The recent tie-up of Bosch and Samsung follows the recent trend of various auto and auto-components manufactures joining hands with consumer electronics companies to manufacture Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The Li-ion batteries are used to help power the ever-increasingly popular hybrid cars, such as the GM Chevy Volt, which is already on the market, and Toyota is also planning to launch a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) version of its Prius brand by June 2009. Demand for the Li-ion batteries is so high that it is currently outstripping supply. Earlier this year, the industry also witnessed similar tie ups between Toyota and Matsushita, Volkswagen and Sanyo, and GM and LG amongst others.

Continue reading “Are ‘Green’ Li-ion Batteries just Another Way to Combat Growing Ecological Concerns?” »

The ageing population and growing risk factors have made a significant impact on driving up the number of registered heart failure cases. Existing pharmacological strategies are improving the survival rates of acute and early-stage heart failure patients, ironically providing a growing body of patients with progression of the disease to heart failure.

Continue reading “Will Technological Improvements Eliminate Reliance on Heart Transplantation?” »

The recent hike in oil prices in India has led to a sudden increase in demand for CNG/LPG cars. In order to cater to the growing demand for such cars and also to cash in on this opportunity, vehicle manufacturers in the country have launched CNG/LPG variants of their existing models. However, the lack of support infrastructure such as an inadequate number of filling stations can hamper the growth of these cars in the country.

Continue reading “Surging Oil Prices in India Leads to Increased Demand for Natural Gas Cars” »

Fancy an excuse for a holiday? Well, if so, this is your chance. A recent survey from the UK Post Office Services says motorists will find the cheapest fuel in Spain and Switzerland. Switzerland is the only one out of 12 European destinations where unleaded fuel cost less than £1 a litre, and driving in Spain is the best value for diesel and hire car drivers.

Continue reading “Will Cheap Fuel Force UK Motorists to Head South?” »

The proliferation of new contact centre delivery locations globally has done little to allay fears of wide-spread price and attrition increases for outsourcing vendors.

Among the key domestic markets from where contact centre outsourcing services are delivered, a new report estimates that the UK, the Netherlands and France rank among the most expensive in terms of fully-loaded price per agent per hour (including wages, benefits, telephony / technology, property, mark-up and other expenses).

Continue reading “Will Hope of Career Opportunities for Contact Centres Make Employees Stay?” »

As highlighted in a recent report, The Fairtrade mark, once only visible in independent grocery shops or on the odd shelf in the supermarket, has come a long way since the launch of the Max Havelaar Fairtrade Certification Mark in the Netherlands in 1988. Worldwide consumers spent over 2.3 billion euros on Fairtrade certified products in 2007, representing a 47% increase on the previous year. This means that over 1.5 million producers and workers in 58 developing countries now benefit from Fairtrade sales.

Continue reading “Interest in Fairtrade Products Soar as the Concept Matures Worldwide” »

The number of wealthy women is soaring while the wealth gap between men and women is quickly narrowing. As a result, banks have placed considerable effort in various initiatives to attract more female clients. However, a recent report warns that this ‘champagne and chocolate’ approach will not work as women are looking for more from their private bank than a spa discount and a pink website.

Continue reading “Banks Attempt to Woo Female Clients” »

The wind energy industry is growing rapidly on the back of technological advancements, political will and government subsidies. Utility companies, independent power providers, institutional investors and oil companies are all seeking to capitalize on lucrative support mechanisms to unlock greater commercial and competitive advantages, meet their renewables targets and boost their green credentials.

Continue reading “Oil Price Rises Increase Attraction of Wind Farms” »

It is hard to believe that less than a century ago, windshields were offered as optional equipment. In 1909, Henry Ford offered his Model T with a windshield. Today, glazing continues to play an important part in vehicle design, providing a combination of aesthetic, functional and structural properties. As a result, automakers are increasingly looking for their glazing suppliers to play a key role in the vehicle development process as a new report discusses.

Continue reading “Glazing Continues to Play an Important role in Vehicle Design” »

French wine and spirit producer Pernod Ricard has announced its acquisition of V&S Vin & Sprit AB from the Swedish government. The acquisition, which has occurred after months of speculation over the future of V&S, will see Pernod Ricard take control of the Absolut vodka brand. The purchase is indicative of the growing popularity of premium positioned vodkas in the European market.

Pernod Ricard’s $9.4 million purchase of V&S has seen the French producer take control of Absolut vodka, the world’s fourth largest international spirit brand. Continue reading “Pernod Ricard: tapping into European premium vodka market” »