Autos Loan Increases Show Glimmer of Growth

ATLANTA  (Profitable.com)  While consumer delinquency rates remain near historic highs across many businesses, those for auto, credit card and home equity loans continued their year-over-year decline in May, according to Equifax Inc.’s (NYSE: EFX) monthly Credit Trend Report.  And for the fourth consecutive month, first or primary mortgage delinquencies decreased, though they remain higher than for the same months in 2009.

The number of primary home mortgages at least 30 days late in May was 7.49 percent, down 2.7 percent from April’s level of 7.69 percent.  The May rate is significantly higher than the 7.01 percent rate of May 2009 and the 4.42 percent rate of May 2008.

Home equity revolving lines of credit (HELOC) available to consumers are now an estimated $112 billion lower and the number of accounts is an estimated 1.3 million lower than the September 2008 peak of approximately 14.5 million accounts. However, delinquency rates have eased down slightly from 3.27 percent in April to 3.09 percent in May. These rates show reductions from the 3.44 percent rate of May 2009, but still exceed the 2.52 percent rate of May 2008 and the 1.28 percent rate of May 2007.

“Credit rationing is continuing but at a much slower pace,” explained Dann Adams, president of Equifax’s U.S. Consumer Information Solutions. “Furthermore, we’re continuing to see increases in auto loan originations which suggest we may have found a bottom in that category.”

There were 1.5 million new auto loans in April, making it the second consecutive month for increases in auto loan originations compared to the same month a year ago.    

Total consumer debt dropped six percent from October 2008′s peak of $11.5 trillion to about $10.9 trillion in May 2010. First mortgage debt in May dropped by $528.9 billion to about $8.8 trillion or 5.7 percent from October 2008′s peak of $9.3 trillion. Year-over-year in May, bank credit card balances were down by 9.5 percent and auto loan balances by 6.8 percent. Conversely, student loan balances are up by 9.7 percent after an almost 11 percent gain in 2009.  

Bankcard issuers continued to close accounts and reduce credit lines. Bank card credit lines are down by $961 billion and the number of accounts by 107 million since their peak in July of 2008. The May 2010 60-days-past-due rate of 3.97 percent is down from 4.24 percent in April, and is below May 2009′s peak 4.79 percent but higher than May 2008′s 3.30 percent.  

The number of bankcard accounts opened in April 2010 (the most recent month that data is available) – 2.4 million – was off by nearly 65 percent from the peak month, October 2008, when more than 6.5 million bankcards were opened.  And when they are establishing new bankcard accounts, lenders are continuing to be more selective about who they give credit to as the percent of cards issued to those with credit scores greater than 660 grew from about 61 percent in April 2007 to almost 80 percent by April 2010.

“New bank credit card limits – at $9.5 billion in April – are just 40 percent of 2006′s $23.6 billion,” Adams said.   “Year-over-year reductions in average credit limits — from $4600 to $4000 – means there have been a 13 percent reduction in credit limits for cards with the same risk or credit score.  And, personal bankruptcies – both Chapter 13 and 7 – increased 10.5 percent year-over-year in May.  All these factors suggest there is less credit in the system. ”

With U.S. home prices declining, originations for home equity lines of credit are also declining.  In April 2010 originations were 76,700 – up slightly from last month’s total of 73,600.  

Like bankcards, home equity lines are primarily being issued to lower-risk consumers.  Almost 82 percent of the consumers who received HELOCs in April 2010 were considered low-risk (Equifax Risk Scores of 740 and above) an increase from about 66 percent from April 2007. In conjunction with declining home prices and home equity, average home equity lines have declined over the past two years, declining from approximately $101,125 to about $82,120 in April 2010.

Data for the Credit Trends Monitor Report is sourced from Equifax’s nearly 200 million files of US consumers using credit.

About Equifax

Equifax empowers businesses and consumers with information they can trust. A global leader in information solutions, we leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

With a strong heritage of innovation and leadership, Equifax continuously delivers innovative solutions with the highest integrity and reliability.  Businesses – large and small – rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, portfolio management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, and much more.  We empower individual consumers to manage their personal credit information, protect their identity, and maximize their financial well-being.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax Inc. operates in the U.S. and 14 other countries throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Index. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX.

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.  (Profitable.com)  Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, announced today that it is the exclusive HDTV partner for the invitation-only preview of Hulu Plus™ on connected devices, expanding the amount of premium HD content that is available to Samsung consumers. Hulu Plus, the first ad-supported subscription service to offer full current season runs of hit TV programs from ABC, FOX and NBC across multiple Web-connected devices, in HD, for only $9.99 a month, will give TV lovers access to their favorite shows from current hit programs such as Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, 30 Rock and The Office to classics such as The X-Files, Arrested Development and Ally McBeal. It will be available today for download through Samsung Apps on select 2010 Blu-ray players, Blu-ray home theater systems, and the majority of 2010 Samsung TVs 40” and above.

Consumers who download Hulu Plus on Samsung Apps, the world’s first HDTV-based application store, can watch sample content and request an invite for the preview of the Hulu Plus service. After the end of the preview period, all Samsung Apps users will be able to download and subscribe to the full Hulu Plus service. The addition of Hulu Plus demonstrates continued momentum for Samsung Apps as leading content owners develop applications for the platform, making it easier for consumers to discover and enjoy the content they want, when they want it.

“With the addition of Hulu Plus to Samsung Apps, our customers now have access to an ever-expanding catalog of premium HD content at the push of a button,” said Eric Anderson, vice president of content and product solutions, Samsung Electronics America. “We are excited to be the exclusive HDTV partner in making Hulu Plus available on the largest screen in the home during this preview period.”

Samsung, the market leader in connected TV, is committed to expanding the types of experiences available to consumers. In 2008, the company was the first to deliver text-based RSS feeds, bringing news, weather and stock information directly to the TV with its InfoLink feature. In 2009, Samsung added Yahoo! widgets to the connected TV experience, as well as streaming video services with providers like Blockbuster and Amazon video-on-demand. With the launch of Samsung Apps this year, Samsung is broadening the connected TV experience, bringing services such as text-based information, casual games, communications, social and location services, and full HD video to consumers. The addition of Hulu Plus to Samsung Apps demonstrates continued momentum around the platform as leading content providers recognize the platform’s flexibility in delivering the growing types of content that meet consumers’ demand. Hulu Plus joins more than 30 other industry-leading partners on Samsung Apps including Blockbuster, Facebook, Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, USA TODAY, and Vudu, in bringing personalized, easy to use connected TV experiences to consumers.

For more information about Samsung Apps, please visit, http://www.samsung.com/newsroom. To learn more about Hulu Plus, please visit www.hulu.com/plus.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

*Each HDTV and Blu-ray player with Samsung Apps may offer a different selection of apps.

SEATTLE  (Profitable.com)  Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) will turn on free Wi-Fi with one click on July 1 at U.S. and Canadian company-operated stores as a part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing the customer experience. Customers with Wi-Fi-enabled laptops, tablets and mobile phones will have unlimited Internet access to surf the Web, connect with social networks, search for jobs or work at their neighborhood Starbucks. Most recently, the free Wi-Fi benefit was limited to two hours a day and only available to members of the My Starbucks Rewards program. The new, unlimited Wi-Fi offering features a one-click entry point, so a username or password will not be required.

“Our customers were asking for a simplified Wi-Fi offering, and free Wi-Fi has been a top request on MyStarbucksIdea.com. We’re excited to turn this feedback into action and believe our customers will be delighted with the enhanced experience they’ll find in Starbucks stores,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Starbucks.

Starbucks will continue to work with AT&T in the U.S. as its Wi-Fi provider, a relationship that’s been in place since 2008. Close to 6800 Starbucks locations are part of AT&T’s U.S. Wi-Fi network, the nation’s largest. In Canada, more than 750 company-operated stores will now have free Wi-Fi. Bell is the Wi-Fi provider in Canada and has worked with Starbucks since 2005.

As Schultz noted at the WIRED Business Conference on June 14^th, the addition of one click, free Wi-Fi to the Starbucks customer experience is just the beginning. Later this fall, Starbucks plans to introduce the Starbucks Digital Network, in partnership with Yahoo!. This new online experience, currently planned for U.S. company-operated stores, will offer customers free, unrestricted access to a collection of paid sites and services, exclusive content and previews, free downloads and local community news.

“Bringing one click, free Wi-Fi to Starbucks opens up new opportunities for our customers and gives us the backdrop to continue to bring innovation to their in-store experience. We’re finding new ways to bridge the third place coffeehouse environment with the digital space, and look forward to sharing that with our customers,” said Stephen Gillett, Starbucks executive vice president, chief information officer and general manager of Digital Ventures.

About Starbucks Coffee Company

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at starbucks.com.

About AT&T Wi-Fi Access

Access includes non-municipal company-owned and -operated hotspots. Wi-Fi-enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for additional services, details and locations.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.  (Profitable.com)  Magellan GPS today launched the ToughCase, a refined yet rugged protective case, giving iPhone and iPod touch waterproof capabilities, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor professionals.

Available worldwide, featuring built-in GPS, ToughCase enhances the accuracy of location-based and GPS applications for iPhone 3G and iPod touch, while protecting the device and providing unmatched accessibility to all iPhone and iPod touch features.

“The ToughCase is the ideal solution for all outdoor users. From kayakers to golfers, mountain bikers to construction workers, it provides a level of protection and performance previously unavailable in other cases,” said Justin Doucette, Director of Product Marketing for Magellan GPS. “The ToughCase protects against harmful elements such as dust, rain, mud, water and snow.”

The unique case design allows 100 percent access to Apple’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface, allowing users to receive and place calls while the device is protected. The ToughCase meets IPX-7 waterproof standards, enabling the device to be submerged at a depth of 1-meter for up to 30 minutes. The integrated 1840 mAh battery will double the life of the device based on normal usage and the built-in high sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS chipset delivers up to 3 meters of accuracy.

The ToughCase is compatible with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second and third generation). The ToughCase will be available at MagellanGPS.com and Apple Stores at www.apple.com. The ToughCase retails at an MSRP of USD $199.99.

ToughCase extends Magellan’s comprehensive solutions for iPhone and iPod touch, which include the Magellan RoadMate turn-by-turn navigation app and the Magellan Premium Car Kit – an innovative 3-in-1 vehicle mount for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and second and third generation iPod touch enhancing their performance as a hands-free navigation solution.

The Magellan RoadMate turn-by-turn navigation app is available for $49.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

About MiTAC Digital Corporation

MiTAC Digital Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MiTAC International Corporation and promotes and sells products and services under the Magellan brand name. Magellan assists people to travel, work and play with leading portable navigation and positioning solutions across multiple consumer markets. Recognized as an industry innovator, the company is the producer of the award-winning Magellan RoadMate series of portable car navigation, outdoor and mobile navigation devices. MiTAC Digital Corp. is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information on Magellan, visit http://www.magellangps.com.

Federal and State Agencies Will Use a Joint Protocol for Reopening Closed Waters

NEW ORLEANS  (Profitable.com)  Gulf State health and fisheries officials joined with senior leaders from several federal agencies to affirm a shared commitment to ensuring the safety of seafood coming out of the Gulf of Mexico, through closures of affected waters, surveillance, and with an eye toward reopening closed waters as soon as possible, consistent with public health goals.

Representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) met last week in New Orleans with state health officers and state fisheries directors from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas to coordinate implementation of a joint protocol for sampling and reopening that will apply to both state and federal waters.  

Together, they will implement a comprehensive, coordinated, multi-agency program to ensure that seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is safe to eat. This is important not only for consumers who need to know their food is safe to eat, but also for fishermen who need to be able to sell their products with confidence.

“No single agency could adequately ensure the safety of seafood coming from the Gulf following this tragedy, but in working together, we can be sure that tainted waters are closed as appropriate, contaminated seafood is not allowed to make it to market, and that closed waters can be reopened to fishing as soon as is safe,” said Eric Schwaab, Assistant Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service.

State and federal authorities reached a critical step toward reopening with their agreement on a shared protocol that will be applied as oil contamination abates in federal and state waters.  

State authorities in Louisiana are applying the protocol to consider the possible reopening of two areas and NOAA is applying the protocol to consider the reopening of two closed areas off the coasts of Louisiana and Florida.  

