Latest news with #VCC
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why a still-great SUV from 2014 is vital to Volvo
The XC90 is one of two Volvo SUVs which are becoming almost immortal. And that's a good thing. Way out in front of every other vehicle is the XC60, a mere eight years young compared to its bigger brother which the world first saw in 2014. We weren't supposed to be here, the company years ago planning and intending for EVs to be its global best-sellers. That will happen; it's just going to take longer than once forecast. Plus, Volvo has a nice problem: people refuse to stop buying vast numbers of what are now almost classic-status cars. Remember too that the same thing occurred with the previous generations of each. Giving buyers a mix of propulsion systems Run your eyes down the list of Volvo's current models and it's soon clear to see that the public really loves the ICE and electrified ones. EVs? Less so, well for now at least. It also depends greatly on the country in question. Swedes wants plug-ins, Americans still largely prefer gasoline engines. Is a sales mix increasingly biased towards hybrids a bad thing? Of course not. Fittingly, the company's new-old boss seems to be doing exactly the right thing. Namely, allowing people to buy the vehicles they prefer, knowing that electric cars, SUVs and even now an MPV are likely to be far less profitable. How Volvo Car Corporation managed to run head-long into financial distress is something to be explored another day. As of now though, what we could term 'legacy' models are its future. And that isn't meant to be provocative; more a fact. VCC remains a pioneer in seeking carbon neutrality and should be applauded for that. What's coming for the under-utilised South Carolina plant If this OEM could turn back the clock or at least do something big without upsetting the home market workforce, it surely would have done it several decades back. This being to manufacture not only its best selling XC60 in the USA but the XC90 too. We are where we are, however, and this pair of built-in-Europe SUVs are mega-margin models. Historically a major market for Volvo, people in the USA can't get enough of them. That's also the case in many other countries. And it's an open secret that the XC60 will also be made in South Carolina commencing, well, ASAP: Charleston/Ridgeville used to make the S60, a handy precedent as the platform is in common (the XC90 is also SPA-based). British buyers tend to be far more keen on electrified vehicles than many of our near-neighbours and yet we're still an important export destination for fossil-fuel Volvos. In the case of the newly refreshed XC90, that means the choice of petrol mild- or plug-in hybrid power, all-wheel drive being standard for both. A not-so-minor facelift in fact It may look as though only the distinctive grille is the main way to tell the updated model from what went before but there are far more exterior changes. Such as slimmer headlights, re-profiled bumper covers and even a differently-shaped bonnet. Wheels too have been replaced and there are fresh paint hues along with some nicely minimalist chrome-look accents. Volvo has also given the interior a little bit of a once-over, not that much needed to change. It now looks even more elegant, the Less Is More mantra likely being front of mind when the Design team set to work. So we find light-coloured wood, soft plastics and silver trim which is all the very opposite of blingy. There are very few dials or knobs or buttons; nor has the dinky hazard lights switch become easier to locate in a split second. The screen has had a big update and combined with better software is infinitely better than the one in this car from even a few years back. Now almost everything is easy to find. Thank goodness mirror controls remain real buttons too. Fantastic interior adaptability The boot of this seven-seater is still vast. MHEV examples have up to 680 litres of space in five-seat mode while the PHEVs lose 40 of that due to the positioning of the battery and associated components. Flip the third row, which folds flat, and hey presto, a massive space is opened up for holiday trips. Volvo has little by little become a true premium brand during the last quarter century, the XC90's fit and finish being the equal or better than that of equivalent BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes or Audi models. You can see and feel that just from things such as the high quality carpeting and solidity of luggage bay pull-up floor panels. For a model which probably wasn't meant to still be around in 2025, its now eventual replacement being the EX90, the XC90 still competes in most ways. With air suspension - it depends on the model grade - body roll is well checked, there isn't much in the way of pitching under braking and comfort is excellent. Steering is far lighter than in an X5 but that's intentional: Volvo customers want it that way. Still the most crash-proof car in the world? Something else which VCC gets oh so close to being exactly right is safety and the perception of that. Even being the age that it is, this big SUV remains state of the art for crash protection