Latest news with #PaulAnderson
West Australian
7 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Mid West-Gascoyne leaders from Exmouth, Geraldton and Mingenew recognised at WA Local Government Awards
Local government champions from the Mid West and Gascoyne were among 40 individuals and councils recognised at this year's WA Local Government Association Awards. Hosted at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth and supported by the State Government, the event celebrated the efforts of elected members, officers and local governments that go above and beyond for their communities. Shire of Mingenew president Gary Cosgrove and Shire of Perenjori chief executive Paul Anderson were awarded an Eminent Service Award, which honours individuals who have shown outstanding leadership and long-standing commitment to local government. The City of Greater Geraldton and the Shire of Exmouth were also awarded WALGA RoadWise Recognised Awards for their ongoing efforts to promote road safety. WALGA president and Morawa shire president Karen Chappel said the awards were a chance to acknowledge the people who gave so much to the sector. 'The annual WALGA Local Government Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements and lasting contributions made by Elected Members, Local Governments, and Officers to their communities,' she said. 'Local governments are highly accountable to the communities they represent, and our 2025 recipients embody the dedication and hard work undertaken by the sector each and every day to positively contribute to the wellbeing of their communities.'Congratulations to everyone who was recognised for their efforts.'
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IKEA U.S. Concludes 'Sleepeasy' Pop-Up Experience in Los Angeles, Celebrating a Year of Better Sleep Solutions
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, IKEA U.S. is excited to announce the opening of The IKEA Sleepeasy LA, the third and final stop on the pop-up event tour. Open for the next month at IKEA Burbank, the longest of any IKEA Sleepeasy activation and the first time that the event is housed at an IKEA retail location, this immersive exhibition will guide attendees through the six sleep essentials that contribute to a better night's rest: comfort, light, temperature, sound, air quality, and decluttering. "After welcoming thousands of visitors at stops in New York City and Miami throughout the last year, we're excited to bring the IKEA Sleepeasy to Los Angeles - one of our most vibrant and diverse markets," said Paul Anderson, IKEA U.S. Home Furnishing and Retail Design Leader. "With decades of global sleep research and a deep understanding of how people live and sleep in each local community, we've collaborated closely with our LA team to create an experience tailored for Angelenos. It's a unique opportunity to show how small, affordable changes can lead to significantly better sleep." True to the speakeasy concept, guests will enter through a hidden door that's found inside a vintage movie theater, paying homage to Hollywood. The theater opens into a space filled with dreamlike, interactive vignettes that playfully showcase the six sleep essentials. New IKEA products featured at the event include: ÅKREHAMN Mattress – Created with a combination of three carefully selected foam layers and five comfort zones, this mattress supports the hips and shoulders, creating a natural spine alignment and relieves joint pressure. LÄKEVÄNDEROT Duvet Cover - Made with 100% lyocell fabric, this duvet cover is smooth and cool, ideal for warm California nights. AKTEROFTER Ceiling Fan – Launched in March 2025 as part of the first-ever ceiling fan range from IKEA, AKTEROFTER helps create the perfect setting for a comfortable night's sleep with its six speed options, adjustable lighting and changeable airflow. The IKEA Sleepeasy LA, located at IKEA Burbank (600 S Ikea Way, Burbank, CA 91502), is open to the public during normal business hours until August 17, 2025. The event will kick off with special programming from July 18 - 20, 2025, including a family movie night, customized giveaways, relaxing sound baths, aura readers, and more. No entry fees or reservation fees are required for this family-friendly event. For more information, visit About IKEA At IKEA, the vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people by offering well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. Ingka Group (Ingka Holding B.V. and its controlled entities) is one of 12 different groups of companies that own and operate IKEA retail under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Ingka Group has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Ingka Group is a strategic partner in the IKEA franchise system, operating 389 IKEA stores in 32 countries – including 50 retail locations in the U.S. For more information on IKEA U.S., see @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE IKEA 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
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Biocurious: Nerve repair champion Orthocell is taking it slow and steady in the US fast lane