“We understand the devastating effects this spill has had on the Gulf states and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with state and federal partners to ensure that these important protocols are implemented efficiently, effectively, and in a way that makes sense for all involved, while maintaining the number one priority we all share – protecting the health of those in the Gulf Coast and across the country,” said Michael Taylor, FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Foods.

The first and most important preventive step in protecting the public from potentially contaminated seafood is to close fishing and shellfish harvesting areas in the Gulf that have been or are likely to be exposed to oil from the spill.  

In addition, NOAA and FDA are monitoring fish caught just outside of closed areas, and testing them for petroleum compounds, to ensure that the closed areas are sufficiently large so as to prevent the harvest of contaminated fish. So far, fish flesh tested from outside the closure areas have tested well below any level of concern for oil-based contamination.

For more information, visit:

NOAA’s BP Oil Spill Incident Response

http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/dwh.php?entry_id=809

FDA’s Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Update

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ucm210970.htm

Official Statement of Acceptance of Protocol

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ucm217600.htm

Summary of the Reopening Protocol

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ucm217598.htm

SANTA CLARA, Calif.  (Profitable.com)  McAfee Inc. (NYSE:MFE) today announced the worldwide availability of McAfee® SaaS Web Protection. The new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Web security solution combines the robust enterprise-grade reporting capabilities and features from McAfee solutions with the massively scalable, multi-tenant platform architecture that powered the MX Logic solution. The new cloud-based service protects enterprises from malware and other Web-borne threats without any on-premise requirements.

Like McAfee appliances and virtual Web protection solutions, McAfee SaaS Web Protection provides the industry’s highest Web protection rates by leveraging the McAfee Global Threat Intelligence network. This network uses millions of threat sensors and more than 350 full-time security experts around the globe to provide customers with real-time – and even predictive – threat correlation and protection from malware, spam, trojans and other Internet-borne threats.

Today’s Web environment provides a vastly improved user experience and access to information due to the rapid adoption of Web 2.0 technologies. However, as in other technological innovations before it, Web 2.0 technologies have also led to new vulnerabilities and new techniques for compromising corporate networks and data. Unfortunately, most organizations are not adequately protected and they are spending large sums of money recovering from attacks. Industry-leading protection is mandatory for companies to continue to safely take advantage of Web 2.0 solutions.

“Web filtering solutions have evolved from website monitoring to serious malware defense,” said Marc Olesen, SVP and General Manager, Content and Cloud Security for McAfee. “McAfee SaaS Web Protection incorporates all of the knowledge and experience we’ve gathered through the years, as well as the unique expertise and technologies gained from our recent acquisitions. Combine that with our McAfee Global Threat Intelligence capabilities in the cloud, and we think users will be hard-pressed to find a better, more effective or reliable solution than McAfee SaaS Web Protection.”

In addition to the superior protection, McAfee SaaS Web Protection helps reduce upfront costs, as well as lowers ongoing maintenance and management costs. Furthermore, organizations with numerous locations or limited IT resources can quickly deploy the solution by simply redirecting Web traffic to a McAfee data center and allowing McAfee SaaS Web Protection to manage protection from start to finish. With no applications or hardware to install or deploy, the service provides organizations with immediate and reliable network protection.

McAfee SaaS Web Protection Highlights

The McAfee SaaS Web Protection solution now provides:

• More Comprehensive Reporting: Enterprises need scalable, comprehensive reporting to understand their web traffic and the threats this traffic presents. McAfee SaaS Web Protection gives organizations the tools they need to understand today’s web traffic. IT staff can easily identify trends, investigate potential problems, and analyze security threats.
• Simplified Policy Enforcement and Controls: The new service provides automatic enforcement of acceptable usage policy, reduces corporate liability, and improves employee productivity. Additionally, organizational policies enable granular controls for Web security and usage.
• Early Protection: Threats are blocked in the cloud before they reach the customer network. Relying on extensive knowledge of Internet entities and the constantly changing global threat landscape, the McAfee® TrustedSource™ technology enhances Web filtering by identifying potentially malicious behavior and enabling organizations to dynamically block these threats in real-time.
• Rapid Deployment and Unlimited Scalability: Built atop what McAfee believes to be the world’s most massively scalable, multi-tenant platforms, the McAfee SaaS Web Protection solution can be rapidly deployed anywhere around the world, and for an unlimited amount of users without any performance degradation. McAfee maintains an extensive network of world-class data centers to ensure maximum speed and redundancy.
• Remote Protection: McAfee SaaS Web Protection also provides the same level of Web security for remote offices and mobile users. This enables corporate security policies to be centrally managed and enforced for all users, even when they are not behind the corporate firewall.

McAfee SaaS Web Protection complements an already powerful portfolio of web security solutions offered by McAfee; including McAfee® Web Gateway for on premise protection at the gateway via appliance or virtual machine form factors. All McAfee Web security solutions leverage McAfee global threat intelligence for best in class web security for organizations of any size.

About McAfee, Inc.

McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee is committed to relentlessly tackling the world’s toughest security challenges. The company delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com

NOTE: McAfee and TrustedSource are registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other brands and names may be claimed as the property of others. The product plans, specifications and descriptions herein are provided for information only and subject to change without notice, and are provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Copyright © 2010 McAfee, Inc.

Combined Businesses Enable Robust Solutions for Operating Industrial Plants; Acquisition Brings Strong Brands and Expertise

LONDON  (Profitable.com)  Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced it has completed the acquisition of Matrikon for approximately $139 million USD (approximately $144 million CAD). Matrikon will be integrated with the Advanced Solutions business of Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS). Matrikon’s open connectivity in process control business, MatrikonOPC, will operate as a separate business entity within HPS.

“The Matrikon brands are outstanding additions to our technology portfolio,” said Norm Gilsdorf, president of HPS, a business within Honeywell’s Automation and Control Solutions group. “Combining our experienced teams and products will enable us to create stronger, enterprise-wide solutions that improve business performance for respective customers.  In addition, the deal provides significant opportunity to grow within our existing customer bases in both mature and emerging markets around the world.”

Based in Edmonton, Canada, Matrikon specializes in technology to manage production, optimize operations and monitor assets at industrial plants including oil and gas, refining, energy, power and mining companies. HPS provides automation and control systems, field instrumentation, safety systems, simulation technology, wireless technology and integrated facility and process security systems for industrial process manufacturers. Matrikon and HPS’ products are highly complementary, specifically in the areas of asset management, production management, operations optimization, plant cyber security and data collection and visualization. In addition, Honeywell supports MatrikonOPC’s commitment to vendor neutral open connectivity in process control (OPC), leading new technology development and helping people adopt open standards based solutions.

“With the breadth and reach of Honeywell, we expect the Matrikon technology will continue to evolve more broadly to support our goal of creating technology that drives industrial performance,” said Nizar J. Somji, president and CEO of Matrikon. “We expect the Matrikon technology to continue to not only facilitate collaboration but also drive performance by enabling customers to anticipate—to take advantage of opportunities, reduce risk and resolve issues before they become problems—and to take action. Honeywell adds stability, a broader technology and solution base, global reach and new applications. This will enable us to expand and enhance our offerings to better meet the growing and changing requirements of our customers.”

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges.  For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com. Honeywell Process Solutions is part of Honeywell’s Automation and Control Solutions group, a global leader in providing product and service solutions that improve efficiency and profitability, support regulatory compliance, and maintain safe, comfortable environments in homes, buildings and industry. For more information about Process Solutions, access www.honeywell.com/ps.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intend, expect, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s assumptions and assessments in light of past experience and trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other relevant factors. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties, which can affect our performance in both the near- and long-term. We identify the principal risks and uncertainties that affect our performance in our Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Once excavator expansion plans are completed in 2014, Caterpillar will have increased its China-based excavator capacity by 400 percent

XUZHOU, Jiangsu Province, China  (Profitable.com)  In support of its long-term global strategy for meeting customer demand for excavators, and recognizing the rapid expansion of opportunities in the key growth markets of Asia, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced today its expansion plans for the company’s excavator facility in Xuzhou, China.  

As a part of its overall excavator sourcing plans, Caterpillar has also reached an agreement with Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG) to acquire XCMG’s 15.87 percent ownership interest in Caterpillar Xuzhou Limited (CXL), a joint venture between Caterpillar and XCMG that was initially established in 1995.  When complete, CXL will be a wholly-owned Caterpillar company. Caterpillar is not releasing terms of the transaction, which is subject to Chinese regulatory approval.  

“In the next few years, we expect China to continue to invest heavily across the country in a wide range of infrastructure improvements, and it is critical for Caterpillar and its dealer network to continue investing in China to increase manufacturing operations, research and development, marketing and customer support for success in this growing market,” said Rich Lavin, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for emerging markets. “Caterpillar has been doing business in China for more than thirty-five years,” Lavin said, “and this investment is evidence of our growing commitment to the China market.”

Lavin, along with Caterpillar China Vice President Jiming Zhu and Caterpillar Excavation Division Vice President Gary Stampanato, attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Xuzhou today for what will become a new manufacturing building for large excavators.  In addition, the company also celebrated the grand opening of another new facility in Xuzhou that will increase capacity for the production of small and medium excavators.  Once the CXL excavator expansion plans are completed in 2014, Caterpillar will have increased its China-based excavator capacity by 400 percent.

CXL has become Caterpillar’s flagship for manufacturing operations in China with leading product quality, safety and employee engagement.

“Caterpillar and its dealers have played an important role in the development and growth of the excavator market in China, and with these investments in our flagship facility in China, we are demonstrating our dedication and commitment to our growing base of Chinese customers,” Zhu said.  

In recent years, the company and its independent dealers have made significant investments to expand the range of products and components produced in China, increase and improve customer support services, and expand and enhance dealer coverage in every province.      

Previously, Caterpillar announced its plans to build a new excavator production facility in the United States resulting from a global excavator sourcing study of its existing excavator manufacturing capacity in the U.S., Japan and China.  The planned expansion of excavator production in China is an essential part of Caterpillar’s long-term strategy for supporting the global demand for excavators.  

About Caterpillar:

For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent.  With 2009 sales and revenues of $32.396 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.  The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services.  More information is available at:  http://www.cat.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release relate to future events and expectations and, as such, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are subject to known and unknown factors that may cause actual results of Caterpillar Inc. to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “will be,” “will,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “could,” “should” or other similar words or expressions often identify forward-looking statements.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our outlook, projections, forecasts or trend descriptions.  These statements do not guarantee future performance, and Caterpillar does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

It is important to note that actual results of the company may differ materially from those described or implied in such forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) economic volatility in the global economy generally and in capital and credit markets; (ii) Caterpillar’s ability to generate cash from operations, secure external funding for operations and manage liquidity needs; (iii) adverse changes in the economic conditions of the industries or markets Caterpillar serves; (iv) government regulations or policies, including those affecting interest rates, liquidity, access to capital and government spending on infrastructure development; (v) commodity price increases and/or limited availability of raw materials and component products, including steel; (vi) compliance costs associated with environmental laws and regulations; (vii) Caterpillar’s and Cat Financial’s ability to maintain their respective credit ratings, material increases in either company’s cost of borrowing or an inability of either company to access capital markets; (viii) financial condition and credit worthiness of Cat Financial’s customers; (ix) material adverse changes in our customers’ access to liquidity and capital; (x) market acceptance of Caterpillar’s products and services; (xi) effects of changes in the competitive environment, which may include decreased market share, lack of acceptance of price increases, and/or negative changes to our geographic and product mix of sales; (xii) Caterpillar’s ability to successfully implement Caterpillar Production System or other productivity initiatives; (xiii) international trade and investment policies, such as import quotas, capital controls or tariffs; (xiv) failure of Caterpillar or Cat Financial to comply with financial covenants in their respective credit facilities; (xv) adverse changes in sourcing practices for our dealers or original equipment manufacturers; (xvi) additional tax expense or exposure; (xvii) political and economic risks associated with our global operations, including changes in laws, regulations or government policies, currency restrictions, restrictions on repatriation of earnings, burdensome tariffs or quotas, national and international conflict, including terrorist acts and political and economic instability or civil unrest in the countries in which Caterpillar operates; (xviii) currency fluctuations, particularly increases and decreases in the U.S. dollar against other currencies; (xix) increased payment obligations under our pension plans; (xx) inability to successfully integrate and realize expected benefits from acquisitions; (xxi) significant legal proceedings, claims, lawsuits or investigations; (xxii) imposition of significant costs or restrictions due to the enactment and implementation of health care reform legislation and proposed financial regulation legislation; (xxiii) changes in accounting standards or adoption of new accounting standards; (xxiv) adverse effects of natural disasters; and (xxv) other factors described in more detail under “Item 1A.  Risk Factors” in Part I of our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2010 for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in Part II of our Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 3, 2010 for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  These filings are available on our website at www.cat.com/sec_filings.

