Latest news with #NorthAmerican-based
Edinburgh Reporter
a day ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Birbraer heads new ownership at Fife Flyers
Fife Flyers have new owners. A North American-based group has been installed as the new management team to run Britain's oldest professional ice hockey club. Former Israeli international, 44-year-old, former Cardiff Devils winger, Max Birbraer, is the new president and general manager, and a spokesman said: 'We are here to build something special.' Kazakhstan-born Birbraer, drafted in Round 3 and 67th overall by National Hockey League side, New Jersey Devils, in 2000, has started work with the club which was formed in 1938, and bosses confirm they are in 'advanced discussions' to appoint a new head coach. Several core players from last season have been contacted and the new owners plan to build what they described as 'a competitive and committed roster'. Hockey agent, Gareth Chalmers, who parted company as managing director of Glasgow Clan and the Braehead Arena in February this year after more than a decade with the club, has joined the Kirkcaldy-based combine as chief commercial and operations officer. Season ticket details will be revealed soon and the spokesman said: 'We're excited to grow our partnerships and business operations with his leadership.' Flyers new bosses say the hard work starts now and they welcome all commercial inquiries. Plans are being made to connect directly to fans. They could include meet and greet, question and answer or a town hall-style event, and the new regime said: 'We want to hear what matters most to you (the fans), what needs to improve, and how we can earn your trust moving forward.' Bosses plan to be more transparent and to provide detailed communication regarding club's architecture, vision and intention. And the statement declared: 'To every supporter: this is your team. We're honoured to be at the helm, and we're ready to give it everything we've got.' The group moved in after former directors, Tom Muir and Jack Wishart, confirmed in early February that they were stepping down after nearly three years at the helm and the newcomers expressed their thanks to those 'who carried the torch before us'. They added: 'From this moment forward, our group is fully responsible for the direction, development, and future of the club, and we take that responsibility seriously. 'It is an honour to lead the UK's oldest and most iconic hockey team.' They claim their mission is clear, to restore the pride, energy, and identity of Fife Flyers hockey — both on and off the ice. The statement added: 'This is a people's club. Fife is the beating heart of Scottish hockey, and its supporters are the soul of this organization. Your loyalty, your voice, and your passion will shape everything we do. 'We are here to build something special, a first-class hockey experience that reflects the grit and character of this town. Under this leadership, we will lead with transparency, we will compete with pride, and we will always listen.' Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former teen member of L.A. K-pop group sues management, alleging abuse and exploitation
Something about K-pop always captivated Kiera Grace Madder. The 17-year-old singer has been a fan of the synchronized choreography, fashion-forward outfits and unique sound coming out of South Korea for as long as she could remember. So in 2022, when she learned JYP Entertainment, one of the biggest K-pop talent agencies, had plans to make a group with North American-based talent, she jumped at the opportunity. She auditioned for a reality show and earned her place in an all-girl group called VCHA, with five other teens. But last summer, less than a year after officially debuting, the group pulled out of Lollapalooza and nearly went radio silent on social media. In a lawsuit filed last December against JYP USA in L.A. County Superior Court, Madder, who goes by the stage name KG Crown, revealed she had left VCHA and alleged child labor law violations, abuse and exploitation. 'I knew the K-pop system was very hardworking — probably one of the most hardworking systems in the music industry,' Madder told The Times. 'I'm a hard worker, so I was willing to put in any hard work, but I did not know about what can go on behind closed doors.' JYP USA issued a statement on social media when the lawsuit was filed, claiming Madder had made 'unilateral public statements containing false and exaggerated claims.' The agency declined to comment further in response to questions from The Times, citing the 'ongoing legal matter.' Madder, identified as 'K.M.' in the court documents, said she signed her contract with JYP at age 15. Read more: NCT Dream talks about impact of K-pop culture in L.A. and forthcoming 'futuristic' album VCHA began an intense training regimen, traveling between JYP's Seoul headquarters and Los Angeles to rehearse. In L.A., the six girls shared a $2.5-million Beverly Hills mansion, where Madder alleges they were under constant surveillance. According to the lawsuit, staying in the home was 'optional,' but Madder said she felt pressured to live there by the JYP staff. In addition to a live-in staffer who monitored the girls, Madder says video cameras watched and recorded their private conversations. The lawsuit claims the company presented the cameras as a part of the 'house's alarm system' when they were installed. According to Madder's lawsuit, the surveillance system was a 'tool aimed at controlling our eating, movements, and behavior.' JYP allegedly maintained full control over the trainees' schedules, even on days off. In order to leave the home, the group members had to submit their plans ahead of time and get approval, Madder's suit alleges. She says she even had to ask permission to see her mother on the weekends. 