Latest news with #Choo
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
AutoCount achieves profit of RM13.65m in Q1 FY25 as phase 3 of e-Invoicing approaches
KUALA LUMPUR: Autocount Dotcom Bhd, a developer and distributor of financial management software, recorded a net profit of RM13.65 million for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2025 (FY25), surging 235.4% year-on-year from RM4.07 million previously, underscoring the strong demand for its e-invoicing solutions. The profitability was supported by the group's quarterly revenue of RM25.55 million, reflecting an increase of 86.9% compared to RM13.7 million in the same quarter last year. This performance was primarily driven by increased adoption of AutoCount's e-invoicing module, aligning with the government's ongoing efforts toward digitalisation and compliance. AutoCount also reported a strong operating cash flow of RM17.32 million in the quarter, demonstrating the group's financial resilience and solid capability to fund ongoing growth initiatives. Net profit margin improved significantly to 53.4%, benefiting from a favourable cost structure that includes largely fixed expenses such as staff-related costs, which do not increase proportionally with revenue, enhancing the operating leverage as revenue expands. Managing director YT Choo said the company's record performance in Q1 FY25 highlights its strategic success in capitalising on the growing e-invoicing market. 'Our scalable cost structure has enabled us to effectively convert increased revenues into higher profitability, and our strong cash flow positions us well to sustain this growth trajectory,' he said. AutoCount remains optimistic about future performance driven by the forthcoming implementation phases of Malaysia's e-invoicing mandate. Phase 3, affecting businesses with annual revenues between RM500,000 and RM25 million, will begin on July 1, 2025, followed by Phase 4 on January 1, 2026, which covers businesses with annual revenues between RM150,000 and RM500,000. Additionally, the recently introduced AutoCount OneSales PalmPOS, a mobile POS solution designed specifically for micro-SMEs, is expected to further enhance growth opportunities by helping small businesses adopt digital financial practices seamlessly. 'With a clear market demand, robust solutions, and supportive regulatory frameworks, we anticipate continued strong double-digit growth in both our top and bottom lines for FY2025,' Choo said. 'Our unwavering commitment to innovation and supporting businesses through their digital transformation ensures our continued market leadership.'
Business Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Stocks to watch: Sembcorp, Bukit Sembawang, SBS Transit, Boustead
THE following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their securities on Tuesday (May 27): Sembcorp : Its subsidiary Sembcorp Utilities entered an agreement with several of its South-east Asian counterparts to explore exporting renewable energy from Vietnam into Malaysia and Singapore, the group said on Monday. Under the agreement, the parties will focus on unlocking Vietnam's renewable energy resources, particularly offshore wind power, as a source for green electron generation and to supply clean electricity across borders. The counter ended Monday 1.4 per cent or S$0.09 higher at S$6.65, before the news. Bukit Sembawang : The property developer posted a net profit after tax of S$51.4 million for its second half ended March, a 13 per cent increase from S$45.6 million in the year-ago period. The increase was mainly due to the recognition of higher profits for residential development projects Pollen Collection, Liv@MB and Fraser Residence Orchard, the group said on Monday. Shares of Bukit Sembawang Estates closed Monday 0.3 per cent or S$0.01 lower at S$3.92, before the news. SBS Transit : Member of Parliament for Tampines Changkat Desmond Choo stepped down from the board of SBS Transit with immediate effect on Monday, following his appointment as Minister of State for Defence last Friday. Choo, who has been a board member of the transport company since April 2021, will also relinquish his membership on the board's remuneration and nominating committee. He continues to be assistant secretary-general at the National Trades Union Congress. Shares of SBS Transit closed Monday 0.4 per cent or S$0.01 higher at S$2.75, before the news. Boustead : The engineering and technology group on Monday posted a net profit of S$59.1 million for the six months ended March, representing a 58 per cent increase on the year, although revenue slid 42 per cent to S$231.9 million. The mainboard-listed company said that profits had risen despite lower revenue due to lower income tax expenses and a one-off gain. The counter ended lower by S$0.01 or 1 per cent at S$1.04, before the update. Trading halt: Printing cylinder supplier Fuji Offset called for a trading halt with immediate effect on Tuesday morning, pending an announcement. Its shares closed Monday 19.7 per cent or S$0.065 higher at S$0.395.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Guardians' long-standing black hole in right field, and who could maybe, finally, fix it
