TripAdvisor Unveils Travellers’ Choice Islands

Top Islands Worldwide Recognised Based on Opinions of Millions of Travellers Across the Globe

SINGAPORE, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — TripAdvisor™, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the winners of its inaugural Travellers’ Choice Islands awards. Based on millions of valuable traveller reviews and opinions on the site, the awards recognise more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

“Whether you’re looking for idyllic palm-lined islands, or islands that offer a more cultural experience, you’ll find inspiration in these lists,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “From the world famous to the hidden gems, what unifies every award winner is the fantastic feedback from travellers across the globe.”

Top 10 Islands in Asia:

1. Koh Tao, Surat Thani, Thailand

2. Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia

3. Ko Lanta, Krabi, Thailand

4. Gili Trawangan, Gili Islands, Indonesia

5. Boracay, Visayas, Philippines

6. Phuket, Thailand

7. Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand

8. Palawan, Mimaropa, Phillipines

9. Langkawi, Malaysia

10. Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Top 10 Islands in the World:

1. Ambergris Caye, Belize

2. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

4. San Juan Island, Washington

5. Santorini, Greece

6. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

7. Moorea, French Polynesia

8. Koh Tao, Thailand

9. Easter Island, Chile

10. Nosy Be, Madagascar

For the complete list of winners from the 2013 Travellers’ Choice Islands, as well as reviews and candid traveller photos, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/TravelersChoice-Islands.

To see the best hotels for luxury, service and more, as honoured in TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for Hotels from January, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/TravelersChoice-Hotels.

Note to Editors

Awards selection:

The Travellers’ Choice Islands are based on the quality and quantity of the most highly-rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions listed for each island on TripAdvisor gathered during a 12-month period.

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor™ is the world’s largest travel site*, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 200 million unique monthly visitors**, and over 100 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 19 other travel media brands: http://www.airfarewatchdog.com, http://www.bookingbuddy.com, http://www.cruisecritic.com, http://www.everytrail.com, http://www.familyvacationcritic.com, http://www.flipkey.com, http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk, http://www.holidaywatchdog.com, http://www.independenttraveler.com, http://www.onetime.com, http://www.seatguru.com, http://www.sniqueaway.com, http://www.smartertravel.com, http://www.tingo.com, http://www.travel-library.com, http://www.travelpod.com, http://www.virtualtourist.com, http://www.whereivebeen.com, and http://www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, January 2013
**Source: Google Analytics, worldwide data, January 2013

©2013 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: TripAdvisor

New www.victoriabeckham.com Launches Today

LONDON, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The new victoriabeckham.com e-commerce website is now live. The site represents a new approach to the luxury brand site. Intuitive and interactive, the redeveloped web platform introduces e-commerce for the first time in the companys history. It is integrated with unique brand content and placed in a vibrant social context that allows users to share the constantly updating media across their own social channels. Featuring simple, streamlined design and functionality, the site puts intimate and insightful content at the heart of the brands activity, giving users unprecedented access to the designers ideas and creative process.

“My new website has been in the making for a very long time. It was so important that the concept, tone and look of it were true to me and my aesthetic and that the shopping experience was the very best that it could be for my customer. The site will be ever evolving featuring never seen before insights into my world through the medium of film. Im incredibly excited with what I have created and the unique access to the brand I am now able to offer,” Victoria Beckham.

A departure from the original victoriabeckham.com site — which served as an online look book for the brands collections, spanning from its first season, SS09, through to the most recent SS13 collections — this new, redeveloped brand platform offers users two simple propositions: to “Look” and to “Shop”. The former option showcases an ever-evolving body of show footage, documentary content, inspiration and news with a strong, signature aesthetic.

“Shop” meanwhile features Victorias handpicked selection of SS13s key pieces. It is here that the simplicity and streamlined functionality of the site design becomes fully apparent. Informal documentary content will serve to paint a more intimate picture of the brands personality, beyond the functional and sartorial qualities of its luxury products.

Products offered on the site include ICON — a selection of RTW dresses exclusive to victoriabeckham.com offering the lines most timeless and iconic designs in a seasonless assortment of both classic colors and new in limited availability runs — and selections across four existing Victoria Beckham collections: accessories, eyewear, denim and the newest line, Victoria, Victoria Beckham.

These personal edits are accompanied by the highest standard of customer service, extending the sense of an in-store luxury experience to the contemporary, digital environment. Each purchase will arrive in bespoke packaging, and same-day delivery is available in London and New York. Further, a dedicated team of multi-lingual Client Service Associates are available via telephone to provide assistance and style advice.