'I honestly felt like it was a prison and the house staff was the prison guard,' Madder said. 'I felt like JYP had become my parent, but the strictest parent I ever lived with.' Madder's lawsuit alleges the company 'controlled [her] diet and pressured [her] to eat less.' Their meals were 'restricted to small salads,' she alleged, and their weight was monitored. 'The skinnier you are, the more respected and prettier you're viewed. It's ridiculous,' Madder said. 'At times, in South Korea, they would tell us, 'Lose weight or you're going to regret the way you look on camera.'' In training for performances, JYP allegedly pushed the VCHA girls to their physical limits. In the lawsuit, Madder recalls being denied meal breaks and water during rehearsal, and alleges she was forced to work long days on little sleep. As recounted in the lawsuit, Madder's days would typically begin at 7 a.m. with a few hours of school, followed by rehearsals that started at 10:30 a.m. and went into the late hours of the night. Read more: J-Hope of BTS on his Billboard success and becoming the first solo Korean artist to headline BMO Stadium Madder alleges there were several instances in which she had to continue training after suffering injuries. The lawsuit describes a dance instructor who "singled" Madder out, making her repeat a move more than a hundred times without stopping for a break, which allegedly caused a tendon tear in her shoulder. 'I had tears in my eyes and was very stressed," she recalled. 'It's one of those situations where you don't have to escalate it to the point of abuse.' She was also forced to rehearse despite suffering injuries to her hip and leg, her lawsuit claims. The court filings include photos of her in hospital gowns and receipts for medical treatments, along with images of bruises that she said she sustained during dance training. Screenshots of text messages included in the lawsuit show that Madder described being forced to 'dance thru the pain.' In another text conversation from last May included in the suit, she wrote, 'Honestly I feel like I don't [have] a personality anymore or am my own person. They changed me and I lost all my good.' According to the lawsuit, Madder started to miss school as the stress from training piled up. She says other members of the group developed eating disorders, engaged in self-harm and, in February of last year, one of them attempted suicide. Madder said she has not spoken to fellow VCHA members since her departure from the group in May 2024. Madder accuses JYP of underpaying her and failing to deliver promised royalties and a share of the revenue from the group. The lawsuit alleges she received $500 during weeks in which she worked over 12-hour days, which falls below California's minimum wage. Madder's lawsuit also says she is saddled with more than $500,000 in debt to JYP for 'company expenses.' Read more: Babymonster discusses debut world tour, working with G-Dragon and the success of album 'Drip' She alleges in her lawsuit that she was 'forced to sign contracts while being given only a few minutes to review them,' including ones that were written in Korean, a language Madder doesn't speak. Her mother, Tracey Madder, said in a statement to The Times that filing the lawsuit "was 100 percent KG's decision, which I fully support due to the circumstances she experienced." "I am hopeful for the best possible outcome for all parties involved," she said. The younger Madder said she hasn't been able to work, release music or post on social media since leaving VCHA. When she first got home after leaving the JYP mansion, she says, she felt 'brainwashed' and like she 'would never be able to make it in the music industry again." The next court hearing in her lawsuit is set for June 20. 'I'm praying that the judge can see the light in the situation and let me go,' Madder said. 'I don't want clout. I don't want attention. I want to be free. That's what I want — freedom.' Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Former teen member of L.A. K-pop group sues management, alleging abuse and exploitation
Something about K-pop always captivated Kiera Grace Madder. The 17-year-old singer has been a fan of the synchronized choreography, fashion-forward outfits and unique sound coming out of South Korea for as long as she could remember. So in 2022, when she learned JYP Entertainment, one of the biggest K-pop talent agencies, had plans to make a group with North American-based talent, she jumped at the opportunity. She auditioned for a reality show and earned her place in an all-girl group called VCHA, with five other teens. But last summer, less than a year after officially debuting, the group pulled out of Lollapalooza and nearly went radio silent on social media. In a lawsuit filed last December against JYP USA in L.A. County Superior Court, Madder, who goes by the stage name KG Crown, revealed she had left VCHA and alleged child labor law violations, abuse and exploitation. 