Thursday, December 31, 2009

BWI: Taro Shareholders to Levitt and Directors: Quit the Board

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd
Thursday, December 31, 2009 04:37 PM IST (11:07 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy; Business: Financial Analyst, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical; Healthcare
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Taro Shareholders to Levitt and Directors: Quit the Board
Minority Shareholders also Reject Indemnification Proposals

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Thursday, December 31, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP:IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715) today announced that based on the count of votes at Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.'s (Taro) (Pink Sheets: TAROF) annual general meeting, Taro's minority shareholders sent a strong message of disapproval to Barrie Levitt and his continuing control of Taro. Shareholders voted decisively against the election of Taro's external director nominees. In addition, Taro's minority shareholders, representing almost 78% of minority votes cast and not affiliated with the Levitts or Sun, voted against the continued service of the Levitt slate of directors. A similar number voted against the board's indemnification proposals.

"Taro's shareholders have spoken today, clearly and loudly. Taro equity shareholders holding more than two-thirds of its equity want to remove the Levitts and their associates from the board. Ironically, it is these same directors who claim to be protecting minority shareholder interests. It is abundantly clear to the shareholders that the Levitts and Taro directors have misappropriated the minority shareholder protection argument to justify all their illegal actions. With such an unambiguous rejection by minority shareholders, the Levitts and Taro directors now have lost this only crutch" said Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman and Managing Director of Sun Pharmaceuticals.

Despite the clear message from Taro's shareholders, the Levitt family will unfortunately remain in control of Taro, for the time being. This is due to Taro's skewed capital structure, which gives the Levitt family a special class of non-equity shares holding 33 1/3% of the company's voting power. They also used these special non-equity shares to pass a resolution rewarding Taro's independent directors with widely expanded indemnification protection. It is these same directors who have not produced reliable financial statements since 2003 and have permitted the Levitts unhindered use of Taro resources for their narrow personal gains.

Mr Shanghvi continued "It is time Levitts, who own a mere 12% of Taro's equity, hear the voice of the minority shareholders, in whose interest they claim to be working, and stop relying on their special founder shares to decide who will manage Taro. After watching Taro reach the brink of bankruptcy, seeing their shares delisted from trading, hearing endless false promises about receiving audited financial statements, and witnessing an unchecked drain of company resources, the shareholders have clearly had enough. A board of directors that cannot produce reliable audited financial statements for almost seven years simply should not remain in office."

The Levitt family has a signed contractual obligation to sell its shares to Sun at a pre-defined price. In line with this, Sun opted to buy the Levitt family shares in June 2008. However, the Levitts, with full support of the Taro directors, have prevented the close of this transaction through improper use of Taro resources. Taro directors initiated legal actions, at company's expense, in order to protect the Levitt family from having to comply with its obligations. The Tel Aviv District Court ruled in favor of Sun in August 2008, and offered harsh criticism of the conduct of Taro's directors (the same directors who were re-elected and rewarded today by the Levitt family). Taro and its directors, under the pretext of protecting the same minority shareholders who have conclusively rejected them today, appealed to the Supreme Court, a decision that is awaited.

About Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Established in 1983, listed since 1994 and headquartered in India, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP:IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715) is an international, integrated, specialty pharmaceutical company. It manufactures and markets a large basket of pharmaceutical formulations as branded generics as well as generics in India, US and several other markets across the world. In India, the company is a leader in niche therapy areas of psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, diabetology, gastroenterology, and orthopedics. The company has strong skills in product development, process chemistry, and manufacturing of complex API, as well as dosage forms. More information about the company can be found at www.sunpharma.com.

You can also follow us on Twitter .



CONTACT DETAILS
Uday Baldota, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd, +91 22 66455605, +91 98670 10529, uday.baldota@sunpharma.com
Mira Desai, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd, +91 22 66455606, mira.desai@sunpharma.com
Erin Becker/Nicki Kahner, Brunswick Group for Sun Pharma, +1 212 333 3810
Robert Marese, MacKenzie Partners, +1 212 929 5500
Irit Radia, Arad Communications for Sun Pharma, +972-54-6699311

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, Financial Analyst, HEALTHCARE, HEALTHCARE, SUNPHARMA.BO, SUNPHARMA .NS

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BWI: Sical Wins INR 1.63 Billion Hindustan Copper Multimodal Logistics Contract

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: SICAL
Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:08 AM IST (04:38 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Automotives, Banking & financial services, Business services, Transport engineering; Automotive
--------------------------------------------------
Sical Wins INR 1.63 Billion Hindustan Copper Multimodal Logistics Contract


Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Thursday, December 31, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- -- Two-year contract effective 1 January 2010, extendable by one year

-- Deliverables include stevedoring, customs clearance, container train-cum-road logistics

BSE: 520086
NSE : SICAL
Reuters : SICA.BO
Bloomberg : SIC@IN

Sical Logistics Ltd, India's leading provider of multi-modal integrated solutions for the logistics of bulk and containerized cargo, today announced the award of an INR 1.63 billion (INR 163 crore) contract from government-owned Hindustan Copper Ltd for the multimodal port, train, and road logistics of copper concentrates, cathodes, and continuous cast copper wire rods. The contract has a term of two years, beginning 1 January 2010, and is extendable by one more year.

The contract deliverables include:

-- stevedoring and customs clearance for copper concentrate imports at Kandla Port in Gujarat state;

-- container train-cum-road logistics linking Kandla Port; the copper mines at Malanjkhand in Madhya Pradesh state; HCL's smelters at Ghatsila in Jharkhand state and Khetri in Rajasthan state; and HCL's continuous cast copper rods plant at Taloja, Navi Mumbai, in Maharashtra state.

-- all-India distribution of the finished products to major commercial centers by container trucks.

The contract was awarded to Sical Multimodal and Rail Transport Ltd, a wholly-owned specialized subsidiary of Sical Infra Assets Ltd, the company that houses Sical's ownership in infrastructure-oriented, asset-intensive businesses. Sical Logistics owns 74% equity in Sical Infra, with Old Lane Mauritius owning 26% equity.

Sical Multimodal and Rail Transport has a Category-1 all-India license to run container trains for domestic and exim cargo. The company has deployed 1,800 various-sized containers on 5 rakes operating out of 5 rail head terminals.

Comment by Ashwin Muthiah, Chairman

The new contract reinforces our strong belief that customers are increasingly seeing the value of Sical's unique proposition of seamless, multimodal supply chain linkages across rail, road, port and sea, said Ashwin Muthiah, Chairman, Sical Logistics. "HCL is a prized customer: we flagged off our container train operations in March 2008 with their cargo. We are delighted with HCL's re-affirmation of faith in Sical's capabilities with integrated multimodal logistics," said Ashwin Muthiah.

About Sical

Handler of nearly 26 million MT of bulk cargo and 570,000 TEUs of containerized cargo annually-more than any other third party logistics provider in South Asia-Sical Logistics Ltd is the leading provider of integrated solutions for the multimodal logistics of bulk and container cargo.

Sical provides end-to-end solutions in:

-- Bulk logistics-stevedoring; port terminals; customs house and shipping agency;
-- trucking; railroad; warehousing.
-- Container logistics-container terminals; ICD; CFS; railroad; trucking.
-- Offshore logistics-cutter suction dredger.

Sical Logistics' delivery network includes port handling and customs house agency at Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Kandla, Haldia, Paradip, Goa, Mangalore; ship agency at all major and intermediate ports in India; an exclusive walk-in berth (JD5) at Chennai for ships carrying bulk cargo; container terminals at Tuticorin and Chennai in JV with PSA Corporation, Singapore; pan-India container train operations on strategic corridors for exim and domestic cargo; 1 million square feet of storage across 17 warehouses; owned and regularly contracted fleet of more than 1000 transport vehicles; container freight stations at 3 locations across India; and the Germanischer Lloyds-classified cutter suction dredger Sical Portofino.


CONTACT DETAILS
Dev Chandrasekhar, Ubiquus, +91 9821070043, d.chandrasekhar@ubiquus.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, AUTOMOTIVE, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, TRANSPORT, AUTOMOTIVE, SICAL.BO, SICAL.NS

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

BWI: Brickwork Ratings Assigns “BWR AA+” for Yes Bank Ltd’s Lower Tier II Bonds Issue of INR 300 crore or INR 3 billion

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Brickwork Ratings
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 05:09 PM IST (11:39 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy; Business: Accounting & management consultancy services, Advertising, PR & marketing, Banking & financial services, Business services, Financial Analyst, Stock exchanges
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Brickwork Ratings Assigns "BWR AA+" for Yes Bank Ltd's Lower Tier II Bonds Issue of INR 300 crore or INR 3 billion
Issue Rating: BWR AA+; Outlook: Stable

Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Wednesday, December 30, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Brickwork Ratings has assigned BWR AA+ (Outlook: Stable) for Yes Bank's proposed Lower Tier II Bonds issue of Rs 60 crore. Further, it has revalidated the earlier similar rating assigned to Yes Bank's proposed Lower Tier II Bonds issue for Rs. 240 crore. Accordingly, the Bank's proposed Lower Tier II Bonds issue aggregating Rs. 300 crore is rated "BWR AA+" by Brickwork Ratings. "BWR AA+" signifies 'high credit quality' in terms of timely servicing of debt obligations.

