Mes: enero 2021

The Hon. Gordon «Butch» Stewart O.J. 1941-2020: Legendary Jamaican Entrepreneur Redefined ‘All-Inclusive’ and Changed the Way the World Went on Vacation

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Legendary Jamaican entrepreneur Gordon «Butch» Stewart, one of the hospitality industry’s most vibrant personalities and founder of Sandals Resorts International, the world’s leading all-inclusive resort company, has died at the age of 79.  An unstoppable force, who delighted in defying the odds by exceeding expectations, Stewart single-handedly built the world’s most awarded vacation brand from one resort in <span…

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Legendary Jamaican entrepreneur Gordon «Butch» Stewart, one of the hospitality industry’s most vibrant personalities and founder of Sandals Resorts International, the world’s leading all-inclusive resort company, has died at the age of 79.  An unstoppable force, who delighted in defying the odds by exceeding expectations, Stewart single-handedly built the world’s most awarded vacation brand from one resort in Jamaica to over two dozen distinct resorts and villas throughout the Caribbean.

A son of Jamaica, Butch Stewart was born in Kingston on July 6, 1941 and grew up along the island country’s North Coast, a tropical paradise that now boasts several of his Luxury Included® Sandals and Beaches Resorts and where his love of the sea, dominoes and free enterprise were sown.  Certain from the start that he wanted to run his own company, at the tender age of 12, Stewart first stepped into the hospitality industry selling fresh-caught fish to local hotels.  His success got him ‘hooked’ and his enthusiasm for entrepreneurship never waned.

After completing his secondary education abroad, Stewart returned home to Jamaica where he demonstrated his innate talent as master salesman at the renowned Dutch-owned Curaçao Trading Company, quickly rising to the position of sales manager but itching to start his own company.  In 1968, Stewart took his chance.  With no collateral but recognizing the comfort that would make air conditioning an essential service, Stewart convinced American manufacturer Fedders Corporation to allow him to represent their brand in Jamaica.  With that, Stewart’s foundational business – Appliance Traders Limited (ATL), was born and he was on his way.

At ATL, Stewart developed a simple business philosophy he articulated many times: «Find out what people want, give it to them and in doing so – exceed their expectations.»  This would become the standard for every Stewart enterprise and practiced by every employee of the many companies Stewart would go on to found, including and perhaps most importantly, Sandals Resorts International.

Stewart Founds Sandals Resorts
In 1981, with a gift for recognizing opportunity, Stewart found one in Bay Roc: a rundown hotel on a magnificent beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  Seven months and $4 million in renovations later, Sandals Montego Bay would open as the flagship of what is today the most popular award-winning, all-inclusive resort chain in the world. 

While Stewart never laid claim to inventing the all-inclusive concept, he is recognized worldwide for his tireless effort to elevate the experience, delivering to his guests an unsurpassed level of luxury, and to share his certainty that a Caribbean company could successfully compete with any organization in the world.  He accomplished both. 

«I had heard of the concept, yet at the time, the services and rooms were very basic. Contrary to that, I envisioned we could bring forward a luxury resort to offer customers so much more. So, we perfected it. Only the most comfortable king size four poster beds, fine manicured gardens, cozy hammocks and the kind of warm, refined service the Caribbean has become known for. Just as important was to be located on the absolute best beach, because that’s what everyone dreams of.» 

Where other so-called «all-inclusives» offered meals and rooms at a set rate, Sandals Resorts’ prices covered gourmet dining options, premium brand drinks, gratuities, airport transfers, taxes and all land and watersport activities.  The competitors’ meals were buffet-style, so Stewart created on-property specialty restaurants with high culinary standards and white-glove service.  Sandals Resorts also was the first Caribbean hotel company to offer whirlpools and satellite television service, the first with swim-up pool bars and the first to guarantee that every room is fitted with a king-size bed and a hair dryer.  More recent innovations have included a signature spa concept – Red Lane® Spa, signature luxury suites designed for privacy and ultimate pampering, complimentary WiFi, and signature partnerships with iconic organizations such as Microsoft Xbox® Play Lounge, Sesame Workshop, PADI, Mondavi® Wines, Greg Norman Signature Golf courses and the London-based Guild of Professional English Butlers. And in 2017, Stewart introduced the Caribbean’s first over-the-water accommodations, which were quickly expanded to include Over-the-Water bars and Over-the-Water wedding chapels.

By steadfastly adhering to the «we can do it better» principle of pleasing his guests, Stewart fostered a company free to imagine and free to consistently raise the bar.  This ethos earned him the title of «King of All-Inclusives,» changing the face of the all-inclusive format and establishing Sandals Resorts as the most successful brand in the category – boasting year-round occupancy levels of more than 85 percent, an unequaled returning guest factor of 40 percent and demand that has led to unprecedented expansion including the creation of additional concepts such as Beaches Resorts, now the industry standard for excellence in family beach vacations. 

Butch Stewart loved Sandals.  At the time of his passing, he was hard at work on plans for the recently announced expansions to the Dutch island of Curaçao and St. Vincent.  

Stewart As Statesman
Stewart’s leadership helped resurrect Jamaica’s travel industry and earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of his countrymen.  He was elected President of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica in 1989 and was inducted into its «Hall of Fame» in 1995. He served as a Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board for a decade and as President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association in the mid-80s, ably balancing government and private sector priorities, reconciling the concerns of large and small Jamaican hotels, and raising public understanding of the tourism industry. In 1994, Stewart led a group of investors to take leadership of Air Jamaica, the Caribbean’s largest regionally based carrier.  It was a daunting task – planes were dirty, service was indifferent and on-time schedules were rarely met, causing market share to plummet along with revenues. 

When Stewart stepped in, he insisted on a passenger-friendly approach: on-time service, reduced waiting lines, increased training for all personnel, and signature free champagne on flights to accompany an emphasis on better food.  He also opened new routes in the Caribbean, brought on new Airbus jets and established a Montego Bay hub for flights coming from and returning to the United States. Just as with ATL and Sandals Resorts, Stewart’s formula proved successful and in late 2004, Stewart gave the airline back to the government with an increase in revenue of over US$250 million.

It was not the first time Stewart would come to the aid of his country.  In 1992, he galvanized the admiration of Jamaicans  with the «Butch Stewart Initiative,» pumping US$1 million a week into the official foreign exchange market at below prevailing rates to help halt the slide of the Jamaican dollar.  Dr Henry Lowe, at the time president and CEO of Blue Cross, wrote to Stewart saying: «I write to offer sincere congratulations to you for the tremendous initiative which has done so much, not only for the strengthening of our currency, but more so, for the new feeling of hope and positive outlook which is now being experienced by all of us as Jamaicans.»

Less well-known may be the extent of Stewart’s considerable philanthropy, where for more than 40 years he has helped improve and shape the lives of Caribbean people.  His work, formalized with the creation in 2009 of The Sandals Foundation, offers support ranging from the building of schools and paying of teachers to bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of those who cannot afford it. This in addition to his tireless support of a wide range of environmental initiatives. Beyond the work of the Foundation, Stewart has given millions to charitable causes such as celebrating the bravery of veterans and first responders and helping those in the wake of devastating hurricanes.

In 2012, Stewart founded the Sandals Corporate University, aimed at providing professional development for employees through reputable education and training programs. With access to more than 230 courses and external partnerships with 13 top-ranking local and international universities, every staff member can apply, broaden their knowledge, and advance their career.

Stewart’s successes in business and in life have earned him more than 50 well-deserved local, regional, and international accolades and awards including Jamaica’s highest national distinctions: The Order of Jamaica (O.J.), and Commander of the Order of Distinction (C.D.).  In 2017, Stewart was honored with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS), hosted by the Burba Hotel Network, marking his significant contribution to the hospitality industry.  «The success of Sandals has helped to power the growth of the tourism industry and economies not only in Jamaica but throughout the Caribbean,» said BHN president Jim Burba.  «The word ‘icon’ certainly applies to Butch Stewart.»

It delighted Stewart whenever he was dining anywhere in the world and an excited staff member would share with him, «Thank you.  I got my start at Sandals.»

Butch Stewart, The Man
With his easy pace, infectious warmth and trademark striped shirt, Stewart exuded an approachability that belied the complexity of his character.  While he was an acute businessperson, who at the time of his death was responsible for a Jamaican-based empire that includes two dozen diverse companies collectively representing Jamaica’s largest private sector group, the country’s biggest foreign exchange earner and its largest non-government employer, he was an extremely private man whose deepest devotion was to his family.

