Latest news with #AWP
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
PTAG Completes Acquisition of Construct-X, Expanding Capabilities in Advanced Work Packaging and Lean Project Delivery
TORONTO, July 28, 2025 /CNW/ - PTAG Inc. ("PTAG"), a leading provider of integrated project consulting services for capital projects, today announced it has completed its acquisition of Construct-X, a U.S.-based consultancy recognized for its leadership in Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) and Lean Project Delivery. The transaction closed on June 30, 2025. With the integration now complete, Construct-X's tools, methodologies, and expert team have joined PTAG's expanding Advanced Project Delivery platform to accelerate digital transformation and operational excellence across the capital project lifecycle. "This acquisition marks a significant milestone in PTAG's mission to lead the industry in project delivery innovation," said Michael Dubreuil, Managing Partner at PTAG. "Construct-X brings unmatched expertise in AWP and Lean practices that align perfectly with PTAG's client-first collaborative project delivery approach. Together, we are even better positioned to drive measurable improvements in predictability, performance, and project outcomes." As part of the acquisition: Ted Blackmon, formerly CEO of Construct-X, joins PTAG's Board of Directors and executive management team as Special Advisor. Fernando Espana now leads PTAG's Advanced Project Delivery practice, scaling project best practices globally. Construct-X has been at the forefront of AWP deployment for nearly two decades, enabling owners, EPCs, and contractors to adopt structured, scalable delivery models that enhance field productivity and capital efficiency. "PTAG and Construct-X share a common vision for transforming how capital projects are delivered," said Ted Blackmon. "We're excited to bring our legacy and expertise into the PTAG ecosystem and continue shaping the future of AWP, Lean, and digitally enabled project delivery into what the industry is calling Advanced Project Delivery." All Construct-X employees have successfully transitioned to PTAG. Clients can expect seamless service continuity and an expanded suite of integrated offerings. Interested in working with PTAG? If you are a project owner, an EPC, contractor, or professional seeking to elevate project delivery or advance your career with an industry leader, we'd love to connect. SOURCE PTAG Inc.
France 24
24-07-2025
- Business
- France 24
Nestle struggles amid weak China market
The company whose brands also include Purina dog food, Maggi bouillon cubes, Gerber baby food and Nesquik chocolate-flavoured drinks, reported a 10.3 percent drop in first half profits to 5.1 billion Swiss francs ($6.4 billion). Sales, however, only dipped by 1.8 percent to 44.2 billion francs, which was due in large part to passing on higher cocoa and coffee prices to consumers, although faced even greater headwinds from the strong Swiss currency. "We are also taking decisive measures to strengthen our business in Greater China," said chief executive Laurent Freixe. The company said China, which has suffered sluggish domestic consumption amid a deflationary price environment, had a 0.7 percentage point impact on organic growth in the second quarter. Overall, the company reported 2.9 percent quarterly organic growth, which strips out currency effects and other elements to measure performance. Nestle warned China would continue to weigh on growth as it invested to turn around its performance. Nestle's shares fell 3.5 percent in a Swiss market that was flat overall, as the sales figures missed the analyst consensus calculated by Swiss financial news agency AWP. Net profit came in slightly higher than expected. Nestle made a surprise switch of its chief executive least year amid soft spending by consumers for food and household goods. Nestle's share price slumped by nearly a quarter last year, raising concerns in Switzerland, where pension funds invest heavily in the company. The company launched a number of measures to boost its product offering and cut costs. That was reflected in better organic growth in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, and Nestle said that it was expected to continue for the rest of the year. Nestle said it was maintaining its 2025 guidance "despite factoring in increased headwinds". It aims for an underlying trading operating profit margin of at least 16 percent this year, compared to 17.2 percent in 2024. It came in at 16.5 percent in the first half of the year. © 2025 AFP
Scoop
19-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
East Malaita Constituency Retires 2024 CDF, Submits 2025 Annual Work Plan
The East Malaita Constituency (EMC) has formally submitted its 2024 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Expenditure Report to the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), demonstrating a commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with the reporting obligations outlined in Section 29 of the CDF Act 2023. The submitted report details the disbursement of about $3.88 million in CDF funds allocated to each constituency for the 2024 financial year. The presentation was made by the Member of Parliament for EMC, Honourable Manasseh Maelanga. During the submission, Hon. Maelanga also presented the constituency's 2025 Annual Work Plan (AWP), which outlines community development programs and initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering sustainable growth within the constituency. Representing the MRD, PS John Misite'e acknowledged the submission as a positive step forward. He emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to implementing the CDF legislation and providing guidance to ensure proper administration of constituency programs within this legal framework. PS Misite'e highlighted the importance of annual reports, including financial expenditure reports, as critical documents for organizational accountability and transparency, especially when public resources are involved. 'These reports reinforce transparency and demonstrate accountability in the use of public funds,' he said. He also commended Hon. Maelanga and his constituency officers for their diligent efforts in fulfilling their reporting obligations. He also thanked other constituencies that have already submitted their 2024 CDF reports. PS Misite'e called on remaining constituencies to submit their reports by July 31st, reiterating the urgency and importance of compliance. 'I urge all constituencies to come forward with their reports soon,' he emphasized. Hon. Maelanga, on behalf of the people of East Malaita and his constituency officers, expressed his happiness in submitting the report and pledged ongoing support to the MRD to ensure annual compliance with legal reporting requirements. He noted that most of the EMC 2024 budget was allocated to road infrastructure, education support, medical assistance, administration, and other sectors vital to community development. Hon. Maelanga reaffirmed EMC's commitment to its mandate and continued support and purpose to collaborate with MRD, other government agencies, and stakeholders to implement effective development initiatives that will improve the livelihoods of his constituents. He extended heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry, his constituency officers, stakeholders, communities, and all supporters of development initiatives undertaken under his leadership. The CDF Act 2023 was passed by Parliament on December 22, 2023, and came into effect on January 5, 2024. This legislation makes it clear that any offences committed by recipients of the CDF after this commencement date are subject to penalties. Penalties apply to constituents, Members of Parliament, and public officers who commit offences such as: Misappropriates any funds or assets from the fund; or Advances materials and cash from a supplier without prior approval from the responsible ministry; or Fraudulently converts project assets or materials to his own use or to the use of some other person; or Deliberately victimises non-voters by excluding them from receiving Constituency Development Funds projects and funds without justifiable grounds; or Assists or causes a person to misappropriate or apply the funds otherwise than in the manner provided in this Act and Regulations. With the new CDF legislation in place, it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to adhere to the law, ensuring proper use of funds and avoiding legal penalties. We should view this legislation not as a threat but as a guide to conduct and accountability in managing development funds or public resources. The primary purposes of the CDF Act 2023 are: To strengthen good governance; To ensure improved and effective delivery mechanisms of the Constituency Development Funds and To promote equal and inclusive participation of all Solomon Islanders in development. Constituents and the public are encouraged to consult their respective constituency offices should they need to get more information about how their constituency offices implement their Constituency Development Program (CDP). Constituency Development Program is a national programme of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) administered by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD). It is implemented by the 50 constituencies in the country purposely to improve the socio-economic livelihoods of Solomon Islanders.
