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TrueCommerce Acquires DiCentral

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TrueCommerce, a leading global cloud provider of supply chain and trading partner connectivity, integration, and omnichannel solutions, announced today that it has acquired DiCentral, a leading global B2B and API solutions provider. This acquisition enables TrueCommerce to fuel the growth of its leading global network, deepen its solutions portfolio, and expand its global geographic footprint.

This acquisition further cements TrueCommerce's position as a leader in the digital supply chain collaboration and connectivity space. By leveraging the combined company's expertise in automation, digitalization, and integration, TrueCommerce is uniquely positioned to transform the way its customers do business, with value–added solutions designed to tackle complex supply chain and eCommerce challenges, streamline operations, and increase profitability.

Known for simplifying complex API and EDI business challenges, DiCentral adds 30,000 connections to TrueCommerce's Global Commerce Network, plus nearly 5,000 customers from a diverse base. The combined TrueCommerce network now expands to 160,000 connections and nearly 18,000 customers. Combining the strengths of both companies creates an unmatched network and innovative solution offering that empowers customers to digitize, expand, and grow their businesses like never before.

"Together, we offer intuitive integrated solutions and connectivity that solve the challenges our customers face in growing their business across an increasingly digitized, global, and complex supply chain," said John Fay, CEO of TrueCommerce.

The acquisition fuels TrueCommerce's vision for global growth with expanded services and integrations, including:

  • Expanded cloud–based global supply chain network
  • Increased API connectivity to key 3rd party solutions
  • An enhanced set of integrated SaaS applications and tools
  • Powerful iPaaS capabilities
  • A more extensive supply chain visibility solution
  • Extended geographic footprint
  • A more comprehensive retail drop ship program
  • Tighter integration with cloud–based SMB & enterprise–level ERPs
  • Accelerated deployment and ROI for customers

"I am thrilled to be joining the TrueCommerce leadership team and working alongside John Fay and Todd Johnson to seamlessly bring the two companies together," said Thuy Mai, CEO of DiCentral. "We see this as a win–win for both TrueCommerce and DiCentral customers. The resulting increase in global network connectivity, commerce solutions, applications, and tools provides an unmatched offering for customers looking to grow their businesses."

Mr. Mai will become a member of the TrueCommerce executive leadership team, serving as Co–Chief Strategy Officer of TrueCommerce. Todd Johnson will serve as the new CEO of DiCentral in addition to his current role as President and COO of TrueCommerce. John Fay will continue to serve as CEO of the combined company.

"DiCentral's offerings strengthen our multienterprise commerce network, which already empowers businesses of all sizes to grow both domestically and internationally," said Todd Johnson, CEO of DiCentral and President and COO of TrueCommerce. "I'm looking forward to working with the DiCentral team and continuing to provide best–in–class solutions and services to our customers."

Ryan Harper, General Partner at Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS), a leading technology–focused private equity firm that recently acquired TrueCommerce, remarked, "We are confident that TrueCommerce is on track to becoming the global leader in supply chain collaboration, connectivity and omnichannel solutions. We continue to support the strategy of combining organic growth with focused, strategic acquisitions that expand the depth and breadth of new and existing segments, geographies, and capability areas."

WCAS acquired TrueCommerce in November 2020 from Accel–KKR (AKKR). AKKR remains a minority shareholder of TrueCommerce. DiCentral was advised by DC Advisory.

About TrueCommerce
TrueCommerce is the most complete way to connect your business across the supply chain, integrating everything from EDI, to inventory management, to fulfillment, to digital storefronts and marketplaces. We've revolutionized supply chain visibility and collaboration by helping organizations make the most of their omnichannel initiatives via business P2P connectivity, order management, collaborative replenishment, intelligent fulfillment, cross–functional analytics, and product information management.

The TrueCommerce Global Commerce Network can connect businesses to over 130,000 retailers, distributors, and logistics service providers. As a fully managed services provider, we also manage new trading partner onboarding, as well as the ongoing management of partner–specific mapping, labeling changes, and communications monitoring. That's why thousands of companies""ranging from startups to the global Fortune 100, across various industries""rely on us.

TrueCommerce: Do business in every direction
For more information, visit www.truecommerce.com

About DiCentral
Founded in 2000, DiCentral is a leading global provider of business–to–business and application integration solutions, with over two decades of experience solving complex EDI and API challenges. As market conditions continue to uctuate and technology is deployed to manage process changes, leading organizations rely on DiCentral's cloud–based integration platform and a global team of specialized experts to integrate and leverage data across multiple cloud and on–premises systems and applications.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, DiCentral has 11 offices worldwide, supporting customers in more than 35 countries. DiCentral utilizes a vast library of integrations with ERPs and other applications to seamlessly exchange transactional data with trading partners worldwide to maximize ROI while maintaining existing data infrastructure. DiCentral's services and solutions are leveraged by many Fortune 1000 companies, processing over $200 billion in transactions for over 30,000 organizations worldwide. For more information, visit www.dicentral.com.

About Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
WCAS is a leading U.S. private equity firm focused on two target industries: technology and healthcare. Since its founding in 1979, the firm's strategy has been to partner with outstanding management teams and build value for its investors through a combination of operational improvements, growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions. The firm has raised and managed funds totaling over $27 billion of committed capital. For more information, please visit www.wcas.com.

About Accel–KKR
Accel–KKR is a technology–focused investment firm with over $10 billion in capital commitments. The firm focuses on software and tech–enabled businesses, well–positioned for topline and bottom–line growth. At the core of Accel–KKR's investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel–KKR network. Accel–KKR focuses on middle–market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions including buyout capital, minority–growth investments, and credit alternatives. Accel–KKR also invests across a wide range of transaction types including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve–outs and going–private transactions. In 2019 and 2020, Inc. named Accel–KKR to "PE 50 "" The Best Private Equity Firms for Entrepreneurs," its annual list of founder–friendly private equity firms. Accel–KKR is headquartered in Menlo Park with offices in Atlanta and London. Visit www.accel–kkr.com to learn more.

Media Contact

Lisa Aurichio
President, BSYA
(917) 476–8366
Lisa@bsya.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8323883)

RAJANT ANNOUNCES NEW LTE BREADCRUMB PLUS PERSONNEL AND ASSET TRACKING “MESHTRACER” SOFTWARE AT MINEXPO

Malvern, Pennsylvania (USA), Sept. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rajant Corporation, the provider of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, announces two new products at MINExpo. The latest enhancement adds a global LTE radio to its fourth–generation industry–leading BreadCrumb Peregrine product line. With one 2.4GHz radio, two 5GHz radios, and LTE, the enhanced Peregrine provides up to 2.633Gbps of aggregated capacity. In addition, Rajant is launching MeshTracer a software–based personnel and asset tracking solution that can monitor Rajant BreadCrumbs, AeroScout tags, and any Wi–Fi device that uses a static MAC address.

"Improving the safety and productivity of mining operations is the byproduct of Rajant Kinetic Mesh. It is the only industrial wireless network enabling machine–to–machine (M2M) connectivity and mobility in markets like open–pit and underground mining", shares Geoff Smith, EVP of Sales and Marketing for Rajant. "Adding an LTE client now allows all mining companies that have invested in LTE to leverage that infrastructure while benefiting from the mine–wide mission–critical coverage Kinetic Mesh provides. Tracking personnel and assets is mandatory underground, making Rajant's latest MeshTracer a logical addition to the BreadCrumb portfolio. Adding the ability to track BreadCrumbs both above and below ground allows a mine to observe areas for process improvements. Finally, supporting Wi–Fi devices allows for two–way communication in emergencies."

"We are ecstatic with the performance we have seen in the new Peregrines that we have deployed throughout Australia. Our customers see as much as four times the increase in capacity over the previous generation. Rajant provides unique value by maintaining backward compatibility with previous generation BreadCrumbs deployed in the field. This allows sites to upgrade between models knowing that there will be no loss to communications", shares Chris Acton, General Manager for Acubis Technologies. "We also have many customers in Australia who have invested in LTE solutions but are experiencing coverage and data upload issues. These customers are very anxious to deploy the latest LTE–equipped Peregrines. And being able to now track BreadCrumbs as well as personnel above and below ground provides critical new benefits for our customers.''

Deployed in more than 230 of the largest open–pit and underground mines globally, Rajant pioneered fully mobile V2X/M2M and has a heritage of maintaining interoperability with existing BreadCrumb wireless nodes with new product releases. Along with the product announcement at MINExpo, live video/voice demonstrations and partner interviews will run daily. They will include Rajant, Boston Dynamics, NEVIL, Overwatch Aero, Vorbeck, and xCraft. Email meeting interest to MINExpo@rajant.com.

