Categoría: Geovanny Vicente

Alfa Laval is part of the next phase of development for a sustainable energy storage solution

LUND, Sweden, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Alfa Laval – a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling – is part owner in the technology company Malta Inc. which is developing a completely new energy storage solution that will facilitate the shift towards renewable energy. Apart from being part owner, Alfa Laval is also responsible for collaborating with Malta on development of the innovative heat exchanger which is a critical component…

LUND, Sweden, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Alfa Laval – a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling – is part owner in the technology company Malta Inc. which is developing a completely new energy storage solution that will facilitate the shift towards renewable energy. Apart from being part owner, Alfa Laval is also responsible for collaborating with Malta on development of the innovative heat exchanger which is a critical component of the technical solution. Malta Inc. has now announced it has raised $50M in a Series B round of funding, which marks an important milestone towards the first full scale plant.

Shifting towards renewable energy sources is one way to reduce CO2 emissions and create a more sustainable energy supply. The challenge to replacing fossil fuels with renewables is the intermittency, as the power is not always produced when the demand is the highest, and the production is dependent on the sun shining and wind blowing. The solution to this challenge of intermittency is energy storage.

Alfa Laval’s innovative heat transfer technology is a critical component of the electro-thermal system which can store energy from any source (i.e. wind, sun etc) in any location. The system can store energy for up to several days, but early systems will focus on the near-term applications for 10-12 hours durations. The solution has the potential to dramatically improve power grid stability and resilience and has been in development since 2018. Malta Inc. has now raised $50M in a Series B round of funding with participation from new investors Proman and Dustin Moskovitz as well as existing investors Alfa Laval and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, to take the next step towards the first full scale plant, which is expected to be operating in the 2024-2025 timeframe.

«We believe that thermal storage will play an important role in the energy transition. After working with the Malta team for the past two years on novel heat exchanger design and development, we remain excited about this solution and the potential impact it can have on climate change» says Susanne Pahlén Åklundh, President of Alfa Laval’s Energy Division, and continues; «With collaborations like this we can reach further, expand the technical borders and create more sustainable solutions for the future.»

«Our goal continues to be to create a scalable storage solution that will accelerate the expansion of renewable energy while improving grid stability and resilience,» says Ramya Swaminathan, CEO of Malta Inc. «Alfa Laval has been a terrific partner to Malta from the founding of the company in 2018 and we look forward to continuing the great work that will help bring this solution to market.»

Did you know that… Malta was incubated at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory (formerly Google [X]) and the list of investors includes Alfa Laval, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Concord New Energy Group with backing from Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos?

About Malta Inc.

Malta is a developer of grid-scale long-duration thermal energy storage solutions. Incubated at X, the Moonshot Factory (formerly Google [X]), Malta is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information visit www.maltainc.com.

This is Alfa Laval 

Alfa Laval is active in the areas of Energy, Marine, and Food & Water, offering its expertise, products, and service to a wide range of industries in some 100 countries. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress – always going the extra mile to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets.

Alfa Laval’s innovative technologies are dedicated to purifying, refining, and reusing materials, promoting more responsible use of natural resources. They contribute to improved energy efficiency and heat recovery, better water treatment, and reduced emissions. Thereby, Alfa Laval is not only accelerating success for its customers, but also for people and the planet. Making the world better, every day. It’s all about Advancing better™.

Alfa Laval has 16,700 employees. Annual sales in 2020 were SEK 41.5 billion (approx. EUR 4 billion). The company is listed on Nasdaq OMX.

www.alfalaval.com

For more information please contact:
Johan Lundin 
Head of Investor Relations 
Alfa Laval  
Tel: +46 46 36 65 10 
Mobile: +46 730 46 30 90 

Eva Schiller
PR Manager
Alfa Laval
Tel: + 46 46 36 71 01
Mobile: +46 709 38 71 01

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SOURCE Alfa Laval

Intelligent Blends Announces Robust R&D Lab Capabilities as Functional Foods Market Continues to Grow

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Intelligent Blends, a leader in the manufacture of coffee, tea, elixirs, and functional beverages, has announced the expansion of its robust research and development lab at their San Diego facility. By expanding its capabilities to address the growing consumer interest in functional beverages, the company is poised to offer partners and customers the opportunity to meet consumer needs and expectations while embracing current…

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Intelligent Blends, a leader in the manufacture of coffee, tea, elixirs, and functional beverages, has announced the expansion of its robust research and development lab at their San Diego facility. By expanding its capabilities to address the growing consumer interest in functional beverages, the company is poised to offer partners and customers the opportunity to meet consumer needs and expectations while embracing current food and beverage trends and advancements in the market. 

In addition to these exciting product development advancements, the lab is also well equipped to support the company’s growing manufacturing and packaging capabilities. From developing the perfect blends and formulations, to offering a broad selection of packaging options—including K-Cup®, Compatible with Nespresso® capsules, bagged ground and whole bean coffee, creamer bags, and stick packs—Intelligent Blends is delivering even more high-quality, innovative options to customers at every step of their journey.    

The timing for these expanded capabilities could not come at a better time—both for Intelligent Blends as well as the customers and partners they serve. Recent data shows that, with consumers being forced to shelter in place, there has been a 40% surge in non-alcohol sales vs. months prior to 2020. New York-based Nielsen Data reports that sport drinks sales were up 7.9% versus the prior year period; water sales have increased 8% over the same period.