In this initial launch the shop will sell to customers in the UK, USA and Europe, supporting local currencies in each territory, with further plans to then roll out sales in additional territories in the near future. Those outside of e-commerce regions will have full access to the brand experience of “Look” with a detailed store directory covering all international points of sale for Victoria Beckham.

Tony King, with his agency King & Partners, have executed the sites design and build, which is powered by the Sellect e-commerce/CMS Platform — adapted to cater for the unique requirements of victoriabeckham.com. Victoria has worked in close collaboration on creative and content direction with Jonny Lu and Isaac Lock respectively. The concept for the site combines their strong digital aesthetic with Kings extensive experience in luxury digital design.

The new victoriabeckham.com now sits at the centre of the burgeoning global Victoria Beckham digital community, which currently comprises: Facebook( https://en-gb.facebook.com/victoriabeckham ); Twitter( https://twitter.com/victoriabeckham ); Instagram( http://instagram.com/victoriabeckham ); YouTube( http://www.youtube.com/victoriabeckham ), Google+, Pinterest, Tencent( http://t.qq.com/VictoriaBeckham ) and Sina Weibo( http://www.weibo.com/officialvictoria ) for the Chinese market; and V Kontakte in Russia.

Victoria Beckham is a joint venture between Victoria Beckham and Simon Fullers XIX Entertainment Ltd.

About Victoria Beckham

The Victoria Beckham fashion label represents modern luxury, comprised of the Ready-to-Wear, Denim, Eyewear, Accessories and Victoria collections. All are conceived by Victoria and developed at her studio in London with the same aspirational, chic and refined aesthetic that is at the heart of Victorias creative vision.

Launched in September 2008 to great acclaim at New York Fashion Week, Victoria Beckham Ready-to-Wear is handmade in the United Kingdom and stocked internationally by the worlds best fashion stores. Victorias collections have been worn by celebrities including Michelle Williams, Julianne Moore, Beyonce Knowles, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet.

In 2011 Victoria Beckham won “Best Designer Brand” at the British Fashion Awards, “Accessories Designer of the Year” at the UK Glamour Women of the Year awards and “Emerging British Luxury Brand” at the Walpole Awards.

In 2012 Victoria Beckham became international ambassador for GREAT in recognition of her work for British creative industries and won “Womenswear Designer of the Year” at the WGSN Global Fashion Awards.
Source Victoria Beckham and XIX Entertainment Ltd.

RS Components Inspires Innovation at Electronica & Productronica China 2013

Fun gadgets and creative product demonstrations, using Arduino and Raspberry Pi development boards, along with the latest FREE design resources to inspire and empower innovation in local engineers

BEIJING, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the world’s leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products, will showcase a host of products and gadgets at Electronica and Productronica (EPC) 2013, to demonstrate how innovation can be easy and fun and reiterate its commitment to help engineers keep the world running. RS Components is located at Hall E1, Booth 1548.

For 75 years, RS Components has been helping engineers to do their jobs better, and continues to empower and inspire design engineers by lowering the barriers to innovation through continuous introduction of the latest products, free design tools and resources. The company’s FREE DesignSpark PCB design software, ModelSource library and 3D CAD programme together with a comprehensive range of low cost development boards help engineers to develop their ideas quickly and efficiently.

“The demonstrations we have planned illustrate how some of the latest products and development kits we offer have been used to design products from the fun MakeyMakey to more sophisticated items such as 3D printers. We hope local engineers will get excited about design and innovation from the exhibits,” said Lim Cheng Mong, Head of Product Marketing, Asia Pacific, RS Components.

Some highlights of the product demonstrations and exhibits planned include:

Arduino – MakeyMakey: this demo showcases one of the most entertaining products built using Arduino
Arduino – 3D Printer: an open source product that was developed on the Arduino for its electronic controls. This demo showcases the future of prototyping where 3D models can be printed
Raspberry Pi – Arcade gaming: using the Raspberry Pi as an Arcade game PC/Console. This showcases the versatility of the Raspberry Pi format as a low-cost platform for development of game consoles or gaming PCs
PiGo™ boards and development platforms: using the Raspberry Pi as a platform for product development by utilising the PiGo boards developed by RS Components. The PiGo platform is a modular expansion system for the Raspberry Pi that facilitates the connection of hardware functionalities for it. It extends the Raspberry Pi as a platform for engineers to prototype sophisticated products easily and quickly. RS Components is giving EPC visitors the first public preview of the new PiGo boards, which will be launched later this year.
DesignSpark PCB and ModelSource: DesignSpark PCB is the award-winning, FREE professional software for PCB layout from RS. ModelSource is the company’s unique component library that contains more than 80,000 component schematics, footprints and 3D models of semiconductors, passives and electromechanical components from leading manufacturers. The resources are available for free download via the DesignSpark website, with components available in more than 20 different formats for use with most popular PCB design software packages on the market.
“China is in transition from ‘being the world’s factory’ to an innovation-driven economy, hence we are extremely excited to showcase our efforts in empowering innovation in the local engineering and design community,” said Clement Zheng, Country Manager, China at RS Components. “Through our wide range of latest technologies and products, strong regional network and locally stocked products, fast delivery service and a robust eCommerce platform, RS Components continues to help engineers excel in their demanding environment.”

