Call it a homecoming.
When Toyota introduced Lexus to the U.S. market in 1989, the Georgetown, Ky., plant – its first stand-alone vehicle manufacturing facility in America – was just in its second year of producing the Camry.
Fast forward 26 years and that same plant is celebrating the start of U.S. Lexus production. Today at a ceremony fit for a luxury brand king, the first-ever U.S.-produced ES 350 was unveiled before several thousand proud team members in Georgetown. And, just like a newborn foal at the nearby horse farms in Central Kentucky, the newcomer was brought into the world with plenty of TLC and hope for a bright future.
“This is really a proud moment for us and brings us full circle,” said Wil James, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. “To be the first wholly owned plant, building the number one best-selling car in America, the Camry, for 13 years in a row, and then to be selected to build the first Lexus is truly a tribute to our team members.”
For the past two and a half years, the Kentucky plant – Toyota’s largest in North America – has been gearing up to make the ES 350, Lexus’ best-selling sedan in the U.S. In all, $360 million was invested toward a new dedicated assembly line, adding 750 new jobs. Total capacity for the new line will be 50,000 vehicles.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7655351-lexus-kentucky-plant-es-350/
Celebrating its fifth anniversary next year, the JNA Awards, the jewellery and gemstone industry's premier platform for recognising innovative and high-achieving individuals and enterprises, announces changes to its award categories.
The organiser of the event, JNA (Jewellery News Asia), has made adjustments to a few award categories to encourage greater participation from more regions and, at the same time, consolidate some categories that are judged against a similar set of criteria. In 2016, the JNA Awards will have 11 categories, including the Lifetime Achievement Award -- the recipient of which will be selected by the organiser.
Of the above-mentioned list, the two Manufacturer of the Year categories have been broadened to encourage wider stakeholder involvement from the manufacturing sector. The scope of the Outstanding Enterprise of the Year categories has also been expanded to inspire companies from regions outside of the ASEAN and Mainland China to join the awards.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7705051-jna-awards-2016/
CNA and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) today announced Antis Roofing & Waterproofing as this year’s winner of the CNA/NRCA Community Involvement Award. The Community Involvement Award honors the outstanding acts of heroism performed by NRCA contractor members for their communities.
As winner, Antis received a $7,500 monetary donation from CNA to be bestowed to its charity of choice. The organization selected OneOC, which supports nonprofits with volunteers, training, consulting and fiscal sponsorship.
“CNA recognizes the value of a strong work ethic – both in the office and in the community, and we’re proud to recognize Antis for doing more than their part to strengthen their Orange County community,” said Aaron Kock, Assistant Vice President and Industry Leader, CNA.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8051651-cna-nrca-community-involvement-award-2017/
Launched in January, Flatbed Cider Co. (www.flatbedcider.com) offers consumers an all-new craft cider made from the apples that made the Northwest famous around the world. The company’s two offerings, a Crisp Apple Cider and a Pear Cider are now available at restaurants and retailers throughout Washington State and Oregon.
While various hard ciders have been produced in the U.S. since the repeal of prohibition, the Northwest has recently become the epicenter of a craft cider revolution. Since 2012, cider’s popularity has grown more than 60 percent each year, with the strongest growth happening in Washington State and Oregon¹. Flatbed ferments its hard ciders from local, whole-pressed apples—rather than the apple juice concentrate used by many brands—and limits the time from branch to bottle to minimize oxidation and maximize Flatbed’s bright, rustic apple character.
Flatbed’s Crisp Apple Cider has a drier taste profile than most widely-available ciders in the U.S. Flatbed Crisp Apple Cider is all-natural, with no added sugar or artificial ingredients and is naturally gluten-free. Jonagold apples picked at their peak deliver the balance and acidity behind Flatbed’s exceptionally bright taste while Red Delicious apples provide tannin structure. Golden Delicious apples add a rustic apple character with a twist of subtle sweetness. And, heirloom varietals like Newtown Pippins and Gravensteins—which are hand-selected from batch-to-batch—add bucolic Northwest charm to the blend. Thanks to its bright acidity and drier flavor profile, Flatbed’s Crisp Apple Cider pairs with nearly anything that comes from the sea, farm or food cart. The Crisp Apple Cider is currently available in a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles with an SRP of $10.99.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7409455-flatbed-cider-northwest-launch/
JNA (Jewellery News Asia), organiser of the prestigious JNA Awards, announces the list of Honourees/finalists across 10 categories at a press conference today held on the sidelines of the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.
The JNA Awards, now in its fifth year, is a premier awards programme that recognises and celebrates excellence and achievement in the jewellery and gemstone industry, with a focus on the advancement of the trade in Asia.
