Hims & Hers Buys Lab to Expand Into At-Home Blood Testing
Hims & Hers Health Inc. is expanding beyond its successful foray into providing copycat weight-loss drugs with the acquisition of a home blood-testing company.
The telehealth provider purchased Sigmund NJ LLC, which uses a US-approved device for home testing of hormones, cholesterol and other markers of health, according to a statement. New Jersey-based Sigmund markets its services as Trybe Labs. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
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Kingsoft Cloud Announces Unaudited First Quarter 2025 Financial Results
BEIJING, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited ("Kingsoft Cloud" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: KC and HKEX: 3896), a leading cloud service provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31,2025. Mr. Tao Zou, Chief Executive Officer of Kingsoft Cloud, commented, "Despite uncertainties in global supply chain, we believe the importance for cloud services as infrastructure in the AI-era is gaining greater traction. This quarter, our gross billing of AI business increased by 228% year- over-year to RMB525 million, accounting for 39% of our public cloud services. We are confident and fully committed into our AI related investment and high-quality and sustainable business development." Mr. Henry He, Chief Financial Officer of Kingsoft Cloud, added, "Our revenue increased by 10.9% year-over-year, achieving RMB1,970.0 million for the first quarter; however sequentially we experienced seasonal decrease. Our adjusted gross profit was RMB327.7 million, increased by 9.6% year-over-year and decreased by 23.4% quarter-over-quarter. Adjusted gross margin was 16.6% in this quarter, compared with 16.8% in the first quarter 2024 and 19.2% in the fourth quarter last year. Our adjusted operating loss was RMB55.8 million, narrowed by 56% from RMB127.0 million in the same period last year. Our adjusted EBITDA profit achieved RMB318.5 million, representing an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.2%" First Quarter 2025 Financial Results Total Revenues reached RMB1,970.0 million (US$271.5[1] million), increased by 10.9% year-over-year from RMB1,775.7 million in the same quarter of 2024 and decreased by 11.7% quarter-over-quarter from RMB2,232.1million in the fourth quarter of 2024. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to the expanded revenue from Xiaomi and Kingsoft Ecosystem and AI related customers and our further penetration into enterprise cloud customers. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to the seasonality impact for enterprise cloud. Revenues from public cloud services were RMB1,353.5 million (US$186.5 million), increased by 14.0% from RMB1,187.4 million in the same quarter of 2024 and decreased by 4.0% from RMB1,409.8 million last quarter. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to the growth of AI demands. Revenues from enterprise cloud services were RMB616.5 million (US$85.0 million), representing an increase of 4.8% from RMB588.2 million in the same quarter of 2024 and a decrease of 25.0% from RMB822.3 million last quarter. The sequential decrease was mainly due to the Chinese New Year impact and differentiated delivery schedules for various projects. Other revenues were nil this quarter. Cost of revenues was RMB1,651.7 million (US$227.6 million), representing an increase of 11.4% from RMB1,482.4 million in the same quarter of 2024, which was mainly due to our investment into AI computing resources. IDC costs decreased by 6.0% year-over-year from RMB768.5 million to RMB722.8 million (US$99.6 million) this quarter. The decrease was mainly due to our strict control over procurement costs. Depreciation and amortization costs increased from RMB183.5 million in the same quarter of 2024 to RMB378.5 million (US$52.2 million) this quarter. The increase was mainly due to the depreciation of newly acquired servers which were allocated to AI business. Solution development and services costs increased by 13.3% year-over-year from RMB446.0 million in the same quarter of 2024 to RMB505.2 million (US$69.6 million) this quarter. The increase was mainly due to the solution personnel expansion of Camelot. Fulfillment costs and other costs were RMB3.1 million (US$0.4 million) and RMB42.1 million (US$5.8 million) this quarter. Gross profit was RMB318.3 million (US$43.9 million), representing an increase of 8.5% from RMB293.3 million in the same quarter of 2024, demonstrating our improvements in revenue quality and structure. Gross margin was 16.2%, remaining stable compared with 16.5% in the same period in 2024. Non-GAAP