Additionally, people have started looking for in-home beverage options that provide added health and nutritional benefits. In fact, for the 52-week data period cited above, weight control, nutritional liquids and powders netted sales of more than $4 billion—an increase of 5% overall from previous years. By expanding its formulation capabilities to include the rapidly growing soluble powder market, Intelligent Blends is able offer their customers and partners the ability to meet consumers where they are and to introduce new and innovative options for health-minded coffee and tea lovers.

«They say, ‘you are what you eat’, but recent trends indicate it may be time to amend that to include ‘… and drink’,» says Jeff Mcintosh, Head of Intelligent Blends Research and Development. «Today’s health-conscious consumers are not only looking for tasty beverages to quench their thirst, they’re also seeking products containing beneficial and functional ingredients. What started as a project dealing with functional ingredients a few years back, has now turned into a big part of what we do.»

In 2018, the global health ingredients market was valued at $77.3 billion and is projected to increase—at a compound annual growth rate of 7%–to reach $124.1 billion by 2025. Similarly, it’s estimated that the global functional beverage market will see a compound annual growth rate of 8.66% from 2019-2024. Experts attribute these numbers to increased health awareness, specifically in the younger population, which has swayed consumers from fruit juices and carbonated drinks to functional beverages.

To date, Intelligent Blends Research and Development has finalized over 300 individual beverage/food formulations and commercialization–around 70% of which include a functional ingredient. For a company that opened its doors in 2013 as a co-packer for coffee and tea K-Cups®, this is a huge leap and a sign of its continued commitment to high-quality products borne from thoughtful growth and fearless innovation.

Intelligent Blends is a privately held, sustainable manufacturer of single-serve and bagged beverages, including coffees and teas, based in Southern California. The company offers co-packing and hospitality solutions for partners worldwide, while boasting several in-house brands that are distributed through select e-commerce and retail sites. With a commitment to creating high-quality, sustainable options for customers and partners, Intelligent Blends offers unmatchable services and products that are easy and cost-effective, while never losing sight of the infinite possibilities that come from flexibility, innovation and a passion for what you do.

Keurig® and K-Cup® are registered trademarks of Keurig Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Intelligent Blends and our brands are not affiliated with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., or Keurig Inc.

Intelligent Blends and its products are not endorsed by, sponsored by or approved by Nespresso USA, Inc. or any of its affiliates, and Intelligent Blends is not a licensee of Nespresso USA, Inc. or any of its affiliates.  Nespresso® is a registered trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.

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SOURCE Intelligent Blends

Long COVID Advocates Join Together To Form Alliance To Make Policy Recommendations, Secure Research Funding, And Transform Understanding Of Post-Viral Illnesses

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Today, leaders of 50 organizations and patient groups announced the formation of the Long COVID Alliance. The Alliance includes a network of patient-advocates, scientists, public health and disease experts, and drug developers who have joined together to leverage their collective knowledge and resources to educate policymakers and accelerate research that will address the challenges faced by ‘COVID long haulers’ and related post-viral illnesses.

…

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Today, leaders of 50 organizations and patient groups announced the formation of the Long COVID Alliance. The Alliance includes a network of patient-advocates, scientists, public health and disease experts, and drug developers who have joined together to leverage their collective knowledge and resources to educate policymakers and accelerate research that will address the challenges faced by ‘COVID long haulers’ and related post-viral illnesses.

Today, leaders of 50 organizations and patient groups announced the formation of the Long COVID Alliance.

Their goal is to transform the current understanding of Long COVID and related post-infectious illnesses such as:  myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), other forms of dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), autoimmune diseases and other related illnesses.

«The Long COVID Alliance is a critical collaboration based on the current reality that doctors and researchers are reporting that millions of COVID-19 patients continue to experience chronic and often debilitating post-viral symptoms. This state of extended illness is presently labeled Long COVID,» said Oved Amitay, Solve M.E. President and Chief Executive Officer, one of the three Alliance founders. «Even though tests might reveal that no virus remains in the body, COVID-19 ‘long haulers’ continue to struggle, often alone. Our community brings past experiences that are relevant to the current crisis.»

In 2020, this same group came together to successfully call for urgent government investments for Long COVID, and $1.15 billion for long-term COVID-19 research at the National Institutes of Health shortly followed. The effort laid the foundation for the new Long COVID Alliance, which will prioritize:

  • Health equity and confronting systemic bias and racism in the Long COVID response;
  • Facilitating data harmonization (i.e., combine data from different sources and provide users with a comparable view of data from different studies);
  • Deploying financial resources from the NIH to create a public-private post-viral research infrastructure and translate research results into treatments and cures for millions;
  • Providing expert guidance and resources to media and policymakers;
  • Expanding public-private partnerships;
  • Leveraging existing post-viral disease knowledge and infrastructure;
  • Connecting policymakers with patients and scientists; and
  • Ensuring meaningful patient participation.

«So many patients have bonded together as the healthcare community has not understood why some patients are asymptomatic and others are suffering moderate to debilitating issues a year later,» said Hunter Howard, chairman of the Global Pandemic Coalition, a founder of the Alliance. «As one of the first infected in Texas, and a healthcare executive, I immediately noticed doctor friends did not understand my lingering symptoms or the novel coronavirus.  We started the Global Pandemic Coalition to bring together private companies to support the public sector pandemic initiatives.  If the vaccines continue to drive down mortalities, nothing may be more important now than coming together to drive understanding and fund research for the COVID survivors.»

