Victoria Batik

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 03, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Today Involver, the most popular platform for Facebook Pages,
introduced its Engagement Optimization API and associated data feeds.
This first-of-its-kind product allows social advertising platforms to
integrate page management and advertising platforms, using real-time
response from their audiences to optimize ad spend on behalf of their
customers.

In January of this year, Involver powered more than one million pages
on Facebook and reached more than 2 billion users. “Having the
largest user base forces us to think about scalable and broadly
applicable solutions,” said Rahim Fazal, Chairman and Co-Founder of
Involver. “This is the industry’s first enterprise-grade, scalable
solution to the problem of reliably connecting ad spend to brand
results.”

Demand for true engagement-based optimization — rather than with
limited data sets provided by Facebook Insights — has been validated
by legacy point solutions on the market. Involver’s new offering,
which leading ad platforms have already adopted, has established
itself as a broader market solution.

“Advertisers are demanding engagement beyond simple actions. For
example, a typical contest on Facebook might support ad optimization
on ‘likes’ and ‘shares,’ but not on contest entries or coupon
downloads post-entry,” said Roland Smart, Sr. Director of Product
Marketing, Involver. “While consumers are warming to transacting on
Facebook, brands’ immediate opportunities must focus on engagement
and qualified referral.”

With Facebook approaching $5 billion in advertising revenue, the
social ad optimization industry is being swept up in incredible
growth as well. “Our customers look to us to optimize their ad spend
on Facebook in the same ways we optimize across other social
ecosystems,” said Jason Beckerman, Chief Strategy Officer and
co-founder, Unified. “Having social engagement data via an API allows
us to meet this demand for our joint customers and track engagement
beyond the click, allowing marketers to maximize brand engagement on
Facebook.”

Involver’s unique approach, creating an API and data feeds that are
available to all ad platforms rather than partnering with a single
one, has made it possible for more advertisers to use engagement
optimization for their benefit. While five launch partners have
already integrated the solution, Involver is opening access to
include additional partners today.

“Involver is delivering a true platform for managing social presence,
providing marketers not only with the flexibility and scale necessary
to succeed, but also the hooks necessary to integrate with
best-of-breed systems throughout the enterprise,” said Matt Lawson,
VP of Marketing at Marin Software. “Releasing functionality like the
Engagement Optimization API will allow them to build an ecosystem of
partners so their customers can select the advertising platform
that’s right for them.”

Involver’s solution isn’t exclusively for optimization of Facebook
Ads; the Engagement Optimization API and data feeds can also be
utilized to fine-tune any digital campaign — including email
marketing or organic posts on Facebook, Twitter, and other channels
– based on social engagement.

About Involver
Involver is the solution of choice for the world’s
biggest brands trying to connect with customers across the social
web. Over 1 million brands and agencies including Target, Facebook,
Razorfish and Best Buy use Involver to power their marketing efforts
to a combined audience of over a billion relationships.

Involver pioneered the first social app suite on Facebook and is now
leading the industry with SML(TM) (Social Markup Language), allowing
front-end developers to achieve pixel-perfect application
development. Involver’s Platform acts as a marketer’s system of
record, bringing everything from app management and stream
response/moderation to publishing updates and analytics into a single
intuitive interface.

Involver is a Facebook Marketing Developer and a technology provider
for Facebook’s internal marketing team, with applications like the
Involver Leaderboard and Stories. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA,
with offices in Austin, TX, and New York, NY, Involver was founded in
2007. Investors include Bessemer Ventures, Cervin Ventures and WTI.

Media Contact
Roland Smart
VP of Marketing, Involver
Email: roland.smart@involver.com
Phone: 415.366.9681

SOURCE: Involver

mailto:roland.smart@involver.com

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

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Beef industry struggles with PR crises

A mad cow case in California is the latest crisis facing the beef industry, which was caught off guard by the recent pink slime controversy. Now its using new media to give its side of the issues.

Ignites, a Financial Times Service, just completed a poll of readers on social media, and surprisingly the results, which are negative overall, are pretty much the same as similar polls taken by Ignites the past two years: 33% or respondents said that social media is “useful only for certain roles and business functions,” while 29% voted that the hype is “a lot bigger than its usefulness.”

Only 10% of respondents thought that social media was a game changer, and 24% said that it was “important” and that “everyone should use it.” These results are in contrast to most other studies that I have seen lately, which show the industry beginning to embrace social media.

For example, kasina is about to report that 87% of asset managers and insurers are using social media. The results of this study complement my comments in the Ignites article – while firms are seeing increased brand awareness and engagement with clients and prospects, few are seeing increased sales.

This lack of sales is probably what accounts for most of the skepticism. But I don’t think it is warranted. First, it takes time – a long time to get actual sales from social media. Be patient. And second, increased sales is not the best and only indicator of social media success.

As I said in the article, “It is evident that there still might be a misunderstanding in the financial services industry about just where social media fits. Unlike some other industries, where more tangible products are involved, social media is not just about getting new business, it is also about providing added value content and client servicing. Since the benefits of such strategies are harder to measure, perhaps that is why there seems to be frustration among the respondents.”