About RS Components

RS Components and Allied Electronics are the trading brands of Electrocomponents plc, the world’s leading high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products. With operations in 32 countries, we offer more than 550,000 products through the internet, catalogues and at trade counters to over one million customers, shipping around 44,000 parcels a day. Our products, sourced from 2,500 leading suppliers, include electronics, automation and control, test and measurement, electrical and mechanical components.

Electrocomponents is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the last financial year ended 31 March 2012 had revenues of GBP1.27bn.

For more information, please visit the website at http://www.rs-components.com.

Further information is available via these links:

Twitter: @RSElectronics; @alliedelec; @designsparkRS

RS Components on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/rs-components

Relevant Links:

Electrocomponents plc
http://www.electrocomponents.com

RS Components
http://www.rs-components.com

DesignSpark
http://www.designspark.com

RS Components
Tan Soo Chun
Public Relations Manager – Asia Pacific
E: soochun.tan@rs-components.com
T: +65-6391-5745
The Hoffman Agency
Rasheed Abu Bakar
Senior Account Executive
E: rscsg@hoffman.com
T: +65-6361-0250
Source: RS Components
Related stocks: LSE:ECM

DHL Enters into Agreement with Konica Minolta

Partnership optimizes Konica Minolta’s supply chain, and improves productivity through a range of comprehensive logistics services from planning to operations
Strengthens business offering in Japan with Lead Logistics Provider (LLP) services
SINGAPORE, March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — DHL Supply Chain, the global market leader for contract logistics solutions, and Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. (Konica Minolta) have agreed to enter into a Lead Logistics Provider (LLP) agreement in Japan. Starting July 2013, DHL will provide comprehensive strategic and value-added supply chain logistics services to Konica Minolta, including the design, and planning of all its logistics operations. The agreement will ultimately see DHL take over all of Konica Minolta’s logistics sites in Japan.

Shuichi Kawamura, President of DHL Supply Chain Japan says, “We are honored to be the strategic logistics partner to Konica Minolta, a company which continuously provides a variety of customer-oriented solutions in today’s diversified market. We are able to offer such support by leveraging our global expertise in LLP services. Through this shared knowledge, DHL is able to develop better value added services and innovative logistics solutions for our customers in Japan.”

The agreement between the two companies places DHL in charge overall of Konica Minolta’s domestic logistics functions. The partnership will see Konica Minolta reduce costs through optimizing warehouse operations, enhancing transportation, restructuring domestic distribution networks, standardizing of work processes, and establishing more effective management methods.

The LLP service provided by DHL Supply Chain introduces lean logistics processes to customers’ networks and delivers value-added services such as the end-to-end planning and design of supply chains. Other services include Key Performance Indicator (KPI)-based quality management, cost management visualization, and work process standardization, all of which help to manage change across entire supply chains, so customers can more efficiently meet with evolving business demands.

DHL Supply Chain has expanded and strengthened its business in Japan by leveraging knowledge and expertise gained through its international operations to meet customer requirements locally. The company offers third party logistics (3PL) solutions, allowing customers to fully outsource their logistics management and operations. Solutions include warehouse management, domestic transport, service parts logistics, package design and recycling, all delivered through state-of-the-art IT solutions and project management techniques.

– End –

DHL – The Logistics company for the world

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of 55 billion euros in 2012.

Konica Minolta Group

Konica Minolta Group offers high-quality services and solutions over 176 countries worldwide with a focus on information technology devices including office solutions such as MFPs (multi-functional peripherals) at its core, digital printing system for commercial enterprises and intra-companies, and industrial ink-jet. It also operates in sectors ranging from industrial materials business including TAC films, key material used for liquid crystal displays and measurement devices, to healthcare business including diagnostic imaging system.

Source: DHL

teamLabBody -3D Motion Human Anatomy- to be Released Globally on March 21

The World’s First 3D Human Anatomy App To Reproduce The Arrangement And Movement of a Living Human

TOKYO, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — TEAMLAB BODY Inc., co-founded by teamLab and Professor Kazuomi Sugamoto of Osaka University, will be releasing teamLabBody -3D Motion Human Anatomy- globally on March 21, 2013. The iPad app is the world’s first to reproduce the arrangement and movement of a living human and is available in English and Japanese.