To accompany the Long COVID Alliance’s launch, the initial partners from 2020 have drafted key recommendations and guidance for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which can be found by visiting https://longcovidalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/NIH-Long-COVID-Alliance-NIH-Recommendations-Letter-Final-with-signers.pdf 

Current Long COVID Alliance partners include:

  • Action for M.E.
  • American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
  • Bateman Horne Center
  • Body Politic
  • Covid-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project
  • Dysautonomia International
  • ENIGMA COVID-19 Working Group
  • Florida Society of Neurology
  • HADASSAH
  • Health Rising
  • Healthy Women
  • Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine (INIM)
  • Kantor Neurology, LLC
  • Long COVID Physio
  • Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM
  • #MEACTION
  • ME International
  • Medical Partnership 4 MS+
  • Minnesota ME/CFS Alliance
  • National Association for Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
  • National Health Council
  • National Organization for Women (NOW)
  • Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)
  • Open Medicine Foundation
  • PandoraORG
  • PolyBio Research Foundation
  • Pulmonary Wellness Foundation
  • Sex and Gender Health Collaboration
  • Simmaron Research
  • Solve M.E.
  • The American Dysautonomia Institute (ADI)
  • The Mast Cell Disease Society, Inc.
  • The SHANE Foundation
  • Utah COVID-19 Long Hauler
  • Whittemore Peterson Institute
  • YOU + ME Registry (Solve M.E.)

«Many long haulers are now approaching a full year post-infection. We have lost jobs, lost significant quality of life, and lost pieces of who we once were. It’s been a long road with an uncertain future and we’ve finally found hope,» said Karyn Bishof, Founder of the COVID-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project and of the Long COVID Alliance. «With the help of our partners, we will ensure that Long haulers are not left out in the cold. The Long COVID Alliance will fight with us for awareness, answers, and ensuring that patient voices are included at every step of solving this ‘second wave’ Long COVID health crisis.»

To learn more, join the Long COVID Alliance, or become a signatory to the NIH letter, visit: www.longcovidalliance.org.

About Solve M.E.
The Solve ME/CFS Initiative (Solve M.E.) is the leading, national non-profit organization solely dedicated to solving ME/CFS. We are committed to making ME/CFS understood, diagnosable, and treatable. Solve M.E. is the largest U.S. provider of private competitive research funding exclusively for ME/CFS working to accelerate the discovery of safe and effective treatments; we strive for an aggressive expansion of funding for research that will lead to a cure, and seek to engage the entire ME/CFS community.

Media Inquiries Only 
Contact Emily Taylor
Director of Advocacy and Communications
714-296-1661
ETaylor@solvecfs.org

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE SOLVE ME/CFS INITIATIVE AT: 704-364-0016 OR EMAIL Communications@SolveCFS.org

 

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SOURCE Solve M.E.

Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) Advocates for Change to Maryland Mandate

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Loosened restrictions to the Maryland Mandate lead to improved access to fertility treatment for unmarried and married people who dream of building their families, thanks in part to the advocacy efforts…

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Loosened restrictions to the Maryland Mandate lead to improved access to fertility treatment for unmarried and married people who dream of building their families, thanks in part to the advocacy efforts of Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) clinicians and patients. Maryland was the first state in the nation to enact infertility insurance legislation in 1985, but the previous Mandate’s criteria posed barriers for insurance holders to receive equal and timely treatment opportunities.

When single mother by choice and SGF patient, Dr. Deborah Brooks, first embarked on her family-building journey in 2018, she found it discriminatory that she did not qualify for the same access to fertility treatment benefits that married couples did.

«After my third unsuccessful IUI, I wasn’t prepared to pay for IVF out of pocket,» said Dr. Brooks as she recalled the previous Mandate requiring six intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles before moving on to IVF despite success rates drastically dropping after three.

Thanks in part to the testimonies from SGF’s Stephanie Beall, M.D., Ph.D., and Loretta Trumble, CRNP, along with Dr. Brooks, new revisions to the Maryland Mandate include:

  • the removal of a marriage requirement for patients seeking treatment,
  • reducing the 2-year «waiting» period to 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse, and
  • reducing the attempts of IUI from six attempts to three.

Fortunately for Dr. Brooks, her fourth IUI led to the birth of her son in April 2020, 2 months after testifying in front of the Maryland Senate Finance Committee.

«I love my son, and I might want him to have a sibling someday,» shares Dr. Brooks. «It could be a very real possibility that I’ll be in my late 30s when that day comes and may need to try IVF. It’s comforting knowing that insurance benefits are available to me if I need them.»

Advocating for Maryland Mandate’s Expanded IVF Coverage

On February 26, 2020, Dr. Beall and Ms. Trumble testified in favor of laxing limitations on infertility treatment insurance carrier require of their policyholders. Their testimonies were presented alongside RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, Maryland Senator Shelly Hettleman, D-Baltimore County, and the Women’s Law Center of Maryland.

«Thousands of Marylanders have difficulty becoming pregnant and deserve access to today’s modern technology that will assist them,» Shared Senator Hettleman in her testimony. «This bill brings our law up to date, reflecting modern patterns in both medicine and parenting.»

