Swiss Green-Tech company PLAN-B NET ZERO enters North American Market with Strategic U.S. expansion
'With the establishment of our U.S. subsidiary, we've reached a major milestone,' saidBradley Mundt, President & CEO of PLAN-B NET ZERO U.S. Inc. and Founder & CEO of the PLAN-B Group. 'Especially in these turbulent times, we see immense opportunities to advance sustainable energy solutions in America. Our buy-and-build approach will enable rapid scale-up and synergistic alliances, while direct access to U.S. capital markets offers exciting financial prospects.'
Promising Partner Engagements
Early discussions with potential partners have already generated strong momentum for joint project development. Several preliminary agreements are in place, laying the groundwork for collaborative ventures that will accelerate PLAN-B NET ZERO´s footprint and impact in North America.
Atlanta as Strategic Hub
Atlanta was chosen as the headquarters for its dynamic business climate and connectivity. From this central hub, PLAN-B NET ZERO U.S. Inc. will coordinate market entry activities, strategic acquisitions, operational setup, and investor relations with North American capital markets.
About PLAN-B NET ZERO
PLAN-B NET ZERO is a Green Tech startup headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. Founded in April 2023 by Bradley Mundt, the company is dedicated to driving significant CO2 reduction. PLAN-B NET ZERO offers sustainable, comprehensive energy solutions for industrial and private customers, covering all strategic parts of the green energy value chain—including direct sales, planning, and construction of renewable energy systems, system operation, and its own energy supply and trading company.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Buy or Avoid the Drop in Chipotle & Cava Group's Stock?
Known for generating massive gains for investors, Chipotle CMG and Cava Group CAVA have seen their stocks fall mightily to 52-week lows following their lackluster Q2 results. This comes as the Zacks Retail-Restaurants Industry is currently in the bottom 21% of over 240 Zacks industries, with Chipotle and Cava starting to feel the broader consumer slowdown in fast casual dining after previously avoiding the downward trend, even as other food chains faltered from slower traffic and weaker sales. Still, long-term investors often prefer to buy into the weakness in stocks of prominent companies for what is hopefully a sharp rebound at some point, but may be wondering if it's best to avoid the drop in Chipotle and Cava shares for now. Chipotle & Cava's Weak Guidance Adding to the downward pressure on Chipotle and Cava stock is that both lowered their full-year same-store sales guidance following their lackluster Q2 reports. Chipotle cut its full-year guidance for same-store sales growth to flat, down from previous forecasts of a low-single digit increase. This comes as Chipotle's store traffic declined 5% during Q2, contributing to a 4% drop in same-store sales. Meanwhile, Cava revised its full-year same-store sales growth forecast to 3-4%, down from a previous range of 4-6%. Despite seeing a 2% increase in same-store sales during Q2, Cava's traffic trends were flat for the quarter. Chipotle's Long-Term Vision Includes More International Expansion Taking over the helm of Chipotle last year, CEO Scott Boatwright is focused on aggressive expansion and operational excellence, which his predecessor Brian Niccol helped the company thrive on before departing to lead Starbucks SBUX. Regarding expansion goals, Chipotle aims to reach 7,000 North American locations, currently having more than 3,700 stores and aiming to open 345 new restaurants this year. Boatwright also sees global expansion as a 'big number' opportunity outside of Canada, with Chipotle having locations in the United Kingdom (19 stores), France (6 stores), Germany (2 stores), and Kuwait (1 store). Furthermore, Chipotle is actively looking to expand in the Middle East through a partnership with the Alshaya Group, with new restaurants planned for Kuwait and Dubai. It's also noteworthy that 80% of Chipotle's new stores will feature Chipotlanes, mobile-order drive-thrus that have become one of the fastest scaling initiatives in the brand's history. Cava's Domestic Expansion & Automation Initiatives As for Cava Group, CEO Brett Schulman has remained bullish on the company's long-term trajectory despite recent uncertainty. Going public in 2023, the Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant has nearly 400 locations in the U.S., targeting 1,000 restaurants by 2032. Notably, Schulman sees automation as a way to enhance the company's operations, with Cava investing in tools that streamline operations, including an investment in Hyphen, a platform that develops automated make-lines for restaurant kitchens. Monitoring Chipotle & Cava's Growth Trajectories Based on Zacks' estimates, Chipotle's total sales are now expected to be up 7% this year and are projected to rise another 13% in fiscal 2026 to $13.67 billion. On the bottom line, annual earnings are currently slated to increase 8% in FY25 and are projected to rise another 17% in FY26 to $1.42 per share. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Pivoting to Cava, its total sales are projected to increase over 20% in FY25 and FY26, with projections edging toward $1.45 billion. However, it's worth mentioning that this has slowed from 30% or more annual sales growth in recent years. Moving further past the probability line, Cava's EPS is expected to be up 36% in FY25 and is projected to increase another 17% next year to $0.67 per share. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Performance & Valuation Comparison Year to date, Chipotle stock is down nearly 30% with Cava shares falling roughly 40%, vastly underperforming the benchmark S&P 500's return of +10% and even the Zacks Retail-Restaurant Market's -3%. That said, over the last two years, Cava's stock is still sitting on gains of more than +40% to roughly match the broader market, with Chipotle shares up +15% and also beating the Retail-Restaurant Market's +3% despite underperforming the S&P 500. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Previously trading at more than $3,000 a share before its historic 50-1 stock split in June of 2024, Chipotle stock is currently trading at just over $40 and 35.9X forward earnings. Although at a noticeable premium to the benchmark's 24.7X forward earnings multiple and the industry average of 19.4X, Chipotle does trade well below Cava at 124.6X, with CAVA trading around $70. While price-to-sales may be a better indicator of Cava's true value to investors at this stage of its corporate life, CAVA has a forward P/S ratio of 6.8X, which is also a more noticeable stretch to the industry average of less than 1X, with Chipotle at 4.8X. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Conclusion & Final Thoughts It may be tempting to buy Chipotle and Cava Group stock near their 52-week lows, but there could still be much better buying opportunities ahead. This is certainly the case for Cava's stock, which lands a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) considering its lofty valuation amid weaker demand for fast casual dining. Chipotle's stock, on the other hand, has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and may offer better long-term value to investors at current levels, especially considering its international expansion. Of course, Chipotle also has a longer track record and stronger balance sheet to navigate the Retail-Restaurant Industry's uncertainty. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) : Free Stock Analysis Report CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio


Axios
2 hours ago
- Axios
John Deere sales suffer as tariffs, crop prices hit hard
Higher tariffs and lower crop prices are dampening demand for John Deere equipment as the company says many of its customers "remain cautious" about the economy. Why it matters: Deere serves as a reflection of the health of the American agricultural sector and construction industry. By the numbers: The company reported a 9% decline in quarterly revenue to $12 billion and a 26% decline in net income to $1.29 billion. It also projected $600 million in pretax costs from tariffs for the year, largely due to trade with Europe and India, as well as duties on steel and aluminum. Overall, the company lowered the high end of its profit outlook for the year by $250 million. On the demand side, Deere said customers are "waiting and seeing" on a clearer picture of their end markets as tariff rates settle. The persistence of lower commodity prices also continues to crimp customers' margins, investor relations director Josh Beal said on the company's earnings call Thursday. Those uncertainties "have made farmers increasingly cautious in spending decisions and more hesitant to accept higher machinery prices," CFRA Research equity analyst Jonathan Sakraida said in a research note. Between the lines: Deere was not able to make up for the tariffs with price increases. In fact, prices fell. Prices declined in the construction and forestry segment and in the large agricultural segment, CFO Joshua Jepsen said on the call. In the large agricultural segment, the price decreases were "primarily driven by actions taken to address used inventory in North America," Jepsen said. On the construction side, Jepsen cited competitive pressure in the North American earthmoving market for the need to be aggressive on pricing.