Highlights of the app include:

Reproduces in animation the movements of the joints in a living human body in 3D — able to see the forms and movements of the 3D human skeleton from any angle and magnification.
Highly accurate 3D anatomy model created from CT and MRI scan data — able to see highly accurate reproductions of muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, and bones of the human body. 825 diagrams of the human body in total are covered.
Intuitively operate from Full Body View — able to freely choose any specific body part to see, making it useful for studying the human anatomy and explaining to patients as it is easy to understand.
Usages include:

Gaining practical knowledge of human anatomy and kinematics – The forms and movements of a living human body can be seen in 3D with detailed descriptions, supporting users’ study on human anatomy and kinematics.
Treatment and surgical planning – The highly accurate 3D anatomy model is useful for orthopedists and physiotherapists.
Explaining to patients – The operation of this app is easy and the visuals are easy for patients to understand, making this app useful when explaining to patients during examinations.
About Professor Kazuomi Sugamoto

Professor Kazuomi Sugamoto created the world’s first method for analyzing 3-dimensional movements of the joints of living people in 1998. He and his team have discovered that voluntary movements of living human bodies differ from involuntary movements observed in donor bodies. For more than 10 years, the team has taken CT and MRI images, observed the arrangement and movement of every single joint, analyzed the images with computer programs, and visualized the human body.

App Information:

Name: teamLabBody -3D Motion Human Anatomy-
Release Date: March 21, 2013
Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/teamlabbody-3d-motion-human/id593042008?l=ja&ls=1&mt=8
Devices: Compatible with iPad2 or above
Price: US$29.99
Languages: English, Japanese
Category: Medical

Homepage: http://www.teamlabbody.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamLabBody
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teamLabBody

For more information, please visit: http://www.teamlabbody.com/3dnote-jp/contact/index.html

Source: TEAMLAB BODY Inc.

Leather Exports to Hong Kong and Mainland China Reach Double Digit Growth Amassing HK$780 million in 2012

Breaking previous participating records, Turkish Leather Companies Participate in Full Force at the Asia Pacific Leather Fair in Hong Kong
With nearly 50 leather companies led by Turkish Leather Brands (TLB), Turkey is set to impress the world with the power of its design as well as its production capabilities. In a very special project carried out by TLB in collaboration with Turkish designer Umit Unal, Turkish leather brands will be exhibiting the Turkish influence in leather to the entire world via Hong Kong.
HONG KONG /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong and mainland China have turned to become significant platforms for the leather trade of Turkey as leather exports to the two places achieved double-digit growth again last year to a total of nearly HK$780 million (US$100 million), accounting for 7.5% of Turkey’s total leather exports.

