Mes: enero 2021

The Focus on Human Capital Management & Disclosure is Here to Stay

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The events of 2020—a pandemic, social unrest, economic crises, workforce disruptions—have intensified the need for boards and senior management to focus on their firms’ workforces. Boards face a daunting challenge, however: to focus on the human capital management (HCM) issues that are truly key for sustained success. <a target="_blank"…

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The events of 2020—a pandemic, social unrest, economic crises, workforce disruptions—have intensified the need for boards and senior management to focus on their firms’ workforces. Boards face a daunting challenge, however: to focus on the human capital management (HCM) issues that are truly key for sustained success. Brave New World: Creating Long-term Value through Human Capital Management and Disclosure, a new report from The Conference Board, provides comprehensive guidance to executives and other practitioners as companies leverage HCM to drive long-term value. 

This report’s insights and findings were generated through a series of meetings with more than 100 executives, as well as outside experts from private and public corporations.

New Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules broaden the information companies are expected to disclose regarding human capital in their annual financial reports. Even though companies are moving quickly to meet these new disclosure requirements, the focus on HCM will unfold over time. Companies not only need a clear HCM strategy, but also enhanced governance practices and information to move from the workforce they have now to the one they need to achieve future business success. 

Insights and recommendations from this report include:

Boards and management should devote sustained time and attention to HCM and be prepared for their strategy, practices, and disclosures to evolve over time.

  • HCM is a complex topic that needs to be tailored to each company.
  • Boards should evaluate their firm’s current human capital capabilities and future needs, considering the adoption of a human capital strategy that supports the company’s broader business strategy.
  • Companies should customize their HCM disclosures to reflect their business and human capital strategies, with reporting frameworks and regulations as a starting point for their discussion.
  • It will be important for companies to have a robust process for updating their disclosures as their understanding of HCM evolves, board practices mature, and industry practices and investor expectations change over time.

Boards have an increasingly important role to play in human capital management and disclosure.

  • Boards can shape the workforce in multiple ways: hiring, firing, promoting, and compensating executives; approving key human resources and compliance policies; and exercising their oversight powers.
  • Each company will not only need to clarify and codify the roles of its board and its committees with respect to HCM, but also ensure that boards exercise their multiple powers in a coordinated manner.
  • Boards should have an in-depth, candid understanding of the corporate culture and its role in the overall HCM strategy.
  • To provide context and accountability, companies should use both quantitative and qualitative measures for evaluating HCM performance.
  • Companies should ensure boards have, or have access to, HCM expertise.

«Workforce issues have often been an episodic priority for boards—particularly after mergers, scandals such as #MeToo, or during the current pandemic,» said Paul Washington, Executive Director of The Conference Board ESG Center. «The workforce now needs to be a sustained strategic priority for corporate directors. That requires taking a fresh look at the board’s governance practices, the information it receives, the disclosures the company makes, and how the board can leverage its multiple powers to help drive the company’s workforce strategy.»

Companies should disclose HCM-related information in various locations and formats to serve wider and more diverse sets of constituents.

  • While companies are moving quickly to increase their HCM disclosures in their Annual Reports on Form 10-K, the new SEC rules are not the only compelling driver.
  • Intangible assets such as workforce capabilities are an increasingly large part of a company’s market value, and research establishes a clear connection between strong HCM practices—and good HCM disclosure—with shareholder value.
  • HCM matters to many other constituents, including investors who see HCM issues as essential to sustainable long-term value creation, as well as employees, consumers, and the public.

«Now, the workforce is not only recognized as a valuable intangible asset for companies but regarded as a critical stakeholder; enhancing the welfare of the workforce is part of the purpose of the corporation,» said Rebecca Ray, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Human Capital at The Conference Board. «Given this—and the clear relationship between HCM and corporate performance—it stands to reason that HCM should be front and center for boards and management and viewed as a fundamental driver of economic value for organizations.»

About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what’s ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org

 

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SOURCE The Conference Board

National Taxpayer Advocate Delivers Annual Report to Congress; Focuses on Taxpayer Impact of COVID-19 and IRS Funding Needs

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Erin M. Collins today released her 2020 Annual Report to Congress, focusing on the unprecedented challenges taxpayers faced in filing their tax returns and receiving refunds and stimulus payments during a year…

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Erin M. Collins today released her 2020 Annual Report to Congress, focusing on the unprecedented challenges taxpayers faced in filing their tax returns and receiving refunds and stimulus payments during a year consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The report also finds that a roughly 20 percent inflation-adjusted reduction in the IRS’s budget since fiscal year (FY) 2010 has left the agency with antiquated technology and inadequate staffing levels to meet taxpayers’ needs.