DETROIT — How pronounced is the Guardians' long-standing black hole in right field? Consider the three players with the most starts in right field for the club since the start of the 2013 campaign. No. 1: A third baseman-turned-platoon outfielder who hasn't appeared in a game in seven years. No. 2: A platoon player who arrived two years ago and has already lost his grip on the job. Advertisement No. 3: A former platoon player who is now a pitcher in the Guardians' system. The team hasn't been able to unearth a steady solution at the spot since Shin-Soo Choo patrolled right field. Cleveland has started a different right fielder on Opening Day each of the last 14 years: Choo, Drew Stubbs, David Murphy, Brandon Moss, Collin Cowgill, Abraham Almonte, Lonnie Chisenhall, Tyler Naquin, Domingo Santana, Josh Naylor, Steven Kwan, Will Brennan, Ramón Laureano and Jhonkensy Noel. Since the start of 2013, Cleveland's right fielders rank 26th in fWAR, 27th in wRC+ and 27th in OPS. No one has made 200 starts at the position. It's long been a land of platoon bats, repositioned infielders and patchwork free-agent signings. And with Nolan Jones and Noel floundering for the first two months of the 2025 season, it's once again a problem area for a team desperate for offense. Center field hasn't been much steadier, by the way. Myles Straw is the only player to start in center on Opening Day in consecutive seasons in that same time frame. As for left field, Kwan and Michael Brantley have at least made one outfield spot a source of reliability. Before we assess the Guardians' future in right field, let's venture down memory (nightmare?) lane and revisit the short-lived next great hopes, the free-agent follies and other reminders of the organization's most glaring deficiency. 2012: Four different starters, led by Choo with 151 starts … third among the league's 30 teams in wRC+ (weighted runs created, a way to measure total offensive output relative to the rest of the league) by right fielders. With apologies to Aaron Cunningham (eight starts), Thomas Neal (two) and Vinny Rottino (one, but an incredible walk-up song: the 'Godfather' theme), this was Choo's domain, where he thrived for five seasons, until Cleveland traded him to the Reds ahead of his contract year. The hope: They landed Terry Francona in October and dealt Choo two months later, but they wanted to reinvest, with designs to (at least attempt to) win under their new manager. Enter Stubbs and Nick Swisher. 2013: Six different starters, led by Stubbs with 86 … 14th in wRC+ Stubbs slid over to right when the club signed Michael Bourn to cover center. Ryan Raburn spent some time in right. Swisher mostly manned first base, but was an option in right as well. Jason Kubel, Ezequiel Carrera and Matt 'Crash' Carson made cameos, too. Advertisement The hope: Swisher and Raburn were in tow, but they needed a free agent to replace Stubbs. How about Murphy? 2014: Nine different starters, led by Murphy with 109 … 29th in wRC+ Remember Tyler Holt? How about Chris Dickerson or JB Shuck or Zach Walters or Chris Johnson, who missed time after a spider bite? Murphy was a tick below league-average at the plate. The hope: Murphy had one more year remaining on his contract, but there was hope on the horizon with a couple of first-round picks in Naquin and Clint Frazier. 2015: Seven different starters, led by Moss with 77 … 26th in wRC+ Ten years ago, Cleveland fans spent several weeks chanting, 'Jerry, Jerry,' as Jerry Sands delivered a handful of pivotal hits (but finished with a .676 OPS). Moss was a much-ballyhooed addition who fell short of expectations and was dumped midseason, as was Murphy. The hope: With Bourn and Swisher booted from the roster, it was time to build a new outfield around Brantley. Chisenhall made the switch from third base, Naquin was on the cusp, and, hey, maybe that José Ramírez kid could help in a pinch. 2016: Nine different starters, led by Chisenhall with 99 … 25th in wRC+ Cowgill started on Opening Day, with lefty David Price on the mound for Boston. Cowgill totaled 12 at-bats for the club. Marlon Byrd handled the position until he was popped for PEDs and vanished. There was a sprinkling of Almonte, Michael Martínez and Brandon Guyer. Naquin settled in center, along with Rajai Davis. Oh, and this team nearly won the World Series. The hope: Chisenhall and Guyer seemed like the perfect pairing, like a ribeye and a glass of cabernet. 