In Q2 FY 10, the bank has sustained its growth momentum in spite of many challenges witnessed in the banking industry front such as passive credit off take, and restructuring of non-performing assets. However, the bank has benefited largely from its fee income, pricing power on corporate loan book and repricing of interest sensitive liabilities during the year. As a result, the bank has improved its operating and net profits by 50.7% and 51.9% respectively to reach a level of Rs 527 crore (Rs 350 crore in FY08) and Rs 303 crore (Rs 200 crore in FY08) during FY 09. The bank has extended its good run in the operating profits generation in Q2 FY 10, which has stood at Rs 191.8 crore as compared to Rs 98.0 crore (a growth of 95.71%) for the same period a year ago. Net interest income has increased significantly during the year to achieve a level of Rs 159.9 crore in Q2 FY 10 from the previous level of Rs 122.6 crore in Q2 FY 09.

Gross NPAs have declined from 0.68% in FY09 to 0.31% in Q2 FY 10 (0.44% in Q2 FY 09). Net NPAs have dipped from 0.33% in FY 09 to 0.08% in Q2 FY 10 (0.15% in Q2 FY 09). Restructured loans were about 0.96% of gross advances during quarter.

In spite of subdued credit growth, the bank's net interest margin has improved to 3.1% during Q2 FY 10 from 2.8% for the same period a year ago. The bank was able to achieve a growth in net interest margin by penetrating the large corporate loan market and also optimizing its liability franchise. Bank's yield on advances is comparatively higher than its peers' average.

The bank's composition of low-cost deposits to total deposits has improved marginally to 9.6% in Q2 FY 10 from at 8.73% in FY 09, considerably lower than peers' average. Consequently, the bank has the highest cost of deposits among its peers as on 30th September 2009.

Brickwork calculates leverage that assesses bank's capital adequacy with reference to both on and off balance sheet exposures. Yes Bank's lower leverage of 13.92 (14.92 in FY08) is positive rating factor compared to its peer group leverage of 19.51 in FY09.

The rating factored, inter alia, improving operating profit, asset quality, strong capital ratio, and the management quality, low CASA deposits, limited network channels, and dependence on bulk deposits. Brickwork expects the bank to sustain its growth momentum and ensure healthy earning assets with appropriate risk management practices, and technology driven banking and has assigned 'Stable' outlook for the Rating.

Copyright ©, 2009, Brickwork Ratings.

Brickwork Ratings has assigned the rating based on the information obtained from issuer and other reliable sources, which are deemed to be accurate. Brickwork has taken considerable steps to avoid any data distortion; however, it does not examine the precision or completeness of the information obtained. And hence, the information in this report is presented "as is" without any express or implied warranty of any kind. Brickwork does not make any representation in respect to the truth or accuracy of any such information. The rating assigned by Brickwork should be treated as an opinion rather than a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the rated instrument. Brickwork has the right to change, suspend or withdraw the ratings at any time for any reasons. Further, Brickwork should not be held responsible for any losses incurred from publishing or reproducing this report.


CONTACT DETAILS
Dr. A Suresh Kumar, Lead Analyst, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, suresh.kumar@brickworkratings.com
N Prashanthi, Co-Analyst, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, prashanthi.n@brickworkratings.com
Anitha G, Media, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, media@brickworkratings.com
K N Suvarna, Sr. VP - Business Development, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, kn.suvarna@brickworkratings.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, CONSULTANCY SERVICES, MARKETING, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, Financial Analyst, STOCK EXCHANGES

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BWI: Brickwork Ratings Reaffirms “BWR AA+” for Andhra Bank’s Perpetual (Tier I) Bonds Issue of INR 200 Crore or INR 2 Billion

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Brickwork Ratings
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 10:00 AM IST (04:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy; Business: Accounting & management consultancy services, Advertising, PR & marketing, Banking & financial services, Business services, Financial Analyst, Stock exchanges
--------------------------------------------------
Brickwork Ratings Reaffirms "BWR AA+" for Andhra Bank's Perpetual (Tier I) Bonds Issue of INR 200 Crore or INR 2 Billion
Issue Rating: BWR AA+; Outlook: Stable

Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Wednesday, December 30, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Brickwork Ratings has reaffirmed "BWR AA+" (Pronounced BWR Double A plus) for Andhra Bank's Perpetual (Tier I) Bonds issue of Rs.200 crore. Brickwork Ratings BWR AA+ signifies 'High Safety' and the Rating Outlook further signifies the direction of the rating being stable in the near term. Brickwork has relied upon the audited financial statements and information and clarifications provided by the issuer.

During FY 09, the bank has adopted several business development initiatives to grow its business and one important initiative is to bring all the branches under core banking solution (CBS). With 100% CBS branches, the bank competently managed the challenging economic conditions during FY 09, to grow its total business by 23.60% to reach Rs 103,818 crore in FY09 as compared to Rs 83,993 crore during FY 08. The bank's total income increased by 26.96% to Rs 4,836 crore during FY 09, reflecting the significant buoyancy in core banking operations, excellent fee based income and focus on healthy earning assets which contributed to improvement in the profitability. As a result, the bank's operating profit and net profit surged 21.86% and 13.46% respectively.

The bank's tier-I capital ratio stood at 8.67% as on 31st March 2009, which is marginally higher than the previous year figure of 8.54% under Basel II. Overall, the bank has reported capital adequacy ratio of 13.22% under Basel II as on 31st March 2009 (11.61% in FY08) while Basel I CRAR was at 12.37%. As a special feature of its rating process, Brickwork calculates the leverage, which assesses the bank's net worth with reference to on and off balance sheet items. During FY 09, the bank's leverage though higher was still comfortable at 18.31 in FY 09 as compared to 16.4 in FY 08.

The Bank has continued to show good performance in Q2 FY 10.Total deposits increased to Rs.62,279 crore, while advances increased to Rs.48,182 crore. The bank has been consistently reducing its non-performing assets. Gross and net NPAs stood at 0.83% and 0.16% respectively in Q2 FY 10. Further, the bank's net profit has surged by 69.61% q-o-q to reach Rs 273 crore in Q2 FY 10. As result, the bank's return on assets has improved to 1.53% in Q2 FY 10 from 1.12% in Q2 FY 09. The loan loss coverage has improved to 83.66% in Q2 FY 10 from 81.49% in FY 09.

The bank was incorporated in 1923. It was nationalized in 1980. The Govt. of India holds 51.55% stake in the Bank. The bank offers retail banking, small and medium enterprise (SME) banking, treasury and financial institutional services. During FY 09, the bank opened 66 branches, and 70 ATMs. The bank's delivery network consists of 1432 branches and 726 ATMs as of 31st March 2009.

The rating factored inter alia, the majority stake held by the Govt of India, comfortable capital adequacy and Tier I capital, lower term loan component in its loan assets, well diversified credit profile, and prudential higher loan loss coverage.

Copyright ©, 2009, Brickwork Ratings.

Brickwork Ratings has assigned the rating based on the information obtained from issuer and other reliable sources, which are deemed to be accurate. Brickwork has taken considerable steps to avoid any data distortion; however, it does not examine the precision or completeness of the information obtained. And hence, the information in this report is presented "as is" without any express or implied warranty of any kind. Brickwork does not make any representation in respect to the truth or accuracy of any such information. The rating assigned by Brickwork should be treated as an opinion rather than a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the rated instrument. Brickwork has the right to change, suspend or withdraw the ratings at any time for any reasons. Further, Brickwork should not be held responsible for any losses incurred from publishing or reproducing this report.


CONTACT DETAILS
Dr. A. Suresh Kumar, Lead Analyst, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, suresh.kumar@brickworkratings.com
Narahari Prashanthi, Co-Analyst, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, prashanthi.n@brickworkratings.com
Anitha G, Media, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, media@brickworkratings.com
K.N. Suvarna, Sr.Vice President, Business Development, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, kn.suvarna@brickworkratings.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, CONSULTANCY SERVICES, MARKETING, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, Financial Analyst, STOCK EXCHANGES

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

BWI: IndiaMART Hardware & Tools Expo 2009 and IndiaMART Fastener Expo 2009 Ends on a Successful Note

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: IndiaMART
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 04:53 PM IST (11:23 AM GMT)
Editors: General: People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Media & entertainment; Technology
--------------------------------------------------
IndiaMART Hardware & Tools Expo 2009 and IndiaMART Fastener Expo 2009 Ends on a Successful Note


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- -- 8th edition of IndiaMART Hardware & Tools Expo and IndiaMART Fastener Expo proved to be a great platform to promote Indian MSMEs

-- The platform worked as a catalyst to bridge the gap between buyers and suppliers

-- 9th edition of IndiaMART Hardware & Tools Expo and IndiaMART Fastener Expo are scheduled from 17-19 Dec 2010 at Chennai Trade Center, Chennai, India

Unitech Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd in collaboration with India's largest online B2B marketplace, IndiaMART.com and NSIC organized the 8th edition of IndiaMART Hardware & Tools Expo 2009 and IndiaMART Fastener Expo 2009, a niche events for hardware, tools & fasteners in India from 20 - 22 December 2009 at Bombay Exhibition Center, Mumbai, India.

