Latest news with #JamesWatson
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
MES Life Safety Acquires WC Fire Safety, Expanding Service Capabilities in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MES Life Safety, a leading national provider of safety and emergency response equipment, proudly announces the acquisition of WC Fire Safety, a trusted provider of fire protection services based in the Orlando area. This strategic acquisition strengthens MES Life Safety's presence in the Southeast and enhances its ability to deliver comprehensive fire safety solutions across the region. Building on a Tradition of Excellence James Watson, Co-owner of WC Fire Safety, has earned a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and expertise in fire extinguisher inspection, maintenance, and suppression systems. The company has built long-standing relationships through its commitment to dependable service and technical excellence. 'After years of building WC Fire Safety into a trusted name in the industry, I'm excited to partner with MES Life Safety,' said James Watson, Founder and Owner of WC Fire Safety. 'This transition allows us to offer our customers even more robust resources, advanced technologies, and expanded services—while preserving the values that made WC Fire Safety what it is today.' A Strategic Step Forward 'We are excited to welcome WC Fire Safety into the MES Life Safety family,' said Marvin Riley, CEO of MES Life Safety. 'Their customer-focused service model and technical expertise are a perfect fit with our mission to protect those who protect others. This acquisition not only strengthens our service capabilities in Florida, but it also reflects our continued commitment to providing high-quality, code-compliant life safety solutions nationwide.' About WC Fire Safety WC Fire Safety is an Orlando-based fire protection company specializing in the inspection, installation, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems. Known for its prompt, professional service and local expertise, WC Fire Safety serves a broad range of clients including property managers, contractors, healthcare facilities, and industrial operations throughout Southern Florida. About MES Life Safety Since 2001, MES Life Safety has been dedicated to protecting heroes from heat, hazards, and heights in the most challenging environments. As a trusted supplier to the fire service, law enforcement, and industrial safety markets, MES Life Safety equips at-risk workers with high-performance products from leading brands such as 3M Scott, Honeywell, ISC, Fire-Dex, Seek Thermal, Hurst Jaws of Life, Matex Hose, Elbeco, and 5.11 Tactical. With the nation's largest network of specialized sales representatives, mobile service technicians, and strategically located service centers, MES delivers unmatched equipment and support to ensure readiness and safety on every mission.
Hindustan Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Trouble Brewing: Why a Brazilian Tariff May Cause Coffee Prices to Soar
President Trump's proposed 50% tariff on Brazilian goods is likely to lift the price of the preferred coffee for most U.S. consumers. Brazilian arabica beans are the source for roughly 35% to 40% of the coffee consumed in the U.S. and a pending levy on imports starting Aug. 1 would increase the price of coffee in cafes and grocery stores alike. Brazil is by far the leading producer of coffee worldwide, and is expected to produce a total of 65 million bags of beans in the 2025-2026 marketing year—more than double of the next-largest producer Vietnam—the Department of Agriculture estimates. In fact, at over 40 million bags, Brazil produces more arabica coffee than the next five leading producers in the world combined. This includes countries like Colombia and Honduras, where U.S. coffeemakers already buy a large portion of their output. 'We don't have an easy ability to replace Brazilian coffee,' said James Watson, senior beverage analyst with Rabobank. 'For the most part, most of what you drink is all arabica.' Vietnam is the next leading coffee producer in the world, but produces virtually no arabica coffee. The country is forecast to produce 30 million bags of robusta coffee in 2025-2026, robusta being a cheaper type of coffee that is more commonly used in instant coffees. A number of brands sold in grocery stores are made using a mix of both arabica and robusta. The ability of U.S. roasters—some owned by companies like JM Smucker and Kraft Heinz—to switch out Brazilian coffee for a different exporter is limited. Domestic production is small, with the U.S. importing 99% of its coffee needs through 2024. Hawaii, California and Puerto Rico are the only U.S. territories that produce any amount of coffee. That leaves coffee roasters with few options. Companies may look to alter their recipes for the blends they produce, or simply swallow higher prices coming from tariffs. Last month, JM Smucker—whose brands include Folgers, Dunkin', and Cafe Bustelo—said that it raised prices for its coffee in May, and will do so again in August. That call was held before the tariff on Brazil was announced by Trump. Those in the coffee supply chain are tentative about doing business without knowing for sure if the 50% tariff will be implemented. Traders have rushed to bring more coffee into the U.S. ahead of a tariff, directing it away from other countries, Citi Research said in a note. 'The real effect you're seeing is that supply chains are locking up,' said Tomas Araujo, a trading associate with StoneX Group. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump touted the August 1 deadline for tariffs as being 'strong' and not to be extended. Coffee futures trading on the Intercontinental Exchange had been on a downturn in recent months, coming off of a record high of $4.29 a pound hit in February. Coffee futures were among the top-gaining commodities in 2024, because of drought hitting Brazilian crops. But the weather has since improved, sending the futures contract down 35%. Prices started to rise again earlier in July as coffee started the new marketing year on the first of the month. If the 50% tariff on Brazil is implemented—which companies and traders are not convinced will happen, said Watson—then importers are expected to charge buyers more to ship the coffee, which in turn domestic roasters may pass on to consumers. But without tariffs, prices of coffee futures would otherwise be expected to slide. Coffee crops in Brazil have been receiving more rainfall, which is in turn boosting production estimates for the 2025-2026 marketing year, according to the USDA data. Retail prices for coffee run roughly six months behind the changes in futures prices. So consumers are still feeling the impact of futures rising to all-time highs earlier this year. Year-to-date, the average retail price for a cup of coffee in U.S. cities has risen 9% in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retailers were hoping to pay less for coffee as futures prices slid, said Watson. But if tariffs do come into play, then both futures and retail prices will likely see no respite. 'It takes a while from that decrease to come to the market,' said Watson. Write to Kirk Maltais at
