Latest news with #hightech
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bowman Consulting Expands Into AI-Driven Data Center Engineering
Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:BWMN) is expanding its presence in high-tech infrastructure through the acquisition of e3i Engineers, a Boston-based firm specializing in data center and energy system design. The deal, valued at approximately $2 million in annualized net service billing, was announced Wednesday. The acquisition of e3i brings over a decade of specialized experience to Bowman, including a project portfolio with more than 3.2 million square feet of data center design work. These projects span critical applications, including AI systems, hyperscale environments, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Gary Bowman, the company's founder and CEO, said the deal marks a strategic expansion beyond traditional civil and site engineering. He highlighted e3i's pioneering use of direct-to-chip cooling and expertise in resilient, low-emission energy systems. "They bring capabilities that align perfectly with the future of high-performance infrastructure," he said. Also Read: The deal is being financed through a mix of cash, seller notes, and a convertible note, and fits within Bowman's previously outlined acquisition metrics. While specific revenue numbers were not disclosed, the acquisition is expected to enhance Bowman's offerings in AI-focused, energy-intensive engineering segments. The acquisition highlights Bowman's strategy to grow its capabilities in emerging sectors like AI, digital infrastructure, and low-carbon energy solutions, where demand continues to rise. Bowman held cash and cash equivalents of $10.70 million as of March 31, 2025. Investors tracking the space may also consider iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (NYSE:IFRA) and Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF (NYSE:PAVE). Price Action: BMWN shares closed at $28.63 on Tuesday. Read Next:Photo via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Bowman Consulting Expands Into AI-Driven Data Center Engineering originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. 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
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
DOJ May Consider Dropping Its HPE-Juniper Networks Merger Challenge
Abigail Slater, US assistant attorney general nominee for US President Donald Trump, during a Senate ... More Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. Democratic senators pressed President Donald Trump's nominee for Deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche, on politicization of the Justice Department and recent efforts to gather names of FBI agents who worked on cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. Photographer: Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg © 2025 Bloomberg Finance LP The U.S. Department of Justice's challenge to the proposed acquisition of Juniper Networks by HPE signals a concerning trend in merger enforcement that could undermine American economic vitality in a crucial high-tech sector. While regulatory scrutiny of consolidations is vital, a blanket skepticism toward merger activity, particularly one that overlooks significant procompetitive benefits, risks stifling innovation and weakening the very markets it purports to protect. As I have previously discussed, robust merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is indispensable for a dynamic economy, facilitating capital reallocation to higher-valued uses and driving efficiency and innovation. In the fast-evolving landscape of enterprise networking, the proposed HPE-Juniper merger presents a compelling case for its potential to enhance, rather than diminish, competition. Tellingly, the European Commission (EC) recognized as much when it approved the acquisition. The Proposed Merger DOJ alleges that the merger would harm competition by bringing together the second (HPE) and third (Juniper) largest wireless local network providers of wireless local area network (WLAN) in the United States. DOJ stresses that 'this would leave U.S. enterprises facing two companies commanding over 70% of the market: the post-merger HPE and market leader Cisco Systems Inc." Factors Suggesting No Harm To Competition DOJ's complaint ignores a variety of factors strongly suggesting that the merger would not harm competition. It relies primarily on market concentration, which modern antitrust economics views as only the starting point in determining whether a merger might reduce competition. HPE and Juniper point out that DOJ's market definition ignores 'a broad set of players' that are competing for WLAN business as customers shift to AI and cloud-driven strategies. Indeed, the EC found that HPE-Juniper would 'continue to face competition from a wide range of competitors, including strong and established players on each of the markets.' Even accepting DOJ's market definition, Cisco would remain the largest player post-merger. The merged firm would be positioned to intensify beneficial competition with Cisco. As an industry analyst explains, if 'DOJ blocks the HPE-Juniper deal, Cisco stands to gain the most." If the merger goes forward, however, there could likely be increased pressure on all players to innovate and offer better value. DOJ is silent about the 'remaining 30%' of the market. As Scalia Professor John Yun puts it, 'nearly 67% of sales [would] occur outside of a combined HPE-Juniper." The Case for Beneficial Efficiencies The DOJ's narrow focus also risks missing substantial efficiency gains that could accrue to consumers and the broader economy. Combining HPE's extensive enterprise reach and complementary product portfolio with Juniper's cutting-edge, AI-powered Mist platform holds immense promise. This synergy is not merely