This year, 39 Honourees representing 28 companies from 10 countries/regions, namely Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, were selected. A third of these finalists were either first-time entrants or Honourees.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7864851-jna-awards-2016/
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that it is seeking applicants for its Youth Preparedness Council. FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council was formed in 2012 to bring together teens from across the country who are interested and engaged in advocating for preparedness. Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, efforts in making a difference in their communities, and potential to expand their impact as national advocates for preparedness. Students in 8th through 11th grade are eligible to apply.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8025651-fema-youth-preparedness-council-applicants/
JUST Water, a new 100% spring water from JUST™, has launched in Tetra Pak’s Tetra Top® paper-based bottle. This marks the U.S. launch of this contemporary, one-step open package that offers a new way for brands to deliver grab-and-go beverages to forward-thinking consumers. Tetra Top is a departure from traditional beverage packaging with its clean, modern look, bottle-shaped design and recyclable packaging made primarily from paper, a renewable resource.
“With focus on environmental and social stewardship, JUST Water offers consumers a different type of packaged water that feels as good as it tastes,” said Grace Jeon, CEO of JUST™. “Tetra Top aligns with our brand ethos. The carton delivers a sleek, sustainable package that not only protects our great water but also is compelling to our consumers.”
JUST™ selected Tetra Top because of the carton’s low carbon footprint and a manufacturing process that conserves energy and water. Moreover, the carton has post-recyclable use as paper products and green building materials.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7609551-tetra-pak-just-water/
A profile of Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft organization, kicks off the 22nd season of The Visionaries, an award-winning public television series, hosted by acclaimed actor Sam Waterston. The Visionaries documentary series highlights the stories of individuals and nonprofit organizations that are working to create positive social change throughout the world. Visionaries has selected Smile Train to be profiled because the organization’s impact represents a unique opportunity to explore the seldom discussed issue of “appearance” in human society.
The Visionaries series takes viewers around the world to experience the lives of extraordinary people tackling some of humanity’s toughest challenges. The series guides viewers on a journey that leads to real solutions with proven outcomes, many of which have the potential to change the world.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8293751-smile-train-the-visionaries-documentary-pbs-series/
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently released its list of the World’s Top 15 Model Cities for Best Practices in Tourism. Hangzhou, China was included in the list for its innovative efforts in the protection and development of as well as continuous investment in the city’s historical and cultural resources.
In December 2016, UNWTO created an award recognizing the 15 cities worldwide considered by the organization as examples to emulate when it come to the adoption of best practices in tourism, among its 193 member countries. UNWTO plans to expand the best practices applied by the winners in other global destination cities. UNWTO selected 15 winners based on the results of a survey and a performance evaluation program conducted by a panel of judges at a special evaluation meeting held in September 2017.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8243851-hangzhou-china-top-15-cities-best-practices-tourism/
Just in time for National Cheeseburger Day, The Capital Grille announced today the return of Wagyu & Wine, an elevated twist of Wagyu burgers paired with elegant wines. Now through Nov. 19, guests are invited to The Capital Grille’s lounge to experience three Wagyu burgers, paired with one of three hand-selected wines from the esteemed Wagner winemakers.
For $25*, guests can enjoy a gourmet Wagyu burger paired with one of three prestigious wines, typically available exclusively by the bottle: Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley); Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands); and Emmolo Merlot (Napa Valley). These exceptional wines were hand-selected by The Capital Grille’s Advanced Sommelier Brian Phillips to pair perfectly with the gourmet Wagyu burgers.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8171751-the-capital-grille-wagyu-and-wine-returns/
Seatrade has selected Maersk Container Industry as the main supplier for its expanding reefer container fleet. The 4,000 new Star Cool Integrated™ reefers will be equipped with the latest technology to protect perishable cargo during long-distance transportation and keep energy consumption at a minimum.
The order of 4,000 new Star Cool Integrated reefers from Maersk Container Industry (MCI) will reinforce Seatrade’s perishable and sensitive cargo logistics, where durable and cutting-edge reefer technology is playing a vital role. Seatrade is a leader in specialised reefer services and the world’s largest specialised reefer carrier.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7955051-mci-manufactures-new-integrated-reefers/
Habanos, S.A together with its exclusive Asia Pacific distributor “The Pacific Cigar Co, LTD” launches Trinidad La Trova (52 ring gauge x 166mm length), an innovative and exclusive production designed especially for the “La Casa del Habano” network of specialist stores.
Trinidad La Trova (52 ring gauge x 166mm length) is made "Totalmente a Mano con Tripa Larga" - Totally Handmade with Long Filler - and their leaves are specially selected from the Vuelta Abajo* region in Pinar del Río*, Cuba*, the best land in the world for growing tobacco. To manufacture this product, expert Cuban torcedores –cigar rollers– work painstakingly to create a meticulous and exquisite cigar that meets the expectations of the most discerning and demanding Habanos smokers.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8223951-trinidad-la-trova-habanos-presentation/