France 24
10-07-2025
- Business
- France 24
Barry Callebaut cuts outlook as chocolate sales volumes melt away
With cocoa bean prices up 43 percent year-on-year, the company said it suffered a 9.3 percent fall in sales volume in the April to June quarter, compared to the same period last year. The drop was 6.2 percent for chocolate, worse than the overall 4.2 percent fall in the global market, which it said was the largest quarterly drop in sales volumes in a decade. Zurich Cantonal Bank analyst Daniel Burki said the quarterly drop in sales volume "was worse than feared". The company's share price was down nearly 13 percent in late afternoon trading. Barry Callebaut, whose financial year runs through the end of September, said its nine-month sales volumes were down 6.3 percent, which was worse than the 5.1 percent drop expected by analysts surveyed by Swiss financial news agency AWP. While sales volumes have dropped, sales revenue has swelled as Barry Callebaut passes on rising cocoa prices to customers. Its nine-month sales revenue jumped 49.5 percent to 10.9 billion Swiss francs ($13.7 billion), outpacing the rise in cocoa prices. But the company reduced its financial guidance to investors, saying it now expects a high-single-digit increase in annual operating profit from recurring operations, down from its previous forecast of a double-digit gain.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New mother had 'terrifying' thoughts of hurting her baby
A mum who was plagued by thoughts of hurting herself and her newborn has spoken out amid a rise in new mums seeking help for their mental health.A specialist service which provides perinatal mental health treatment in the west of England has seen an 80% rise in referrals in the past three from Bath, said she had had "absolutely terrifying" thoughts of hurting her son and was at risk of taking her own life or abandoning her family before she asked her health visitor for help."Instead of judging me, they met me with so much empathy and understanding," the 36-year-old said. "I learned intrusive thoughts like the ones I was facing are actually really common, especially in new mums." The two community perinatal mental health teams in the West, which operate in Bristol, Bath, North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, received 4,816 referrals in 2024-25 - up from 2,668 in service is run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) and its clinical development lead Becky Eva said more awareness of its services and a better understanding of perinatal mental health had played a "significant role" in the rise. Ms Eva explained maternal suicide was the leading cause of death for a woman in the first year of their child's life."The hope for the service is that we reach the women who need our service and we are able to give them access to psychological therapies and evidence-based treatment," she added. Becky was supported by the service in 2023 after experiencing postnatal depression and severe anxiety. While still in pain and recovering from giving birth, Becky said she had struggled to shower, eat and sleep while also trying to establish breastfeeding and care for her son. "On top of that, I was getting these really frightening, intrusive thoughts about harming my son," she added. "These thoughts, they absolutely terrified me."After experiencing symptoms for about six months, Becky said she had ended up "fleeing" her home in her dressing gown one evening after her husband had arrived said: "I walked to the nearest park in the dark and I walked around thinking 'I can't look after my son'."Everyone was telling me that I should enjoy this time, that this time goes so fast, and aren't I lucky? And I'm really struggling." 'Repulsed' Becky said she had had "just enough grip on reality" that she returned home and asked for help from her health was sent for a rapid assessment and received support at home from the mental health team until her son was one year said she had been "repulsed" by the intrusive thoughts and "desperately" did not want to act on them, meaning she was not considered a threat to herself or her baby and was treated at home rather than in a mother and baby unit. Becky told the BBC she felt it was "no surprise" an increasing number of women were using the service."I think a lot of it comes down to a lack of support we have within our community," she said."We're increasingly segregated and expected to raise our children on our own, whereas previous generations raised them within the family, within the community."She added: "Without the support from peers and the mental health team, I think I was at serious risk of taking my life or potentially abandoning my family." The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has said mental health problems frequently go unrecognised and untreated, with some women not seeking help due to the fear of stigma or of intervention by social adds perinatal mental health problems can have significant and long-lasting effects on a woman and her family, as well as on children's emotional, social and cognitive development. Ms Eva said AWP had provided training to help clinicians and people supporting new mothers recognise the signs of mental ill health."Mental health can deteriorate for a number of reasons, with additional stresses around finances and interpersonal relationships," she said."Our maternity and health visiting colleagues do those routine checks. We have done a lot of work to create a single point of access, which means all referrals come through to the specialist team."By having this single point of access, it creates a much better safety net." If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, information and support is available at BBC Action Line.