128 companies exhibited themselves at the gala expo, out of which 52 companies were from China and 12 from Taiwan and rest were from India. A wide array of products were on display ranging from Hand Tools, DIY Tools, Air/Pneumatic Hand Tools, Power Tools, Fasteners, Furniture Hardware, Hydraulic Hand Tools, Automotive/Garage Tools, Gardening Tools, Electrician's Tools, Locks & Keys, Rollers, Tape Measures, Rust Prevention / Lubricating Aerosols, Adhesives & Sealants etc.

Close to 5000 business visitors from various demographies like Exporters & Importers, Distributors, Traders & Retailers, Industry suppliers, Builders, Contractors, Automotive Industry personnels, Engineering Industry personnels, Furniture Manufacturers, Architects, re-molders, Interior Designers, etc. attended the expo. The expo proved to be a great match-making platform for buyers and suppliers.

Commenting on the success of the expo, IndiaMART.com's founder and CEO, Mr. Dinesh Agarwal, said, "Tradeshows are the oldest and one of the most effective mediums for B2B match-making. We are extremely happy to associate as the expo is very well recognized in the industry for bringing latest products, technologies and innovation to the forefront and as the platform that fosters long term relationship between buyers and suppliers."

India's industrial output raised to the level of 10.3 percent in October 2009 from the year earlier, matching the median market forecast, helped by stimulus measures and robust domestic demand which reflected in enthusiasm of visitors who were inquiring about different hardware tools & fasteners products. Out of which Industrial fasteners, hand tools for automotive & industrial hand tools for heavy machinery were in high demand.

Continuing its commitment bring buyers and suppliers together by all means possible, IndiaMART.com has been continuously sponsoring various industry leading trade shows for the past two years like IndiaMART AMTEX, IndiaMART UMEX, IndiaMART IMEX, IndiaMART Sign Show, IndiaMART Food & Technology Expo, IndiaMART ACMEE, Indiamart HITEX International Machine Tool Expo 2009 etc.

9th edition of IndiaMART Hardware & Tools Expo and IndiaMART Fastener Expo are also in a row to benefit MSMEs. It is scheduled from 17-19 Dec 2010 at Chennai Trade Center, Chennai, India.

For more details of IndiaMART's Trade Show participation activities, please click the link below-
http://www.indiamart.com/tradeshows

About IndiaMART.com

IndiaMART.com is India's largest online B2B marketplace connecting global buyers with suppliers through business directories, online product catalogs, buy-sell offers, industry specific marketplaces, printed media and trade shows participation.

IndiaMART.com offers an extensive range of value-added products and services to over 500,000 members and over 5 million global buyers across industries and verticals.

IndiaMART.com has won numerous awards over the years including Red Herring 100 Asia & Emerging India and the company has been widely covered by media such as CNBC, BBC, BusinessMoney, CNN, Businessworld, Economic Times, Financial Express, etc. Its existing investors include Intel Capital and Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (Times Group), India's largest print media group.

For more information, please visit: www.indiamart.com/press-section/.


CONTACT DETAILS
Arun Tyagi, Marketing and PR, IndiaMART, + 91 9711003832/ + 91 (120) 3911000, pr@indiamart.com

KEYWORDS
PEOPLE, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: ZEDO Signs Pictas Interactive in Europe

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: ZEDO, Inc
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 02:39 PM IST (09:09 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology; Technology
--------------------------------------------------
ZEDO Signs Pictas Interactive in Europe


San Francisco, United States and Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- ZEDO Inc., the largest privately held ad server in the US, today announced that it has added European ad network Pictas Interactive to its ever-growing customer base worldwide.

ZEDO has been expanding its presence in the European market. Recent feature developments for Europe include new formats and built in ad network optimization, behavioral targeting data and a self service platform.

Oana Dereli, Managing Partner at Pictas Group said, "The difference between Pictas Interactive and the other Eastern European ad networks is the fact that we deliver real targeted advertising, which benefits our clients. The future prospects look brighter. Several great formats that ZEDO offers have already been rolled out to the ad network. We are very happy that our clients now have access to the ZEDO platform to get informed in real time about the campaign status and make quick changes, if necessary."

"ZEDO is excited by the demand in Europe." said Amit Pai, Head of European Sales. "We plan to make ZEDO the largest privately held ad server in Europe. ZEDO has formed powerful strategic partnerships and continues to sign new customers on a weekly basis."

ABOUT PICTAS INTERACTIVE

Pictas Group recently launched Pictas Interactive, an online vertical ad network focusing on parents and children. One of the premier advertising networks in Romania, Pictas gathers websites with a common specific target: diverse informative articles, online contests, online shopping and entertaining activities for both parents and children. The Advertisers benefit from targeted advertising, low costs, and consultancy from Pictas online marketing specialists, while Publishers benefit financially by placing ads on their websites. (www.pictas-interactive.com)

About ZEDO

ZEDO, Inc., the largest privately held ad server in the US, has been offering a variety of products and services to websites, advertisers and networks for 10 years. ZEDO focuses on premium technology to increase ad performance and maximize revenue for publishers. This includes cutting edge behavioral targeting; ad network optimization; video ad serving; ad serving on iphones; a widely acclaimed easy-to-use UI; self-service advertising and new formats to meet advertisers' needs for innovation.

ZEDO is headquartered in San Francisco and has four development centers in Russia and India. (www.zedo.com)


CONTACT DETAILS
Savio Fernandes, ZEDO (India) Private Limited, +91 9819621041, savio@zedo.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: UTV Gears Up for Bullish Release Slate in Jan – Feb – March 2010

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: UTV Motion Pictures
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 12:40 PM IST (07:10 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Entertainment, People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Media & entertainment
--------------------------------------------------
UTV Gears Up for Bullish Release Slate in Jan - Feb - March 2010
Backed by 3 Success Stories in 2009 of Dev.D, Kaminey and Wake Up Sid

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Backed by the success of 3 of the genre defining blockbusters of 2009 - Kaminey, Wake Up Sid and Dev.D, UTV Motion Pictures today announced an aggressive line up of 4 films for the period of January - March 2010.

-- Chance Pe Dance - 15th Jan, 2010
-- Harishchandrachi Factory - 22nd Jan, 2010
-- Peter Gaya Kaam Se - Mar, 2010
-- Paan Singh Tomar - Mar, 2010

The slate for 2010 kicks off with Chance Pe Dance, which has been directed by Ken Ghosh and stars Shahid Kapoor, as the talented and passionate Sameer with a never-say-die attitude and Genelia, as a beautiful and spirited choreographer, Tina. The film will have a worldwide release on 15th January.

Harishchandrachi Factory, India's official entry to the Oscars this year, will hit the screens on 22nd January. This acclaimed Marathi film directed by Paresh Mokashi is a UTV production, co-produced with Paprika Media and Mayasabha. The film has also been screened for the BAFTA and Golden Globe juries, apart from various other film festivals.

Peter Gaya Kaam Se, a fast-paced action adventure movie with a romantic twist, is directed by John Owen. Starring Rajeev Khandelwal and Lekha Washington, this film is about Peter, a football crazy motorcycle taxi rider, who decides to turn his back on Goa and quit his job - until his sleazy loan shark boss Bosco persuades him to do one last job - the job that will change his life forever. The film is scheduled for a March 2010 release.

Paan Singh Tomar, the true epic journey of a talented runner who turned into a rebel, has been directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. It stars Irrfan Khan and Mahie Gill, and will be released in March 2010.

Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO, UTV Motion Pictures said, "While 2009 has been a low year for the film industry in general, we released some interesting films which etched themselves in the minds of the audience. Dev.D, Kaminey and Wake Up Sid created new benchmarks for what can now be perceived as commercial cinema. Our slate for 2010 promises to be a very entertaining mix and we are very excited to be bringing audiences such a wide array of interesting cinema."

The much-anticipated releases by UTV in 2010 include Prakash Jha's Raajneeti, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzarish, Anees Bazmee's Thank You, Rajkumar Gupta's No One Killed Jessica, Vishal Bhardwaj's Ek Bataa Saat, Aamir Khan Productions' Delhi Belly and Peepli Live.