Mr Lemi Tolunay, Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association (İMDİB) and Turkish Leather Brands (TLB) President
Turkish leather firms are expected to draw the greatest interest tomorrow at the “Asia Pacific Leather Fair” (APLF), which has been held for 29 years and deemed the most important meeting point of the industry. With 50 leather firms — 45 of them in the fully/semi-finished leather and raw materials sector, 5 in the chemicals and machinery sector — from Turkish Leather Brands (TLB) participating at APLF out of a total of 76 Turkish firms at the Fair, TLB will be leading the pack in raising the profile of Turkish leather in the world. The APLF, which is being held between 25-27 March in Hong Kong, is expected to draw 1,200 companies and 20,000 visitors. The Fair has crucial importance to demonstrate the Turkish influence in leather industry.
“Asian markets including mainland China and Hong Kong account for a significant portion of Turkey’s leather exports with 7.5%,” says Lemi Tolunay, President of Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association (iMDiB) and Turkish Leather Brands (TLB). “Our leather exports to Hong Kong and mainland China grew by about 10% in 2012. Our total leather exports to both regions have reached HK$780 million (US$100 million). Our goal is to double this figure.”
In 2012, leather and leather products exported from Turkey to Asian countries amounted to nearly HK$1.3 billion (US$132 million), of which about HK$375 million (about US$48 million) was shipped to mainland China and about HK$385 million (US$49.4 million) to Hong Kong respectively, representing corresponding growth of over 10% and nearly 9% from 2011. Turkey is the fifth largest leather and fur garments supplier in the world and its leather processing industry ranked at second place in Europe. With mainland China and Hong Kong being the biggest and third biggest importers of leather and leather goods in the world, the partnership in leather trade with Turkey is expected to grow stronger in time.
Mr. Tolunay expresses his happiness with Turkey’s strong presence at this high-profile event. Noting that Turkey has taken its place among the leading countries in production and exports in the leather industry, Tolunay adds: “Today, we are an important business partner for Asia, particularly for Hong Kong, with our design capabilities as well.” Hong Kong plays a key role in the development of leather trade between Turkey and Asia.
Where leather meets design: ARTCORE
Growing luxury consumption as well as the increasing importance given to design in Asia has had a positive impact on Turkey’s authentic and stylish premium leather product exports. The ARTCORE project at the DTG booth demonstrates Turkey’s design capabilities in leather production.
Created by prominent Turkish designer Umit Unal, whose collections are admired and followed in Hong Kong and the Far East as well as other countries including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, the work will once again demonstrate the Turkish influence in leather.
With his creations sold in Asia for 13 years under the “Umit Unal” signature, the young designer’s special work for TLB is reminiscent of a lively backstage scene featuring Turkish leather and double face products. Visitors can interact with and try the products at the booth, which will also offer live photo shootings and mini shows.
Underlining their desire to explain the contributions of Turkish fashion design to the universal language, Umit Unal said: “Today, Turkey has risen beyond a successful solution partner to prominence as a country that influences the entire global leather fashion with its design capability. And we wanted to exhibit this modern and realistic attitude in design.”
Detailed information on Mosshoes Fair and TLB’s activities is available on http://www.turkishleatherbrands.com.
Turkish Leather Brands (TLB)
The Turkish Leather Brands was founded with the purpose of promoting Turkish leather brands in domestic and international markets, increasing the market and exports potential and implementing the projects to be prepared. TLB carries out its activities with the support of companies operating in the leather sector and under the coordination of the Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association and Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association. TLB is responsible for organizing the activities of marketing to boost exports of Turkish leather and leather products, the footwear industry, developing the markets, creating a promotional strategy, increasing the market share of the sector across the globe, also primarily in the export markets, ensuring the image of Turkish leather is recognized all over the world, organizing permanent activities in the field of R&D, marketing, promotion and branding.
For Information:
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia
Alice Mok/ Cafrany Chow
Tel: (852) 2894 6317/ 2894 6379
Fax: (852) 2576 3551
Email: alice.mok@hkstrategies.com / cafrany.chow@hkstrategies.com
Source: Turkish Leather Brands (TLB)

China Yurun Food Group Limited Announces Its Annual Results Ended 31 December 2012

Actively Optimized the Sales Structure to Resume Business Step by Step
– In 2012, the Group recorded turnover of HK$26,782 million.
– The Group’s gross profit was HK$398 million.

HONG KONG /PRNewswire/ — China Yurun Food Group Limited (“Yurun Food” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) (SEHK: 1068), a leading vertically-integrated meat-product processor and supplier in China, announced today its annual results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2012 (the “Year”).
In 2012, global economy faced severe challenges. Slowdown in China’s overall economic growth, hog price fluctuation as well as slower-than-expected recovery in consumer demand all resulted in a challenging operating environment for hog slaughtering and meat processing industry in China. Facing all these challenges, Yurun Food shall continue its strategies of proactively optimising its market and sales network, operating business with persistent commitment and implementing flexible marketing strategies. During the Year, the Group recorded turnover of HK$26,782 million. The Group’s gross profit was HK$398 million and overall gross profit margin was 1.5%.
To allow root striking of the “Yurun” brand and to build up a stronger relationship with the public, Yurun Food has endeavored to strengthen brand building and maintenance, at the same time implemented radical measures and efforts to promote food safety. During the Year, the Group has been awarded several industry awards, including: “The Most Influential Consumption Brand” at Consumer Markets 20th Anniversary Huacai Awards Presentation Ceremony. At the same time, Yurun Food was the only meat and food processing enterprise in China featured by CCTV in its special programme, “2012, Our Brand”. These showed that the Company’s brand products are well received and acknowledged by the community in China.
Mr. Li Shibao, CEO of the Group, said, “Our advantages accumulated over the years in allocation, technical advances, quality, production and network will continue to support the long-term development of the company. We have confidence in facing obstacles with courage and fully implementing the solution. Despite the current challenges, we all realize the great responsibilities on us and the obstacles ahead of us. We will do our best to overcome the short term difficulties and ultimately rebuild the public recognition and trust while resuming our business and operation quality, promoting the group’s business steadily.”
Business Review
The Group’s business is divided into upstream chilled and frozen meat and downstream processed meat products segments

As of 31 December 2012 (HK$ in millions)

Turnover*

Proportion to Total
Turnover* (approximately)

Upstream Chilled and Frozen Meat, inter alia:

– Chilled Pork

21,007

85%

– Frozen Pork

3,780

15%

– Segment Total

24,787

100%

Downstream Processed Meat Product, inter alia:

– LTMP

2,395

89%

– HTMP

293

11%

-Segment Total

2,688

100%

* Including inter-segment sales

As of 31 December 2012

As of 31 December 2011

Slaughtering Capacity
(million heads)

56.65

46.05

Downstream Annual Capacity
(thousand tonnes)

307

304

In 2012, under severe business environment, as high-added-value products, chilled meat and low temperature meat products continued to be the main source of income. In the second half of 2012, the slaughtering volume and gross profit margin of downstream products are recorded increase as compared to the same period last year and first half of 2012.
Faced with a difficult operating environment, exploration of new sales distribution channels plays an active role in recovery, among which, restaurant chain channels is going to be a new growth driver in our business development. In 2012, upstream segment revenue contribution from restaurant chains increased as compared to 2011. The food and beverage industry in the PRC is currently in its early stage of development. It is heading towards a rapid development of brand consolidation, with an annual growth rate of 20% or above. Yurun Food believes the current expansion will enable the Company to seize early business opportunities and may provide room for further development of Yurun Food’s products in the future.
Production Capacity
To fully capitalize business opportunities arising from industry consolidation, the Group made forward looking deployment in regions with ample hog production capacity to satisfy market demand for quality meat products. Under the principle of strict control over investment, the Group prudently adjusted its expansion rate in accordance with market changes and continued to implement the development in an orderly manner. With respect to its upstream slaughtering segment, after the new plants in provinces including Anhui, Henan, Jiangxi, Gansu and Hainan commenced operation during 2012, the upstream slaughtering capacity of the Group reached 56.65 million heads per year at the end of 2012, representing an increase of approximately 10.60 million heads as compared to that at the end of 2011. In 2013, the Group will prudently adjust its pace of expansion in line with the operations and capital. The preliminary capital expenditure plan for 2013 will be approximately RMB 1.00 billion, which will be significantly lower than 2012.
It has always been Yurun Food’s aim to deliver products of supreme quality. In 2012, as a recognition of its stringent quality control, Yurun Food received The 2nd Award for Outstanding Contribution in Food Safety and Public Health recognising its efforts in food safety and public health. Meanwhile, the Group continued to focus on product innovation and strive to enhance competitive advantages and retain its market share.
Policy Opportunities
During the Year, the Central Government of the PRC promulgated or issued more than ten new laws, regulations and notices to regulate the hog industry and promote food safety. Nine departments including the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology joined forces to check and inspect all qualified hog slaughters across the nation. As at the end of 2012, the number of hog slaughtering establishments and small hog slaughterhouses in China significantly decreased by 22.5% and 27.7% year-on-year, respectively. The number of slaughtering enterprises in China decreased 26.2% as compared to 2011. The Company believes that, along with the industry restructuring, consolidation of the slaughtering industry in China will further guarantee sustainable development of the industry and benefit leading enterprises in the industry to sustain long-term development by leveraging competitive advantages in brand building, production capacity and market allocation.
Prospects
In 2012, Yurun Food remained resolutely to implement different measures for resuming normal operation when facing several challenges. Some of the important indicators including slaughtering volume and downstream gross profit margin have gradually improved. Entering 2013, the Group will strive for business resumption and profits, enhance sustainable development and maximize returns for its shareholders.
About China Yurun Food Group Limited (Stock Code: 1068)
Leveraging on its vertically-integrated business model and strategically located production plants, Yurun Food is the leading meat-processor and meat products supplier in China. With its well-established food brands, state-of-the-art production facilities and diversified distribution channels, Yurun Food will further strengthen its leading market position.
Company website: http://www.yurun.com.hk
Source: China Yurun Food Group Limited