Mint
30-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Trouble brewing: Why a Brazilian tariff may cause coffee prices to soar
President Trump's proposed 50% tariff on Brazilian goods is likely to lift the price of the preferred coffee for most U.S. consumers. Brazilian arabica beans are the source for roughly 35% to 40% of the coffee consumed in the U.S. and a pending levy on imports starting Aug. 1 would increase the price of coffee in cafes and grocery stores alike. Brazil is by far the leading producer of coffee worldwide, and is expected to produce a total of 65 million bags of beans in the 2025-2026 marketing year—more than double of the next-largest producer Vietnam—the Department of Agriculture estimates. In fact, at over 40 million bags, Brazil produces more arabica coffee than the next five leading producers in the world combined. This includes countries like Colombia and Honduras, where U.S. coffeemakers already buy a large portion of their output. 'We don't have an easy ability to replace Brazilian coffee," said James Watson, senior beverage analyst with Rabobank. 'For the most part, most of what you drink is all arabica." Vietnam is the next leading coffee producer in the world, but produces virtually no arabica coffee. The country is forecast to produce 30 million bags of robusta coffee in 2025-2026, robusta being a cheaper type of coffee that is more commonly used in instant coffees. A number of brands sold in grocery stores are made using a mix of both arabica and robusta. The ability of U.S. roasters—some owned by companies like JM Smucker and Kraft Heinz—to switch out Brazilian coffee for a different exporter is limited. Domestic production is small, with the U.S. importing 99% of its coffee needs through 2024. Hawaii, California and Puerto Rico are the only U.S. territories that produce any amount of coffee. That leaves coffee roasters with few options. Companies may look to alter their recipes for the blends they produce, or simply swallow higher prices coming from tariffs. Last month, JM Smucker—whose brands include Folgers, Dunkin', and Cafe Bustelo—said that it raised prices for its coffee in May, and will do so again in August. That call was held before the tariff on Brazil was announced by Trump. Those in the coffee supply chain are tentative about doing business without knowing for sure if the 50% tariff will be implemented. Traders have rushed to bring more coffee into the U.S. ahead of a tariff, directing it away from other countries, Citi Research said in a note. 'The real effect you're seeing is that supply chains are locking up," said Tomas Araujo, a trading associate with StoneX Group. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump touted the August 1 deadline for tariffs as being 'strong' and not to be extended. Coffee futures trading on the Intercontinental Exchange had been on a downturn in recent months, coming off of a record high of $4.29 a pound hit in February. Coffee futures were among the top-gaining commodities in 2024, because of drought hitting Brazilian crops. But the weather has since improved, sending the futures contract down 35%. Prices started to rise again earlier in July as coffee started the new marketing year on the first of the month. If the 50% tariff on Brazil is implemented—which companies and traders are not convinced will happen, said Watson—then importers are expected to charge buyers more to ship the coffee, which in turn domestic roasters may pass on to consumers. But without tariffs, prices of coffee futures would otherwise be expected to slide. Coffee crops in Brazil have been receiving more rainfall, which is in turn boosting production estimates for the 2025-2026 marketing year, according to the USDA data. Retail prices for coffee run roughly six months behind the changes in futures prices. So consumers are still feeling the impact of futures rising to all-time highs earlier this year. Year-to-date, the average retail price for a cup of coffee in U.S. cities has risen 9% in 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retailers were hoping to pay less for coffee as futures prices slid, said Watson. But if tariffs do come into play, then both futures and retail prices will likely see no respite. 'It takes a while from that decrease to come to the market," said Watson. Write to Kirk Maltais at
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RBL LLC welcomes James Watson to board of directors