'I knew the K-pop system was very hardworking — probably one of the most hardworking systems in the music industry,' Madder told The Times. 'I'm a hard worker, so I was willing to put in any hard work, but I did not know about what can go on behind closed doors.' JYP USA issued a statement on social media when the lawsuit was filed, claiming Madder had made 'unilateral public statements containing false and exaggerated claims.' The agency declined to comment further in response to questions from The Times, citing the 'ongoing legal matter.' Madder, identified as 'K.M.' in the court documents, said she signed her contract with JYP at age 15. VCHA began an intense training regimen, traveling between JYP's Seoul headquarters and Los Angeles to rehearse. In L.A., the six girls shared a $2.5-million Beverly Hills mansion, where Madder alleges they were under constant surveillance. According to the lawsuit, staying in the home was 'optional,' but Madder said she felt pressured to live there by the JYP staff. In addition to a live-in staffer who monitored the girls, Madder says video cameras watched and recorded their private conversations. The lawsuit claims the company presented the cameras as a part of the 'house's alarm system' when they were installed. According to Madder's lawsuit, the surveillance system was a 'tool aimed at controlling our eating, movements, and behavior.' JYP allegedly maintained full control over the trainees' schedules, even on days off. In order to leave the home, the group members had to submit their plans ahead of time and get approval, Madder's suit alleges. She says she even had to ask permission to see her mother on the weekends. 'I honestly felt like it was a prison and the house staff was the prison guard,' Madder said. 'I felt like JYP had become my parent, but the strictest parent I ever lived with.' Madder's lawsuit alleges the company 'controlled [her] diet and pressured [her] to eat less.' Their meals were 'restricted to small salads,' she alleged, and their weight was monitored. 'The skinnier you are, the more respected and prettier you're viewed. It's ridiculous,' Madder said. 'At times, in South Korea, they would tell us, 'Lose weight or you're going to regret the way you look on camera.'' In training for performances, JYP allegedly pushed the VCHA girls to their physical limits. In the lawsuit, Madder recalls being denied meal breaks and water during rehearsal, and alleges she was forced to work long days on little sleep. As recounted in the lawsuit, Madder's days would typically begin at 7 a.m. with a few hours of school, followed by rehearsals that started at 10:30 a.m. and went into the late hours of the night. Madder alleges there were several instances in which she had to continue training after suffering injuries. The lawsuit describes a dance instructor who 'singled' Madder out, making her repeat a move more than a hundred times without stopping for a break, which allegedly caused a tendon tear in her shoulder. 'I had tears in my eyes and was very stressed,' she recalled. 'It's one of those situations where you don't have to escalate it to the point of abuse.' She was also forced to rehearse despite suffering injuries to her hip and leg, her lawsuit claims. The court filings include photos of her in hospital gowns and receipts for medical treatments, along with images of bruises that she said she sustained during dance training. Screenshots of text messages included in the lawsuit show that Madder described being forced to 'dance thru the pain.' In another text conversation from last May included in the suit, she wrote, 'Honestly I feel like I don't [have] a personality anymore or am my own person. They changed me and I lost all my good.' According to the lawsuit, Madder started to miss school as the stress from training piled up. She says other members of the group developed eating disorders, engaged in self-harm and, in February of last year, one of them attempted suicide. Madder said she has not spoken to fellow VCHA members since her departure from the group in May 2024. Madder accuses JYP of underpaying her and failing to deliver promised royalties and a share of the revenue from the group. The lawsuit alleges she received $500 during weeks in which she worked over 12-hour days, which falls below California's minimum wage. Madder's lawsuit also says she is saddled with more than $500,000 in debt to JYP for 'company expenses.' She alleges in her lawsuit that she was 'forced to sign contracts while being given only a few minutes to review them,' including ones that were written in Korean, a language Madder doesn't speak. Her mother, Tracey Madder, said in a statement to The Times that filing the lawsuit 'was 100 percent KG's decision, which I fully support due to the circumstances she experienced.' 'I am hopeful for the best possible outcome for all parties involved,' she said. The younger Madder said she hasn't been able to work, release music or post on social media since leaving VCHA. When she first got home after leaving the JYP mansion, she says, she felt 'brainwashed' and like she 'would never be able to make it in the music industry again.' The next court hearing in her lawsuit is set for June 20. 'I'm praying that the judge can see the light in the situation and let me go,' Madder said. 'I don't want clout. I don't want attention. I want to be free. That's what I want — freedom.'