CONTACT DETAILS
Jyotika Ahuja, UTV, +91 9619122379, jyotika.ahuja@utvnet.com
Esha Kak, UTV, +91 9819966211, esha.kak@utvnet.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENTERTAINMENT, PEOPLE, MARKETING, MEDIA

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BWI: Fitho an Indian Health Website Wins Award for Top Health Blog in the World

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Fitho
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 11:22 AM IST (05:52 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Media & entertainment; Technology; Healthcare
--------------------------------------------------
Fitho an Indian Health Website Wins Award for Top Health Blog in the World


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Fitho a complete health care website which provides weight loss & fitness consultancy services for Indians was recently awarded the Best Health Blog award in the world, by the international health network Wellsphere for their fitness blog fitho.in. There were 400 entries around the world who submitted their blogs for this competition, out of which Fitho was chosen as the top health blog for the year 2009. Fitho is the only Indian site to have made it on international health forum as on date.

Fitho is an India based fitness company providing customized diet & exercise plans & personal training using cutting edge research & science, to make it easy for people to lose weight and get fit. Fitho co-founder Shridhar Gupta says, "We started Fitho's website in 2008 with the intention to spread the word of fitness, & help people lose weight the healthy way- through balanced diet and effective exercise. Getting this award for our website in 2009, is a big achievement in terms of national and international recognition in the health and wellness industry".

Besides nutrition and exercise plans for weight loss, Fitho provides an array of other services like buying supplements online, fitness questions answered by experts, gym listing across India and more.

The People's HealthBlogger Awards is an annual competition that Wellsphere created to give recognition to health bloggers. The competition allows readers to express their appreciation for their favorite bloggers, and to promote community-building among fellow bloggers.

About Fitho:

Fitho is an India based fitness & weight loss company providing individual and corporate fitness solutions. Their offices are based in Calcutta & Delhi. Started in 2008, Fitho is the fastest growing fitness company, focusing on improving nutrition & fitness.


CONTACT DETAILS
Neha Chhabra, Media Relations, Fitho, +91 9810820937, neha@fitho.in

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE

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BWI: Seematti’s Centenary Celebrations Begin with Celebrity Fashion Statements

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: SEEMATTI
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 10:54 AM IST (05:24 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Entertainment, Fashion, Lifestyle, People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Clothing & accessories, Retailers, Textiles
--------------------------------------------------
Seematti's Centenary Celebrations Begin with Celebrity Fashion Statements


Kochi, Kerala, India, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- The House of Seematti inaugurated its 100th Anniversary Celebrations 2010 on 18th December 2009 at Gokulam Park Convention Centre, Kochi in front of an august audience. The Indian woman's greatest asset "The Silk Sari" got a drastic make over at this stellar star & celebrity studded glitzy event lasting 3 hours from 6 p.m.

Beena Kannan, the CEO of the Seematti Group was the cynosure of the event alongside such stars like Mandira Bedi & Sameera Reddy who appeared in Seematti's ad - campaigns over the last 4 years. They were accompanied by renowned models like Amrita Patki, Veditha Pratap Singh, Snitha Mahe et. Al.

From contemporary to classic, designer to embroidered, machined to handmade silk saris, the array of saris donned by the models on the ramp were exciting to watch. The models sizzled down the ramp with mood music & coloured lighting to match.

Mandira in Jean Sari was really awesome. Sameera dazzled in a Light Shimmer Brocade both which fall under Seematti's Beena Centennial Collection 2010". Mandira opined "The Jeans Sari is chic & innovative if you are carrying it with the right accessories & attitude. The light shimmer brocade is a 6 yard wonder made more user-friendly by blending traditional designs & soft silks.

It has a pastel subdued coppery look, golden in hue, falls gracefully and is easy to wear and carry elegantly too! Yet another eye-catching design came up in the cock-tail series which can easily replace the evening gown most of these sari have crystals & stones rich in colour jazzed up with sexy waist belts & designer blouses to add pep & zest.

Sameera Reddy, the incumbent face of Seematti for 2010 appeared glamorous on the ramp. Amidst tastefully designed sounds & lights, vibrant music & dances, Beena Kannan, Seematti's lead designer opined. "The focus will be on sustaining a unique identity for Seematti without losing sight of our culture & traditions."

This one-of-its kind event began with Beena Kannan adorning her father V. Thiruvenkitam with a gold bordered shawl. Solemn tributes were paid to the founder of Seematti Late S. Veeriah Reddiar who incepted Seematti at Alappuzha in 1910. Mrs. Seetha Lakshmi Thiruvenkitam & Veeriah (Kannan) were solemnly remembered.

On this momentous occasion, mementos were presented to Seematti's master weavers & sari resource people across India's metros. Winding up the event, Beena Kannan ceremoniously cut the cake created in the symbolic 100 format & unleashed the year long centennial celebration slated all through 2010.

To view the Photographs, click the links below:

From Left to Right: Mandira Bedi, Beena Kannan, CEO-Seematti, Sameera Reddy, Renjini Haridas

Beena Kannan, CEO-Seematti along with Mandira Bedi, Sameera Reddy and the Models
For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com/attachments/PIC1(77).jpg
PIC1(77).jpg
http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com/attachments/PIC2(46).jpg
PIC2(46).jpg


CONTACT DETAILS
Rajagopal.V.Krishnan, Advertising Manager, SEEMATTI, +91 9847050080, rajagopalvk@gmail.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, LIFESTYLE, PEOPLE, MARKETING, CLOTHING, RETAIL, TEXTILES

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BWI: 724 Solutions Brings Its Mobile Internet and Mobile Broadband Solution to the India Market

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Business Wire
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 12:01 PM IST (06:31 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Telecommunications; Technology
--------------------------------------------------
(BW)(724-SOLUTIONS)724 Solutions Brings Its Mobile Internet and Mobile Broadband Solution to the India Market
Extended Collaboration with Proven Partner Xoriant Offers the Leading Next Generation Mobile Internet and Mobile Broadband Solution to Mobile Operators across India

London, United Kingdom, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) --

724 Solutions, a leading provider of next generation mobile data solutions that enable seamless access and communications in an IP-based world announced today the expansion of its relationship with Xoriant, a Product Engineering Services company focused on the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) market throughout India, to include 724's Seamless Access solution for India and other Asia Pacific markets.

Built upon a successful partnership with Xoriant since 2002, the expansion of the relationship to include first-line support for customers across the major cities in India will broaden the current functions of development, testing, customization, quality assurance, implementation, professional services and second-line support for Seamless Access.

Mobile internet and 2.5G data services are experiencing rapid growth throughout India. As this demand continues to grow and as 3G licenses are expected to be issued in 2010, mobile operators in India must replace incumbent older generation mobile data infrastructure to accommodate this growth. 724's Seamless Access solution enables mobile operators to cost efficiently offer 2.5G data services today and seamlessly add on new services such as 3G and mobile broadband without disruption to existing services.

"The upcoming radical growth expected from the Indian market for 3G mobile internet and mobile broadband services will challenge the current data infrastructure and disappoint subscribers," said John Sims, Chief Executive Officer of 724 Solutions. "724's Seamless Access solution coupled with our local dedicated team of Xoriant software and systems deployment expertise can dramatically improve mobile data services and the subscriber experience throughout the country. We are committed to the Indian market and believe our Seamless Access solution addresses not only the immediate growth of the 2.5G market, but also uniquely positions our customers to successfully reap the benefits offered by the explosion of growth offered by 3G and beyond."

"We believe the highest quality solution for this market is 724's Seamless Access Solution," said Girish Gaitonde, Chief Executive Officer of Xoriant. "Our joint commitment to successful mobile internet and mobile broadband deployments extends beyond India into the entire Asia Pacific region."

Throughout India and Asia Pacific, our India-based Xoriant team, under the full direction of 724 management, support 724's installed base of customers including deployments in India, New Zealand, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Seamless Access is a comprehensive next generation mobile internet and mobile broadband solution with an extensible architecture, cost effective scalability, intelligent decision making capability and industry leading lowest total cost of ownership. Installed at 14 operators serving over 165 million subscribers, Seamless Access allows mobile operators to meet the challenges they face in driving down the cost per bit of managing data traffic within their mobile networks.

For more information, please visit www.724.com.

About 724 Solutions

724 Solutions delivers market leading IP-based solutions for Mobile Internet, Mobile Broadband and IP Messaging built upon an intelligent, scalable, extensible architecture that allows mobile operators and converged service providers to significantly grow revenues. The company's solutions leverage a state-of-the-art decision making capability to tailor the network resources and the services provided, enabling subscribers to experience the All-Ways Connected Lifestyle, 724's vision of seamless access and communication without barriers; a vision of how subscribers will use data services to enhance and enrich their professional and private lives with access to services from any device at all times. 724 Solutions is a global company headquartered in Santa Barbara, California with development centers in Switzerland and India. For more information, please visit www.724.com.