For SGF physicians, helping patients build their families extends beyond the exam room. During Dr. Beall’s testimony, she shared, «The diagnosis of infertility knows no boundaries. It affects individuals regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or marital status. Given the anticipated age-related decline in fertility, and the increased incidence of pregnancy loss and having a child with a chromosomal abnormality, it is important not to delay fertility care for an individual or couple who have a clinical diagnosis of infertility.»

Dr. Beall and Ms. Trumble have called for change to the Maryland Mandate before. Due to their collective efforts, on May 15, 2018, Maryland Governor Hogan signed the bill that requires insurers under the Maryland Mandate to cover the expense of fertility preservation, sperm and egg freezing specifically, for patients prior to medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer, that likely would permanently damage their reproductive ability.

«I’m so passionate about helping build families across all patient populations and this was a way to use my passion to advocate for increased coverage,» says Trumble. «Revising legislation wasn’t something I actively sought out, but change was needed and I’m so honored to be a part of it.»

To learn more about SGF’s support services for single mothers by choice like Dr. Brooks, or to schedule a virtual physician consultation with an SGF physician, call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.

About Shady Grove Fertility (SGF)
SGF is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence with more than 85,000 babies born and 5,000+ 5-star patient reviews. With 37 locations throughout FL, GA, MD, NY, PA, VA, D.C., and Santiago, Chile, offer patients virtual physician consults, deliver individualized care, accept most insurance plans, and make treatment affordable through innovative financial options, including 100% refund guarantees. More physicians refer their patients to SGF than any other center. Call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.

Media Contact

Dana DeBoer, Shady Grove Fertility, 301-545-1378, dana.deboer@sgfertility.com

Twitter

 

SOURCE Shady Grove Fertility

Ismael Cala has opened the «Cala Center» in Miami, a unique comprehensive training space for leaders

MIAMI, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The author, communicator and strategist Ismael Cala has opened the CALA CENTER in Miami, a multipurpose space to host his main events as well as to welcome other happenings to the region.

«The Cala Center is a comprehensive training space for activating the five senses, but also that sixth sense that connects us with nature, with what we are beyond our bodies and with that…

MIAMI, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The author, communicator and strategist Ismael Cala has opened the CALA CENTER in Miami, a multipurpose space to host his main events as well as to welcome other happenings to the region.

«The Cala Center is a comprehensive training space for activating the five senses, but also that sixth sense that connects us with nature, with what we are beyond our bodies and with that high-consciousness vibration, of the leaders we want to train,» Cala explained.

Located in the southern part of downtown Miami, the Cala Center will be the setting for courses, seminars, and workshops on positive psychology, exponential mindful leadership, epigenetics, neurosciences, emotional intelligence, assertive communication and other activities requested by both the corporate sector and the people.

«After the pandemic, now more than ever, the world needs places where they can disconnect and create peace in the midst of so much uncertainty,» Cala added.

The center’s opening coincides with some events postponed by the Covid-19 pandemic being resumed, all with increased health safety precautions.

The first in-person workshop given was «Reprogram your Brain: Build Your New Version,» which will be followed by «The Science of Forgiving: the Antidote to Anxiety and Depression» (Saturday, February 27) and «Five Pillars for Creating Personal Strength» (with Jacques Giraud, Saturday, March 13).

«Safety is our top priority. Health and safety norms and protocols established by Miami-Dade County will be respected on the date of each activity,» the company Cala Enterprises clarified.

The Cala Center will also be open to community, social, cultural and family events.

The Cala Center:

19091 SW 160th St. Miami, FL 33187
www.ismaelcala.com/calacenter/
WhatsApp: +1 305 360 9940

SOURCE Cala Enterprises

Ismael Cala has opened the «Cala Center» in Miami, a unique comprehensive training space for leaders

MIAMI, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The author, communicator and strategist Ismael Cala has opened the CALA CENTER in Miami, a multipurpose space to host his main events as well as to welcome other happenings to the region.

«The Cala Center is a comprehensive training space for activating the five senses, but also that sixth sense that connects us with nature, with what we are beyond our bodies and with that…

MIAMI, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The author, communicator and strategist Ismael Cala has opened the CALA CENTER in Miami, a multipurpose space to host his main events as well as to welcome other happenings to the region.

«The Cala Center is a comprehensive training space for activating the five senses, but also that sixth sense that connects us with nature, with what we are beyond our bodies and with that high-consciousness vibration, of the leaders we want to train,» Cala explained.

Located in the southern part of downtown Miami, the Cala Center will be the setting for courses, seminars, and workshops on positive psychology, exponential mindful leadership, epigenetics, neurosciences, emotional intelligence, assertive communication and other activities requested by both the corporate sector and the people.

«After the pandemic, now more than ever, the world needs places where they can disconnect and create peace in the midst of so much uncertainty,» Cala added.

The center’s opening coincides with some events postponed by the Covid-19 pandemic being resumed, all with increased health safety precautions.

The first in-person workshop given was «Reprogram your Brain: Build Your New Version,» which will be followed by «The Science of Forgiving: the Antidote to Anxiety and Depression» (Saturday, February 27) and «Five Pillars for Creating Personal Strength» (with Jacques Giraud, Saturday, March 13).

«Safety is our top priority. Health and safety norms and protocols established by Miami-Dade County will be respected on the date of each activity,» the company Cala Enterprises clarified.

The Cala Center will also be open to community, social, cultural and family events.