As part of the report, Collins released the fourth edition of the National Taxpayer Advocate’s «Purple Book,» a compilation of 66 legislative recommendations designed to strengthen taxpayer rights and improve tax administration.

«During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic affected almost all facets of our lives, and U.S. tax administration was no exception,» Collins said.  «Taxpayers could not meet in person with their tax return preparers.  IRS personnel who open and process tax returns and answer the toll-free telephone lines had to follow social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders, limiting their ability to assist taxpayers.  And Congress assigned the IRS the task of issuing two rounds of stimulus payments, stretching its resources even further.»

The 2020 Filing Season and Economic Impact Payments

The report says the IRS in most cases «can effectively handle whatever it can automate,» and as a result, most taxpayers were well served.  As of November 20, 2020, the IRS had received about 169 million individual income tax returns, including about 8.4 million that were filed solely to claim stimulus payments (referred to by the IRS as «economic impact payments» or «EIPs»).  About 90 percent of returns were e-filed and therefore were not delayed by the pandemic.  Similarly, the overwhelming majority of EIPs were issued by direct deposit or automated mailings and were successfully and timely transmitted.

However, the report says millions of taxpayers experienced major problems, including the following:

  • Refund delays due to COVID-19 processing backlogs.
  • Refund delays due to IRS fraud detection filters.
  • EIP underpayments.
  • Late notices.
  • Lack of information about backlogs, notices, and other problems.

Inadequate Funding Is the Source of Many Taxpayer Problems

By statute, the National Taxpayer Advocate is required to identify the ten most serious problems encountered by taxpayers.  In her preface to the report, Collins wrote: «If this year’s Most Serious Problems are read in combination, one overriding theme emerges: To improve taxpayer service, the IRS needs more resources to hire employees and more resources to modernize its information technology (IT) systems.»

Among the Most Serious Problems are the following:

  • Insufficient employee hiring and retention.
  • Inadequate telephone and in-person taxpayer service.
  • Limited functionality of online taxpayer accounts.
  • Antiquated information technology.

The report says a common link among these taxpayer problems is inadequate funding to allow the IRS to administer the tax system as well as it could.  «The IRS is the accounts receivable department of the federal government,» Collins wrote.  «In FY 2020, it collected about $3.5 trillion on a budget of about $11.51 billion, producing a remarkable return on investment of more than 300:1.  For this reason, it is economically irrational to underfund the IRS.»

National Taxpayer Advocate «Purple Book» of Legislative Recommendations

The National Taxpayer Advocate’s 2021 Purple Book proposes 66 legislative recommendations for consideration by Congress, including the following:

  • Authorize the IRS to establish minimum standards for tax return preparers.
  • Expand the U.S. Tax Court’s jurisdiction to hear refund cases.
  • Restructure the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to make it simpler for taxpayers and reduce improper payments.
  • Increase the annual award cap for Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs).
  • Require taxpayer consent before allowing IRS Counsel or Compliance personnel to participate in IRS Independent Office of Appeals conferences.
  • Clarify that taxpayers may raise innocent spouse relief as a defense in collection proceedings and bankruptcy cases.
  • Clarify that the National Taxpayer Advocate may hire independent legal counsel.

Please visit https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/AnnualReport2020 for more information.

In addition, TAS has recently released an Online Digital Roadmap Tool that will assist taxpayers with navigating the complexity of the tax system.  By entering a notice or letter number, taxpayers can determine where they are on the roadmap, why they received the notice or letter, what rights they have, what they must do next, and where they can get additional help.

Related Items: 

About the Taxpayer Advocate Service

TAS is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights.  Your local advocate’s number is available in your local directory and at https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us. You may also call TAS toll-free at 877-777-4778.  TAS can help if you need assistance resolving an IRS problem, if your problem is causing financial difficulty, or if you believe an IRS system or procedure isn’t working as it should.  And our service is free.  For more information about TAS and your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, go to https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov.  You can get updates on tax topics at facebook.com/YourVoiceAtIRS, Twitter.com/YourVoiceatIRS, and YouTube.com/TASNTA. 

Taxpayer Advocate Service Media Relations Office
Taxpayer Advocate Service Media Contact: 202.317.6802
https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/contact-us
Public Contact: 877.777.4778

 

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SOURCE Taxpayer Advocate Service

ENGIE North America adds nearly 2 GW of Renewable Energy in the U.S. in 2020

HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — ENGIE North America today announced it has added nearly 2 GW of renewable energy to the U.S. in 2020, as part of ENGIE’s commitment to deliver 9 GW of renewable energy capacity globally between 2019 and 2021. These new clean energy capacities will offset nearly 2.1 million metric tons of carbon and bring ENGIE’s renewables capacity to more than 3 GW in North America – enough to power 1.3 million homes….

HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — ENGIE North America today announced it has added nearly 2 GW of renewable energy to the U.S. in 2020, as part of ENGIE’s commitment to deliver 9 GW of renewable energy capacity globally between 2019 and 2021. These new clean energy capacities will offset nearly 2.1 million metric tons of carbon and bring ENGIE’s renewables capacity to more than 3 GW in North America – enough to power 1.3 million homes.

The six grid-scale wind projects and two grid-scale solar projects contributed to the company’s record pace of renewable energy development and construction. These projects are located in Texas, Kansas, South Dakota and Oklahoma. With the completion of these projects, adding 1.4 GW of wind and 0.4 GW of solar, and other projects in the U.S. and Canada, ENGIE now has more than 3 GW of renewable generation capacity in North America developed over the past two years.

«This was a historic year of construction for ENGIE North America,» said Gwenaëlle Avice-Huet, Executive Vice President responsible for the ENGIE Renewables’ business line and CEO of ENGIE North America. «The rapid growth of our renewable energy footprint in the United States demonstrates ENGIE’s commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral future. With more than 10 GW of additional renewable energy projects currently underway in North America, we are just getting started in delivering on our mission to connect society and companies to clean, affordable, innovative, and resilient energy generation and the infrastructure to support it.»

Globally in 2020, ENGIE commissioned 3 GW of new renewable capacity, bringing its total portfolio to 31 GW of gross renewable energy capacity – consisting of hydroelectric (~57%) as well as wind and solar (~43%). Renewables account for 30% of ENGIE’s gross power generation capacity worldwide (101 GW). 

The projects developed and built by ENGIE North America in 2020 in the US include:  

Wind Projects:

  • East Fork, 196 MW, Thomas County, Kansas 
  • Las Lomas, 202 MW, Starr and Zapata Counties, Texas  
  • Jumbo Hill, 161 MW, Andrews County, Texas
  • Triple H, 250 MW, Hyde County, South Dakota  
  • King Plains, 248 MW, Garfield & Noble Counties, Oklahoma
  • Prairie Hill, 300 MW, Limestone and McLennan Counties, Texas  

Solar Projects:

  • Anson, 200 MW, Jones County, Texas
  • Long Draw, 225 MW, Borden County, Texas

These projects contributed more than 3,000 construction jobs across 8 counties and 100 well-paying jobs in rural communities throughout the heartland in the United States.

The renewable energy resources of these projects have been contracted with several iconic companies in the retail, food and beverage, technology and educational sectors.

About ENGIE North America

ENGIE North America Inc. offers a range of capabilities in the United States and Canada to help customers decarbonize, decentralize and digitalize their operations. These include comprehensive services to help customers run their facilities more efficiently and optimize energy and other resource use and expense; clean power generation; energy storage; and retail energy supply that includes renewable, demand response, and on-bill financing options. Nearly 100% of the company’s power generation portfolio is low carbon or renewable. Globally, ENGIE S.A. relies on their key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to customers. With 170,000 employees, customers, partners and stakeholders, we are a community of Imaginative Builders, committed every day to more harmonious progress. For more information on ENGIE North America, please visit our LinkedIn page or Twitter feed, www.engie-na.com and www.engie.com.


ENGIE North America Media Contact:

Sandrine Deparis, sandrine.deparis@engie.com, (202) 855 3705

 

 

 

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SOURCE ENGIE North America

Duke Energy, Firestone Walker Brewing complete one of the largest on-site solar arrays in craft beer industry

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and PASO ROBLES, Calif., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) and Firestone Walker Brewing Company have completed one of the largest on-site solar arrays in the craft beer industry ­­­– a 2.1-megawatt solar array and 281-kilowatt solar carport on 9.7 acres in Paso Robles, Calif.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. and PASO ROBLES, Calif., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) and Firestone Walker Brewing Company have completed one of the largest on-site solar arrays in the craft beer industry ­­­– a 2.1-megawatt solar array and 281-kilowatt solar carport on 9.7 acres in Paso Robles, Calif.

The arrays will generate the majority of the brewery’s energy, which is enough to brew and bottle 6 million cases of beer annually.

«REC Solar and Duke Energy Renewables have been solid partners throughout this process. They helped us unlock our vision for ‘beer brewed with sunshine,’ and methodically executed the complex entitlements, engineering and installation of the array. It was as painless a process as we could have hoped,» said David Walker, co-owner of Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

The on-site solar, single-axis trackers and carports were made possible through the collaboration of two Duke Energy subsidiaries. REC Solar designed and built the solar project, and Duke Energy Renewables provided Firestone Walker financing through a 25-year power purchase agreement.

«Now more than ever, companies are powering their businesses using renewable energy to ensure sustainability and reduce carbon emissions,» said Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Renewables. «Duke Energy is uniquely positioned to offer sustainable solutions that meet the important needs of our customers. We’re proud to work with Firestone Walker to deliver an on-site solar solution and offer financing that will address their needs for decades to come.»

The solar array, which is located adjacent to the brewery in Paso Robles, Calif., features ground-mounted single-axis trackers that maximize solar energy production and is projected to generate 4,055 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity in its first year. The second 281-kilowatt array consists of a solar carport spanning 14,000 square feet just south of the brewery, increasing the brewery’s total solar production to 4,570 MWh of electricity generated in its first year. In its entirety, the solar installation is enough to offset 3,231 metric tons of carbon emissions.

Project planning began in late 2016, with groundbreaking in April 2020. In addition to the solar arrays, the project includes utility substation upgrades that will make it easier for other local organizations seeking to go solar to tap into the power of renewable energy.

«We have made a 25-year forward commitment to this project, and we hope that our embrace of solar energy, along with scores of others in our community, will encourage more to do the same,» Walker said.

Duke Energy Renewables/REC Solar

Duke Energy Renewables, a nonregulated unit of Duke Energy, operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., with a total electric capacity of 3,000 megawatts. The power is sold to electric utilities, electric cooperatives, municipalities, and commercial and industrial customers. The unit also operates energy storage and microgrid projects. REC Solar is a business unit of Duke Energy Renewables. Visit Duke Energy Renewables and REC Solar for more information.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, in addition to Duke Energy Renewables’ capacity.

Duke Energy is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2020 «World’s Most Admired Companies» list, and Forbes’ 2019 «America’s Best Employers» list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Firestone Walker

Firestone Walker is an innovative California beer company founded in 1996. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. Firestone Walker is also the brewery behind 805, one of the nation’s fastest-growing beers. More at FirestoneBeer.com.

Contact: Jennifer Garber
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy

ITM Power plc Sale to Linde of World’s Largest PEM Electrolyser

GUILDFORD, England, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — ITM Power («ITM Power» or «the Company») (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce the sale to Linde of a 24MW electrolyser to be installed at the Leuna Chemical Complex in Germany. The full text of the Linde announcement is set out below.

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GUILDFORD, England, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — ITM Power («ITM Power» or «the Company») (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce the sale to Linde of a 24MW electrolyser to be installed at the Leuna Chemical Complex in Germany. The full text of the Linde announcement is set out below.

Linde to Build, Own and Operate World’s Largest PEM Electrolyzer for Green Hydrogen

Linde today announced it will build, own and operate the world’s largest PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyzer plant at the Leuna Chemical Complex in Germany.

This new 24 megawatt electrolyzer will produce green hydrogen to supply Linde’s industrial customers through the company’s existing pipeline network. In addition, Linde will distribute liquefied green hydrogen to refueling stations and other industrial customers in the region. The total green hydrogen being produced can fuel approximately six hundred fuel cell buses driving 40 million kilometers and saving up to 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions per year.

The electrolyzer will be built by ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH, a joint venture between Linde and ITM Power, using high-efficiency PEM technology. The plant is due to start production in the second half of 2022.

«Clean hydrogen is a cornerstone of the German and EU strategies to address the challenge of climate change. It is part of the solution to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions across many industries, including chemicals and refining,» said Jens Waldeck, President Region Europe West, Linde. «This project shows that electrolyzer capacity continues to scale up and it is a stepping stone towards even larger plants.»

Linde is a global leader in the production, processing, storage and distribution of hydrogen. It has the largest liquid hydrogen capacity and distribution system in the world. The company also operates the world’s first high-purity hydrogen storage cavern, coupled with an unrivaled pipeline network of approximately 1,000 kilometers to reliably supply its customers. Linde is at the forefront in the transition to clean hydrogen and has installed close to 200 hydrogen fueling stations and 80 hydrogen electrolysis plants worldwide. The company offers the latest electrolysis technology through its joint venture ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH.

Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, said: «This is the first sale via our joint venture with Linde and is currently the world’s largest announced PEM electrolyser. This is a significant addition to our sales pipeline and illustrates how the capacity and efficiency of our new factory allows us to tender for much larger scale projects. It demonstrates the growing commitment by industry to use green hydrogen produced by electrolysis to decarbonise production processes. We look forward to working closely with Linde to deliver this exciting project.»

Andreas Rupieper, MD ILE GmbH said: «ITM Linde Electrolysis GmbH is delighted to have received this order for the world’s largest PEM electrolyser from Linde plc. The close working relationship between the ITM Power engineering team and Linde Engineering in Dresden is driving forward our industrial scale offering to help customers reduce their CO2 emissions. Because we have well-engineered and integrated turn key solutions available today for customers, we feel confident that this important 24MW project is just the beginning of our journey together.»

For further information please visit www.itm-power.com or contact:
ITM Power plc
James Collins, Head of IR
+44 (0)114 263 7646
ir@itm-power.com

Investec Bank plc (Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Jeremy Ellis / Chris Sim / Ben Griffiths
+44 (0)20 7597 5970

Tavistock (Financial PR)
Simon Hudson / Edward Lee / Tim Pearson
+44 (0)20 7920 3150

About ITM Power plc:

ITM Power plc manufactures integrated hydrogen energy solutions for grid balancing, energy storage and the production of renewable hydrogen for transport, renewable heat and chemicals. ITM Power plc was admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in 2004. In October 2019, the Company announced the completion of a £58.8 million fundraising, including an investment by Linde of £38 million, together with the formation of a joint venture with Linde to focus on delivering renewable hydrogen to large-scale industrial projects worldwide. In November 2020, ITM Power completed a £172m fundraising, including a £30m investment by Snam, one of the world’s leading energy infrastructure operators. ITM Power signed a forecourt siting agreement with Shell for hydrogen refuelling stations in September 2015 (which was extended in May 2019 to include buses, trucks, trains and ships), and in January 2018 a deal to deploy a 10MW electrolyser at Shell’s Rhineland refinery. ITM Power announced the lease of the world’s largest electrolyser factory in Sheffield with a capacity of 1GW (1,000MW) per annum in July 2019. Customers and partners include Sumitomo, Ørsted, Phillips 66, Siemens Gamesa, National Grid, Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, Gasunie, RWE, Engie, BOC Linde, National Express, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Optimal and Anglo American among others.

About Linde

Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company with 2019 sales of $28 billion (€25 billion). We live our mission of making our world more productive every day by providing high-quality solutions, technologies and services which are making our customers more successful and helping to sustain and protect our planet. 

The company serves a variety of end markets including chemicals & refining, food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing and primary metals. Linde’s industrial gases are used in countless applications, from life-saving oxygen for hospitals to high-purity & specialty gases for electronics manufacturing, hydrogen for clean fuels and much more. Linde also delivers state-of-the-art gas processing solutions to support customer expansion, efficiency improvements and emissions reductions.

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SOURCE ITM Power Plc

ISBER Releases Position Statement for Management and Use of Ultra Low Temperature Freezers

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The International Society for the Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER), which represents professional experts in biobanking, ultra-low temperature (ULT) storage and cold chain management, has released its position statement listing key practices health agencies should consider to support the COVID-19 vaccine distribution with dedicated ULT freezers. The document, titled «<a target="_blank"…

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The International Society for the Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER), which represents professional experts in biobanking, ultra-low temperature (ULT) storage and cold chain management, has released its position statement listing key practices health agencies should consider to support the COVID-19 vaccine distribution with dedicated ULT freezers. The document, titled «Ultra Low Temperature Freezers: Key Considerations«, provides evidence based guidance for those responsible for distribution, storage, and management of the vaccine, to resources that detail the fundamentals of safe and efficient ULT freezer management, shipping and distribution.

«The global biobanking community has consolidated our knowledge and expertise into a brief one page resource. We aim to minimize the learning curve and to help people and health agencies new to ultra-low temperature storage avoid common pitfalls,» said Piper Mullins, President-Elect of ISBER.

The document draws on accepted practices known to ensure robust ULT product storage and distribution that are routinely used by biorepositories. The document represents a consensus view from the biobanking community. The organization drew on the expertise of biorepository managers and industry vendors with further reference from the ISBER Best Practices, Fourth Edition. The statement intends to supplement guidance from national and local health agencies on managing the cold chain deployment of frozen COVID-19 vaccines.

«We want ISBER to be the go-to resource for the growing number of people who are just learning about ultra-low storage and handling during this fraught time,» said Associate Professor Daniel Catchpoole, President of ISBER. «As a scientific community who are experts in cold chain logistics of biological specimens, it is vital that our national health agencies draw on the expertise ISBER provides to guide the proper management of freezers for the distribution of biological therapeutics.»

To learn more about the association please visit http://www.isber.org.

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About the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories

ISBER (http://www.isber.org) is the only global forum that addresses harmonization of scientific, technical, legal, and ethical issues relevant to repositories of biological and environmental specimens. ISBER fosters collaboration; creates education and training opportunities; provides a forum for the dissemination of state-of-the-art policies, processes, and research findings; and provides an international showcase for innovative technologies, products, and services. Together, these activities promote best practices that cut across the broad range of repositories that ISBER serves.

About the ISBER Best Practices

The ISBER Best Practices: Recommendations for Repositories Fourth Edition presents the most effective practices for the management of biological and environmental specimen collections and repositories. These are either evidence-based or consensus-based practices for collection, long-term storage, retrieval and distribution of specimens. Development of best practices is a rigorous, consensus-based process that reflects advances in research and technology. To access, please visit: https://www.isber.org/BPR

Media Contact

Ana Torres, International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER), +1 604-484-5693, ana@isber.org

Twitter

 

SOURCE International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER)

Onewheel Receives GOOD DESIGN Award for Pint

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Future Motion, maker of the popular Onewheel electric boards, today announced that it has received the prestigious Chicago Athenaeum’s 2020 GOOD DESIGN® Award for…

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Future Motion, maker of the popular Onewheel electric boards, today announced that it has received the prestigious Chicago Athenaeum’s 2020 GOOD DESIGN® Award for the Onewheel Pint.

Founded in Chicago in 1950 by Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Eames, GOOD DESIGN remains the oldest and the world’s most recognized program for design excellence worldwide. Onewheel Pint was recognized as a 2020 GOOD DESIGN winner.

«Pint is a rare example of a technology that enhances the human experience and connects you with the world» says founder and CEO, Kyle Doerkson. «Pint’s bold and refined design language matches it’s incredible riding experience. It is an honor to be recognized by some of the leading tastemakers for our tireless work on this game-changing product.»

Every single component of the Pint has been designed with careful consideration to create an unbelievable user-centric riding experience and a clean, approachable design language. The Pint retails for $950 and can be purchased at onewheel.com.

Good Design panelists praise Pint for it’s approachability and combination of transportation and recreation. «While Onewheel has developed a product with transportation utility, it has gone a step further in its design ethos and incorporated the fun of an action sport that anyone can do, any time, anywhere—no driving to the slopes, waves, or trails required.»

In November, the 70th GOOD DESIGN jury was held as a COVID-19 meeting online and the jury made selections from over 48 nations worthy of the GOOD DESIGN Award for their Design Excellence. Good Design represents the world’s critical mass of the design and manufacturing industry representing the best consumer design ranging from the ‘spoon to the city’ for sustainability, superior design, and unparalleled function.

About Future Motion, Inc

Founded in 2013, Future Motion is committed to designing and developing inspiring vehicles that include both elegant form and unprecedented function. Future Motion’s products, Onewheel Pint and Onewheel+ XR, exemplify its dedication to crafting products that bridge recreation and transportation. Future Motion designs not only the Onewheel product line but also all the subsystems that power it, including custom brushless motors, power electronics and battery modules. Onewheel, which provides a riding experience similar to surfing but on paved or unpaved trails, is perfectly situated in Santa Cruz where the mountains meet the sea. Its products are protected by over 37 issued patents in the U.S. and worldwide.

Contact: Dillon Hollinger
TRUE Communications for Onewheel
dillon@truecommunications.com

 

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SOURCE Onewheel

INTELITY Named Hotel Guest Apps and Guest Room Tablets Finalist at 2021 HotelTechAwards

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — INTELITY®, the provider of hospitality’s most comprehensive guest experience and staff management platform, today announced it has been named a top finalist for two 2021 HotelTechAwards in the Guest Experience Technology category. The HotelTechAwards finalists were selected from more…

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — INTELITY®, the provider of hospitality’s most comprehensive guest experience and staff management platform, today announced it has been named a top finalist for two 2021 HotelTechAwards in the Guest Experience Technology category. The HotelTechAwards finalists were selected from more than 1,000 of the top technology products worldwide after an awards period, which included thousands of verified hotelier reviews.

The HotelTechAwards are the hospitality technology industry’s top awards event and its only data-driven one. Winners were determined not by a handful of judges or popularity votes, but by the hospitality industry itself, with reviews from a global community of hoteliers spanning over 120 countries. During the awards period, INTELITY secured nearly 50 glowing reviews from hoteliers on all six continents, with customers praising the platform’s feature set, implementation, usability, customer support, and more. INTELITY averaged over 4.5 out of 5 stars in all categories, with over 90% of customers strongly recommending the platform to their peers.

«In the midst of a global pandemic, 318,466 hoteliers visited Hotel Tech Report from every corner of the globe contributing thousands of verified new product reviews during the 3-month awards period to share insights about their favorite technology products,» shared Hotel Tech Report CEO Jordan Hollander. «Finaling in key categories in the HotelTechAwards as INTELITY has done is a reflection of quality every company should be extremely proud of.»

This is just the latest industry recognition of excellence for INTELITY, a company that has prided itself on a history of innovation and an expansive hospitality technology platform for over a decade. During that time, INTELITY has been recognized as a HotelTechAwards finalist numerous times, won three HTNG TechOvation awards, and received four platform patents around its ticketing and keyless technologies. The company is also currently in its fourth consecutive year securing the Forbes Travel Guide Official Mobile and In-Room Technology Provider for Recommended, 4-star, and 5-star properties, one of the industry’s highest honors.

«Hotel Tech Report is one of the best resources available for hoteliers to find and vet leading hospitality technology vendors. This has been especially true during the pandemic, as technology has become a critical component of safety strategies at properties around the world,» noted INTELITY CEO Robert Stevenson. «To be named a top finalist for not just one, but two of the most competitive Guest Experience Technology awards is an honor, and truly showcases our commitment to both hotelier satisfaction and product excellence across the entire INTELITY platform.»

View the finalists’ profiles and read current customer reviews on Hotel Tech Report: INTELITY Mobile App, INTELITY In-Room Tablets. Or, for a more in-depth look at the full INTELITY platform, visit http://www.intelity.com.

Media Contact

Hannah Scott, INTELITY, 3105968160, hannah.scott@intelity.com

Twitter

 

SOURCE INTELITY

Media Briefing: State And Trends In Adaptation Report And Climate Adaptation Summit 2021

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ —

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ —

When: Wednesday 20th January at 12.00 CET
What: Media briefing with Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary General of the United Nations
Where: To register to join please email CAS2021-Press@minienw.nl with your name, media outlet and work email address.

To learn more about the Climate Adaptation Summit on Monday 25thJanuary 2021 and accompanying announcements from the Global Center on Adaptation on Friday 22nd January please join our media briefing with:

  • Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of Global Center on Adaptation
  • Patrick Verkooijen, CEO, Global Center on Adaptation

In the second part of this media session, you will receive an off the record background briefing about the Climate Adaptation Summit.

The Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is a new international organization, led by Patrick Verkooijen, which acts as a solutions broker to accelerate adaptation action.

In the lead up to the  Summit GCA will be make the following announcements on Friday 22nd January 2021in its capacity as Managing Partner of the Climate Adaptation Summit.

++ Embargoed until Friday 22ndJanuary 2021, 0100 GMT++
State and Trends in Adaptation 2020 Report
This report is the first in a series that will assess progress on climate adaptation and provide guidance and recommendations on best practice in adapting to the effects of a changing climate and building resilience to climate shocks.

Signed Science Statement
Over 2,500 scientists from more than 130 countries will release a signed statement calling on world leaders, decision-makers and investors, to change the way we understand, plan and invest for a changing climate to ensure we limit future damage. 

Youth Declaration
Led by GCA’s Youth Adaptation Network, young people from more than 115 countries will present a Global Youth Call to Action «Adapt for our Future» which will be shared with world leaders at the Climate Adaptation Summit.

++ Embargoed until Monday 25thJanuary 2021, 0100 GMT++
Background briefing – Climate Adaptation Summit
Hosted by the Netherlands, CAS2021 is the first global summit of world leaders dedicated to accelerating action for a climate resilient recovery from Covid-19. Following the work of the Global Commission on Adaptation, chaired by Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary General of the United Nations, Bill Gates, Co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, CAS2021 will launch a comprehensive Adaptation Action Agenda to kick start a transformational decade.

