Daily News Mug

June 14, 2013
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Jacob: Affordable Women’s Fashion in Canada

While the big-name fashion houses may hold dominance over the world’s retail market, only a handful can really afford to spend thousands on fashion items. Fortunately, small clothing store chains such as Jacob, formally Boutique Jacob, Inc., have been established in order to fill the need for affordable yet stylish clothing. Based in Montreal, Quebec, this Canadian company has over 200 stores in Canadian malls, offering a wide range of girls’ and women’s fashion selections.

Jacob was founded in 1977 by Jacob Basmaji in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. Targeting the female demographic ages 20-40, Jacob is the formal attire label of the group, while Jacob Connexion is the casual comfort division. Jacob Lingerie sells women’s undergarments and Josef sells clothing for women over 35. In the past, Jacob sold children’s clothing under Jacob Jr. and menswear under Jacob Homme, both of which have been discontinued. Apart from a solid presence in Canada, Jacob likewise has stores in the USA, the first being a Jacob in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

June 11, 2013
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Globe International: A World Presence in Street Fashion

If there’s one area of retail that’s guaranteed to keep going strong no matter how bad the world economy is, it’s fashion. People love to buy clothes and shoes, through bad times and good, and when you’re a well-established company like Globe International, there’s no fear of going under as long as the dedication to quality and a strong sense of customer satisfaction keeps up. Those, and a successful foray into the arena of action sports and streetwear are what have made this Australian company a heavyweight world contender in apparel, accessories and footwear.

Globe International was started by the Hill brothers in 1984 out of Hardcore Enterprises. The latter was established by skaters Peter and Stephen Hill, along with brother Matt Hill. The brothers were unsatisfied with the quality of skateboarding goods made available in Australia at the time, and decided to remedy this by importing products from the USA – a move that proved highly successful. The Hill brothers took to advertising, holding contests and events to promote skateboarding, thus establishing a firm customer base that was responsible for the skateboard craze in 1980s Australia and New Zealand. Hardcore then began diversifying under Die Hard Pty Ltd, producing international labels in the country. Die Hard would later be branded as Globe International’s Streetwear Division, and was one of Australia’s most lucrative clothing brands until its acquisition by Pacific Brands.

Globe International went global with its Los Angeles launch in 1995, contributing to the American skater and streetwear culture by providing board sports goods, apparel and footwear. In 2003, the company entered Europe, beginning with operations in Hossegor, France. Globe International now holds the proprietary brands of Globe, Gallaz, Dwindle, enjoi, Blind, Almost, Cliché, Darkstar, Tensor, Speed Demons and Superior, and distributes several more well-known labels in skate and streetwear. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Globe International sells products to over 100 countries worldwide and shows all indications of a strengthening presence in the years to come.

June 7, 2013
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Johnny Bench: National Baseball Hall of Famer

The public recognizes the big names in sports like Babe Ruth, Pete Rose and Joe DiMaggio; however, die-hard fans can tell you all about players like Johnny Bench. Johnny Bench was a key member of The Big Red Machine (a nickname given to the Cincinnati Reds baseball team during the 70-76 seasons). While the Reds dominated on the field, they won four National League Pennants, 5 National League Western Division titles and 2 World Series. Between 1970 and 1976, the Cincinnati Reds averaged 98 wins per season.

Johnny Bench

During his baseball career, Johnny Bench had several accolades to his name, including but not limited to:

  • 1970- MVP Youngest man name most valuable player, record 148 runs batted in, 45 homeruns and hit a .293
  • 1972- MVP, 40 homeruns and a dramatic ninth inning leadoff in final game of National League Playoffs.
  • 1974- 108 runs, 129 RBI,
  • 1976-1980- final four years of his career.

June 4, 2013
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A. Bartlett Giamatti: Lifetime of Achievement

A. Bartlett Giamatti did not live to be a very old man, but in his lifetime, he definitely achieved more than the average individual did. He began his life in Boston Massachusetts. He is the grandson of Italian immigrants and son of Valentine John Giamatti and Mary Claybaugh Walton.