Business leaders asked to identify steps to strengthen and diversify state’s economy

CARSON CITY, Nev.  (Profitable.com)  In conjunction with his role as the Chairman of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development, Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolicki today announced he has launched the New Nevada Task Force, a coalition of Nevada business leaders tasked with identifying steps to strengthen and diversify Nevada’s economy.

The task force will be comprised of an accomplished group of about two-dozen individuals dedicated to charting the best course forward for Nevada’s strategic economic development efforts.  This collaborative effort is the result of numerous conversations among many interested parties over many months as how to best guide Nevada’s economic and business development efforts during this extremely difficult fiscal environment and beyond.  A complete list of members is attached to this news release.

“Today, Nevada finds itself battered by some of the greatest economic challenges it has ever seen,” Krolicki said. “However, we can use this opportunity to work with our state’s business leaders to rethink and retool our business practices, and identify pathways towards sustainable economic diversification and job growth in our state,” he said.

The task force’s recommendations will be aimed at attracting new businesses to the state and creating new job opportunities.  The goal of the New Nevada Task Force will be to conduct all business and make recommendations in a timely manner to ensure that any legislative needs that are identified are done so in time to be considered during the 2011 legislative session.  

The key objectives for the New Nevada Task Force are to provide a competitive analysis, recommend types of businesses Nevada should be focused on recruiting, and provide ways NCED and their partner groups should pursue technology development, business attraction, business expansion and community development. The task force has no formal legal standing or budget authorization and will strictly adhere to Nevada’s open meeting law requirements for transparency purposes. The first meeting of the group is scheduled for Monday, July 12, 2010.

About the Nevada Commission on Economic Development

The Nevada Commission on Economic Development promotes a robust, diversified and prosperous economy based on innovation, human ingenuity and sustainability. This is achieved through programs including national and international Business Development, Community Development Block Grants, Procurement Outreach and the Nevada Film Office. NCED has offices at 808 W. Nye Lane in Carson City and at 555 E. Washington Ave., Suite 5400 in Las Vegas. More information can be accessed at www.diversifynevada.com or by calling 800-336-1600.

Fast casual group to advise Association on segment-specific issues
 
Washington, D.C.  (Profitable.com)  The recently-launched Fast Casual Industry Council is the first of its kind within the National Restaurant Association’s structure, and will serve as a model for the development of similar groups in the future. Instituting this new structure of industry councils highlights the diversity of the Association’s membership, and will help the organization better address the unique issues of specific restaurant industry segments.

“The National Restaurant Association’s new industry council structure will be greatly beneficial for our members and the industry at large,” said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.  “One of the restaurant industry’s many strengths is its diversity. We are planning to expand the industry council concept to additional segments for a fuller understanding of the industry mosaic, and the Fast Casual Industry Council will help pave the way to successful implementation.” 

“We are very excited to continue our work with the National Restaurant Association, and look forward to advancing the fast casual restaurant segment together,” Louis Basile, Fast Casual Industry Council Steering Committee Chair, and President and CEO of Wildflower Bread Company. “It is critical to address issues that are unique to our restaurants and through the Fast Casual Industry Council, we have a great opportunity to do that.”

The Fast Casual Council’s goal is to convene senior executives from the fast casual restaurants nationwide to discuss common concerns and advise the National Restaurant Association on how the overall industry’s priority issues would impact fast casual restaurants. In addition, the group will serve as a networking and educational venue, as well as provide input on research, segment definition and member benefit program development. The group will convene bi-annually.

Members of the Fast Casual Industry Council, formerly known as the Fast Casual Alliance, will participate in the Association’s public policy development, have access to a members-only listserv to exchange best practices and interact with peers, and receive Association research, in addition to many other member benefits.

Fast casual is a relatively new and growing field that fits between traditional quickservice and casual dining concepts. Fast casual restaurants feature limited service or self-service, average checks between $8 and $15, made-to-order food, and upscale décor.

For more information on the NRA’s Fast Casual Industry Council, visit http://www.restaurant.org/education/councils/fcic. 

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of nearly 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve.

ROCHESTER, N.Y.  (Profitable.com)  Paychex, Inc. continues its commitment to helping small- and medium-sized businesses manage their payroll, human resource, and employee benefits services with Paychex HR Solutions, a blended human resource services offering that provides business owners with an on-site HR professional and a team of experts to help manage employment and administrative HR functions. Paychex HR Solutions brings Paychex Business Solutions and Paychex Premier Human Resources together under one umbrella.

Because every business has its own unique HR needs, Paychex HR Solutions is available as an administrative services organization (ASO), formerly Paychex Premier Human Resources, and a professional employer organization (PEO)* provided by Paychex Business Solutions, Inc. Each option provides a full-service HR solution that includes payroll and tax services, 401(k) and employee benefits, HR administration and compliance assistance, and on-site support.

The PEO differs from the ASO by establishing a co-employment relationship with the clients’ employees, and also offers pre-established carrier options and networks, broader choices, and simpler administration when employees are in multiple states.

“With Paychex HR Solutions, smaller businesses receive the same HR and benefits administration typically associated with larger companies, but in a package specifically designed with their needs and budget in mind,” says Lonny Ostrander, Paychex vice president of human resource services sales. “By offering our clients the option of an ASO or PEO model, we are uniquely positioned as a one-stop shop for their outsourced HR needs.”

Paychex HR Solutions frees up business owners to focus on critical business issues, instead of the time-consuming administrative tasks associated with maintaining employee policies, benefits program, training, and compliance requirements. The following services are included in both the ASO and PEO offerings:

• Human resource services – From on-site training and seminars covering a range of critical HR topics, to employee handbooks, assistance with job descriptions, and compensation surveys.
• Payroll services – including payroll processing, tax payment service, State Unemployment Insurance Service (SUIS), and direct deposit.
• Retirement services – 401(k), SIMPLE, and profit-sharing plan options, plan design and setup, and ongoing compliance and communication.
• Employee Benefits – Section 125 plans, including Premium Only Plans and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Worksite Management – safety and loss control consultation, analysis, and program development; OSHA federal/state mandatory program development; and drug testing referral service.

Business owners who choose the PEO model will also have access to national and regional insurance carriers for health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage options. The PEO option assists with plan selection, annual enrollment, and plan management, and offers employee self-service through its Health and Benefits Online service. The PEO option also includes workers’ compensation insurance and administration. For the ASO model, health insurance through the Paychex Insurance Agency and workers’ comp through the Paychex Workers’ Compensation Payment Service are available as optional services.

For more information about Paychex HR Solutions, please go to http://www.paychex.com/products/hrsolutions.aspx. Or, to speak with a Paychex representative, visit booth 921 at the Society for Human Resource Management 2010 Annual Conference, taking place June 27-29 in San Diego.

* Professional employer organization (PEO) services are sold and provided by Paychex Business Solutions, Inc. (Florida license GL7), PBS of America, Inc. (Florida license GM46), and PBS of Central Florida (Florida license GM14).

About Paychex

Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ:PAYX) is a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. The company offers comprehensive payroll services, including payroll processing, payroll tax administration, and employee pay services, including direct deposit, check signing, and Readychex^®. Human resource services include 401(k) plan recordkeeping, health insurance, workers’ compensation administration, section 125 plans, a professional employer organization, time and attendance solutions, and other administrative services for business. Paychex was founded in 1971. With headquarters in Rochester, New York, the company has more than 100 offices serving approximately 536,000 payroll clients nationwide as of May 31, 2010. For more information about Paychex and our products, visit www.paychex.com.

Multiple Operational Units Organized in New State-of-the-Art Facility within Minutes from Airport

MONTVALE, N.J.  (Profitable.com)  Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announces the opening of its new state-of-the-art facility in Jacksonville, Florida.  Strategically located minutes from the Jacksonville airport, the new facility centralizes several business units into one building for efficient customer and dealer support.

The newly constructed building totaling 415,000 sq. ft. is a leased facility located off of Interstate 95 at 13470 International Parkway.  MBUSA plans to take official occupancy in July with four business units operating from the location including Sales Operations Southern Regional Office; Parts Distribution Center (PDC); Quality Evaluation Center (QEC); and Learning & Performance Center (LPC).  Approximately 160 employees are in the new facility, which incorporates innovative environmental systems and design.

“The new state-of-the-art facility incorporates Mercedes-Benz Autohaus design that many dealers have adopted throughout the U.S.  Now we have one common look and feel for our corporate operations in the region across all our key business units,” said Ernst Lieb, CEO of MBUSA. “By linking our core operations in one building, we can also create better efficiencies that will benefit our dealer network and our customers.”

SALES OPERATIONS SOUTHERN REGION OFFICE

The Southern Region MBUSA office supports 102 MBUSA dealerships with sales and fixed operations across 12 states including Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Texas as well as Puerto Rico.  MBUSA has three other regional offices in the U.S.: Parsippany, NJ, Rosemont, IL and Costa Mesa, CA.

PARTS DISTRIBUTION CENTER

A new addition to MBUSA’s operation in Jacksonville, the Parts Distribution Center (PDC) supports approximately 70 MBUSA dealers in the Southeast with parts supply.  The PDC will house about 15 percent of MBUSA overall parts inventory, shipping over 1.3 million lines annually.  MBUSA has four other Parts Distribution Centers in U.S.: Carol Stream, IL, Fontana, CA, Fort Worth, TX and Robbinsville, NJ.

QUALITY EVALUATION CENTER

With over 70 personnel from various engineering and logistics disciplines, representing a diverse collection of work experience and backgrounds, the Quality Evaluation Center in Jacksonville is one of only two operational units of its kind outside of Germany.  The QEC team includes Daimler Quality personnel, which places engineers closer to the market and to the dealers served by MBUSA.  This market proximity brings greater knowledge of market-specific issues directly into the Quality management process through increased speed of parts evaluation and feedback to Daimler development.  Local parts analysis also helps to improve diagnostic tools and technical information while the resulting rapid feedback to dealers improves the diagnostic skills necessary for improved “Fixed First Visit” performance- a key customer satisfaction component.

LEARNING & PERFORMANCE CENTER

The Learning & Performance Center is a state of the art training facility for dealership and MBUSA personnel.  MBUSA facilitates over 120 classes per year in the Jacksonville Learning & Performance Center, with a total of about a thousand participants from across the Southeastern United States. Classrooms, workshops, a computer lab, a virtual classroom webcast area, student lounge, offices and a cafeteria are designed in an intelligent and integrated fashion all for the learners’ benefit while at the same time providing increased operational effectiveness and efficiencies.  MBUSA operates five Learning & Performance Centers in the U.S.: Houston, TX, Itasca, IL, Jacksonville, FL, Montvale, NJ, and Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

“We have planned and built this new facility with cutting edge systems and design for our associates to deliver the best products and services throughout the region,” said Alan McLaren, vice president of customer services.  ”It’s unmistakably a Mercedes-Benz facility that showcases our dedication to quality and innovation in a significant way.”

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States.  MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 12 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and CL coupes.  

MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans in the US.  More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbsprinterusa.com.

CHICAGO  (Profitable.com)  The small business public is encouraged to take part in the 47^th Annual Illinois Small Business Week, Awards, Lender Matchmaking, and Business Expo at Chicago’s Navy Pier on June 29. Throughout the Expo, workshops will feature expert panels addressing today’s critical small business issues, and an Award Luncheon honoring local award winners for their impact in the small business community.