The Cala Center:

19091 SW 160th St. Miami, FL 33187
www.ismaelcala.com/calacenter/
WhatsApp: +1 305 360 9940

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SOURCE Cala Enterprises

Redfin Predicts It Will Become Less Expensive to Sell Your Home as Real Estate Commissions Become More Transparent

SEATTLE, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — (NASDAQ: RDFN) — Today Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage, published an <a target="_blank"…

SEATTLE, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — (NASDAQ: RDFN) — Today Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage, published an in-depth analysis on real estate commissions, giving consumers access to data that has historically been unavailable to them. Redfin’s analysis found the typical U.S. home seller in 2020 paid the brokerage representing the buyer a commission equal to 2.7% of the sale price—down only slightly from 2.8% in 2012.

Redfin expects fees will likely decline in 2021 and beyond as data on agent commissions becomes widely available for the first time. Real estate websites are now allowed to publish commission rates that homesellers offer to the broker who brings a buyer as the result of an antitrust settlement between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). Sellers will be able to see what other sellers are offering when they visit real estate websites, helping them make more independent and informed decisions.

«When a homeowner can see that their neighbor offered a 2.5% buyer’s agent commission rate, it makes it much easier to justify offering a similar rate when they sell their home,» said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather.

Earlier this month, Redfin began displaying the buyer’s agent commission for more than 700,000 home listings and plans to add more data as it becomes available. Redfin will continue to report on commission rates and how they change over time as part of its efforts to make the real estate industry more transparent for consumers.

How Do Commission Fees Work?
Most often in a home sale transaction, the seller pays the fees of both their agent and the buyer’s agent. While commission rates are negotiable and vary, U.S. sellers typically pay 5-6% of the final sale price, which is split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. The DOJ settlement only impacts buyer’s agent commissions, which are the focus of this report.

A Red-Hot Housing Market Is Already Prompting Some Sellers to Offer Lower Commissions

Today’s hot housing market is accelerating the decline in commissions. Demand for homes is sky-high, with thousands of Americans moving and taking advantage of record-low mortgage rates during the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, there aren’t enough homes for sale, fueling fierce bidding wars. As a result, some sellers have realized that finding a buyer will be a cinch, regardless of the commission they offer to the buyer’s agent.

«I’ve been talking with some of my sellers about offering no more than 2.5% given the lack of inventory,» said Sylva Khayalian, a Redfin real estate agent in Los Angeles. «There’s such a huge shortage of houses for sale that most homes will attract a long line of eager buyers no matter what. As a result, many sellers feel they don’t need to compensate the buyer’s agent as much for that part of the process.»

iBuyers Pave the Way for Lower Commissions
Homes are increasingly being sold by thrifty businesses like iBuyers instead of individual sellers’ agents. The term «iBuyer» (short for instant buyer) is used to describe a real estate company that purchases houses from homeowners in quick cash transactions, makes any necessary improvements to the homes, and then resells them.

When an iBuyer resells a home, it pays a commission to the buyer’s agent, just like an individual home seller does. The average commission rate paid by iBuyers dropped to 2.5% in 2020 from 2.8% in 2019 as these companies experimented with paying lower fees to trim costs.

RedfinNow, Redfin’s iBuying business, has experimented with offering lower commissions to buyers’ agents when it sells homes. On more than 70% of its new listings this year, RedfinNow has offered 0.5% less to the buyer’s agent than it has historically, according to RedfinNow Vice President Jason Aleem.

«So far, offering a lower commission has not impacted our ability to attract buyers and sell homes for top dollar. Paying lower commissions means we can make even stronger offers to homeowners who request a cash offer from RedfinNow,» Aleem said. «We’re excited to share this strategy with our brokerage clients, who can hopefully save a chunk of change when they sell their home with a local Redfin agent.»

In many of the top iBuyer markets last year, iBuyers paid lower commissions to buyers’ agents than individual sellers did. In Phoenix, iBuyers paid 2.6% on average, while individual sellers paid 2.8%. When the DOJ settlement goes into effect and sellers can see what other sellers—including iBuyers—are paying in commissions, many of them may opt to pay a lower fee as well.

«iBuyers may have started the trend of offering lower commissions, but other sellers will follow,» said Sabrina Archolecas, an asset manager for RedfinNow in Texas.

Commission Summary By Metro Area
50 largest metros by number of home sales in 2020. Data* represents all homes sold in a given metro, including those sold by iBuyers and homebuilders.

Metro Area

Average Commission Rate Sellers Offered to Buyers’ Agents (2020)

Share of Sellers Offering Commission of 3% or More to Buyers’ Agents (2012)

Share of Sellers Offering Commission of 3% or More to Buyers’ Agents (2020)

