Latest news with #Glo
Boston Globe
01-07-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Years in the making, Amazon unveils new facility, touting 1,500 jobs and millions in tax revenue for Johnston, R.I.
And while the $400 million facility first opened its doors to its now more than 1,500 full-time workers in October, site leader Sultan Kabiawu said the operation had reached what he considered 'a new maturity point' by Tuesday morning. Advertisement 'We've grown to a point where we're able to serve the demand that we would like to serve in the local area,' Kabiawu said. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up A look inside Amazon's facility in Johnston, R.I. The site employs approximately 1,500 people. Christopher Gavin/Globe Staff So set the backdrop of Tuesday's official ribbon cutting for the center – the end of a years-long effort to get the online retailer up and running off of Route 6, about eight miles west of downtown Providence. The location is prime for Amazon: Kabiawu said the site allowed the company to reduce the time it takes to get orders to customers – the latest piece in the retailer's regionalization strategy. The facility holds approximately 41 million items spanning the consumer spectrum, from toys and books to electronics and 'everyday essentials,' he said. But local and state officials on hand Tuesday were also quick to point out a few other numbers. Advertisement Thanks to Related : The project is 'the essence of what we do here in Johnston,' Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena, Jr. said Tuesday. The town of nearly 30,000 people plays 'Here in Johnston, we have fully embraced our local, regional, and national transformation into a service economy,' Polisena said. 'The premise we follow here is simple: The more commercial tax revenue you generate, the less you need to ask from your residents. That formula has worked for us, and it's honestly one that can work anywhere.' Related : Address labels are placed on boxes inside Amazon's facility in Johnston, R.I. Christopher Gavin/Globe Staff Brad Griggs, who leads economic development for Amazon in New England, the mid-Atlantic region, and Canada, said the company is 'proud to call Rhode Island home.' The facility picks, packs, and prepares packages for transport to sorting and logistics facilicites across the Northeast, he said. Construction on the center began in 2022, and according to Kabiawu, the facility is now fully staffed. Wages start at $20.50 per hour. Governor Dan McKee said Amazon has been 'a great partner' for the state. 'They're helping us with our small business transition into this world of [online] retail,' McKee said. Advertisement More than 60 percent of Amazon sales are from independent sellers, most of them small- and medium-sized businesses, according to the company. In Rhode Island, those sellers averaged more than $160,000 in annual sales and sold more than 4 million items last year, Amazon said. Amazon employee Kaitlin Correia-Sweeney loads items into bins at the company's new order fulfillment facility in Johnston, R.I. on Tuesday. Christopher Gavin/Globe Staff Among the local sellers is John Speights, owner of Cooper's Cask Coffee, based in East Greenwich. Speights, who previously had a 20-year career in tech, officially launched the business in 2015, after he began roasting coffee in a garage for fun, he said. Related : These days, the business has a small staff: two-full time employees and five-part-time workers during the holiday season, he said. 'Amazon has been huge for us. It's enabled us to scale without having to invest in infrastructure,' Speights said in an interview on Tuesday. 'During the holiday season, we'll sell 20,000 or 30,000 units, all in December, and without that infrastructure it'd be very difficult to do that.' According to Amazon, since 2010, the company has invested $1 billion in Rhode Island, 'including infrastructure and compensation to employees, adding another $1 billion to the state gross domestic product.' The company also owns a delivery station and three Whole Foods Market locations throughout the state. The entrance to Amazon's new facility in Johnston, R.I. Christopher Gavin/Globe Staff Christopher Gavin can be reached at
![[KH Interview] Korea central to BAT's smokeless pivot: COO](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F06%2F29%2Fnews-p.v1.20250629.f0d5b07b54594595887ee1dfff0d2fa1_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[KH Interview] Korea central to BAT's smokeless pivot: COO](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fkoreaherald.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Korea Herald
29-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[KH Interview] Korea central to BAT's smokeless pivot: COO
London-based tobacco giant targets 50% of sales from non-combustibles by 2035 British American Tobacco, one of the world's largest tobacco firms, is reinforcing its commitment to South Korea as a strategic hub for its smokeless transformation, positioning the country as both a key innovation testbed and a competitive frontline for next-generation nicotine alternatives, according to the group's top executive. BAT Group Chief Operating Officer Johan Vandermeulen said Korea's value to the London-based group extends far beyond immediate sales, speaking in an exclusive interview with The Korea Herald at the headquarters of the group's Korean unit, BAT Rothmans, in Seoul on June 20. 'Korea offers a unique blend of sophisticated consumers, cutting-edge technology and a dynamic regulatory environment that makes it an ideal testing ground for our next-generation products,' said Vandermeulen, a 30-year BAT veteran who assumed the role of global COO in 2023. He visited Korea as part of an Asia tour that also included Japan and China. Korea was the second market globally to launch BAT's tobacco heating product Glo in 2017, and is currently the second-largest heated products market globally — two signs that reflect BAT's confidence in Korea as a proving ground for innovation, he said. Since then, the Korean heated tobacco market has become one of the most competitive in the world, with nearly every major global player vying for market share. BAT is aiming to stay ahead by focusing on product innovation, localization strategies and technology enhancements tailored to Korean consumers, who Vandermeulen described as 'distinct and trend-sensitive.' 