During the Awards Luncheon, SBA will recognize Jerry Roper, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce as this year’s winner of the prestigious 2010 Illinois Choice Award. Each year, this award is presented to recognize an individual whose life avocation has been focused in a direction that significantly impacts and fosters business and economic development within Illinois.

Warner Cruz, President of J.C. Restoration, Inc. of Rolling Meadows, IL, will be presented the Small Business Person of the Year Award. Last month, he was honored in Washington, DC. as a runner-up to the National Award.

The award presentations will follow a panel discussion featuring perspectives from leading local financial experts.

Business owners can register online for lender matchmaking appointments and the business expo, and purchase award luncheon tickets at https://www.bmmreg.com/SBASmallBusinessWeek where additional information is available.

Additional 2010 Illinois Small Business Week Awardees:

• Small Business Exporter of the Year—Chris Helle, Vice President of Sawmill Hydraulics, Inc.
• Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year—Paul A. Renzaglia, General Manager of Alto Vineyards, Ltd.,
• Minority Small Business Champion of the Year—Monica Billinger, Manager of Corporate Supplier Diversity for Health Care Service Corporation
• Women in Business Champion of the Year—Angelika Coghlan, President of Catwalk Consulting.

47th Annual Illinois Small Business Week Awards Event Activities:

LENDER MATCHMAKING

Register for one-on-one appointments with lenders seeking to do business with creditworthy small businesses. Sign up for at least 3 pre-arranged appointments with lenders of your choice. Choose from an array of national, regional and community banks and other lenders that will be available to explore financing options and opportunities with you. Matchmaking appointments will be scheduled in 15 minute increments from 8:00 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. and then again from 1:40 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

BUSINESS EXPO

The Small Business Expo will feature resource and technical assistance partners that will provide valuable information to help you start and/or operate your small business. The Expo will also feature workshops on capital access and opportunities, seeking venture capital, marketing versus stalking, and reinventing your company through social networking.

Aggressive New Design and Souped up Specs Give the Aspire AG7750 an Appetite for Destruction

SAN JOSE, Calif.  (Profitable.com)  Acer, the world’s second largest vendor in the PC market,⁽¹⁾ today announced its newest Acer Aspire “Predator” gaming desktop PC is armed for combat and ready to do battle in the U.S. A force to be reckoned with, the power-packed AG7750-U2222 gaming rig harnesses the pinnacle of processor, graphics and memory technologies for conquering the fiercest opponents.

Taking bold style and performance to a killer level, the Aspire Predator is designed for avid gamers with a “take no prisoners” attitude. It’s a monster machine outfitted with plenty of ammo, including Intel^® Core™ i7 quad-core processors, NVIDIA^® GeForce^® GTX470 graphics with 3-way SLI support and a whopping 12GB DDR3 memory for blowing away the competition.

“Designed to conquer and destroy, the Aspire Predator boasts a rugged, intimidating chassis as well as super power and speed,” said Steve Smith, senior business manager of consumer desktops for Acer America. “It’s a smoking hot gaming rig delivering eye-popping graphics and dynamic audio for a jaw dropping experience that will fire up even hard core gamers. Plus, plenty of room for future upgrades will assist gamers in their quest to reign supreme in the new world order.”

NVIDIA 3-Way SLI Graphics Pump Up Games With Stunning Visual Definition

The Predator AG7750 is ready from a thermal and power standpoint to take on 3-way SLI graphics, the next generation in graphics technology. Outfitted with NVIDIA^® GeForce^® GTX470 with NVIDIA^® SLI™ technology, users can scale graphics performance by combining multiple NVIDIA graphics solutions in a 3-way SLI-certified motherboard. The motherboard has an installed GTX470 card and can accommodate up to two more. These advanced GPUs run simultaneously to deliver kickass, high-performance graphics playback. The combined power of DirectX 11, CUDA™ and NVIDIA^® PhysX^® Technologies deliver amazing, cinematic quality visuals.

Primed for Dynamic, Heart-Pounding 3D

The Aspire Predator AG7750 with an NVIDIA SLI graphics card comes ready for exciting 3D gaming. Users can add an Acer GD245HQ/GD235HZ 3D monitor for a fully immersive experience with NVIDIA^® 3D Vision™, a combination of high-tech wireless glasses and advanced software – to transform hundreds of PC games into full stereoscopic 3D.

Fierce Quad-Core Power Shreds Opponents

Outfitted for battle, the Aspire Predator AG7750 is power packed with an Intel^® Core™ i7 930 quad-core processor that delivers speed for gaming, including 3D as well as multitasking and other multimedia entertainment. Intel^® Turbo Boost Technology heightens performance by increasing processor frequency by 133MHz on short and regular intervals if it’s operating below power, until the upper limit is met or the maximum possible upside for the number of active cores is reached. It also increases energy efficiency by allowing near-zero power consumption for inactive cores.

Gamers will appreciate the 1.5TB⁽²⁾ hot-swap SATA hard drive. Adding further fuel to the fire are three additional easy-swap hard disk drive (HDD) cages, allowing up to a total of four Serial ATA 3 G/bs high-capacity hard disks to be added with up to a 2TB⁽²⁾ capacity per single drive for a total storage capacity of up to 8GB⁽²⁾. Users can save games, movies, music and more on the local disks, which can be easily swapped or removed for transport.

High-definition 7.1-channel audio with EAX (Environmental Audio Extensions) 5.0 provides clear heart pounding sound to ratchet up the excitement of gaming tourneys. In addition, a state-of-the-art, two-part liquid cooling system protects PC performance even during the fiercest matches, so gamers can confidently push their limits.

Radical Design Intimidates Rivals

Showcasing Acer’s innovation, the dramatic orange and black desktop visually shouts power. The intimidating exterior boasts a mechanized front cover that can be raised up and over the front of the chassis to provide convenient access to a multi-card reader, USB and audio ports. The chassis is also covered by a rugged protective material and has a secure handle for transport.

Opening the case reveals the inner power of the Predator, including striking and highly dynamic mechanical elements and cool lighting effects, such as claw-like optical disk drive doors, easy-swap HDDs and red LED lighting. An illuminated door on the lower front of the chassis provides quick entry to the hard disks, simplifying upgrades.

Highly Scalable, Well-Connected

Gamers who want to ensure their PC remains on the cutting edge will be pleased to know the Aspire Predator AG7750 is highly scalable, allowing integration of many advanced components and gaming peripherals, such as joysticks, steering wheels, foot pedals and more. The system comes with a multi-in-one card reader and an optical drive and is easily expandable with an available 5.25-inch optical drive bay and a variety of open PCI Express slots, including two PCI Express x16, two PCI Express x1, one PCI Express x8 and a standard PCI. The system also offers a host of connectivity options including 11 USB 2.0 ports (five in front, six in back), IEEE 1394, two eSATA ports, two Ethernet ports, two DVI-D ports (up to six with three graphics cards), a TV-out port, six audio jacks and various others.

Slick Software Suite

The system comes loaded with Arcade Deluxe 2010™, an all-in-one media portal for managing today’s digital media. Acer Arcade archives millions of songs, photos, movies and videos; Arcade Photo optimizes graphics acceleration for ultra fast photo sorting and creation of memorable slide shows; Arcade Video converts videos quickly for playback on a favorite media player and uploads videos to YouTube and Facebook; and Arcade Music browses and organizes music collections.

Pricing and Availability

With a starting MSRP of $1,999, the Acer Aspire AG7750-U2222 is now available at technology and electronics retailers and comes with a one year parts and labor limited warranty and toll-free technical support.

About Acer

Since its founding in 1976, Acer has achieved the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Globally, Acer ranks No. 2 for total PCs and notebooks.⁽¹⁾ A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company’s continuing growth, while its multi-brand approach effectively integrates Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell, and eMachines brands in worldwide markets. Acer strives to design environmentally friendly products and establish a green supply chain through collaboration with suppliers. Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement, including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter and London 2012 Olympic Games. The Acer Group employs 7,000 people worldwide. 2009 revenues reached US$17.9 billion. See www.acer-group.com for more information.

© 2010 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by retail location. Applicable taxes extra.

1. Source: Gartner data, FY 2009

2. Accessible capacity varies; MB = 1 million bytes; GB = 1 billion bytes

Provides Convenience with the Ability to Maintain Privacy

CHARLOTTE, N.C.  (Profitable.com)  LendingTree today announced the launch of its first Blackberry app, the Mortgage RateFinder, now available at Blackberry App World. The free application allows users to obtain on-the-spot loan offers anonymously.

“In today’s low-rate mortgage environment, it’s important for consumers to shop around to ensure they’re receiving the best possible rate,” said Doug Lebda, founder and CEO of LendingTree. “In fact, since the introduction of our iPhone Mortgage RateFinder app in January, consumers have received more than 51,000 loan offers from participating lenders.”

The free Mortgage RateFinder App is extremely user friendly. Consumers simply enter information about the loan they would like and the app will instantly provide users with up to 30 different, customized loan offers from network lenders. Once a great offer is found, users can simply click to be contacted by that lender and move forward with the loan request.

Feature Highlights

• Completely FREE App, Completely FREE offers
• Search anonymously
• Customized rates based on your loan profile
• Search as often as you would like
• One click to be contacted

LendingTree is strongly committed to protecting the privacy of all its customers. That’s why the Mortgage RateFinder only transmits a user’s personal information when that consumer requests to be contacted by a specific lender. Until that point, the search is anonymous and no lender can contact you without your pre-approved consent.

To view the LendingTree Mortgage RateFinder app and learn important rate and disclosure information, please visit http://www.lendingtree.com/appstore/.

About LendingTree, LLC

LendingTree, LLC is the nation’s leading online lender exchange and personal finance resource, helping consumers take charge of all their financial decisions, from budgeting to money management to mortgages to credit cards and more.  LendingTree provides a marketplace that connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business, as well as an array of online tools to aid consumers in their financial decisions. Since inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 27 million loan requests and $207 billion in closed loan transactions. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of Tree.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: TREE). For more information go to www.lendingtree.com or 800-555-TREE.

LAKE FOREST, Calif.  (Profitable.com)  Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems, was recognized for design leadership and innovation yesterday, when two of its most revolutionary IFEC solutions were selected for International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA®).

Panasonic’s Integrated Smart Monitor, a seatback hardware solution, and Panasonic’s neXperience (formerly called “FlightPath”), an interactive passenger experience platform, collected design awards in three categories.

The Integrated Smart Monitor, created with industrial design firm Teague, earned a bronze IDEA in the transportation category and a silver IDEA in design research.  neXperience, conceived with the assistance of design agency Artefact, was named a bronze IDEA winner in the interactive product experiences category.

“We recognize that cutting edge technology alone does not make a great product.  Great products are equally dependent on great design,” said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation.  ”We take design very seriously and are proud to have our efforts recognized. To have two different solutions honored with IDEAs in the same year is incredibly gratifying.  It reinforces our commitment to creating the best possible IFEC solutions for our customers.”

Established in 1980, the IDEAs are sponsored by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) to recognize the most groundbreaking concepts in products, ecodesign, interaction design, packaging, strategy, research and concepts.  Entries are judged on innovation, benefit, aesthetics, usability and design strategy.

The Integrated Smart Monitor, now in production, is the airline industry’s first fully integrated IFEC seat solution, in which the smart monitor and passenger seat are purpose-built for one another.  Unlike other IFEC systems, which often require customization to the seats, the monitors or both, Panasonic’s Integrated Smart Monitor was designed holistically to address the seat-IFEC challenge from scratch.  Collaborating with Teague and seat vendor Weber Aircraft, Panasonic worked from the ground up to create an integrated IFEC solution that would eliminate the weight, space and power draw issues that previously led airlines to resist seatback IFEC solutions for economy class.  The result was a next-generation, touch-screen monitor seamlessly integrated with an ultra-thin, lightweight economy seat that transforms the passenger experience.

“We set the standard in collaboration and design,” said Marshal H. Perlman, Director, Product Management at Panasonic Avionics Corporation.  ”Other IFEC suppliers are now following suit because we’ve demonstrated that everyone wins when we design a solution with the passenger – and airlines – in mind.”

Panasonic neXperience, a concept interactive business platform, works with the aircraft’s IFEC system to offer an event-driven, location-aware and content-rich seatback environment.  Content, including in-flight promotional offers and newsfeeds, can be customized to each passenger’s preferences, and is presented within a visual in-flight timeline to the destination.  