In addition, “Clients are increasingly adopting the mantra that they want what they want, when they want it and delivered how they want it. This is what social media allows you to do. It does not replace other things one does, like face-to-face communications, but complements it.”

Finally, part of social media success is having a conversation with your clients – not just a one way conversation. Firms that do not feel the they are having social media success might not be engaging clients and prospects the right way.

* Markits Brazil Manufacturing PMI falls to 49.3 in April

* Prices rise despite drop in overall output

* Feeble industry could lead to further rate cuts

By Silvio Cascione

SAO PAULO, May 2 (Reuters) – Brazils manufacturing sector
contracted in April for the first time this year, as new factory
orders fell at the sharpest pace in five months even after
aggressive economic stimulus measures from the government, a
survey showed on Wednesday.

Markits Brazil Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index
(PMI) fell to 49.3 in April after seasonal adjustments, down
from 51.1 in March and below the 50 threshold that separates
growth from contraction.

The downbeat data could be used by the central bank as a
reason to cut interest rates to all-time lows on its next policy
meeting on May 30, as authorities aggressively seek to restore
economic growth. Higher input prices, however, raise a warning
flag about the room available for further monetary easing.

Broken down, numbers show a broad-based decline in
industrial activity, with all components falling below 50,
except for both input and output prices, said Andre Loes,
Brazils chief economist at HSBC, noting that output prices rose
at their fastest level since May 2011.

Job losses were reported in April, ending a three-month
period of job creation, the survey added, as new orders fell for
the first time this year.

Around 12 percent of surveyed firms reported lower
production compared with one month earlier, and generally
attributed decreases to weaker client demand, Markit said.

Brazils struggling industry nearly threw the economy into
recession in the second half of last year.

President Dilma Rousseffs government promptly reacted with
interest rate cuts, publiclyfunded loans and steps to limit
currency gains.

Brazilian interest rates, one of the highest in the world
after an hyperinflation bout in the 1980-90s, were cut to 9
percent last month, just above an all-time low of 8.75 percent.

While most analysts expect rates to stay unchanged at that
level through this year, according to a Reuters poll, many say
further rate cuts are possible after the central bank left this
door open in the minutes of its latest meeting.

INFLATIONARY SIGNALS

Last year, the central bank raised the benchmark rate to a
high of 12.5 percent in July to curb upward price pressures,
which took the annual inflation rate to a six-year high in
September 2011 before inflation began receding.

The Brazil PMI survey, noted that upward price pressures
remained in the manufacturing sector.

Inflationary pressures should remain a source of concern,
despite the string of benign CPI readings earlier this year,
HSBCs Loes said.

Raw materials such as steel and resin were particularly
mentioned by survey respondents as having increased in price,
according to the survey.

Inputs for Brazilian manufacturing have risen in price for
32 months straight, the survey added

The rate of input price inflation was solid, and the
strongest in 2012 so far, Markit said.

Firms generally passed on greater cost burdens to clients by
raising their output charges in April, it added. Selling prices
increased at the strongest pace in nearly a year, but
nevertheless this was to a lesser extent than the rise in input
costs.

Overall, Brazils consumer prices are slowing on an annual
basis but are expected to end this year above the governments
target mid-point of 4.5 percent, according to a Reuters poll.

According to the Brazilian PMI data, input inventories and
stocks of finished goods also fell last month.

The PMI data precedes the government release of March
industrial production data on Thursday.

It is expected to show a 1.3-percent growth from the prior
month, according to the median view of 15 analysts
polled by Reuters.

SHANGHAI, May 03, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
The role of China’s paper industry as a new source of economic growth
under the country’s 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for paper industry is
highlighted in APP-China’s latest
edition of the ‘Paper Contract with China’ (PCwC) Report.

Upon examination of the 12th FYP, it is clear that the paper industry’s
contribution to China’s GDP cannot be ignored.

According to official figures, the Chinese paper industry’s output in
2010 stood at nearly RMB 600 billion (USD 95 billion) in value. This was
a rise of over 25% compared to the previous year, demonstrating how the
paper industry has become one of the key components of the Chinese
national economy.

As an indispensable part of the national economy, the paper industry
also acts as an economic stimulant for a number of upstream and
downstream industries, as well as for local economies. Being at the core
of an extensive industrial supply chain, it has a profound impact on
related industries such as forestry, agriculture, environmental
protection, printing and publishing, chemicals, machinery manufacturing,
industrial automation and transport.

For instance, APP Hainan Jinhai Pulp & Paper is one of the largest
enterprises within the Hainan Yangpu Economic Development Zone. The zone
was responsible for 42% of the province’s industrial output in 2011,
while it occupies less than 0.1% of the island’s total land area.

In addition, the paper industry’s connective impact on related
industries can be demonstrated by its impact factor of 1.2151, which is
significantly higher than the chemical or electronics & communications
industries, with impact factors of 1.1519 and 1.0968 respectively. (1)

The paper industry’s robust growth and the organic integration of the
plantation-pulp-paper business segments have created job opportunities
on multiple levels, which encourages positive social development.