Anaheim, CA

2.4%

33.0%

5.7%

Atlanta, GA

3.0%

89.3%

92.3%

Austin, TX

3.0%

96.4%

95.3%

Baltimore, MD

2.5%

33.0%

7.1%

Boston, MA

2.2%

8.1%

0.9%

Buffalo, NY

2.9%

93.4%

80.7%

Camden, NJ

2.8%

25.0%

55.6%

Chicago, IL

2.4%

19.9%

1.9%

Columbus, OH

3.0%

93.4%

94.5%

Dallas, TX

3.0%

95.0%

95.4%

Dayton, OH

3.0%

95.9%

96.1%

Denver, CO

2.8%

17.2%

5.3%

Elgin, IL

2.4%

25.8%

1.9%

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2.8%

86.7%

68.1%

Fort Worth, TX

3.0%

94.5%

92.3%

Frederick, MD

2.5%

47.5%

12.2%

Grand Rapids, MI

3.0%

93.1%

94.2%

Houston, TX

3.0%

94.3%

94.5%

Indianapolis, IN

3.0%

89.5%

83.4%

Kansas City, MO

3.0%

94.4%

92.8%

Lakeland, FL

2.6%

57.0%

32.0%

Little Rock, AR

2.4%

14.4%

7.8%

Los Angeles, CA

2.4%

33.2%

4.1%

Minneapolis, MN

2.7%

22.6%

1.6%

Montgomery County, PA

2.6%

63.2%

32.9%

Naples, FL

2.9%

84.1%

67.7%

Nashville, TN

3.0%

94.6%

91.9%

Nassau County, NY

2.0%

6.0%

3.1%

New Brunswick, NJ

2.4%

24.7%

7.8%

New York, NY

2.3%

23.2%

15.3%

North Port, FL

2.9%

90.6%

81.9%

Oakland, CA

2.5%

35.3%

4.4%

Orlando, FL

2.7%

80.4%

39.5%

Philadelphia, PA

2.7%

74.2%

42.0%

Phoenix, AZ

2.8%

64.0%

57.7%

Portland, OR

2.4%

16.4%

1.0%

Raleigh, NC

2.5%

20.1%

4.6%

Riverside, CA

2.5%

59.4%

19.7%

Rochester, NY

3.0%

96.7%

94.4%

Salisbury, MD

2.6%

51.8%

27.6%

San Diego, CA

2.5%

33.9%

4.1%

San Francisco, CA

2.5%

18.2%

3.9%

San Jose, CA

2.5%

30.1%

3.9%

Seattle, WA

2.8%

87.8%

58.1%

St. Louis, MO

2.7%

35.8%

5.8%

Tacoma, WA

2.6%

68.6%

22.1%

Tampa, FL

2.6%

32.6%

12.3%

Virginia Beach, VA

2.9%

91.0%

90.6%

Washington, DC

2.6%

72.9%

18.2%

West Palm Beach, FL

2.7%

85.3%

50.1%

National—U.S.A.

2.7%

59.7%

44.8%

To read the full report, please visit:  https://www.redfin.com/news/real-estate-commissions-2021

About Redfin
Redfin (www.redfin.com) is a technology-powered residential real estate company, redefining real estate in the consumer’s favor in a commission-driven industry. We do this by integrating every step of the home buying and selling process and pairing our own agents with our own technology, creating a service that is faster, better and costs less. We offer brokerage, iBuying, mortgage, and title services, and we also run the country’s #1 nationwide brokerage website, offering a host of online tools to consumers, including the Redfin Estimate. We represent people buying and selling homes in over 90 markets in the United States and Canada. Since our launch in 2006, we have saved our customers over $800 million and we’ve helped them buy or sell more than 235,000 homes worth more than $115 billion.

For more information or to contact a local Redfin real estate agent, visit www.redfin.com. To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the Redfin Data Center. To be added to Redfin’s press release distribution list, email press@redfin.com. To view Redfin’s press center, click here.

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SOURCE Redfin

Simplify Compliance, a Portfolio Company of Leeds Equity Partners, Strengthens Safety Market Presence with the Acquisition of BasicSafe, a Leading EHS Management Software

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Simplify Compliance, a leading provider of business information and training solutions, announces the acquisition of BasicSafe, a scalable, web-based system that streamlines environmental health and safety (EHS) workflow management. The BasicSafe applications will complement Simplify Compliance’s existing safety platform, EHS Hero, which falls within the product portfolio of its human capital management division, Business and Learning Resources…

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Simplify Compliance, a leading provider of business information and training solutions, announces the acquisition of BasicSafe, a scalable, web-based system that streamlines environmental health and safety (EHS) workflow management. The BasicSafe applications will complement Simplify Compliance’s existing safety platform, EHS Hero, which falls within the product portfolio of its human capital management division, Business and Learning Resources (BLR).

«The pairing of BasicSafe and BLR solutions will revolutionize our safety offering, enabling us to serve our collective EHS audience in a way few others are able to do,» says Simplify Compliance Chief Product Officer, David Cella. «Through BLR’s regulatory content and guidance and BasicSafe’s accessible software, we can support compliance and supercharge productivity across an organization’s entire safety program.»

Developed in 2007 by a team of engineers and programmers, and spearheaded by founder and former safety professional Kevin Shoemaker, BasicSafe was designed to streamline complex and time-consuming EHS processes like job safety analysis, audits, incident reporting, and document storage. The result is twelve digital applications that support the execution and organization of the most critical safety tasks.

«BasicSafe is looking forward to working with Simplify Compliance to package critical content and domain expertise to increase value for our customers,» says Shoemaker. «We see the value in many areas that will help accelerate the combination of the business strengths towards becoming the best-in-class one-stop safety management software as a service.»

The functionality of BasicSafe’s applications is enhanced by a core set of tools that it dubs the «Virtual Assistant» suite, which includes:

  • A database for digitally storing Policies and Procedures;
  • An Action Management tool that allows safety managers to increase accountability through the assignment of tasks;
  • Planner/Scheduler that sets recurring reminders to ensure teams meet critical compliance deadlines; and
  • A Reporting tool that allows managers to track key performance indicators across applications.