His greatest test came in 1989 when his beloved 24-year-old son Jonathan was killed in a car accident in Miami.  Stewart recalled the incident in a 2008 interview, «For two months after he died, I was absolutely useless, and after that I was sort of running on remote control. Things were a blur. It’s every parent’s nightmare.  After a year or so, I started to see things in vivid detail. You have to get busy, be close with your family. It did a lot in terms of me getting closer. There’s a lot more satisfaction.»

Stewart was able to return to his relentless pace, and the consensus among those who knew him best is that he did it by leading by example. «If you are going to lead, you have to participate,» Stewart was fond of saying.  He believed that if everyone in the organization recognized that the man in charge was working as hard as they were, they’d have an infinite amount of respect and motivation. «It’s about instilling a spirit of teamwork, defining a purpose and then rolling up your sleeves to get the job done better than anybody else,» Stewart said.

The company Butch Stewart built remains wholly owned by the Stewart family, who, in honor of Mr. Stewart’s long-term succession plans, has named Adam Stewart Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, extending his formidable leadership of the brands he has shepherded since he was appointed CEO in 2007.

Speaking on behalf of his family, Adam Stewart said, «our father was a singular personality; an unstoppable force who delighted in defying the odds by exceeding expectations and whose passion for his family was matched only by the people and possibility of the Caribbean, for whom he was a fierce champion.  Nothing, except maybe a great fishing day, could come before family to my dad.  And while the world understood him to be a phenomenal businessman – which he was, his first and most important devotion was always to us.  We will miss him terribly forever.»

Gordon «Butch» Stewart is survived by his wife, Cheryl, children Brian, Bobby, Adam, Jaime, Sabrina, Gordon, and Kelly; grandchildren Aston, Sloane, Camden, Penelope-Sky, Isla, Finley, Max, Ben, Zak, Sophie, Annie and Emma; and great grandchildren Jackson, Riley, Emmy and Willow.

A private funeral service will be held. Those wishing to share memories, condolences or personal stories may do so at AllThatsGood@sandals.com

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SOURCE Sandals Resorts International

10 Ways Corporate Boards Need to Approach Risk in 2021

NEW YORK, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As the pandemic crisis and lingering economic and political volatility increasingly threaten businesses and recovery globally, WomenCorporateDirectors Foundation (WCD) is seeing many companies consider establishing a stand-alone board Risk…

NEW YORK, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As the pandemic crisis and lingering economic and political volatility increasingly threaten businesses and recovery globally, WomenCorporateDirectors Foundation (WCD) is seeing many companies consider establishing a stand-alone board Risk committee.

This is just one way the best-prepared boards are arming themselves in the current climate and as they look ahead toward 2021, says Susan C. Keating, CEO of WCD.

«2020 has forced companies to look at risk in a completely new way,» Keating says. «2021 will be a time for boards to really integrate risk and strategy on a long-term basis.»

«While risk oversight is the role of the full board, many companies are now opting to form dedicated committees to drill down on new risks and make recommendations to the full board on ways to approach a mitigation strategy,» says Keating. «Risk has become an integral part of strategy development, as companies have seen what happens when threats come to light.»

WCD recently teamed with risk advisors, C-level executives, and board members to offer two programs on risk as part of its virtual WCDirect program series – the first being so popular that members demanded a second.

Catherine Allen, founder and chairman of The Santa Fe Group and a WCD member, led the panel discussions on board Risk committees and best practices in approaching risk. Additional panelists included:

  • Christopher Burt: Co-Founder and Director of the UK Risk Coalition; Principal, Halex Consulting; Director, Risk Coalition Research Company 
  • Jackie Daylor: KPMG Audit Partner who formerly served as National Managing Partner – Audit Quality and Professional Practice
  • Agnes Bundy Scanlan, Esq., CIPP: President, The Cambridge Group LLC; Director, Truist Financial Corporation, NewTower Trust Company, and AppFolio, Inc.; Member, WCD Boston

In their deep dive with the hundreds of WCD member directors who attended each of the programs, key lessons and best practices emerged about how boards should approach risk today:

10 Ways Corporate Boards Need to Approach Risk in 2021

  1. Create a Risk committee separate from the board Audit committee. «While expert with financials and investments, Audit committee members often do not have the deep operational expertise required to evaluate risk in a broader sense,» said Catherine Allen. «A Risk committee needs members with experience in areas such as cybersecurity, IT, compliance, third-party risk management, privacy, and reputational risk.» With this knowledge and expertise, the Risk committee can understand the significance of risk profiles for each business and establish metrics.
  2. Don’t spend too much time on risks you already know. Boards tend to focus too much on known risks that already have mitigations in place. «The real value is focusing on new and emerging risks where you may need to develop a solution or process to reduce or control a potential threat,» said Chris Burt. «An important quality to look for in a board Risk committee member or a Chief Risk Officer is imagination.»
  3. Keep an eye on what can go very wrong, very quickly. The liquidity crisis stemming from the COVID-19 shutdown put many companies in a dangerous financial position virtually overnight. Many of these businesses had seen a liquidity crunch just twelve years earlier during the 2008 financial crisis. These kinds of existential threats are where Risk committees must not get complacent, said Burt. «Pay attention to risks that are currently under control but have the potential to go very wrong, very quickly, when cascading consequences emerge from new risks.»
  4. Reputational risk can stem from multiple other risks. «A Risk committee often has to handle reputational repercussions that happen as a result of other matters under their oversight going awry,» said Agnes Bundy Scanlan. «Everything from regulatory issues, to an ESG failure, to a customer data breach can carry significant reputational consequences, which require a level of risk management beyond the initial incident.» 
  5. Risk management doesn’t mean being afraid to pull the trigger. There can be a tendency when making strategic decisions, especially with certain boards in financial services, to keep asking for more and more data and not move forward. «Don’t paralyze the organization by always asking for more data and refusing to act,» said Burt. «At some point, you have to make a decision.»
  6. Leverage a strong risk culture. «The institutions that have come into the events of 2020 – the pandemic, the economic collapse, the social unrest – with a strong culture are managing better,» said Bundy Scanlan. «Organizations that have addressed risk in the past, in a strategic way, have been able to tap into this culture and adapt. These companies are better at working remotely – they aren’t as disrupted by these kinds of changes that drag down the performance of those who can’t adapt.
  7. Make sure performance isn’t being driven by bad culture. «What are the cultural elements – the tone at the top, the incentives, the pressures – that could create risk in an organization?» asked Jackie Daylor. «It’s important to look at the behaviors that are driving results and the culture that’s developing around the bottom line.»
  8. Don’t devote all attention to today’s headline crisis. «Risk committees tend to focus on the current threat in the news, whether it’s a cyberattack or COVID,» said Burt. «They always need to look at the risks as a whole – the ongoing threats that are always there – and not ignore any of them.»
  9. Keep strategic objectives top of mind. «Risk management isn’t just about preventing bad things from happening, it’s also about analyzing opportunities to help good things happen,» said Burt. Risk committees should be involved closely in strategic decisions, and Burt even predicted that one day these committees will be renamed «Strategy and Risk» committees.
  10. Plan for risk management and review the strategy frequently. «Strategy and risk are intertwined,» said Daylor. «It’s essential to have a strategic approach to risk management. Companies need organizational resilience to withstand black swan events, such as the current pandemic, so that their people and processes are prepared to respond in the right way.»

«Diversity plays a huge part in reducing management’s blind spots when it comes to risk,» says Daylor. «A diversity of experience and social diversity help with problem solving, whether it’s COVID-related health and safety concerns, managing remote workforces or the acceleration of digital transformation that comes along with a remote workforce.

The value of diversity is especially critical as risks grow in complexity, argues Susan Keating. «On your Risk committee and for your board as a whole,» she says, «you want to make sure the diversity of the team is broad enough to address the wide spectrum of risks that are multiplying quickly each day.»

For more information, please contact Suzanne Oaks Brownstein or Trang Mar of Temin and Company at news@teminandco.com or 212.588.8788.

About WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc. 
The WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc. (WCD) is the only global membership organization and community of women corporate directors. WCD members serve on numerous boards of large private and family-run companies globally. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, WCD has 76 chapters around the world. The aggregate market capitalization of public companies on whose boards WCD members serve is over $8 trillion. For more information visit www.womencorporatedirectors.org or follow us on Twitter @WomenCorpDirs, #WCDboards, #WCDGlobal2020.

About KPMG, WCD’s Global Lead Sponsor
KPMG LLP is the U.S. firm of the KPMG global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 147 countries and territories and has more than 219,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.

About The Santa Fe Group
The Santa Fe Group’s risk management experts work collaboratively with organizations worldwide to identify meaningful trends, risks, and vulnerabilities, and to advise, educate, and empower organizations in the areas of cybersecurity, third party risk, privacy and enterprise risk management programs. The Santa Fe Group is the managing agent of the membership-based Shared Assessments Program, which guides many of the world’s leading organizations with the best practices to manage and protect against third party IT security risks. www.sharedassessments.org.