Orthocell is staging the US rollout of its Remplir device, including 'pausing' enlisting too many distributors at once In Remplir's first US commercial usage, an Ohioan surgeon has deployed the device successfully More than 300 investors tuned into Orthocell's update last week For Orthocell (ASX:OCC) co-founder and CEO Paul Anderson, winning US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) marketing approval is more like a waypoint in the commercialisation path, rather than the endgame. In early April the FDA green-lit the company's flagship nerve repair product Remplir, exposing the company to a potential US$1.6 billion-a-year market. The Perth-based Orthocell can't be accused of assuming the biotech gods will serve up commercial success on a platter. Anderson says Orthocell was preparing its rollout strategy two years ago, including strategic tie-ups with distributors and laying the groundwork with opinion-leading surgeons. 'You don't just get an FDA approval and expected things to happen, you must be ahead of the game,' Anderson says. A mere three months post approval, Orthocell last week reported the first US commercial use of Remplir, by a surgeon in Ohio for a foot repair. It's not a race Paradoxically, management is on a strategic 'go-slow' in the fast-paced, make-or-break US market. Having appointed 14 east coast distributors, the company has 'paused' the rollout of any more until the current complement is properly trained and supported. Orthocell has also focused on the parties with what Anderson dubs the best 'domain knowledge' – those who can lead the company to the key hospitals and influential surgeons. 'You can't be scattergun,' Anderson says. 'We have 14 distributors to train and educate, with 100 reps on the ground. 'It's important that we provide them with the best education to support the brand.' Orthocell is also not ignoring the dull-but-important stuff of obtaining state-by-state licensing, navigating hospital procurement and onboarding day surgery hospitals (a key market). Stitching up the suturing market A collagen cuff derived from porcine material, Remplir envelops a severed nerve and helps the healing process. The device is also approved locally and in New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. Remplir is the only product that mimics the outside of the nerve, called the epineurium. Given that, the device requires few or no stitches: a technique unchanged since the late nineteenth century. 'We are actively redefining the way surgeons approach nerve repair,' Anderson says. 'Remplir is the only product in the market that enables surgeons to connect nerves, to protect them from scar tissue and compression; and cap nerves (for amputations).' Published studies show that patients with no voluntary movement had 85% of their function restored two years post-surgery. They also had improved strength and range of motion, which Anderson dubs 'outstanding outcomes that represent everything Remplir has to offer". To date, 206 surgeons in over 166 local and Singaporean hospitals have used Remplir, including plastic reconstructive, orthopaedic, vascular and neurological surgeons. Better bang for revenue buck Naturally, a medical product needs to be clinically superior – but that's not enough to ensure financial success in a well-competed sector. As yesterday's update from US drug entrant Botanix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:BOT) shows, too many clipping-the-ticket intermediaries can spoil the revenue story. 'Unlike other medtechs, Orthocell has no royalty liabilities and as we get into revenue growth, investors will reap the reward,' chairman John Van Der Wielen says. 'Royalty liabilities significantly erode margins in the sector." He adds that most device makers outsource their manufacturing, resulting in margin erosion. Orthocell's process is being kept in house. Revenue growth 'will take care of profits' Orthocell last week disclosed record June quarter revenue of $2.73 million, 23% higher than the March quarter. Revenue has risen for five consecutive quarters, at a compound annual rate of 9.5%. However, this annual run rate of circa $9 million doesn't include any US Remplir revenue. Striate sales in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore grew 28%. Management won't predict US revenues or when the company achieves profits – but expect blank ink on the bottom line in the 'near future'. 'Our expenses are growing at a lower rate than revenue, so the 'jaws' eventually will cross over and push the business into profit,' Van Der Wielen says. 'Cash burn is reducing, revenue is increasing and I believe we have more than enough cash to take the business forward.' Over time, Orthocell has invested $80 million in developing its product platform. The company does not have to incur more sunk costs, leaving a largely variable distribution cost base. 'Premium' product at a discount price Tapping Remplir's cost advantages, Orthocell is pricing the 'premium' product at just below those of US competitors. 'We are making it easy for the hospitals to order our product,' Anderson says. Orthocell has set its US pricing at parity with what's charged in other countries. This is a poltically sage gambit that should please the Commander in Chief as he ponders his 'most favoured nation' drug policy. While obtaining US reimbursement is the be-all-and-end-all for most drug makers, Anderson notes a capacious user-pays capacity for nerve repair. 'The take-home message is there is enormous revenue to be gained, even if you don't have US reimbursement,' Anderson says. That said, hospitals should fund Remplir by a mechanism that allocates a bundle of cash per procedure, rather than for specific items. Passionately Australian Around 300 investors tuned into Orthocell's webcast last week – no doubt reflecting the stock's 270% surge over the past 12 months. As it hones its US push, one thing Orthocell won't be doing is ceding its manufacturing base in Perth, which has the capacity for 100,000 units annually. Remplir's long shelf life means it's easy to ship elsewhere. 'We are passionate manufacturers of this product in Australia – and that's because it's the right place to make it,' Anderson says. 'We have the best raw material in the world and a great gross margin and economies of scale.' Judging from his chairman's utterances, Anderson can approach his end-of-year salary review with confidence. 'As a board, we could not be happier with what we have achieved over the last 12 months,' Van Der Wielen says.