Experienced biotech executive joins board to support RBL's venture creation and growth strategy HOUSTON, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RBL LLC, a pioneering biotech venture creation studio dedicated to rapidly building companies based on breakthrough medical technologies from Rice University, announced the appointment of James Watson to its board of directors. Watson, an operating partner at Andreessen Horowitz and a seasoned executive in the life sciences sector, brings to RBL LLC extensive experience in business strategy, corporate development and venture-backed company building, strengthening the organization's mission to accelerate lifesaving therapies from lab to clinic. "The appointment of James Watson to our board reflects a powerful endorsement of RBL's model and potential," said Paul Wotton, RBL's managing partner. "James has occupied high-level positions across the full life cycle of biotech innovation, from company formation and financing to the construction of valuable partnerships in this field. His insights into market dynamics and his ability to drive successful outcomes for emerging ventures such as ours will be critical as we continue to grow." "James' leadership spans both operational roles within biotech companies and strategic roles at one of the world's top venture firms," said Omid Veiseh, Rice professor of bioengineering and managing partner of RBL. "His ability to bridge science and business, along with his track record in corporate development, aligns perfectly with RBL's mission to translate Rice University's biomedical breakthroughs into high-impact startups." "RBL is approaching company creation in an innovative and differentiated way, with a positive impact that is starting to be seen across the broader Houston life sciences community," Watson said. "RBL has distinguished itself through its efficient approach to company formation, identifying substantive technologies with clear clinical applications and establishing focused enterprises to advance them. I was also particularly drawn to the strategic positioning of the studio in Houston, where it operates at the intersection of world-class academic research, clinical scale and entrepreneurial rigor, all fundamental components of building a successful scientific venture." Watson is currently serving as operating partner on the Bio + Health team at Andreessen Horowitz, where he leads business and corporate development for the firm's life sciences portfolio. Prior to joining Andreessen Horowitz, he held executive positions at numerous biotech companies, including Carmot Therapeutics, where as chief business officer, he was head of strategy, finance and corporate development. At Carmot, Watson led the raising of over $200 million for the company's pipeline and discovery platform and built business development relationships that significantly contributed to Carmot's $2.7 billion acquisition by Roche. Notably, he also served as chief business officer and president ICT at Sigilon Therapeutics, where he led a $485 million cell therapies partnership with Lilly. Earlier in his career, Watson served as CEO of merchant banking at Burrill & Company, a life sciences investment bank, and held leadership roles at Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Incyte, Chemdex, The Wilkerson Group and Eli Lilly. He earned an MBA from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Portsmouth. Watson will join existing board members Wotton, Veiseh, Rima Chakrabarti, John Jaggers, Devyn Smith and Paul Cherukuri, an accomplished group of leaders with deep expertise in biotech innovation, clinical translation and venture building who together provide strategic guidance to help drive RBL's continued growth and success. About RBL LLC: RBL LLC is a pioneering biotech venture creation studio based in Houston that is dedicated to accelerating the development of breakthrough medical technologies and therapies through company formation. RBL provides entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators with infrastructure, financial support and strategic guidance as well as access to laboratory space and shared resources in the Texas Medical Center Helix Park. For more information, please visit Media Contact: Russo PartnersDavid Schull or Liz Phillips(347) View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RBL LLC Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Otago Daily Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Opinion: Green budget aims for a stronger South
Warm cosy homes, local nutritious food, birdsong in the trees and the return of the Southerner: all part of Green Budget we announced last month. We developed this budget to give advance notice of our priorities once in government and to provide a point of contrast against this government's austerity. Essentially we put it forward so New Zealanders could see a clear choice: between the common good, where everyone has enough to live well v pure greed, where the extremely wealthy get to decide what scraps to dish out to everyone else. Like many here in Ōtepoti, we in the Greens have been frustrated and angry at the backsliding and broken promises around the new Dunedin Hospital. With so many redesigns and uncertainty, we've seen waste in terms of time and money and loss of capability and confidence. Our Green Budget is designed to deliver confidence with a publicly funded southern hospital — including the new inpatient building, a standalone, publicly provided pathology unit and an inter-professional learning centre. It will require public support and we are heartened by commitments made by other opposition parties. Our own commitment to Ōtepoti Dunedin is fully costed and set out clearly in black and white. This commitment to our hospital is echoed by my new Youth MP, James Watson. James hails from Wānaka and works in Wellington. According to him, the hospital is "a key piece of infrastructure that serves all of Otago and even most of Southland at times as the biggest hospital in the area". "It's disappointing to see the cuts made as we already know the health sector is underfunded," James said. It's especially unfortunate as much of my family lives in Dunedin and in Otago and to see the willingness to cut back funding on something that would greatly benefit such a huge area including the people I love shows that we aren't prioritising correctly." Of course, that's not all, and we would love to share more about what our budget has for you and your whānau. Our co-leader Chloe Swarbrick and the Green Budget Roadshow will be arriving in Ōtepoti Dunedin on July 25 for a public meeting to discuss how we can create an economy that belongs to us all, not just a few. We can fund a health system that works for everyone. We can ensure warm cosy homes for all and a restored Southerner passenger rail service to Christchurch. Building our shared future means investment in jobs, infrastructure and climate action. Chloe Swarbrick always loves visiting our place because of the southern spirit and as James Watson says, we need "a shift in opinions on the climate crisis and all the social issues that intertwine with it". I hope to see many of you on July 25.