and has an almost endless number of advanced electronic systems. Merely closing any door makes you see the XC90 was engineered by people who value life. One of a few small things which are just OK rather than outstanding are ridiculously fiddly sunroof controls. You eventually get used to these being touch-sensitive but a proper plastic switch needs to come back. Here it is again: OEMs and vendors re-inventing things and making them worse. Why would you, as a company, make a change that will annoy your customers, also forcing them to take their eyes off the road? We will look back at this era of brands self-harming and remember this was when the wise saw an analogue opportunity. How many of us know highly intelligent, often older people who keep putting off a new car purchase as their test drives have been so irritating? Europe is a region replete with vast numbers of rich retirees. It's sheer stupidity not to use commence sense and design cars for them. I adore how the EX30 looks. I also feel I know why sales surged then crashed and it's not to do with the Europe-China duties spat. The demographic it would most suit is largely shunning it. Sure, young Chinese customers love Tesla-like interiors. Any smart company would offer a less digitally-heavy alternative. Surely premium means works-first-time-every-time One last frustration with the XC90: the R-N-D selector is not the best in the business. At least you won't get damp in a downpour due to unintuitive minimalist nonsense stopping a roof being easily closed. One other non-premium thing: the screen, gloss-black plastic trim pieces and ORREFORS SWEDEN branding within a transparent lever soon look far from showroom-perfect. None of the annoyances really matter in the end as this must be the best Volvo in the line-up. As often happens with a good looking vehicle which stays in production for a decade or more, it ends up at its most elegant after a few facelifts. This one has the stance, the safety systems, decent dynamics and a competitive mix of all other essential abilities for the 5m-long high-priced SUV class. Volvo would be wise to keep making the XC90 at Torslanda for as long as buyers still want it: the profits from this model (and the XC60) are surely essential to turning things around financially. And getting VCC in sustainable shape for its electric future."Why a still-great SUV from 2014 is vital to Volvo" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Chicago Tribune
09-06-2025
- Science
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Youth summer programs and concert lineups
Indiana University Northwest will host a free Forensic Investigations Summer Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 23 to 26. The four-day immersive camp will feature interactive lectures, hands-on laboratory work, field trips and real-world exposure to the many facets of forensic science. Open to local students entering 11th or 12th grade in fall 2025, camp activities will be led by IU Northwest faculty, staff and area professionals, providing students with a comprehensive introduction to the field. Space is limited to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, visit The Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) will offer a wide range of summer programs to support academic growth for students of all ages. Summer School for students enrolled in the Gary Community School Corporation, specifically second- and third-graders, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through June 26. Targeted academic opportunities will be tailored to students' needs, with a focus on developing critical reading skills. At the high school level, Summer School classes take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students grades 9 through 12. Credit recovery will be available as well as opportunities for students to excel further in their academic journeys. The Summer Passports program is open to all students entering Kindergarten through 12th grade. Rising kindergarten through 8th-grade students from any school in Gary can attend this free program. For grades 9 through 12, students must be registered as GCSC scholars to participate. Registration is required for the Summer Passports Program. Curriculum topics include health, career exploration, and extracurricular activities that will be available beyond the summer. The Gary Community School Corporation also is partnering with local organizations to provide additional programming: Gear Up STEM Camp for middle school students explores the world of science, technology, engineering, and math from June 16 to 18; and the Second Annual Northwest Learning Lab for students entering the fourth or fifth grade, hosted by the Urban League of Northwest Indiana. This program offers enrichment experiences outside of the classroom. To ensure all Gary Community School Corporation students can participate, breakfast, lunch, and transportation will be provided at no cost for enrolled participants. For more information and bus routes, visit or call a student's home school for assistance. The Valparaiso Creative Council (VCC) has grown its artist programming over the past two years, providing a free