Latest news with #Hacking
The Age
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Age
Blinged-up trucks converge on South Bank for Brisbane Truck Show's heavy vehicle bonanza
'Each one of these vehicles has a story,' said Todd Hacking, CEO of Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, which runs the biannual Brisbane Truck Show. 'Each one has an owner that's poured money – probably too much money if we're honest – into making them look absolutely fantastic.' Just ask Kenny 'Jo Jo' Easter, general manager of Queensland's K.S. Easter Transport. The company's 'Pegasus Volvo' features custom airbrushed art by renowned late US painter Mike Lavallee. In 2015, Lavallee was flown out by the Viking Trucks company on the Sunshine Coast to complete the job at considerable cost, with the help of East Coast Airbrushing. 'When I spoke to Mike he said this would be an expensive project, but he said 'this will be something that will be a showstopper everywhere you go'. 'And sure enough, every show that it's been in, it's taken out first place.' While K.S. Easter is a large operation, Hacking said 75 per cent of Australia's fleet was made up of companies with just one truck. 'You're talking about mostly regionally based people who have probably mortgaged their house to buy a piece of equipment to have a profession as a truck driver, so it becomes almost an extension of the family.' Brisbane Truck Show began as an industry-only event held in Rocklea in 1968, with 21 exhibitors. Now, 57 years later, it's the biggest automotive exhibition in the southern hemisphere and the second-largest trade show in Australia. According to the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, 2023's show attracted more than 43,000 visitors and injected $31.5 million into the local economy. Hacking said that since 2019 the event had focused on involving the general public with activations and sister events. The Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show at the RNA Showgrounds and the Heritage Truck Show at the Rocklea Showgrounds are taking place concurrently, while a careers hub in South Bank will introduce 1400 school students to the heavy vehicle industry. 'The whole surrounds of the Convention Centre will be alive and have a festival-like atmosphere,' he said. The show would coincide with National Road Safety Week, and Hacking said exhibits shone a light on new safety technologies on the market, such as cameras that made it easier for truck drivers to see cyclists in blind spots. Loading 'There's all manner of low and zero-emissions technology, from just improving the aerodynamics of the vehicles right through to full-battery electric vehicles and alternative fuels like HVO, which is hydrotreated vegetable oil. 'This is the Australian industry's biggest event, so this is where you're going to see it first.'
Sydney Morning Herald
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Blinged-up trucks converge on South Bank for Brisbane Truck Show's heavy vehicle bonanza
'Each one of these vehicles has a story,' said Todd Hacking, CEO of Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, which runs the biannual Brisbane Truck Show. 'Each one has an owner that's poured money – probably too much money if we're honest – into making them look absolutely fantastic.' Just ask Kenny 'Jo Jo' Easter, general manager of Queensland's K.S. Easter Transport. The company's 'Pegasus Volvo' features custom airbrushed art by renowned late US painter Mike Lavallee. In 2015, Lavallee was flown out by the Viking Trucks company on the Sunshine Coast to complete the job at considerable cost, with the help of East Coast Airbrushing. 'When I spoke to Mike he said this would be an expensive project, but he said 'this will be something that will be a showstopper everywhere you go'. 'And sure enough, every show that it's been in, it's taken out first place.' While K.S. Easter is a large operation, Hacking said 75 per cent of Australia's fleet was made up of companies with just one truck. 'You're talking about mostly regionally based people who have probably mortgaged their house to buy a piece of equipment to have a profession as a truck driver, so it becomes almost an extension of the family.' Brisbane Truck Show began as an industry-only event held in Rocklea in 1968, with 21 exhibitors. Now, 57 years later, it's the biggest automotive exhibition in the southern hemisphere and the second-largest trade show in Australia. According to the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, 2023's show attracted more than 43,000 visitors and injected $31.5 million into the local economy. Hacking said that since 2019 the event had focused on involving the general public with activations and sister events. The Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show at the RNA Showgrounds and the Heritage Truck Show at the Rocklea Showgrounds are taking place concurrently, while a careers hub in South Bank will introduce 1400 school students to the heavy vehicle industry. 'The whole surrounds of the Convention Centre will be alive and have a festival-like atmosphere,' he said. The show would coincide with National Road Safety Week, and Hacking said exhibits shone a light on new safety technologies on the market, such as cameras that made it easier for truck drivers to see cyclists in blind spots. Loading 'There's all manner of low and zero-emissions technology, from just improving the aerodynamics of the vehicles right through to full-battery electric vehicles and alternative fuels like HVO, which is hydrotreated vegetable oil. 'This is the Australian industry's biggest event, so this is where you're going to see it first.'