####

About Rajant Corporation

Rajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh networking, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real–time data to deliver on–demand, mission–critical business intelligence. A low–latency, high–throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajant's Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 65 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, oil & gas, petrochemical plants, municipalities, and agriculture. Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8324231)

Information on the total number of voting rights and shares

REGULATED INFORMATION

Information on the total number of voting rights and shares

Mont–Saint–Guibert (Belgium), September 12, 2021, 10:30 pm CET / 4:30 pm ET "" In accordance with article 15 of the Law of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of large shareholdings, Nyxoah SA (Euronext Brussels and Nasdaq: NYXH) publishes the below information following the issue of 1,400,000 new warrants on September 8, 2021 and the issue of 82,500 new shares on September 10, 2021 pursuant to the exercise of subscription rights.

  • Share capital: EUR 4,384,076.09
  • Total number of securities carrying voting rights: 25,520,359 (all ordinary shares)
  • Total number of voting rights (= denominator): 25,520,359 (all relating to ordinary shares)
  • Number of rights to subscribe to securities carrying voting rights not yet issued:
    • 91 "2013 ESOP Warrants" issued on May 3, 2013 and 23 December 2014, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 45,500 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares);
    • 259 "2016 ESOP Warrants" issued on November 3, 2016, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 129,500 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares);
    • 299 "2018 ESOP Warrants" issued on December 12, 2018, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 149,500 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares);
    • 520,500 "2020 ESOP Warrants" issued on February 21, 2020, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of520,500 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares); and
    • 1,400,000 "2021 ESOP Warrants" issued on September 8, 2021, entitling their holders to subscribe to a total number of 1,400,000 securities carrying voting rights (all ordinary shares).

*

* *

For further information, please contact:

Nyxoah
Fabian Suarez, CFO
corporate@nyxoah.com
+32 (0)10 22 24 55

Gilmartin Group
Vivian Cervantes
IR@nyxoah.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1000546691)

Olives and Wine: Conagen Makes Accessible Antioxidant Hydroxytyrosol by Fermentation

Bedford, Mass., Sept. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leveraging its robust phenolics platform, Conagen announced the expansion of the health ingredient portfolio of its commercial partner Blue California, with the successful scale–up and commercialization of the powerful natural antioxidant ingredient hydroxytyrosol.

With its health–promoting properties, hydroxytyrosol is a phenylethanoid found in olives and wine. Most hydroxytyrosol is naturally found in the juice of olives, minorly in oil. Current hydroxytyrosol ingredients on the market are produced mainly through processed olive juice or are synthetic.

Conagen's high–purity hydroxytyrosol is virtually colorless and odorless, making it ideal for formulating different products. The hydroxytyrosol is produced by using a cost–effective, sustainable natural fermentation process that has led to the filing of several patent applications, making it a preferred option compared to its olive juice concentrate and synthetic counterparts.

"Hydroxytyrosol is derived from one of our four small–molecule platforms. The flexibility of our phenolics platform has enabled us to rapidly scale and commercialize hydroxytyrosol and other novel ingredients, highlighting our productive innovation engine and reliability as a strategic service partner," said Vice President of Innovation, Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D. at Conagen.

Hydroxytyrosol has received increasing attention in the dietary supplement world due to its potent antioxidant and anti–inflammatory properties that contribute to the many health benefits of consuming olives. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate the positive effects of hydroxytyrosol on heart health and support healthy cholesterol levels.

"The Mediterranean diet is consistently rated as one of the healthiest diets, partially attributed to the use of olives," Blue California's Research, Science and Innovation Officer, Linda May–Zhang, Ph.D. "Hydroxytyrosol is one of the most potent antioxidants in olives, and research suggests the great promise of this molecule in healthy aging and potential immune support applications."

In addition to immune health, emerging research suggests hydroxytyrosol supports heart health, metabolic health, bone health, brain health, and beauty.

Immune health will remain a top priority for consumers as 64% of global consumers are looking to improve their immunity over the next 12 months, reported by FMCG Gurus, Top Ten Trends for 2021, Dec. 2020.

"Conagen is unlocking unprecedented access to sustainable compounds which are only sparingly found in nature," said Lippmeier. "We expect this and other related compounds will prove useful as cost–effective food or cosmetic ingredients or as additives to other products in which oxidation must be mitigated."

Using precision fermentation, Conagen produces an extensive portfolio of ingredients, with a recent focus on phenolic antioxidants and natural preservatives such as Rosmarinic acid (Rosavel ), Capsaicin, and the recently announced p–Coumaric Acid (PCA). These ingredients add to a long list of health–promoting flavonoids such as Dihydroquercetin (DHQ), also known as Taxifolin.

Blue California is a provider of solutions and manufacturer/distributor of specialty ingredients, flavors, and fragrances and has a long–standing innovation partnership with Conagen. Conagen focuses on developing sustainable, nature–based ingredients that improve existing options in the market or represent completely novel ingredient solutions.