'BAT Rothmans here possesses exceptional capabilities, and our manufacturing facility in Sacheon (in South Gyeongsang Province) is regarded as one of the best within the entire BAT Group,' he added. 'Innovation, technology and talent — these are the core strengths of the Korean market, and why BAT is so focused on it.' The company's Glo Hyper series was the first device in its lineup to feature a display screen and boost button, both aimed at improving user experience. BAT developed the heating sticks specifically for the Korean consumer palate. BAT has also rolled out its vapor brand, Vuse, in Korea, emphasizing quality, product stewardship and responsible marketing. The devices come in various formats — slim and box types — and exclude flavors and features that could appeal to minors. 'We ensure that our vapor products are first stewarded at an ingredient level. Ingredients to be included in e-liquids must be, at minimum, food grade, with nicotine being pharmaceutical grade. We believe similar standards should be formally introduced and required for vaping products across the industry,' he said. Alongside Glo and Vuse, BAT is expanding globally into nicotine pouches — a category that does not involve inhalation and is now its fastest-growing segment, already launched in over 40 markets. While not yet available in Korea, the company sees opportunity as consumer preferences continue to evolve. At the heart of BAT's strategy is its mission of "A Better Tomorrow," which aims to build "A Smokeless World" by offering science-backed, non-combustible alternatives. The company aims to increase the revenue share from these products to 50 percent of its total by 2035, up from the current 17.5 percent, and to grow its adult user base to 50 million by 2030, from over 29 million today. This transformation aligns with BAT's Tobacco Harm Reduction philosophy. 'We aim to offer alternatives with reduced risk profile to cigarettes to adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke, thereby making a positive contribution to reduce the public health burden associated with cigarette smoking,' Vandermeulen said. On regulation, BAT supports clear, fair and consistent policies across the industry. 'We believe regulation should be clear, consistent and fairly applied. Provided these conditions are met, we view regulatory changes positively.' Still, Vandermeulen expressed concern over the rise of illicit vaping products, warning they undermine public trust and legitimate market efforts. 'This is ultimately about corporate responsibility,' he said. 'Proper regulation and enforcement are essential to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.' With nearly one billion smokers still using traditional cigarettes worldwide and only about 115 million having switched to smokeless alternatives, Vandermeulen said the stakes are high. 'We believe vaping has a vital role in encouraging adult smokers, who would otherwise continue smoking, to switch completely to smokeless alternatives. But the category can only thrive if market order is preserved.'
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Your Microwave Has a Not-So-Secret Feature Everyone's Just Finding Out About
This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. The only thing more challenging than baking a cake from scratch is decorating one. Making a cake look even remotely Instagram-worthy takes a lot of skill and even more practice. There are some tools of the trade that make it easier, not the least of which is a revolving cake stand. But you may not always have a cake stand handy. Or you may be trying your hand at cake decorating for the first time and you're not quite ready to invest in one. Or you may live in a small apartment with nowhere to store one! Fortunately, there is one item that is already in almost every household that can totally get the job done in a pinch: your microwave tray. In a video recently posted to TikTok, Glo, the creator behind the account @_gloyoyo_, shared that if you don't have a rotating cake stand or lazy Susan, all you have to do is use the tray inside your microwave to rotate your cake while icing it. She tried for the first time in the video and was surprised by the outcome. 'Look at that!' she says. 'The microwave plate really does work. I guess I don't need to invest in a lazy Susan — I already had one in my microwave.' The issue of transferring the cake to a plate did arise once Glo was done icing it, but one TikTok user dropped another brilliant hack in the comments to solve this issue. 'Wait! Put the cake on the plate you're going to use next time and then just place it all on the microwave plate instead!' That is pure genius right there!So the next time you're making a cake at home, be it from scratch or from a boxed cake mix, give the old microwave tray trick a try! The results might surprise you, too! This article originally published on The Kitchn. See it there: Your Microwave Has a Not-So-Secret Feature Everyone's Just Finding Out About We Tested 5 Ways to Get Slime Out of a Carpet and the Winner Left No Trace I Bought a Helix Mattress for My Kid — Here's My Review The Best Zipper Sheets to Solve the Worst Bed-Making Task
Kuwait Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
US firms fret despite China tariff reprieve
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's rollercoaster tariff row with Beijing has wreaked havoc on US companies that rely on Chinese manufacturing, with a temporary de-escalation only expected to partially calm the storm, analysts and business owners say. 'The only option is to try to keep your head above water and be tossed by the waves, or to go out of business,' said Anna Barker, whose Mississippi-based firm Glo sells luminous toys designed in the United States and made in China. She told AFP that the 90-day reprieve beginning Wednesday is just a mere 'blip on the radar.' Placing orders, manufacturing products and shipping them to the United States takes much longer. Trump's escalating trade war since his return to office saw US duties on Chinese goods—including toys—reach a whopping 145 percent, while Beijing's countermeasures hit 125 percent. The world's two biggest economies however agreed at talks last weekend in Switzerland to temporarily lower the levies, bringing US tariffs down to 30 percent and China's corresponding duties to 10 percent. While cautiously optimistic about the ongoing negotiations, Barker warned the 30 percent rate remains 'massive for a small company.' Trump has argued that companies will enjoy zero tariffs if they manufacture in the United States, overlooking costs for any machinery or raw materials that would still need to be imported. 