Program Lineup for RISI’s European Pulp & Paper Conference

BRUSSELS/PRNewswire/ — RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, today announces new program updates for the 15th Annual European Pulp and Paper Conference. The European Conference, the premier event for the pulp and paper industry, will take place April 22-24, 2013 at the Marriott Hotel in Vienna, Austria.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080521/NEW122LOGO)
The conference will feature an impressive lineup of guest speakers representing leading companies from each aspect of the pulp and paper industry discussing challenges and opportunities they are facing. In addition, there will be RISI’s first Bio Strategy Seminar addressing the bio based economy for the pulp and paper industry.
Attendees for the conference will include executives from paper companies, merchants, pulp producers, suppliers, financial and market analysts, and other end-users.
RISI has negotiated discounted room rates at the Vienna Marriott Hotel for the 2013 conference. The discounted rates are available for a limited time, so attendees are encouraged to book their reservations early.
On April 23, the program features industry experts covering must hear topics. Speakers will include pulp and paper producers, financial analysts, associations and many more. We will also be hosting a CEO Executive Panel which will consist of a round table discussion with the region’s leading executives, including:
Peter J Oswald, CEO, Mondi Europe and International
Berry Wiersum, CEO, Sappi Fine Paper Europe
Teresa Presas, Director General, CEPI
Thomas Ehrnrooth, Vice President Marketing & Communications, Paper Business Group UPM
Dr. Wolfgang Leitner, President & CEO, Andritz
The second day of the program on April 24, attendees will hear from RISI experts and their forecasts for specific industry sectors, including:
Kurt Schaefer, Vice President, Fiber
David Katsnelson, Director, Macroeconomics
Hannah Zhao, Senior Economist, Recovered Paper
Peter Barynin, Principal Economist, Timber Service
Ville Henttonen, Senior Product Manager, Mill Intelligence
John Maine, Vice President, Graphic Paper
Esko Uutela, Principal Economist, Tissue
Orifjon Abidov, Economist, European Paper Packaging
Ken Waghorne, Vice President, Packaging
On April 24, we will also be hosting our first RISI Bio Strategy Seminar at the Marriott Hotel in Vienna, Austria. You will hear from executives discussing the pitfalls, challenges, and opportunities of entering into the bio economy. The seminar will cover key areas of biomass, bioenergy, biorefining, waste to energy, and energy savings. Additionally, you will hear case studies from companies who have implemented a successful bio strategy and are beginning to reap the rewards. Topics covered in the compelling new seminar include:
The Economical Advantages of Running a Fossil-Fuel Free Pulp Mill
Processum Biorefinery Initiative, a Successful Cluster Engine to Drive Biorefinery Development Forward
Value from Biomass with Metso Processes and Technologies
RTP Green Fuel – A Growing Business Opportunity for the Forest Cluster
Conference registrations for both of these premier events are currently available at http://www.risi.com/euroconf.
For more information on sponsoring these events, please email advertising@risi.com or visit http://www.risinfo.com/events/euro_conf/sponsoropps.html for more details.
For Press Enquiries, please contact:
Caitlin Howe
Marketing Specialist
O: +1-781-734-8956
E: events@risi.com
Notes to Editors:
About European Pulp & Paper Outlook Conference (www.risi.com/euroconf)
The 15th RISI European Pulp and Paper Outlook Conference will be held at the Vienna Marriott Hotel in Vienna on April 22-24, 2013. The conference will address some of the keys issues facing the European pulp and paper industry. The first RISI Bio Strategy Seminar will be held at the Vienna Marriott Hotel in Vienna on April 24, 2013. The seminar will address the bio based economy for the pulp and paper industry. More information regarding the event programs and registration details can be found at http://www.risi.com/euroconf.
About RISI (www.risi.com)
Owned by UBM plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, RISI is the leading information provider for the global forest products industry. The company works with clients in the pulp and paper, wood products, timber, biomass, tissue, nonwovens, printing and publishing industries to help them make better decisions.
Headquartered in Boston, MA, RISI operates additional offices throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.
About UBM plc (www.ubm.com)
UBM plc is a leading global company. We inform markets and bring the world’s buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provide them with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,000 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.
Source: RISI

‘Carmen’ Lights Up Sydney Harbour!

SYDNEY /PRNewswire/ — Fireworks lit up the Sydney skyline above an astonishing opera stage last night, as part of Opera Australia’s sensational new outdoor production of ‘Carmen’!