About Xoriant

Xoriant Corporation is a software product development services company with global delivery centers, offering a range of software development solutions to a variety of industries including finance, telecom, ecommerce, customer-facing web publishers, and others. Xoriant has the expertise to participate at any stage of a product's lifecycle at our client partners - Independent Software Vendors (ISV), Web 2.0 companies, consumer-facing e-commerce companies, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology providers and so on. For more information, please visit www.xoriant.com.



CONTACT DETAILS
CONTACTS :
724 Solutions
Kelly Lazarus, +1-805-884-8306
klazarus@724.com


KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: Perma Pure’s Nafion® Inhibits Bacteria Growth in Medical Applications

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Perma Pure
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 09:00 AM IST (03:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical; Technology; Healthcare
--------------------------------------------------
Perma Pure's Nafion® Inhibits Bacteria Growth in Medical Applications


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- With outbreaks of antibiotic resistant bacteria on the rise, infection control is an increasingly important part of patient care. Nafion dryers from Perma Pure, used in anaesthesia monitoring, metabolic testing, and capnography, have been shown to inhibit the growth of infectious bacteria.

Photo:http://halmapr.com/pp/Antibacterial.jpg (700 KB)

Independent lab testing has confirmed that Perma Pure's Nafion material effectively inhibits the growth of two common bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both microorganisms can cause a variety of infections including, but not limited to, skin lesions, pneumonia, meningitis and endocarditis.

Nafion is used in Perma Pure's MET-Series Moisture Exchangers for breath sample dryers, filters and sample lines to dry or humidify medical gas and breath sample streams. In either drying or humidifying applications, the ME-Series products seek equilibrium with room humidity, transferring water vapour into or out of the tubing in a stable, self-regenerating cycle.

In breath drying applications, such as capnography and anaesthesia monitoring, Nafion's antibacterial properties reduce the risk of biological growth in sample lines, breathing circuits and within instruments. In humidification of medical gases, such as supplemental oxygen, Nafion presents a superior alternative to devices constructed of materials sensitive to bacterial growth and biofouling. As the antibacterial properties are an inherent part of Nafion's molecular makeup, these properties do not degrade over time as do antibacterial coatings applied to the inside of other tubing.

ME-Series Nafion dryers remove only water vapour from gas streams, without altering or removing any of the other elements. The antibacterial membrane tubing does not require power input for operation and there are no moving parts to fail. With levels of humidification only reaching ambient conditions, there is no threat of rainout in the sample lines.

About Perma Pure

Perma Pure LLC (www.permapure.com) manufactures a full line of gas conditioning products including dryers, humidifiers, filters, coalescers, specialty scrubbers and complete sampling systems for use in medical, scientific and industrial applications. The company is the sole manufacturer of Nafion tubing under license from the polymer manufacturer, DuPont. Perma Pure is based in Toms River, New Jersey, with representatives and distributors around the world. The company is a subsidiary of Halma p.l.c.

About Halma

Halma p.l.c. (www.halma.com) is an international market leader in safety, health and sensor technology. Halma is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange and has over 4000 employees in over 40 subsidiaries worldwide with a total turnover of over US$780m (2008). Halma's subsidiaries make products that protect lives and improve the quality of life for people through innovation in market leading products which make its customers safer, more competitive and more profitable. These subsidiaries are assisting India's economy in areas such as manufacturing, energy, water and waste treatment, the environment, construction, transport and healthcare.

Halma recently opened a Hub office in Mumbai. For further news about Halma in India and to subscribe to the Halma India RSS News Feed please visit our blog at: http://halmapr.com/news/india/.

Perma Pure head office contact details:
Perma Pure LLC
8 Executive Drive
Toms River, NJ 08755
USA
Tel: +1 732 244 0010; Fax: +1 732 244 8140
Email: info@permapure.com
Website: www.permapure.com


CONTACT DETAILS
Damian Corbet, Halma Public Relations, +44 (0)20 8511 1821, dcorbet@halmapr.com
Mr Kuniyur. J. Srinivasan, Country Head & Managing Director, Halma India, +91 (22) 4200 0700, Srini@halma.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE

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Monday, December 28, 2009

BWI: True Games Launches its First Warrior Epic Expansion “Warrior Epic: Battlegrounds”

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: True Games
Monday, December 28, 2009 05:46 PM IST (12:16 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Entertainment; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Information technology; Technology
--------------------------------------------------
True Games Launches its First Warrior Epic Expansion "Warrior Epic: Battlegrounds"
All-New PVP Gameplay, Brand-New HUB City, an Exciting New Region and Much More

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Monday, December 28, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- True Games, an international publisher of multi-player online games and a part of the UTV group, recently announced the official launch of Warrior Epic: Battlegrounds, the game's first expansion. Keeping up with the increasing demand for the game, the company has developed this extension with a multitude of innovative and exciting content, especially for the gaming aficionados. Join the Warrior Epic Community and play the game on www.warriorepic.com

With an aim to provide the much-needed game-play value, the Warrior Epic: Battlegrounds offers:

-- FRESH PVP GAMEPLAY: Warrior Epic now offers four all-new objective-based PVP enabled maps for players to battle in - Welkin Warrens (a mountainous underground), Ruins of Aberas (a fierce jungle), Faustus Estate (the mysterious mansion) and the newest addition: Trogken Swamps.

-- A NEW HUB CITY: Warrior Epic now offers a true central HUB for players to meet and form groups and guilds, while also showing off their dance skills and cool gear earned from quests.

-- All NEW SWAMP REGION: The grand region known as the Trogken Swamps is an all-new environment, and like the other regions in the game will now offer full PVP gameplay. With over 50 new quests, monsters and items you can acquire, players can spend a great deal of time adventuring through the deadly marshes.

-- DOZENS OF NEW PVP ITEMS: During PVP matches, players can earn currency for purchasing all new items and upgrades to reinforce their base, summon boss monsters and spirits against the opposing team, and many more!

Warrior Epic is an online, action role-playing game set in an original fantasy universe. In the game, players will assume command of a Warrior Hall from which they manage their characters' adventures. They can recruit from a wide array of Warrior Classes, each with its own style of play. The Classes and the Hall itself can be upgraded visually as well as functionally. Players adventure together in multiplayer campaigns, adventure mode, solo quests and PVP.

One of the most unique aspects of Warrior Epic is that death does not mean the end of a warrior. Instead, it opens totally new and strategic options for players. The game's unique Warrior Spirits System enables fallen warriors to not only be revived at any time at their hall, but also to be transformed into Spirits that can be bound to weapons to increase and open weapon abilities and skills, or they can be called out to inflict massive damage depending on player needs.

About True Games Interactive

Based in Orange County, California, True Games Interactive is an international multi-player online game publisher. It was founded by a core team of MMO industry veterans with extensive experience in publishing and operating online games. True Games brings new and innovative development ideas online, delivers them with a state-of-the-art game platform, and leverages micro-transaction revenue models. True Games released its first game, Warrior Epic, (www.warriorepic.com) in Spring 2009.

They are working with world-class publishers to license existing online titles and world-class developers, including Petroglyph (www.Mytheongame.com), to create games exclusively for online play. The company recently announced the creation of its first wholly-owned development studio based in Austin, Texas.

UTV Software Communications Ltd (UTV), India's first integrated global media and entertainment company, holds a strategic stake in True Games Interactive.

About UTV Software Communications

UTV Software Communications Ltd (UTV) is India's first integrated global media and entertainment company. UTV India & its subsidiaries (UTV) create, aggregate and disseminate content of various genres across varied distribution platforms. Its 5 business verticals include Content Production & Services, Movies, Broadcasting, Interactive Gaming, and New Media.

Listed on India's premier stock exchange, The Stock Exchange, Mumbai in addition to the Motion Pictures Subsidiary, UMP PLC is listed on the AIM London Stock Exchange. UTV is India's only diversified media and entertainment company with content creation abilities across platforms and genres.

It has subsidiaries with offices across India, Mauritius, UK, USA and Japan. Walt Disney holds a strategic stake in UTV.



CONTACT DETAILS
Jyotika Ahuja, Head - Corporate Communications, UTV, +919619122379, jyotika.ahuja@utvnet.com
Aishwarya Gurjar, Assistant Manager - Corporate Communications, UTV, +91 9619847047, aishwarya.gurjar@utvnet.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENTERTAINMENT, MARKETING, IT, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: My Baby Excels Brings Iconic Toy Brand Meccano to India

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: My Baby Excels
Monday, December 28, 2009 05:04 PM IST (11:34 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Retailers, Toy manufacturers
--------------------------------------------------
My Baby Excels Brings Iconic Toy Brand Meccano to India


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Monday, December 28, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- The legendary 'Nut and Bolts' toy brand, Meccano has entered into an agreement with My Baby Excels for India. Meccano is a model construction system comprising re-usable metal strips, plates, angle girders, wheels, axles and gears, with nuts and bolts to connect the pieces. It enables the building of working models and mechanical devices. My Baby Excels is a premium toy label, representing international best sellers like Leap Frog, Disney Plush and WowWee in India.