quarterly series entitled Art + Innovation featuring local artists at two downtown Valpo venues: Roots Cafe and Lower Lincoln. As an expansion of this programming, VCC now also partners with Purdue University Northwest to exhibit at their Hammond campus. The VCC's latest Art + Innovation artist exhibit, 'Comparative Works of Art Deco + Sculpture,' is on display through July 11 at Roots Cafe, 108 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso, and Lower Lincoln, 212 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso. The six featured artists are: Collin Smallegan; Carol Estes; Lizzy Cohan; Ricardo Cortez; Heather Wood; and Teneia Dilosa. A reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. June 19 at Roots Cafe, transferring to Lower Lincoln at 5:15 p.m. Drinks will be available and two professional creatives will be featured as speakers: Women Owned NWI @womenownednwi and Eddie Escalantes @partyproz219. More information can be found at Experience summer evenings under the stars at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest's (PNW) 2025 Acorn Concert Series, featuring five outdoor family-friendly music shows. All shows will begin at 7 p.m. at 450 West 100 North, Valparaiso. For all concert and ticket information, visit The full 2025 Acorn Concert Series lineup includes: Kashmir – Led Zeppelin tribute, with opening act Triangle Method, June 20; Rocks Off – Rolling Stone tribute, with opening act Head Honchos, July 11; Hyryder – Grateful Dead tribute band, Aug. 9; The Mike and Joe Band – Modern Rock tribute, with opening act The Double Features, Aug. 29; and The Prince Experience – Prince tribute, with opening act Lauren Dukes, Sept. 12. Gates open one hour before showtime. Concerts will be held rain or shine. Individual tickets are $23 in advance, increasing to $28 the week of the concert for non-members. Children age 12 and younger are free but must attend with a paying adult. Event parking is free but limited. Special member and season ticket pricing is available, including VIP season tickets that are on sale through June 20. Local food vendors will be on-site selling alcoholic beverages and food. No outside alcohol is permitted; coolers and personal items are subject to search. Friendly dogs on leash are permitted. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating. For more information on the Acorn Concert Series, visit Lake County Master Gardeners will present the 2025 Garden Walk, 'June in Bloom,' from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 29. Stroll through nine inspiring private gardens in Crown Point, Lowell and Cedar Lake, where homeowners and Master Gardeners will be on-site to share tips, answer questions, and showcase how gardens can be both beautiful and beneficial. Practically Magic, 611 N. Indiana Ave., Crown Point, will be the official ticket hub and cooling station. There attendees can pick up their Garden Walk program booklets, raffle entries and refreshments. Tickets can be purchased at Leo's in Cedar Lake, Niemeyer's, The Artful Garden, Elzinga's, Walt's in Dyer, Remus Farms in Hobart, Alsip's, Mighty Mike's in St. John, Bee Quilting and Such in Munster and via Eventbrite, surcharge applies. Tickets are $15, children 12 and younger are free. More information can be found at or email lakecountymastergardeners@
Business Wire
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Reconstruct Raises Strategic Investment to Accelerate its AI and ML Capabilities for Global Expansion
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Reconstruct, Inc., the leading provider of visual reality digital twins for capital assets, completed a strategic investment up round. Proceeds will be used to accelerate its deployment of AI and machine learning (ML) capabilities. "Reconstruct's newest AI and ML features provide visibility to owners and builders within minutes that previously would have taken weeks and a workforce that no one has available anymore.' Zak MacRunnels, CEO, Reconstruct Reconstruct's Visual Command Center (VCC) is gaining worldwide traction across all aspects of projects' lifecycles -- from construction, renovation, as-builts and beyond. Zak MacRunnels, CEO of Reconstruct, comments: 'Our industrial and infrastructure customers are accruing the biggest ROI from the VCC's uniquely aligned measurability, mapping and monitoring capabilities for the world's largest construction projects. Reconstruct's newest AI and ML features provide visibility to owners and builders within minutes that previously would have taken weeks and a workforce that no one has available anymore.' Several of Reconstruct's customers below discuss how they use the VCC for assessing and monitoring industrial and infrastructure projects. Mark Ilich, Co-Founder/EVP of Procon Consulting, comments: 'We've deployed Reconstruct's VCC since 2019 and are impressed with the substantial efficiencies gained by using their world-class technology in image recognition and photogrammetry point clouds.' Stephen Devito, Director of Technology, added: 'By utilizing Reconstruct on a 600,000 square foot federal project in Denver, we generated a measurable, reality-mapped digital twin in two days when conventional laser scanning would have been cost-prohibitive and taken over 2 months.' Tanja Kufner, Head of Start Up & Venture Investment at the Nemetschek Group, states: 'We continue to integrate and partner with Reconstruct. Our investment reflects a strong commitment to connect them to our global ecosystem. Reconstruct is playing a pivotal role in advancing the digital transformation of the AEC/O industry, delivering powerful AI-driven insights and analytics across every phase of an asset's lifecycle – past, present and future.' Kelly Barber, Division Chief Engineering Automation and Services of PennDOT, states, 'We want to ensure that we have a digital backbone that is platform inclusive and allows us to capitalize on our investments. On the four construction projects that we have used this on, Reconstruct provides the ability to combine videos and photos from drones and 360-cameras to create 3D reality models. This allows our construction and operations teams to thoroughly track progress and virtually navigate sites to get unique insights and measure any part of the site with sub-inch accuracy.' Jordan Cram, CEO of Enstoa, adds: 'Having worked with Reconstruct on multiple continents, we are excited by the real-time and insightful analytics that Reconstruct provides to our mutual customers. Their AI enables us to find issues before they become issues. We are now taking capital asset management to a new level.' About Reconstruct Menlo Park-based SaaS company with thousands of projects used every day across six continents to manage lifecycles of its customers' capital assets with proprietary AI-ML engines About Procon Consulting Provides collaborative program and project management solutions nationwide. Offers a full range of management and support services for construction, space planning, technology management, and business management About Nemetschek Group Global software provider for the AEC/O industry offering solutions for the entire lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure projects. Founded in 1963, the company has grown to include 14 brands and over 4,000 employees worldwide About PennDOT Oversees programs and policies affecting highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports and waterways with approximately 122,000 miles of state and local highways and 32,000 state and local bridges About Enstoa Focuses on accelerated digital transformation for the built environment with clients active across a wide range of industries including healthcare, real estate, public infrastructure, energy and utilities
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Private credit firm Zagga sees growing interest from Singapore and Asean for Australia real estate
While Australia's property development is considered hot, growth is not uniform across the continent, Mr Alan Greenstein, chief executive officer of Zagga said. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG SINGAPORE - Singapore and Asean investors keen to jump into Australia's housing market have typically favoured brick-and-mortar investment properties – but private real estate credit funds are gaining traction as an alternative avenue. Mr Alan Greenstein, chief executive officer of Australia's non-bank lender Zagga, told The Straits Times that strong demand for Australian real estate private credit is seen from institutional investors, family offices and wealth managers across South-east Asia. Unlike investors in Japan or South Korea, those in Singapore and neighbouring countries are more familiar with Australia and have deep connections through education, family ties and business relationships, he said. 'We are expanding our footprint and making it easier to invest with us,' he said. About 15 per cent of Zagga's funds under management (FUM) is from Asean investors, with its two biggest investors in the region based in Singapore and Japan. He hopes to double the Asean FUM in two years. Zagga has appointed Ms Roushana Sjahsam as its senior board adviser for Asean – a newly created role – to double down on its expansion here and in the region. Ms Sjahsam was previously managing director at financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald Capital Markets in Hong Kong. She also worked at Citibank and credit provider ADM Capital before. She said investors in South-east Asia have put their money mostly in the US and European private credit markets, but Australia is gaining attention, underpinned in part by the country's strong governance and legal systems as well as a housing crunch fuelled by population growth and immigration. Zagga has appointed Ms Roushana Sjahsam as its senior board adviser for Asean - a newly created role - to double down on its expansion here and in the region. PHOTO: ZAGGA Private real estate credit are loans provided by non-bank lenders, like Zagga, to property developers. For property developers, such loans offer an alternative funding source to traditional banks, and for investors, an opportunity to earn income through interest payments. Mr Greenstein reckoned the private real estate credit in Australia is worth about A$90 billion (S$75 billion), representing about 17 per cent of the total real estate credit market there, which means about 83 per cent of the market is still being funded by banks. Zagga recently launched a new Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) – the Zagga Real Estate Credit Fund (ZRECF) – and has obtained A$20 million in commitments. Unlike in a regular fund structure where each fund has to be registered into one account, asset managers are able to incorporate multiple funds into a single VCC. Mr Greenstein said the target is to 'at least match' its Australia fund size of A$200 million. Mr Alan Greenstein told The Straits Times that strong demand for Australian real estate private credit is seen from institutional investors, family offices and wealth managers across South-east Asia. PHOTO: ZAGGA ZRECF will invest directly in prime commercial real estate across Australia's east coast, where the markets are 'most liquid'. Investors can choose to invest in their preferred currency – Australian dollar, Singapore dollar, Hong Kong dollar or the greenback. In Singapore, Zagga is one of the Australian real estate private credit managers from whom Bigfundr, a Singaporean family-controlled fintech platform, sources loan investments to offer to the retail base here. The Monetary Authority of Singapore-licensed and regulated Bigfundr offers retail investors access to real estate debt investment opportunities starting from $1,000, opening up an investment avenue that was previously only available to institutional or high-net-worth individuals. Since giving out its first loan in 2017, Zagga has invested over A$2.5 billion across more than 300 transactions in Australia's commercial real estate sector, spanning residential, commercial and industrial properties. The private real estate credit market in Australia has grown in recent years, fuelled by tighter banking regulations which have constrained traditional bank lending and increased demand for flexible financing solutions, Mr Greenstein said. This has allowed Zagga to carve out a niche in financing development projects in Australian cities experiencing housing shortages. While Australia's property development is considered hot, growth is not uniform across the continent, Mr Greenstein said. Melbourne's high-rise apartment market, for instance, has faced some challenges because of an over-supply which grew on the back of inflows of foreign students and large Chinese investments. 'But there was a cooling off in the relationship between China and Australia. Coupled with Covid-19, many didn't come,' he said. He expects the situation in Melbourne to improve with the return of international students and improving China-Australia ties. Zagga has a robust risk management system in place, he said. The firm maintains a zero-loss record, achieved through a conservative lending strategy that typically provides loans at only 65 per cent of a property valuation. This approach provides a significant equity buffer of 35 per cent against potential market fluctuations. He said: 'Even if we had to sell an investment at a reduced price, our investors have a significant cushion. 'The underlying asset value must diminish by 35 per cent before an investor loses a single dollar – something you simply don't see in the equity markets.' Zagga's expansion in Singapore is timely, Mr Greenstein said, as investors look for safe havens in times of market turbulence and are seeking to diversify from the US and Europe. Real estate private credit in Australia is delivering 'decent returns' of around 8.5 per cent in Sing dollars versus the dismal savings rates offered by banks, he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Sun
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Alliance Bank to continuously explore strategic partnerships to expand digital payment eco-system
KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd will continuously explore strategic partnerships to expand the digital payment eco-system as part of its Acceler8 strategy. Group chief consumer banking officer Gan Pan Li said the bank has collaborated with fintech players, digital wallet providers and technology firms that align with its vision of delivering secure and seamless payment solutions. 'Our goal remains on increasing accessibility, strengthening security and introducing innovative features that enhance customer experience,' she told SunBiz. Gan pointed out that in June 2024, Alliance Bank teamed up with MyTaman, a leading smart community app, to offer virtual credit cards (VCC) to more than 150,000 MyTaman users, enabling seamless payments for maintenance fees, rentals and subscriptions. The following month, the bank collaborated with MetaFin, Malaysia's first do-it-yourself digital platform for insurance and personal financial services, to introduce a Visa virtual credit card, providing users with a secure and convenient digital payment experience within the MetaFin Digital App. 'These initiatives demonstrate our ongoing efforts to enhance our digital offerings and drive innovation in payment solutions, always looking for a space where the VCC can help address lifestyle requirements for consumers,' said Gan. In January this year, Alliance Bank partnered with Samsung and Google to provide Alliance Bank Visa credit card holders with greater convenience in mobile payments. This partnership allows Alliance Bank cardholders to add their Alliance Bank Visa credit cards to their Samsung Pay or Google Pay wallets. Google Pay can be used by Alliance Bank cardholders whether they are shopping online, browsing in-store, or using public transport by simply tapping and paying through their device. Gan said Alliance Bank set a target of onboarding over 10,000 users on Samsung Pay and Google Pay by March, but it is too early to provide comprehensive adoption statistics. This aligns with the growing shift towards contactless payments in Malaysia, where more than nine in 10 Visa face-to-face transactions are now made using contactless methods, she added. 'We anticipate strong adoption among our digitally savvy customers, driven by the convenience and security these platforms offer. Additionally, we have observed an increasing reliance on contactless payments, particularly in retail, public transport and e-commerce transactions. 'Engagement-driven campaigns, such as limited-time offers and rewards, have further encouraged usage, reinforcing the trend toward seamless and secure digital payments,' Gan said. While the current focus is on integrating with Samsung Pay and Google Pay, Alliance Bank recognises the importance of offering diverse payment options to meet varying customer preferences. 'We are exploring future integration with Apple Pay to ensure our customers can seamlessly transact across all major mobile platforms. Very soon, we will be integrating our VCC with an EV charging app, which enables customers to make quick and hassle-free payments for EV charging,' said Gan. She added that Alliance Bank is always looking for ways to enhance its VCC for different segments of the market, such as e-vehicle charging apps and pickleball court bookings 'Customer trust and security remain a core priority in our digital strategy, and we will continue to develop new capabilities for the VCC that we will take to market. New features will be announced as part of our go-to-market initiatives,' she said. Asked how Alliance Bank sees this impacting the bank's future customer acquisition and engagement strategies, Gan said by collaborating with brands and platforms that align with these audiences, the bank aims to enhance engagement and drive adoption of its digital banking solutions. 'One such initiative is an upcoming pickleball championship in collaboration with Pickle Social Club and Courtsite, which will serve as a unique avenue to connect with our target customers and solidify our digital-first approach,' Gan said. Elaborating on how Alliance Bank is positioning itself against competitors in Malaysia's rapidly evolving digital banking space, Gan said the bank differentiates itself in Malaysia's rapidly evolving digital banking landscape through a balanced approach to innovation and customer-centric banking. 'In line with the bank's Accele8 strategy, we focus on delivering faster, better, and more personalised solutions that cater to the evolving needs of our customers. 'We continue to enhance the features of our digital products for ease of use while prioritising security features, and we continuously improve our self-service touchpoints to provide a seamless and accessible banking experience as part of our low-touch service offerings. 'Aside from just digital-based transactions, we also offer services at branches to cater to communities for those who prefer high-touch service offerings, and, by combining innovative digital solutions with meaningful customer engagement, we position ourselves as 'The Bank For Life', a trusted financial partner that grows with our customers and supports them at every stage of their financial journey,' she explained. On Alliance Bank's targets for digital payment transactions and VCC adoption in 2025, Gan said the bank has historically seen a good pickup in digital transactions where a majority of its transactions are via digital channels. 'We believe this sort of trajectory will continue to build up with increasing adoption as the VCC and digital payments become a norm for consumers. 'We feel that the pace of digital transactions will closely align with regulatory initiatives in terms of digital adoption. 'The VCC complements the efforts of regulators in bringing about awareness of scam and fraud prevention through enhanced security measures such as dynamic card numbers, tokenisation and real-time transaction monitoring. 'These features help mitigate risks associated with unauthorised transactions, phishing attempts, and identity theft, concerns that have been on the rise with the growing reliance on digital payments. 'At the same time, we continue to expand the VCC's usability across various sectors, including e-commerce, travel, mobility, and everyday lifestyle transactions, ensuring seamless and secure payment experiences. 'Looking ahead, we remain committed to strengthening our digital ecosystem by aligning with regulatory frameworks and introducing innovative payment solutions that cater to evolving consumer needs,' Gan said.
