Latest news with #Raymond
Hamilton Spectator
15 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
PyroGenesis Reports Voting Results from 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
MONTREAL, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PyroGenesis Inc. ('PyroGenesis') ( ) (TSX: PYR) (OTCQX: PYRGF) (FRA: 8PY1), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes all-electric plasma processes and sustainable solutions to support heavy industry in their energy transition, emission reduction, commodity security, and waste remediation efforts, announced the voting results from its annual meeting of shareholders held on June 26, 2025, in a virtual format. A total of approximately 38% of the issued and outstanding common shares of PyroGenesis were represented at the meeting. All of the nominees for election as directors of PyroGenesis referred to in its management information circular for the meeting were elected. Votes cast on this matter were as follows: Shareholders also approved the reappointment of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP as auditor of PyroGenesis. Final voting results on all matters voted on at the meeting can be found under PyroGenesis' profile on SEDAR+ at . About PyroGenesis Inc. PyroGenesis Inc., a high-tech company, is a proud leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and are economically attractive alternatives to conventional 'dirty' processes. PyroGenesis has created proprietary, patented and advanced plasma technologies that are being vetted and adopted by multiple multibillion dollar industry leaders in four massive markets: iron ore pelletization, aluminum, waste management, and additive manufacturing. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office, and its 3,800 m2 and 2,940 m2 manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. The operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, having been ISO certified since 1997. PyroGenesis' shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada (TSX: PYR), the OTCQX in the US (OTCQX: PYRGF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany (FRA: 8PY1). Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' (collectively, 'forward-looking statements') within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'targets', 'expects' or 'does not expect', 'is expected', 'an opportunity exists', 'is positioned', 'estimates', 'intends', 'assumes', 'anticipates' or 'does not anticipate' or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might', 'will' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved'. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management's current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by PyroGenesis as of the date of this release, are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified under 'Risk Factors' in PyroGenesis' latest annual information form, and in other periodic filings that it has made and may make in the future with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities, all of which are available under PyroGenesis' profile on SEDAR+ at . These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect PyroGenesis. However, such risk factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. PyroGenesis undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) nor the OTCQX Best Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. For further information please contact: Rodayna Kafal, Vice President, IR/Comms. and Strategic BD E-mail: ir@
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
$17K Grant from FHLB Dallas and Veritex Community Bank Provides Critical Home Repairs for Texas Veteran
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After years of housing challenges, Army veteran Raymond Rodriguez and his wife, Feliciana, were finally able to make critical repairs to their home. Mr. Rodriguez recently received a $17,400 Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) provided through FHLB Dallas member Veritex Community Bank to make several critical repairs to the couple's home. 'To see something function and to have it nice, it brings peace. Who wants to come home to a house that is falling apart? For Raymond, it's been a burden lifted.' Feliciana Rodriguez Share HAVEN provides grants for home modifications, housing construction and homebuyer down payment assistance to help veterans, reservists and service members who have a service-related disability. It can also be used by Gold Star Families. The grants are provided through FHLB Dallas member financial institutions participating in the program. 'Veritex Community Bank is proud to support programs that make a real difference in people's lives, especially for those who have served our country,' said Melanie Goodman, Veritex Community Bank senior vice president and CRA officer. 'This grant helped create a sense of comfort and reassurance that will carry forward long after the repairs are done.' Mr. Rodriguez, 53, served as an Army infantryman in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Purple Heart. During his time in the military, Mr. Rodriguez sustained serious injuries that have resulted in ongoing mobility challenges. The grant funded significant improvements to Mr. Rodriguez's home, including the addition of an accessible bathroom designed to accommodate his mobility needs, the replacement of the roof fascia and soffits and several other essential home repairs. FHLB Dallas allocated $1 million for HAVEN grants in 2025, up from $300,000 in 2024. This year, it also increased the maximum grant from $20,000 to $25,000 and opened the program, originally created for veterans who entered the service after 9/11, to all veterans. 