2017: Eight different starters, led by Jay Bruce with 40 … 15th in wRC+ This lineup was loaded, but right field was a bit messy. Almonte, Chisenhall, Guyer and Austin Jackson all shared reps. Does the name Daniel Robertson ring a bell? He started 13 games in right. He's now the bench coach at Triple-A Columbus. Even Carlos Santana moonlighted as a right fielder during interleague play so Edwin Encarnacion could play first base. When Brantley suffered an ankle injury in August, Cleveland traded for Bruce, who was a brilliant fit, highlighted by his walk-off hit to secure the club's final win during its 22-game streak that summer. The hope: The team was stacked. Surely it could find someone. 2018: Six different starters, led by Melky Cabrera with 65 … 21st in wRC+ Right field was perhaps the greatest weakness on a talented roster. Cabrera was sitting at home when Cleveland called in late April. The team cut him in mid-June and then brought him back a few weeks later to occupy right, even though he had the defensive range of a cactus. This was the end of the Chisenhall/Guyer platoon. Surely you recall that Brandon Barnes started a game in right in September. Advertisement The hope: Naquin and a to-be-acquired platoon partner would have to be the answer. 2019: Seven different starters, led by Naquin with 60 … 14th in wRC+ Welcome to the Summer of Puig. Jordan Luplow joined the roster and annihilated lefties. Franmil Reyes and Yasiel Puig arrived at the trade deadline. Things were looking up. The hope: If Reyes could boost his agility, he would be the long-term solution. (That would become an annual refrain.) Or, at least, he could partner with Naquin so he's not a full-time DH. 2020: Five different starters (in only 60 games), led by Naquin with 32 … 28th in wRC+ Domingo Santana, we hardly knew ye. The club bailed on the free-agent signee midway through the shortened season after he mustered a .583 OPS. With Naquin, Luplow, Reyes, Delino DeShields, Oscar Mercado, Bradley Zimmer and Naylor, Cleveland had plenty of outfield candidates. The hope: Naylor was acquired to lock down right field, leaving left and center as the more pressing questions. 2021: Seven different starters, led by Naylor with 50 … 14th in wRC+ Naylor wrecked his leg in late June, ending his season. Zimmer transformed into a hulking slugger in his absence. Remember Harold Ramírez and Daniel Johnson? They had brief chances, too. The hope: With Naylor's status a concern, it was again time for Reyes to prove reliable in the outfield. 2022: Nine different starters, led by Oscar Gonzalez with 82 … ninth in wRC+ The guy with the 'SpongeBob SquarePants' theme as his walk-up song certainly wasn't the plan for right field, but he seized his opportunity and delivered a couple of October walk-offs. Jones debuted. Mercado said goodbye. Kwan burst onto the scene but quickly shifted to left. Naylor moved to first to protect his leg, and Reyes played his way off the roster. In a year of 17 rookie debuts, Alex Call, Brennan and Will Benson all surfaced. Advertisement The hope: In case Gonzalez's production wasn't sustainable, there was plenty of depth with Brennan, Jones and Benson — you know, as long as they traded the right guys. 2023: Six different starters, led by Brennan with 88 … 28th in wRC+ This season marked the downfall of Gonzalez, the arrival of Laureano and the final big-league breaths for Kole Calhoun. In the end, the club once again lacked a sufficient answer in right. The hope: Brennan, even after an uninspiring rookie season, was the guy, with Laureano as his right-handed partner. 2024: Ten different starters, led by Brennan with 65 … 20th in wRC+ By the end of the season, Brennan and Noel were a tandem. Laureano and Estevan Florial started the season on the roster, but neither made it past Memorial Day. The hope: Noel, the postseason hero, just needed a platoon partner. Brennan seemed to be the likeliest choice. 2025: Four different starters in 49 games, led by Jones with 26 … 28th in wRC+ At last, we have arrived at the present. Jones is out of minor-league options, which buys him more time to convert sexy underlying metrics into substantial production. So far, that hasn't happened, and there are a few prospects knocking on the door. C.J. Kayfus has shifted to first base to right field at Triple A, all to widen his potential path to the majors. Chase DeLauter, recovered from an abdominal injury, has joined him in Columbus. Both should force their way to Cleveland at some point this summer, even if Jones turns it around. George Valera should eventually lurk at Triple A, too. The hope: Once again, promising prospects have risen to the forefront of this equation. Kayfus could wind up at first in the long run, but his recent exposure to right field can only help. If DeLauter can stay healthy — a Terminal Tower-sized if — he's done nothing but hit as a professional. Should he need a platoon partner, Noel and Johnathan Rodriguez are hanging around, though Noel has had a rotten two months. Juan Brito, a second baseman by trade, also saw time in right last season. (Top photo of Nolan Jones: Ken Blaze / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Designer Patrick Cox to Give Keynote Speech at 2025 Cordwainers Footwear Awards
