Latest news with #RichardStephens
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Statue of first British-made Stephens car unveiled in Clevedon
A statue of the first entirely British-designed and built motor car has been unveiled. The 1:1 replica of a car built by Richard Stephens in 1898 in Clevedon, now sits on Six Ways roundabout, a short distance from where the original was Reber, organiser of the Clevedon Cars and Coffee event, who commissioned the statue, said: "I am so happy to see the town's response, everyone is excited by this project."It's a reflection of how the car originally came together, it was several Clevedonians who made it happen, and it's gratifying to see that pattern repeat again today." Richard Stephens began his car manufacturing business in Clevedon in 1897, taking inspiration from engineers he met in America, including Henry Ford and Ransom Olds, founder of the Oldsmobile car there are two surviving cars from 12 that were built and the company folded in 1916 after competition from other firms. One of the cars is still using its original tyres, installed 127 years ago. The two have participated in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run for several years. Stephens' vehicles could reach 40mph (64km/h), and he invented his own suspension systems for his cars, as well as manufacturing early taxis and granddaughter Georgina Westlake, who unveiled the statue, said it looked "amazing"."Richard Stephens would be proud and so would my father," she said. The car statue was funded from private donations."Richard Stephens was a big believer in using cars for public transportation, creating them with local people using locally-sourced materials," Mr Reber said."Then he built them for mass transit, and his final car carried 10 people."Here we are in 2025 and we realise how many things he got right."He is the road not taken, and he addressed things in his design and business model we only appreciate now."Mr Reber next plans to commission a mural of Richard Stephens for the building which formerly housed his workshop.
Business Wire
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Lumicera Partners with Costco Pharmacy to Deliver Cost-Plus Specialty Pharmacy, Extending Commitment to Drive Value through Better Pricing and Unmatched Patient Support
MADISON, Wis. & ISSAQUAH, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lumicera Health Services, a specialty pharmacy solutions company, today announced a partnership with Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) (Nasdaq: COST) to expand cost-plus specialty pharmacy in the marketplace and offer a broad spectrum of specialty medications with unmatched patient support, pricing transparency, and clinical expertise. Through this collaboration, commercial employer benefit plan sponsors and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) that partner with Costco Pharmacy for cost-plus pharmacy will gain access to these complex- and often very expensive- medication therapies at an auditable cost. This partnership enables Costco to expand its operations and service expertise. For more than 10 years, Lumicera has specialized in the acquisition and distribution of medications that require special handling, including refrigeration and other logistical requirements. As one of the top 15 specialty pharmacies in the United States, Lumicera has activated a comprehensive patient support model that achieved a world-class patient net promoter score of 85.5 in 2024. This model includes several Centers of Excellence (COE) which offer robust, 24/7 patient support and customized treatments by specially trained staff. With Lumicera, Costco enhances its ability to serve patients with chronic and rare conditions, offering the personalized assistance and resources they need. 'Costco and Lumicera are united by a commitment to transparency, exceptional quality, and a member-centric approach. With more than a decade of experience delivering specialty pharmacy services, Lumicera brings an industry-leading patient support model to enhance our offerings and improve patient outcomes,' said Richard Stephens, Senior Vice President, Costco Pharmacy. 'Our goal is to continue to deliver significant value on specialty medications by securing better pricing for high-cost drugs, passing these savings directly to our customers, and supporting patient health and improved outcomes.' Ben Heiser, PharmD, MBA, CSP, LSSGB, Lumicera's General Manager added, 'This partnership underscores our dedication to transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. By collaborating with Costco, we extend our cost-plus pricing model for specialty pharmacy, offering a clearer view of medication costs. As drug prices continue to skyrocket, we remain committed to doing things the right way—for both patients and our partners. By returning all negotiated discounts from drug companies through our pass-through, acquisition cost-plus pricing model, we help keep medication costs as low as possible, ensuring people can afford the critical treatments they need.' About Lumicera Health Services Lumicera Health Services, a leading specialty pharmacy solutions provider, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navitus Health Solutions, which is co-owned by SSM Health and Costco. Together, they are dedicated to providing superior patient care and ensuring positive outcomes through innovative practices and strategic partnerships. For more information, visit
