Latest news with #Robust
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
Explore Robust: Elevating Premium Watch Accessories
Explore Robust: Elevating Premium Watch Accessories has emerged as a complement to the tech giants within a sleek minimalism and proprietary design industry. This brand is known for its rugged, repairable, and aesthetically consistent accessories. They offer high-performance, style-forward watch bands tailored for real-world users' demands, designed independently of Apple or the Apple Watch Ultra. Founded in 2021 with just $5,000 of initial capital, Robust began as a personal response to a common frustration. The brand's founder was not satisfied with the limited range of watch bands available, as they felt too clinical and mass-produced, with a lack of durability and design coherence. The founder filled the market gap by offering rugged accessories for smartwatches. was created around everyday gear that balances style, functionality, and durability. The right-to-repair ethos underpins every design decision to ensure users are not buying long-lasting essentials as per their needs. The company was launched during the pandemic when global supply chains were riddled with uncertainty, but it thrived and encountered many pitfalls by staying lean, listening intently to its community, and keeping production agile. The Titanium Band T01 was designed with a titanium finish, visual heft, and rugged aesthetic. It was developed from Grade 2 titanium with a scratch-resistant coating. Robust did not stop there. They expanded the product line in response to real-world user feedback. One standout example is the Leather Strap R01. The brand redesigned the strap to be thicker, wider, and more rugged based on customer feedback, and the inspiration was drawn from classic sports watch bands. The target audience liked the upgraded products immediately as it was fine-tuned by switching metal finishes to gray titanium and upgrading the leather to premium, vegetable-tanned Italian leather for better looks and wear. This feedback loop is one of Robust's core aspects. Robust actively collaborates with its users. The development of the Titanium Band Pro is a case in point. The Pro version is more durable, easier to use, and maintains a lower price point. Robust's growing popularity is its ability to produce watch bands for its niche: Apple Watch Ultra users. These are military personnel, first responders, tech professionals, or outdoor enthusiasts who rely on gear that's functional, durable, and matches their active lifestyles. Robust designs its products as gear tools for everyday wear that are beautiful by virtue of their utility by keeping the audience in mind. The community-driven growth was exceptional as Robust expanded its customer base from just over 1,100 in 2021 to more than 101,000 by the end of 2024. This rapid business growth is a marketing win and a sign that today's tech consumers are craving more than just aesthetics. They want reliability, customization, and the feeling that their gear supports their from Robust users speak volumes. One early T01 reviewer shared: 'The perfect band out there! A gorgeous clasp that's just the right width with a cool magnetic clasp. I use it daily in a body shop setting. Extreme comfort and no damage to it.' They even suggested Robust charge more for a DLC-coated version, which was a feature the company later added to the Titanium Band Pro. Repairability is another pillar of Robust's appeal. In an era where even minor tech accessories are sealed shut or designed to be replaced rather than repaired, Robust goes against the grain and offers tools and spare parts for its products that empower users to maintain their gear, as this approach resonates with those tired of disposable culture and cheap upgrades. So, where does Robust go from here? The brand has plans to expand its offerings to a broader range of small leather goods and watch bands for other brands by always staying true to the brand's commitment to durability, functionality, and style. As it continues to grow, Robust aims to become a lifestyle brand for quality-conscious individuals who value long-term utility over short-term trends. Robust is a refreshing change, a brand that listens, evolves, and delivers within a style-over-substance marketplace. Robust has carved out a space defined by user trust, product excellence, and unwavering commitment to thoughtful design.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
EDaddy strengthens UAE Production with local battery partnership with Robust
Dubai, UAE – EDaddy, the UAE's pioneering electric mobility brand, has announced a strategic partnership with Robust, a regional leader in battery technology, to manufacture its advanced battery packs for the New EDaddy X7 electric delivery bike in the UAE. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in EDaddy's mission to build a 100% UAE-based electric mobility ecosystem, from design and engineering to production and assembly. As part of this agreement, Robust will produce EDaddys inhouse designed battery packs for the new EDaddy X7 at its UAE facility, ensuring faster time to market, enhanced quality control, and alignment with local sustainability goals. 'We are proud to deepen our commitment to local innovation and industrialisation,' said Mansoor Ali Khan, Founder of EDaddy. 'With Robust building our battery packs right here in the UAE, we are not only reducing our environmental footprint, but also investing in the country's manufacturing ecosystem and workforce.' The UAE-produced battery packs will power the EDaddy X7 — The Safest and most sustainable UAE designed and manufactured last mile delivery bike — which, together with Thunderbolt X7 (EDaddy's Next Gen Fleet Infrastructure Platform) and E Swap X Battery Swapping stations, creates a fully integrated last-mile delivery ecosystem. We're proud to contribute to EDaddy's ambitious vision for locally built electric mobility,' said Farid Fatourehchi, CEO at Robust. 'This partnership is more than just manufacturing — it's about aligning with the UAE's Vision 2050 for sustainable mobility, reducing reliance on imports, and building resilient, low-emission solutions from within the country. Together, we're advancing the future of clean transportation while strengthening national capabilities.' The EDaddy X7 ecosystem will be unveiled at MiitE 2025, 19–22 May. About EDaddy EDaddy is a UAE based electric mobility company committed to transforming last-mile delivery through innovation in vehicle safety, performance, fleet connectivity, and clean energy solutions. Its fully integrated system is built to empower fleets, protect riders, and drive environmental change in urban logistics. EDaddy: Electrifying the UAE. About Robust Headquartered and manufactured in Dubai's Jebel Ali Freezone, Robust supports the UAE's clean energy transition through locally developed, globally certified solutions. Our systems are engineered in-house by a multidisciplinary team and built to withstand the region's toughest climate conditions — delivering grid resilience, renewable integration, and carbon reduction across public and private sectors.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Missouri Supreme Court hears two-year lawsuit over marijuana sales tax