about eliminating redundancies, but about forging a more integrated and sophisticated product offering. Such a combination could streamline product development, accelerate the deployment of advanced networking solutions, and yield significant cost savings that can be passed on to customers through more competitive pricing or reinvestment in research and development. These are precisely the merger-specific efficiencies, creating a formidable force for innovation, that procompetitive merger analysis should recognize. The Global Dimension The global competitive landscape, particularly the rise of foreign competitors like Huawei, adds another layer of strategic importance to this merger. When considering the broader enterprise networking market, which includes a diverse array of global players, a combined HPE-Juniper likely would create another robust and credible American firm. In an increasingly interconnected and competitive global economy, enhancing American competitiveness in key high-tech sectors is paramount. A stronger, more innovative HPE-Juniper entity would be better positioned to compete globally, not just domestically, thereby bolstering the U.S.'s strategic advantage in critical digital infrastructure. Fostering highly competitive domestic firms capable of driving technological advances and economic growth is particularly significant against a backdrop of intensifying international rivalry. Dismissing these potential gains risks unintended negative consequences for American leadership in a sector vital to national security and prosperity. DOJ Should Consider Withdrawing Its Complaint Applying narrow and economically dated approaches to merger analysis risks stifling the very innovation and economic growth that America needs. DOJ may wish to seriously weigh the EC's pragmatic stance in this case, based on a sophisticated assessment of competition in a dynamic and evolving high-tech market. Continuation of the DOJ case against the HPE-Juniper merger omits consideration of key economic realities. This merger promises not only significant efficiencies and product enhancements, but also the creation of a stronger American competitor poised to challenge market leader Cisco and contend more effectively in the global high-tech arena. A nuanced approach that prioritizes enhanced American competitiveness and innovation, rather than an outdated and simplistic focus centered on the number of market players, is essential for continued economic vitality in this critically important sector. More generally, the Trump Administration's commitment to an 'America First' agenda would be promoted by supporting mergers that enhance the global competitive strength of American firms in key high tech sectors without diminishing domestic competition. Opposing such mergers would seem to be at odds with America First. An interim Antitrust Division head approved the HPE-Juniper challenge a mere 10 days after the January presidential inauguration. Now that they have assumed their posts, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Division Gail Slater may want to consider these factors carefully in refining DOJ merger policy. (Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson may also wish to take note.) Such a consideration may warrant dropping the merger challenge to the HPE-Juniper merger prior to the July 9 trial date.
Japan Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Lawson beta tests futuristic convenience store with KDDI
Lawson opened an experimental high-tech convenience store in Tokyo on Monday, aiming to improve operational efficiency and collect data. The new store — Real x Tech Lawson — is designed to test a range of technologies, including robotics, digital signs and artificial intelligence. 'We hope to make this tech convenience store a standard for society,' Lawson CEO Sadanobu Takemasu said at a news conference. The tech-powered Lawson is located in Linkpillar 1 North at Takanawa Gateway City. The building is also the new headquarters of KDDI, which owns 50% of Lawson. KDDI and Lawson have said that they will utilize KDDI's tech expertise to improve the convenience store experience. The new store features a robot that partially automates the cooking of Kara-age Kun fried chicken, a Lawson favorite. It also features a floor cleaning robot. Digital panels are installed throughout the shop to display information about products, recommended items and local events. A self-checkout system is equipped with a display that shows a 3D avatar of a real Lawson employee. They can remotely handle checkout when a customer needs help. The store will also gather data, such as the workload of employees and stocking levels, with tags and cameras, so that AI agents can advise on how to improve operations. Digital signs are everywhere at a new high-tech Lawson that opened on Monday in Tokyo. | Kazuaki Nagata While KDDI and Lawson said they hope to increase the number of tech-powered convenience stores, they did not offer specific targets, saying that they want to see how the experiment at the new store goes. 'We want to identify what will work and what won't at this store,' said KDDI CEO Hiromichi Matsuda. In February last year, KDDI announced a ¥500 billion investment in Lawson to leverage the chain's nationwide retail network and customer base. As Lawson has about 14,700 convenience stores in Japan, the purchase significantly increases physical touch points for KDDI. KDDI began to purchase Lawson stock in 2019 when it bought 2.1% of the convenience store's equity. The telecom company now owns Lawson together with Mitsubishi Corp. The general trading company holds the other 50% of the stock. Given that convenience store chains are facing intense competition in recent years, especially from drug stores that sell daily goods, Lawson aims to utilize technology to better compete.