Sydney skyline lit up by ‘Carmen’. Opening night of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Photo: James Morgan/Opera Australia
This glittering new production brings all the drama of the world’s best-loved opera to an unrivalled watertop stage, with the iconic Sydney skyline as its backdrop. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Carmen, running for three weeks only from 22 March – 12 April.
A huge stage measuring 32m x 24m resembles a blood-stained bullfighting ring, backed by six red Hollywood-style letters spelling out CARMEN, measuring 9m high and 25m wide – impossible to miss as they beam across Sydney Harbour.
A cast of 154 performers had four weeks to rehearse, and only seven days on the steeply raked stage. Opera Australia’s costume department has produced 284 costumes. Two cranes, each 26m high, move giant props on and off the stage throughout the production, including a life-sized tank and a truck.
Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia said, “This hotly-anticipated event of ours has everyone talking. From around the harbour’s edge in Sydney, you can now see the bright lights and letters of ‘CARMEN.’
“None of this would be possible without the generous support of Dr Handa and the International Foundation of Arts and Culture. We also extend our thanks to Destination NSW, with whom we are working to attract audiences from interstate and across the globe to Australia’s major events capital, Sydney, to experience this spectacular and unique opera event.”
Carmen is directed by Gale Edwards who brings this Carmen forward to mid 20th century Spain. Award-winning set designer Brian Thomson and costume designer, Julie Lynch, are responsible for the show-stopping inspired by 1950s Hollywood glamour. John Rayment’s lighting design is a spectacle of colour and movement, and Kelley Abbey’s choreography makes the dancing a standout!
Starring in this production are internationally-renowned mezzo-sopranos Rinat Shaham and Milijana Nikolic who alternate the role of Carmen. International tenors, Dmtryo Popov and Adam Diegel share the role of Don Jose and Andrew Jones and James Clayton alternate as the Toreador, Escamillo.
WATCH: Video and Photo Galleries: http://www.operaonsydneyharbour.com.au/sights-and-sounds
TICKETS: From $79
BOOKINGS: Opera Australia: +61 2 9318 8200 / http://www.operaonsydneyharbour.com.au
Media Resources
Images, video footage and additional media releases can be downloaded from: http://www.operaonsydneyharbour.com.au/media
Source: Opera Australia

Avnet, Inc. Announces Agreement to Acquire RTI Holdings

Further expands wireless, optical, communications, industrial and digital home application product lines and strengthens presence in China and Hong Kong

PHOENIX, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT) announced today that it has agreed to acquire the shares of RTI Holdings Ltd., a value-added distributor of wireless, optical, telecom, data communications, and industrial components in Hong Kong and mainland China. In addition, Avnet will also acquire the shares of three related entities, RTI Technology China Limited, Eastele Technology China Limited, and DSP Solutions Limited. This transaction has received all necessary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the next 30 days.

“This acquisition is important to Avnet Electronics Marketing as the combination of RTI’s focused technical expertise and Avnet’s scale and scope further strengthen our competitive edge as we continue to grow in Asia,” said Harley Feldberg, president Avnet Electronics Marketing. “This transaction also complements our existing offerings of product lines and allows us to expand our value proposition to our customers. With the addition of talented employees from RTI, I am sure we will be able to tap deeper into additional markets yet to be explored.”

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Hong Kong, RTI has a strong presence in mainland China serving over 700 customers across a range of end markets including telecom and datacom, industrial and digital home applications. The company has over 120 sales/FAE/CS employees that provide application engineering services, technical support and sales promotion activities to high-tech manufacturing firms across the region. The company generated revenue of approximately US$80 million in the 2012 calendar year. This acquisition, which will be integrated into Avnet Electronics Marketing, Asia is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and supports Avnet’s return on capital goal of 12.5%.

“China remains a high priority and key strategic focus for Avnet Electronics Marketing. The acquisition of RTI not only expands our market coverage in industrial, telecom, optical and datacom, but it also strengthens our demand creation resources,” said Stephen Wong, president Avnet Electronics Marketing, Asia. “RTI is a reputable player in the region delivering a breadth of engineering services from basic circuit design to total product solutions. The addition of RTI will further complement our strategic vision of providing best-in-class products and services to our customers in a critical growth region for Avnet.”

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in facts and circumstances. The forward-looking statements herein include statements addressing future financial and operating results of Avnet and may include words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “expect,” believe,” “intend,” and “should,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussions of future operating or financial performance or business prospects. Actual results may vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: the Company’s ability to retain and grow market share and to generate additional cash flow, risks associated with any acquisition or disposition activities, the successful integration of acquired companies, any significant and unanticipated sales decline, changes in business conditions and the economy in general, changes in market demand and pricing pressures, any material changes in the allocation of product or product rebates by suppliers, allocations of products by suppliers, other competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting the businesses of Avnet generally.

More detailed information about these and other factors is set forth in Avnet’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Except as required by law, Avnet is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Avnet

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers globally. Avnet accelerates its partners’ success by connecting the world’s leading technology suppliers with a broad base of customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, Avnet generated revenue of US$25.7 billion. For more information, visit http://www.avnet.com. (AVT_IR)

Visit Avnet’s Investor Relations Website at http://www.ir.avnet.com or contact us at investorrelations@avnet.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Avnet, Inc.
Vincent Keenan
+1-480-643-7053
Vice President, Investor Relations
vincent.keenan@avnet.com

Public Relations Contact:

Avnet, Inc.
Michelle Gorel
+1-480-643-7653
Vice President, Public Relations
michelle.gorel@avnet.com

Avnet Electronics Marketing Asia
Winnie Pang
+852-2410-2751
winnie.pang@avnet.com

Source: Avnet, Inc.
Related stocks: NYSE:AVT