Fashion and footwear designer Patrick Cox and shoe legend Datuk Professor Jimmy Choo OBE will help celebrate the latest edition of the Cordwainers Footwear Awards next month. According to the event organizers, Cox will deliver this year's keynote address at the ceremony, slated to take place on June 12 at Saddlers' Hall in London. More from WWD Conner Ives, Alexander Fury Dig Into Jimmy Choo's Archives How Bella Hadid's Jimmy Choo Heels Unified Milla Jovovich's 90s Cannes Dress and Kylie Jenner's Latex Allure at Orebella's London Launch Party Tom Cruise, Michael B. Jordan and the Evolution of Height-Boosting Shoes: Why the 'Mission' Is Growing Choo, an honorary liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers and a graduate of Cordwainers College, will receive this year's Sue Saunders Award for Excellence, awarded by nomination to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the footwear trade. The late Saunders was Choo's tutor, event organizers said. As well as the main design award, additional categories include the Sneaker/Athleisure Award, which recognizes the innovative design work in this area; and the Sustainability Award, which asks students to think about the environmental impact of their design solutions. The 2025 awards will also introduce the inaugural Craft of Shoemaking Award, sponsored by bespoke shoemakers Carréducker. The winner of this award will receive a package of specialist training at Carréducker comprising a two-day bespoke pattern-making course, and a three-day closing techniques course with pattern-making specialist Fiona Campbell, and a 12-day handsewn shoemaking course. This year, 15 finalists will compete to win the coveted Cordwainers Footwear Awards Trophy. Also new for 2025 is an additional prize — the Stuart Weitzman MA Award — which recognizes the designs of MA students. The design awards offer students significant cash prizes and the opportunity to earn industry recognition for their work. Finalists also gain mentoring experience from top names in the British footwear industry with the opportunity to network with market leaders. Monetary prizes this year include 3,000 pounds for first place, 2,000 pounds for second place and 1,500 pounds for the Sustainable Development Award, Sneaker/Athleisure Award, and the Stuart Weitzman MA Award winners. A commendation prize will also be available for 500 pounds. The main judging panel this year includes Kristina Blahnik, chief executive officer of Manolo Blahnik; designer Sophia Webster; Brian Kutsch, co-owner and creative director of Locol Design; and Darren McKoy, formerly global creative director of Dr. Martens. Jonathan Church, co-director of Cheaney's and master of the Cordwainers for 2024 and 2025, said in a statement that it has been a 'privilege' to witness the growth of the Cordwainers Footwear Awards. 'This country is a market leader in footwear design and manufacture in an industry worth over 730 million pounds in the U.K. alone,' Church said. 'The Cordwainers were founded to support footwear and that commitment to excellence and talent continues. We should celebrate the heritage craft of footwear design and manufacture in the U.K.' Over the last decade the company has given over 1 million pounds to support footwear education and the British footwear industry, providing scholarships, bursaries, and prizes to students on footwear and leather goods courses. The Cordwainers Footwear Awards are open to student designers across the U.K. on both MA and BA courses. Entries this year were received from Central Saint Martins, De Montfort University, Jimmy Choo Academy, London College of Fashion, Northampton University and the Royal College of Art. Best of WWD Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos] Crocs Collaborations From Celebrities & Big Brands You Should Know
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Huggs Coffee expands from cafes in CBD to supplying corporate pantries and hospitals
Clarissa Choo is a brand director of Huggs Coffee and a second-generation leader of the business, which was founded by her father Ron Choo. PHOTO: BT FILE Huggs Coffee expands from cafes in CBD to supplying corporate pantries and hospitals SINGAPORE - Having established itself in the Central Business District (CBD), Huggs Coffee seeks to delve deeper into workplaces – not just offices, but hospitals too. This is under its business-to-business (B2B) division Huggs Professionale, which focuses on corporate and healthcare workers. The chain began in 2008 with cafes in the CBD, offering both traditional Nanyang-style kopi and artisanal Western-style coffee. After Huggs became established among office workers, the company ventured into another industry where caffeine is key: hospitals. 'For us, it is a natural extension – looking outside the CBD and into hospital spaces,' said Clarissa Choo, brand director of Huggs Coffee and a second-generation leader of the business, which was founded by her father Ron Choo. Huggs made its first foray into healthcare with a cafe in Tan Tock Seng Hospital in 2017, followed by one at National University Hospital in 2022, and another at the National Cancer Centre Singapore in October 2023. It was also in 2023 that the company launched Huggs Professionale, offering coffee beans, coffee machines and vending machines – with a selected range of freshly brewed coffees – to businesses. 'This really allows us to diversify our footprint – not just within the retail space, but also in corporate pantries,' said Ms Choo. In 2024, Huggs opened cafes in Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Hospital, with the latter also featuring the first Huggs Professionale vending machine. As hospitals run around the clock, their staff may need coffee at any time of the day. But this has implications for labour costs, Ms Choo noted. 'It's not commercially viable to open our cafe 24/7.' Vending machines solve this problem. Even after the cafe closes at 5 pm, staff can still get a fresh brew from the vending machine. Ms Choo looks forward to setting up vending machines in other hospitals while improving both the coffee – with a wider range of blends – and the machines themselves. For instance, Mount Elizabeth worked with Huggs to create its own coffee blend for staff and patients named 'It's Possible', after the hospital's tagline. Custom brews Huggs has already been offering packaged coffee beans for retail in their CBD cafes. But the B2B division enables the company to look at retail and customisation in a 'more structured manner', said Choo. With corporate offices, for instance, Huggs works with clients' requests for coffee blends and coffee machines. For those unsure of which blends to stock, Huggs holds blind tasting sessions – similar to those for Mount Elizabeth – where clients can taste Huggs' coffee blends in different variations, as well as its non-caffeinated drinks. 'We introduce a realm of different taste profiles and dive into a very extensive R&D (research and development) session,' she said. These range from fruitier, tropical blends to ones that are thicker and more chocolatey, the director added. Local, international expansion Corporate clients aside, Huggs is strengthening its consumer presence, aiming to reach Singapore's speciality coffee drinkers. In June 2024, it launched its first Sojourner outlet in the Royal Group Building along Phillip Street. The new concept is part of the so-called 'fifth wave' of coffee: modern, business-centred cafes that serve high-quality, artisanal brews. The aim is to reach more coffee connoisseurs and those who are more 'discerning and adventurous' with their coffee, said Ms Choo. Sojourner brings in premium beans such as Ethiopia Bensa and those from less well-known regions such as Papua New Guinea; it also brews its own artisanal blends. A second Sojourner outlet was later opened in private vault The Reserve, and is exclusive to its employees. Similarly, Apple employees also have exclusive use of a Huggs Coffee cafe. This June, Huggs will open its third Sojourner outlet in Capital Tower and its 19th Huggs Coffee outlet in Punggol Digital District, with the help of an SME Working Capital Loan from UOB, under the government's Enterprise Financing Scheme. The Punggol branch will include a Huggs Professionale showcase and a vending machine that remains accessible, even after the cafe's business hours. Ms Choo wanted to live up to the district's name by digitalising the cafe experience, as well as taking the opportunity to showcase Huggs Professionale's automation. Regionally, Huggs Coffee plans to expand to Malaysia and the Philippines, and is considering Japan and Dubai. The company is still in preliminary discussions with partners and master franchisees, and is still undecided about which market to enter first. Obtaining adequate information is key, said Ms Choo. 'Otherwise, it's uncharted territory for us.' Going abroad may require some adaptation, as the Nanyang-style coffee offered in Huggs outlets in Singapore is tailored to the local market. In overseas ventures, Huggs may have to tweak the intensity and composition of its coffee, to align it more with the taste buds of coffee drinkers there, said Ms Choo. Overseas menus may incorporate artisanal coffee, as well as the new market's own version of kopi. 'Depending on the market that we penetrate, we need to see what their version of everyday coffee (is), and localise.' THE BUSINESS TIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