These applications align with the EHS Hero suite of products, comprising federal and state regulatory information, safety charts and policies, preloaded and customizable safety plans, and one-to-one access to safety experts through its coveted EHS Hotline.

«The combination of EHS Hero and BasicSafe’s applications will allow us to provide our customers a more holistic, tech-enabled safety management solution.» says Simplify Compliance CEO, Dan Oswald. «Plus, we’re excited to do it with a team who shares our commitment to innovative, quality products built around the needs of the people we serve.»

About BasicSafe
BasicSafe is an internet-based integrated approach to managing safe work cultures and compliance with regulatory requirements. Extensive programming based on proven safety methodologies that target employee training and information access are the backbone of the BasicSafe suite. BasicSafe is built by skilled programmers working in conjunction with experienced safety managers at companies helping to develop this software. Visit http://www.basicsafe.us.

About Simplify Compliance
Simplify Compliance, Leeds Equity Partners-backed portfolio company, helps its customers learn, comply, and succeed by providing mission-critical regulatory and business information, analysis, and tools. Serving a range of industries, including healthcare, human capital management, and communications, Simplify Compliance provides time-saving products and solutions that help businesses, and their employees monitor compliance, optimize financial performance, and create and implement best practices. Visit https://simplifycompliance.com.

About Business and Learning Resources (BLR)
As a division of Simplify Compliance, BLR is an industry-leading knowledge provider in the human capital management, environmental health and safety, leadership development, and legal markets. Visit https://www.blr.com.

Media Contact

Press Team, Simplify Compliance, 1-978-624-4568, Press@SimplifyCompliance.com

 

SOURCE Simplify Compliance

CitizensNYC Honors Five Remarkable Women: Launches «The New Yorkers for New York» Campaign

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Citizens Committee for New York…

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Citizens Committee for New York City (CitizensNYC) announced today the launch of its 2021 virtual fundraising campaign The New Yorkers for New York. The organization kicks off Women’s History Month by honoring five extraordinary women who are working to rethink, rebuild, and reimagine  New York City.

The five-month-long fundraising campaign will lift up the contributions women have made throughout New York’s history as well as their commitment to the city’s future. Each gift will be matched one-to-one, up to $150,000. CitizensNYC aims to raise $1.5 million dollars this year. This year’s honorees represent the breadth of culture, neighborhoods, and industries that New York City has to offer. Each month the campaign will highlight one of the five honorees who have committed to rolling up their sleeves to help the city recover from the pandemic. The showcase event is set to take place on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.

One of the nation’s oldest micro-funding organizations, CitizensNYC has a longstanding history of celebrating and supporting civic leaders. They have provided residents in the city’s most underserved neighborhoods with community, education, and small business improvement grants for the past 45 years. In 2020, CitizensNYC provided 402 projects with nearly $1.2M in direct cash grants, impacting more than 87,685 residents in 122 neighborhoods across all five boroughs.

This year’s honorees include:

Susan R. Cullman, The Activist, became the volunteer director of the Republican Coalition for Choice in 1991 and spent her days on the Hill and across the country, working with lawyers and consultants, raising money and supporting pro-choice Republican candidates. Susan, whose family established roots in NYC centuries ago, serves as a board member with several NYC nonprofits including Citizens Committee for New York City, The New York Women’s Foundation, The Avon and Mount Sinai Health System.

Nicole Lee, The Future, is a community advocate, entrepreneur, and candidate for The New York City Council, representing the 31st district. She is a CitizensNYC grantee partner with more than a decade of experience managing small businesses, serving as the founder of MotherGoose Daycare, Wink Beauty Parlour, and Journey Through Seth’s Eyes, which provides a safe environment and resources for children with special needs, all in her neighborhood of Jamaica Beach, Queens. 

Frida Polli PhD, The Entrepreneur, is an award-winning Harvard and MIT neuroscientist turned CEO. She was named one of Inc.’s Top 100 Female Founders in 2019, one of Entrepreneur’s Top 100 Powerful Women in 2020 and has received the MIT 100K, and HBS Life Science Award, a NARSAD Young Investigator Award. Frida is the CEO and co-founder of Pymetrics, a company leveraging soft skill science and AI to make workforce decisions more accurate and fair. Frida, along with her husband Conor Bastable, Partner at Davidson Kempner Capital Management, further demonstrate their love for NYC as active supporters of Robin Hood, The Urban League, Prep for Prep, and The Bowery Mission.

Sue Suh, The Optimist, is the Chief People Officer at TIME. She has spent most of the past decade at one of the world’s largest private philanthropies, the Rockefeller Foundation. Prior to Rockefeller, Sue spent five years in a variety of roles at the U.S. Departments of State and Defense in Washington, New York, and Tripoli, Libya, including a two-year stint at the U.S. Mission to the UN. A native New Yorker, Sue serves on the board of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the Classical Theatre of Harlem and Special Olympics Asia-Pacific. She was a Fulbright Scholar in South Korea and a Presidential Management Fellow.

Rhina Valentin, The Creative, is a leading figure in New York City’s entertainment industry as the founder of La Reina del Barrio, Inc., a media and television production company. Born and bred in New York City,  Rhina is the talk show host of Colors of Rhina and has been the host of BronxNet’s OPEN Friday since 2006, and is a recipient of the 25 Bronx Influential Women of 2015 Award. She’s also a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation, is an advocate for domestic violence awareness and is currently Raising Money for S.T.E.A.M. programs in support of Puerto Rico, Colombia, and West Africa.

