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Business Wire India

LTM, the Business Creativity partner to the world’s largest enterprises, has been recognized as a Leader in the ‘Overall’ market segment in the NelsonHall NEAT Evaluation for GenAI & Process Automation in Banking 2025.

 

In the NEAT framework, Leaders are vendors that demonstrate high capability relative to peers in delivering immediate client benefit while also meeting future client requirements. The recognition positions LTM among the top-performing vendors evaluated for their ability to deliver both immediate business impact and long-term innovation capability in GenAI and process automation services for the banking sector.

 

 

The evaluation highlights LTM’s depth of experience in financial services, which accounts for a large portion of its overall revenues, and its focused investments in GenAI, agentic AI, and process automation capabilities delivered through its BlueVerse™ platform. LTM has digital agents dedicated to manage GenAI and process automation services, supporting banking clients across consumer banking, commercial banking, capital markets, and financial industry service providers.

 

 

“Banks today are moving beyond experimentation and are focused on operationalizing AI at scale. Our recognition as a Leader in the Overall segment reflects our ability to help clients generate immediate value while building future-ready AI frameworks. Through BlueVerse™ and our expanding library of composable agentic solutions, we are enabling banks to improve compliance, hyper-personalization, payment processing, and operational efficiency in a responsible and scalable way,” said Harsh Naidu, Senior Vice President, Banking and Financial Services, LTM.

 

 

“LTM’s services for GenAI and automation in banking enable clients to utilize a portfolio of AI-enabled tools and industry-specific solution kits to transform their business. Its BlueVerse™ AI ecosystem provides intelligent agents, modular architecture, and AI governance to enable clients to quickly compose and deploy AI solutions,” said Andy Efstathiou, Program Director for Banking, NelsonHall.

 

 

NelsonHall noted LTM’s strengths in building an ecosystem of pre-built AI agents trained on industry-specific data, its AI-enabled compliance tools for monitoring and risk management, and its portfolio of proprietary IP and partnerships supporting emerging AI technologies.

 

 

About LTM

 

 

LTM — a Larsen & Toubro Group Company — is an AI-centric global technology services company and the Business Creativity partner to the world’s largest enterprises. We bring human insights and intelligent systems together to help clients create greater value at the intersection of technology and domain expertise. Our capabilities span integrated operations, transformation, and business AI — enabling new ways of working, new productivity paradigms, and new roads to value. Together with over 87,000 employees across 40 countries and our global network of partners, LTM* owns outcomes for our clients, helping them not just outperform the market, but Outcreate it. Read more at LTM.com.

 

 

*Company name change from LTIMindtree Limited to LTM Limited is currently pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.

 

 

About NelsonHall

 

 

NelsonHall is the leading global analyst firm dedicated to helping organizations understand the ‘art of the possible’ in digital operations transformation. With analysts in the U.S., Europe, and India, NelsonHall provides buy-side organizations with detailed, critical information on markets and vendors (including NEAT assessments) that helps them make fast and highly informed sourcing decisions. And for vendors, NelsonHall provides deep knowledge of market dynamics and user requirements to help them hone their go-to-market strategies. NelsonHall’s analysis is based on rigorous, primary research, and is widely respected for the quality and depth of its insight.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260302559464/en/

 

Business Wire India

Kindred Labs today announced a strategic partnership with IPX (formerly known as LINE FRIENDS), the globally recognized character brand LINE FRIENDS, BT21, ZO&FRIENDS and more.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260303835585/en/

 

 

Through the partnership, Kindred Labs and IPX will create AI-powered companion experiences that bring expressive character personalities into everyday digital life through responsive, emotionally resonant interaction.

 

The companions are being designed in a new form factor: a persistent character presence that lives on top of your screen, showing up in the flow of everyday moments, from desktop and mobile to emerging surfaces like smart glasses over time. Beyond personality and expression, these companions are being built to function as powerful personal assistants, designed to become a primary way people use AI throughout their day, expressed through a friendly and familiar presence.

 

Planned to launch in April 2026 globally excluding China, the partnership aligns with the 15th anniversary of LINE FRIENDS’ iconic character BROWN, introducing a new way for fans to connect with BROWN in daily life.