To illustrate this, Mr. Xu Weidong, former Secretary-General of the
Forest & Paper Branch of the China Forestry Industry Association, notes
that an average 700-kilotonne-wood pulp line requires supply from a
plantation of 3 million mu (200,000 hectares). At the rate of an average
of 110 workers a year per 10,000 mu (666.7 hectares), a total of 33,000
workers are necessary to maintain normal operations. Around another
10,000 workers will be needed to operate production. The production line
will therefore directly create about 43,000 jobs in total.

Nevertheless, the industry has been plagued by environmental problems,
traditionally caused by the widespread use of outdated technology and a
lack of environmental awareness. However, as revealed by this issue’s
‘Paper Contract with China’ Report, today’s paper industry has
undertaken a complete transformation. Amidst technological advances, as
well as rising of national standards and increased awareness of
corporate responsibility, China’s modern paper enterprises are taking
active measures to modernize the industry by employing renewable
resources within a cleaner production process.

This trend is echoed in China’s 12th FYP, which identifies the future
development of China’s paper industry as a technology-intensive,
energy-saving and environmentally friendly sector. During the 12th FYP,
China’s paper industry will step up its sustainable operations to
enhance its global competitiveness, while retaining its resource and
energy use to provide its customers the highest quality paper products,
and thus make increasingly significant contributions to the national
economy.

“This is a reflection of the current competitive landscape of the modern
paper industry,” said Sophy Huang, PR Director of APP-China.
“Enterprises that are effective in energy conservation, resource
management and environmental protection are usually both economically
and socially significant.”

Benefiting from industry reforms and utilization of cutting-edge
technologies, APP-China represents Chinese industrial enterprises that
are gaining international prominence, the report affirms.

The latest ‘Paper Contract with China’ Report also highlights the
numerous recent accolades and recognitions APP-China received as an
outstanding member of the paper industry, including APP’s Youth
Internship Program for grassroot NGOs which garnered two media awards,
as well as its joint funding project with the Huang Yi Cong Foundation
for Gansu schools.

For more information about the report, please visit
http://www.papercontract.com/?p=1280 .

About the Paper Contract with China (PCwC)

APP-China launched its upgraded Paper Contract with China manifesto in
August 2011. Building upon its previous manifesto released in 2008, the
updated version further outlines the company’s sustainable practice and
future objectives, and meanwhile calls for the entire pulp and paper
industry’s collective efforts in building a sustainable industry. The
reinforced manifesto covers three key areas of APP-China including
sustainable plantation development, cleaner production and corporate
social responsibility.

APP-China invites all parties that share concerns for a balanced
approach to paper manufacturing to share their thoughts with the
company, as well as to visit its facilities and assess and supervise its
operations. For more information, please visit
www.papercontract.com .

About APP-China

Registered in Singapore in October 1994, Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) is
one of the world’s leading pulp and paper companies and is ranked one of
the largest vertically integrated pulp and paper producers in Asia.
Since APP started investing in China in the early 1990s, it has over 20
pulp and paper mills in the form of subsidiaries or joint ventures, as
well as forest plantations with a total area over 300,000 hectares. With
over 38,900 employees, APP-China had a total production capability 8
million tons per year in 2010. By the end of 2010, APP-China had spent
RMB 5.5 billion (USD 869 million) in environmental protection facilities
and RMB 600 million (USD 92.3 million) in various charitable causes and
community development projects across the country. For more information,
please visit
www.app.com.cn .

(1) The impact factor refers to when a certain product sector
of the national economy sees a unit increase in its end product, and the
relevant impact this has on the production needs of other sectors in the
national economy. The larger the impact factor, the greater impact an
industry sector has on others.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50263756&lang=en

SOURCE: Asia Pulp and Paper (APP)

APP-China
July Cheng, (86 21) 6335 2222 (ext.7538)
Julycheng@app.com.cn

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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BOSTON, May 03, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
PAN
Communications, a public relations and digital media leader driving
integrated communications strategy for emerging and innovative growth
companies in technology,
consumer
engagement, and healthcare
& life sciences, today announced the hiring of Jim Barbagallo as
Senior Vice President, Client Relations.

Barbagallo has over 25 years of experience as a PR executive. Before
joining PAN, Jim worked for Porter Novelli, a global PR agency, as a
partner and managing director in the Boston office where he was
responsible for client relations and for contributing to the firm’s
growth strategy in addition to expanding the firm into the Austin, Texas
region. Jim was also instrumental in positioning Porter Novelli as one
of the top agencies in the northeast corridor as well as a top global
agency. During his 11 years there, he focused on large initiatives and
campaigns and represented a broad range of emerging growth and public
companies such as HP, BMC Software, 3Com and Analog Devices, Inc., among
others. In addition, Jim served as managing director at Morrissey &
Company, where he was responsible for client service, business
development, and talent management.

In his role at PAN, Barbagallo will head up the client relations team
working closely with the firm’s seasoned group of VPs and directors
spanning the firm’s three portfolios. He’ll be responsible for all
activities related to the agency’s client base including strategic
planning, measurement/analysis and overall creative services aligned to
market strategies. He’ll also spearhead the firm’s move towards
integrated communications – blending the right balance of traditional
and digital influencer programs specific to the firm’s innovative and
emerging growth clients.