For airlines, neXperience can offer new revenue opportunities, particularly when coupled with real-time broadband connectivity.  For example, passengers can receive targeted advertising and shopping opportunities, based on location, destination, activity or preferences.

“neXperience keeps passengers engaged, improves the workflow for the cabin crew and offers enhanced revenue or branding opportunities for airlines,” said Steve Gladstone, Director, Product Management at Panasonic Avionics Corporation.  ”It is the ultimate in-flight application.”

IDEA was formerly known as the Industrial Design Excellence Awards.  The name changed in 2007 to emphasize the international reach and influence of the competition.  IDEA is co-sponsored by Fast Company and IDSA.

About Panasonic Avionics Corporation

Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world’s leading supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems.  The company’s best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling airlines to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, and lower overall costs.

Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).  Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 2,600 employees and operations in 50 locations worldwide, it serves over 200 customers worldwide and provides IFEC systems on over 3,700 aircraft.  For additional information, please visit www.panasonic.aero.

NICB Expanding Fraud Fighting Efforts in Tampa/Orlando Areas

DES PLAINES, Ill.  (Profitable.com)  The number of suspicious auto accidents that were staged or deliberately caused by criminals in Florida has increased dramatically in the past year.

A study by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) of questionable claims (QCs) submitted by its insurance company members shows a 58 percent jump from 2008 to 2009.

“South Florida used to be the focal point of these deliberate crashes,” said NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle. “While the Miami and Hialeah areas continue to show increased activity, the criminals have expanded their operation northward and Tampa is now at the epicenter of this crime trend.”

Wehrle said the number of questionable claims for all insurance fraud increased 15 percent from 2008 to 2009 in Florida. But the 58 percent jump in the staged/caused accident category shows that criminals are taking advantage of the state’s no-fault auto accident coverage.

“Previous industry studies have shown that among the 12 states that have no-fault coverage, Florida had the highest rates of fraud and buildup in both bodily injury (BI) and personal injury protection (PIP). The criminals who are staging and deliberately causing these accidents have been doing so because they can file claims for alleged injuries and collect big payments with little risk of getting caught.

“We are working hard to put a stop to that. Working with our insurance company and law enforcement partners, we created a Major Medical Fraud Task Force in South Florida in 2002 to focus on this type of insurance fraud. That cooperative effort has resulted in numerous successes and the criminals are feeling the heat. That’s one of the reasons they are moving up the state to the Tampa and Orlando areas. So we will soon be opening another Major Medical Fraud Task Force in Tampa to combat the issue there.”

NICB just began a public awareness campaign in the Tampa area, using billboard and bus shelter ads, as well as radio spots to urge people who suspect a staged accident scheme to call 1-800-TEL-NICB or text their information to TIP411, keyword “fraud.’”

The NICB report, which is available here shows Tampa with 487 QCs related to staged/caused accidents in 2009, a 290 percent increase over the previous year. Miami had 258, an 11 percent increase, and Orlando had 240, a 24 percent increase.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information analysis, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by nearly 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $319 billion in insurance premiums in 2009, or more than 78 percent of the nation’s property/casualty insurance. That includes more than 93 percent ($151 billion) of the nation’s personal auto insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org.

Four Additional Teen Business Owners Capture National Award In Recognition of their Entrepreneurial Achievements  

WASHINGTON  (Profitable.com)  For her work in helping to inspire the next generation of stage actors, Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills, California has been named the 2010 “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation and Visa Inc.  Ms. Turk was chosen for this top honor from more than 4,300 nationwide candidates.  In recognition of her achievements, Ms. Turk has been awarded a $10,000 educational scholarship to help defray the cost of her tuition at the University of Southern California.  

Four additional students were named NFIB/Visa Inc. National Young Entrepreneur Award winners and will each receive a $5,000 educational scholarship.  All five winners are being honored today at a special luncheon held at NFIB in Washington, D.C.

“This year’s applicants demonstrate that entrepreneurial curiosity is thriving in high schools across America,” said Terry LaPier, chair, NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Board of Directors. “Shayna’s dedication to her theater camp and helping others is remarkable. We are pleased to congratulate Shayna and all of this year’s outstanding young entrepreneurs.  Our goal is that these scholarships will help young people gain the confidence required to run their own enterprises that create jobs and give back to our communities.  We wish all of this year’s winners the best of luck as they continue on their paths towards successful futures.”

Shayna is the teenage director and founder of Shayna Turk’s Academy of Rising Stars (STARS)

(www.dramastars.com), a musical theater camp which she started at age 11.  The camp gives children, regardless of talent level, a chance to experience the thrill and excitement of stage performing.  Acting since she was five years old, her inspiration for the camp grew after seeing younger children in her community get turned down for starring roles in local performances because of their age.  Ms. Turk markets, produces, directs, choreographs and stages all of the shows put on by her camp.  To date, she has produced nine different musicals over a six year period.  Starting with just eight kids, STARS now has over 30 campers annually.  Each camp puts on four performances of each show with approximately 100 people in attendance per show.  Shayna also offers a one day a week and one weekend day enrichment program on a limited basis during the school year.

In addition to helping aspiring stage performers, STARS is also helping children in another way.  All proceeds from her camp’s performances are donated to Music for Heart, a charity founded by the parents of one of her campers born with a congenital heart disease.  Music for Heart raises funds for children who suffer from congenital heart disease, and the funds go toward sponsoring cardio-thoracic medical missions to third world countries where cardiac care is unavailable.  

To date, STARS has raised $10,000 for Music for Heart, which in turn has helped save the lives of six children.  

“Small business owners are the backbone of our economy and Shayna and all of this year’s National Young Entrepreneur Award winners should be proud, not only for their entrepreneurial achievements, but for the important contributions they are making to the economy,” said Raghav Lal, Head of Global Small Business Products, Visa Inc. “We are proud of our longstanding and continued partnership with NFIB, a partnership that is helping to give both entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs the tools, resources and encouragement necessary to succeed.”  

Visa’s sponsorship of the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards program is part of its comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility program, which focuses on bringing more people into the formal financial system through Visa’s payments expertise, historic commitment to financial literacy and focused philanthropic efforts.  As part of these efforts, Visa supports the important role that entrepreneurs play in creating opportunities for others while helping communities achieve greater prosperity and self-sufficiency.

“Starting and running a business definitely has its challenges, but the rewards make it worth it, especially since I feel that I have been able to have a positive impact on the lives of young people, especially those in need,” said Ms. Turk.  ”I want to thank both NFIB and Visa for recognizing my achievements.  It is truly an honor,” Turk added.  

The NFIB/Visa Inc. “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award is given annually to the top applicant in the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards program, sponsored by NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation.  To earn a scholarship, students were asked to demonstrate their entrepreneurial achievement by answering a short, personal questionnaire defining their efforts.  Standardized test scores, GPA and class rank were also taken into consideration.  

The four other winners of the NFIB/Visa Inc. National Young Entrepreneur Award will each receive a $5,000 scholarship. They are:

• Austin Hochstatter of Austin, Texas:  Mr. Hochstatter turned his love of film into Watch Your Head Productions (www.watchyourheadproductions.com), a film and video production company that provides comprehensive on site production and post production solutions.  In just a nine month period, Watch Your Head Productions has secured 13 paying clients.  
• David Conway of Wilton, Connecticut: Mr. Conway is the founder of CoolCash Coins,  (www.coolcashcoins.com) a coin appraisal business.  He started the business in 2007 as a way to encourage the collection of and investment in U.S. coins and currency.  Cool Cash Coins’ client base continues to grow, and David continues to generate income by investing company revenue into stocks and precious metals.  David also donates his appraisal services to several non-profit organizations, including UNICEF.
• Ian Purkayastha of Fayetteville, Arkansas: Mr. Purkayastha is the founder of Tartufi Unlimited (www.tartufiunlimited.com), a truffle importing company that sells fresh Italian and French truffles to fine restaurants, caterers and specialty distributors nationwide.  His first truffle order netted a 300 percent profit.  Since signing a contract with a reputable Italian truffle supplier, Ian has seen his company’s sales grow.
• Jake Detwiler of Marysville, Ohio: Mr. Detwiler is the founder of Mitchells Farm-Jake’s Division (http://www.mitchellsberries.com/), an expansion of his parents owned and operated U-Pick raspberry farm.  In 2006, Jake took out a $5,000 Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan to expand his parents’ farm by planting 5,000 black raspberry plants on two-and-a-half acres rented from his grandfather.  Jake has also added strawberries to the farm’s product line.  Since taking out the FSA loan, Jake sold 1,380 pounds of black raspberries in 2008 and 2,090 pounds in 2009. As a result of this success, Jake is looking to add different fruits to the farm’s product line and started planting plasticulture strawberries as part of a test experiment.  

This is the seventh consecutive year Visa has been the primary corporate sponsor of the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Young Entrepreneur Awards Program.  Since 2003, the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation has awarded 2,095 Young Entrepreneur Award Scholarships valued at $2.3 million.

The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation, in partnership with Visa, also manages an online curriculum to teach budding entrepreneurs the basics of how to start a business. Teachers can download the free program from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation’s Entrepreneur-in-the-Classroom programs, which are available at www.NFIB.com/EITC.

About NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation

The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization promoting the importance of small business and free enterprise to the nation’s youth. More information is available at www.NFIB.com/YEF. The Foundation is associated with the National Federation of Independent Business; NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system.  

About Visa Inc.

Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks — VisaNet — that is capable of handling more than 10,000 transactions a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank, and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers.  Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: Pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

IRVING, Texas  (Profitable.com)  CEC Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: CEC) has announced that Christopher D. Morris, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, will be leaving the Company on or about July 16, 2010 to pursue another business opportunity.

“Chris has developed strong accounting, finance and MIS teams that have accomplished a great deal over the six and a half years that he has been with our Company. Chris is a very sharp individual with a bright business future,” said Michael H. Magusiak, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“My time at CEC Entertainment has been an outstanding experience, both professionally and personally. I am honored to have served as the CFO of one of the best brands in America,” Morris said. “I am proud of the strong team we have built and all the things we accomplished together. I wish CEC Entertainment all the best in the future.”

About CEC Entertainment, Inc.

Celebrating over 30 years of success as a place Where a Kid can be a Kid®, CEC Entertainment, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment. Chuck E. Cheese’s stores feature musical and comic entertainment by robotic and animated characters, arcade-style and skill oriented games, video games, rides and other activities intended to appeal to families with children between the ages of two and 12 and offers a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, appetizers, a salad bar and desserts. The Company and its franchisees operate a system of 546 Chuck E. Cheese’s stores located in 48 states (excluding Wyoming and Vermont) and six foreign countries or territories. Currently, 498 locations in the United States and Canada are owned and operated by the Company. For more information, see the Company’s website at www.chuckecheese.com.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio  (Profitable.com)  Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) has reported net sales of $197.6 million for the four-week period ended May 29, 2010, a 10% increase from net sales of $179.0 million for the four-week period ended May 30, 2009.  May comparable store sales decreased 3%.  For the fiscal month, total Company direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales increased 34% to $19.2 million.  For the fiscal month, total Company international net sales, including direct-to-consumer net sales, increased 84% to $36.9 million.

Year-to-date, the Company reported net sales of $885.4 million, a 13% increase from net sales of $780.7 million last year.  Comparable store sales increased 1% for the year-to-date period.  Year- to-date, total Company direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales increased 40% to $88.0 million.  Year-to-date, total Company international net sales, including direct-to-consumer net sales, increased 98% to $155.9 million.

Additional information regarding sales for fiscal May can be found in a pre-recorded message accessible by dialing (800) 395-0662, or, internationally, by dialing (402) 220-1262.