About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

About Blue California

Blue California is a vertically integrated technology company providing innovative ingredient solutions to global partners. With more than 20 years of innovation success, our ingredients are used in commercial products and applications in nutrition, personal care, healthy aging and wellness, functional food and beverage, and beauty. www.bluecal–ingredients.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8323999)

Adagio Therapeutics Announces Expansion of Patient Population in Global Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial of ADG20 for the Prevention of COVID-19

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Adagio Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical–stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody–based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential, today announced that the independent data monitoring committee (IDMC) for the EVADE Phase 2/3 trial of ADG20 for the prevention of COVID–19 has provided a recommendation to expand Phase 3 trial enrollment to include adolescents and pregnant or nursing women, as well as to decrease the protocol–specified, post injection monitoring time. The IDMC's assessments are based on their review of unblinded safety and tolerability data from 200 participants enrolled in the Phase 2 lead–in portion of the trial. Adagio remains blinded to the data and plans to implement the IDMC recommendations for the Phase 3 portion of the trial. EVADE is being conducted globally, including in regions where there is a high prevalence of SARS–CoV–2 variants of concern, to evaluate the ability of a single, intramuscular dose of ADG20 to prevent COVID–19 in both pre– and post–exposure settings.

"Given the urgent need for additional treatment and preventative options for COVID–19, particularly in vulnerable populations, we are pleased that an independent assessment of the safety data from the lead–in portion of EVADE supported inclusion of adolescents and pregnant or nursing women in the next phase of the study," said Lynn Connolly, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer of Adagio. "Based on the potent and broad activity of ADG20 in non–clinical studies, as well as its extended half–life and ease of administration, we believe this antibody has the potential to become a preferred prophylactic option for COVID–19, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and the immunocompromised, for whom there are currently limited or no available options."

The EVADE trial is a global, multi–center, double–blind, placebo–controlled clinical trial evaluating ADG20 in two independent cohorts. The first cohort (post–exposure prophylaxis) is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of ADG20 compared to placebo for the prevention of COVID–19 after exposure to an individual with laboratory confirmed SARS–CoV–2 infection. The second cohort (pre–exposure prophylaxis) is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ADG20 compared to placebo in individuals who are at increased risk for SARS–CoV–2 infection due to occupational, housing or recreational situations, and in individuals who are at increased risk of poor vaccine response, including individuals with compromised immune systems or other co–morbidities. The primary efficacy endpoint in both cohorts is the prevention of laboratory confirmed, symptomatic COVID–19. For more information on the EVADE trial, please visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04859517.

The clinical development program for ADG20 includes two additional trials: the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of ADG20 in healthy volunteers and the ongoing STAMP trial evaluating ADG20 as a treatment for high–risk individuals with mild or moderate COVID–19 (see clinicaltrials.gov).

About ADG20
ADG20, a monoclonal antibody targeting the spike protein of SARS–CoV–2 and related coronaviruses, is being developed for the prevention and treatment of COVID–19, the disease caused by SARS–CoV–2. ADG20 was designed and engineered to possess high potency and broad neutralization against SARS–CoV–2 and additional clade 1 sarbecoviruses, by targeting a highly conserved epitope in the receptor binding domain. ADG20 displays potent neutralizing activity against the original SARS–CoV–2 strain as well as all known variants of concern. ADG20 has the potential to impact viral replication and subsequent disease through multiple mechanisms of action, including direct blocking of viral entry into the host cell (neutralization) and elimination of infected host cells through Fc–mediated innate immune effector activity. ADG20 is formulated at high concentrations, enabling intramuscular administration, and was engineered to have a long half–life, with a goal of providing both rapid and durable protection. Adagio is advancing ADG20 through multiple clinical trials on a global basis.

About Adagio Therapeutics
Adagio is a clinical–stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of antibody–based solutions for infectious diseases with pandemic potential. The company's portfolio of antibodies has been optimized using Adimab's industry–leading antibody engineering capabilities and is designed to provide patients and clinicians with a powerful combination of potency, breadth, durable protection (via half–life extension), manufacturability and affordability. Adagio's portfolio of SARS–CoV–2 antibodies includes multiple, non–competing broadly neutralizing antibodies with distinct binding epitopes, led by ADG20. Adagio has secured manufacturing capacity for the production of ADG20 with third–party contract manufacturers through the completion of clinical trials and, if approved by regulatory authorities, through initial commercial launch. For more information, please visit www.adagiotx.com.