“Jim has an impeccable reputation as a leader in the PR industry, and
has achieved great things in his career,” said Philip A. Nardone, Jr.,
founder and president at PAN Communications. “He will be a key member of
our executive team and the firm’s go-to for our client relations
initiatives. Jim’s strategic leadership skills and his extensive
experience with building world-class account teams while driving
strategic programs through exceptional customer service makes him the
perfect fit for PAN during this ambitious growth phase.”

“PAN has a rich history of innovation in integrated communications
beginning with its technology and consumer roots and extending to its
present day leadership in not only these two industries, but also
healthcare and digital marketing,” said Jim Barbagallo, senior vice
president at PAN Communications. “PAN’s leadership team is committed to
continuing to build an industry-leading, high-impact PR firm capable of
advancing the reputation of national and global brands at every stage of
growth. I’m excited to be part of an organization with a laser-like
focus on client service excellence and hiring and retaining the
industry’s best talent.”

Barbagallo graduated from Merrimack College with a Bachelor of Arts in
English and lives in Methuen with his wife Eileen and two children.

About PAN Communications

With an expertise in content creation, PAN
Communications is an award-winning public relations agency that
utilizes all media and disciplines to increase awareness and
opportunities to achieve our clients’ business objectives. As an
integrated communications partner to companies that lead their
industries or those that aspire to, PAN drives strategic public
relations for technology, consumer engagement and healthcare & life
sciences brands. For more information visit our website at
www.pancommunications.com ,
follow us on Twitter (@PANcomm)
or call 617.502.4300.

SOURCE: PAN Communications

PAN Communications
Ani Jigarjian, 617-502-4329
ajigarjian@pancomm.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

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NEW YORK, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Global Household Appliances Industry

http://www.reportlinker.com/p097803/Global-Household-Appliances-Industry.html #utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Major_App

The global outlook series on Household Appliances provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research findings. The report offers a bird’s eye view of the structure of the global household appliances industry, providing an easy guide to What, Why, When, How, Where, and Who of an industry. Illustrated with about 16 fact-rich market data tables, the report also provides a rudimentary insight into major product markets, definitions, and classification, in addition to the fast facts about the ongoing consolidation among retailers, the intensifying competition brought about by the ingress of new entrants, new opportunities in Asia, the impact of technology, changing consumer preferences and other noteworthy trends/issues. Also included is a compilation of all recent mergers, acquisitions, and strategic corporate developments. In addition to the global market scenario, a regional level of discussion designed to provide a prelude to prevalent market scenarios in major countries, culminate in building a macro-level perception of the industry in its totality. Regional markets briefly abstracted include North America, United States, Mexico, Japan, Europe, Germany, Italy, the UK, Rest of Europe, Asia, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Latin America, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and others. The report also includes an indexed, easy-to-refer, fact-finder directory listing the addresses, and contact details of 772 companies worldwide.

1. OVERVIEW 1

Table 1: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Household Appliances Market by Geographic Region – North

America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (including Japan), and Rest of

World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures

in US$ Billion for Years 2010 through 2015 2

Table 2: World 5-Year Perspective for Household Appliances

Market by Geographic Region – Percentage Share Breakdown of

Value Sales for US, Europe, Asia-Pacific (including Japan),

and Rest of World for the Years 2011 and 2015 3

Table 3: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Household Appliances Market by Product Segment: Washing

Appliances, Water Heating & Air Conditioning Equipment,

Refrigerators, Cooking Appliances, and Others Independently

Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures in US$ Billion for Years

2010 through 2015 4

Table 4: World 5-Year Perspective for Household Appliances

Market by Product Segment: Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for Washing Appliances, Water Heating & Air Conditioning