May 2010 Highlights

• Total Company net sales, including direct-to-consumer net sales, increased 10%

• Total Company domestic net sales, including direct-to-consumer net sales, increased 1%

• Total Company international net sales, including direct-to-consumer net sales, increased 84%

• Total Company comparable store sales decreased 3%

• Total Company direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales increased 34%

• Abercrombie & Fitch comparable store sales increased 2%

• abercrombie kids comparable store sales decreased 10%

• Hollister Co. comparable store sales decreased 6%

At fiscal month end, the Company operated a total of 1,100 stores.  The Company operated 341 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, 205 abercrombie kids stores, 507 Hollister Co. stores and 16 Gilly Hicks stores in the United States.  The Company also operated six Abercrombie & Fitch stores, four abercrombie kids stores and 21 Hollister Co. stores internationally. The Company also operates e-commerce websites at www.abercrombie.com, www.abercrombiekids.com, www.hollisterco.com and www.gillyhicks.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

A&F cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Press Release or made by management of A&F involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements.  The following factors, in addition to those included in the disclosure under the heading ” FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS” in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause actual results for the 2010 fiscal year and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this Press Release or otherwise made by management: general and financial economic conditions; changes in consumer spending patterns and consumer preferences; the effects of political and economic events and conditions domestically and in foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or war; the impact of competition and pricing; changes in weather patterns; effects of greenhouse emissions and climate change; availability and market prices of key raw materials; ability to source product from its global supplier base; political stability; currency and exchange risks and changes in existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas; availability of suitable store locations at appropriate terms; ability to develop new merchandise; ability to hire, train and retain associates; effects from the potential loss of services of skilled senior executive officers or inadequate succession planning for key positions; effects of equity-based compensation awarded under the Employment Agreement with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; and the outcome of pending litigation or other adversarial proceedings. Future economic and industry trends that could potentially impact revenue and profitability are difficult to predict.  Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Press Release will prove to be accurate.  In light of the significant uncertainties in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that the objectives of the Company will be achieved.  The forward-looking statements herein are based on information presently available to the management of the Company.  Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

Majority of sodium comes from most commonly eaten foods

ATLANTA  (Profitable.com)  Less than 10 percent of U.S. adults limit their daily sodium intake to recommended levels, according to a new report, “Sodium Intake in Adults – United States, 2005-2006,” published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.  The report also finds that most sodium in the American diet comes from processed grains such as pizza and cookies, and meats, including poultry and luncheon meats.

According to the report, U.S. adults consume an average of 3,466 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day, more than twice the current recommended limit for most Americans.  Grains provide 36.9 percent of this total, followed by dishes containing meat, poultry, and fish (27.9 percent).  These two categories combined account for almost two-thirds of the daily sodium intake for Americans.

An estimated 77 percent of dietary sodium comes from processed and restaurant foods.  Many of these foods, such as breads and cookies, may not even taste salty. “Sodium has become so pervasive in our food supply that it’s difficult for the vast majority of Americans to stay within recommended limits,” said Janelle Peralez Gunn, public health analyst with CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and lead author of the report.  ”Public health professionals, together with food manufacturers, retailers and health care providers, must take action now to help support people’s efforts to reduce their sodium consumption.”

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that people consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day.  Specific groups, including persons with high blood pressure, all middle-aged and older adults and all blacks, should limit intake to 1500 mg per day.  These specific groups comprise nearly 70 percent of the U.S. adult population.  This study found that only 9.6 percent of all participants met their applicable dietary recommendation, including 5.5 percent of the group limited to 1,500 mg per day and 18.8 percent of the 2,300 mg per day group.

The report examined data for 2005–2006 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an ongoing study that explores the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. Researchers used information from 24-hour dietary recall and the USDA National Nutrient Database to estimate the daily sodium intake and sources of sodium intake for U.S. adults.

The findings add to a growing body of observational research studies on Americans’ excessive sodium consumption.  Over-consumption of sodium can have negative health effects, including increasing average levels of blood pressure.  One in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, and an estimated 90 percent of U.S. adults will develop the disease in their lifetime.  Blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death among adults in the United States.

For more information about sodium and blood pressure, visit www.cdc.gov/salt.

Agreement Includes Testing of Bio-Based Renewable Fuels

PHOENIX  (Profitable.com)  Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop mature technology for Fuel Burn Reduction and test aviation biofuels for use in Honeywell Gas Turbine Engines.  

The agreement is valued at approximately $27 million over the five-year life of the agreement, cost shared with the FAA.  Honeywell will use its TECH7000 turbofan test engine as the basis for its research.  The TECH7000 is a turbofan technology demonstrator that is based on Honeywell’s HTF7000 propulsion engine.  The five-year contract, awarded under the FAA’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program, covers a 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods.

CLEEN is a joint FAA-Industry program focused on reducing current levels of aircraft noise, greenhouse gas emissions, fuel burn and advancing alternative fuels for aviation use.  CLEEN will accelerate maturation of engine and airframe technologies to meet NextGen environmental goals and enable greater mobility.  Fuel burn reduction technologies matured in this contract will enable higher engine cycle efficiency through increased operating pressure and turbine inlet temperature.

“To evaluate the use of aviation biofuels in aircraft engines, we will be working with Honeywell’s UOP business, a global leader in the development of refining process technologies.  UOP has developed technology to convert sources like algae and camelina into Honeywell Green Jet Fuel™, which meets all specifications for jet fuel and offers significant savings in greenhouse gas emissions,” said Ron Rich, vice president of Propulsion Systems, Honeywell Aerospace.  ”This contract will enable the industry to expedite the introduction of these new technologies into current and future aircraft engines, while advancing the introduction of alternative ‘drop in’ fuels for aviation, with particular focus on renewable options.”

Honeywell will be working with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a division of General Dynamics Corporation, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in this contract.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell’s aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges.  For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

This release contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements.

Industry Launches New Initiative to Secure Drop-Sides with Free Immobilization Devices

WASHINGTON  (Profitable.com)  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), with the cooperation of seven firms, is announcing voluntary recalls of more than two million cribs to address drop-side hazards and other hazards that affect the safety of young children.  The recalling firms are providing consumers with free repair kits to immobilize the drop-sides or other remedies.  Do not attempt to fix these cribs with homemade remedies.

The drop-side and fixed-side crib recalls announced today are of units manufactured between 2000 and 2009 by the companies listed below. Consumers should contact these firms directly for the appropriate remedy:  

• Child Craft, (this firm is out of business) [2 links 10-271 and 10-272]
• Delta Enterprise Corp., of New York, N.Y. [10273]
• Evenflo, of Miamisburg, Ohio [10274]
• Jardine Enterprises, of Taipei, Taiwan [10275]
• LaJobi, of Cranbury, N.J. [10276]
• Million Dollar Baby, of Montebello, Calif. [10277]
• Simmons Juvenile Products Inc. (SJP), of New London, Wis. [10278]

“Cribs should be the safest place in the home for infants and toddlers,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “CPSC is committed to addressing the hazards with cribs and to restoring parents’ confidence that their child will have a safe sleep.”

CPSC continues to actively investigate various cribs for potential drop-side and other hazards as part of a larger effort by the agency to rid the marketplace and homes of unsafe cribs. CPSC staff is also working on a new mandatory standard to make cribs safer, which will be finalized in 2010.  

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) has also launched a new crib safety initiative. The industry group is providing free drop-side crib immobilization kits to prevent the drop-side from detaching, plus replacement hardware and assembly instructions for cribs manufactured by participating firms. These materials are available free to any consumer by request.

The firms involved in today’s recalls are providing immobilization devices or other remedies as part of JPMA’s crib safety initiative. Consumers can visit JPMA’s website, www.cribsafety.org, for a list of participating manufacturers and for downloadable materials about ensuring that children have a safe sleep.

The immobilization devices, which will be available in the next few weeks, should be attached to keep the drop-side from detaching from the cribs. Immobilization devices are not a solution for cribs with broken or damaged drop-side hardware. If your drop-side hardware is broken, contact the manufacturer for an alternative remedy.

CPSC issued a warning last month [LINK to 10-225] alerting parents and caregivers that there can be deadly hazards associated with drop-side cribs. Nine million drop-side cribs have been recalled over the past five years. CPSC staff has determined drop-side cribs generally have a tendency to be less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed sides.

Drop-side crib incidents can also occur due to incorrect assembly or age-related wear and tear.  Age is a factor in the safety of any crib. At a minimum, CPSC staff recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Many older cribs do not meet current voluntary standards and can have numerous safety problems.

Important Message from CPSC:

The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or bassinet, depending on their age.  If your crib has been recalled or it has missing, broken or loose parts, find an alternate safe sleep environment intended for a baby. If your baby is less than six months old and is not yet able to push up to his/her hands and knees, you can put your baby to sleep in a bassinet. Make sure your bassinet has not been recalled. Here’s a list. Also, you can use a play yard.

Do not put additional bedding such as pillows, thick quilts, comforters or anything plush into your baby’s sleeping space. More babies die every year from suffocation in plush sleeping environments than from defective cribs. Always place your baby on his or her back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to these drop-side crib recalls or involve a different hazard with the same products.  Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually.  The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or re-sell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772, teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this press release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CINCINNATI  (Profitable.com)  The Kroger Co.’s (NYSE: KR) Board of Directors today authorized the repurchase of $500 million of Kroger common stock, replacing the $225 million remaining under the $1 billion repurchase program announced in January 2008.  The timing of the repurchases will vary according to market conditions.  

Kroger plans to use free cash flow to repurchase shares, pay dividends to shareholders and maintain its current debt rating.  

Kroger has returned $6.0 billion in total stock repurchases to shareholders since January 2000 and $929 million in dividends to shareholders since the dividend program was initiated in 2006.

From January 2000 through the end of the first quarter in fiscal 2010, Kroger reduced total debt by $1.5 billion.

“This new share repurchase authorization reflects the Board’s confidence in Kroger’s Customer 1st strategy and the Kroger team’s ability to continue to deliver results and reward shareholders, both today and in the future,” said David B. Dillon, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer.

Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 334,000 associates who serve customers in 2,470 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.  The Company also operates 779 convenience stores, 375 fine jewelry stores, 909 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S.  Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves.  For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com

This press release contains a forward-looking statement about the future performance of the Company.  This statement is based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it.  This statement is indicated by the word “plans.”  Our plans to use free cash flow to repurchase shares and to pay dividends, and our ability to maintain our current debt rating, will depend on our ability to generate free cash flow, which will be affected by increased competition, weather and economic conditions, interest rates, goodwill impairment, the success of programs designed to increase our identical supermarket sales without fuel, and labor disputes, and the extent to which repurchases can be made and dividends can be paid while still maintaining our debt rating.  The forward-looking statement is subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially.  We assume no obligation to update the information contained herein.  Please refer to Kroger’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties.

NEW YORK  (Profitable.com)  FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Jane Skinner announced today on Happening Now that she would be stepping down from her position as co-anchor of the top rated daytime news program.

In making the announcement at the conclusion of today’s show, Skinner said, “It’s been a thrill to have been a part of FNC’s success over the past 12 years. My talented co-workers have shown how hard work and a great attitude pays off. However, my life has changed significantly in those 12 years, in wonderful ways that have created new responsibilities. I added a husband who became the NFL Commissioner and who has a job even busier than mine, and twin daughters with lives even busier still.”

She continued, “To do justice to this new life, I have decided to take a break from the business. I want to thank [FOX News Chairman & CEO] Roger Ailes for his understanding and for all the opportunities he has given me. I wish everyone at FNC continued success.”

A replacement for Skinner has not been named. Jon Scott will continue to co-anchor Happening Now joined by a variety of FNC’s news talent in the interim.

Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO, FOX News, added, “Jane is a talented journalist and has been a loyal employee who has risen to every challenge presented to her over the last 12 years. We respect her decision and she will always be a member of the FOX News family.”

Skinner joined the network in 1998 as a general assignment reporter and has co-anchored FNC’s two-hour signature daytime news program, Happening Now since its 2007 inception. Previously, she anchored the afternoon edition of FOX News Live and before that she hosted and produced the popular “Skinnerville” segment on Studio B with Shepard Smith.

Prior to FNC, Skinner held an array of reporting and anchoring duties at various local news stations. She was a freelance reporter at NBC’s flagship station WNBC-TV in New York and before that, served as the primetime anchor for WITI-TV (FOX) in Milwaukee, WI. She was also a general assignment reporter for KMOV-TV (CBS) in St. Louis, MO and WCSH-TV (NBC) in Portland, ME.

