bank Experiences Increased Diaper Need

National Diaper Bank Network’s recent findings show nearly half of U.S. families with young children struggle to afford diapers.

(St. Louis, Mo., June 23, 2023) — Research recently released by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) reports that 47% of U.S. families with young children struggle to afford diapers. At a local level, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank reveals it has seen a 25% increase in diaper distribution – approximately 300,000 diapers each year – since 2020.

St. Louis Area Diaper Bank is a member of the NDBN and its sister organization Alliance for Period Supplies, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to eliminating diaper need and “period poverty” in America. This year the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank – through a network of 70 community organizations, educational and health partners serving low-income families – will distribute 4.1 million diapers to more than 70,000 families in the St. Louis region. Last year the nonprofit distributed 3.3 million diapers in St. Louis.

The NDBN Diaper Check 2023: Diaper Insecurity among U.S. Children and Families is a nationally representative study commissioned by the NDBN. Major findings include:

• A significant increase of 14 percentage points in diaper need since the first study was conducted in 2010.
• Diaper need intersects with food insecurity, and 28% of respondents who reported diaper need said they skipped meals so they could afford more diapers.
• 70% of the respondents reported they were stressed or anxious about their responsibilities as a parent or caregiver. 53% said they felt judged because they could not afford diapers.
• One in four (25%) of parents and caregivers with diaper need reported having to miss work or school because they did not have enough diapers to drop their child off at childcare. They also reported missing an average of 5.1 workdays in the past 30 days, which represents a loss of $296 per month for a parent earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

“This national study solidifies what we are feeling firsthand in our community,” said St. Louis Area Diaper Bank Executive Director Muriel Smith. “It’s time to realize that we are in a public health crisis, one that causes harm to our children and their families. We as a nation must do better to support those who need our help.”

Founded in 2014, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank provides diaper and period supply access to the region’s low-income families, as well as raises community awareness about the causes and consequences of diaper need and period poverty. For more information, call (314) 624-0888 or visit their website.

Cost-of-living pressures drive consumer adoption of embedded banking, fuelling brand loyalty

A new independent survey from Vodeno/Aion Bank of 3,007 European consumers based in the UK, Belgium and Germany has found:

• Two in five European consumers will only stay loyal to brands that offer embedded banking products like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
• 37% are more likely to use BNPL and flexible payment options due to the cost-of-living crisis
• Embedded finance increased customer engagement with brands for over a third (36%), who said they return to that brand’s app or website between three and five times vs once a month

New research from Vodeno/Aion Bank has revealed how embedded banking adoption is significantly boosting brand loyalty for companies, with consumers more likely to use embedded banking products from brands as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

The European Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider’s study revealed that over a third (37%) are more likely to seek out brands that offer BNPL and flexible payment options due to the high cost of living, with this figure rising to 50% in the 25-34 age range. Competitive prices are cited as the most important factor to 44% of consumers when it comes to their brand loyalty, closely followed by a good selection of products (43%).

The results highlight that the availability of embedded banking products directly in the websites and apps of consumer brands are starting to make an impact on customer loyalty, with two in five (40%) consumers say they will only stay loyal to brands that offer financial benefits like BNPL and cashback, with this figure rising to 50% among 25-34-year-olds. When it comes to engagement with loyalty programmes, just under half (46%) said they are more likely to use a brand’s loyalty card to make purchases if it included BNPL. This figure was highest amongst the youngest consumers surveyed, rising to 53% for those aged 16-24 and higher still (65%) in the 25-34 demographic.

When consumers were asked how often they shop with their favourite brands, 19% of respondents said ‘monthly’ and a further 16% said ‘once every two or three weeks’. However, among those who have used a brand’s embedded banking product, 36% said they return to that brand’s app or website between three and five times a month, with this figure rising to 43% among the 25-34 age group.

Vodeno/Aion’s research highlights the commercial and loyalty benefits of embedded banking, with just under one quarter 23% saying they are more likely to recommend the brand to friends and family, while the same number (23%) said they are more likely to spend money with the brand over competitors.

Kim Van Esbroeck, Country Head for Aion Bank Belgium and Chief Revenue Officer for Vodeno/Aion said: “The benefits of embedded banking cannot be ignored, and our research offers strong evidence that consumers are not only using these products, but it is also positivity influencing their loyalty to BaaS-enabled brands.

Competition for the consumer has never been more fierce, particularly in these difficult financial times, and brands that offer flexible payment and lending options provide more choice, which can boost consumers’ spending power when they need it most. Embedded banking is also making an impact on brand loyalty, with 43% of 25-34 year olds saying they shop more at brands that offer an embedded banking product. We have already seen how BaaS-enabled embedding banking is helping to innovate customer journeys, and it is clear the next area of disruption will be to supercharge brands’ loyalty programmes.”