Early Life and Education

Learning, it seems, was a family tradition among the Giamatti’s. A. Bartlett’s parents were both college graduates and his father was a professor and chairman of the Department of Latin Language and Literature. Bartlett would obtain his education from:

  • South Hadley High School- Boston
  • Overseas School of Rome- Junior Year
  • Phillips Academy- Prestigious prep school in Andover Mass
  • Yale University- graduated magna cum laude, Bachelor of Arts degree in English
  • Yale- PHD Comparative literature

Professional Life and Baseball

A. Bartlett Giamatti did not rest on his laurels after graduating from college. He quickly rose up the ranks at Yale University from assistant professor of English in 1966 to Yale President in 1978, a position he would hold for ten years and through some very difficult times.

Literature and learning may have been Giamatti’s profession but baseball was his passion. In fact, when offered the presidency at Yale he jokingly said the only thing he ever wanted was to be president of the American League. A. Bartlett would fulfill his passions by first becoming the president of the National League and then Baseball Commissioner.  It was his dedication to the game and improving fan experience that got him elected commissioner by a unanimous vote.

Death

Sadly, just a few months into his role as Baseball Commissioner, A. Bartlett Giamatti suffered a major heart attack at his home in Martha’s Vineyard. It is hard to say what this man would have accomplished had his life not been cut short.

May 31, 2013
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WEX, Inc: Charge Your Fuel and Maintenance Card, Go West

Known as Wright Express Corporation before its name change on October 2012, WEX, Inc. is an established provider of physical, virtual and digital card payment solutions for international businesses. Such is its wide acceptance that more than 90% of the United States’ retail fuel stations as well as more than 45,000 maintenance stations accept WEX-issued cards. Its customers include commercial and government fleets using the charge cards for everything from fuel purchases to maintenance services.

With such a wide network, WEX must maintain its business relationships with the likes of MasterCard, Telapoint, and Pacific Pride. But it is not just in the United States that the company has gained acceptance either – its international subsidiaries are aplenty, too, so much so that boasting about being able to travel by car across border using WEX charge cards may not be an exaggeration.

Clients can choose from two solutions, namely, the Fleet Payment solutions for commercial and government fleet vehicles, and the Other Payment Solutions for individual customers who want to benefit from WEX’s excellent payment products.

May 28, 2013
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United Therapeutics Corporation: Leading the Way in Biotechnology

Individuals diagnosed with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions as well as their families, healthcare providers, and caregivers understandably rely on modern-day medical science and its instrumentalities for their treatments. The likes of United Therapeutics Corporation, a well-known biotechnology company, provide hope for these individuals through their products as well as via their research and development programs.

Indeed, the company’s products and services continue to improve the quality of lives and lengthen the lifespan of millions of patients around the world. Ask patients as well as their families about the impact of the company’s medicines on their lives and their observations are favorable for obvious reasons. United Therapeutics prides itself, after all, on its ultimate goal of the improvement of their patients’ quality of life and stories in such vein serve as its inspiration and reward.

All of the company’s income-generating products are in the cardiovascular field specifically in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These medicines are Remodulin, Tyvaso and Adcirca.

But United Therapeutics is also expanding its research and development efforts into infectious diseases and cancer. Its thrust is double-fold – build its business value in cardiovascular treatments and build its future franchises in other areas of medicine.

Such thrust has certainly earned it many accolades from the biotechnology industry as well as impressive sales figures – $827M as of October 2012, a 37% increase in sales and a 30% growth on earnings per share from 2011. Shareholders are presumably happy with their 8% return on equity considering the gloomy outlook of the US economy of late.

Forbes, a well-respected business magazine, in its list of America’s Best Small Companies ranked United Therapeutics as number 12 for its 2012 report. Keep in mind that the list includes the top 25 public companies with revenues under $1 billion for the year covered.

The bottom line: United Therapeutics is an excellent investment so perhaps we must look into it soon.

May 24, 2013
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Magar Hatworks: Creating Customized Hats the Traditional Way

Hats, especially ostentatious and sensational ones, are generally considered the realm of Europe, specifically the United Kingdom. But American company Magar Hatworks and its founder and owner, Leigh Magar, beg to differ. A milliner from South Carolina, Leigh Magar realized her high school talents and creativity in sculpting by taking up millinery at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology and applying it in the creation of Magar Hatworks.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Magar Hatworks is home to some of the country’s – and the world’s – best hats. Seen in department store Barneys and on the heads of celebrities such as Christina Aguilera, Magar Hatworks is a popular go-to brand for anything from simple berets to more fantastic ones such as those won at sporting events. Using traditional millinery techniques in all of Magar Hatworks’ creations, the company has become synonymous with uniqueness, elegance and an unsurpassed dedication to superb, hand-made quality.