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour general news service covering breaking news as well as political, business and entertainment news. For over 100 consecutive months, FNC has been the most-watched cable news channel in the country. Owned by News Corp., FNC is available in more than 90 million homes.

Wingstop First Restaurant in Dallas to Test Coca-Cola Freestyle^®, New Touch Screen Fountain Dispenser

ATLANTA  (Profitable.com)  Coca-Cola Freestyle^®, The Coca-Cola Company’s exciting new interactive fountain dispenser, is available for the first time in the Dallas area.

Long-time Coca-Cola customer Wingstop, the fast-growing chicken wing restaurant concept that has sold more than 1.9 billion wings, will be the first to offer the fountain in the Dallas area. Wingstop plans to feature Coca-Cola Freestyle in three of its locations this summer. Units will be installed in 25 additional Dallas-area restaurants later this year, including select Boston Market, CiCi’s Pizza, DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Schlotszky’s, Souper! Salad!, Taco Bueno, and Which Wich? locations.

The sleek, stylish new fountains are touch screen operated, enabling consumers to select from more than 100 regular and low-calorie beverage brands – including many varieties of waters, fruit-flavored beverages and sparkling beverages that have never before been available in the U.S. other than on Coca-Cola Freestyle. The self-serve fountains – which represent a complete departure from anything The Coca-Cola Company has offered previously – have been in development for more than four years.

“We have created a concept that is quickly becoming recognized as the soda fountain of the future – the way people will experience Coca-Cola beverages years from now,” said Gene Farrell, vice president, Coca-Cola Freestyle, Coca-Cola North America.

Early testing of the fountains began a year ago and expanded to include more than 50 restaurants across Georgia and Southern California. Results from the test indicate an increase in total restaurant sales – including fountain servings – as well as a measurable lift in traffic. The company plans future testing in other cities as early as the fall.

The Coca-Cola Freestyle^® dispenser uses unique, proprietary PurePour Technology ^TM and has the capacity to dispense up to 106 branded beverages in the same footprint as a standard eight-valve machine. Consumers can experience Coca-Cola Freestyle^® virtually at www.Facebook.com/cocacolaFreestyle.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with nearly 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke^®, Fanta^®, Sprite^®, Coca-Cola Zero™, vitaminwater^®, POWERADE^®, Minute Maid^® and Georgia Coffee™. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of nearly 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

‘Ready to Work’ Celebrates Real Work and Real People

SAN FRANCISCO  (Profitable.com)  Amid today’s widespread need for revitalization and recovery, a new generation of “real workers” has emerged, those who see challenges around them and are inspired to drive positive, meaningful change. This fall, with the introduction of Go Forth ‘Ready to Work’, the Levi’s® brand will empower and inspire workers everywhere through Levi’s® crafted product and stories of the new American worker. Bolstered by its pioneering spirit and ‘Go Forth’ rallying cry, Levi’s® will explore how a new generation of real American workers is rolling up their sleeves to make real change happen. The campaign, created in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy, kicks off this July and will reach across the Americas from the top of Canada, throughout the United States, Mexico and South America.

“Last year, driven by the pioneering spirit the Levi’s® brand has represented for more than 150 years, ‘Go Forth’ created a resonate message underscoring a new vision of hope and progress,” said Doug Sweeny, VP, Levi’s® Brand Marketing. “This year, we’re turning that energy into something tangible by engaging in meaningful conversations around ‘real work’ and celebrating the individuals who are carving the way for a better tomorrow.”

‘Ready to Work’ Campaign Spotlights Real Work in Braddock, Pennsylvania

The muse for Levi’s® new campaign is Braddock, a town embodying the demise of the blue collar base that is taking radical steps to reverse its decay. Braddock now faces a new frontier of repurpose and new work in what was once a flourishing industrial mecca. Since 2001, John Fetterman, the mayor of Braddock, has taken his fight for social justice in Braddock to the masses by enlisting the help of modern pioneers – artists, craftsmen, musicians and business owners – to rebuild and revive the town. As it rebuilds, Braddock has become a model for how any city, in any part of the country, can prevail as a symbol of hope and change.

To contribute to the real change in Braddock, the Levi’s® brand is committed to funding the refurbishment of Braddock’s community center, a focal point of the town and their youth-based programming. Additionally, Levi’s® is supporting Braddock’s urban farm, which supplies produce to local area residents at reduced costs.

Joining Braddock to help spark action in other communities in need, Levi’s® new ‘Go Forth’ campaign will feature the real people doing real work in Braddock in its newest national marketing campaign. Led by Mayor John Fetterman, the residents of Braddock shine an authentic spotlight on how vision and hard work can not only change one community, but also help to inspire the nation to aspire to greater prosperity as a whole.

Shot on location in Braddock, the campaign features a dozen residents of diverse backgrounds dressed in Levi’s® Work Wear Collection for fall. The new line features iconic pieces such as 501® jeans, denim trucker jackets and work shirts. Work wear is Levi’s® birth right. Since 1873, the Levi’s® brand has been making the clothes that pioneers have worn to build America. Today, Levi’s® is investing in the American revolution that is taking shape in Braddock. Levi’s® and Braddock are intertwined by an unshakable mantra for progress: Real People + Real Work = Real Change.

The ‘Ready to Work’ campaign launches on July 4 and features cinema, TV, print, out-of-home installations, digital elements and more. The first provocative TV spot launching in early July was shot by “The Road” director John Hillcoat. A second spot and vibrant print campaign was captured by acclaimed photographer Melodie McDaniel.

“This campaign is unlike any other that Wieden+Kennedy has created,” said Susan Hoffman, Executive Creative Director of W+K. “We did not want Braddock to be merely a backdrop in our advertising. We saw this as an opportunity for W+K and Levi’s to participate in the amazing movement that Mayor John has created and help realize his vision to reconstruct Braddock and at the same time we created an amazing Levi’s campaign.”

Additional ‘Ready to Work’ themed partnerships will be announced later this year as the campaign continues to roll out.

Levi’s® Fall 2010 Work Wear Collection

Levi’s® Work Wear Collection for Fall 2010 features iconic pieces inspired by authentic work wear staples such as 501® jeans, 505 jeans, denim trucker jackets and work shirts. The collection is not about fads – it’s about authenticity, exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail, and innovation in fits, finishes and fabrics, backed by the brand that invented work wear more than 150 years ago. Details tell the story – the finest denim fabrics, brass laurel shanks, genuine leather patches and functional waist back cinches.

Taking ‘Ready to Work’ to Local Communities through the Levi’s® Workshops

Beginning this summer, the Levi’s® brand will equip a new generation of pioneers and celebrate creative communities across the country with the launch of Levi’s® Workshops – a new, innovative approach to integrating community involvement with retailing. The workshops will serve as community-based extensions of the Go Forth campaign, paying homage to the principles of hard work and civic engagement. The Levi’s® Workshops will be multi-use spaces, featuring a functional workshop, community event space and retail storefront. The first workshop debuts in San Francisco this July, followed by a second expression of the program in New York this fall. Each workshop is designed to focus on a specific craft including printmaking and photography, and will feature forums where local pioneers in design, sports, technology, sustainability, and other interests can engage and collaborate.

Inspiring Levi’s® Pioneering Spirit through Brand Collaborations

Throughout the year, Levi’s® will continue to partner with iconic American brands on new design collaborations that embody the pioneering spirit of America. These collaborations will be guided by the values and principles of the Levi’s® brand. This fall, Levi’s® will partner with award-winning designer Billy Reid to create new, limited-edition versions of iconic heritage pieces from the Levi’s® Work Wear line. Later in the year, Levi’s® will introduce a new seasonal co-branded collection with Opening Ceremony that is rooted in classic Levi’s® styles and updated with progressive fabrics, washes and details. Additional design collaborations will be announced in the coming months.

ABOUT THE LEVI’S® BRAND

The Levi’s® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss in 1873, Levi’s® jeans have become the most recognizable and imitated clothing in the world – capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi’s® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading jeanswear and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi’s® brand, its products and stores, please visit www.levi.com.

TEWKSBURY, Mass.  (Profitable.com)  The Office of Naval Research has awarded a contract to Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) to develop next-generation phase-change cooling system technology for the U.S. Navy.

The Advanced Naval Cooling System (ANCS) program will develop system level solutions for implementing phase-change cooling technologies in future naval combatants. Raytheon’s unique solution was selected because it can provide increased performance and improved cooling density, resulting in substantial life-cycle cost savings.

“The ANCS program solves scientific and technical challenges that have prevented systems from taking advantage of the much higher performance enabled by two phase cooling,” said Michael Del Checcolo, vice president of Engineering for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). “This solution draws upon Raytheon’s extensive experience in developing advanced thermal management technologies for high-power defense electronics.”

This program is expected to last 30 months and will include two phases. The contract has a potential worth of $2.1 million if all options are exercised. Raytheon IDS will perform the work for this contract at the Surveillance and Sensors Center, Sudbury, Mass.

Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.  (Profitable.com)  Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that Scott A. Crum has been appointed senior vice president, Human Resources, for the Mobile Devices and Home business, effective July 19, 2010. Mr. Crum will lead the Mobile Devices and Home HR team.

“As Motorola prepares to separate, it is particularly important to have a capable and experienced HR function that is able to ensure continuity of business support while building and preparing both organizations for future success,” said Sanjay Jha, co-chief executive officer of Motorola and chief executive officer of Motorola Mobile Devices and Home business. “Scott is a talented and accomplished HR professional with substantial public company and Board experience that I am confident will be invaluable as we proceed with our separation.”

Crum joins Motorola from ITT Corporation where he served as senior vice president and director of Human Resources with global responsibility for ITT’s human resources policy, strategy and leadership development for the last eight years. Crum also served on ITT’s Strategic Council.  

Prior to joining ITT, Crum was the head of human resources for General Instrument Corporation and became corporate vice president, Human Resources, when that company was acquired by Motorola. Prior to joining General Instrument, Crum held a number of HR roles at Northrop Grumman, LTV and Dresser Industries.

Crum holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University.

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and focused on advancing the way the world connects.  From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to high-definition video and mobile devices, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile.  Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $22 billion in 2009. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.

NEW YORK  (Profitable.com)  Ogilvy Healthworld and CommonHealth, two of WPP’s premier healthcare marketing networks, today announced the formation of Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide.  The new entity, a combination of Ogilvy Healthworld and CommonHealth, becomes the single most innovative, resourceful — and largest — healthcare communications network in the world, with over 1,100 employees in 64 offices across 33 countries.

Matt Giegerich, President and CEO of WPP’s CommonHealth, will serve as Chairman & CEO of the newly-formed organization and hold responsibility for continued growth through client-focused insight, innovation and integration across disciplines, channels and geographies.  The core offerings of Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide will span the 360 degree range of professional and consumer advertising and promotion, relationship marketing, digital/interactive services, media planning and buying, public affairs and relations, managed care marketing, medical education, clinical trial recruitment, market research and analytics, and strategic consulting.  

Said Mr. Giegerich, “This couldn’t be a more perfect union.  CommonHealth has collaborated extensively with Ogilvy Healthworld for the past fifteen years and we have an enormous amount of trust in the talent, leadership and capabilities of this considerable network.  By combining our two organizations — and the remarkable collective talent pool within — we can now offer clients all the communications resources necessary to create and grow powerful, unified global brands in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.”

Miles Young, Global CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, said, “We are very proud to welcome the CommonHealth family into the Ogilvy Network.  The two brands are both consistent and complementary.  The healthcare business is undergoing a seismic shift as clients seek greater efficiency and effectiveness for agency alignments.  The scale this venture brings us will be a powerful catalyst to this change, and will give clients access, innovation and creativity, in depth, around the world.”

Moving forward, the group will operate under the Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide umbrella, but maintain individual Ogilvy CommonHealth and Ogilvy Healthworld brand identities in some markets.  An executive council, comprised of leadership from both organizations, will oversee all day-to-day operations, reporting to Mr. Giegerich.