 

The partnership was negotiated by Beanstalk, a division of CAA Brand Management, which represents IPX as its interactive licensing agent.

 

Quote

 

“The primary way people will experience their personal AI will be through something they genuinely love seeing every day. I can already imagine the delight fans will have when BROWN start showing up in their daily lives, like this familiar presence you’re happy to see. We’re taking these characters into a whole new paradigm, one that brings us closer to why we love them in the first place.”

 

Max Giammario, CEO, Kindred Labs

 

About Kindred Labs

 

Kindred Labs is the character-powered AI network built on Sei, bringing officially licensed iconic IP to life as a constant, emotionally intelligent presence by your side. Kindred is among the world’s fastest-growing AI companion startups, with over 8 million users on its waitlist.

 

To learn more about Kindred labs, visit www.kindredlabs.ai and follow @kindred_AI on X.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260303835585/en/

 

Business Wire India

University Living, the global student housing managed marketplace, today announced the release of its 2026 UK Student Accommodation Outlook, presenting structured market findings on rising costs, sustained high occupancy, and widening supply gaps across major UK university cities.

The release adds a data-led perspective to the growing pressure in the UK student housing market, at a time when international enrolment remains strong but purpose-built accommodation supply remains constrained.

 

Key Findings from the 2026 UK Student Accommodation Outlook

• Over 7,00,000 international students are currently enrolled in UK universities, with London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol among the most in-demand destinations. (Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency – HESA, 2024)
• Average annual student accommodation cost in London stands at approximately £13,600, with prime locations commanding significantly higher rents. Rental benchmarks across major UK cities have risen consistently since 2021, with no material reversal in pricing trends. (Source: University Living Market Data, 2025)
• Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) occupancy in prime locations consistently exceeds 97%, with many properties in high-demand cities fully booked by spring, months before the September intake cycle. (Source: Cushman & Wakefield UK Student Accommodation Report, 2025)
• A structural and widening gap persists between total student enrolment and available PBSA beds in several Tier-1 university cities, limiting late-stage availability and reducing pricing flexibility for families booking closer to intake. (Source: University Living Market Research, 2025)

 

The findings indicate that accommodation planning is no longer a post-admission step but an increasingly strategic part of the international study decision process.

Commenting on the release, Saurabh Arora, Co-Founder & CEO, University Living, said:

“Accommodation planning works best when it is treated as part of the admission process, not a separate task to handle later. Families who start early have more options, better pricing, and a clearer picture of what their child is moving into.”

 

Implications for International Families

With premium properties in cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol booking out months in advance, early accommodation planning has become critical for securing both availability and value. Beyond headline rent figures, families must account for security deposits, advance rental payments, and currency conversion costs when transferring funds from overseas. These additional components significantly influence the overall cost of studying in the UK.

 

What to Look for When Booking Accommodation from Abroad

• Ensure property details can be independently verified
• Avoid payment requests outside formal booking systems
• Confirm a signed tenancy agreement before transferring funds
• Review deposit terms and cancellation clauses carefully
• Begin the accommodation search several months before intake

 

Booking through verified platforms with documented agreements and structured payment systems provides families with transparency and a formal paper trail prior to student arrival.

University Living works with verified accommodation providers near major UK universities, offering transparent listings, secure booking systems, and pre-arrival support for international students relocating from overseas. The full 2026 UK Student Accommodation Outlook is available upon request.

Business Wire India

Kinaxis® Inc. (TSX:KXS), a global leader in supply chain orchestration, today announced that Blaine Fitzgerald, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has advisedof his intention to step down from his role to pursue a new career opportunity with a private company outside the supply chain software space. A search will begin for a new CFO immediately. Fitzgerald remains with the company as CFO through May 8, following the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call, to support a smooth transition.

 

“We are grateful for Blaine’s leadership and contributions over the past six years. He has played a key role in strengthening our financial foundation, building out the financial leadership team, and advancing our AI strategy. Thanks to the depth and capability of our Senior Leadership Team, we remain well-positioned for continued success as we begin the search for our next finance leader,” said Razat Gaurav, Chief Executive Officer, Kinaxis. “We wish Blaine every success as he embarks on his next chapter.”