Says M.N Kapasi, Managing Director, My Baby Excels, "We are pleased to partner with Meccano and forward their cause in India. India is a hot bed of engineering talent and we look forward to leverage the demand here. Moreover, the brand enjoys a cult status among enthusiasts in India. We will be focusing on widening the reach and base of the product line".

Established in 1901 by Frank Hornby, a clerk from Liverpool, England, who invented and patented a new toy called "Mechanics Made Easy" that was based on the principles of mechanical engineering. As the construction kits gained in popularity they soon became known as Meccano and went on sale across the world. In September 1907, Hornby registered the Meccano trade mark, and in May 1908, he formed Meccano Ltd. Today, over a hundred years since its inception, there are thousands of Meccano enthusiasts worldwide, many clubs and hundreds of websites covering Meccano history, model building instructions and nostalgia. Individuals and companies worldwide still manufacture parts, some long out of production. There are annual Meccano exhibitions around the world, notably in France (at a different venue around May each year) and at Skegness in England (around July every year). Many notable shows also take place in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand each year to name a few.

Traditionally Meccano caters to children above 5 years and extends to young adults. In 2006, Meccano with a view of increasing its target base introduced a pre-school range called Kids Play for children from 2 years onwards. In addition to this, Meccano will also be launching the extensive product line including the construction range, tuning range, multi model range among others.

The products are priced from Rs. 599 onwards and are available at all leading stores across the country.


CONTACT DETAILS
Jimmy Mathew, Alaaya Media, +91 9820292545, jimmy@alaaya.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, RETAIL, TOYS

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BWI: Record Breaking Submissions on Canvera.com for Better Photography’s Annual Contest

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Canvera Digital Technologies Private Limited
Monday, December 28, 2009 10:06 AM IST (04:36 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Media & entertainment; Technology
--------------------------------------------------
Record Breaking Submissions on Canvera.com for Better Photography's Annual Contest


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Monday, December 28, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Online submission through www.Canvera.com for Better Photography's annual photography contest "Photographer of the Year" and "Young Photographer of the Year" have broken all past records for submissions. For the current year's contest more than 30K+ entries were submitted online through the specially designed microsite www.canvera.com/betterphotography in addition to about 10K+ submitted through offline channels. This is more than a 3-fold increase over last year's submissions where the total number of entries received - all through offline channels - was about 12K+. "The technology team at Canvera built a fabulous and easy to use site for the contestants to submit their entries which no doubt contributed to the incredible increase in participation" said K Madhavan Pillai, editor of Better Photography. He added, "Not only was the site great for contestants but Canvera also built an easy way for the judges to go through the entries. The smooth running of the online portion of the competition emphatically validated our choice to go with Canvera as the online partner for the competition."

"We are absolutely delighted at the success of the contest and eagerly await the results to pick out the best photographers in India," said Dhiraj Kacker, CEO of Canvera. "Our collaboration with Better Photography continues to grow and we are extremely delighted to have made a meaningful contribution to this year's contest." The winners of the competition will be felicitated at a grand event in Mumbai on January 7th 2010 that is being held alongside India's largest photography exhibition Photofair 2010. The winners will also be announced in the February 2010 issue of Better Photography.

ABOUT CANVERA

Canvera.com is India's fastest growing online digital photography company. Canvera's main client base consists of professional photographers who use Canvera's award winning photobooks for everything from weddings and birthday parties to corporate events and model portfolios. Canvera has serviced the needs of professional photographers in more than 200 cities and towns across the India. Canvera won the Asia Pacific and Japan wide Best Photobook award two years in a row at HP Digital Print Awards 2008 & 2009. The company is setting new standards for the photography industry by being the first branded player in what has so far been a highly fragmented market. As a branded player, Canvera stands behind the quality of its products and has also therefore implicitly made a commitment to ongoing innovation. Started in late 2007 Canvera is headquartered out of Bangalore and was founded by Dr. Dhiraj Kacker (CEO) and Peeyush Rai (CTO) who have previously worked at numerous successful startups in Silicon Valley. Canvera is financially backed by Footprint Ventures (www.footprintventures.com), DFJ (www.dfj.com) and Mumbai Angels (www.mumbaiangels.com).

ABOUT BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Better Photography has been the leading photography magazine in India and South Asia for over twelve years now. It is published by Infomedia18 Ltd, one of India's best publishing houses. The magazine's primary audience includes serious enthusiasts and amateurs and covers a wide variety of content. Basic and advanced level techniques, reviews of latest cameras and photography gadgets along with interviews with the most reputed photographers from around the world forms the core of the content of Better Photography. As a hobbyist magazine, the priority is education in the art and science of photography.

ABOUT INFOMEDIA18 LIMITED

Informedia18 [BSE: 509069; NSE: INFOMEDIA], the printing and publishing arm of Network18 is one of the leading publishers of business publications in the country. Its stable includes a number of leading publications like Overdrive, Chip, Better Photography, Better Interiors and AV Max. Apart from these, it also publishes a large number of business to business publications and Yellow Pages. Infomedia18 is also the India partner of Alibaba.com, the world's largest business to business trading platform.


CONTACT DETAILS
Dhiraj Kacker, Canvera Digital Technologies Private Limited, +91 (80) 25727436, Toll free: 1-800-425-7436, care@canvera.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: Riester Ri-Vital Spot-Check Monitor Measures Vital Signs in Seconds

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Riester
Monday, December 28, 2009 09:00 AM IST (03:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical; Technology; Healthcare
--------------------------------------------------
Riester Ri-Vital Spot-Check Monitor Measures Vital Signs in Seconds


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Monday, December 28, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- The ri-vital® from Riester is the new portable spot-check monitor that provides reliable and fast measurements of non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), pulse rate and blood oxygen level with exceptional accuracy.

Photo: http://halmapr.com/riester/ri-vital.jpg (310 KB)

This German-engineered monitoring technology, designed for clinics, hospitals and outpatient treatment, provides simultaneous vital sign results in seconds for on-the-spot patient assessment, including a special mode for measuring newborns' NIBP and an optional infrared thermometer for measuring temperature. It features a simple, easy-to-use menu and results are displayed on a large and bright LCD.

The ri-vital® is portable, lightweight and protected by a shock resistant casing and shock absorbing interior attachments; a mobile stand is available as an additional accessory. A wide range of cuffs and different sensor sizes are available and the ergonomic design provides easy storage for the cuffs, sensors and cords. The ri-vital® is powered by a durable, lithium-ion rechargeable battery that ensures a sustained, high-power performance.

Engineered to protect against the shock of impact due to a fall or other incidents, the ri-vital® ensures continued reliable and fast readings of a patient's vital signs.

About Riester

Riester (www.riester.de) is a German company that engineers and manufactures diagnostic instruments for general practitioners, hospitals, clinics and even the home. Its major product lines include sphygmomanometers, E.N.T. and ophthalmic instruments, stethoscopes, laryngoscopes and examination lamps. Founded by Rudolf Riester in 1948, the company has 60 years of experience in developing products that embody the high quality and precision of German engineering. Riester is a subsidiary of Halma p.l.c.

About Halma

Halma p.l.c. (www.halma.com) is an international market leader in safety, health and sensor technology. Halma is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange and has over 4000 employees in over 40 subsidiaries worldwide with a total turnover of over US$780m (2008). Halma's subsidiaries make products that protect lives and improve the quality of life for people through innovation in market leading products which make its customers safer, more competitive and more profitable. These subsidiaries are assisting India's economy in areas such as manufacturing, energy, water and waste treatment, the environment, construction, transport and healthcare.

Halma recently opened a Hub office in Mumbai. For further news about Halma in India and to subscribe to the Halma India RSS News Feed please visit our blog at: http://halmapr.com/news/india/.


CONTACT DETAILS
N. S. Govardhan, Regional Sales Manager, South East Asia, Gulf & India, Riester, +91 (44) 26181407, govardhan@riester.de
Damian Corbet, Halma Public Relations, +44 (0)20 8511 1821, dcorbet@halmapr.com
Mr Kuniyur. J. Srinivasan, Country Head & Managing Director, Halma India, +91 (22) 42000700, Srini@halma.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

BWI: Chennai Company Sets up Desalination Plants Worth Rs. 52 Crore for Government of Iraq

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited
Sunday, December 27, 2009 10:19 AM IST (04:49 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Environment, People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Construction, Financial Analyst, Major diversified industrial groups, Water
--------------------------------------------------
Chennai Company Sets up Desalination Plants Worth Rs. 52 Crore for Government of Iraq


Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Sunday, December 27, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- The Chennai-based Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited, a leading water technology solutions provider and manufacturer of mineral water packaging equipments, has become the first Indian company to successfully install Rs 52 crore worth desalination water plant for Iraqi Government. Shivsu's work includes design, manufacture, supply, construction and commissioning of the plant on a turnkey basis.