Ogilvy Healthworld  

Ogilvy Healthworld is a leading global healthcare communications network with 53 offices in 33 countries.  Part of the Ogilvy & Mather network, a WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY, www.wpp.com) company, Ogilvy Healthworld provides 360 Degree marketing services including Advertising, Public Relations, Direct-to-Consumer, Direct-to-Patient, Relationship Marketing, Medical Education, Brand Development, Clinical Trial Recruitment and Global Integration.

CommonHealth

CommonHealth (www.commonhealth.com), one of the world’s leading healthcare-communications networks, is a WPP (NASDAQ/ADR: WPPGY; www.wpp.com) company.  CommonHealth companies span the spectrum from professional- and consumer-advertising agencies to firms specializing in relationship marketing and medical education.  Beyond these disciplines, CommonHealth offers clients specialized expertise in global marketing, research-based consulting, media planning and buying, managed care marketing, brand identity and design, and the latest in interactive technologies.

WPP  

WPP is a world leader in communication services.  Through its operating companies, the Group provides a comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services including advertising; media investment management; information, insight and consultancy; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing.  The company employs 135,000 people (including associates) in 2,400 offices in 107 countries.  For more information, visit www.wpp.com.

Combination Creates a Single Source for Software, Filing Services and Data that Delivers Financial Transparency for Issuers, Regulators and Investors

NEW YORK and REDWOOD CITY, Calif.  (Profitable.com)  EDGAR® Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: EDGR) and UBmatrix, Inc. today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement that would create the first global end-to-end provider of solutions for the creation, validation and analysis of XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) content.  UBmatrix is one of the original inventors of the XBRL financial standard, which is being mandated worldwide by many regulators to improve the transparency and efficiency of business reporting.

The merger would combine EDGAR Online’s position as the leading provider of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) public company XBRL filings and XBRL data, and UBmatrix’s experience as the leading XBRL software provider to independent software vendors and major U.S. and international regulators.  The combined entity will be strongly positioned to provide global markets with XBRL based transparency solutions from issuers to regulators to investors.

The merger will be an all equity transaction with the issuance by EDGAR Online of preferred and common shares equal to approximately 16% of the Company’s common stock on a fully diluted basis, subject to post-closing adjustments.  Currently UBmatrix has $1.8 million of cash on its balance sheet, and will be required to satisfy all indebtedness by the closing. In addition to the merger consideration, current UBmatrix shareholders have agreed to invest an additional $2 million in cash into the Company through the purchase of additional EDGAR Online preferred shares (convertible into 1,381,088 common shares of EDGAR Online as of January 28, 2015).

Executive Comments

“We are proud to announce this strategic merger.  UBmatrix is the leader in XBRL software and is relied upon by some of the largest regulators and software companies in the world.  EDGAR Online is a world leader in XBRL filing services and data used by some of the largest issuers and investment firms in the world.  The new company will be strongly positioned as a global leader in XBRL software, services and data,” said Philip Moyer, President and CEO of EDGAR Online.  ”We expect this combination of businesses, brands and intellectual capital will allow us to expand the set of solutions we can offer to customers and partners in this rapidly growing market.”

“Creating a single comprehensive source for XBRL solutions in support of financial transparency will accelerate the market for this information exchange standard,” said Sunir Kapoor, President and CEO of UBmatrix, which is a privately held company headquartered in Redwood City, California.  ”Just as important, we believe that we will have the broadest and strongest network of partners in the industry.  We expect this to ease adoption of the XBRL standard for organizations across the global financial information supply chain – from corporate filers and regulators to financial data providers and investors.”

Kapoor to Remain President of UBmatrix; Schuler to Join Board of EDGAR Online

Under the terms of the agreement, UBmatrix will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of EDGAR Online.  It is expected to initially operate as a standalone unit of the combined company, using its existing brand and under the leadership of Kapoor, who will serve as President of the unit.  Barry Schuler, a director on the board of UBmatrix and former chairman and CEO of America Online Inc., will join the board of EDGAR Online at closing.

When the merger becomes effective, the shareholders of UBmatrix will be entitled to receive an initial payment of approximately 74,379 shares of EDGAR Online Series C Preferred Stock (initially convertible into 5,129,573 shares of common stock) and 2,685,088 shares of EDGAR Online Common Stock in consideration for the merger, a portion of which shares of common stock will be issued to employees of UBmatrix.  Approximately 1,622,042 shares of EDGAR Online Common Stock will be paid into escrow to secure the post-closing indemnification obligations of the UBmatrix stockholders. Through January 28, 2015, Series C Preferred Stock issued in the merger is expected to receive paid-in-kind dividends that will result in it being convertible into an additional 2,998,957 shares of EDGAR Online common stock.  In connection with the merger agreement and simultaneously with the closing, the UBmatrix shareholders will purchase an additional $2 million worth of Series C Preferred Stock with cash (initially convertible into 871,546 shares of common stock) pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement. This Series C Preferred Stock is expected to receive paid-in-kind dividends that will result in it being convertible into an additional 509,542 shares of EDGAR Online common stock.

Since its founding, EDGAR Online has transformed itself from a provider of U.S. SEC EDGAR documents into the leading provider of XBRL filing services, data and analytical tools, and has produced over 37% of all mandated XBRL filings submitted to the SEC to date, without a single restatement.  EDGAR Online has also built the only historical XBRL data set in the U.S. market, which is widely used by money managers, ETFs, hedge funds, and corporate analysts.

UBmatrix is a leading provider of a complete portfolio of XBRL-based software solutions for global regulatory organizations and commercial enterprises, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Keane Federal Systems under contract to the SEC, Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario, Banque de France and Belgian Tax Authority.  UBmatrix licenses XBRL software solutions to some of the world’s largest enterprise software vendors including Oracle and SAP.  UBmatrix holds the seminal XBRL patent #6,947,947, issued in 2005 and entitled “method for adding metadata to data.”

The definitive merger agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of  both companies and by the shareholders of UBmatrix.  The issuance of the EDGAR Online stock in the merger and certain of the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are subject to a vote by the EDGAR Online shareholders.  Closing is contingent on this approval as well as other customary closing conditions.  If the agreement is approved by shareholders, it is anticipated that the merger will be consummated in the third quarter of 2010.

Conference Call Details

EDGAR Online will host a conference call to discuss this announcement at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time today. EDGAR Online’s President and CEO, Philip Moyer, will host the call along with Sunir Kapoor, President and CEO of UBmatrix. To participate, please dial 877-407-8031 (Domestic) or 201-689-8031(International).

The call will also be broadcast simultaneously and archived on the Internet at: http://www.edgar-online.com/investor/.

About XBRL

XBRL is a language for the electronic communication of business and financial data which is revolutionizing business reporting around the world.  In 2009, the SEC mandated that public companies submit XBRL documents to the SEC along with their quarterly, annual, and other public filings over a three-year phase-in period.  The US FDIC has been collecting reports in XBRL since 2005.  The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has mandated that all companies submit their annual tax filings in XBRL to the HMRC beginning in April 2011.  In addition, banking, financial and  tax regulators in Australia, China, France, Germany, Japan, and other countries across the globe are adopting XBRL as a regulatory standard as it  improves the efficiency and transparency regulatory compliance.

About EDGAR® Online, Inc.

EDGAR Online, Inc. (www.edgar-online.com) (Nasdaq: EDGR) is a leader in the distribution of company data and public filings for equities, mutual funds and a variety of other publicly traded assets. The company delivers its information products via online subscriptions and data licenses directly to end-users, embedded in other web sites and through a variety of redistributors.  EDGAR Online has also developed proprietary automated systems that allow for the rapid conversion of data and is a pioneer and leader in XBRL.  The company uses its automated processing platform and its expertise in XBRL to produce both datasets and tools and to assist organizations with the creation, management and distribution of XBRL financial reports.

About UBmatrix

UBmatrix, Inc. (www.ubmatrix.com) is the leading provider of XBRL-based software solutions for global organizations and enterprises, enabling them to more efficiently and effectively address the challenges of business and financial information management, Governance, Risk and Compliance and external reporting.  UBmatrix markets through an extensive network of OEM partners, including Oracle, SAP, Information Builders, and Wolters Kluwer, and implementation partners including Aguilonius Consulting, CapGemini, Ciber, CSC, Deloitte, INMAN, Kolon-Benit, NTT Data, and Umanis.  Users of UBmatrix solutions include the FDIC, Banque de France, and Keane Federal Systems under contract to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  UBmatrix XBRL solutions increase operational efficiency and financial transparency, and ensure reporting accuracy and regulatory compliance.  UBmatrix is based in Silicon Valley with development centers in Bellevue, WA, and New Delhi, India.

Additional Information

In connection with the proposed issuances of EDGAR Online stock in the above-described transactions, EDGAR Online will file with the SEC a proxy statement.  EDGAR Online will mail the proxy statement to its stockholders. EDGAR Online urges investors and security holders to read the proxy statement regarding the proposed issuances when it becomes available because it will contain important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding these transactions, free of charge, at the SEC’s web site (www.sec.gov). You may also obtain these documents free from EDGAR Online at www.edgar-online.com, or by contacting the EDGAR Online Investor Relations Department at (203) 852-5660.

EDGAR Online and its directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be soliciting proxies from EDGAR Online stockholders in favor of the stock issuances. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the EDGAR Online stockholders in connection with the proposed stock issuances will be set forth in the proxy statement when it is filed with the SEC. You can find information about EDGAR Online’s executive officers and directors in the proxy statement for EDGAR Online’s 2009 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 27, 2009, and in its Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 29, 2010. Free copies of these documents may be obtained from EDGAR Online as described above.

Use of Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this press release. These statements relate to future events and/or our future financial performance and include, without limitation, statements regarding our future growth prospects, future demand for our XBRL business, future innovations in our data and solutions and subscriptions business, the integration of UBmatrix into our business and the approval by our shareholders of certain transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. These statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results. EDGAR Online, Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Please refer to the documents filed by EDGAR Online, Inc. with the SEC, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to risks associated with our ability to (i) increase revenues, (ii) obtain profitability, (iii) obtain additional financing, (iv) changes in general economic and business conditions (including in the online business and financial information industry), (v) actions of our competitors, (vi) the extent to which we are able to develop new services and markets for our services, (vii) the time and expense involved in such development activities, (viii) risks in connection with acquisitions, (ix) the level of demand and market acceptance of our services, (x) changes in our business strategies and (xi) risks relating to the merger with UBmatrix, Inc. and the integration of its business into ours.

EDGAR® is a federally registered trademark of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EDGAR Online is not affiliated with or approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

AUSTIN, Texas  (Profitable.com)  Magic Brands, LLC, and Fuddruckers, Inc. has announced that the Company has obtained bankruptcy court approval of the sale of substantially all of its assets to Luby’s, Inc (NYSE:LUB).

Luby’s operates 96 restaurants in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley and other locations throughout Texas and other states. Luby’s provides its customers with quality home-style food, value pricing, and outstanding customer service. Luby’s Culinary Services provides food service management to 17 sites consisting of healthcare, higher education and corporate dining locations.

“The approval of the sale of Fuddruckers to Luby’s affirms our belief and confidence in the strength of the Fuddruckers brand and operations,” said Magic Brands CEO Peter Large. “The management team and advisors, along with the Official Unsecured Creditors’ Committee, worked tirelessly to obtain the highest and best value for the brands and we have done just that with the sale to Luby’s.”

The transaction is expected to close by July 26, 2010, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of other customary closing conditions.

For further information regarding the sale transaction and restructuring process, please contact the Company’s information line at 877-340-2764 or visit www.fuddruckersrestructures.com.

About Fuddruckers

Based in Austin, Texas, Magic Brands, LLC currently operates 62 Fuddruckers locations in 11 states and 3 Koo Koo Roo restaurants in California. An additional 135 Fuddruckers restaurants are operated by franchisees who are small business owners and multi-unit operators. Since its founding in 1980, Fuddruckers has delivered uncompromised quality and freshness with its own brand of always fresh, never frozen, 100% All-American, premium-cut, vegetarian-fed beef. Fuddruckers 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 and one-pound Fudds Prime™ burgers are grilled to order and placed on a Fuddruckers scratch-baked bun made fresh daily in Fuddruckers restaurant bakeries — ready for guests to pile it high at Fuddruckers Market Fresh Produce bar for a Build Your Own Burger experience like none other.