«We felt it was important this year to not only launch this campaign alongside Women’s History Month, and to ensure that our New Yorkers for New York honorees were reflective of the vast diversity of New York City — in a way that is reminiscent of the culture that we all know, love, and hold dear. Our distinguished honorees will play a key role in helping to shine a light on the New Yorkers that are most in need at this time,» said Dr. Rahsaan Harris, CEO of Citizens Committee for New York City.

CitizensNYC is seeking donations throughout The New Yorkers for New York campaign. To support the work of the organization and its grantee partners as they work to rebuild New York City, donate HERE.

About Citizen Committee for New York City:
Citizens Committee for New York City’s mission is to help New Yorkers – especially those in low-income areas – come together and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Residents are uniquely situated to define and act on the issues affecting their communities. When provided with modest support, neighborhood and school groups can effectively mobilize with the assistance of grants, skills-building workshops, project planning assistance and an equipment share library. In 2020, CitizensNYC provided 402 projects with nearly $1.2M in direct cash grants, impacting more than 87,685 residents in 122 neighborhoods across all five boroughs. Since 1975, we have promoted the spirit of volunteerism, local engagement, and social justice that drives our work. Go to citizensnyc.org to learn more.

Additional Information:
Webpage: https://www.citizensnyc.org
Social Media: Twitter @citizensnyc | Instagram @citizenscommittee | Facebook.com/citizensnyc

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1444461/CitizensNYC_Logo.jpg  

SOURCE Citizens Committee For New York City

Senmiao Technology Announces Third Order of 200 Electric Vehicles Under Framework Agreement with BYD

CHENGDU, China, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Senmiao Technology Limited («Senmiao») (NASDAQ: AIHS), a provider of automobile transaction and related services targeting the online ride-hailing industry in China as well as an operator of its own online ride-hailing platform, today announced that it has ordered another 200 electric vehicles («EVs») manufactured by BYD Company Limited («BYD», HK: 1211 and SZSE: 002594) from an authorized dealer of BYD Auto Sales Co.,…

CHENGDU, China, Feb. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Senmiao Technology Limited («Senmiao») (NASDAQ: AIHS), a provider of automobile transaction and related services targeting the online ride-hailing industry in China as well as an operator of its own online ride-hailing platform, today announced that it has ordered another 200 electric vehicles («EVs») manufactured by BYD Company Limited («BYD», HK: 1211 and SZSE: 002594) from an authorized dealer of BYD Auto Sales Co., Ltd., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BYD. The first batch of 100 automobiles from this order is expected to be delivered to the Chengdu office of Senmiao during the first week of March 2021.

Senmiao expects to provide finance and leasing options for these EVs to ride-hailing drivers in one of its two principal markets, Chengdu, while exploring the opportunities to expand to new markets in other cities. Since launching its proprietary ride-hailing platform in the fourth quarter of 2020, Senmiao has seen large demand for EVs in financial leasing and operating leasing segments of the online ride-hailing industry in China. Senmiao also expects to implement services and technology in these vehicles in preparation for independent drivers to use them for ride-hailing activities, including advanced telematics and mapping software.

The order was made pursuant to the previously announced framework agreement with BYD Auto Sales Co., Ltd. for the purchase of BYD manufactured EVs and joint promotion of the use of EVs in China’s ride-hailing market. With this third order, Senmiao has ordered an aggregate of 1,200 of the 5,000 vehicles expected to be ordered in 2020-2021. Senmiao intends to finance the purchase of these 200 vehicles with cash on hand.

Xi Wen, Senmiao’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, «We are pleased to place this third order of 200 EVs from our partner BYD for our growing online ride-hailing business in Chengdu. We anticipate receiving 100 vehicles from BYD in Chengdu next week and look forward to meeting demand in the market from drivers utilizing our financing options. Our mission is to make these vehicles accessible to independent drivers, allowing them to easily transition into ride-hailing drivers as a profession. We have witnessed very positive growth and development of our own online ride-hailing platform in the past three months and reported strong January 2021 operating metrics with more than 910,000 rides completed. We expect this trend to continue within our existing markets as we explore the possibility of entering new cities.»

About Senmiao Technology Limited

Headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, Senmiao provides automobile transaction and related services including sales of automobiles, facilitation and services for automobile purchase and financing, management, operating lease, guarantee and other automobile transaction services as well as operates its own ride-hailing platform aimed principally at the growing online ride-hailing market in Senmiao’s areas of operation in China. For more information about Senmiao, please visit: http://www.senmiaotech.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements (including those relating to Senmiao’s purchase of EVs under the framework agreement with BYD and the potential expansion of operations to other cities in China) also are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those detailed from time to time in the Senmiao’s filings with the SEC, and represent Senmiao’s views only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Senmiao’s views as of any subsequent date. Senmiao undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in events or circumstances. 

For more information, please contact:

At the Company:
Yiye Zhou
Email: edom333@ihongsen.com 
Phone: +86 28 6155 4399

Investor Relations:
The Equity Group Inc.                                                                       In China
Adam Prior, Senior Vice President                                                   Lucy Ma, Associate
(212) 836-9606                                                                                 +86 10 5661 7012
aprior@equityny.com                                                                        lma@equityny.com 

© 2021 Senmiao Technology Ltd.  All rights reserved.

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SOURCE Senmiao Technology Limited