 

 

“During my time at Kinaxis, we’ve accelerated growth, achieved record profitability, and built strong business momentum. Under Razat’s leadership, the company will continue to seize the opportunities ahead in supply chain orchestration and AI, which made this a difficult personal decision,” said Blaine Fitzgerald, Chief Financial Officer. “I want to thank the Senior Leadership Team, past and present, for their partnership and for the unique Kinaxis culture we’ve built together. I am also grateful to our shareholders, analysts, and the broader investment community for their support over the years. It has been a privilege to be part of this journey.”

 

 

About Kinaxis
Kinaxis is a global leader in modern supply chain orchestration, powering complex global supply chains and supporting the people who manage them. Our powerful, AI-infused supply chain orchestration platform, Maestro, combines proprietary technologies and techniques that provide full transparency and agility across the entire supply chain — from multi-year strategic planning to last-mile delivery. We are trusted by renowned global brands to provide the agility and predictability needed to navigate today’s volatility and disruption. For more news and information, please visit kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” or similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, general economic and market conditions, industry trends, competitive developments, technological change, customer demand and adoption, the ability to attract and retain key personnel, and other risks described in Kinaxis’ most recently filed Annual Information Form and Management’s Discussion and Analysis available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and Kinaxis undertakes no obligation to update or revise them except as required by applicable law.

 

 

SOURCE: Kinaxis Inc.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260304995108/en/

 

Business Wire India

Global smartphone shipments are forecast to decline by around 7% year-on-year in 2026 according to Omdia’s latest outlook. This projection based on Q1 memory price assumptions, which indicate that pricing pressure and constrained supply will begin to ease in the second half of the year. The global smartphone market will face significant challenges in 2026 as tightening memory supply and elevated pricing place increasing cost pressures for vendors. Memory now accounts for a significantly larger share of the smartphone bill of materials (BOM), eroding vendor profitability, particularly in entry-level devices. Since 4Q25, smartphone manufacturers have already begun raising retail prices in order to maintain profit margins. However, sustained price increases are likely to weaken demand, particularly in price-sensitive emerging markets.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260304209331/en/

 

 

 

Further memory pressure and geopolitical volatility raise the risk of over 15% smartphone shipment decline in 2026

 

Downside risks to the forecast remain significant. If memory prices continue rising into the second half of 2026 due to tight supply and increasing AI server demand locking in production capacity, smartphone vendors will face further cost escalation across both entry-level and premium devices. At the same time, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could amplify macroeconomic volatility including higher energy prices, freight costs, and foreign-exchange instability, further weakening consumer upgrades in price-sensitive markets. Under this downside scenario, global smartphone shipments are expected to decline by more than 15% in 2026, potentially exceeding the 12% contraction recorded in 2022.

 

 

“Rising memory costs and macro headwinds are expected to impact smartphone demand unevenly across price segments,” said Zaker Li, Principal Analyst at Omdia. “Devices priced below $100 are forecast to decline by nearly 31% year-on-year in 2026, reflecting the severe margin pressure vendors face in ultra-low-cost segments, which are highly sensitive to even modest shifts in the macroeconomic environment. Smartphones in the $100–$399 range, which represent the core volume bands of the global market, are also expected to contract as rising memory prices push retail prices upward in price-sensitive markets. These segments are largely served by entry-focused vendors that rely heavily on LPDDR4X memory, operate with thin margins, and often have lower priority in the memory supply chain, leaving them more exposed to cost inflation and potential supply shortages. As a result, vendors concentrated in these price tiers are expected to face production constraints and shipment reductions, with many projected to experience double-digit declines in 2026.”

 

 

“In contrast, the premium segment is expected to remain relatively resilient despite rising component costs. Devices priced above $800 are forecast to grow by around 4% in 2026, supported by stronger brand positioning and greater pricing flexibility. Apple maintains a dominant presence in the high-end market and benefits from strong supply chain relationships and higher margins that help absorb component cost inflation. Samsung also benefits from vertical integration and internal semiconductor capabilities, which provide greater security of supply and priority access to key components. While Samsung still utilizes LPDDR4X in some models and faces similar cost pressures, its supply chain advantages reduce the risk of significant shortages.”