'Having these repairs done brings clarity to the home,' Mrs. Rodriguez said. 'To see something function and to have it nice, it brings peace. Who wants to come home to a house that is falling apart? For Raymond, it's been a burden lifted.' Mr. Rodriguez and his wife have eight children, who range in age from 4 to 27. Five children currently live in the house with them. Two of his sons have followed in his footsteps by joining the military. Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, said FHLB Dallas values opportunities to help veterans improve their lives and homes. 'We're committed to showing up for those who've served our country and helping Mr. Rodriguez make important improvements to his home means a great deal to us,' Mr. Hettrick said. 'We're honored to be a small part of his story.' Learn more about the HAVEN program. About Veritex Bank Veritex Community Bank is a mid-sized community bank serving its customers with a full suite of banking products and services. The bank has convenient branch locations in Houston, Fort Worth, and Dallas, Texas, with total assets of more than $12 billion. The bank, headquartered in Dallas, specializes in providing depository and credit services to small to mid-size businesses, which have been largely neglected by national banks. The name 'Veritex' is derived from the Latin word 'veritas,' meaning truth and 'Texas.' About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $109.9 billion as of March 31, 2025, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Whole Foods officially opens in downtown St. Charles: ‘Just huge for the community'
The new Whole Foods grocery store in downtown St. Charles is officially open, with dozens of customers gathering Wednesday morning for the festivities. Shoppers waited in line to enter the brand-new store, sipping on Big Shoulders coffee, snacking on Evergreen mini-waffles and carrying their new Whole Foods tote bags and coupons in tow. Located at 300 S. Second St., the long-awaited St. Charles outpost of the Austin, Texas-based grocery store fills a space in the downtown that has been empty since 2022: the site of the old Blue Goose Market. Blue Goose had been a fixture in the community for nearly 100 years until its closing, according to past reporting. In 2023, city officials announced that a Whole Foods Market would be moving into the space, according to past reporting, after working out a deal with former Blue Goose Market President and CEO Paul Lencioni, who previously served on St. Charles' City Council. 'Having the grocery store in that location reopen is just huge for the community,' St. Charles Mayor Clint Hull told The Beacon-News, crediting the previous mayoral administration and former alderman Paul Lencioni for orchestrating Whole Foods' move into the downtown area. 'So many people love St. Charles because it's walkable and it's bikable. And the store and the location of where it's at is going to be great for people to be able to walk there, to be able to bike there, to pick something up and then be able to head over to Mt. St. Mary (Park) or many other places around there and enjoy the food that they picked up.' Improving walking and biking accessibility and safety is something the community has asked for and has been a priority for St. Charles, Hull said. 'This is just another step in the right direction on how that's going,' he said. Area residents at the store's opening seemed to agree about the new store's convenience. 'I'm always in this area, so it's easy (to get to),' said Carol Raymond, 64, of Geneva. Raymond said she used to live in Lombard, and would shop at the Whole Foods in nearby Wheaton. But since moving to Geneva, the closest location's a lot further away. She said she appreciates the quality of produce and other food items at Whole Foods, including when she cooks for her children and grandchildren. 'I always want to feed them, you know, salads and fresh fruits and veggies,' Raymond said. She's also a fan of the product selection — like a salad dressing she says she'd previously go out of her way to get at Whole Foods because she can't find it anywhere else. 'We knew it was good because my granddaughter asked for three helpings of the salad with that dressing,' she said. Linda Gruber, 76, of St. Charles, who also came to see the store's opening day, said she'd never been to a Whole Foods before. 'I'm just excited to see all the fresh fruits, vegetables,' Gruber said. 