Latest news with #SimonThompson
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Punching above our weight': Booming sector helping to lift Aussie economy
Australia's economy is getting a surprising boost from the wellness sector, which has quietly grown to one of the nation's leading sectors. According to a new report by Global Wellness Institute, Australia ranks seventh in the world when it comes to spending on their healthcare. In total this added $194.4bn in 2023, up 10.9 per cent year on year or around $7,402 per person. Wellness now makes up seven per cent of Australia's GDP, placing it behind the construction sector. Currently the construction industry accounts for around 9 per cent of GDP and employs more than 1.3 million people. Anytime Fitness managing director Simon Thompson says the results show the wellness economy is doing its share of the heavy lifting when it comes to Australia's economy. 'When you consider our population, Australia is punching above its weight and has pioneered many wellness communities that support healthy lifestyles, vibrant social connections, and sustainable living in its growing housing markets,' Mr Thompson said. Mr Thompson said the push was coming from younger Aussies. 'Gyms, instead of pubs and clubs, are now often the number one choice for weekend outings, and even dates,' he said. 'Gen Z now spends seven times the amount of money on getting fit than Gen X.' According to the report, Australia's overall wellness growth is coming across a number of sub-sectors. Wellness tourism has swelled by 32.9 per cent between 2019 to 2023 while thermal/mineral springs are up 21.5 per cent. Wellness real estate, mental wellness and physical activity round out the top five sectors. The report comes as prime minister Anthony Albanese separately spruiks the benefit to Australia reviving its building and manufacturing sectors. During a doorstop in the electorate of Bonner in Brisbane the prime minster and Energy Minister Chris Bowen talked up the home battery incentive and solar panel uptake. 'It's good for everyone because what it does is take pressure off the grid during peak times, and that's why this is such good public policy, good for households … of course, good right throughout Australia,' Mr Albanese says. According to the ministers, 28,000 Australian homes have installed a home battery under the government's policy. But Mr Albanese wants more Australians to take up the scheme and for the panels to be built in Australia. 'Chris (Bowen) was at the South Australian factory producing solar panels earlier this week, or at the end of last week, that's expanding by nine times,' Mr Albanese said. 'We also want to produce more things here. We have everything that goes into a battery. One of the progress we have is for battery manufacturing.' Mr Albanese went further calling for more large infrastructure projects such as trains and boats to be built in Australia. 'We want things made here and here in Queensland. I want more manufacturing, more jobs to be created here.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Double shortlist for JAGGAER clients at World Procurement Awards
JAGGAER's long-standing clients Signify and TK Elevator both shortlisted for leading international procurement accolade LONDON, May 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JAGGAER, a global leader in Source-to-Pay and Supplier Collaboration, is proud to announce that its long-standing clients TK Elevator (TKE), a global leader in urban mobility and one of the world's leading manufacturers and service providers for elevator, escalator, moving walks and service providers, and Signify, a leading Dutch multinational lighting corporation, have both been shortlisted in categories of the prestigious World Procurement Awards. The World Procurement Awards celebrate excellence in procurement and represent the pinnacle of professional achievement. Recognised globally for its prestige, this event honours the leaders and organisations that excel in innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. The awards spotlight the best practices and transformative strategies shaping the future of procurement. TKE was shortlisted in the JAGGAER Procurement Transformation Award category which specifically acknowledges significant advancement in a procurement function, whether it be the improvement of an underperforming team or taking an already high-performing unit to the next level. Signify, on the other hand, was among the finalists for the Procurement Team Award category, that specifically acknowledges teams that share a clear purpose and are committed to excellence in procurement and driving business impact; yet foster a culture of openness, individual and collective growth, and trust. JAGGAER is proud that its support to these leaders in their sectors has contributed to the achievement of these important acknowledgements. Specifically, JAGGAER provided TKE transformative technology to standardize procurement processes on a global level and cut costs, and helped Signify transition to more resilient supply chain management. "We're honoured to have been part of the process with Signify and TK Elevator right from the start, contributing to helping them achieve their procurement objectives to reduce costs, standardize processes and become more resilient in volatile times," said Simon Thompson, VP Northern Europe at JAGGAER. "JAGGAER's support as a technology provider has been essential as we move through our transformative journey. The centralisation and streamlining of procurement across multiple countries and