Latest news with #LEAP
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Programme helps SMMEs grow, improve
Air Liquide, in collaboration with the Lean Enterprise Acceleration Programme (LEAP) and the Secunda Business Hub, hosted a networking event for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) at the Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club recently. The event brought together 36 SMMEs taking part in Air Liquide's enterprise supplier development (ESD) programme. Part of the event provided a platform for these SMMEs to connect, showcase their products and services, explore new opportunities for collaboration and celebrate their growth and success. The owners of five SMMEs shared in a panel discussion how the programme had helped them start their enterprises and supported their growth and improvement. The programme also provides office space at the BBBEE Hive, creating a professional environment that helps entrepreneurs cut rental costs and build relationships with other businesses. The SMMEs emphasised the value of the guidance they received in adopting structured approaches and implementing business systems to streamline operations. The hub received praise for its accessibility, with facilities that accommodate individuals with disabilities. 'Air Liquide is committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of SMMEs in Secunda, home to the world's largest oxygen production plant,' said Nkululeko Magadla, the general manager of Air Liquide. 'Providing platforms for networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing is vital for businesses to thrive and make a meaningful contribution to economic development. 'Accordingly, this initiative highlights our commitment to SA's transformation agenda,' said Dr John Eliastam, the LEAP group general manager. Author and businessman Khathu Maestro was the keynote speaker and inspired the entrepreneurs and business owners with his words. Khathu Maestro, author, businessman and the event's keynote speaker, inspired entrepreneurs and business owners with his words. ALSO CHECK: Span maak gedenksteen op Vrede uit 1901 reg ALSO CHECK: Boy from Secunda faces new health setbacks as family seeks second opinion At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Must-Read Analyst Questions From Albany's Q1 Earnings Call
Albany's first quarter results were met with a negative market reaction, as the company's sales declined amid ongoing operational shifts. Management attributed the revenue shortfall to reduced volumes in its Engineered Composites segment and lower sales within Machine Clothing, driven by targeted divestitures and customer-specific softness. CEO Gunnar Kleveland noted, 'Machine Clothing continues to deliver consistent strong results and the integration of Heimbach is proceeding to plan,' but cautioned that certain program-specific adjustments and restructuring actions weighed on performance. Is now the time to buy AIN? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $288.8 million vs analyst estimates of $294.1 million (7.8% year-on-year decline, 1.8% miss) Adjusted EPS: $0.73 vs analyst estimates of $0.62 (17.4% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $55.72 million vs analyst estimates of $54.09 million (19.3% margin, 3% beat) The company reconfirmed its revenue guidance for the full year of $1.22 billion at the midpoint Adjusted EPS guidance for the full year is $3.20 at the midpoint, roughly in line with what analysts were expecting EBITDA guidance for the full year is $250 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $252.4 million Operating Margin: 9.8%, down from 12.4% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $2.07 billion While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Peter Arment (Baird) asked about Albany's readiness to meet higher production rates for LEAP engines. CEO Gunnar Kleveland explained that while inventory is being utilized in the first half, capacity is in place to respond to demand increases later in the year. Peter Arment (Baird) inquired about new business opportunities in the aerospace backlog, including classified programs. Kleveland highlighted growth potential in space, missile programs, and both Boeing and Airbus engine platforms, stating that technology differentiation guides the company's pursuit of new contracts. Michael Ciarmoli (Truist Securities) pressed for details on the risk profile and margin expectations for the Bell 525 contract. Kleveland emphasized selective program participation and projected high-teen margins for the Engineered Composites segment. Michael Ciarmoli (Truist Securities) queried about the outlook for LEAP revenues and potential upside. Management maintained a cautious stance but acknowledged the possibility for incremental growth if aircraft production ramps up during the year. Chigusa Katoku (JPMorgan) questioned the organic growth outlook for Machine Clothing amid macro uncertainty. Kleveland clarified that divestitures and discontinued product lines contributed to short-term weakness, but order backlog and current trends support a stronger second and third quarter. In the coming quarters, the StockStory team will be watching (1) the pace and scale of cost synergies realized from the Heimbach integration, (2) evidence of improving sales volumes and operational leverage in the Engineered Composites segment as aerospace markets recover, and (3) the company's ability to manage input cost pressures and potential tariff or supply chain disruptions. Sustained backlog strength and successful execution of new program wins will also be key indicators of future performance. Albany currently trades at $68.43, up from $65.61 just before the earnings. In the wake of this quarter, is it a buy or sell? See for yourself in our full research report (it's free). Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
World Bank Launches $250 Million LEAP to Revive Lebanon's Infrastructure