NHK
23-06-2025
- Business
- NHK
Bloomberg: SoftBank considers $1 tril. high-tech hub in US
US media outlet Bloomberg says Japan's SoftBank Group chief executive Son Masayoshi is evaluating a plan to build a massive high-tech industrial complex in the US state of Arizona. The report says the venture would involve a 1-trillion-dollar investment in what's called "Project Crystal Land." It cited people familiar with Son's thinking as sources. The complex would manufacture AI-powered industrial robots, among other products. SoftBank wants other firms involved, including Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, and South Korea's Samsung Electronics. The report says the plan dovetails with the Trump administration's policy to revitalize high-tech industry manufacturing in America. It adds that SoftBank officials have discussed possible tax breaks for the project with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other US officials.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China's Rare Earth Magnet Exports Slump in May, Especially to US
(Bloomberg) -- Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks global trade. Sign up here. Security Concerns Hit Some of the World's 'Most Livable Cities' One Architect's Quest to Save Mumbai's Heritage From Disappearing JFK AirTrain Cuts Fares 50% This Summer to Lure Riders Off Roads NYC Congestion Toll Cuts Manhattan Gridlock by 25%, RPA Reports Taser-Maker Axon Triggers a NIMBY Backlash in its Hometown Chinese exports of rare earth magnets slumped further in May, with shipments to the US showing an especially steep drop due to the trade war with Washington. Rare earth minerals, and the products that use the elements, have been at the center of the dispute since early April, when China imposed export controls in retaliation for punitive tariffs levied on Chinese goods. The two countries have since sought to reset relations, culminating in a meeting in London in early June, which prompted US President Donald Trump to declare that issues around rare earths had been resolved. China accounts for about 90% of the world's rare earth products, most of which are magnets, and whether it allows supplies to flow more freely after the agreement reached in London will be a key focus for governments and markets in the weeks and months to come. Chinese customs data on Friday showed the extent of the impact on supplies of rare earth magnets in particular, an item vital for high-tech industries from carmakers to defense contractors. The controls have affected sales to all countries, with China's total exports roughly halving in April, and then halving again in May, to 1,238 tons. That comes to about $60 million, the lowest-value month in data going back to 2015, barring February 2020 and the onset of the pandemic. The US portion by volume in May was just 46 tons, less than one-tenth of the magnets it imported in March. Other countries including Vietnam, host to a number of Chinese companies, and Germany saw their supplies hold up much better. Those two countries were the top destinations last month, accounting for 19% and 17% of sales, respectively. --With assistance from James Mayger. Ken Griffin on Trump, Harvard and Why Novice Investors Won't Beat the Pros Luxury Counterfeiters Keep Outsmarting the Makers of $10,000 Handbags Is Mark Cuban the Loudmouth Billionaire that Democrats Need for 2028? The US Has More Copper Than China But No Way to Refine All of It Can 'MAMUWT' Be to Musk What 'TACO' Is to Trump? ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