The desalination plant in Iraq has been set up to meet the growing demand for potable water of the country. The capacity of the plant is 20 MLD (metric liters per day). It works based on cutting-edge technology of reverse osmosis and converts sea water into potable water useful for industrial and drinking water purposes. The plant can meet the requirements of the local community benefiting 5 lakh people a day.

The plant is 100% indigenous and was designed, engineered, manufactured and assembled at Chennai. Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited carried out the operation and installation of this plant at a record time of 2 months. Core design and engineering team of 50 personnel of Shivsu were behind the successful construction of the plant.

"Our specialty in the field of water treatment, hybrid technology and totally integrated solutions have given us International acclamation. Bagging the project amidst stiff competition from major global players comes as the honor to our expertise. We have already installed plants in Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Our personnel with strong expertise make all these possible and we believe in bagging more such projects in future," said Mr. Sushil Kumar Eashwaran, Director, Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited.

The company also specializes in containerized brackish water and sea water plants keeping in focus space availability, mass consumption, relief agencies, war time army requirements, make shift facilities, as well as sea side resorts. Such units also find use in off-shore oil rigs.


CONTACT DETAILS
Mr. C. Satish Kumar, Vice President, Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited, +9198410 76307, sathish@canadianclear.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION, Financial Analyst, GROUPS, WATER

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BWI: Chennai Company Sets up Desalination Plants Worth Rs. 52 Crore for Government of Iraq

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited
Sunday, December 27, 2009 10:19 AM IST (04:49 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Environment, People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Construction, Financial Analyst, Major diversified industrial groups, Water
--------------------------------------------------
Chennai Company Sets up Desalination Plants Worth Rs. 52 Crore for Government of Iraq


Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Sunday, December 27, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- The Chennai-based Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited, a leading water technology solutions provider and manufacturer of mineral water packaging equipments, has become the first Indian company to successfully install Rs 52 crore worth desalination water plant for Iraqi Government. Shivsu's work includes design, manufacture, supply, construction and commissioning of the plant on a turnkey basis.

The desalination plant in Iraq has been set up to meet the growing demand for potable water of the country. The capacity of the plant is 20 MLD (metric liters per day). It works based on cutting-edge technology of reverse osmosis and converts sea water into potable water useful for industrial and drinking water purposes. The plant can meet the requirements of the local community benefiting 5 lakh people a day.

The plant is 100% indigenous and was designed, engineered, manufactured and assembled at Chennai. Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited carried out the operation and installation of this plant at a record time of 2 months. Core design and engineering team of 50 personnel of Shivsu were behind the successful construction of the plant.

"Our specialty in the field of water treatment, hybrid technology and totally integrated solutions have given us International acclamation. Bagging the project amidst stiff competition from major global players comes as the honor to our expertise. We have already installed plants in Egypt, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Our personnel with strong expertise make all these possible and we believe in bagging more such projects in future," said Mr. Sushil Kumar Eashwaran, Director, Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited.

The company also specializes in containerized brackish water and sea water plants keeping in focus space availability, mass consumption, relief agencies, war time army requirements, make shift facilities, as well as sea side resorts. Such units also find use in off-shore oil rigs.


CONTACT DETAILS
Mr. C. Satish Kumar, Vice President, Shivsu Canadian Clear International Limited, +9198410 76307, sathish@canadianclear.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION, Financial Analyst, GROUPS, WATER

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

BWI: Aircel & Helpage India Request all to Donate Old, Spare Mobile Phones for the Elderly in Old Age Homes

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: AIRCEL
Thursday, December 24, 2009 11:10 PM IST (05:40 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, People, Social issues; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Media & entertainment, Telecommunications
--------------------------------------------------
Aircel & Helpage India Request all to Donate Old, Spare Mobile Phones for the Elderly in Old Age Homes


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, December 24, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Aircel and Helpage India come together to encourage one and all this festive season to Donate your Old and Spare Mobile Phones for the elderly in Old Age Homes and fill the lonely with love.

Aircel has set up Drop Boxes in Big Shopping Malls, Clubs, News Agencies and Aircel Retail Outlets where in the old / spare mobile phones can be dropped. Also one can SMS 'Donate Phone' to 5800000 and you would receive an acknowledgement. You can also log on to the Aircel Website www.aircel.com and can register.

The Phones collected from all over India will then be checked, repaired and activated by Aircel and then handed over to Helpage India.

Mr. Gurdeep Singh COO, Aircel said, " We at Aircel our extremely sensitive to Corporate Social Responsibility and this festive season we encourage all to come forward and contribute by donating their old/spare mobile phones for the elderly in Old Age Homes . We are creating awareness by way of TVC's, Print Ads and Digital Media to mobilize everyone for this cause".

Aircel will provide free talk time for a period of one year.

Do Join us in this endeavor to Care, Connect and Communicate with the Elderly.

About Aircel

Aircel, a part of Maxis Communications Berhad, Malaysia, is India's fifth largest GSM mobile service provider with a subscriber base of 30 million and is the fastest growing mobile operator in the country. It is the market leader in Tamil Nadu, Assam, North-East and Chennai. . Aircel is now present in 18 Telecom Circles (Mumbai, Pune, Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Kolkata, Assam, Bihar, Chennai, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, North-East, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal) and with spectrum secured for all the remaining circles (a total of 23 circles in India), the company is on track to become a leading Pan-India Operator. For more information, please log on to www.aircel.com




CONTACT DETAILS
Shalini Sethi, Corporate Communications, Aircel Limited, +919711597229, shalini.sethi@aircel.co.in
Madhavi Kochar, 20:20 MEDIA, +91 9810788188, madhavi@2020india.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, PEOPLE, SOCIAL, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, MEDIA, TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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BWI: Cisco WebEx Helps Businesses Grow Through Real-Time Collaboration

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Cisco WebEx
Thursday, December 24, 2009 08:19 PM IST (02:49 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology; Technology
--------------------------------------------------
Cisco WebEx Helps Businesses Grow Through Real-Time Collaboration


Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Thursday, December 24, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- The rumor mongers who kept corporate on their toes in the recent past are all cooling their heels right now. This is because in many companies, increasing revenues while decreasing costs is a significant business challenge, particularly with employees and customers located around the globe, so in this scenario, restructuring business to ensure steady growth is the age old sage advice. Every corporate is armoring its business to weather any storm, thereby increasing revenue and decreasing expenses.

With mounting cost of communication, business houses scattered across geographies are looking for cost-effective technologies to enable real-time collaboration with their interspersed groups. Sounds simple? Well, with web meeting application, it is.It has been proven that online meetings are both productive and cost-effective. Any collaborative activity such as delivering presentations, sharing applications, meeting with customers or demonstrating software can be done as competitively on the web as it is done one-on-one. More importantly, web meetings save the cost and time of travel while increasing the speed of business. They can show demonstrable results in every department from sales to IT to human resources and everywhere in between

Web Meetings: Re-engineering business processes

Companies have been using web meetings for years. Coming into existence in late 1990s, the technology bridged the communication gap between people while ensuring the one-on-one effect. To initiate a web meeting, two or more users set up meetings from their computers and instantly exchange information and files, demonstrate applications, or remotely control other desktops.

"Undoubtedly, telephone and e-mail are effective communication tools, but web meetings offer an even more provocative value proposition. They reduce a company's non-productive expenses, accelerate work cycles, and help get maximum value from the investments made on workers. They are also transforming the way businesses operate by enhancing revenue growth and dramatically reducing operational costs."

"For example, Canon remotely connects its dealers to Canon's lab computers for interactive software and hardware training. Web conferencing enables Canon field experts to conduct virtual demonstrations to provide dealers with sales assistance and answer customer questions in real-time. Through web conferencing they have managed to bridge distances and geographies, and boost productivity. Canon uses online meetings to communicate with, train and support internal and external customers globally. The use of web conferencing has significantly reduced operating costs, increased productivity, and opened new business opportunities, says Kiran Datar, Managing Director of Cisco WebEx. "

Productivity enhancing features

Going by its popularity, companies have adopted web meeting application in selling, training and marketing with varying degrees of success. To address the growing needs of enterprises, technology has been evolved to extend web meeting capabilities beyond a one-size-fits-all solution. The applications serve specific needs of every operational area. They now deliver a new level of productivity-enhancing features that help companies streamline communications and add significant value in sales, marketing, R&D and human resources.

By delivering features such as common user management and common interfaces for reduced learning curves, these new applications are fitting seamlessly into an organization's existing workflow and operational procedures, and are integrating easily with the existing enterprise applications such as CRM, ERP, SFA, LMS, and communication portals.