 

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SOURCE WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc.

Making the Impossible Possible: Celebrating Priority Based Budgeting Resource Reallocation as a Strategy for Local Governments to Tackle Society’s Great Challenges

DENVER, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Join ResourceX Co-founder and CEO, Chris Fabian, Wednesday, January 6, 2021, for a free zoom webinar presenting <a target="_blank"…

DENVER, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Join ResourceX Co-founder and CEO, Chris Fabian, Wednesday, January 6, 2021, for a free zoom webinar presenting the 2020 ResourceX Annual Report and laying out plans for 2021 and beyond.

ResourceX aims to increase the probability that the local government will tackle the massive societal challenges, from climate change to homelessness to equity and beyond, through resource identification and reallocation. The application and integration of Priority Based Budgeting provide the tools and methodology needed to understand the resources required and to align those resources with the community’s priorities. We can no longer afford to continue to do things as they have previously been done. The reallocation of resources to programs with higher alignment to priorities is crucial to combatting resource scarcity and refocusing resources on society’s grand challenges.

If there is one common bond among all of the challenges I’m most interested in solving, it’s that we’re going to need resources available to fund solutions. If we could solve the resource equation, might we substantially improve government’s chances of tackling the world’s most pressing problems?

– Chris Fabian, CEO and Co-founder, ResourceX

Through the ResourceX Annual Report, we’ve brought to life stories of communities mastering the skillsets required to bring about service fulfillment, achieve programmatic change, reallocate and maximize resources, and fund outcomes for the future undeterred by resource scarcity. With continued economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and no plausible future ahead where local government has all of the resources it needs to fund a better future, resource reallocation is a crucial strategy we need to see mastered.

This Annual Report celebrates, inspires, and empowers all in the ResourceX community. Every organization in this report is proving what’s possible with Priority Based Budgeting. We’ve established the possible; now, we can all work to increase the odds that it becomes probable.

ResourceX’s Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) platform is a leading best practice in local government and is a powerful lever for change in your community. ResourceX provides the software solution and analytic tools to create program based business intelligence and implement a priority based budget to transparently and exponentially improve your community results. ResourceX has partnered with over 200 organizations in the US and Canada to implement and apply PBB data for actionable decision-making.

Contact:
Liz Johnston
Marketing Director
LJohnston@resourcex.net
(817) 676-6830

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SOURCE ResourceX

Introducing ALLY: the online community of the energy workforce

HOUSTON, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — People from across the energy industry — from major corporations to startups, consultancies and more — have come together to launch a new online home for the energy community. ALLY Energy, which officially launches this week, is the platform for sharing ideas, expertise, career…

HOUSTON, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — People from across the energy industry — from major corporations to startups, consultancies and more — have come together to launch a new online home for the energy community. ALLY Energy, which officially launches this week, is the platform for sharing ideas, expertise, career opportunities and much more.

As the entire world turns to the energy sector to power a financial recovery and lead the way toward a low carbon future, ALLY will serve as an indispensable centerpoint.

«We need ALL forms of energy and ALL people working together for a more diverse, reliable, clean energy ecosystem,» says ALLY CEO Katie Mehnert, who also serves as an ambassador to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Equity in Energy program. «ALLY is the talent hub tackling some of our world’s greatest challenges around energy poverty and climate change.»

The launch comes six years after Mehnert founded Pink Petro and its associated job site, Experience Energy, which have led the fight for diversity and gender equity across the sector. A sexist comment from a fellow passenger on a trans-Atlantic flight inspired her to leave a career as a health and safety executive in the oil industry and create an agency focused on inclusion and culture change. The company grew rapidly and has hosted multiple annual global conferences, putting many women and minority leaders as well as male allies in the spotlight as they provide insight in guiding the energy transition.

«Pink Petro humanized energy,» Mehnert posted recently on LinkedIn. «It encouraged voices, faces and channels to emerge to share stories we needed to hear and see. It encouraged hard truths and dispelled myths. It recognized the many women and men in an industry so misunderstood and unfairly vilified»

«Microcommunities like ours are the future. It’s time now to retire Pink Petro and launch ALLY,» Mehnert says. The name is inspired in part by Mehnert’s daughter Ally. «ALLY is about bringing everyone together to be a part of something bigger than themselves.»

Mehnert is also the founder of Lean In Energy and author of Grow With The Flow: Embrace Difference, Overcome Fear And Progress With Purpose.

ALLY Energy works with oil and gas, power and utilities, renewables, and associated service companies. Professionals can sign up here. Employers, schools and groups can sign up here.

Media Contact

Leigh Anne Kelly, ALLY Energy, 281-741-5482, membership@allyenergy.com

 

SOURCE ALLY Energy

World Navigator To Feature First-At-Sea Luxury SeaSpa By L’OCCITANE

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Atlas Ocean Voyages and L’OCCITANE en Provence are proud to announce the launch of the first-at-sea Luxury SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE. Guests on a World Navigator luxe-adventure expedition will be able to opt from a holistic and sensorial menu in the new luxury SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE to perfectly complement their exciting and awe-inspiring shoreside experiences. The new SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE will be featured aboard World Navigator when she launches her inaugural Holy…

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Atlas Ocean Voyages and L’OCCITANE en Provence are proud to announce the launch of the first-at-sea Luxury SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE. Guests on a World Navigator luxe-adventure expedition will be able to opt from a holistic and sensorial menu in the new luxury SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE to perfectly complement their exciting and awe-inspiring shoreside experiences. The new SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE will be featured aboard World Navigator when she launches her inaugural Holy Land and Black & Mediterranean Seas season in July 2021.

«We are glad to partner with L’OCCITANE to bring their signature treatments to the open seas,» said Mário Ferreira, Chairman of Mystic Invest, parent company of Atlas Ocean Voyages. «World Navigator’s SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE will offer experienced, inquisitive and fun-seeking guests the luxury brand’s Mediterranean art-de-vivre with the same top-quality service and ingredients for which L’OCCITANE is world-renowned. Our two companies have already been working well together for Mystic Invest’s hotel brands and river vessels, and this is a positive, organic next step.»

«We are delighted to go further in our partnership with Mystic Invest and bring Spa L’OCCITANE unique experience to sea with Atlas Ocean Voyages,» said Frederic Darque, L’OCCITANE Global B2B & Spa General Manager. «Travelers at sea can enjoy the same high-quality treatments as they do on land, a fully integrated wellbeing journey to the sunny soils of the South of France.»

SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE treatments combine exclusive sequences, all hand-performed, with authentic ingredients from Provence, certified in origin and proven effectiveness. Guests can choose among L’OCCITANE exhaustive spa treatments menu, which features the Destination Deluxe 2020 award-winning treatment «Sleep & Reset Massage,» an innovative 90-minute massage with proven* effectiveness on sleep quality.
(*Tests and results accredited by European Sleep Center in Paris)

Located on the main deck, Deck 4, the new 947 sq. ft. (88 m2) SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE welcomes guests in a soothing reception room, featuring the Relaxing Pillow Mist, L’OCCITANE’s signature scent. Therapists invite guests into one of two treatment rooms for their SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE experience. Afterwards, guests can bask in their post-treatment glow and detox in SeaSpa’s infrared sauna or relax on plush loungers in the spa’s serenity lounge and enjoy soothing vistas of the passing oceanscape through expansive windows.

Additionally, all staterooms and suites will also include complimentary L’OCCITANE shampoo, hair conditioner, body wash, and handwash for guests to enjoy in their en-suite spa bathrooms.

ABOUT ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES
Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure cruise brand designed for seasoned and fun-seeking travelers to immerse in once-in-a-lifetime and awe-inspiring experiences in less-trodden, bucket-list destinations. At 9,930 GRTs, World Navigator fosters a refined and convivial ambience for up to 196 guests and features the most-modern hygiene and cleanliness measures incorporated into her state-of-the-art design.

Atlas’ signature All Inclusive All the Way provides guests one of the industry’s most-inclusive luxury product and includes emergency medical evacuation insurance for all guests, as well as complimentary round-trip air travel, polar parkas, prepaid gratuities, premium wine and spirits and international craft beers, coffees and smoothies, Wi-Fi, L’OCCITANE bath amenities, shore excursions at every port, and locally inspired gourmet dining. In every stateroom, guests enjoy binoculars to use on board, coffee, tea and personalized bar service, and butler service in suites.

For her inaugural season, World Navigator will embark on seven- to 24-night itineraries in The Holy Land, Black and Mediterranean Seas in summer 2021, followed by nine- to 13-night itineraries in the Caribbean, South America and Antarctic for winter 2021/22. World Navigator’s construction is on schedule and launches in July 2021, followed by World Traveller and World Seeker in 2022 and World Adventurer and World Discoverer in 2023. Travel Advisors can call 1-844-44-ATLAS (1-844-442-8527) to book their clients on an unforgettable luxe-adventure journey.  