Business Wire
3 hours ago
- Business Wire
Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund to Acquire Polytec, a Provider of Turnkey Water Treatment Solutions
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund ('Chemtrade' or the 'Fund') (TSX: today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Polytec, Inc. ('Polytec'), a southeastern United States-based provider of turnkey water treatment solutions, for US$150 million. The transaction represents a multiple of approximately 6.5x LTM Adjusted EBITDA. Chemtrade will finance the acquisition by drawing on its credit facility and anticipates it will close during the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Following the transaction, Chemtrade expects to maintain ample liquidity and leverage. Polytec was founded over 30 years ago and provides turnkey water treatment solutions to a diverse customer base, primarily in the food-processing industry but also in the municipal market. The purchase of Polytec will add a unique solutions platform to Chemtrade's line of water treatment chemicals products. Chemtrade's North American-wide footprint and internal business systems will be used to leverage Polytec's business, with opportunities for cross-selling in the U.S. and Canada as well as more efficient management of overall business systems. 'This transaction will enable Chemtrade to expand its footprint in water solutions for the food-processing industry and municipal markets while also adding to our range of products,' said Scott Rook, President and CEO of Chemtrade. 'Polytec's founder Jack Harmon has built a company with the reputation of providing the best quality service and products. It is an excellent addition to Chemtrade's capabilities, broad spectrum of customers, logistics network, and technical expertise. Furthermore, the acquisition of Polytec is well-aligned with our strategy of growing the water business and represents an important step towards delivering on the growth pillars of Chemtrade's Vision 2030.' Commenting on the acquisition, Chemtrade's CFO, Rohit Bhardwaj, said 'Our successful leverage reduction strategy has provided Chemtrade with the financial flexibility to pursue compelling growth opportunities such as the acquisition of Polytec while continuing to maintain a conservative balance sheet and leverage within our target range without diluting our unitholders. Our capital deployment decisions remain grounded in financial discipline and are aligned with our goal of driving sustainable earnings growth and attractive total unitholder returns.' Polytec's founder Jack Harmon has committed to staying actively involved in the business in the months following the close of the sale to ensure a smooth transition for employees and customers. 'Polytec was founded over 30 years ago with the commitment to provide customers with high quality service, products, and technology. Over the years, Polytec invested in manufacturing facilities across four Southeastern states with the ability to support customer programs throughout the USA and internationally. The combination of Polytec and Chemtrade will reinforce our manufacturing and service capabilities as we aim to use our knowledge, service, and products to keep our customers compliant with water quality regulations,' said Jack Harmon, founder of Polytec. 'Chemtrade shares a similar vision, and I am confident that the combination of Polytec's unique water treatment solutions and Chemtrade's footprint will further accelerate our growth and the quality service we provide to our customers.' Advisors BMO Capital Markets served as financial advisor and Dorsey & Whitney LLP as legal advisor to Chemtrade. About Chemtrade Chemtrade is a Canadian company, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, which operates a diversified business providing industrial chemicals and services to customers across North America and around the world. Chemtrade is one of North America's largest suppliers of sulphuric acid, spent acid processing services, inorganic coagulants for water treatment, sodium chlorate, sodium nitrite and sodium hydrosulphite. Chemtrade is also a leading producer of high purity sulphuric acid for the semiconductor industry in North America. Chemtrade is a leading regional supplier of sulphur, chlor-alkali products, and zinc oxide. Additionally, Chemtrade provides industrial services such as processing by-products and waste streams. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the Securities Act (Ontario). Forward-looking statements can be generally identified by the use of words such as 'anticipate', 'continue', 'estimate', 'expect', 'expected', 'intend', 'may', 'will', 'project', 'plan', 'should', 'believe' and similar expressions. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to certain future expectations about: Chemtrade's ability to obtain regulatory approvals, to close the acquisition transaction and the timing thereof; the source of funding for the transaction; Chemtrade's ability to maintain ample liquidity and leverage following the transaction; Chemtrade's ability to leverage Polytec's business across North America and via its internal business systems; its ability to cross sell in the US and Canada and to more efficiently manage overall business systems; Chemtrade's ability to expand its water solutions footprint for the food-processing industry and municipal markets while adding to its range of products; and the length of time Mr. Harmon will remain as a consultant. Forward-looking statements in this news release describe the expectations of the Fund and its subsidiaries as of the date hereof. These statements are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including without limitation the risks and uncertainties detailed under the 'RISK FACTORS' section of the Fund's latest Annual Information Form and the 'RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES' section of the Fund's most recent Management's Discussion & Analysis. Although the Fund believes the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, and they should not be unduly relied upon. Except as required by law, the Fund does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Further information can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund with the securities regulatory authorities, available at