suppliers has reduced complexity and strengthened TKE's oversight and transparency, enabling us to achieve important savings," commented Oscar Rego, Chief Procurement Officer at TKE. "The whole team is thrilled that our work has been showcased in this way. Being finalists in this award is a testament to the great work and collaborative outlook of the whole team. Shared ethics, a collaborative mindset and drive have led this formidable team to achieve results that are truly greater than the sum of its parts," confirmed Arnold Chatelain, Transformation Program Director at Signify. About JAGGAER JAGGAER is a global leader in enterprise procurement and supplier collaboration, and the catalyst for enhancing human decision-making to accelerate business outcomes. We help organizations to manage and automate complex processes while enabling their highly resilient, accountable, and integrated supplier base. Backed by 30 years of expertise, our proven AI-powered industry-specific solutions, services, and partnerships form JAGGAER One, serving direct and indirect, upstream, and downstream, in settings demanding an intelligent and comprehensive source-to-pay solution. Our 1,200 global employees are obsessed with helping customers create value, transform their businesses, and accelerate their journey to Autonomous Commerce. For more information, visit ABOUT TK ELEVATOR TK Elevator (TKE) is a global leader in vertical transportation and urban mobility. We provide engineering that keeps the world moving, from design to installation and maintenance on any brand of elevators, escalators, walkways, lifts, passenger boarding bridges, stairlifts, platform lifts and home elevators – any place and any time. With our digital solutions like AGILE and the IoT platform, MAX, there are no longer any limits to urban mobility. TK Elevator became independent following its separation from the thyssenkrupp group in 2020. The company achieved sales of €9.3 billion in fiscal year 2023/2024. With around 50,000 employees, 25,000 service technicians and over 1,000 support centers globally, we are moved by what moves people. TKE – Move Beyond. About Signify Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. Our advanced products, systems and data-enabled services deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2024, we had sales of EUR 6.1 billion, approximately 29,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We feature in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and hold the EcoVadis Platinum rating, placing in the top one percent of companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on LinkedIn, Instagram and X. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page. Signify global brands include: Philips, Philips Hue, WiZ, Interact, ColorKinetics, Dynalite, Telensa, Signify myCreation, Signify BrightSites, NatureConnect, Trulifi. View source version on Contacts Media ContactJosephine Ornagojosephine@ +39 3662250305
Business Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Double shortlist for JAGGAER clients at World Procurement Awards
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JAGGAER, a global leader in Source-to-Pay and Supplier Collaboration, is proud to announce that its long-standing clients TK Elevator (TKE), a global leader in urban mobility and one of the world's leading manufacturers and service providers for elevator, escalator, moving walks and service providers, and Signify, a leading Dutch multinational lighting corporation, have both been shortlisted in categories of the prestigious World Procurement Awards. JAGGAER's long-standing clients Signify and TK Elevator both shortlisted for leading international procurement accolade Share The World Procurement Awards celebrate excellence in procurement and represent the pinnacle of professional achievement. Recognised globally for its prestige, this event honours the leaders and organisations that excel in innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. The awards spotlight the best practices and transformative strategies shaping the future of procurement. TKE was shortlisted in the JAGGAER Procurement Transformation Award category which specifically acknowledges significant advancement in a procurement function, whether it be the improvement of an underperforming team or taking an already high-performing unit to the next level. Signify, on the other hand, was among the finalists for the Procurement Team Award category, that specifically acknowledges teams that share a clear purpose and are committed to excellence in procurement and driving business impact; yet foster a culture of openness, individual and collective growth, and trust. JAGGAER is proud that its support to these leaders in their sectors has contributed to the achievement of these important acknowledgements. Specifically, JAGGAER provided TKE transformative technology to standardize procurement processes on a global level and cut costs, and helped Signify transition to more resilient supply chain management. 'We're honoured to have been part of the process with Signify and TK Elevator right from the start, contributing to helping them achieve their procurement objectives to reduce costs, standardize processes and become more resilient in volatile times,' said Simon Thompson, VP Northern Europe at JAGGAER. 'JAGGAER's support as a technology provider has been essential as we move through our transformative journey. The centralisation and streamlining of procurement across multiple countries and suppliers has reduced complexity and strengthened TKE's oversight and transparency, enabling us to achieve important savings," commented Oscar Rego, Chief Procurement Officer at TKE. 