'That's what I like to buy.' The new Whole Foods will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, according to a news release from Whole Foods about the St. Charles location's opening. Per the release, the St. Charles store offers, for example, organic local produce and curated grocery products; a specialty department dedicated to celebrating cheesemakers and artisan producers; full-service seafood and meat counters; a selection of beer, wine and spirits, including local options; a prepared foods department; a bakery department and a section with wellness, beauty and lifestyle items. All food sold at Whole Foods must meet the company's quality standards, which don't allow food to contain hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup and over 300 flavors, colors, sweeteners and other ingredients, according to the news release. Their body care products must also meet company standards. On opening day, Whole Foods provided a food donation to Hinsdale-based HCS Family Services, which picks up surplus food from local Whole Foods stores to prevent food waste and gives it to community members in need, per the release. Whole Foods is also donating an electric refrigerated van to the nonprofit. As part of the opening festivities, Whole Foods is also making donations to the St. Charles-based Lazarus House and Fox Valley Food for Health. Finally, the company is providing Chicago-based supplier Evergreen with a low-interest loan to help it grow and expand to more Whole Foods stores. Hull said the city is enthusiastic about the company's move and its investments in the community. And he believes sufficient planning will make operations smooth, but that excitement around the new store means residents should expect the area to get busier going forward. 'You go from an area that just hasn't had that type of car traffic for a couple years, right?' Hull said. 'There's going to be a lot of people heading out to Whole Foods.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Raymond Realty appoints four new independent directors
Raymond Realty Ltd (RRL) has strengthened its board by appointing several directors as part of the demerger from Raymond Ltd and ahead of the upcoming listing. The four new independent directors include K Narsimha Murthy , Dipali Sheth , Ashish Kapadia and Bharat Khanna . The board will be chaired by the group Chairman Gautam Hari Singhania, with Harmohan Sahni serving as managing director and CEO of Raymond Realty, the company said in a release. Last year, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved Raymond's comprehensive restructuring plan, including the demerger of its lifestyle business and the amalgamation of Ray Global Consumer Trading into Raymond Lifestyle. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo This restructuring aims to create a more focused and streamlined corporate structure, unlocking the potential value of Raymond's distinct business verticals. Raymond, known for its operations in textiles, branded apparel, and real estate development, is set to achieve zero net debt for both lifestyle and non-lifestyle businesses post-restructuring. This move is anticipated to simplify operations, enhance management efficiency, and provide a clear strategic direction for each business unit. Live Events
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
'It was all lies': What workers can do when employers pay wages late, or not at all
SINGAPORE: It has been more than eight months since Raymond (not his real name) received his full salary from his employer, TechTV Network, a media and events company. The man, in his mid-50s, has not been paid his monthly wage of S$9,000 (US$7,000) since October 2024. His Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions stopped even earlier, in June last year. Instead, his employer has only given him irregular payments of up to S$1,000 at a time. Excluding CPF, his salary arrears currently amount to about S$55,000. Despite this, Raymond continued working, clinging to assurances from TechTV's founder and CEO Debbie Lee, who claimed that she was in the process of securing funds from unnamed 'stakeholders' to pay the workers. 'I am pushing through in the hope that the company will pay me, the company will get a larger tranche of funds, because I continue to bring in the deals, because that's the kind of hope she's giving,' he said. In emails to employees, Ms Lee attributed salary delays to a lack of sales made by the team. 'You can play a part to support the sales CF (cash flow) so that both yourself and the team can benefit with allocation,' she wrote. CNA also saw text messages Ms Lee sent to Raymond and other employees, in which she cited delays in banking procedures as reasons why funds were not available to pay them. 'It was always ridiculous, unbelievable reasons,' said Raymond, who recalled that a sick investor was once given as another excuse. Nonetheless, for months, he held out hope of being compensated. Over time, he had trouble footing his bills and mortgage. The stress took a toll on his health and sleep. He began to feel his employer had taken advantage of him. 'I now realise that it was all lies,' the father of one told CNA. 'I feel very angry I'm having financial difficulties.' CNA spoke to multiple employees of TechTV, who described similar experiences – unpaid wages, missing CPF contributions and persistent excuses. Theirs is a cautionary tale for workers experiencing salary irregularities. Non-payment of salaries may, as they did in TechTV's case, start out as wage delays. The situation can drag on if workers are persuaded to put the company's financial health ahead of their own, their salaries dangling just out of reach while they are asked to do more as the business supposedly seeks funding. TechTV is currently under investigation by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for possible offences under the Employment Act. Five employees, including Raymond, have filed salary claims and received assistance from the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM). TechTV is still in operation, and Raymond and his colleagues remain employees of the firm. When contacted about the salary arrears, Ms Lee said TechTV was in 'advanced and active discussions with various third parties' to 'generate fresh capital and cash flow' for operating expenditure and long-term growth. 