ABOUT L’OCCITANE GROUP
The L’OCCITANE Group is an international group that manufactures and retails beauty and well-being products that are rich in natural and organic ingredients. As a global leader in the premium beauty market, the Group has more than 3,000 retail outlets, including over 1,600 owned stores, and is present in 90 countries. Through its six brands – L’OCCITANE en Provence, Melvita, Erborian, L’OCCITANE au Brésil, LimeLife and ELEMIS – the Group offers new and extraordinary beauty experiences, using high-quality products that respect nature, the environment and the people in it.

ABOUT SPA L’OCCITANE
With over 100 spas in 30 countries, Spa L’OCCITANE is a natural extension of the L’OCCITANE Brand. Spa L’OCCITANE combines authentic ingredients from Provence, with certified origin and proven effectiveness, with the best of traditional massage therapies from all around the world. Fused in exclusive sequences, all hand-performed, all of our rituals offer an unforgettable well-being escape to the sunny soils of the South of France. Treat yourself to a one-way sensorial trip to Provence with our Spa L’OCCITANE, and experience the brand through a holistic journey inspired by the Mediterranean art-de-vivre.

 

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SOURCE Atlas Ocean Voyages

Manufacturing PMI® at 60.7%; December 2020 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®

New Orders, Production, and Employment Growing; Supplier Deliveries Slowing at Faster Rate; Backlog Growing; Raw Materials Inventories Growing; Customers’ Inventories Too Low; Prices Increasing; Exports and Imports Growing

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in December, with the overall economy notching an eighth consecutive month of growth, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing…

New Orders, Production, and Employment Growing; Supplier Deliveries Slowing at Faster Rate; Backlog Growing; Raw Materials Inventories Growing; Customers’ Inventories Too Low; Prices Increasing; Exports and Imports Growing

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in December, with the overall economy notching an eighth consecutive month of growth, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee:

«The December Manufacturing PMI® registered 60.7 percent, up 3.2 percentage points from the November reading of 57.5 percent. This figure indicates expansion in the overall economy for the eighth month in a row after contracting in March, April, and May, which ended a period of 131 consecutive months of growth. The New Orders Index registered 67.9 percent, up 2.8 percentage points from the November reading of 65.1 percent. The Production Index registered 64.8 percent, an increase of 4 percentage points compared to the November reading of 60.8 percent. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 59.1 percent, 2.2 percentage points higher compared to the November reading of 56.9 percent. The Employment Index returned to expansion territory at 51.5 percent, 3.1 percentage points higher from the November reading of 48.4 percent. The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 67.6 percent, up 5.9 percentage points from the November figure of 61.7 percent. The Inventories Index registered 51.6 percent, 0.4 percentage point higher than the November reading of 51.2 percent. The Prices Index registered 77.6 percent, up 12.2 percentage points compared to the November reading of 65.4 percent. The New Export Orders Index registered 57.5 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage point compared to the November reading of 57.8 percent. The Imports Index registered 54.6 percent, a 0.5-percentage point decrease from the November reading of 55.1 percent.»

Fiore continues, «The manufacturing economy continued its recovery in December. Survey Committee members reported that their companies and suppliers continue to operate in reconfigured factories, but absenteeism, short-term shutdowns to sanitize facilities and difficulties in returning and hiring workers are causing strains that are limiting manufacturing growth potential. However, panel sentiment remains optimistic (three positive comments for every cautious comment), an improvement compared to November. Demand expanded, with the (1) New Orders Index growing at a strong level, supported by the New Export Orders Index expanding, (2) Customers’ Inventories Index remaining in ‘too low’ territory and at a level considered a positive for future production, and the (3) Backlog of Orders Index achieving a 2½-year high. Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) contributed positively (a combined 7.1-percentage point increase) to the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. The Production Index hit a 10-year high, as the last reading above 64.8 percent was in January 2011 (65.3 percent), with five of the top six industries reporting moderate to strong expansion. The Employment Index moved into expansion after a single month of contraction, due to the inability to attract and retain direct labor. Inputs — expressed as supplier deliveries, inventories and imports — continued to indicate input-driven constraints to production expansion, at higher rates compared to November, as indicated by minimal gains in inventory levels and difficulties in expanding imports. Supply chains continue to struggle compared to November, contributing moderately to the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. (The Supplier Deliveries and Inventories indexes directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI®; the Imports Index does not.) The Prices Index jumped dramatically in December, to a level last reached in the summer of 2018, the peak of the last manufacturing expansion cycle.

«All six of the biggest manufacturing industries — Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — registered moderate to strong growth in December.

«Manufacturing performed well for the seventh straight month, with demand, consumption and inputs registering strong growth compared to November. Labor market difficulties at panelists’ companies and their suppliers will continue to restrict the manufacturing economy expansion until the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis ends,» says Fiore.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 16 reported growth in December, in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Chemical Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The two industries reporting contraction in December are: Printing & Related Support Activities; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING

  • «Our company and industry are continuing to have tailwinds from the COVID-19 pandemic research support for vaccines and treatments. While our services are delayed, many customers are not cancelling outright, and business picked up for us in the last month — especially in China, where business growth is back on track.» (Computer & Electronic Products)
  • «Continued to survive COVID-19 shutdowns, customer restrictions and personnel issues (work from home and COVID-19 outbreaks) and managed to maintain slight growth over 2019.» (Chemical Products)
  • «COVID-19 outbreaks are causing supply chain issues for Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers. More work needs to ensure suppliers keep us in the loop with any problem in their supply chain. But end-customer demand for products is keeping production and future outlook positive.» (Transportation Equipment)
  • «COVID-19 is affecting us more strongly now than back in March. Vendors/service suppliers unable to maintain levels of service due to employee shortages. Logistic issues also hurting us due to coronavirus-related problems.» (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
  • «Current business outlook is strong through the first quarter of 2021. We are anticipating 20 percent growth in sales for 2021.» (Fabricated Metal Products)
  • «Sales are now slightly above pre-COVID-19 sales.» (Machinery)
  • «Sales are now exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels, but uncertainty remains through the winter months while COVID-19 is still rampant.» (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)
  • «Business is stronger than expected, with higher demand for many products. Volatility continues due to the very persistent pandemic and associated risks.» (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)
  • «Suppliers are having difficulty finding and retaining labor leading to supply constraints.» (Plastics & Rubber Products)
  • «Fourth-quarter production improved more than anticipated, both against the rolling forecast and compared to typical Q4 business.» (Primary Metals)

 

MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE

December 2020

Index

Series Index

Dec

Series Index

Nov

Percentage

Point

Change

Direction

Rate of Change

Trend* (Months)

Manufacturing PMI®

60.7

57.5

+3.2

Growing

Faster

7

New Orders

67.9

65.1

+2.8

Growing

Faster

7

Production

64.8

60.8

+4.0

Growing

Faster

7

Employment

51.5

48.4

+3.1

Growing

From Contracting

1

Supplier Deliveries

67.6

61.7

+5.9

Slowing

Faster

14

Inventories

51.6

51.2

+0.4

Growing

Faster

3

Customers’ Inventories

37.9

36.3

+1.6

Too Low

Slower

51

Prices

77.6

65.4

+12.2

Increasing

Faster

7

Backlog of Orders

59.1

56.9

+2.2

Growing

Faster

6

New Export Orders

57.5

57.8

-0.3

Growing

Slower

6

Imports

54.6

55.1

-0.5

Growing

Slower

6

OVERALL ECONOMY

Growing

Faster

8

Manufacturing Sector

Growing

Faster

7

Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories indexes.
*Number of months moving in current direction.

COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY

Commodities Up in Price
Aluminum (7); Aluminum Products (3); Brass Products (2); Copper (7); Corrugate (3); Corrugate Boxes (2); Crude Oil; Electrical Components; Electronic Components; Freight (2); Isocyanates; Labor — Temporary; Linerboard; Lumber (6); Ocean Freight; Oil-Base Lubricants; Packaging Supplies; Paper Products; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Gloves; Phosphates; Plastic Resins (4); Polyethylene Resins (3); Polyurethane; Polypropylene (6); Polyvinyl Chloride (3);  Solvents; Soybean Products (3); Steel (5); Steel — High Carbon; Steel — Cold Rolled (4); Steel — Hot Rolled (4); Steel Products (4); Steel — Scrap; Steel — Stainless (2); and Wood — Pallets.

Commodities Down in Price
None.