gross profit[2] was RMB327.7 million (US$45.2 million), compared with RMB299.1 million in the same period in 2024. Non-GAAP gross margin[2] was 16.6%, compared with 16.8% in the same period in 2024. The improvement of our gross profit was mainly due to the decrease of procurement costs. The sequential decrease of gross margin was mainly due to the growing investment into AI and the delay of high-margin profile enterprise cloud projects in first quarter. Total operating expenses were RMB552.5 million (US$76.1 million), decreased by 2.6% from RMB567.4 million in the same quarter last year and increased by 17.7% from RMB469.5 million last quarter. Among which: Selling and marketing expenses were RMB144.3 million (US$19.9 million), increased by 23.6% from RMB116.8 million in the same period in 2024 and increased by 24.7% from RMB115.8 million last quarter. The increase was due to the increase of one-time-off bonus of share based compensation. General and administrative expenses were RMB182.0million (US$25.1million), decreased by 16.8% from RMB218.7 million in the same period in 2024 and slightly increased by 1.4% from RMB179.5 million last quarter. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the decrease of credit loss expense, which was partially offset by the increase of share based compensation. Research and development expenses were RMB226.2 million (US$31.2 million), decreased by 2.5% from RMB232.0 million in the same period in 2024 and increased by 29.9% from RMB174.2 million last quarter. The increase was mainly due to our continuous investment into research and development personnel to enhance our technology competitiveness and increase of share based compensation. Operating loss was RMB234.2 million (US$32.3 million), compared with operating loss of RMB274.2 million in the same quarter of 2024 and RMB43.5 million last quarter. The year-over-year improvement was mainly due to the increase of gross profit and our strict expenses control, while the sequential increase was mainly due to the impact of gross profit and increase of shared based compensation. Non-GAAP operating loss[3] was RMB55.8 million (US$7.7 million), compared with operating loss of RMB127.0 million in the same quarter last year and operating profit of RMB24.4 million last quarter. Net loss was RMB316.1 million (US$43.6 million), compared with net loss of RMB363.6 million in the same quarter of 2024 and RMB200.6 million last quarter. Non-GAAP net loss[4] was RMB190.6 million (US$26.3 million), compared with RMB217.3 million in the same quarter of 2024 and RMB70.3 million last quarter. The year-over-year improvement was mainly due to the revenue quality increase, revenue mix adjustment, strict costs control and expenses control. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was mainly due to the seasonality impact. Non-GAAP EBITDA[5] was RMB318.5 million (US$43.9 million), compared with RMB33.2 million in the same quarter of 2024 and RMB359.7 million last quarter. Non-GAAP EBITDA margin was 16.2%, compared with 1.9% in the same quarter of 2024 and 16.1% in the previous quarter. The increase was mainly due to the expansion of AI businesses with higher margin. Basic and diluted net loss per share was RMB0.08 (US$0.01), compared with RMB0.10 in the same quarter of 2024 and RMB0.05 last quarter. Cash and cash equivalents were RMB2,322.7 million (US$320.1 million) as of March 31, 2025, compared with RMB2,648.8 million as of December 31, 2024. The decrease was mainly due to the investment into operation and the investment into the procurement of computing power equipment. Outstanding ordinary shares were 3,703,014,637 as of March 31, 2025, equivalent to about 246,867,642 ADSs. [1] This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi (RMB) amounts into U.S. dollars (US$) at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, the translation of RMB into US$ has been made at RMB7.2567 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2025 as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. [2] Non-GAAP gross profit is defined as gross profit excluding share-based compensation allocated in the cost of revenues and we define Non-GAAP gross margin as Non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of revenues. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. [3] Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit is defined as operating loss excluding share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets and we define Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit margin as Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit as a percentage of revenues. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. [4] Non-GAAP net loss is defined as net loss excluding share-based compensation and foreign exchange loss (gain), and we define Non-GAAP net loss margin as adjusted net loss as a percentage of revenues. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. [5] Non-GAAP EBITDA is defined as Non-GAAP net loss excluding interest income, interest expense, income tax (benefit) expense and depreciation and amortization, and we define Non-GAAP EBITDA margin as Non-GAAP EBITDA as a percentage of revenues. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release. Conference Call Information Kingsoft Cloud's management will host an earnings conference call on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 8:15 am, U.S. Eastern Time (8:15 pm, Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day). Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to Once preregistration has been completed, participants will receive dial-in numbers, direct event passcode, and a unique access PIN. To join the conference, simply dial the number in the calendar invite you receive after preregistering, enter the passcode followed by your PIN, and you will join the conference instantly. Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available on the Company's investor relations website at Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information is prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). In evaluating our business, we consider and use certain non-GAAP measures, Non-GAAP gross profit, Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit, Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit margin, Non-GAAP EBITDA, Non-GAAP EBITDA margin, Non-GAAP net loss and Non-GAAP net loss margin, as supplemental measures to review and assess our operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define Non-GAAP gross profit as gross profit excluding share-based compensation allocated in the cost of revenues, and we define Non-GAAP gross margin as Non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of revenues. We define Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit as operating loss excluding share-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets and we define Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit margin as Non-GAAP operating (loss) profit as a percentage of revenues. We define Non-GAAP net loss as net loss excluding share-based compensation and foreign exchange loss (gain), and we define Non-GAAP net loss margin as Non-GAAP net loss as a percentage of revenues. We define Non-GAAP EBITDA as Non-GAAP net loss excluding interest income, interest expense, income tax (benefit) expense and depreciation and amortization, and we define Non-GAAP EBITDA margin as Non-GAAP EBITDA as a percentage of revenues. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. We also believe that the use of these non-GAAP measures facilitates investors ' assessment of our operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect our operations. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. We compensate for these limitations by reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We encourage you to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Exchange Rate Information This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars, in this press release, were made at a rate of RMB7.2567 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2025 as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the " safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook, and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Kingsoft Cloud's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Kingsoft Cloud may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Kingsoft Cloud's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Kingsoft Cloud's goals and strategies; Kingsoft Cloud's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; relevant government policies and regulations relating to Kingsoft Cloud 's business and industry; the expected growth of the cloud service market in China; the expectation regarding the rate at which to gain customers, especially Premium Customers; Kingsoft Cloud's ability to monetize the customer base; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China; and the economy in China and elsewhere generally; China's political or social conditions and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Kingsoft Cloud's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Kingsoft Cloud does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. About Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: KC and HKEX:3896) is a leading cloud