Contacts:
Media Contact:
Dan Budwick, 1AB
Dan@1abmedia.com

Investor Contact:
Monique Allaire, THRUST Strategic Communications
monique@thrustsc.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8323570)

Sphera Announces Expanded Availability of Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Solutions

CHICAGO, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sphera , a global leader in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk and performance management software, data and consulting services, announces the widespread availability of its integrated ESG solutions. They consist of a comprehensive suite of data, software and consulting services that help customers quickly and effectively elevate their ESG performance and reporting capability.

With this expanded offering, Sphera customers will have better access to data–driven insights to maximize cost–effectiveness, increase the value of their investments in corporate social responsibility efforts, and satisfy both traditional compliance and future sustainability needs. Managing ESG performance reduces exposure to environmental risk, increases revenue and drives organizations into a sustainable future. With growing investor demand for measurable ESG progress, business leaders need to be able to demonstrate their ESG performance with clarity and confidence. Sphera has adapted its technology suite to specifically address this burgeoning market need. Features of Sphera's integrated ESG solutions include:

  • Industry–based sustainability data to provide reliable data–driven insights""close to 15,000 datasets for more than 20 industries""into a company's value chain and create a foundation for fact–based improvement and communication of your ESG performance.
  • Connected, scalable software solutions to ensure transparency and increase the efficiency of each stage of a customer's sustainability and ESG journey.
  • Expert–led ESG guidance from sustainability consultants to bring deep sector and method–specific knowledge into the equation.

Moving toward a net–zero emission target is one of the most important metrics for ESG reporting. However, the assessment, management and reduction of Scope 3 emissions are the most difficult parts to achieve due to the huge amount of information that needs to be collected and analyzed. Sphera's combination of data, software and expertise helps companies address these strategic decarbonization challenges.

Sphera's ESG solution also incorporates a number of widely accepted disclosure framework standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This flexibility enables companies across industries to efficiently report their sustainability activities in relevant, sector–specific terms.

"Innovation has always been at the heart of Sphera's mission, and our laser focus on staying ahead of the risk management curve has helped us evolve to become a leading integrated ESG software, data and services organization""at a time when our clients need these services the most," said Paul Marushka, Sphera's president and CEO. "Companies with the highest levels of ESG performance see greater returns on their investments, and we believe our comprehensive solutions can help them harness this powerful correlation."

Sphera has long been at the forefront of innovative sustainability reporting solutions, leveraging its triple–powered approach of Innovation, Information and Insights to help companies improve their ESG performance." Verdantix, an independent analyst firm, recently named Sphera as a market leader for environmental compliance, sustainability management and sustainability reporting in its EHS Software Benchmark report. Sphera achieved the highest aggregate score for environmental compliance management and Corporate Sustainability solutions.

"Sphera is one of the few digital solution providers to bring together capabilities for sustainability reporting, ESG risk management and product stewardship. They've made meaningful investments in building their ESG reporting capabilities," added David Metcalfe, CEO of Verdantix. "Their recognition in our EHS Software Benchmark report is a direct reflection of their commitment to leading the way for corporate sustainability excellence."

To learn more about how Sphera is helping customers in their sustainability journey, read about how the company helped Aptar, a global leader in packaging and drug delivery devices, validate their ESG risks and opportunities according to the TCFD methodology.

Dr. Michele Del Grosso, global program manager of sustainability at Aptar said that, "Sphera's corporate sustainability and strategy experts provided Aptar with valuable insights into the financial implications of our climate–related risks and opportunities. This enabled us to provide our stakeholders with valid proof of our environmental performance. By integrating the results into CDP reporting, we were able to improve ESG performance and recognition to become a CDP 2020 Climate A–List company."

For additional information on how Sphera is helping customers meet and exceed ESG performance goals, visit https://sphera.com/begin–your–esg–sustainability–journey/.

About Sphera

Sphera creates a safer, more sustainable and productive world. We are a leading global provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance and risk management software, data and consulting services with a focus on Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHS&S), Operational Risk Management and Product Stewardship.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sphera@AspectusGroup.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8322915)

Institutional Investor Launches 2021 Developed Europe, 2021 Developed Europe Small & Midcap and 2021 Emerging EMEA Executive Team Rankings

LONDON, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Institutional Investor Research (II Research) surveys are the leading provider of independent performance validation and market sentiment across 8 global capital markets. Executive Team surveys are an independent platform for investment and sell–side professionals to evaluate credibility, communication, financial stewardship and capital allocation of corporate leadership, as well as IR effectiveness across multiple activities. The results from the survey, an in–depth capability and benchmark analysis, capture the sentiment and trust level of stakeholders in their equity assets.