Commodities in Short Supply
Aluminum; Aluminum Cans; Corrugate Boxes (2); Electrical Components (3); Electronic Components; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Gloves (10); PPE — Masks (2); Semiconductors; Steel; Steel — Galvanized; and Steel — Hot Rolled (2).

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.

DECEMBER 2020 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

Manufacturing PMI®
Manufacturing grew in December, as the Manufacturing PMI® registered 60.7 percent, 3.2 percentage points higher than the November reading of 57.5 percent. «The Manufacturing PMI® signaled a continued rebuilding of economic activity in December, with four of five contributing subindexes in strong growth territory. All six of the biggest manufacturing industries — Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — expanded. The New Orders and Production indexes continued to expand strongly. The Supplier Deliveries Index continued to reflect suppliers’ difficulties in maintaining delivery rates, due to factory labor-safety issues and transportation challenges. All 10 subindexes were positive for the period; a reading of ‘too low’ for Customers’ Inventories is considered a positive for future production,» says Fiore. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.

A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.8 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the December Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew in December for the eighth consecutive month following contractions in March, April, and May. «The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the Manufacturing PMI® for December (60.7 percent) corresponds to a 5.2-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,» says Fiore.

THE LAST 12 MONTHS

Month

Manufacturing
PMI®

Month

Manufacturing
PMI®

Dec 2020

60.7

Jun 2020

52.6

Nov 2020

57.5

May 2020

43.1

Oct 2020

59.3

Apr 2020

41.5

Sep 2020

55.4

Mar 2020

49.1

Aug 2020

56.0

Feb 2020

50.1

Jul 2020

54.2

Jan 2020

50.9

Average for 12 months – 52.5

High – 60.7

Low – 41.5

New Orders
ISM®‘s New Orders Index registered 67.9 percent in December, an increase of 2.8 percentage points compared to the 65.1 percent reported in November. This indicates that new orders grew for the seventh consecutive month and the sixth consecutive month above 60 percent. «All six of the largest manufacturing sectors — Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — expanded,» says Fiore. A New Orders Index above 52.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau’s series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the 13 that reported growth in new orders in December — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The three industries reporting a decline in new orders in December are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Textile Mills; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

New Orders

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2020

40.3

45.1

14.6

+25.7

67.9

Nov 2020

35.9

50.1

14.0

+21.9

65.1

Oct 2020

40.3

49.2

10.5

+29.8

67.9

Sep 2020

35.2

45.9

18.9

+16.3

60.2

Production
The Production Index registered 64.8 percent in December, 4 percentage points above the November reading of 60.8 percent, indicating growth for the seventh consecutive month and the sixth straight month above 60 percent. This is the highest reading since January 2011, when the index registered 65.3 percent. «Five (Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products) of the top six industries expanded moderately to strongly,» says Fiore. An index above 51.7 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.

The 13 industries reporting growth in production during the month of December — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Chemical Products. The two industries reporting decreased production in December are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Production

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2020

32.3

54.6

13.1

+19.2

64.8

Nov 2020

33.7

52.0

14.3

+19.4

60.8

Oct 2020

37.4

51.0

11.7

+25.7

63.0

Sep 2020

34.3

50.9

14.8

+19.5

61.0

Employment
ISM®‘s Employment Index registered 51.5 percent in December, 3.1 percentage points higher than the November reading of 48.4 percent. «Following one month of contraction, the Employment Index moved back into expansion territory. The December figure is 24 percentage points above the index’s low of 27.5 percent registered in April. Only three (Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Chemical Products) of the six big industry sectors expanded. Continued strong new-order levels and an expanding backlog indicate potential employment strength for the first quarter of 2021. For the fourth straight month, survey panelists’ comments indicate that significantly more companies are hiring or attempting to hire than those reducing labor forces,» says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the eight industries to report employment growth in December — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; and Machinery. The five industries reporting a decrease in employment in December are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components.

Employment

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2020

14.9

68.8

16.3

-1.4

51.5

Nov 2020

14.8

66.4

18.9

-4.1

48.4

Oct 2020

23.1

59.3

17.7

+5.4

53.2

Sep 2020

19.4

58.9

21.7

-2.3

49.6

Supplier Deliveries†
The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in December, as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 67.6 percent. This is 5.9 percentage points higher than the 61.7 percent reported in November. «Suppliers continue to struggle to deliver, with deliveries slowing at a faster rate compared to November. Transportation challenges and challenges in supplier-labor markets are still constraining production growth — and to a greater extent compared to the previous month. The Supplier Deliveries Index reflects the difficulties suppliers continue to experience due to COVID-19 impacts. Supplier labor and transportation constraints are not expected to diminish in the near-to-moderate term due to COVID-19,» says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

Sixteen industries reported slower supplier deliveries in December, listed in the following order: Fabricated Metal Products; Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Furniture & Related Products; Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Wood Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Primary Metals. No industries reported faster supplier deliveries in December.

Supplier Deliveries

%Slower

%Same

%Faster

Net

Index

Dec 2020

39.5

56.3

4.2

+35.3

67.6

Nov 2020

27.5

68.4

4.1

+23.4

61.7

Oct 2020

24.7

71.5

3.8

+20.9

60.5

Sep 2020

24.0

70.0

6.1

+17.9

59.0

Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 51.6 percent in December, 0.4 percentage point higher than the 51.2 percent reported for November. Inventories grew for a third consecutive month after three months of contraction. «Inventory growth stability in light of ongoing supplier constraints indicates that supply chains are meeting near-term production demand, in spite of transportation and COVID-19 headwinds,» says Fiore. An Inventories Index greater than 44.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

The eight industries reporting higher inventories in December — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Textile Mills; Paper Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Transportation Equipment. The seven industries reporting a decrease in inventories in December — listed in order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.

Inventories

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2020

22.1

53.5

24.4

-2.3

51.6

Nov 2020

18.1

62.4

19.4

-1.3

51.2

Oct 2020

21.3

59.9

18.8

+2.5

51.9

Sep 2020

16.9

61.6

21.5

-4.6

47.1

Customers’ Inventories†
ISM®‘s Customers’ Inventories Index registered 37.9 percent in December, 1.6 percentage points higher than the 36.3 percent reported for November, indicating that customers’ inventory levels were considered too low. «Customers’ inventories are too low for the 51st consecutive month, a positive for future production growth. For five months in a row, the index has been at its lowest levels in more than a decade (a reading of 35.8 percent in June 2010). However, the drop into ‘too low’ territory slowed in December,» says Fiore.

Of the 18 industries, the only one reporting higher customers’ inventories in December is Printing & Related Support Activities. The 14 industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low during December — listed in order — are: Wood Products; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.

Customers’ Inventories

% Reporting

%Too High

%About Right

%Too Low

Net

Index

Dec 2020

75

7.2

61.4

31.4

-24.2

37.9

Nov 2020

78

6.7

59.3

34.0

-27.3

36.3

Oct 2020

77

6.8

59.7

33.5

-26.7

36.7

Sep 2020

76

10.2

55.4

34.5

-24.3

37.9

Prices†
The ISM® Prices Index registered 77.6 percent, an increase of 12.2 percentage points compared to the November reading of 65.4 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the seventh consecutive month. The index achieved its highest reading since May 2018, when it registered 79.5 points. «Aluminum, copper, steel, petroleum-based products including plastics, transportation costs, electronic components, corrugate, temporary labor, wood and lumber products all continued to record price increases,» says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

All 18 industries reported paying increased prices for raw materials in December, in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Machinery; Printing & Related Support Activities; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; and Textile Mills.

Prices

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2020

57.8

39.7

2.6

+55.2

77.6

Nov 2020

36.7

57.3

6.0

+30.7

65.4

Oct 2020

35.4

60.1

4.5

+30.9

65.5

Sep 2020

32.3

60.9

6.8

+25.5

62.8

Backlog of Orders†
ISM®‘s Backlog of Orders Index registered 59.1 percent in December, a 2.2-percentage point increase compared to the 56.9 percent reported in November, indicating order backlogs expanded for the sixth consecutive month. «Backlogs expanded at faster rates in December, indicating that new-order intakes more than fully offset production outputs. Four (Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) of the six big industry sectors’ backlogs expanded with significant strength. Backlogs achieved their highest expansion levels since June 2018, when the index registered 60.1 percent,» says Fiore.

The 12 industries reporting growth in order backlogs in December, in the following order, are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Furniture & Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Plastics & Rubber Products. In December, three industries reported lower backlogs: Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Backlog of Orders

% Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2020

90

31.4

55.4

13.2

+18.2

59.1

Nov 2020

89

28.9

56.1

15.0

+13.9

56.9

Oct 2020

91

27.1

57.2

15.7

+11.4

55.7

Sep 2020

87

26.1

58.3

15.7

+10.4

55.2

New Export Orders†
ISM®‘s New Export Orders Index registered 57.5 percent in December, a decrease of 0.3 percentage point compared to the November reading of 57.8 percent. «The New Export Orders Index grew for the sixth consecutive month, but at a slightly slower rate. Five (Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; Computer and Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Transportation Equipment) of the six big industry sectors expanded with strength. New export orders were again a positive factor to the growth in new-order levels,» says Fiore.