'The whole team is thrilled that our work has been showcased in this way. Being finalists in this award is a testament to the great work and collaborative outlook of the whole team. Shared ethics, a collaborative mindset and drive have led this formidable team to achieve results that are truly greater than the sum of its parts," confirmed Arnold Chatelain, Transformation Program Director at Signify. About JAGGAER JAGGAER is a global leader in enterprise procurement and supplier collaboration, and the catalyst for enhancing human decision-making to accelerate business outcomes. We help organizations to manage and automate complex processes while enabling their highly resilient, accountable, and integrated supplier base. Backed by 30 years of expertise, our proven AI-powered industry-specific solutions, services, and partnerships form JAGGAER One, serving direct and indirect, upstream, and downstream, in settings demanding an intelligent and comprehensive source-to-pay solution. Our 1,200 global employees are obsessed with helping customers create value, transform their businesses, and accelerate their journey to Autonomous Commerce. For more information, visit ABOUT TK ELEVATOR TK Elevator (TKE) is a global leader in vertical transportation and urban mobility. We provide engineering that keeps the world moving, from design to installation and maintenance on any brand of elevators, escalators, walkways, lifts, passenger boarding bridges, stairlifts, platform lifts and home elevators – any place and any time. With our digital solutions like AGILE and the IoT platform, MAX, there are no longer any limits to urban mobility. TK Elevator became independent following its separation from the thyssenkrupp group in 2020. The company achieved sales of €9.3 billion in fiscal year 2023/2024. With around 50,000 employees, 25,000 service technicians and over 1,000 support centers globally, we are moved by what moves people. TKE – Move Beyond. About Signify Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. Our advanced products, systems and data-enabled services deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2024, we had sales of EUR 6.1 billion, approximately 29,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We feature in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and hold the EcoVadis Platinum rating, placing in the top one percent of companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on LinkedIn, Instagram and X. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.
Scotsman
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
New Highland distillery smashes crowdfunding target - raising £2.3m to accelerate build
Sutherland-based distillers, bottlers and blenders The Thompson Brothers recently announced the closing of their hugely successful crowdfunding campaign, with a final figure of £2,395,125 from 720 investors, a whopping 129% of their original goal. The campaign will help fund the construction of the Struie Distillery, a cutting-edge sustainable distillery located in Dornoch, fewer than 200 meters from their current site, Dornoch Distillery. This ambitious project aims to redefine the future of whisky production while boosting the local economy and advancing sustainable industry practices. The new distillery will have a production capacity far exceeding the original Dornoch distillery. Struie Distillery will produce up to 20 times more than the Dornoch Single Malt whisky, building on the success of the current operation at Dornoch Distillery, which has seen continued oversubscription with every release and will run alongside the new development. Every aspect of production except malting will be handled on-site, from liquid creation to blending, bottling, labelling, and shipping. The new distillery will also create 10 new jobs in the local area, further supporting the community. Phil and Simon Thompson, reflecting on the success of the Crowdfunding campaign, said: "We are overwhelmed by the support from our community and investors. 'Surpassing our funding target not only validates our vision but also accelerates our journey toward establishing Struie Distillery as a beacon of sustainability in the global whisky industry." 'This marks a significant milestone for us and we're excited to go forward and break ground with a further 720 investors behind us.' The new distillery, designed by Leask Architects, will feature patent-pending technology and renewable energy sources, ensuring zero carbon emissions through scope one and two. The project is also expected to significantly boost the local economy, creating new jobs and engaging the estimated 12,000 annual visitors to the region that's home of the distillery, Dornoch Castle hotel and its world-famous whisky bar, and The Royal Dornoch Golf Club Championship Course, rated one of the best golf courses in the world. The crowdfunding campaign is part of an overall raise of £5m into Thompson Independent Traders Limited, the group that consists of Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch Distillery Company Limited, Thompson Bros Independent bottling and blending as well as the new distillery development, Struie Distillery. The additional money will come from a combination of new and existing investors via a series A fundraise. For more information about Struie Distillery and The Thompson Bros., please visit their website. Sign up to our free Scotsman Whisky Club newsletter here, for news, reviews, interviews and exclusive discounts.
Forbes
11-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Meet The Whisky Startup Thriving While Industry Giants Retreat
The Dornoch Distillery team led by Phil and Simon Thompson continues expanding their Scottish whisky empire despite challenging market conditions affecting major industry players across the Highlands. On paper, 2025 is a terrible time to start a distillery. With consumers already tightening their belts due to the rising cost of living and the knock-on effects of higher interest rates, the outlook for the whisky industry has been far from encouraging. Add to that the continued strain of global trade tensions, including US tariffs on Scotch whisky, and the picture looks even bleaker. Even major players are feeling the pressure. Diageo recently shut down its Distill Ventures programme, leaving ripple effects in its wake, most notably at Denmark's largest whisky producer, Stauning, which has cut around 25% of its workforce following Diageo's departure. So, is this the worst possible time to start a new whisky venture? Perhaps. And yet, two brothers from the Highlands are doing exactly that, and not only surviving, but thriving. Ask anyone in Scotch whisky and they will likely know Phil and Simon Thompson, either personally or by reputation. They're easy to like, helped in no small part by their enthusiasm, humour, and the fact that they're rarely without a bottle of whisky in hand. For years, their whisky bar at Dornoch Castle Hotel, set against the rugged backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, has been a pilgrimage site for whisky lovers. When lockdowns struck in 2020, they continued to serve their customers by posting drams, a simple gesture that kept their community of devoted whisky lovers connected. Scottish Licence Trade News also named it Whisky Bar of the Year in both 2014 and 2016, and Best Whisky Bar in Scotland by Scottish Field in 2019. But that was only the beginning. In 2016, Phil and Simon launched the Dornoch Distillery Company with the aim of reviving the character of old-style Highland spirits. They raised their initial capital through a successful crowdfunding campaign, which hit its target within weeks thanks to global interest. The funds allowed them to convert a derelict late-19th-century fire station, tucked within the hotel grounds, into a fully operational distillery. The Thompson brothers' original Dornoch Distillery operation, housed in a converted 19th century fire station (est. 1881) that sparked their whisky-making journey and award-winning spirits empire in the Scottish Highlands. When production began in early 2017, Dornoch Castle became the first hotel in the UK, possibly even the world, with its own on-site whisky and gin distillery. Fast forward to 2025, and their spirits are now exported to 14 international markets. The only thing holding them back is the size of their current site. Buoyed by their success, the duo have recently announced plans for a brand-new venture: a $2.4 million (£1.8 million) crowdfunding campaign to support the construction of the Struie Distillery, a state-of-the-art, sustainable distillery to be built in Dornoch, just 200 metres from their existing site at Dornoch Distillery. Artist's impression of the planned Struie Distillery in Dornoch, Scotland, located just 200 metres from the brothers' original distillery site. The £1.8 million sustainable facility represents an ambitious expansion of the Thompson brothers' whisky operations in the Scottish Highlands. In an email conversation about the new distillery, I asked Simon Thompson whether they had any concerns about the current market conditions. His response was characteristically stoic, stating: "We like to joke that Struie is the best new distillery proposition of the past decade, launched at the worst possible time in the past decade." His confidence is well founded too, having already raised $2.94 million (£2.26 million) on Crowdcube, a UK-based equity crowdfunding platform, representing 122% of the capital they sought to raise. Despite this fundraising success, Thompson remains pragmatic about the challenges ahead, recognizing that the whisky industry has always been cyclical in nature. Indeed, veterans of the whisky world understand that turbulence and challenging periods are simply part of the whisky cycle, most notably seen during the whisky loch of the 1980s when distilleries were forced to close due to oversupply and falling demand. Phil and Simon anticipated these market shifts long before they occurred, having planned their strategy with an awareness that the whisky boom, which reached fever pitch in 2022, would inevitably face correction. As Phil explains, their long-term approach was never about reacting to the market, but preparing for its cycles: 'We planned for a down market. We've had a playbook since 2016, which we kept updating with strategies not just to survive, but to thrive in a down market. Whisky always overshoots on the upswing and undershoots on the downswing. It's just the nature of making a product today that you intend to sell in 6 to 60 years' time… and in an undershoot, there is opportunity. Our new 'Mystery Malt' is from the playbook, designed years ago to take advantage of a down market while being a win for everyone.' It's this blend of meticulous long-term planning, a deep understanding of whisky's cyclical nature, and an infectious passion for their craft that allows the Thompson brothers to confidently forge ahead with Struie Distillery. While market forecasts might paint a bleak picture for 2025, their journey serves as a compelling reminder that for those prepared to play the long game, even the perceived 'worst of times' can hold the seeds of opportunity and success.