service provider in China. With extensive cloud infrastructure, cutting-edge cloud-native products based on vigorous cloud technology research and development capabilities, well-architected industry-specific solutions and end-to-end fulfillment and deployment, Kingsoft Cloud offers comprehensive, reliable and trusted cloud service to customers in strategically selected verticals. For more information, please visit: For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited Nicole ShanTel: +86 (10) 6292-7777 Ext. 6300Email: ksc-ir@ KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands)Dec 31,2024 Mar 31,2025 Mar 31,2025RMB RMB US$ ASSETSCurrent assets:Cash and cash equivalents 2,648,764 2,322,674 320,073 Restricted cash 81,337 63,670 8,774 Accounts receivable, net 1,468,663 1,807,011 249,013 Short-term investments 90,422 60,245 8,302 Prepayments and other assets 2,233,074 2,254,813 310,722 Amounts due from related parties 318,526 629,876 86,799 Total current assets 6,840,786 7,138,289 983,683 Non-current assets:Property and equipment, net 4,630,052 6,514,205 897,681 Intangible assets, net 694,880 660,926 91,078 Goodwill 4,605,724 4,605,724 634,686 Prepayments and other assets 449,983 444,555 61,261 Equity investments 234,182 232,790 32,079 Operating lease right-of-use assets 137,047 124,585 17,168 Total non-current assets 10,751,868 12,582,785 1,733,953 Total assets 17,592,654 19,721,074 2,717,636 LIABILITIES, NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITYCurrent liabilities:Accounts payable 1,877,004 2,040,574 281,199 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 3,341,990 3,616,908 498,423 Short-term borrowings 2,225,765 2,550,970 351,533 Income tax payable 69,219 75,532 10,409 Amounts due to related parties 1,584,199 1,471,400 202,764 Current operating lease liabilities 61,258 42,459 5,851 Total current liabilities 9,159,435 9,797,843 1,350,179 Non-current liabilities:Long-term borrowings 1,660,584 1,997,371 275,245 Amounts due to related parties 309,612 494,982 68,210 Deferred tax liabilities 101,677 89,725 12,364 Other liabilities 790,271 1,932,576 266,316 Non-current operating lease liabilities 65,755 63,932 8,810 Total non-current liabilities 2,927,899 4,578,586 630,945 Total liabilities 12,087,334 14,376,429 1,981,124 Shareholders' equity:Ordinary shares 25,689 25,689 3,540 Treasury stock (105,478) (88,114) (12,142) Additional paid-in capital 18,940,885 19,071,212 2,628,083 Statutory reserves funds 32,001 32,001 4,410 Accumulated deficit (14,291,957) (14,605,883) (2,012,744) Accumulated other comprehensive income 566,900 574,660 79,190 Total Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited shareholders' equity 5,168,040 5,009,565 690,337 Non-controlling interests 337,280 335,080 46,175 Total equity 5,505,320 5,344,645 736,512 Total liabilities, non-controlling interests and shareholders' equity 17,592,654 19,721,074 2,717,636 KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)Three Months EndedMar 31,2024 Dec 31,2024 Mar 31,2025 Mar 31,2025RMB RMB RMB US$ Revenues: Public cloud services 1,187,370 1,409,804 1,353,479 186,514 Enterprise cloud services 588,162 822,338 616,498 84,956 Others 152 - - - Total revenues 1,775,684 2,232,142 1,969,977 271,470 Cost of revenues (1,482,431) (1,806,170) (1,651,671) (227,606) Gross profit 293,253 425,972 318,306 43,864 Operating expenses: Selling and marketing expenses (116,752) (115,792) (144,338) (19,890) General and administrative expenses (218,695) (179,536) (181,999) (25,080) Research and development expenses (231,963) (174,155) (226,170) (31,167) Total operating expenses (567,410) (469,483) (552,507) (76,137) Operating loss (274,157) (43,511) (234,201) (32,273) Interest income 8,370 4,176 4,946 682 Interest expense (51,066) (61,821) (82,897) (11,424) Foreign exchange (loss) gain (42,737) (105,572) 9,051 1,247 Other (loss) gain, net (8,207) (2,956) 3,244 447 Other (expense) income, net (11,190) 5,336 (7,012) (966) Loss before income taxes (378,987) (204,348) (306,869) (42,287) Income tax benefit (expense) 15,371 3,706 (9,241) (1,273) Net loss (363,616) (200,642) (316,110) (43,560) Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (4,206) (3,683) (2,184) (301) Net loss attributable to Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited (359,410) (196,959) (313,926) (43,259)Net loss per share: Basic and diluted (0.10) (0.05) (0.08) (0.01) Shares used in the net loss per share computation: Basic and diluted 3,614,662,846 3,710,632,202 3,728,092,123 3,728,092,123 Other comprehensive income, net of tax of nil: Foreign currency translation adjustments 20,704 103,658 7,744 1,067 Comprehensive loss (342,912) (96,984) (308,366) (42,493) Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests (4,247) (3,667) (2,200) (303) Comprehensive loss attributable to Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited shareholders (338,665) (93,317) (306,166) (42,190) KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, except for percentage)Three Months EndedMar 31,2024 Dec 31,2024 Mar 31,2025 Mar 31,2025RMB RMB RMB US$ Gross profit 293,253 425,972 318,306 43,864 Adjustments: – Share-based compensation expenses (allocated in cost of revenues) 5,814 1,726 9,365 1,291 Adjusted gross profit (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) 299,067 427,698 327,671 45,155 KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, except for percentage)Three Months EndedMar 31,2024 Dec 31,2024 Mar 31,2025 Gross margin 16.5 % 19.1 % 16.2 % Adjusted gross margin (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) 16.8 % 19.2 % 16.6 % KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, except for percentage)Three Months EndedMar 31,2024 Dec 31,2024 Mar 31,2025 Mar 31,2025RMB RMB RMB US$ Net Loss (363,616) (200,642) (316,110) (43,560) Adjustments: – Share-based compensation expenses 103,595 24,774 134,611 18,550 – Foreign exchange loss (gain) 42,737 105,572 (9,051) (1,247) Adjusted net loss (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) (217,284) (70,296) (190,550) (26,257) Adjustments: – Interest income (8,370) (4,176) (4,946) (682) – Interest expense 51,066 61,821 82,897 11,424 – Income tax (benefit) expense (15,371) (3,706) 9,241 1,273 – Depreciation and amortization 223,146 376,100 421,901 58,140 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) 33,187 359,743 318,543 43,898 – Gain on disposal of property and equipment (23,821) (10,137) (2,110) (291) Excluding gain on disposal of property and equipment, normalized Adjusted EBITDA 9,366 349,606 316,433 43,607 KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, except for percentage)Three Months EndedMar 31,2024 Dec 31,2024 Mar 31,2025 Mar 31,2025RMB RMB RMB US$ Operating loss (274,157) (43,511) (234,201) (32,273) Adjustments: – Share-based compensation expenses 103,595 24,774 134,611 18,550 – Amortization of intangible assets 43,517 43,104 43,781 6,033 Adjusted operating (loss) profit (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) (127,045) 24,367 (55,809) (7,690) – Gain on disposal of property and equipment (23,821) (10,137) (2,110) (291) Excluding gain on disposal of property and equipment, normalized Adjusted operating (loss) profit (150,866) 14,230 (57,919) (7,981) KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, except for percentage)Three Months EndedMar 31,2024 Dec 31,2024 Mar 31,2025 Net loss margin -20.5 % -9.0 % -16.0 % Adjusted net loss margin (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) -12.2 % -3.1 % -9.7 % Adjusted EBITDA margin (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) 1.9 % 16.1 % 16.2 % Normalized Adjusted EBITDA margin 0.5 % 15.7 % 16.1 % Adjusted operating (loss) profit margin (Non-GAAP Financial Measure) -7.2 % 1.1 % -2.8 % Normalized Adjusted operating (loss) profit margin -8.5 % 0.6 % -2.9 % KINGSOFT CLOUD HOLDINGS LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (All amounts in thousands)Three Months EndedMar 31,2024 Dec 31,2024 Mar 31,2025 Mar 31,2025RMB RMB RMB US$ Net cash (used in) generated from operating activities (321,336) 570,222 (418,390) (57,656) Net cash used in investing activities (1,169,017) (1,337,978) (490,393) (67,578) Net cash generated from financing activities 1,112,096 1,802,762 549,998 75,792 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (20,464) (15,294) 15,028 2,071 Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (398,721) 1,019,712 (343,757) (47,371) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 2,489,481 1,710,389 2,730,101 376,218 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 2,090,760 2,730,101 2,386,344 328,847 View original content: SOURCE Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited Sign in to access your portfolio
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Brixey & Meyer Capital Acquires Universal Distribution Group (UDG) to Expand its Automotive Shop Equipment Platform