Dyllan Davault, a harvester at Robust Cannabis facility in Cuba, Mo., tends to greenhouse plants on May 2, 2023 (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent). The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday regarding whether or not cities and counties can stack marijuana sales taxes, in a legal battle that began in 2023. The court's answer will impact more than 70 areas statewide, where both city and county governments have been imposing a 3% tax at dispensaries, according to Missouri Department of Revenue data. The court case focuses on Florissant-based dispensary Robust Missouri 3 LLC, where customers are paying a total sales tax of 20.988%, which includes a 3% sales tax from both the city of Florissant and St. Louis County. Robust argues it's unconstitutional to have two local governments taxing customers. 'There's only supposed to be one local government, one boss, one master dictating outcomes and imposing the 3% tax,' said Eric Walter, Robust's attorney, at the Tuesday hearing. St. Louis County and St. Charles County have the authority to pass a 3% tax on unincorporated areas, he said, but not on their entire geographic footprint. A panel of Missouri appellate judges agreed with Robust in November, ruling that the constitution's 'plain, unambiguous' language means cities and counties cannot stack marijuana sales taxes. 'Only one local government is authorized to impose an additional three percent sales tax,' Judge John Torbitzky of the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District wrote in the unanimous opinion. That decision reversed a lower court's ruling last year that allowed both Florissant and St. Louis County to both impose a 3% sales tax on marijuana products. St. Louis County Circuit Judge Brian May wrote that if Robust's interpretation of the law were accepted, it would lead to 'absurd outcomes,' because 'a municipality or city would essentially be given carte blanche to ignore any county ordinance or regulation, including those related to public health and safety wholly unrelated to the taxing issue.' May was largely talking about public health regulations — particularly those that apply to marijuana dispensaries — because public health in Florissant is regulated by St. Louis County. On Tuesday, Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Russell asked Walter to respond to May's ruling that Robust's interpretation 'effectively nullifies' other county ordinances regarding health and welfare. 'This is not a county health code case,' Walter said, an argument the appellate court agreed with. However, St. Louis County's attorney, Laura Robb said, Tuesday that public health is 'in the purpose' of the constitutional amendment voters approved in 2022 legalizing recreational marijuana. Florissant relies on St. Louis County to impose public health ordinances on all its businesses, she said, because it doesn't have its own department of public health. 'So it's only logical that portions of the revenue should be captured by the institution with the public health duties,' Robb told judges Tuesday. Robb agreed with May that it would have an 'absurd result to have dispensaries that are essentially not governed by any of the applicable public health ordinances that apply to every other building that's in Florissant.' The constitutional amendment states that 'local government' means, 'in the case of an incorporated area, a village, town, or city; and, in the case of an unincorporated area, a county.' At a hearing last year, attorneys for St. Louis and St. Charles counties argued the word 'and' is key in the definition. Supreme Court Judge Kelly Broniec asked Robb to review the section of the constitutional amendment titled 'local control.' There, it outlines how residents can vote to ban dispensaries in their towns and cities. Broniec read the question the law states should be submitted to voters: 'Shall (insert name of local government) ban all non-medical microbusiness dispensary facilities and comprehensive marijuana dispensary facilities from being located within (insert name of local government and, where applicable, its 'unincorporated areas') and forgo any additional related local tax revenue?' Broniec asked if this provision supports the counties' definition of local government or Robust's? 'If one of the local governments disallowed it and one allowed it – if it was on the same ballot, let's say – whose would control, if both the city and the county are a local government,' Broniec asked. 'I don't know the answer to that question,' Robb said. Walter later told Broniec that he loved her question. 'It was very insightful because when you talk about the constitutional authority allowing the local government to outright ban dispensaries, there's a particular procedure,' Walter said, 'and …even dictates what the language needs to be when presented to the voters on the question.' Walter pointed out that the constitution requires that each one of Missouri's eight congressional districts have no less than 24 dispensaries. The 2nd Congressional District is comprised almost entirely of St. Louis County, and if the county were able to impose a ban, there'd be a few parts of St. Charles and Jefferson counties remaining to 'cram 24 dispensaries into.' 'That would invade the prerogative of all the 90 maybe unique municipalities within the county of St Louis,' Walter said. 'And they should be allowed to decide whether or not they want these businesses for their citizens.'