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Beirut's landscape, battered by the 14‑month Hezbollah–Israel war, is set for a critical transformation as the World Bank green‑lights a US$250 million financing package to support urgent restoration and rubble management. Dubbed the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Project, this initiative marks the initial phase of a US$1 billion, government‑led framework aimed at breathing life back into vital public infrastructure and essential services. Damage and needs assessments conducted between 8 October 2023 and 20 December 2024 estimate total conflict losses at US$7.2 billion, with an overarching reconstruction requirement of US$11 billion. Of this, approximately US$1.1 billion pertains to infrastructure across transport, water, energy, municipal services, education and healthcare – the precise sectors that LEAP will target for immediate interventions. ADVERTISEMENT Jean‑Christophe Carret, the World Bank's Middle East director, described LEAP's design as 'a credible vehicle for development partners to align their support, alongside continued progress on the Government's reform agenda, and maximise collective impact in support of Lebanon's recovery and long‑term reconstruction'. The financing will fund rapid repairs to lifeline services, sustainable clearance of rubble prioritising recycling, and initial design and environmental studies for longer‑term rebuilding. By adopting a data‑driven, area‑based prioritisation endorsed by the Council of Ministers, LEAP aims to balance speed with social and economic impact in the worst‑affected regions. To ensure accountability and effective delivery, Lebanon has initiated reforms within the Council for Development and Reconstruction, including the appointment of a fully functional board and streamlined processes consistent with international emergency‑response standards. Operational oversight will be bolstered by an international private‑sector engineering firm, responsible for compliance monitoring across technical, environmental, fiduciary and AML/CFT requirements. Implementation rests under the strategic guidance of the Prime Minister's Office, with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport leading execution and the Ministry of Environment overseeing social and environmental safeguards, especially debris handling. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the funding as 'a key step in reconstruction… reinforcing recovery efforts within a state‑led framework and paving the way for much‑needed additional financing'. The World Bank has previously confirmed that this initial contribution is part of a US$1 billion scalable fund, with $250 million already committed and plans for donor contributions to fill the remaining $750 million. Lebanon has already secured preliminary approval to raise the World Bank loan to $400 million, signalling growing momentum for the broader rehabilitation agenda. LEAP emerges at a juncture when Lebanon, in the grip of one of its most severe financial crises in modern history, is balancing a recovery from war with deep‑rooted economic collapse. Nearly three‑quarters of its population live in poverty, the currency has collapsed by over 90 % since 2019, and public services have all but collapsed. The project's prioritisation of transparency, environmental best practice, and governance reform offers a fresh test of Lebanon's capacity to channel international finance into tangible, equitable recovery. Meanwhile, the World Bank is coordinating with multilateral and bilateral donors, aligning its initial funding with evolving Lebanese reforms. The ultimate success of LEAP depends not only on reconstruction dollars, but on effective institutional stewardship—a challenge Lebanon's government has pledged to embrace.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
French aerospace giant to set up Hyderabad unit for maintenance of Rafale engines; 150 jobs by 2026
HYDERABAD: French aerospace giant Safran is setting up a new entity, Safran Aircraft Engine Services India, for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the Rafale fighter jet's M88 engines. This was announced by Telangana IT & industries minister D Sridhar Babu after a meeting with Safran's general manager Pierre Fernandez as part of a round table meeting with a delegation from the IndoFrench Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI). The proposed MRO will create around 150 new jobs by the end of 2026 and will have the potential to generate another 750 jobs in subsequent phases, the minister said on Tuesday. The announcement for the establishment of the Rafale engines MRO comes just days after Rafale's manufacturer Dassault Aviation signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing the entire fuselage for the fighter jet, marking the first time these components will be produced outside France. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The key sections, such as the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section of the Rafale, will be manufactured in Hyderabad, with the facility expected to begin churning out these parts in the financial year 2027-28. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Safran already has two manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad — Safran Aircraft Engines and Safran Electrical & Power. While Safran Aircraft Engines makes rotating turbine seals for the LEAP engine, Safran Electrical &Power makes electrical harnesses for the LEAP engine, Rafale jets, as well as Falcon 10X and Fadec. The addition of the Rafale engine MRO to these existing facilities will make Hyderabad a central hub for the production and exports of critical components for the Rafale engines and play a key role in strengthening its position as a global aerospace ecosystem, Sridhar Babu said.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