CINCINNATI and CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brixey & Meyer Capital ("BMC") is pleased to announce the acquisition of Universal Distribution Group, ("UDG"), a leading provider of aftermarket automotive shop equipment, including sales, installation, and technical field service. UDG was acquired from founder and operator Josh Lyerly, who will retain an ownership stake and continue in a leadership role in the business. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, UDG is a market leader in comprehensive shop equipment solutions for dealerships, municipalities, and independent repair facilities. Its highly trained field service team specializes in preventative maintenance, inspections, and repairs of light and heavy-duty automotive lifts, air compressors, A/C recovery systems, wheel alignment tools, and more. UDG represents the third investment in BMC's aftermarket automotive equipment platform and significantly expands its geographic coverage across the Southeast. In October 2024, BMC acquired Professional Maintenance & Equipment ("PME" or "ProMain") and Smith Equipment Solutions ("SES"), both based in Eastern North Carolina. The addition of UDG now extends the platform's footprint across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Southern Virginia. "UDG's mission has always been to deliver the best equipment in the industry backed by exceptional service," said Josh Lyerly. "This partnership enables us to expand across the Carolinas and meet the growing needs of our customers--especially in the collision repair segment." The platform is led by a seasoned executive team with plans for continued organic and acquisitive growth. "The partnership with UDG is a natural fit," said Patrick Nichol, CEO of the platform. "We're excited to bring UDG's heavy-duty capabilities into our platform while offering its customers expanded collision repair solutions. Together, we're elevating our value proposition and delivering complete solutions across the market." About Brixey & Meyer Capital: Brixey & Meyer Capital is a Cincinnati-based private investment firm focused on lower-middle-market companies. Since its founding, BMC has successfully completed 19 acquisitions and raised over $200 million in committed capital. The firm currently manages five different platform businesses across various industries. More on Brixey & Meyer Capital can be found on their website. About BMC's Automotive Shop Equipment Platform: The platform is a full-service distributor, installer, and field service provider of automotive and collision repair equipment. Serving dealerships, multi-site operators, municipalities, and independent repair centers across the Southeast, the platform delivers end-to-end solutions—from facility design through ongoing maintenance. Contact: Patrick View original content: SOURCE Brixey & Meyer Capital
20 minutes ago
In the Arizona desert, a farm raising fish raises questions about water use
DATELAND, Ariz. -- Storks scatter, white against blue water, as Dan Mohring's pickup truck rumbles down the dirt road. He's towing a trailer full of ground-up beef, chicken, fish and nutrient bits behind him, ready to be shot out of a cannon into the ponds below. It's time to feed the fish. Mohring fires up the machine and the food flies out in a rainbow arc. Then the water comes alive. Hundreds of thrashing, gobbling barramundi wiggle their way to the surface, all fighting for a piece. Until, in a few months, they will become food themselves. In the desert of landlocked Arizona, where the Colorado River crisis has put water use under a microscope, Mainstream Aquaculture has a fish farm where it's growing the tropical species barramundi, also known as Asian sea bass, for American restaurants. Mainstream sees it as a sustainable alternative to ocean-caught seafood. They say chefs and conscious consumers like that the food has a shorter distance to travel, eliminating some of the pollution that comes from massive ships that move products around the world. And they and some aquaculture experts argue it's efficient to use the water twice, since the nutrient-rich leftovers can irrigate crops like Bermuda grass sold for livestock feed. 'We're in the business of water,' said Matt Mangan, head of Australia-based Mainstream's American business. 'We want to be here in 20 years', 30 years' time.' But some experts question whether growing fish on a large scale in an arid region can work without high environmental costs. That question comes down to what people collectively decide is a good use of water. In Arizona, some places manage water more aggressively than others. But the whole state is dealing with the impacts of climate change, which is making the region drier and water only more precious. The farm uses groundwater, not Colorado River water. It's a nonrenewable resource, and like mining, different people and industries have different philosophies about whether it should be extracted. 