Equipment, Refrigerators, Cooking Appliances, and Others for

Years 2011 & 2015 5

Product Classification 5

Current Situation 5

Outlook 6

Market Position for Global Household Appliances – Post

Economic Crisis 6

Production Statistics 7

Vacuum Cleaners Lead Appliance Production 7

Europe, US, and Asia-Pacific Dominate Production Levels 7

Demand Variables 7

Consolidation Among Major Retailers 7

Positive and Negative Factors 7

New Entrants Intensify Competition in the Global Market 8

US and European Markets Flourish by Replacement Demands 8

US and European Appliance Markets: A Comparison 9

Eastern Europe and Russia Witness Mixed Growth 9

Asian Players Pose Threat to Western Majors 9

Asia – The Region of Dynamic Local Markets 10

Factors Triggering Growth 10

Replacement Sales 10

Housing Starts 10

Saturation Levels 10

State of Economy 11

Specific Product Demand 11

Impact of Technology on Home Appliances 11

Major Trends 11

Trade Policies Affect Household Appliances Export Market 11

Designer Appliances on Demand 11

Consumption Boosts Demand 12

Changing Definition of a Home 12

A Shift Towards Easy-Operable Appliances 12

Ergonomical, Yet Trendy 12

Innovation – Name of the Game 12

Appliance Manufacturers – Spreading Wings Globally 13

Manufacturers’ Changing Priorities: The Inevitable Factor 13

Consumer Preferences Rule the Industry 13

Preference for Premium-Priced Products 13

Usage Habits 13

Demand for Larger Capacity Water Heaters 13

Safety: Top Priority 14

Consumers Prefer Colorful Appliances 14

Light Weight and Practical Cleaners – The Growth Components 14

Trendy Appliances in Vogue 14

Minimal Effort, Combined with Improved Performance 14

Houseware Market – Plagued by Problems 14

New Trends in Kitchen Appliances 15

Plastics Replace Metals in Appliances 15

Quest for Silence 15

Manufacturers Strive to Minimize Energy Consumption 15

2. PRODUCT OVERVIEW 16

Product Definition 16

Product Classification 16

Dishwashers 16

Built-in Dishwashers 16

Booster Heater 16

Wash Cycles 17

Filtering System 17

Internal Food Disposer 17

Rinse Aid Dispenser 17

Sound Dampening 17

Food Waste Disposers 17

Microwave Ovens 17

Microwaving: Prevents Leaching of Vitamins 17

Microwaving: Does Not Pose Risk of Radiation 18

Uneven Heating Leads to Survival of Microorganisms 18

Microwave Cooks Frozen Food Safely 18

Washers 18

Horizontal-Axis Washing Machines – Gaining Popularity 18

Coffee Makers 19

Mixers 19

Electric Irons 19

3. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS, AND OTHER STRATEGIC CORPORATE