'As the plans require the buy-in and contribution of third parties, this process requires more time to mature,' she said. She also pointed to external challenges, including a 'brutal and protracted VC (venture capital) winter' for start-ups and 'unfavourable capital macros'. LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TechTV used to run the esports channel TechStorm, which launched in 2019. The company billed itself as 'Asia's largest and fastest growing 24/7 media distribution platform' in esports. TechStorm went off air in late 2024. Raymond joined the company in September 2023. There were already 'a couple of hiccups' in the form of wage delays back then, he said, with the longest lasting one month. Under the Employment Act, employers must pay salaries within seven days after the end of each salary period. Failure to do so is an offence. Ms Jacqueline Chua, managing director of Jacque Law, said that even if an employee agrees to accept late or partial payments, this does not waive the employer's legal obligations. 'We have seen cases where even if an accused company claims that it had informed its employees of financial problems, and its employees willingly continued to work for it, MOM may still prosecute the company accordingly as offences were committed. 'The rationale for this position taken in the law likely stems from the uneven negotiating power between employer and employees,' said Ms Chua. Employers who fail to pay salaries on time can be jailed for up to six months or fined S$3,000 to S$15,000 for a first offence. Repeat offenders face double these penalties. Similarly, failing to make CPF contributions can lead to fines of S$1,000 to S$5,000, or up to six months in jail for a first offence. WHY EMPLOYEES STAY Career coach Dr Yvonne Kong-Ho said she has observed that mature workers like Raymond often stay in such roles out of loyalty. Their rationale for hanging on might be that 'my boss is really trying very hard' and 'I want to stay and support the boss', or 'there were times when they were good to me, so I should give them a chance'. She encouraged employees to document any delay or underpayment in wages. For example, if they talk to their manager about it, employees can follow up with an email noting down the points discussed. It would also be a good time for them to review their career plans and career capital – the skills, network and resources they have to find their next role, she said. When are employers allowed to withhold salaries? Withholding salary from employees without proper reason can be considered an unauthorised deduction, said Ms Chan of Jacque Law. The Employment Act expressly allows some deductions, such as for being absent from work, or for the loss of goods or money through the employee's neglect or failure. Any salary deduction made with the employee's written consent is also allowed. So if an employment agreement has a clause for non-payment or deduction if the terms are breached, that could be justified. Ms Chan said it is unlikely that underperformance – which does not equate to being absent – will justify withholding salary, unless it is agreed in writing in the employment agreement. Deductions must not exceed 50 per cent of the salary payable unless they are for: absence from work; recovery of a pay advance, loan or unearned benefit; adjustment for overpayment of salary; or payment to a cooperative society. Collapse GETTING WHAT THEY ARE OWED Through TADM's mediation, TechTV signed settlement agreements with the five employees who made claims, setting out the salaries owed that the company must pay back. The settlement agreements contain payment schedules that TechTV is supposed to follow. But Ms Lee has already defaulted on payments for at least one employee CNA spoke to, who did not want to be named. MOM and TADM said they encourage employees to file their claims early so that salary arrears do not accumulate. Employees can file salary claims of up to S$20,000 with TADM, or up to S$30,000 if their union files on their behalf. TADM assists with mediation or referral to the Employment Claims Tribunals. But even if a worker successfully obtains a court order for payment, there is no guarantee of recovering the salary arrears if the employer is insolvent or unable to pay, said Ms Chua, the lawyer. 'We would suggest that employees think twice and seek legal advice if they are faced with salary-related disputes,' she said. TADM has advised affected TechTV employees to consider taking civil legal action to enforce repayment. For some, however, this may be too little too late, especially if the impact has gone beyond their bank accounts. Marc (not his real name), a foreign employee at TechTV, lost his S Pass after the firm stopped making CPF contributions to its local staff, affecting the company's ability to retain foreign workers. Since joining TechTV in October 2023, Marc has received his salary on time only twice. He has not been paid in full since May 2024. After being forced to leave Singapore, he continued to work remotely for the company but struggled financially. His son was kicked out of his school dormitory over unpaid fees, Marc said. 'My debt is neck deep,' he said. 'We cannot even afford house maintenance. If something gets broken we just let it because it is more important to spend (money) for food rather than fix. 'My only mistake was applying for this job.'