 

 

“The evolving cost environment is reshaping dynamics across the global smartphone supply chain,” added Li. “As entry-level smartphone demand weakens, suppliers of mid- and low-end components – including chipsets, camera modules, and other key parts – are likely to face declining orders and intensified pricing pressure. Vendors are already responding by simplifying product configurations and tightening BOM costs. At the same time, volatility in memory pricing is pushing brands toward shorter-term production planning and smaller order volumes, increasing operational pressure across the supply chain. Smaller ODMs and specialized component suppliers will also face growing consolidation risks as margins compress and demand becomes more concentrated among leading brands. In this environment, vendors will need to prioritize higher-value product innovation and disciplined production planning, while channel partners strengthen inventory management and demand forecasting to navigate slower replacement cycles and shifting consumer demand.”

 

 

ABOUT OMDIA

 

 

Omdia, part of TechTarget, Inc. d/b/a Informa TechTarget (Nasdaq: TTGT), is a technology research and advisory group. Our deep knowledge of tech markets grounded in real conversations with industry leaders and hundreds of thousands of data points, makes our market intelligence our clients’ strategic advantage. From R&D to ROI, we identify the greatest opportunities and move the industry forward.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260304209331/en/

 

Business Wire India

Binarly, the industry leader in software and firmware supply‑chain security, today announced a leadership transition as the company enters its next phase of growth. Founder and current CEO Alex Matrosov has joined the company’s Board, and Gwenyth Castro has joined as Chief Executive Officer to scale global go-to-market and enterprise growth.

 

Binarly developed its Transparency Platform on a unique, patented technology core designed to help the world’s largest enterprises identify and reduce third-party software risk across complex environments. The platform is trusted by organizations including Meta and Dell, among others.

 

 

“We built Binarly to solve a problem the industry kept ignoring: you can’t secure what you can’t see,” said Alex Matrosov, Founder of Binarly. “Over the last five years, this team turned deep program analysis and vulnerability research into a platform trusted by some of the world’s most demanding enterprises. Now, as AI accelerates how software is built and shipped, the mission is only getting bigger.”

 

 

A proven cybersecurity operator, Castro brings 15+ years of experience helping build and scale Bishop Fox, most recently serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO, where she led cross-functional strategic initiatives and supported global expansion. As CEO of Binarly, Castro will focus on accelerating go-to-market momentum, strengthening customer and partner engagement, and advancing the company’s platform to meet evolving software supply-chain threats.

 

 

“It’s an honor to step into this role and build on the strong foundation Alex and the team have created,” said Gwenyth Castro, Chief Executive Officer of Binarly. “Binarly is uniquely positioned to deliver the transparency enterprises need to manage third-party risk and application security at scale. My focus will be on deepening customer partnerships, delivering an exceptional platform experience, and executing with urgency as we expand into new markets.”

 

 

“Gwenyth’s appointment as CEO is a defining milestone for Binarly as demand accelerates for supply-chain security and clearer visibility into third-party risk,” said Mike Goguen, Founder of Two Bear Capital and Binarly Board Member. “Binarly’s Transparency Platform is uniquely positioned to bring measurable trust to the software supply chain. Gwenyth is a proven operator with the discipline to scale execution without compromising technical excellence.”

 

 

About Binarly

 

 

Binarly is a U.S.‑based software and firmware supply‑chain security company founded in 2021. The Binarly Transparency Platform helps device manufacturers, OEMs and enterprise security teams detect vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, secrets and malicious code in firmware and software components—while accelerating the shift to post‑quantum cryptography. Visit https://binarly.io for more information.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260304223369/en/

 

Business Wire India

 

• Svante acquires Carbon Alpha to accelerate commercial-scale carbon removal & expand its CCS/BECCS project development business in Western Canada.
• Acquisition adds the North Star BECCS Project, developed in partnership with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, advancing the market for durable and verifiable CDR credits.
• The transaction strengthens Svante’s fully integrated carbon management platform, adding CO₂ storage expertise, a regional pipeline & a major geological storage hub.