DEVELOPMENTS 20

4. PRODUCT LAUNCHES 34

A REGIONAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE 67

1. NORTH AMERICA 67

1a. THE UNITED STATES 67

Appliance Market – Large and Homogeneous 67

Innovations Bailout the Sinking Home Appliances Industry 67

Market Witnesses Shift in Production Operations 67

Saturated Market Leaves Minimal Scope for Growth 68

Replacement Demand – Contributes a Major Part to Overall Sales 68

Increasing Market for Small Kitchen Appliances 68

Appliance Market – Stricken by Government Regulations 69

Demand for Energy Star Products on the Rise 69

Leading Players 69

Entry Barriers 69

Table 5: Leading Household Appliances Makers in the US

(2010): Percentage Market Share Breakdown of Unit Shipments

for Whirlpool, General Electric, Electrolux, Haier, BSH, LG

Electronics, W.C. Wood, and Others 70

Recent Player Strategies 70

Outlook 70

Table 6: US Household Appliances Market by Category (2010) -

Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for Major Household

Appliances and Small Household Appliances 71

1b. MEXICO 72

Market Scenario 72

2. JAPAN 73

Market Profile 73

Demanding Consumers Drive Growth 73

Favorable Brand Image of Japanese Products 73

Design of Products According to Lifestyle 73

Convenience and Time Saving Gadgets 73

Average Price in Japan Higher than the Overseas Market 73

Japanese Manufacturers Reel Under Intense Competition 73

Table 7: Japanese Household Appliances Market by Category

(2010) – Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for Major

Household Appliances and Small Household Appliances 74

3. EUROPE 75

West European Household Appliances Market Experiencing Rough

Phase 75

East European Markets Record Rise in Demand 75

Low Margins to Manufacturers 75

Saturation Levels High for Several Products 75

Shifting Preferences of Customers 75

Leading Players 76

Turkish Player ‘Arcilek’ Becomes Europe’s Third Largest

Household Appliance Company 76

Consolidation Among European Manufacturers 76

Market Analytics 77

Table 8: European Household Appliances Market by Category

(2010) – Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for Major

Household Appliances and Small Household Appliances 77

3a. GERMANY 78

Under Expansion and Restructuring Mode 78

Imports Affect Local Market 78

High Degree of Saturation Subdues Sales 78

Major Players 78

Market Conditions 78

Buying Decisions 79

Small Appliances Market 79

Table 9: German Household Appliances Market by Category

(2010) – Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for Major

Household Appliances and Small Household Appliances 80

3b. ITALY 81

Overview 81

Competitive Scenario 81

Table 10: Italian Household Appliances Market by Category

(2010) – Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for

Major Household Appliances and Small Household Appliances 82

3c. THE UNITED KINGDOM 83

Overview 83

Small Household Appliances Market 83

Market Moves Towards Consolidation 83

Table 11: The UK Household Appliances Market by Category

(2010) – Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for Major

Household Appliances and Small Household Appliances 84

3d. REST OF EUROPE 85

Czech Republic 85

Denmark 85

Poland 85

Sweden 86

The Netherlands 86

Growth Factors 86

Consumer’s Preferences 86

Dynamics of Distribution 86

4. ASIA-PACIFIC 87

Asian Appliance Market – Dominated by a Few Large Players 87

Economic Trends and the Impact 87

Foreign Firms Make a Beeline for the Asian Market 87

Asian Appliance Industry – An Emerging Industry 87

Appliances Industry in Major Regions of Asia 87

4a. CHINA 89

The Rising Presence of the Dragon 89

Appliance Industry Evolves into an Independent Industrial System 89

The Global Manufacturing Hub 90

New Directives Fail to Effect Exports 90

China to Witness Shift from Household Appliances Market to

Kitchen Appliances Market 90

Air Conditioner Sales Scale New Heights in China 90

Household Appliances Sales in Rural China Post Healthy Growth 91

Japanese Household Appliances Manufacturers in China Shift to

Upstream Manufacturing 91

Increase in Exports of Cooktops and Ovens 91

Low Profitability Leads to Consolidation 91

Foreign Firms Reduce Prices to Gain Competitive Edge 92

Top Appliance Consumers in the Asian Market 92

Varying Preferences 92

Entry of Global Majors 92

Government Policies Pave Way for Foreign Investment 93

Appliance Makers Adopt Restructuring and Diversification 93

Manufacturers Undertake New Ventures 93

Factors Driving Growth in the Appliance Market 93

Increasing Personal Incomes 93

Trendy and Sophisticated Products 93

Improvement in Standard of Living 94

Changing Attitudes of Customers 94

Replacement Demand 94

Energy Efficient Appliances 94

Market Trends 94

Distribution Structure 95

Chain Stores 95

International Presence 95

Outlook 95

Table 12: Chinese Household Appliances Market by Category

(2010) – Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for Major

Household Appliances and Small Household Appliances 96

4b. INDIA 97

Overview 97

South India Represents a Significant Market 97

Small Appliances – A Competitive Market 97

A Promising Ground for Leading Multinationals 98

Domestic Companies Strive to Keep Pace with Multinationals 98

Domestic Products – Designed to Meet Local Requirements 98

Urban Areas Reflect Huge Market with Potential Demand 98

Table 13: Indian Household Appliances Market by Category

(2010) – Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for Major

Household Appliances and Small Household Appliances 99

Table 14: Indian Semi-Automatic Washing Machines Market by

Leading Players (2010): Percentage Market Share Breakdown

for LG, Videocon, Samsung, Whirlpool, Godrej, Onida, and

others 100

Table 15: Indian Fully-Automatic Washing Machines Market by

Leading Players (2010): Percentage Market Share Breakdown for

LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, IFB, Videocon, Godrej, Onida and

others 100

4c. IVAUSTRALIA. 101

4d. INDONESIA 101

Increasing Imports Pose Threat to Local Producers 101

Imports 101

Distribution 101

4e. PHILIPPINES 102

Demographic Trends 102

Growing Preference for Domestic Products in Small Appliances

Segment 102

4f. SINGAPORE 103

Household Appliances Market 103

Kitchen Appliances – An Expanding Market 103

Consumer Preferences 103

Competition 103

Distribution Channels 103

4g. SOUTH KOREA 104

Domestic Production Substitutes Imports 104

Regulatory Environment 104

An Emerging Exports Market 104

High Market Penetration of Major Electric Household Appliances 104

USA – The New Export Market 104

4h. TAIWAN 105

Consumer Profile 105

Electric Appliances – A Growing Market 105

Imports Grow at a Modest Pace 105

Competition 105

Modes of Marketing 105

4i. THAILAND 106

“Neighboring” Rivalry 106

Energy Conservation Programs Encourage Manufacturers to Boost

Efficiency 106

Kang Yong Electric – A Major Player 106

4j. VIETNAM 107

Market Profile 107

Entry Barriers 107

Prospects 107

5. LATIN AMERICA 108

5a. ARGENTINA 108

Market Overview 108

Household Penetration 108

5b. BRAZIL 109

Household Penetration 109

Table 16: Brazilian Household Appliances Market by Category

(2010) – Percentage Share Breakdown of Unit Sales for Major

Household Appliances and Small Household Appliances 109

5c. CHILE 110

Market Overview 110

Market Penetration 110

Major Players 110

5d. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 111

Consumer Profile 111

Imports 111

5e. VENEZUELA 111

5f. REST OF LATIN AMERICA 112

Market Overview 112

GLOBAL DIRECTORY

To order this report:

Major Appliance Industry: Global Household Appliances Industry

More Market Research Report

Check our Industry Analysis and Insights

Nicolas BombourgReportlinkerEmail: nicolasbombourg@reportlinker.comUS: (805)652-2626Intl: +1 805-652-2626

SOURCE Reportlinker

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Financial Glossary

Words used in this article:

DURHAM, N.C., May 03, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
Cree, Inc.

/quotes/zigman/53629/quotes/nls/cree CREE
-1.58%

expands the recently launched 2000 and 3000
lumen LMH2 module family and delivers lighting manufacturers a new dome
lens and universal driver with dimming options. The new lens enables up
to a five percent increase in system efficacy compared to the standard
lens and delivers an unrivalled hemispheric light pattern. Cree LMH2
modules enable true 50 watt and 70 watt ceramic metal halide LED
replacements and support an expansive range of lighting applications,
including downlights, wall sconces, pendants, flush-mounted, spot, track
and ceiling fan lights.

The new barrier-breaking LMH2 module is also now available with a
120-277V universal driver with 0/1-10 volt dimming capability. The
extremely versatile and modular LMH2 LED offers a range of lumen, color
temperature, driver and beam shape options in one common form factor —
enabling lighting manufacturers to quickly customize their applications
and speed time-to-market.