World leaders including Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, President of France, Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina will participate. They will be joined by Bill Gates, co-founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans.

During this background briefing you will be informed about the goals, relevance and contents of the Climate Adaptation Summit and practical information will be shared about how you can register to attend.

Summit registration
If you want to join CAS as press, a press registration is necessary. To register as press for CAS2021, please click here: https://www.cas2021.com/press/press-accreditation

For further information
Media coordinator of the Climate Adaptation Summit
miranda.mens@minienw.nl

Head of Communications, Global Center on Adaptation
Alex.gee@gca.org

Website
www.cas2021.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1044191/GCA_Logo.jpg  
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1419910/Climate_Adaptation_Summit_Logo.jpg

 

 

 

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SOURCE The Global Center on Adaptation

ProBlow Debuts from Top Auto Detailing Lifestyle Brand Chemical Guys as Their Most Powerful and Professional Handheld Dryer and Blower

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Chemical Guys, the leading lifestyle brand for automotive detailing enthusiasts and professionals, announces the retail debut of its highly anticipated ProBlow High Flow Professional Handheld Dryer and Blower. As one of the most powerful and user-friendly detailing tools of its kind, the ProBlow produces an intense stream of air generated by a 1000-watt motor, drying wet vehicle surfaces in minutes while effortlessly eliminating dust and reaching crevices…

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Chemical Guys, the leading lifestyle brand for automotive detailing enthusiasts and professionals, announces the retail debut of its highly anticipated ProBlow High Flow Professional Handheld Dryer and Blower. As one of the most powerful and user-friendly detailing tools of its kind, the ProBlow produces an intense stream of air generated by a 1000-watt motor, drying wet vehicle surfaces in minutes while effortlessly eliminating dust and reaching crevices with ease.  

ProBlow’s ultra-strong jet stream not only cuts drying time in half, but also helps eliminate the risk of scratches. The breakthrough tool easily and thoroughly dries every vehicle part, including those hard-to-reach areas where water collects, such as door mirrors, trim pieces, lug nuts, gas hatches, taillights, emblems, grills and anywhere else water might drip from once the car is in motion.

ProBlow’s extra-long, ten-foot (120-inch) cord and lightweight 3.3lb body allows for maximum mobility, and its rubber tip allows for scratch-free drying, even if the tool comes in contact with the vehicle’s surface. Flip the easy-access switch and the ProBlow goes to work, rapidly drying any wet surface – from cars to motorcycles to boats, as well as around the house, including decks and wet pavement. It can even be used in the engine bay, around the garage, in the yard and more.

«ProBlow was designed to offer a sense of fun and satisfaction to what normally is one of the most tedious parts of washing your ride,» said Chemical Guys’ Chief Revenue Officer, John Mansfield. «Equipped with a 1000-watt motor, comfortable grip, and extra-long cord, ProBlow is the ultimate solution for drying any wet surface.»

ProBlow officially debuts January 13th at ChemicalGuys.com and Detail Garage locations nationwide, retailing for $89.99.

ABOUT CHEMICAL GUYS
Driven by adventure, a passion for shine, and a love for the road ahead, Chemical Guys is a worldwide leader in automotive detailing products for car care enthusiasts and professionals. From exclusive small-batch waxes to cutting edge ceramic coatings, and specialty cleaners for exteriors and interiors, Chemical Guys sets the industry standard when it comes to product innovation, technological advancement and education. Based in Southern California, Chemical Guys has evolved from a handful of passionate car fanatics to a global lifestyle brand with the largest digital library of automotive detailing «how to» content available. Learn more and join the Chemical Guys family at ChemicalGuys.com.                                  

ABOUT DETAIL GARAGE  
Detail Garage is the country’s fastest-growing car care superstore. The nationwide retail franchise is the ultimate destination for auto detailing supplies, equipment, car care accessories and training. By combining the highest-quality products with educational detailing classes, Detail Garage has become the country’s go-to retail store for car care enthusiasts, passionate car owners, and detailing professionals. After launching its initial location in Southern California, the brand has quickly expanded to over 60 locations over the last 5 years throughout the US and Canada. To find a Detail Garage near you or for more information on products, training or franchising opportunities visit www.detailgarage.com.

 

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SOURCE Chemical Guys