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
CJ Logistics Makes Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers List for 16th Straight Year
DES PLAINES, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the sixteenth year in a row, CJ Logistics America has been named to Food Logistics' annual Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list, which recognizes leaders in food and beverage supply chain management. CJ Logistics has extensive experience and expertise in the food and beverage space, having worked with dozens of manufacturers of various sizes in that sector for decades. The company has also made significant strides to expand its cold storage footprint. CJ Logistics opened a brand new, state-of-the-art frozen and refrigerated facility in Gainesville, Georgia, in November 2024, serving several large food producers. Another cold warehouse is currently under construction just outside of Kansas City and is set to open in Q3 2025, and more frozen and refrigerated storage sites are being targeted by the company in additional key markets throughout the United States. "We are honored that Food Logistics has named us to their list yet again this year," said Kevin Coleman, CEO of CJ Logistics America. "It's an award that recognizes the best of the best in this industry. I am proud and thankful for our employees who work every day to ensure we are delivering the best possible service to our customers. This award is a reflection of their commitment and exceptional capabilities." To learn more about CJ Logistics' cold chain capabilities, click here. About CJ Logistics America CJ Logistics America is a North American-based integrated supply chain service organization with operations in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The company offers warehousing, transportation, and freight forwarding services for all temperature classes (ambient, temperature-controlled, and frozen). CJ Logistics' customer-centric philosophy ensures that all solutions are tailored to meet clients' specific goals and objectives. About Food Logistics Food Logistics reaches more than 26,000 supply chain executives in the global food and beverage industries, including executives in the food sector (growers, producers, manufacturers, wholesalers and grocers) and the logistics section (transportation, warehousing, distribution, software and technology) who share a mutual interest in the operations and business aspects of the global cold food supply chain. Food Logistics also operates SCN Summit and Women in Supply Chain Forum. Go to to learn more.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Samsara Announces Upgrade Program to Provide Operations Leaders with Absolute Confidence Amid Economic Uncertainty
With Samsara's AI-powered platform, organizations can use advanced technology to operate safer and smarter in any climate while gaining a true partnership built to last MEXICO CITY, May 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to today's high demand for resilience in the world of physical operations, Samsara Inc. ("Samsara") (NYSE: IOT), the pioneer of the Connected Operations® Platform, announced its new Upgrade for Smarter Operations program in the United States, Canada and Mexico markets. The program is designed to make it easy for organizations that rely on systems with inadequate capabilities and customer support to upgrade to Samsara's advanced and comprehensive AI-powered platform. Eligible companies to upgrade include organizations like Omnitracs, Geotab, Webfleet, Tecnomotum, Motive, Copiloto Satelital, Guardian, Microlise, Streamax, and Teletrac Navman, among others. Further details are here. "We upgraded to Samsara because we were looking for a trusted, reliable partner committed to continuous innovation in fleet operations. Especially during these uncertain times—marked by supply chain disruptions and shifting tariffs—we needed a provider who not only keeps up with the challenges, but helps us stay ahead of them. What truly sets Samsara apart is their exceptional support team: fast, knowledgeable, and always ready to help," said Stefan Tanaskovic, ELD Team Lead at Pure Freight Lines Ltd. The Unrivaled Advantages of the Samsara Platform As the most widely-used and fastest-growing connected operations platform, Samsara is committed to continuous innovation and customer success. In fact, the company holds hundreds of patents and has proven to deliver 8x ROI. This commitment translates into many tangible benefits as organizations that use Samsara's platform can experience: Unrivaled AI Insights and Safety: Samsara's AI is trained on more than 14 trillion data points, more than any other in its industry. Customers leverage its industry-leading AI to gain actionable insights that improve safety, efficiency, and decision-making across operations. North America's #1 Connected Operations Network with Unwavering Reliability: Benefit from a guaranteed 99.99% platform uptime and extensive connectivity with more than 20 roaming partners. With consistent hardware availability that ships within 48 hours of completed orders, organizations can receive what they need quickly, and with an industry-leading lifetime hardware warranty, Samsara stands behind its products. Expert Partnership, Dependable Supply Chain, and Support: Rely on a dedicated North American-based support team that provides fast and knowledgeable 24/7 assistance. From day one, customers work with Samsara's customer success managers and implementation consultants, who stay with them through every stage of their journey. Technology Preferred by Drivers: Improve driver satisfaction and retention with leading safety technology and the industry's number-one rated driver app, designed to be easy to use and to make administrative work simple for drivers. Future-Proof Stability: Samsara is a long-term, financially strong partner, growing more than 30% year-over-year, and is continuously innovating for its customers, as evidenced by its more than $1B invested in research and development to date. Thousands of organizations have switched to Samsara because of these advantages and more. Below are a few of their stories with perspective on Samsara's differentiated solutions and support: "At Samsara, they have a very functional platform. Operationally, it allows me and my team to work in a very agile, very fast, and very precise manner. [...] it's a partner that is always attentive to what other functionalities we can use and also open to listening to what we need," Florencia Vázquez, General Director of García's Trucking. "I can say with confidence that Samsara has become the guardian angel of our operators. We emphasize the importance of ensuring that each of them returns safe and sound at the end of the day, and Samsara helps us achieve this," Carlos García, Divisional Commercial Director, Trancasa. "Samsara's technology has been a game-changer for us. Not only have we improved safety, but it has also helped us optimize our operations, enhance service, and foster transparent communication while ensuring the safety of our drivers," Ana Ruth Lopez Zapata, Head of Monitoring at En-trega. "Samsara guarantees that it is a reliable source of information. It also helps us make assertive decisions about investment and protocols. With real-time visibility, we can identify the product and the route for the activation of protocols more quickly," Engineer de la Cruz, Fuel Management Manager, Trancasa. "Samsara offers us plug and play technology, it is developer friendly, and it is giving Veikul the scalability it needed," Sebastian Pena Laris, Co-founder and CEO, Veikul. "The world of physical operations is the engine of our economy, driving over 40% of global GDP and impacting everyone's daily life," said Robert Stobaugh, Chief Operating Officer, GTM, at Samsara. "The legacy solutions some are relying on simply aren't built for today's economic uncertainties and operational complexities, eroding the confidence leaders need. That's why we're making it even easier for them to upgrade to the clear advantages Samsara's platform delivers." To inquire about Samsara's Upgrade for Smarter Operations program, visit here. About Samsara Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations® Platform, which enables organizations that depend on physical operations to harness Internet of Things (IoT) data to develop actionable insights and improve their operations. With tens of thousands of customers across North America and Europe, Samsara is a proud technology partner to the people who keep our global economy running, including the world's leading organizations across construction, transportation and warehousing, field services, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and the public sector. The company's mission is to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy. Samsara is a registered trademark of Samsara Inc. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. View source version on Contacts Media Contact Claudia Ló Miguel Guadarramamguadarrama@ media@ 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