“The new LMH2 delivers the perfect combination of high efficacy, color
quality and controls,” said Anthony Toniolo, president, DDP & Emerge
Lighting. “The Cree LED module provides Data Display the design and
manufacturing flexibility needed to accelerate our time-to-market.”

Optimized with the new hemispheric beam shape of the dome lens, the
drop-in ready LMH2 delivers up to 80 lumens-per-watt system efficacy
combined with 90+ CRI. Featuring Cree TrueWhite(R) Technology,
the new LMH2 module is available in 2000 and 3000 lumens and delivers
more than 95 lumens per watt at the light source. The module is
available in color temperatures of 2700 K, 3000 K, 3500 K and 4000 K.
Designed for 50,000 hours of operation and dimmable to five percent, the
LMH2 comes with Cree’s industry-leading warranty. The LMH2 light source
is also UL-recognized and complies with multiple international
regulatory and safety standards. Luminaire makers seeking ENERGY STAR(R)
qualification will have access to specification and performance data,
including LM-80 reports, which can speed regulatory approvals.

“Lighting manufacturers no longer need to settle for inferior quality
and performance offered with ceramic metal halide lighting,” said Mike
Watson, Cree senior director marketing, LED components. “Cree’s LMH2
family lets designers quickly and easily convert their traditional
lighting portfolio to LEDs and simultaneously deliver their end-users
improved color quality, efficacy and performance.”

Visit Cree at Lightfair International, Booth #130, to see the new LMH2
module family options. Sample and production quantities are available
with standard lead times from both Cree and Cree distributors. For
additional information see
http://www.cree.com/products/modules_lmh2.asp .

About Cree

Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting
traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of
energy-efficient, mercury-free LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading
innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor
products for power and radio frequency (RF) applications.

Cree’s product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green
LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs,
power-switching devices and RF devices. Cree products are driving
improvements in applications such as general illumination, backlighting,
electronic signs and signals, power suppliers and solar inverters.

For additional product and company information, please refer to
www.cree.com .
To learn more about the LED Lighting Revolution, please visit
www.creeledrevolution.com .

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks
and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results
to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ
materially due to a number of factors, including the risk that actual
savings will vary from expectations; the risk we may be unable to
manufacture these new products with sufficiently low cost to offer them
at competitive prices or with acceptable margins; the risk we may
encounter delays or other difficulties in ramping up production of our
new products; customer acceptance of LED products; the rapid
development of new technology and competing products that may impair
demand or render Cree’s products obsolete; and other factors discussed
in Cree’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 2011, and subsequent
filings.

Cree(R) and Cree TrueWhite(R) are registered
trademarks of Cree, Inc.

ENERGY STAR(R) is a registered trademark of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.

SOURCE: Cree, Inc.

Cree, Inc.
Gena Fiegel, 919-407-7651
Corporate Communications
media@cree.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

/quotes/zigman/53629/quotes/nls/cree

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CREE

Cree Inc.

US

: U.S.: Nasdaq

$
31.83

-0.51
-1.58%

Volume: 2.50M
May 4, 2012 4:00p

P/E Ratio68.17
Dividend YieldN/A

Market Cap$3.70 billion
Rev. per Employee$231,628

Financial Glossary

Words used in this article:

NEW YORK, NY, May 03, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Last year the Fukushima disaster in Japan started a downward spiral
for companies in the Uranium Industry. Approximately one year later
the industry looks to be finally recovering as the Global X Uranium
ETF (URA) is up nearly 12 percent year-to-date. “Fukushima put a
speed bump on the road to the nuclear renaissance,” Ganpat Mani,
president of Converdyn, said at a nuclear industry summit. “It’s not
going to delay the programs around the world.” The Paragon Report
examines investing opportunities in the Uranium Industry and provides
equity research on USEC Inc.

/quotes/zigman/228541/quotes/nls/usu USU
-3.25%

and Uranium Energy Corp.

/quotes/zigman/401753/quotes/nls/uec UEC
-2.17%

.

Access to full reports can be found at:

www.ParagonReport.com/USU

www.ParagonReport.com/UEC

Approximately 650 million people in China and India currently are
living without electricity. With the high costs of fossil fuel the
most viable options for these countries would be nuclear power.
Indonesia, Egypt, and Chile are among some of the nations that have
plans to build their first nuclear power station, the list of
countries operating atomic plants currently stands at 30. According
to numbers released by the World Nuclear Association there are 61
reactors that are presently under construction, and plans to build
another 162.

“In two years, there will be very strong demand on the market, as new
reactors start operating, and as new contracts with the existing
fleet kick in,” Areva SA’s Chief Commercial Officer Ruben Lazo said
in a previous interview.

Paragon Report releases regular market updates on the Uranium
Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best
investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to
register with us free at
www.ParagonReport.com and get exclusive
access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.

USEC, a global energy company, is a leading supplier of enriched
uranium fuel and nuclear industry related services for commercial
nuclear power plants. The company recent reported a net loss of $28.8
million or 24 cents per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2012,
compared to a net loss of $16.6 million or 14 cents per share for the
first quarter of 2011. Revenue for the first quarter of 2012 was
$561.5 million, an increase of $181.0 million compared to the same
quarter of 2011.