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
$100m ski area plans moving apace
An application for a $100 million-plus project that includes a 10-person gondola and extending The Remarkables ski area into the Doolans backblocks should be completed by the end of the year. NZSki, which also owns Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt, is setting aside finance for the venture, which has been selected for the government's new fast-track process. Once completed, its skiing and snowboarding terrain will likely more than double to about 900ha. The Fast-track Approvals Bill is expected to speed up the decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects considered to have strong regional or national benefits. NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said detail studies for the project were being carried out with the goal to get the full application in by the end of this year. "We're on one of the schedules for the Fast-track Bill for an expansion to The Remarkables. So we are working very hard on that. Locally this area is known as the Doolans and that involves a gondola that will go all the way from the existing base facility up over a ridge and into the next basin, snowmaking, trails, and then, of course, we have to look at base building expansion because we will have more people coming up to enjoy that other valley as well." A start to construction would depend on the application process, he said. "All going well it will be the following summer when we would like to start to do the enabling work, which is starting to get the roads cut into so we can get up into over the next valley and perhaps doing some initial construction of the base station. "I would imagine a gondola of this scale, which is 2.3kmlong, would take two summers to construct." The Doolans' higher altitude to the southeast of the main runs would retain more snow for longer to provide insurance against climate change, he said. Within its existing scope, the project is expected to raise the mountain to an international ski destination, generate an estimated $350m in the regional economy and create more than 2500 new jobs. To proceed, the company needs to get a new concession agreement from the Department of Conservation, gain resource consents from the district and regional councils and carry out consultation with stakeholders including iwi. Mr Anderson said the fast-track process would provide the opportunity for all the consents to be processed simultaneously via the Environmental Protection Agency. It will be the company's largest project since $90m was spent on the last expansion at The Remarkables over the past 10 years. "This expansion will be upwards of $100m. We are owned by a local family and they are really ambitious to expand the ski areas and keep on doing what we can." Sir John Davies is the founder of NZSki under the parent company Trojan Holdings. Trojan's diversified businesses are mainly in the lower South and include the three ski areas, The Hermitage Hotel at Mount Cook Village, guided walks on the Milford and Routeburn Tracks as well as property and farming interests. He has built up the business since starting out with Whakatipu Transport, which merged into Northern Southland Transport Holdings. Mr Anderson said Sir John liked building businesses and making products better and was motivated by putting money back into them. Ongoing projects would continue at the other ski areas with a big focus on renewing or upgrading snowmaking equipment each summer. "The new technology for the new snowguns is far more efficient and produces more snow for lower cost, so that's a big push for us." Snowmaking at Mt Hutt was continuing under low humidity with temperatures at 5°C.
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Australian holidayers set to hit the slopes
Australian holidaymakers are about to swell numbers on the slopes to about 10,000 visitors daily across NZSki's alpine trio of southern ski areas next week. The Australian influx combined with the school holidays and plentiful snow is set to lift the skier and snowboarder count at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown as well as Mt Hutt near Methven. Early snow allowed Mt Hutt to open on June 14 after a couple of false starts, while the southern mountains, boosted by snowmaking, opened the lifts on the same day. The 3000 visitors arriving daily at the twin peaks this week are set to rise closer to 4000, while Mt Hutt would increase to between 2000 and 3000 a day. NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said offshore dollars arriving at peak weeks in the ski season were important for the company, nearby centres and local economies. "It's when we finally get in the black as we spend a lot of money through summer in marketing and maintenance and we hang on for this period to get us into the black. "It's positive as Australian visitors coming across are strong spenders. The Aussies who come over are on holiday and have a budget for their holiday and are going to spend it in retail, on rent skis and buy their lunch." He said advance sales were locked in for snow sports lessons, transport and equipment hire from Australia with bookings continuing through the season. "We've got New Zealand and Queensland on holiday and next week we get New South Wales on top of that, so next week will be our biggest week. Pre-bookings out of Australia are very strong with double-digit growth, so 50% to 60% growth in Australian advance sales." He said softer advance sales from the North Island should turn around once news travelled about Mt Hutt's deep snow base. Next week's influx would be nearing capacity, but high-speed lifts were equipped to keep queues moving, he said. Early snowfall followed by further top-ups had created a 1.5m base at Mt Hutt. "We've got the most snow we've had for this time of the year for probably 15 to 20 years and just superb conditions." Queenstown's ski areas had a dry beginning to winter until snowmaking over eight days allowed them to start on schedule. Mr Anderson said season pass holders had initially made the most of the Queenstown skiing in the first few weeks and visitor numbers were now up on last year after 30cm of snow landed last weekend to fill the mountain's lower section. Another 6000 Australians due to arrive for Snow Machine, a music festival at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak in mid-September, are expected to boost spring skiing. Later that month there will be celebrations for The Remarkables' 40th anniversary. The ski areas are scheduled to close on October 12, with Coronet Peak usually closing the access gates earlier.