MSMEs need agile, secure ecosystem: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will be the growth engines of the country and sectors such as defence, space and civil aviation, which present huge opportunities, are the ones to watch out for, said Priyank Kharge, Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Minister for IT & BT, while speaking at MSME Growth Conclave 2025, organised by The Hindubusinessline in Bengaluru on Wednesday (June 25, 2025). Addressing a packed audience of MSME entrepreneurs in Bengaluru, Mr. Kharge said Karnataka was trying to make all projects water-secure and energy-secure, along with a focus on sustainability. 'Everybody speaks about giving incentives and subsidies, but just those things will not work. I need to ensure we create an agile and secure ecosystem for you to thrive,' he added. He also said the State was trying to create affordable infrastructure and plug-and-play facilities for SMEs and MSMEs, especially in areas beyond Bengaluru. 'We are creating infrastructure in Mysuru, Hubballi, Belagavi, and Kalaburgi, where we give you facilities at affordable rates so you can experiment, innovate and invent things that can be then commercialised,' he told the entrepreneurs. Also read: Lack of access to credit, manpower shortage major challenges to MSMEs, shows SIDBI study Mr. Kharge said his government was initiating a Local Economic Accelerator Programme (LEAP) to establish budgetary facilities outside Karnataka with increased incentivisation, subsidisation and help entrepreneurs with market linkages. 'Whether it's powering innovation in cutting-edge fields or creating millions of jobs across towns and villages, MSMEs are set to be the growth engines for the country,' he added. Global competition Alongside, Mr. Kharge highlighted that Karnataka's competition was no longer with neighbouring States — Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, or Maharashtra — but with global manufacturing hubs such as Vietnam and China. Observing that Bengaluru's entrepreneurial spirit was over 500 years old, the IT/BT Minister said the city was initially built as a place for trade and commerce. Before the country's Make in India initiative, Karnataka was already vocal about local. 'If Bengaluru or Karnataka is a leader in various sectors, including manufacturing, it is because we have been nurturing it over many years,' he said. In a candid fireside chat with Raghuvir Srinivasan, Editor of businessline, Srinivasagopalan Rangarajan, Chairman, and Managing Director, Data Patterns (India) said, despite decades of reliance on imports, India's private defence tech sector was beginning to assert itself, with homegrown companies now building world-class systems from scratch. 'India imports almost everything even today. All these imports give the country a market opportunity to build and design a world-class systems here.'' 'Focus on core idea' Mr. Rangarajan emphasised that for MSMEs to succeed, they must focus on the core idea they start with and build deep expertise around it, rather than constantly shifting direction. 'If it's not outstanding, you will be forgotten and remain just one of the other players among many,' he cautioned. His company, Data Patterns, is a vertically integrated Defence and Aerospace electronics solutions provider, that has developed fire control systems for BrahMos and supplied products for LCA-Tejas, and Light Utility Helicopter, among others. According to him, Data Patterns built automatic test systems from scratch, the first of which was sold to the Department of Space (DoS). However, convincing the DoS was initially difficult, as they had concerns about the system's durability. Over time, the company secured single-vendor status for all launch system orders, he added. Along with patience, long-term persistence, and passion, MSMEs should refrain from taking shortcuts due to a lack of funding. Smaller companies must also be frugal with their money, and prudent with their spending, he advised. The panel discussion on defence manufacturing further explored this momentum. Lt. Col. Velan, CEO, Elena Geo Systems, added that India must move towards global standards at par with the EU and the U.S. Betting high on India's global brand-building moment, Ananth Narayanan, Founder and CEO of (formerly Mensa Brands), said MSMEs had a critical role in this ecosystem but should be cautious against scaling at the cost of fundamentals. 'Don't confuse growth and unit economics. Don't take too much capital. The more capital you take, the more you need to return,' he added. Mr. Narayanan also noted that India was entering a decade where global consumer brands could be built from the country. 'I am incredibly bullish about being an entrepreneur in India over the next 10-20 years. The macro forces are with us,' he said. 'We have a young labour force, large consumer demand, manufacturing capability, digital infrastructure, and capital.' 'Technology is a great, great equaliser. Technology allows for global access. Therefore, don't just think India, think global,' he said, adding that global distribution had become far more democratic and affordable. 'For ₹120, you can reach 20,000 pin codes in India. For $3, you can reach almost any pin code in the U.S.,'' said Mr. Narayanan, who has earlier led Myntra. A session on MSMEs and Make in India highlighted the need for stronger public-private collaboration, better access to capital, and policy stability to enhance global competitiveness. Vijay Peri, VP – India Industrials at Zetwerk, told M. Ramesh, Consulting Editor, businessline, 'India isn't just an alternative to China. While China+1 gave us visibility, the current geopolitical climate is giving us urgency. Global players are actively diversifying supply chains.' Rohit Punja, Administrator, Nitte Education Trust, closed the conclave by underlining the role of MSMEs in building India's industrial future. Mr. Punja emphasised how engineering colleges are required to be associated with industries to bridge the gap between industry and academia. He said Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology was one of the 20 engineering colleges chosen by the DRDO for defence studies and related research activities. He said it was the only college in Bengaluru where in Defence Technology programme was open for students. He gave a call to MSME industries to make use of the high end research findings available at NMIT.