 

Svante Technologies Inc. (Svante), a leader in carbon management, and Calgary-based Carbon Alpha Corporation (Carbon Alpha) today announced that Svante has acquired Carbon Alpha and its related subsidiaries, including Carbon Alpha Development Corp. and its ownership interests in North Star Carbon Solutions Corp. and North Star Carbon Solutions Limited Partnership, a project developer for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Western Canada. With this transaction, Carbon Alpha’s flagship North Star Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) project, developed in partnership with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) in Saskatchewan, joins Svante’s business unit portfolio alongside Svante Development Inc.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260304605629/en/

 

 

This transaction strengthens Svante’s expertise in geological CO₂ storage as part of a fully integrated carbon management company ready to build, own, and operate all elements of the CCS value chain from source to sink. Svante’s combined offering now includes a portfolio of engineering solutions for carbon capture and removal across various market segments and a major CO₂ storage hub asset in Western Canada.

 

 

Carbon Alpha’s North Star Project will add carbon capture and storage (BECCS) at the existing MLTC Bioenergy Centre, a forestry biomass cogeneration facility, permanently and safely storing captured biogenic CO₂ deep underground in a saline aquifer — measuring, monitoring and generating high‑quality, durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits. MLTC represents nine First Nations in Saskatchewan. MLTC will be co-owner with Svante in the BECCS facility. Additionally, a new CO₂ pipeline developed by Carbon Alpha will connect the capture facility to permanent geological storage southwest of Meadow Lake, SK. This major CO₂ hub asset offers expansion opportunities to aggregate and service other biogenic CO₂ emitters in the region.

 

 

The MLTC Bioenergy Centre generates renewable electricity and heat by burning sustainable waste biomass from the neighboring sawmill. Phase 1 of the North Star Project will capture up to 140,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year from the Bioenergy Centre’s flue gas (the main source of the facility’s biogenic CO₂ emissions) and other onsite sources.

 

 

“This project is a game changer for Svante and a pivotal moment for scaling verifiable, durable engineered carbon removal solutions working in tandem with nature,” said Claude Letourneau, President & CEO of Svante. “By integrating Carbon Alpha’s team, we’re accelerating the delivery of high‑integrity CDR credits at commercial scale in partnership with the MLTC leadership, who is closely coordinating with us on the North Star Project.”

 

 

“Today marks an important milestone for Carbon Alpha as we join forces with Svante Development. Our mission has been to accelerate high-integrity carbon dioxide removal through the development of scalable, durable BECCS projects. Joining with a globally respected and well capitalized organization strengthens our ability to advance that mission with greater scale, certainty, and impact,” said Simon Bregazzi, former CEO of Carbon Alpha.

 

 

“The Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) is excited to embark on the next stage of the North Star BECCS Project, in partnership with Svante and Carbon Alpha. North Star provides economic development, full-cycle carbon sustainability, and added value to MLTC’s existing green energy infrastructure and forestry-based operations. It enables the MLTC First Nations to create ongoing economic development, jobs, environmental leadership and optimism for our people,” said Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman of MLTC.

 

 

The next steps for this advanced carbon capture project will be to conduct a FEED (front end engineering design) study and test well drilling campaign. The lease of the space and test well license have already been obtained. The final investment decision (FID) for the project is expected in Q1-2027.

 

 

Transaction Highlights

 

 

• Business Unit integration: Carbon Alpha’s team and North Star BECCS project (Meadow Lake, SK), have become part of Svante Development Inc.
• Indigenous partnership: Svante reaffirms North Star’s partnership model with MLTC, prioritizing local jobs, skills development, and enduring economic benefits for participating First Nations.
• Standards & integrity: North Star remains aligned to Puro.earth’s Geologically Stored Carbon methodology pathway and will continue to advance a rigorous MRV framework.
• Schedule: FID is expected in Q1-2027. An updated development and commissioning schedule will be established following test drilling program, permitting and regulatory approvals.

 

About North Star (Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan)

 

North Star integrates BECCS with the existing MLTC Bioenergy Centre. The project design aims to capture biogenic CO₂ from biomass to power, compressing and transporting it to a dedicated injection well for safe, permanent geological storage, producing durable carbon removal credits. North Star has been listed as a Future Facility on the Puro.earth platform following preliminary assessment and is recognized in Canada’s CDR landscape for Indigenous ownership and community benefit design. Read more about the North Star project here: https://www.carbonalpha.com/northstar.

 

 

About Meadow Lake Tribal Council

 

 

MLTC was formed in 1981 and represents 9 First Nations located in Northwest Saskatchewan. MLTC invests in businesses to meaningfully participate in Saskatchewan’s economy, supporting economic reconciliation in a rural and remote area of the province. 100% of the distributions flow to the 9 First Nations, to foster local economic growth; enhance on-reserve education; healthcare; youth and elder programs; housing; and other community social and infrastructure needs.

 

 

About Svante

 

 

Svante is a purpose-driven, leading carbon capture and removal solutions provider. The company makes nanoengineered filters and modular rotating contactor machines that capture and remove CO₂ in an environmentally responsible way from industrial emissions and the air. Svante is on the 2025 Global Cleantech 100 Hall of Fame and TIME & Statista’s list of Top Greentech Companies of 2025. For more information, visit www.svanteinc.com.

 

 

About Carbon Alpha

 

 

Carbon Alpha is a Canadian leader in carbon dioxide removal, specializing in the design, development, and operation of BECCS projects that generate durable, high-quality carbon removals. Headquartered in Calgary and founded in 2021, its multidisciplinary team of technical experts delivers fully integrated carbon storage solutions from early-stage feasibility and engineering through construction, operations, and credit generation.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260304605629/en/

 

Business Wire India

Andersen Consulting enhances its cybersecurity and technology transformation offerings through a Collaboration Agreement with A3Sec, a firm specializing in data-driven threat detection, incident response, and exposure management.

 

Headquartered in Spain with offices in Mexico and Colombia, A3Sec has more than 14 years of experience helping public and private organizations across the financial services, telecommunications, energy, government, and enterprise sectors secure their digital assets. Operating its Security and Digital Surveillance Center® (CSVD®) 24/7 with a team of more than 180 cybersecurity professionals and serving more than 280 clients worldwide, the firm delivers integrated cybersecurity services, including managed detection and response, cyber telemetry, threat intelligence, and crisis management, helping clients strengthen resilience and transform risk into strategic advantage while effectively managing exposure and minimizing risk.

 

 

“Our purpose has always been to protect the digital environment through innovation and accountability,” said Javier López-Tello, CEO and founder of A3Sec. “Through Andersen’s global platform and resources, we can now deliver end-to-end professional services to our clients seamlessly.”

 

 

“A3Sec’s data-driven approach to cybersecurity reflects a new generation of problem solving,” added Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen. “This collaboration enhances our ability to deliver solutions that strengthen client confidence in an increasingly complex environment.”

 

 

Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 50,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 1,000 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member firms and collaborating firms around the world.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260304549466/en/

 

Business Wire India

Roots Corporation (“Roots,” or the “Company”) (TSX: ROOT) announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has initiated a review of strategic alternatives (“Strategic Review”) to identify opportunities to maximize value for all shareholders. During the Strategic Review, the Board will analyze and evaluate a range of alternatives, including, but not limited to, a sale of the Company.

 

The Company has decided to publicly announce this Strategic Review as part of its value-maximization strategy while continuing to execute its current business plan. The Company does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the Strategic Review unless and until the Board has approved a specific transaction or otherwise determines that disclosure is appropriate or required by law.

 

 

As the Strategic Review proceeds, the Roots management team remains dedicated to acting in the best interests of the Company and to executing on its key objectives. Roots remains unwavering in its commitment to its customers, partners, and employees in its ongoing operations as the Strategic Review proceeds.

 

 

The Company has engaged J.P. Morgan Securities Canada Inc. as its financial advisor and Torys LLP as its legal advisor for the Strategic Review.

 

 

Roots cautions that the engagement of financial and legal advisors should not be viewed as an indication that any specific process or transaction will be pursued. There can be no assurances that the Strategic Review will result in any specific action, transaction or agreement, or if a transaction is undertaken, as to its timing, completion or terms.

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain information in this press release contains forward-looking information. This information is based on management’s reasonable assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to us and is made as of the date of this press release. The forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the Strategic Review and the possibility of a transaction involving the Company.

 

 

Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors. Information regarding our expectations of future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which we operate is forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not facts but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

 

 

See “Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s current Annual Information Form for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Readers are urged to consider the uncertainties, risks and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. We have no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law.

 

 

ABOUT ROOTS
Established in 1973, Roots is a global lifestyle brand. Starting from a small cabin in northern Canada, Roots has become a global brand with over 100 corporate retail stores in Canada, two stores in the United States, and an eCommerce platform, roots.com. We have more than 100 partner-operated stores in Asia, and we also operate a dedicated Roots-branded storefront on Tmall.com in China. We design, market, and sell a broad selection of products in different departments, including women’s, men’s, children’s, and gender-free apparel, leather goods, footwear, and accessories. Our products are built with uncompromising comfort, quality, and style that allows you to feel At Home With Nature™. We offer products designed to meet life’s everyday adventures and provide you with the versatility to live your life to the fullest. We also wholesale through business-to-business channels and license the brand to a select group of licensees selling products to major retailers. Roots Corporation is a Canadian corporation doing business as “Roots” and “Roots Canada”.

 

 

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260303820242/en/

 

Business Wire India

Mary Kay Inc., a global direct sales leader in beauty and skincare innovation, has achieved ISO 22716 certification, the internationally recognized gold standard for cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), reinforcing the company’s unwavering commitment to product quality, safety, and consumer trust worldwide.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260304100367/en/

 

 

 

Key Data Points About Mary Kay’s Global Manufacturing:

 

• Built on 26 acres of land, Mary Kay’s state-of-the-art, Silver LEED-certified Richard R. Rogers Manufacturing and R&D Center (R3) is located in Lewisville, Texas.
• R3 is a $100+ million investment and is a 453,000-square-foot building.
• R3 has the capability to produce up to 1 million units of product daily across its 21 packaging lines.
• Nearly 60 percent of products manufactured at the facility are exported to international markets, supporting the company’s presence in more than 40 markets around the world.

 

ISO 22716 provides comprehensive global guidelines aligned with EU standards for the production, control, storage, and shipment of cosmetic products, ensuring safety and quality at every stage of the manufacturing process. The certification comes at a pivotal time for the beauty industry as the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) strengthens regulatory oversight in the United States and establishes mandatory Good Manufacturing Practices for cosmetics.

 

Chaun Harper, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Mary Kay Inc. emphasized the broader significance of the milestone: “At Mary Kay, quality is not a checkbox – it is a promise, an operational framework, and a culture. ISO 22716 certification matters as it is a global standard recognizing what we have always strived for: manufacture products with care, consistency, and accountabilityfrom raw materials to finished goods. It reflects our culture of empowering people to do things the right way every day and reinforces our long-term commitment to safe, reliable, and responsibly made beauty products.”

 

 

ISO 22716 is recognized globally as the benchmark for cosmetic GMPs. It requires rigorous documentation, traceability of every batch, structured training, supplier quality management, and clearly defined processes to ensure products are manufactured in a safe, controlled, and transparent manner.

 

 

For consumers, the certification signals confidence. For regulators and partners, it demonstrates preparedness and alignment with evolving global standards. For Mary Kay, it affirms a culture built on accountability, teamwork, and excellence – values rooted in the Golden Rule philosophy of founder Mary Kay Ash.

 

 

As the beauty industry enters a new era of regulation and accountability, Mary Kay’s ISO 22716 certification underscores how global standards, strong governance, and human-centered quality culture come together to shape the future of cosmetics.

 

 

About Mary Kay

 

 

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 40 markets. For over 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

 

 

 

 

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