The nine industries reporting growth in new export orders in December — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Primary Metals; and Transportation Equipment. Two industries reported a decrease in new export orders: Plastics & Rubber Products; and Paper Products. Six industries reported no change in exports in December.

New Export Orders

% Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2020

72

20.1

74.8

5.1

+15.0

57.5

Nov 2020

73

22.3

70.9

6.8

+15.5

57.8

Oct 2020

76

18.5

74.5

7.0

+11.5

55.7

Sep 2020

72

19.7

69.2

11.1

+8.6

54.3

Imports†
ISM®‘s Imports Index registered 54.6 percent in December, a decline of 0.5 percentage point compared to the 55.1 percent reported for November. «Imports expanded for the sixth consecutive month, at a slightly slower rate, reflecting continued increases in U.S. factory demand. Panelists continued to note record breaking backlogs in ports of entry, as well as difficulty in arranging drayage and operating within the domestic transportation market,» says Fiore.

The 12 industries reporting growth in imports in December — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. Four industries reported a decrease in imports in December: Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Fabricated Metal Products.

Imports

% Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2020

85

19.2

70.8

10.0

+9.2

54.6

Nov 2020

85

17.1

76.0

6.9

+10.2

55.1

Oct 2020

87

20.7

74.8

4.5

+16.2

58.1

Sep 2020

86

17.1

73.9

9.0

+8.1

54.0

†The Supplier Deliveries, Customers’ Inventories, Prices, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders and Imports indexes do not meet the accepted criteria for seasonal adjustments.

Buying Policy
Average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures decreased in December by eight days to 132 days. Average lead time for Production Materials increased in December by two days to 69 days. Average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies decreased in December by three days to 37 days.

Percent Reporting

Capital Expenditures

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Dec 2020

24

5

10

17

28

16

132

Nov 2020

22

6

10

16

27

19

140

Oct 2020

23

5

8

17

29

18

140

Sep 2020

25

6

9

15

27

18

135

Percent Reporting

Production Materials

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Dec 2020

9

33

27

21

7

3

69

Nov 2020

10

35

24

22

6

3

67

Oct 2020

10

38

25

19

6

2

62

Sep 2020

10

36

27

18

7

2

64

Percent Reporting

MRO Supplies

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Dec 2020

32

37

17

12

2

0

37

Nov 2020

34

36

16

10

3

1

40

Oct 2020

34

39

17

8

2

0

34

Sep 2020

35

39

15

8

3

0

35

About This Report
DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report’s information reflects the entire U.S., while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of December 2020.

The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of manufacturing supply executives based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM® makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. The data should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making.

Data and Method of Presentation
The Manufacturing ISM®Report On Business® is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. The composition of the Manufacturing Business Survey Committee is stratified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and each of the following NAICS-based industry’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP): Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing (products such as medical equipment and supplies, jewelry, sporting goods, toys and office supplies). The data are weighted based on each industry’s contribution to GDP. According to the BEA estimates for 2018 GDP (released October 29, 2019), the six largest manufacturing subsectors are: Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. Beginning in February 2018 with January 2018 data, computation of the indexes is accomplished utilizing unrounded numbers.

Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For each of the indicators measured (New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Imports, Production, Supplier Deliveries, Inventories, Customers’ Inventories, Employment and Prices), this report shows the percentage reporting each response, the net difference between the number of responses in the positive economic direction (higher, better and slower for Supplier Deliveries) and the negative economic direction (lower, worse and faster for Supplier Deliveries), and the diffusion index. Responses are raw data and are never changed. The diffusion index includes the percent of positive responses plus one-half of those responding the same (considered positive).

The resulting single index number for those meeting the criteria for seasonal adjustments (Manufacturing PMI®, New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories) is then seasonally adjusted to allow for the effects of repetitive intra-year variations resulting primarily from normal differences in weather conditions, various institutional arrangements, and differences attributable to non-moveable holidays. All seasonal adjustment factors are subject annually to relatively minor changes when conditions warrant them. The Manufacturing PMI® is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes of five of the indexes with equal weights: New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Production (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted), Supplier Deliveries (seasonally adjusted), and Inventories.

Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. A Manufacturing PMI® reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.8 percent, over a period of time, indicates that the overall economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), is generally expanding; below 42.8 percent, it is generally declining. The distance from 50 percent or 42.8 percent is indicative of the extent of the expansion or decline. With some of the indicators within this report, ISM® has indicated the departure point between expansion and decline of comparable government series, as determined by regression analysis. The Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® survey is sent out to Manufacturing Business Survey Committee respondents the first part of each month. Respondents are asked to report on information for the current month for U.S. operations only. ISM® receives survey responses throughout most of any given month, with the majority of respondents generally waiting until late in the month to submit responses to give the most accurate picture of current business activity. ISM® then compiles the report for release on the first business day of the following month.

The industries reporting growth, as indicated in the Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® monthly report, are listed in the order of most growth to least growth. For the industries reporting contraction or decreases, those are listed in the order of the highest level of contraction/decrease to the least level of contraction/decrease.

Responses to Buying Policy reflect the percent reporting the current month’s lead time, the approximate weighted number of days ahead for which commitments are made for Capital Expenditures; Production Materials; and Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies, expressed as hand-to-mouth (five days), 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months (180 days), a year or more (360 days), and the weighted average number of days. These responses are raw data, never revised, and not seasonally adjusted since there is no significant seasonal pattern.

ISM ROB Content
The Institute for Supply Management® («ISM») Report On Business® (both Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing) («ISM ROB») contains information, text, files, images, video, sounds, musical works, works of authorship, applications, and any other materials or content (collectively, «Content») of ISM («ISM ROB Content»). ISM ROB Content is protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, and other laws, and as between you and ISM, ISM owns and retains all rights in the ISM ROB Content. ISM hereby grants you a limited, revocable, nonsublicensable license to access and display on your individual device the ISM ROB Content (excluding any software code) solely for your personal, non-commercial use. The ISM ROB Content shall also contain Content of users and other ISM licensors. Except as provided herein or as explicitly allowed in writing by ISM, you shall not copy, download, stream, capture, reproduce, duplicate, archive, upload, modify, translate, publish, broadcast, transmit, retransmit, distribute, perform, display, sell, or otherwise use any ISM ROB Content.

Except as explicitly and expressly permitted by ISM, you are strictly prohibited from creating works or materials (including but not limited to tables, charts, data streams, time-series variables, fonts, icons, link buttons, wallpaper, desktop themes, online postcards, montages, mashups and similar videos, greeting cards, and unlicensed merchandise) that derive from or are based on the ISM ROB Content. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the derivative works or materials are sold, bartered, or given away. You shall not either directly or through the use of any device, software, internet site, web-based service, or other means remove, alter, bypass, avoid, interfere with, or circumvent any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices marked on the Content or any digital rights management mechanism, device, or other content protection or access control measure associated with the Content including geo-filtering mechanisms. Without prior written authorization from ISM, you shall not build a business utilizing the Content, whether or not for profit.

You shall not create, recreate, distribute, incorporate in other work, or advertise an index of any portion of the Content unless you receive prior written authorization from ISM. Requests for permission to reproduce or distribute ISM ROB Content can be made by contacting in writing at: ISM Research, Institute for Supply Management, 309 West Elliot Road, Suite 113, Tempe, Arizona 85284-1556, or by emailing kcahill@ismworld.org. Subject: Content Request.

ISM shall not have any liability, duty, or obligation for or relating to the ISM ROB Content or other information contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in providing any ISM ROB Content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall ISM be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the ISM ROB. Report On Business®, PMI®, and NMI® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management®. Institute for Supply Management® and ISM® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management, Inc.

About Institute for Supply Management®
Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) serves supply management professionals in more than 90 countries. Its 50,000 members around the world manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 as the first supply management institute in the world, ISM is committed to advancing the practice of supply management to drive value and competitive advantage for its members, contributing to a prosperous and sustainable world. ISM leads the profession through the ISM Report On Business®, its highly regarded certification programs and the ISM Mastery Model®. This report has been issued by the association since 1931, except for a four-year interruption during World War II.

The full text version of the Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® is posted on ISM®‘s website at www.ismrob.org on the first business day* of every month after 10:00 a.m. ET.

The next Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® featuring January 2021 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, February 1, 2021.