'As long as groundwater is treated as an open resource in these rural parts of Arizona, they're susceptible to new industries coming in and using the groundwater for that industry,' said Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University's Morrison Institute. Some scientists believe aquaculture can play a role in protecting wild ocean ecosystems from overfishing. And it might play at least a small role in smoothing any supply problems that result from the Trump administration's tariffs on imports from dozens of countries, including those that send the U.S. about 80% of its seafood, per the United States Department of Agriculture. In the greenhouses at University of Arizona professor Kevin Fitzsimmons' lab in Tucson, tilapia circle idly in tanks that filter down into tubs full of mussels and floating patches of collard greens and lettuce. Fitzsimmons mentored the student who started the tilapia farm eventually bought by Mainstream about three years ago where they now raise barramundi. 'I don't think desert agriculture is going away," he said. 'Obviously, we want to do it as water-efficient as possible." But not everyone agrees it's possible. 'Artificial ponds in the desert are stupid,' said Jay Famiglietti, a professor at ASU and director of science for the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative. He worried about heavy water losses to evaporation. Mangan says that evaporation hasn't been an issue so much as the loss of heat in the wintertime. That has required pumping more water since its warmth when it arrives at the surface helps keep the barramundi cozy. But Mangan says they've been improving pond design to retain heat better and have found, after the last year of research and development, that they can cut their water requirement by about half as a result. Plus, he argues, the water coming out of the fish ponds is "essentially liquid fertilizer," and though it's slightly salty, they use it for crops that can tolerate it, like Bermuda grass dairy cows can eat. But that's supporting the cattle industry, which contributes more than its share of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, Famiglietti said. 'Doing two suboptimal things doesn't make it better,' he said. Purple flowers sprout alongside paddle wheels. Fish bones crunch underfoot. The faint odor of brackish water and ammonia catches in the breeze. Without groundwater, none of it would be possible. Some farmers in Arizona rely on water from the Colorado River, but many others use well water to irrigate crops like alfalfa for the dairy industry or the lettuce, cucumbers and melons shipped nationwide year-round. Arizona has seven areas around the state where groundwater is rigorously managed. Dateland doesn't fall into one of those, so the only rule that really governs it is a law saying if you land own there, you can pump a 'reasonable' amount of groundwater, said Rhett Larson, who teaches water law at ASU. What might be considered 'reasonable' depends from crop to crop, and there's really no precedent for aquaculture, an industry that hasn't yet spread commercially statewide. Using numbers provided by Mainstream, Porter calculated that the fish farm would demand a 'very large amount' of water, on par with a big ranch or potentially even more than some suburbs of Phoenix. And she noted that although the water use is being maximized by using it twice, it's still depleting the aquifer. When the company scoped out Arizona to expand, Mangan said they didn't see nearly the same kinds of regulations as back in Australia. As part of its growth strategy, Mainstream is also hoping to work with other farmers in the area so more can use nutrient-rich fish pond wastewater to produce hay. They say a few have expressed interest. The seafood industry needs to reduce its reliance on catching small wild fish to feed bigger farmed ones that humans eat, said Pallab Sarker, an assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who studies sustainability in the aquaculture industry. He said seabirds and mammals rely on small species like anchovies and mackerel commonly used in fish meal. 'We should not rely on ocean fish to grow fish for aquaculture to meet the demand for humans,' Sarker said. Mainstream gets its fish feed from two suppliers, Skretting and Star Milling, but Mangan and Mohring said they didn't know for certain where those suppliers got their base ingredients from. Fitzsimmons, of the University of Arizona, also pointed out that between pollution, overfishing and oceanfront development for recreation, the commercial fishing industry had already been facing problems. He doesn't think that Trump's moves this spring to open up marine protected areas for commercial fishing will improve that situation the way aquaculture could. 'We can't keep hunting and gathering from the ocean,' Fitzsimmons said. ___ ___