With nearly 2,000 Investment professionals contributing to the surveys, participation from the buy and sell–side increased by 30% and 13% for the Developed Europe survey and the Emerging EMEA survey respectively.

Survey participation and market feedback increased as Corporates ramp up investor engagement to nurture stakeholder relationships in response to market uncertainty, where access to the IR and Executive teams was critical.

2021 Developed Europe Executive Team results

1,031 companies and 2,259 individuals were nominated across 31 sectors across Europe.

11 companies clinched a clean sweep first place in the combined rankings in four of the six categories for Best CEO, Best CFO, Best Investor Relations Professional, Best IR Company, Best Analyst/Investor Event and Best ESG Metrics in their respective sectors:

Airbus (France, Aerospace & Defense); Amplifon (Italy, Medical Technologies & Services); Anglo American (United Kingdom, Metals & Mining); ASML Holding (Netherlands, Technology/Hardware); AstraZeneca (United Kingdom, Pharmaceuticals); Cellnex Telecom (Spain, Telecommunications Services); Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy, Banks); L'Oreal (France, Household & Personal Care Products); Nestl (Switzerland, Food Producers); Poste Italiane (Italy, Specialty & Other Finance) and Vonovia (Germany, Property).

2021 Developed Europe Small & Midcap Executive Team results

Nearly 700 companies and over 1,100 individuals were nominated across 29 sectors.

Four companies clinched a clean sweep first place in the combined rankings in four of the six aforementioned categories:

Amplifon (Italy, Medical Technologies & Services); Bankinter (Spain, Banks); CIE Automotive (Spain, Autos & Auto Parts) and Nexans (France, Capital Goods).

2021 Emerging EMEA Executive Team results

351 companies and 552 individuals were nominated across 11 sectors.

Six companies clinched a clean sweep first place in the combined rankings in four categories for Best CEO, Best CFO, Best Investor Relations Professional, Best IR Company, Best Analyst/Investor Event and Best ESG Metrics in their respective sectors:

MLP Saglik Hizmetleri (Turkey, Health Care & Pharmaceuticals); NLMK (Russia, Metals & Mining); Rosneft (Russia, Oil & Gas); TCS Group Holding (Russia, Financials); X5 Retail Group (Russia, Consumer) and Yandex (Russia, Technology, Media & Telecommunications).

Emerging trends identified

German, Russian and Turkish companies continue to lead in IR practices achieving the highest number of Honoured and Most Honoured Companies in their respective survey.

ESG evaluation: As greater efforts are being made to provide transparency on the path to sustainable growth, this year, Investment professionals evaluated Corporates on their ESG corporate strategy, their ESG engagement and ESG metrics. Investment professionals are keen for companies to take an inside– out approach to ESG, not consider it an add–on, but as an integral part of their corporate strategy.

Movers and shakers

Newcomers to the Developed Europe Survey include HelloFresh, a German meal–kit company, which has only been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since its IPO in November 2017 and will shortly join the DAX. In February 2020, the Dutch company Takeaway.com merged with British food delivery service Just Eat to create Just Eat Takeaway.com, joining the FTSE 100 and new to the survey also. French company AccorHotels have achieved a high number of published positions in the survey, despite the pressures on the sector in the pandemic.

Several companies moved up the leader's board in the Emerging EMEA survey with PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna (Poland), NLMK (Russia) and Pegasus Hava Tasimaciligi (Turkey) all increasing on their 2020 positions.

Amani Korayeim, Director for Europe and Emerging EMEA, says "As markets are increasingly globalised and information is spreading quicker, the pressures on companies to communicate more effectively, engage more frequently, increase management access and improve disclosure to an ever– broadening set of investors and intermediaries, are culminating. The results of the Developed Europe and Emerging EMEA Executive Team surveys indicate, by and large, consensus amongst investment professionals on what they perceive to be excellent IR. Over the last 18 months companies have worked tirelessly demonstrate resilience and a robust response strategy to the pandemic which pushed many to re–imagine their business models and reposition themselves. I am delighted to see that quite a few companies in sectors which have been hit very hard and continue to suffer from great uncertainty, have delivered great IR and are amongst the Honoured and Most Honoured companies in the 2021 survey. Hence, IR work and communication cannot be measured by financials and as Milton Erickson said "the effectiveness of communication is defined" by the response'. Thank you to nearly 2,000 investment professionals who "responded' in the survey and provided invaluable independent feedback to both validate the good IR work and help identify opportunities for improvement."