May 21, 2013
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Bulgari: A Revel in Jewellery and Luxurious Accessories

Among the well-known couture houses on the planet, only a handful stand out when it comes to an exclusive dealership in high-end jewellery, watches and accessories. Most of the major fashion labels deal in clothing, footwear, luggage and leather goods, making and putting their own mark on the industry. Italian giant Bulgari, however, is a different story. Stylized BVLGARI, Bulgari is one of the oldest and most prestigious names in luxury goods, made more so by its inclusion in the French LVMH group of companies in 2011.

Bulgari was founded in 1884 by Sotirios Voulgaris, a jeweller of the Ottoman Empire. His first shop was located in Paramythia, where it still stands today, but it was in Rome where he established Bulgari as a business. Bulgari was then handed down through succeeding generations in the family. In the 1970s, Gianni Bulgari revamped the entire company, adding a watch division and going international by setting up shops in New York City, Geneva, Paris and Monte-Carlo. The company now has more than 300 stores all over the world, located only in the most prestigious shopping establishments. The largest Bulgari store at present is in Tokyo, Japan – a 10-storey building named Bulgari Ginza Tower 940 square meters wide that houses a restaurant and a lounge bar.

Bulgari has since expanded its product line to include fragrances, cosmetics and even hotels. Its jewellery and accessory designs are characterized by bold, weighty architectural motifs and the use of colored gems like sapphires. Widely imitated, genuine Bulgari products, especially watches, come with serial numbers. While under the umbrella of LVMH, Bulgari is currently headed by Paolo Bulgari, Chairman and a descendant of the original founder, and Francesco Trapani, CEO. The company has retained its billion-dollar status until now, and continues to be one of the most sought-after brands in luxurious lifestyle products.

May 17, 2013
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Lyle & Scott: Scottish Knitwear Since 1874

If there’s something to be said for knitwear, it’s that it is not only synonymous with comfort, it is clothing that has always been and will always be a classic. Lyle & Scott certainly fits the bill for both qualities, having been a notable name in golfing knitwear since 1874. Lyle & Scott’s golden eagle logo has been worn by popular musicians, professional golfers and television personalities alike, a testament to its likeability as a clothing brand.

Lyle & Scott was first founded by William Lyle and Walter Scott in Hawick, Scotland. Now with its headquarters in Selkirk, Scotland, Lyle & Scott stands behind its prestigious history of manufacturing quality knitwear. In fact, its modern designs still draw from the company’s archives, which feature the works of renowned fashion designers Christian Dior and Michael Kors. Still wildly popular among golfers worldwide, Lyle & Scott has recently expanded its range to include accessories and has extended to meet the younger demographic, as evident in its appearance in the television show, “Skins”.

May 14, 2013
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Tiger Airways: Leading the Way in Asia-Pacific’s Budget Flight Options

The Asia-Pacific region and Australia all have something in common: unlike their European, South and North American counterparts, they are countries that require either a water-based or air-based means of transportation to get to and from. Because these countries are islands, strong air transportation systems have been necessary in order to ensure that life goes on. Tiger Airways Holdings is one of the major airline companies servicing both Asia-Pacific and Australia, catering to the needs of millions of people to be in far-off destinations in the quickest time possible.

Tiger Airways Holdings is the parent company of both Tiger Airways, which operates in Asia-Pacific, and Tiger Airways Australia, which services domestic locations in Australia. The airline company was founded in 2004 in Singapore, where it is also currently based. Since its launch, Tiger Airways has seen a massive increase in its operations, and has now become an increasingly positive choice for flyers looking for low-cost flights to short destinations within the region. The company also owns major shares in Mandala Airlines of Indonesia and SEAir or South East Asian Airlines of the Philippines. The airline company flies to more than 50 destinations in 13 countries, including to major airports within Australia.

In Australia, Tiger Airways launched in 2007 and has now become the third most prevalent airline company of choice in the country following Qantas and Virgin Airways. Tiger Airways Australia is in the process of expanding its operations and hopes to service more destinations in the country within the next few years. As a company, Tiger Airways has been awarded the 2010 Low-Cost Airline of the Year Award at CAPA’s Aviation Awards for Excellence, the Top Airline by Growth in Passenger Carriage at the Changi Airline Awards for 3 years running, and continues to maintain its commitment to safety, security and reliability.