*Unless the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

Contact:       

Kristina Cahill

Report On Business® Analyst

ISM®, ROB/Research Manager

Tempe, Arizona

+1 480.455.5910

Email: kcahill@ismworld.org

 

Institute for Supply Management logo. (PRNewsFoto/Institute for Supply Management)

 

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SOURCE Institute for Supply Management

PointsBet Becomes Proud Sports Betting Partner of Detroit Pistons, Add NBA Legend Rip Hamilton to Team

DETROIT, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — PointsBet, a premier global sportsbook operator, announced today a new agreement making PointsBet a proud sports betting partner of the Detroit Pistons. The deal gives PointsBet full usage of Detroit Pistons IP, marks, and logos, as well as sponsorship opportunities and brand visibility across various digital and social assets.

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DETROIT, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — PointsBet, a premier global sportsbook operator, announced today a new agreement making PointsBet a proud sports betting partner of the Detroit Pistons. The deal gives PointsBet full usage of Detroit Pistons IP, marks, and logos, as well as sponsorship opportunities and brand visibility across various digital and social assets.

The announcement is bolstered by the addition of NBA champion and three-time NBA All-Star, Rip Hamilton, to the PointsBet team. Hamilton, who famously helped lead the Pistons to six straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances, back-to-back NBA Finals appearances, and the 2004 NBA title, will serve as a brand ambassador and the face of PointsBet’s Detroit and Michigan-based sports betting products as the company prepares for the incredible sports and sports betting scene in the state, soon to be realized with the expected launch of Michigan sports betting and online gaming.

«PointsBet is thrilled to partner with the Pistons, aligning with a first-class organization supported by particularly passionate fans,» said Johnny Aitken, PointsBet USA CEO. «We’re proud to increase our investment in the Detroit and greater Michigan sports community after joining forces with the Detroit Tigers last July. Michigan is a fantastic sports state, and we look forward to the opportunity to soon serve Michigan sports bettors on a personalized platform with unrivaled speed and ease of use, now alongside both the Pistons and brand ambassador Rip Hamilton – a storied champion at both the collegiate and professional levels who’s work ethic and spirited style embodies the PointsBet philosophy.»

«My love for Michigan and the city of Detroit is no secret. I’m incredibly excited to join the PointsBet team and help usher in the fastest, most premium sports betting experience to the best fans in sports,» said Rip Hamilton. «Detroit sports fans will love what PointsBet has to offer, such as an app that is specifically tailored for the teams they support, as well as the most betting options in the world, including up to 1,000 markets per NBA game. Unique product features like their Name A Bet and PointsBetting platforms are an added plus, and the PointsBet app is incredibly fast and very easy to use. What’s not to love? Get ready, Michigan – ‘Yessir’!»

In wake of the Detroit Pistons partnership, PointsBet will garner the right to limited in-game, broadcast-visible digital signage opportunities. PointsBet branding will also be displayed across Pistons.com, as well as the team’s mobile app, and Pistons social channels will regularly feature PointsBet promotions during the upcoming NBA season.

PointsBet will leverage Hamilton’s knowledge of basketball and more specifically of the Detroit sports atmosphere to align his unique insight with the company’s premier offerings. The notable addition will complement PointsBet’s aim to provide the highest quality and most comprehensive sports betting experience for clients.

Though not yet available in the state of Michigan, PointsBet is expected to soon release its market-leading sports wagering app for sports bettors within the state. Those interested can currently participate in the company’s free-to-play challenge, the PointsBet Pick 6, a contest-style game that allows sports fans across the country to experience PointsBet’s premier service and technology while presenting an opportunity to win $25,000 every week.

About PointsBet
PointsBet is one of the fastest growing sportsbooks in the country and is rapidly expanding its U.S. footprint, currently bringing its best-in-class proprietary technology, modernized and premium brand mentality, expert trading practices, and proven growth marketing strategies to the burgeoning sports betting markets of Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and New Jersey. Originally founded in Australia, PointsBet is a cutting-edge bookmaker that prides itself on having the quickest and most user-friendly app (iOS and Android) while also providing the best content and experience for sports bettors. PointsBet is the only U.S. online bookmaker to offer PointsBetting – a unique and innovative way to bet – and has also introduced a slew of well-received, bettor-first initiatives, including: Good Karma Payouts, which provides bettors relief in the event of unlikely circumstances that sway the fate of the game, and Early Payouts. PointsBet offers the most markets on all four major U.S. sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) and PointsBetting in the world. For more information, visit www.PointsBet.com.

Media Contact
Patrick Eichner
Director of Communications, PointsBet
(908) 723-4341
patrick.eichner@pointsbet.com 

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SOURCE PointsBet

Trailer Bridge Announces Partnership with Supply Chain and Logistics SaaS Firm Mastery Systems

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Trailer Bridge Inc. is proud to announce a new agreement with Mastery Logistics Systems, Inc., developers of a new technology solution led by industry legend and innovator Jeff Silver. The award-winning ocean shipping and brokerage will implement MasterMind™, a logistics SaaS solution built for size, stability, speed, efficiency, and automation, across all Trailer Bridge business units by 2023.

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Trailer Bridge Inc. is proud to announce a new agreement with Mastery Logistics Systems, Inc., developers of a new technology solution led by industry legend and innovator Jeff Silver. The award-winning ocean shipping and brokerage will implement MasterMind™, a logistics SaaS solution built for size, stability, speed, efficiency, and automation, across all Trailer Bridge business units by 2023.

Trailer Bridge is proud to announce a new agreement with Mastery Logistics Systems, Inc., developers of MasterMind™.

An asset-based transportation provider and carrier, Trailer Bridge provides cargo and vehicle shipping services between Jacksonville, Florida, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic; vessel and barge chartering; and integrated logistics and trucking services across North America. The cloud-based MasterMind system will connect business units, locations, and employees within a single system to manage transportation across all modes and geographies.

«We are thrilled to take this next step in elevating the customer and employee experience for which Trailer Bridge is known and loved,» said Mitch Luciano, President and CEO of Trailer Bridge Inc. «Jeff Silver is gifted in his vision of embracing the complexity of logistics. We are looking forward to putting the enhanced visibility, intelligence, and value of his MasterMind system to work for our customers and team.» 

Trailer Bridge has recently won accolades for its commitment to company culture and employee experience, having been named a Best Workplace for 2020 by Inc. Magazine, the #1 Place to Work in Jacksonville by the Jacksonville Business Journal, and a Healthiest Workplace by First Coast Worksite Wellness Council. Luciano is an ‘Ultimate CEO’ award recipient while Indie Bollman, VP of Organizational Development, was recognized this year as a ‘Woman of Influence’ in the local business community.

«We are constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve the service we offer customers in both our ocean shipping and transportation logistics businesses. This is an exciting opportunity to use technology intelligently, not just for the sake of automating but to improve upon the experience our customers have come to expect,» explained Eric Masotti, VP of Logistics at Trailer Bridge. «Jeff Silver knows the logistics industry intimately, and it’s evident in this system he has created. MasterMind is a next-generation TMS and we’re looking forward to putting it to work.»

Mastery was launched in 2019 by Jeff Silver, the logistics expert behind Backhaulers and Coyote Logistics. Billed as ‘The World’s First Lovable TMS™,’ Mastery embraces the complexity of the logistics industry by bringing all operating functions into a single cloud-based TMS with built-in flexibility, visibility, control, and efficiency.

«We are building MasterMind to be flexible and collaborative. Great technology doesn’t homogenize or force companies into a singular method of doing business; it augments and elevates the unique capabilities that make a company stand out in its space,» said Jeff Silver, Mastery CEO. «Trailer Bridge has succeeded in differentiating its service with an exceptional company culture and commitment to high-touch service, and I am looking forward to working with them as they continue to build and grow.»

Trailer Bridge is a privately held asset-owned logistics company that transports cargo across land, air, rail, and sea. A leader in transportation services, Trailer Bridge strives to provide customers the best possible service. This commitment to exceptional service has earned Trailer Bridge the Logistics Management Quest for Quality Award as #1 Ocean Carrier and recognition as an Inc Best Workplace in America, #1 Best Place to Work in Jacksonville, and a Fastest Growing Company. Trailer Bridge is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, and operates 17 offices with over 200 employees across North America. For more information about Trailer Bridge, visit https://www.trailerbridge.com.

Chicago-based Mastery Logistics Systems, Inc. launched in 2019. Mastery was founded by Jeff Silver, whose technology systems and teams have powered some of the largest logistics companies in North America for over four decades. MasterMindTM is a comprehensive cloud-based SaaS transportation management system (TMS) built from the ground up by a team of 160+ engineers, designers, and programmers, to help large shippers, carriers and logistics service providers manage complex transportation needs in an efficient, cohesive and intelligent way.