'We're an American company,' Barker said. 'Our biggest priority, if it was just up to us, will always be the US market. But it simply can't be right now.' To stay afloat, she is looking abroad for growth. The pause 'may temporarily help unstick' an effective trade embargo since April 9, when steep levies forced many firms to halt imports, said Steve Lamar, president of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). He warned, however, that the residual 30 percent tariff, stacking on duties from past administrations, will 'make for an expensive back to school and holiday season.' 'The tariffs are still so large that you can't help but pass them along,' said KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk. This means producers, retailers and consumers could all bear some burden, with small businesses hit particularly hard due to their narrower margins. Freight rates could also surge due to shipping disruptions from the tariffs. 'There's a lot of inventory piling up in factories in China that now need to hit the water,' said Josh Staph, chief executive of Ohio-based Duncan Toys Company. Barker said her company was hurrying to join an 'already very clogged pipeline of people racing to shipping ports.' Policy shifts have 'triggered both panic and paralysis' among companies, said Swonk. 'Every time they see a window like what we have for 90 days now, they've got to rush,' she said. 'In that rush, you have a self-fulfilling prophecy that shipping costs are going to go up.' The AAFA's Lamar has called for Trump to strike lasting deals with China and other countries to give businesses more long term certainty. Without a permanent tariff rollback, the United States will likely continue seeing 'depressed investment,' said Philip Luck, economics program director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. 'Firms remain in limbo as they try to plan long-term sourcing and investment decisions,' he added. For Barker's start-up Glo, born of a school project in Mississippi where she and her business partner were college students, the answer for now may be expanding outside the United States. This means shipping Chinese-made products to countries in Europe or elsewhere, even as it remains based in the southern state with around 30 staff. 'As contrary as it might seem,' Barker said, 'by shifting our focus international, that is to maintain American jobs.' – AFP
Qatar Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
United States firms fret despite China tariff reprieve
Agencies President Donald Trump's rollercoaster tariff row with Beijing has wreaked havoc on US companies that rely on Chinese manufacturing, with a temporary de-escalation only expected to partially calm the storm, analysts and business owners say. 'The only option is to try to keep your head above water and be tossed by the waves, or to go out of business,' said Anna Barker, whose Mississippi-based firm Glo sells luminous toys designed in the United States and made in China. She told AFP that the 90-day reprieve beginning Wednesday is just a mere 'blip on the radar.' Placing orders, manufacturing products and shipping them to the United States takes much longer. Trump's escalating trade war since his return to office saw US duties on Chinese goods—including toys—reach a whopping 145 percent, while Beijing's countermeasures hit 125 percent. The world's two biggest economies however agreed at talks last weekend in Switzerland to temporarily lower the levies, bringing US tariffs down to 30 percent and China's corresponding duties to 10 percent. While cautiously optimistic about the ongoing negotiations, Barker warned the 30 percent rate remains 'massive for a small company.' Trump has argued that companies will enjoy zero tariffs if they manufacture in the United States, overlooking costs for any machinery or raw materials that would still need to be imported. 'We're an American company,' Barker said. 'Our biggest priority, if it was just up to us, will always be the US market. But it simply can't be right now.' To stay afloat, she is looking abroad for growth. The pause 'may temporarily help unstick' an effective trade embargo since April 9, when steep levies forced many firms to halt imports, said Steve Lamar, president of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). He warned, however, that the residual 30 percent tariff, stacking on duties from past administrations, will 'make for an expensive back to school and holiday season.' 'The tariffs are still so large that you can't help but pass them along,' said KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk. This means producers, retailers and consumers could all bear some burden, with small businesses hit particularly hard due to their narrower margins. Freight rates could also surge due to shipping disruptions from the tariffs. 'There's a lot of inventory piling up in factories in China that now need to hit the water,' said Josh Staph, chief executive of Ohio-based Duncan Toys Company. Barker said her company was hurrying to join an 'already very clogged pipeline of people racing to shipping ports.' Policy shifts have 'triggered both panic and paralysis' among companies, said Swonk. 'Every time they see a window like what we have for 90 days now, they've got to rush,' she said. 'In that rush, you have a self-fulfilling prophecy that shipping costs are going to go up.' The AAFA's Lamar has called for Trump to strike lasting deals with China and other countries to give businesses more long term certainty. Without a permanent tariff rollback, the United States will likely continue seeing 'depressed investment,' said Philip Luck, economics program director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. 'Firms remain in limbo as they try to plan long-term sourcing and investment decisions,' he added. For Barker's start-up Glo, born of a school project in Mississippi where she and her business partner were college students, the answer for now may be expanding outside the United States. This means shipping Chinese-made products to countries in Europe or elsewhere, even as it remains based in the southern state with around 30 staff. 'As contrary as it might seem,' Barker said, 'by shifting our focus international, that is to maintain American jobs.'