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Coles, Woolies respond to global supermarket pistachio shortage
Woolworths and Coles have given Australians an update after a viral food trend sparked a global shortage of pistachios. The supermarket giants responded after a recent spike in demand for pistachio flavoured products saw the price and availability of the humble nut soar. Pistachios became the 'hottest flavour' in recent months after the 'Dubai chocolate' trend took off on social media. The thick bar, made by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in the UAE city, is filled with pistachio cream and kataifi, a 'string' pastry commonly used to add a satisfying crunch to both sweet and savoury dishes. While Dubai chocolate first launched in 2021, it didn't take off until two years later after several TikTok creators shared their reviews, causing the pistachio-filled block to go viral. Two years on, and the pistachio craze has become mainstream, with supermarkets getting in on the action and offering items such as pistachio sandwich spreads and ice creams. But the soaring popularity has had a huge knock-on effect for producers of the nut, which confusingly, is actually the seeds of the pistachio tree. A recent report revealed pistachio kernel prices have surged from $12 a pound (almost half a kilo) a year ago to around $16 a pound, according to Giles Hacking of global nut trader CG Hacking. 'The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment,' he told the Financial Times. Thankfully, while many countries have been affected by the shortage, Australian supply has largely remained unaffected. Coles said it has a 'great supply of pistachios available' to cope with the growing demand from customers. 'We have seen a noticeable trend in customers seeking pistachio-flavoured food items, and we are committed to offering a wide range of products in this flavour for everyone to enjoy,' a spokesperson told While Woolworths also said it has been unaffected. Pistachio stocks are dwindling after a disappointing harvest last year in the US, the nut's leading exporter. California's pistachio supply fell by up to 20 per cent in the 12 months leading up to February 2025, according to the Administrative Committee For Pistachios. Iran, the world's second-largest pistachio producer, exported 40 per cent more of the nuts to the UAE from September 2024 to March 2025 than it did in the full year prior, according to Iranian customs data, the New York Post reported. Mr Hacking added that a shortage has been further fuelled by the fact the US crop was also 'higher quality than usual, leaving fewer of the cheap, shell-free kernels that are generally sold as ingredients for chocolate and other food'. In order to cope with the demand, some international retailers are limiting the number of pistachio products customers can buy, including Lindt stores.
BBC News
26-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bid to reunite family with letter to RAF darling found 80 years on
A letter written in 1945 by a woman addressed to her "darling" in the RAF has been found in a military uniform bought in a charity Hacking, 61, said he bought the RAF uniform about five years ago in a shop in Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester, and discovered the letter in a pocket with a post mark dated 17 December letter was penned by a woman called Jean from Herschell Street, Preston, who expressed her joy her "sweetheart" stationed in Wiltshire was coming home for Christmas adding she had "counted the days".Mr Hacking, from Accrington, Lancashire, who has an interest in World War Two militaria and re-enactment, said he would love to reunite Jean's family with the letter. He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "When I saw the uniform I thought what a shame it is just left in a charity shop so I bought it with the intention of wearing it to one of the events.""But in those days people were a lot smaller so it was a 30in [waist] and I am 6ft and 32in waist so it just wouldn't fit. He said he kept hold of it, though, but it was only when he showed the uniform to a friend he discovered the letter and an RAF diary. Mr Hacking said the letter, which was signed off "so long sweetheart", was personal and he would love to reunite it with Jean's was addressed to No 1 Wing B Squadron, 12 at RAF Station in Berryfields, Melksham, Wiltshire and Mr Hacking said it gave the mysterious airman's serial number AC/2 which stands for aircraft class 2) and his surname followed by his initial which was Just mentions Les in the letter who she said gave her the address for her sweetheart, as well as Joan who was knitting her mittens for her Christmas with information about the letter should email Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Dubai chocolate sold at Costco sparks potential pistachio shortage, reports claim
Dubai chocolate has become the newest trendy craving for those with a sweet tooth. The sweet and salty dessert originates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), inspired by a Middle Eastern dessert called knafeh. The original thick milk chocolate bar is filled with pistachio cream and kataifi, also known as phyllo dough, for a satisfying crunch. Dubai chocolate has been trending on TikTok as creators share their reviews, including Maria Vehera (@mariavehera257), who posts videos trying the 'best food' in the UAE, according to her bio. Vehera posted a video in December 2023 of herself trying a Dubai chocolate bar from Fix Dessert Chocolatier, which first launched the product in 2021. The post went viral, amassing more than 124 million views and nearly seven million likes so far, piquing widespread public interest. Since then, Dubai chocolate has made its way across the globe and into the States. Restaurants have offered inspired menu items like Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries, while brands such as Costco are selling Dubai chocolate products. 4 TikTok creator Maria Vehera takes a bite out of Costco's Dubai chocolate during a video from December 2023. mariavehera257/TikTok 4 The post went viral, amassing more than 124 million views and nearly seven million likes so far, piquing widespread public interest. mariavehera257/TikTok Ghirardelli recently announced its limited-time Dubai chocolate sundae at select stores. As the craze continues, industry experts have warned that it's causing a global pistachio shortage, according to a report from the Financial Times last week. Giles Hacking, of London-based nut trader CG Hacking, told the publication that pistachio prices have skyrocketed from $7.65 per pound to $10.30 per pound in the last year. 'The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment,' Hacking said. The US is the leading exporter of pistachios globally, but Hacking reported that stocks have been on the decline since a 'disappointing harvest last year.' The nut quality was also higher than usual, which has driven prices up. California's pistachio supply fell by up to 20% in the 12 months leading up to February 2025, according to the Administrative Committee For Pistachios. 4 Customers leave with a cart of items from the Costco Wholesale store in Burbank, Calif. on April 10, 2025. AP Iran, the world's second-largest pistachio producer, exported 40% more of the nuts to the UAE from September 2024 to March 2025 than it did in the full year prior, according to Iranian customs data, the Financial Times reported. A previous influx in supply in 2023 caused a variety of pistachio byproducts, like butter, oil and paste, Iran Pistachio Association board member Behrooz Agah told the outlet. 4 A staff member runs a quality check on roasted pistachios in the kitchen of a bakery in Hong Kong on Jan. 18, 2025. AP 'That was around the same time Dubai chocolate was launched and gradually went viral worldwide,' he said. Fox News Digital reached out to Fix Dessert Chocolatier and the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council for comment.