Uranium Energy is a U.S.-based uranium production, development and
exploration company operating North America’s newest emerging uranium
mine. UEC’s fully licensed and permitted Hobson processing facility
is central to all of its projects in South Texas, including the
Palangana in-situ recovery project, which is ramping up initial
production, and the Goliad in-situ recovery project which has been
granted its Mine Permit and is in the initial stages of mine
construction.

Paragon Report provides Market Research focused on equities that
offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We
strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We
constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members.
The Paragon Report has not been compensated by any of the
above-mentioned companies. We act as independent research portal and
are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the
full disclaimer at:
www.ParagonReport.com/disclaimer

SOURCE: Paragon Financial Limited

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

/quotes/zigman/228541/quotes/nls/usu

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USU

USEC Inc.

US

: U.S.: NYSE

$
0.81

-0.03
-3.25%

Volume: 698,063
May 4, 2012 4:04p

P/E RatioN/A
Dividend YieldN/A

Market Cap$99.10 million
Rev. per Employee$982,918

/quotes/zigman/401753/quotes/nls/uec

Add to portfolio

UEC

Uranium Energy Corp.

US

: U.S.: NYSE Amex

$
2.70

-0.06
-2.17%

Volume: 413,990
May 4, 2012 4:01p

P/E RatioN/A
Dividend YieldN/A

Market Cap$211.88 million
Rev. per Employee$68,571

Financial Glossary

Words used in this article:

NEW YORK, NY, May 03, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
AT&T, Sprint, & Verizon have been the dominant mobile services
providers in the U.S. for years. But they soon will be facing some
stiff competition as Apple has recently announced plans to offer
direct mobile service to their device users. With Apple’s cult like
following the company will look to emerge as a major player in the
mobile service market. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for
companies in the Telecom Services Industry and provides equity
research on AT&T Inc.

/quotes/zigman/398198/quotes/nls/t T
-0.76%

and Verizon Communications Inc.

/quotes/zigman/262341/quotes/nls/vz VZ
-0.94%

.

Access to the full company reports can be found
at:

www.FiveStarEquities.com/T
www.FiveStarEquities.com/VZ

Apple will soon provide wireless service directly to the millions of
iPhones and iPads already in the marketplace. Apple already has the
distribution channels and customer base needed to make the move,
according to Whitey Bluestein, a Veteran wireless industry analyst.
They currently have approximately 250 million credit cards already on
file, which would make billing for the wireless service hassle free.

“What has been holding Apple back from becoming a wireless provider
already,” according to Bluestein, “are the enormous handset subsidies
paid by mobile operators (AT&T, VZW and Sprint in the US), which
amount to about $381 for each iPhone sold today,” Bluestein noted.
“That has been a short-term stumbling block for Apple, but the
company has its well-known cash reserves and could seize the
initiative at any point.”

Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on the Telecom
Services Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make
the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few
minutes to register with us free at
www.FiveStarEquities.com and get
exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry
newsletters.

AT&T recently announced that leading analyst firm Gartner, Inc. has
positioned AT&T in the Leaders Quadrant of its “Magic Quadrant for
Global Service Providers 2012 Report.” This Gartner Magic Quadrant
report evaluates providers of international network services to
multinational corporations with networks worldwide. The report
assesses network services providers on their range of products and
services, overall viability (business unit, financial, strategy and
organization) and sales execution and pricing, among other criteria.

Verizon and Cellcrypt, a provider of government-grade encrypted
voice-calling software, will collaborate to deliver secure mobile
calling capabilities to the U.S. government. Under terms of a
recently signed strategic agreement, the two companies will jointly
market Cellcrypt’s mobile voice-encryption solution to military,
intelligence and civilian agencies. The service will help government
information technology departments manage the expanding use of mobile
devices, address the potential risks associated with the interception
of sensitive voice communications, and provide a powerful tool to
combat cyberattacks on critical national infrastructure.

Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that
offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We
strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We
constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members.
Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the
above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal
and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view
the full disclaimer at:
www.FiveStarEquities.com/disclaimer

Contact:
Five Star Equities
Email Contact

SOURCE: Five Star Equities

http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=4447E4A080AEDDA4

Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

/quotes/zigman/398198/quotes/nls/t

Add to portfolio

T

AT&T Inc.

US

: U.S.: NYSE

$
32.86

-0.25
-0.76%

Volume: 19.11M
May 4, 2012 4:01p

P/E Ratio47.38
Dividend Yield5.36%

Market Cap$192.66 billion
Rev. per Employee$496,443

/quotes/zigman/262341/quotes/nls/vz

Add to portfolio

VZ

Verizon Communications Inc.

US

: U.S.: NYSE

$
40.26

-0.38
-0.94%

Volume: 9.94M
May 4, 2012 4:02p

P/E Ratio43.27
Dividend Yield4.97%

Market Cap$114.38 billion
Rev. per Employee$578,272

Financial Glossary

Words used in this article: