2015 Manufacturing Leadership Award Winners Announced

— Merck, Dow, GE, General Motors, Lockheed Martin and fellow award winners to be honored June 2-4 at the Manufacturing Leadership Summit

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Frost & Sullivan’s Manufacturing Leadership (ML) Council today recognized world-class manufacturing companies and individual leaders as winners of the 2015 Manufacturing Leadership Awards.

Frost & Sullivan's Manufacturing Leadership Council

Frost & Sullivan’s Manufacturing Leadership Council

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150303/179222LOGO

In a world of intensifying global competition and accelerating, technology-driven change, recipients of the ML Awards have distinguished themselves by embracing breakthrough innovation and enabling their companies to anticipate and respond to customers with unmatched agility.

Now in its eleventh year, the ML Awards honor companies and individuals that are shaping the future of global manufacturing. Nominations are entered into 11 categories, evaluated and scored by a panel of expert judges. Ten of the ML Awards categories are for outstanding projects by a manufacturing company. One category recognizes the achievements of individual manufacturing leaders.

“Now more than ever, manufacturers must accelerate and expand innovation and the delivery of customer value while continuing to embrace core principles of quality and operational excellence,” said Global Vice President and Editorial Director of the Manufacturing Leadership Council David R. Brousell. “Winners of the 2015 ML Awards have clearly demonstrated that they are leaders on all of those fronts. Congratulations to each of them.”

ML Award winners and their technology partners will be honored on June 4, 2015 at a gala celebration that concludes the eleventh annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit in Carlsbad, CA. At the gala, winners of the ML High Achiever Awards, the ML Manufacturers of the Year, and the Manufacturing Leader of the Year will also be announced.

The ML Summit is a unique, interactive gathering of manufacturing leaders from around the world. The theme for the 2015 summit is “The New Era of Creating Manufacturing.” Featured speakers include: Ford Motor Co. Executive Vice President, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs John Fleming; Lockheed Martin Space Systems Vice President of Production Dennis Little; The Dow Chemical Company Vice Chairman, Business Operations James R. Fitterling; and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Director of the Defense Sciences Office Dr. Stefanie Tompkins.

Expert judges for the 2015 ML Awards include UCLA Vice Provost, Information Technology and Chief Academic Technology Officer Jim Davis; Frost & Sullivan Industrial Automation and Process Control Vice President of Research Sath Rao; L’Oreal Operations America Vice President, Communications and Social Responsibility Morris Lenczicki; Graphicast Inc. President Val Zanchuk; VirTex Enterprises LP CEO Brad Heath; Manufacturing Leadership Council Global Vice President and Editorial Director David R. Brousell; Lexmark International Corporate Manager Sustainability John Gagel; Extreme Networks Vice President, Engineering Operations and Quality Brad Martin; Plastic Molding Technology Inc. CEO Charles A. Sholtis; Digital Manufacturing & Design Innovation Institute at UI LABS Executive Director Dean L. Bartles; The Boeing Company Senior Manager Rod Mattison; Card-Monroe Corp. Vice President of Corporate Excellence Jim Joyner; Scientific Games Vice President, Global Supply Chain Chris Hillman; The Dow Chemical Company Vice President Engineering Solutions and Technology Centers Paul Dean II.

The Manufacturing Leadership Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 ML Awards:

Big Data & Advanced Analytics Leadership

  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Saudi Aramco (Abqaiq Intelligent Energy Management System)
  • Steel Dynamics
  • The Dow Chemical Company (Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence)

Customer Value Leadership

  • Boston Scientific
  • Schutt Sports (Mass Customization)
  • The Design Phactory
  • Thule, Inc.
  • Toyota Motor Sales

Engineering & Production Technology Leadership

  • Ball Aerospace
  • CPI Aerostructures
  • Extreme Networks (Robotic WiFi Antenna Testing)
  • General Motors
  • GKN Aerospace
  • Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (Applied Additive Tooling Technologies)
  • Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (Hole-Drilling Process Improvements)
  • Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (Optical Projection Of Fastener Installation Data)
  • Mechanical Equipment Company, Inc.
  • Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee (RealCup Capsule Commercialization and Rapid Expansion)
  • PACCAR Engine Company
  • Saudi Aramco (Integrated Analytical Engineering Performance Monitoring Tool)
  • Tessy Plastics LLC
  • The Tech Group

Enterprise Technology Leadership

  • AMA Plastics
  • Boers & Co.
  • CommScope, Inc. (PM Mobile)
  • Crescent Park Corp.
  • Epec Engineered Technologies
  • NetApp, Inc.
  • Nexteer
  • Toyota Boskoku America
  • VirTex Enterprises
  • Xerox

Innovation Process Leadership

  • Blast Motion
  • DIRTT Environmental Solutions
  • GE Global Research
  • IBM (Intelligent Release Enablement)
  • JCB India Ltd
  • Proto Labs
  • The Hayes Companies

Operational Excellence Leadership

  • ATK Aerospace Group
  • Avnet, Inc.
  • CommScope, Inc. (One-Piece Flow)
  • Eaton
  • IBM (IPDL Singapore Design and Operational eXcellence (DOX) Program)
  • Lexmark International, Inc. (Lean Sourcing Framework)
  • L’Oreal USA
  • MBX Systems
  • Nissan Americas
  • Olympic Steel, Inc.
  • Peterbilt Motors Co. (Mixed Model Cab Trim Line)
  • Peterbilt Motors Co. (North Texas Lean Consortium)
  • The Dow Chemical Company (Dow Hsinchu Site’s Six Sigma / Lean Journey)
  • The Raymond Corp.

New Product Leadership

  • BullEx (Attack™ and BullsEye™ Product Platforms)
  • Crest Industries
  • HzO, Inc.
  • Manchac Technologies
  • Merck & Co.
  • Mother Parkers Tea and Coffee (EcoCup Single Serve Capsules)
  • Schutt Sports (STX Stallion)
  • Terves, Inc.

Next-Generation Leadership

  • Allied Mineral Products
  • Meritage Global Services, Inc.
  • Peterbilt Motors Co. (Emerging Leaders Southwest)
  • Specialty Manufacturing, Inc.
  • The Dow Chemical Company (Next Generation Leadership)

Supply Chain Leadership

  • C&S Wholesale Grocers
  • Elster Gas, North and South America (Strategic Procurement Structure)
  • Hewlett-Packard Co.
  • IBM (Singapore Power Systems Transition Project)
  • Lexmark International, Inc. (Global Sourcing Contracts Process Improvements)
  • MAPA SPONTEX
  • PL Developments
  • Redwing Shoe Company
  • Seagate, Inc.
  • Bridge Publications, Inc.

Sustainability Leadership

  • BullEx (Smart Class A PHASE II)
  • Campbell Soup
  • Columbia Manufacturing, Inc.
  • Elster Gas, North and South America (Sustainability Strategy)
  • Extreme Networks, Inc. (Sustainable Packaging)
  • Lexmark International, Inc. (Reconditioning of Laser Cartridge Developer Rolls)
  • Saudi Aramco (Resource and Energy Optimization)

Visionary Leadership

  • Harry Arnon, Hernon Manufacturing, Inc.
  • Marcia Coulson, Eldon James Corp.
  • Donald J. Davis, Kent Displays Inc.
  • Ulrich Ermel, TQ Systems GmbH
  • James Harbour, Harbour & Associates, Inc. (Retired)
  • Curt Modtland, The Dow Chemical Company (Retired)
  • Mort O’Sullivan, ARCA
  • Jamie Quilter, Rexnord Industries

About the Manufacturing Leadership Council

The Manufacturing Leadership Council, Frost & Sullivan, is the world’s first member-driven, global business leadership network dedicated to senior executives in the manufacturing industry. The Manufacturing Leadership Council’s mission is to help senior executives define and shape a better future for themselves, their organizations, and the industry at large. The Council produces an extensive portfolio of leadership networking, information, and professional development products, programs, and services, including the Manufacturing Leadership Community website, an online global business network with over 6,700 members worldwide; the Manufacturing Leadership Council, an invitation-only executive organization of over 100 members; the annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit; the Manufacturing Leadership Awards, celebrating industry achievement; and the thought-leading Manufacturing Leadership Journal. For more information, visit www.MLCouncil.com.

About Frost & Sullivan   

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion

Contact:
Jeffrey Moad
P: +1 510.531.3456
F: +1 510.531.3456
E: jeffrey.moad@frost.com

http://www.frost.com

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150304/8521501347

Grown Diamonds Key to Unlocking Future for Diamond Industry, Finds Frost & Sullivan

— Grown Diamonds can help overcome the widening supply demand gap in the long run to compensate for falling mined diamonds supply

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The mined diamond supply has seen a constant decline in the past decade driven by the fact that key diamond mines have passed their peak production levels. Moreover, the diamond mining process has become tougher as the mines age and new mines that are discovered often have shorter life spans and tougher mining conditions. This occurs in light of the rising demand from various markets such as the US, India and China which is likely to widen the demand and supply gap.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Grown Diamonds – Unlocking Future of Diamond Industry by 2050 indicates how Grown Diamonds can represent a potential solution to the issue of global shortage of rough diamond supplies. The breakthrough in technology has made it possible to grow rare quality colorless IIa quality diamonds by creating diamond-growing conditions in semiconductor grade facilities, above the earth’s surface.

Even with all the technological advancement and developments in the field of exploration and mining, the future of rough diamond production from mines looks bleak. A decline in mined diamond production and diamond processing capacities also has a direct impact on the millions of people who are employed within these industry sectors.

This report analyses the supply of diamonds from mined sources till 2050. Various mines across the globe and their lifetime production values were studied to estimate the supply of diamonds from mines. In comparison, the demand was also analyzed to understand the growth in demand till 2050 considering various factors such as growing jewelry sales and expected surge in demand from new regions.

There are other effects associated with a declining supply such as those on the cutting and processing industries in various countries including India. The shortage in supply is likely to impact the employment strongly in these countries. The trend of declining supply has also led to beneficiation with rough diamond producing countries looking for ways to derive more value from the diamonds coming out of their mines by looking to carry out the cutting and polishing within the country.

Moreover, other factors such as vertical integration across the value chain are surfacing with diamond producing companies trying to integrate their production with their downstream retail operations, thus bypassing intermediary traders from the value chain. Leading branded retail chains are trying to bypass intermediaries as well by sourcing directly from the mining companies.

Recent advancements in technology and years of dedicated research on diamond growing techniques have made it possible to grow high-quality diamonds. A significant achievement in grown diamond technology is the ability to grow colorless Type IIa diamonds which are the purest diamonds found below the earth and constitute only 2% of the total global mined diamond production.

Over the next 30 years, grown diamonds will become a dominant player in high technology applications and can prove to be a very significant diamond source for the luxury world.

Moreover, they also offer new high skilled opportunities for employment as these technology-driven innovation centers employ high-skilled engineers, graduates, researchers and scientists as their principal staff. This is apart from the ancillary industries such as manufacturing, instrumentation, semiconductors and so on.

At a time when the earth mined diamond supply is consistently depleting every year, the emergence of Grown Diamonds could serve as a security blanket for the industry. They can help to meet the supply-demand gap for rough diamonds globally and can also expand the market to new application areas and new profile of consumers.

The report may be downloaded through registering at this link: https://www.frost.com/sublib/display-market-insight.do?id=293405229

For media queries or if you are interested in more information on this study, please send an email to ariel.brown@frost.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants.

Our “Growth Partnership” supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.

  • The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation.
  • The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices.

For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?

Contact Us:     Start the discussion

Join Us:           Join our community

Subscribe:       Newsletter on “the next big thing”

Register:         Gain access to visionary innovation

Contact:

Ariel Brown
Corporate Communications – North America
P: +1 (210) 247.2481
F: +1 (210) 348.1003
E: ariel.brown@frost.com

Global Diamond Demand Reaches Record Levels

Report highlights need for industry investment to sustain future success

HONG KONG, Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Global demand for diamond jewellery reached a record high of US$79 billion in 2013 according to the inaugural Diamond Insight Report, published today by The De Beers Group of Companies.

Demand is expected to continue to grow over the long-term, driven by the ongoing economic recovery in the US (the world’s largest diamond jewellery market) and the growth of the middle classes in developing markets such as China and India. Sales of polished diamonds in the US increased seven per cent in 2013, while both India and China have seen their domestic diamond jewellery markets grow by a compound annual growth rate of 12 per cent in local currency terms between 2008 and 2013.

The report cautions that while diamonds retain their special allure with consumers around the world, future demand levels cannot be taken for granted. The overall category is facing increasingly strong and sophisticated competition from other luxury categories, with diamonds’ share of advertising voice in the US market having reduced within its competitive set.

Global rough diamond production in 2013 increased by seven per cent in carat terms over 2012 levels to a total of around 145 million carats. However, this remains well below the 2005 peak of around 175 million carats. The report further highlights that a forecast reduction in supply from existing sources will likely not be matched by new production coming on-stream in the years ahead and diamond supply is expected to plateau in the second half of the decade before declining from 2020 onwards.

Meanwhile, as mining moves deeper into the earth and towards more remote locations, the extraction process is becoming increasingly complex and costly. The three principal input costs — labour, electricity and diesel — have all seen increases well above local inflation levels in the main diamond producing countries over the last decade and this trend is set to continue.

Substantial investment will be required in diamond production, technology and branding, marketing and retail standards if the industry is to sustain its recent levels of success into the future, the report says.

The report also reveals that:

  • China is the world’s fastest growing market for diamond jewellery sales, with the number of diamond jewellery retail doors in the country increasing by almost 30 per cent between 2010 and 2013.
  • Online has become an increasingly important channel for the diamond industry. Over one in six diamond jewellery purchases in the US was made online in 2013 and in China the internet is already used by a quarter of acquirers for research purposes before purchase.
  • Diamonds were a major contributor to the economic performance of producing nations in 2013. In Botswana, diamonds represented more than 25 per cent of GDP and over 75 per cent of overall exports, whereas in Namibia they represented eight per cent of GDP and almost 20 per cent of all exports.

Philippe Mellier, Chief Executive, De Beers Group, said: “Consumer demand remains the one true source of value for the diamond industry. With demand forecast to increase further from 2013’s record levels, the opportunity for growth is clear. But this must not be seen as cause for complacency. The industry will continue to lose ground to other categories if it does not invest significantly in production, marketing and technology.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Diamond Insight Report 2014 is available for download at: www.debeersgroup.com/insightreport

Video and audio footage of De Beers Group Chief Executive, Philippe Mellier, discussing the Insight Report is downloadable here: www.debeersgroup.com

ABOUT THE DEBEERS GROUP OF COMPANIES

De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 20,000 people (directly and as contractors) across the diamond pipeline, and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to Living up to Diamonds by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

CONTACT
John Stanley
+44-(0)-7818097836
+44-(0)-2075574336
john.stanley@sermelo.com
Debeers@sermelo.com

 

China Zhongwang 1H2014 Net Profit Increases 18.6% to RMB1.27 billion

Declared Interim Dividend HK$0.08 per Share

Dividend Payout Ratio at 35%

Sales Volume of Deep-processed Products Jumps 39.2%

Export Sales Surges 41.2%

HONG KONG, Aug. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

RMB Million

For the six months ended 30 June

2014

2013

Change (%)

Revenue

7,948

7,021

+13.2

China (as % of revenue)

6,747

(84.9%)

6,171

(87.9%)

+9.3

Overseas (as % of revenue)

1,201

(15.1%)

850

(12.1%)

+41.2

Gross profit

2,244

1,969

+14.0

Gross profit margin

28.2%

28.0%

+0.2 pct pts  

Profit attributable to equity shareholders

1,271

1,072

+18.6

Interim dividend per share (HK$)

0.08

n.a.

n.a.

Sales Highlights

For the six months ended 30 June

2014

2013

Growth (%)

Tonnes

as %
of total
volume

Tonnes

as %
of total
volume

Sales volume                                                       

368,239

316,014

+16.5

–       Industrial extrusion

306,696

83.3%

268,747

85.1%

+14.1

–       Deep-processed industrial extrusion

36,547

9.9%

26,260

8.3%

+39.2

–       Construction extrusion

24,996

6.8%

21,007

6.6%

+19.0

China Zhongwang Holdings Limited (“China Zhongwang” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries the “Group”, stock code: 01333), the second largest industrial aluminium extrusion product developer and manufacturer in the world and the biggest one in Asia and China, announced the unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2014 (the “review period”). China Zhongwang recorded steady growth in product sales during the review period. Revenue rose 13.2% year-on-year to approximately RMB7.95 billion while gross profit margin slightly increased by 0.2 percentage points to 28.2%. Profit attributable to equity shareholders increased 18.6% to RMB1.27 billion.

To reward shareholders’ longstanding support for the Company, the board of directors has proposed an interim dividend of HK$0.08 (approximately RMB0.06) per share to the holders of ordinary shares and convertible preference shares, equivalent to a dividend payout ratio of 35%. Dividend yield reaches 2.3% based on the closing price of HK$3.47 per share as at 14 August 2014.

Mr. Lu Changqing, Executive Director and Vice President of China Zhongwang, said: “During the first half of the year, China experienced moderate but stable economic growth as the country continued to drive the restructuring of its economy and vigorously implemented its industry upgrade policies, with an emphasis on the development of a green and low-carbon society. Coupled with the mild economic recovery in Europe and the United States, the macro-environment has provided a positive setting for the Group’s business development. During the review period, China Zhongwang continued to focus on its three core businesses, namely, industrial aluminium extrusion products, deep-processed industrial aluminium extrusion products and aluminium flat-rolled products. Through the three operating aspects of product innovation, capacity expansion and market development, we have enhanced our production efficiency to grasp the business opportunities arising in the high-end aluminium processing industry in both domestic and overseas markets. Hence, our results in the first half of 2014 reported ongoing stable growth.”

The Group’s sales volume of aluminium extrusion products amounted to 368,000 tonnes during the review period, representing a 16.5% growth over the corresponding period of last year. China remained the major market of the Group, where sales volume and amount grew by 13.0% and 9.3% year-on-year to approximately 323,000 tonnes and RMB6.75 billion respectively. Driven by exports of industrial aluminium extrusion deep-processed products, the volume and amount of sales in the overseas markets grew by 50.7% and 41.2% over the corresponding period of last year to approximately 45,000 tonnes and RMB1.20 billion respectively.

Industrial aluminium extrusion products — expand capacities to drive growth

As the Group’s major source of revenue and profit, the volume and amount of sales of industrial aluminium extrusion products grew by 14.1% and 10.6% year-on-year to approximately 307,000 tonnes and RMB6.54 billion respectively, accounting for 82.3% of the Group’s overall sales revenue. At present, the Group owned 93 aluminium extrusion lines with an aggregate annual production capacity of over one million tonnes. In terms of production capacity, the Group is one of the leading players in the global aluminium processing industry. The Group has ordered two 225MN horizontal single-action aluminium extrusion presses, currently the largest of their kind in the world, which are scheduled to commence production in 2015. These additional production facilities will enable us to better meet the demand for complicated, large-section industrial aluminium extrusion products by downstream customers and further highlight our advantage in production.

Deep-processing business — capitalise on light-weight development opportunities from the transportation sector

During the review period, sales of industrial aluminium extrusion deep-processed products increased by 39.2% year-on-year to approximately 37,000 tonnes in volume and by 36.0% to approximately RMB990 million in value, accounting for 12.5% of the Group’s overall sales revenue. Since the commissioning of its deep-processing centre in 2013, the Group has developed a range of aluminium alloy prototypes for the transportation sector such as aluminium semi-trailers, fire trucks and high-speed train compartments suitable for alpine cold regions, arousing the interest of many potential customers. As the Group further enhances its effort to develop the rail transport, commercial vehicles and special-use vehicles sectors, the Group will seize the opportunities brought by the light-weight development in the transportation sector.

Aluminium flat-rolled product business — commence production as scheduled to become a long term growth engine

The aluminium flat-rolled project is the largest development project ever launched by China Zhongwang since its incorporation, as well as its future growth engine in the long term. Upon completion of the project, it will become a production base featuring the world’s most advanced equipment and most comprehensive range of ancillary facilities. The project will supply products such as aluminium alloy plates, aluminium sheets and aluminium foils, which are extensively used in car bodies, parts and components, machinery making, petrochemical, aviation and aerospace, rail and shipbuilding, pharmaceutical and food packaging sectors. With its world-advanced production equipment and technologies, the Group is well-positioned to swiftly respond to the demand for high quality aluminium plates, sheets or foils from these sectors.

During the review period, construction of the Group’s aluminium flat-rolled plant was progressing as scheduled. Phase I of the project is expected to gradually commence operation in the second half of 2015 with an annual production capacity of 1.8 million tonnes. Aggregate annual capacity will be increased to 3 million tonnes by 2018.

Technology research and development enhance technical advantages with increased investment input

China Zhongwang has always been committed to product research and development, with the aim of achieving product differentiation with more sophisticated technologies and increasing the profitability in the long term. During the first half of 2014, the Group continued to increase its research and development efforts. Investment in research and development for the review period amounted to approximately RMB240 million, representing 3.0% of the overall revenue. The Group obtained 11 patents, including 4 invention patents and 7 utility model patents.

At the same time,the Group worked with a number of large enterprises and major academic institutions to create mutually beneficial partnership and cooperate in the research and development of aluminium alloy products for novel applications in the transportation sector. New strategic partners solicited during the review period included AVIC SAC Commercial Aircraft Company Limited, Shenyang Aerospace University and Dalian University of Technology.

Mr. Lu concluded: “Green and low-carbon environment has become the dominant direction in national development. In view of the increasingly stringent requirements for energy conservation and emission reduction in China, many automakers are stepping up with their effort to develop light-weight car bodies that require less fuel consumption. Given its characteristics such as lightness, ease in processing, and recyclability, aluminium alloy represents an unrivalled choice of material conducive to energy conservation and emission reduction for automakers. Meanwhile, urbanisation will drive rapid development of public transportation system. China’s vigorous effort to develop jumbo plane manufacturing and the upgrade and replacement of vessels are also offering unprecedented opportunities for the three core businesses of the Group. With its cutting-edge technologies and high-calibre personnel, state-of-art production equipment, diversified product mix and sound financial resources, China Zhongwang is well-positioned to benefit from China’s industrial restructuring and the trend to build a green society. The Group will fortify its industrial aluminium extrusion business, reinforce its deep-processing industrial aluminium extrusion business that delivers growth potential, and drive the development of its aluminium flat-rolled business in an orderly manner. With a business model formed by the three core resource-sharing and complementary businesses, the Group will realise a stable and healthy development, bringing sustainable growth and reward for our shareholders.”

About China Zhongwang Holdings Limited

China Zhongwang is the second largest industrial aluminium extrusion product developer and manufacturer in the world and the biggest one in Asia and China. It has, over the years, been focusing on the light-weight development in transportation, machinery and equipment and electric power engineering sectors through the provision of quality industrial aluminium extrusion products. It now has 93 globally advanced extrusion production lines (including 21 aluminium extrusion production lines of 75MN or above) and a production capacity of over one million tonnes per year.

In addition, to further leverage its existing strengths in the industry, the Group is developing high value-added aluminium flat rolled product business with an overall planned annual production capacity of 3 million tonnes. The project will be carried out in two phases. Phase I with a planned annual production capacity of 1.8 million tonnes will have two aluminium flat rolled production lines, the first one of which is expected to commence operation in the second half of 2015. By then, the Group will have initially achieved the goal of tapping the high-end aluminium flat rolled product sector to become our third core business complementary to and synergistic with the existing industrial aluminium extrusion product and deep-processed product businesses.

For further information on the Group, please visit http://www.zhongwang.com.

To see the full version of this release, including financial tables, click here:  http://photos.prnasia.com/prnk/20140815/8521404586

Frost & Sullivan: Industrialization Fortifies Safety Culture and Demand for Mining PPE in Emerging Countries

— Cost optimization, product adaptation to regional needs, and lean manufacturing essential for PPE companies to penetrate these markets

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The recovery of the mining industry following industrialization in emerging economies and investments in mining to support the demand for metals and commodities have brightened prospects in personal protective equipment (PPE) globally. Multinational mining companies bring with them a strong safety culture, which trickles down to the small companies and service contractors, in turn, enhancing the uptake of PPE in developing nations.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140805/133704

Additionally, regulatory authorities such as the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) have publicized several fatal and non-fatal accidents in mines further affirming the importance of safety and PPE usage.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Analysis of the Global Mining Industry PPE Market, finds that the market earned revenue of more than $2.26 billion in 2013 and estimates this to reach $2.78 billion in 2018. Product segments covered in this study are above-the-neck and respiratory protection, protective gloves, workwear, protective footwear, fall protection and gas detectors.

For complimentary access to more information to this research, please visit: http://bit.ly/1v6ZthG.

The mining industry is likely to remain an important end-user sector for the PPE market globally due to its high level of occupational hazards. However, developing countries currently lack proper regulatory enforcement. For instance, most Southern African countries have no specific PPE legislation for the workplace, and implementation of existing laws is neither strict nor continuous.

Additionally, environmental concerns related to greenhouse gas emissions have caused countries in the US and parts of Europe to increase use of green energy sources and biofuels. Government subsidies for green energy adoption have constricted coal mining budgets in turn hampering PPE demand.

“As developed markets are relatively mature for mining PPE, growth is expected to be driven by the emerging economies of China, India, CEE, Africa and Latin America,” said Frost & Sullivan Chemicals, Materials & Food Senior Research Analyst Aparna Balasubramanian. “China accounts for approximately 50 percent of global mining employment, which makes it a significant market for mining PPE.”

The market situation is expected to change with increasing safety awareness among employers. This translates to higher need for training and therefore, manufacturers will have to develop competence in this area.

Participants can gain an advantage by establishing broad distribution networks. They can set themselves apart and optimally tap market opportunities through price competitiveness, timely product delivery to remote mine sites, as well as by offering technical assistance and superior customer service.

“Cost optimization, product adaptation to regional market needs, and lean manufacturing are essential for global companies to gain penetration in fast-growing emerging markets,” noted Balasubramanian. “Multi-product offerings and close customer interactions are the other key competitive factors that could entrench them in the market.”

Analysis of the Global Mining Industry PPE Market is part of the Materials (http://www.chemicals.frost.com) Growth Partnership Service program. Frost & Sullivan’s related studies include: Strategic Analysis of the Western European Above-the-neck PPE Market, Strategic Analysis of the North American Above-the-neck Personal Protective Equipment Market, Analysis of the Western European Protective Footwear Market, among others. All studies included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants.

Our “Growth Partnership” supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.

  • The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation.
  • The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices.

For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?

Contact Us:     Start the discussion

Join Us:           Join our community

Subscribe:       Newsletter on “the next big thing”

Register:         Gain access to visionary innovation

Analysis of the Global Mining Industry PPE Market
ND3E-39

Contact:
Ariel Brown
Corporate Communications – North America
P: +1-210-247-2481
F: +1-210-348-1003
E: ariel.brown@frost.com

Twitter: @Frost_Sullivan
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POSCO E&C Initiates Carmichael Mine Development in Australia

SEOUL, South Korea, July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — POSCO Engineering & Construction (CEO: Tae-Hyun Hwang) announced on July 18th that the company has signed an MOU on the 11th with India’s Adani Mining for the construction of standard-gauge heavy haul rail line that is to be used for the coal mining project in Galilee Basin Queensland, Australia.

POSCO E&C Initiates Carmichael Mine Development in Australia
POSCO E&C Initiates Carmichael Mine Development in Australia

Upon signing this MOU, POSCO E&C has become the priority bidder for the EPC of a 388km standard gauge rail, which is a project carried out by Adani Mining to connect Carmichael mine with Abbot Point export port, in Queensland.