Contact: Ilona Fischer, ifischer@trailerbridge.com

 

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SOURCE Trailer Bridge

HolaDoctor presents HolaMedRX, a membership service for individuals without medical coverage that helps them save up to 85% on medications

HolaDoctor, a leading company providing health and wellness services to the Hispanic community in the United States, is launching HolaMedRX, which allows members to obtain their medications at up to an 85% discount. HolaMedRX (https://www.holamedrx.com/) is free and designed specifically for the over 14 million Hispanics…

HolaDoctor, a leading company providing health and wellness services to the Hispanic community in the United States, is launching HolaMedRX, which allows members to obtain their medications at up to an 85% discount. HolaMedRX (https://www.holamedrx.com/) is free and designed specifically for the over 14 million Hispanics living in the US who are uninsured or underinsured.

MIAMI, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — HolaDoctor, together with EnvisionRX, has created HolaMedRX. HolaMedRX is a discount program that allows you to save money on medications and other pharmaceutical items. The way it works is simple: HolaDoctor has negotiated special prices with the pharmaceutical industry and distributors on a wide range of products, including some very common items and generics, like ibuprofen and amoxicillin.  You can save up to 85% off the original cost in some cases, and you will receive significant savings on many other products, with an average savings of 45%.

HolaDoctor has designed this product for the over 14 million Latin American immigrants living in the United States who lack insurance or have insufficient coverage. To provide as much access to medications as possible to members, we have made the HolaMedRX service completely free. 

Individuals with all types of insurance coverage are also eligible to use HolaMedRX. For those with some type of insurance, the program helps lower costs for medications not covered under the plan when coverage limits are exceeded and for individuals with high deductibles and copays.

How can I enroll in HolaMedRX?

To take advantage of the benefits offered by HolaMedRX, simply request your free membership card online at: https://www.holamedrx.com/

You will need to indicate that you lack medical insurance coverage or that the insurance you have doesn’t cover certain medications that have been prescribed for the member or other person requesting the service.  It’s also important to state that you do not have prescription coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare programs.

Once you’ve provided this information, you can download and print your card. The website also includes a search tool to find medications and participating pharmacies where you can use your discount.

Each member who signs up for HolaMedRX can also add up to four dependents, such as their spouse or children, allowing an entire family of up to five people to be covered under one card.

How do I use HolaMedRX?

To use the service, simply present your HolaMedRX card at the pharmacy along with a prescription from your doctor. When you present your card and request the discount at checkout, it will be automatically applied.

There are over 60,000 participating establishments across the country and in Puerto Rico. These include chains such as  Walgreens, CVS, Kmart, and thousands of independent pharmacies. You can use the pharmacy search tool on the HolaMedRX website to find the participating pharmacy closest to you.

You can also order a 90-day supply of your medication through the mail order pharmacy EnvisionMail. This way, your medications will be shipped right to your home, and the corresponding discount will be applied. (Some products, such as insulin, are not available through mail order.)

Protection against coronavirus, in Spanish

In addition to providing medical services and all types of insurance, HolaDoctor also offers the most comprehensive information in Spanish about the coronavirus pandemic and its effects.

Our team of experts on healthcare, insurance, and other health-related topics have come together to write and publish guides, tips, and a wide range of informational articles regarding COVID-19 and the situation in the United States and nearly every other country the world.

This enormous, coordinated effort by our experts, editors, and writers has made HolaDoctor the primary source of information for the Spanish-speaking public on coronavirus. You can consult all this information on our website, which can also be accessed on smartphones:
https://holadoctor.com/es/coronavirus-covid-19

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SOURCE HolaDoctor

Farmer sentiment rises as income prospects improve, concerns about key policy issues remain

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. and CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — There was a modest improvement in producer sentiment according to the December Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The…

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. and CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — There was a modest improvement in producer sentiment according to the December Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The barometer increased 7 points from November to a reading of 174. Both of the barometer’s sub-indices, the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations, were also higher in December than in November. The Index of Current Conditions climbed 15 points to 202 and the Index of Future Expectations increased by 5 points to a reading of 161. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted from December 7-11, 2020.

«The rise in the Ag Economy Barometer was primarily driven by farmers’ perception that the current situation on their farms really improved. The sharp rise in the Index of Current Conditions is correlated with the farm income boost provided by the ongoing rally in crop prices. That appears to be the driving force behind producers’ optimism,» said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

Producers were noticeably more inclined to think now is a good time to make large investments in their farming operations than in November. The Farm Capital Investment Index increased 13 points in December to a record high of 93. The percentage of farmers expecting to increase their machinery purchases in the upcoming year rose 5 points to 15 percent in December, while the percentage expecting to reduce their purchases declined by the same amount.

They were also bullish about farmland values and cash rental rates. In December, the percentage of farmers expecting farmland values to rise over the next year increased 9 points from November to a reading of 35. The percentage expecting farmland values to rise over the next five years increased 11 points from November to a life of survey high 65 percent.

Reflecting the improvement in crop production profitability, more producers said they expect farmland cash rental rates to rise in 2021 when compared to survey results from late summer. In December, 18 percent of respondents said they expect cash rental rates to rise in 2021, double the percentage who felt that way in August and September. Moreover, it’s clear that any downward pressure on cash rental rates evident earlier in the year has nearly disappeared, as just 5 percent of farmers said they expect to see cash rental rates decline in 2021 compared to 17 percent who felt that way in August.

Farmers were less optimistic when asked about the on-going trade dispute between U.S. and China. In the first quarter of 2020, an average of 76% of respondents thought the trade dispute’s ultimate resolution would favor U.S. agriculture, by spring that average declined to 62 percent, and by December it dropped to an all-time survey low of 47 percent. When asked whether they expect U.S. ag exports to increase over the next five years, only 51 percent of respondents in December said they expect to see export growth.

To learn more about what factors might be motivating the shift in producers’ sentiment pre- and post-November election, a series of questions focused on producers’ future expectations for environmental regulations, taxes and other key aspects of the agricultural economy, were included on the October, November and December surveys. In December, farmers continued to express concerns following the November election about several key policy issues affecting agriculture. Over 80 percent of farmers said they expect environmental regulations to become more restrictive in December, compared to 41 percent who felt that way in October. Over 70 percent of producers expect to see higher income and estate taxes compared to 35 and 40 percent, respectively, in October. One-third of farmers said they expect the farm income safety net to weaken compared to 18 percent and just over one-fourth of producers said they expect government support for the ethanol industry to weaken compared to 17 percent who felt that way in October.

Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report at https://purdue.ag/agbarometer. The site also offers additional resources – such as past reports, charts and survey methodology – and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars.

Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results, available at https://purdue.ag/barometervideo, and for even more information, check out the Purdue Commercial AgCast podcast. It includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer, in addition to a discussion of recent agricultural news that impacts farmers. Available now at https://purdue.ag/agcast.

The Ag Economy Barometer, Index of Current Conditions and Index of Future Expectations are available on the Bloomberg Terminal under the following ticker symbols: AGECBARO, AGECCURC and AGECFTEX.

About the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture
The Center for Commercial Agriculture was founded in 2011 to provide professional development and educational programs for farmers. Housed within Purdue University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, the center’s faculty and staff develop and execute research and educational programs that address the different needs of managing in today’s business environment.

About CME Group
As the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and OTC markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data – empowering market participants worldwide to efficiently manage risk and capture opportunities. CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural products and metals.  The company offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex® platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and foreign exchange trading on the EBS platform. In addition, it operates one of the world’s leading central counterparty clearing providers, CME Clearing. With a range of pre- and post-trade products and services underpinning the entire lifecycle of a trade, CME Group also offers optimization and reconciliation services through TriOptima, and trade processing services through Traiana.

CME Group, the Globe logo, CME, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Globex, and E-mini are trademarks of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. CBOT and Chicago Board of Trade are trademarks of Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc. NYMEX, New York Mercantile Exchange and ClearPort are trademarks of New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. COMEX is a trademark of Commodity Exchange, Inc. BrokerTec, EBS, TriOptima, and Traiana are trademarks of BrokerTec Europe LTD, EBS Group LTD, TriOptima AB, and Traiana, Inc., respectively. Dow Jones, Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and S&P are service and/or trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and S&P/Dow Jones Indices LLC, as the case may be, and have been licensed for use by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

Writer: Kami Goodwin, 765-494-6999, kami@purdue.edu  
Source: James Mintert, 765-494-7004, jmintert@purdue.edu

Related websites:
Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture: http://purdue.edu/commercialag
CME Group: http://www.cmegroup.com/

Photo Caption: Farmer sentiment rises as income prospects improve, concerns about key policy issues remain. (Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer/James Mintert) https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/2020/dec-barometerLO.jpg

CME-G 

 

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SOURCE CME Group