For the full list of published winners, please visit www.institutionalinvestor.com/research.

To share your position on your website content, advertisements, communications and marketing collateral, please contact marketing@iiresearch.com.

Benchmark Data and IR Capability Analysis

To request further information on how you can use survey data to market your firm internally or externally, or deeper analysis of survey data, please contact amani.korayeim@iiresearch.com.

Media contact

Sally Savery, Director of Marketing, Institutional Investor Research. Sally.savery@iiresearch.com.

About Institutional Investor Research

For 53 years Institutional Investor has consistently distinguished itself among the world's foremost media companies with ground–breaking journalism and incisive writing that provides essential intelligence for a global audience. In addition, since 1972, Institutional Investor Research (II Research) has offered highly–respected proprietary benchmark research and rankings, providing independent feedback on the sell–side and corporate performance; II Research aims to be the first–choice as well as independent validation source of qualitative market intelligence for all three sides of the investment community and has a global presence spanning Europe, Asia Pacific, the US and Latin America.

Follow Institutional Investor Research here https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/11222447


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8322737)

In First Summit with International Business & Government Leaders, Essential Workers to Discuss Framework for Just COVID-19 Recovery

London, UK, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wednesday, Sept. 8 marked the opening day of the first–ever global summit of essential workers. Participants from around the world tuned in to a powerful conversation about an economic recovery that prioritizes essential workers, especially women in the informal economy.

"Universal social protections for essential workers are no longer a choice for governments; it is a very necessary move for governments to take," Lorraine Sibanda, president of StreetNet International, an international alliance of street vendors, told the crowd.

The Essential for Recovery summit, which runs from September 8 through September 10, brings together essential workers from North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia with global business and government leaders to discuss a framework for a just economic recovery from the Covid–19 pandemic. The event centers the demands of care workers and the 61% of workers worldwide who labor in the informal economy, including domestic workers, agricultural workers, street vendors, and home–based workers.

"Home–based workers contribute around $300 billion to the economy, but they don't get any benefit out of it. We are part of supply chains but we are not recognized as contributors to the supply chains," said Saira Feroze of the Home–Based Women Workers Federation, on Day 1 of the summit.

The first day of the innovative summit brought together diverse voices from across the globe. Martha Chen, a lecturer at Harvard and senior advisor to Women in Informal Employement: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), interviewed Rosheda Muller, president of the South African Informal Traders Alliance, on how street vendors are organizing globally. Legendary South African labor leader Myrtle Witbooi spoke with Maina Kiai, senior official at Human Rights Watch and former United Nations Special Rapporteur. And actor and activist Martin Sheen and actress Yalitza Aparicio made special appearances.

"COVID–19 taught us the importance of all workers in different sectors, recognizing that they deserve decent work and are important in the global economy. Governments know about this issue, but what are they doing about it?" asked Aparicio, who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the 2019 movie Roma.

Day 2 of the event on Thursday will focus on the fight against inequality, sexual harassment, and abuse in the workplace. Guests include: Rosa Pavanelli, the General Secretary of Public Services International, interviewing "Mama Union" Rose Omamo, leader of the Kenyan metal workers union; journalist Xanthe Scharff interviewing Mercedes D'Alessandro, feminist economist and Argentine government official; and journalist Reena Ninan interviewing business leader Brid Gould of Sodexo.

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About Essential For Recovery:

The Essential for Recovery Summit is led by non–profit labor organizations "" including HomeNet International, International Domestic Workers' Federation, International Trade Union Confederation, Solidarity Center, StreetNet International, UNI Global Union, and Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing "" and supported by the Open Society Foundations.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8322708)

Reimagining ADAS and AD Solutions, Join LeddarTech at Three Major International Events in September 2021

QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech , a global leader in Level 1–5 ADAS and AD sensing technology, is pleased to announce its participation in several digital and in–person events during September in the capacity of both an exhibitor and presenter. These global events will showcase LeddarTech's comprehensive end–to–end technology platforms, which enable customers to solve critical sensing and perception challenges across the entire value chain of the automotive and mobility markets. These featured solutions include the LeddarVision sensor–fusion and perception platform and the cost–effective, scalable LiDAR development platform based on patented LeddarEngine technology.

"The acceleration of autonomous driving depends heavily on the ADAS solutions being developed today," stated Daniel Aitken, VP of Global Marketing, Communications, and Product Management at LeddarTech. "These upcoming events highlight LeddarTech's scalable and flexible reimagined approach with LiDAR and sensor–fusion and perception solutions that address individual customer needs," he continued. "We are especially pleased to have Mike Thoeny, President of the Automotive Business Group at Flex, co–host one of our sessions. We look forward to you joining us for one or all of these events," Mr. Aitken concluded.