Construction will begin in the first half of next year, after Adani Mining signing the final contract for EPC with POSCO E&C within this year. The completion of this railway will enable transport of 60 million tons of coal per year.

Adani Group, the parent company of Adani Mining and India’s largest integrated private power, port and infrastructure developer, currently operates power generating facilities with a total size of 9,240MW. It also owns Mundra Port in India, which is the biggest port of entry for coal in the world.

The area in which this railway will be constructed expects to create jobs for at least 10,000 people, and the state government of Queensland designated the target area as “strategic development area.” Since the route is designed for many parties including other mine developers to use the railway, this project matches the state government’s strategic infrastructure policies. Moreover, it is also expected to contribute greatly to the industrial development of Australia, which is the world’s biggest exporter of iron ore and coal.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said, “The rail project will lead to the opening of the Carmichael mine project which will deliver, in excess of 10,000 jobs, and will also provide vital opportunities for Australian Infrastructure development and contribute to energy security of India by lighting the lives of millions of Indians.”

Adani Mining CEO Jeyakumar Janakaraj said:  “I am delighted with the way the two teams worked together in a collaborative manner to get this binding agreement signed in a record time. This is the first major step towards finalising the Project’s construction contracts and we are proud to be associating with a partner of POSCO’s E&C standing. The binding agreement will enable us to develop a cost efficient rail solution and this relationship gives Adani access to Korean market, POSCO’s expertise and capital.”

“We’re happy to be participating in the rail infrastructure development project with Adani, and I’m sure we’ll produce excellent results if both companies display all the abilities to the utmost,” said POSCO E&C CEO Tae-Hyun Hwang. “This will be the biggest EPC project among the infrastructure projects we’re conducting in Australia. We’ll complete this project successfully by pulling together all our competences in construction, financing and procurement.”

POSCO E&C has experiences in many railway construction projects including the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit and AREX (Incheon International Airport Railroad). The company’s participation in this project will further expand the opportunity for POSCO E&C to participate in upcoming projects by Adani Group as well as other railway projects in Australia.

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140721/8521404114

 

Noble Group and EIG Form New Energy Company

HONG KONG and WASHINGTON, July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Noble Group Limited (SGX: N21) (“Noble”) and EIG Global Energy Partners (“EIG”) today announced the formation and commitment to capitalize Harbour Energy, Ltd (“Harbour Energy”), a company that will own and operate upstream and midstream energy assets globally. Harbour Energy will seek to own high quality assets that provide exposure to key supply trends while capturing value up-lift associated with control of offtake, logistics and supply chain management. Noble will be preferred offtake and marketing partner of Harbour Energy, while EIG, together with the company’s internal management team, will serve as manager of the company and oversee the acquisition of assets. Harbour Energy’s capitalization will be funded solely through balance sheet capital of each of Noble and EIG.

EIG also announced today that Linda Z. Cook has been appointed a Managing Director of EIG, a member of EIG’s Executive Committee and CEO of Harbour Energy.

“The creation of Harbour Energy gives us the exciting opportunity of joining with an industry leader such as EIG to exploit the tremendous opportunities that the changing global energy markets are presenting,” said Yusuf Alireza, Chief Executive Officer of Noble. “This transaction represents a significant milestone in the continued implementation of Noble’s ‘asset light’ strategy, exploiting our best in class expertise in logistics and supply chain management, while partnering with market leading asset managers and owners.”

R. Blair Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of EIG, said, “New sources of supply, together with demand growth in Asia, are driving fundamental changes in the energy sector and related trade flows. By partnering with Noble, we believe Harbour Energy will be uniquely positioned to benefit from the established global platforms of each of our firms and capture value both through the ownership and operational improvement of assets and the flow business those assets generate. We couldn’t be more pleased that someone of the caliber of Linda Cook has agreed to join EIG and serve as CEO of Harbour Energy. She is an extraordinarily accomplished senior executive with deep operating and management expertise across all facets of the global energy industry.”