Industry Tech Days "" September 13–17 (Digital)

Industry Tech Days brings essential insights in electronics, everything from edge intelligence design to next–generation automotive sensors, delivered LIVE straight from industry experts to your desktop or mobile device.

Join LeddarTech for two presentations:

  • "Sensor–Fusion and Perception Solutions for Key ADAS and AD Applications" (Use Case), featuring Youval Nehmadi, Engineering Director, LeddarTech Sensor Fusion and Perception Platform Research & Development Center, Israel.
  • "Why Flexible Platforms Are Required for Future ADAS/AD Deployments," by Frantz Saintellemy, LeddarTech's President and COO, and Mike Thoeny, President of the Automotive Business Group at Flex.

Register for free here.

China International Optoelectronic Conference (CIOE) / MEMS Seminar "" September 16–18 (Live in Shenzhen, China)

CIOE is China's largest optoelectronic industry event, held in the Shenzhen World Convention and Exhibition Center. Mr. Horry Cheng will represent LeddarTech on the panel for "LiDAR and 3D Camera Sensing Technology & Applications," and LeddarTech will also exhibit at this prestigious event.

Register here.

Automotive LiDAR Conference 2021 "" September 21– 23 (Digital Event)

This conference is one of the only events exclusively focused on automotive LiDAR technologies and applications. The conference sessions will present the various approaches in developing a LiDAR system and explain the reasons for choosing one approach over another.

  • Join LeddarTech's CTO Pierre Olivier on September 21 at 2:00 p.m. EST for his featured presentation "Combining LiDAR, Radar, and Camera: Sensor Fusion Challenges and Solutions."

Register here.

For a complete list of LeddarTech's upcoming live and virtual events, please visit leddartech.com/events.

About LeddarTech

LeddarTech is a leader in environmental sensing platforms for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems. Founded in 2007, LeddarTech has evolved to become a comprehensive end–to–end environmental sensing company by enabling customers to solve critical sensing and perception challenges across the entire value chain of the automotive and mobility market segments. With its LeddarVision sensor–fusion and perception platform and its cost–effective, scalable, and versatile LiDAR development solution for automotive–grade solid–state LiDARs based on the LeddarEngine, LeddarTech enables Tier 1–2 automotive system integrators to develop full–stack sensing solutions for autonomy level 1 to 5. These solutions are actively deployed in autonomous shuttles, trucks, buses, delivery vehicles, smart cities/factories, and robotaxi applications. The company is responsible for several innovations in cutting–edge automotive and mobility remote–sensing applications, with over 100 patented technologies (granted or pending) enhancing ADAS and autonomous driving capabilities.

Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Contact:
Daniel Aitken, Vice–President, Global Marketing, Communications, and Product Management, LeddarTech Inc.
Tel.: + 1–418–653–9000 ext. 232
daniel.aitken@leddartech.com

Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarSteer, LeddarEngine, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, LeddarCore, VAYADrive, VayaVision, and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8319724)

Zoom Video Communications To Hold Financial Analyst Briefing During Zoomtopia

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) will hold a Financial Analyst Briefing on September 13, 2021 during its premier customer event, Zoomtopia. The event will be hosted by members of the executive team and will cover Zoom's business strategy, opportunities, and initiatives.

Attendees of the Financial Analyst Briefing must first register for Zoomtopia at: https://www.zoomtopia.com/. Once registered, attendees will receive instructions for joining the Zoomtopia lobby from where they may search for and join the Financial Analyst Briefing track. The live video webinar will begin at 2pm ET/11am PT, and last for approximately two hours. Attendees must update their Zoom client to version to 5.7.6 or later in order to run Zoom Events and join the session smoothly.

A replay will be available approximately three hours after the conclusion of the live event at https://investors.zoom.us/news–events/events.

About Zoom

Zoom is for you. We help you express ideas, connect to others, and build toward a future limited only by your imagination. Our frictionless communications platform is the only one that started with video as its foundation, and we have set the standard for innovation ever since. That is why we are an intuitive, scalable, and secure choice for large enterprises, small businesses, and individuals alike. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Visit zoom.com and follow @zoom.

Press Relations

Colleen Rodriguez
Global PR Lead for Zoom
press@zoom.us

Investor Relations

Tom McCallum
Head of Investor Relations for Zoom
408.675.6738
investors@zoom.us


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8322509)