Improving Business Processes

To help companies gain competitive advantage, the web meeting applications are influencing nearly every internal business function as well as marketing, sales, support, partner and investor communications.

Sales

A strong sales force is the backbone of any successful company. However, effective sales organizations that leverage on web applications for their essential functional areas are finding that they can significantly improve operational efficiencies at a much lower cost of sales. A sales organization, for example, uses Meeting Center or Sales Center applications to make sales presentations and demonstrate products across the globe.

Marketing

It is believed that the marketing department creates a face for the company and product or services uphold the image. Invariably, marketing is one of the most communication-intensive areas of a company. Be it outbound lead generation activities, inbound sales training or product launches, communication is critical. Real-time collaboration solutions offer marketing teams an effective way to improve quality and quantity of their outbound messages without increasing costs.

Customer Service and Support

It is challenging for companies competing in the global economy to meet requirements of their customers, partners and vendors, and deliver high-quality, time-critical customer service and support. To achieve world-class customer service operations, businesses are considering remote support applications which enable technical support to easily access, troubleshoot, and resolve issues.

Human Resources

Perhaps no other department in a company has the influencing effect on employees as human resources. Today, trainers have been leveraging on web applications to provide unified training from one location to groups in multiple cities, and minimize travel complications and expenses in the process.

R&D and Manufacturing

Research, Development, Design, and Manufacturing operations are the foundation of many global organizations. Each of these groups has been cashing in on the benefits of frequent on-demand web meetings to create operational efficiencies and cost-reductions.

Corporate Communications

When a corporation communicates effectively with its workforce and external audiences, it creates a coherent messaging posture that ensures all employees are on the same page, and presents a cohesive strategy and direction to the outside world. For example, a corporate communication team will be able to deliver dynamic training to employees, customers, and partners anywhere in the world.

IT

Under pressure to deliver information and technology better, faster and cheaper, an IT organization has numerous opportunities to increase efficiencies with the web meeting technology. Firstly, it enables effective communication with partners, outsourcers, internal teams and constituents across the globe. Secondly, it allows IT to deliver powerful tools to help design, install, administer and train employees on the systems that the corporation relies on.

Uniting people towards a common goal

Collaboration is not just some over-hyped buzzword, but has become an essential part of business life. Many collaboration tools offer the ability to get started immediately, with no training, no set-up costs, and very low ongoing overheads.

Nearly every organization is looking for innovative business tools that can help them collaborate with employees and customers in real-time while increasing revenues and decreasing expenses. Now, more than ever, companies are integrating web meeting applications into key areas such as sales, marketing, and customers.

With highly effective communication and interaction, it is easy for businesses to get started and even easier to scale throughout their various operations, with minimal impact on IT or internal operations. The web meeting helps businesses keep global workers connected and moving forward towards common goals. It helps companies make more money by spending less. Now that's the dawning of a new business era all by itself.


CONTACT DETAILS
Karthy Prasanna J, brand-comm, +919686260350, karthy@brand-comm.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: Brickwork Ratings - A Credit Rating Agency Adopts Standardization of Rating Symbols

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Brickwork Ratings
Thursday, December 24, 2009 07:41 PM IST (02:11 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy; Business: Accounting & management consultancy services, Advertising, PR & marketing, Banking & financial services, Business services, Financial Analyst, Stock exchanges
--------------------------------------------------
Brickwork Ratings - A Credit Rating Agency Adopts Standardization of Rating Symbols


Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Thursday, December 24, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Brickwork Ratings is a Bangalore based Credit Rating Agency registered under SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999. It was started with the mission of helping investors make informed investment decisions suitable for their risk profile. Brickwork Ratings focuses on Indian investment scene and is completely in tune with Indian business, Socio-Political-Economic developments, Market Psychology and Indian investor risk profile. The ratings penetration in the Indian market is still one of the lowest and Brickwork Ratings feels the investors would require more of the Right Information before investing. It is the therefore committed to contribute to the development of a vibrant, integrated capital market by setting the highest standards of credible independent analysis and opinion to enable informed financial decisions.

Brickwork Ratings offers Long/Medium term Ratings for Debt instruments like: Bonds, NCDs, Certificate of Deposits, Structured Obligations, Convertible Preference Shares, Redeemable Preference shares, all with maturity exceeding one year. It also offers Short Term Debt instruments rating with original maturity up to one year, Issuer Rating, IPO Grading, SME Rating, Corporate Governance Rating, Mutual Fund Rating and Security Receipts Rating.

Brickwork Ratings' Rating Scales shall be as follows:

Investment Grade Ratings:

BWR AAA (BWR Triple A): Instruments with 'AAA' rating are considered to offer the Best credit quality, in terms of timely servicing of debt obligations.
BWR AA (BWR Double A): Instruments with 'AA' rating are considered to offer High credit quality.
BWR A: Instruments with 'A' rating are considered to offer Adequate credit quality.
BWR BBB (BWR Triple B): Instruments with this rating are considered to offer Moderate credit quality.

Speculative Grade:

BWR BB (BWR Double B): Instruments with this rating are considered to offer Inadequate credit quality.
BWR B: Instruments with this rating are considered to offer Low credit quality.
BWR C: Instruments with this rating are considered to offer Very Low credit quality.
BWR D: Instruments with this rating are in Default or expected to Default.
{"+" (plus) "-" (minus)} modifiers are used with BWR AA to BWR C. The modifiers reflect the comparative standing for the same rating category.

Short Term Instruments Rating
The 'Short Term debt instruments' with original maturity up to one year.

BWR P1: Instruments with this rating are considered to offer Excellent credit quality
BWR P2: Instruments with this rating are considered to offer High credit quality
BWR P3: Instruments with this rating are considered to offer Moderate credit quality
BWR P4: Instruments with this rating are considered to offer Low credit quality
BWR P5: Instruments with this rating are in Default or expected to Default
The modifier "+" is used only from P1 to P3 to reflect comparative higher stand within the categories.

Issuer Rating

BWR AAA (BWR Triple A): Issuer with 'AAA' rating is considered to offer the BEST credit worthiness.
BWR AA (BWR Double A): Issuer with 'AA' rating is considered to offer High credit worthiness.
BWR A: Issuer with 'A' rating is considered to offer Adequate credit worthiness.
BWR BBB (BWR Triple B): Issuer with this rating is considered to offer Moderate credit worthiness.
BWR BB (BWR Double B): Issuer with this rating is considered to offer Inadequate credit worthiness.
BWR B: Issuer with this rating is considered to offer Low credit worthiness.
BWR C: Issuer with this rating is considered to offer Very Low credit worthiness.
BWR D: Issuer with this rating is in Default or expected to Default.

IPO Grading

BWR IPO Grade 5: Strong fundamentals
BWR IPO Grade 4: Above-average fundamentals
BWR IPO Grade 3: Average fundamentals
BWR IPO Grade 2: Below-average fundamentals
BWR IPO Grade 1: Poor fundamentals

Corporate Governance

BWR CG 1+: Quality of Corporate Governance is The BEST
BWR CG 1: Quality of Corporate Governance is EXCELLENT
BWR CG 2: Quality of Corporate Governance is HIGH
BWR CG 3: Quality of Corporate Governance is ADEQUATE
BWR CG 4: Quality of Corporate Governance is MODERATE
BWR CG 5: Quality of Corporate Governance is INADEQUATE
BWR CG 6: Quality of Corporate Governance is LOW
BWR CG 7: Quality of Corporate Governance is VERY LOW
BWR CG 8: Quality of Corporate Governance is The LOWEST

SME rating

BWR aaa (BWR Triple a): SME with 'aaa' rating is considered to offer the Best credit worthiness in relation to other SMEs.
BWR aa (BWR Double a): SME with 'aa' rating is considered to offer High credit worthiness in relation to other SMEs.
BWR a: SME with 'a' rating is considered to offer Adequate credit worthiness in relation to other SMEs.
BWR bbb (BWR Triple b): SME with 'bbb' rating is considered to offer Moderate credit worthiness in relation to other SMEs.
BWR bb (BWR Double b): SME with 'bb' rating is considered to offer Inadequate credit worthiness in relation to other SMEs.
BWR b: SME with 'b' rating is considered to offer Low credit worthiness in relation to other SMEs.
BWR c: SME with 'c' rating is considered to offer Very Low credit worthiness in relation to other SMEs.
BWR d: SME with 'd' rating is in Default or expected to Default

Security Receipts Ratings

BW RR1+: Recovery Value of the Underlying Assets is greater than 150% of SR Face Value.
BW RR1: Recovery Value of the Underlying Assets is in the range of 100% - 150%
of SR Face Value.
BW RR2: Recovery Value of the Underlying Assets is in the range of 75% - 100%
of SR Face Value.
BW RR3: Recovery Value of the Underlying Assets is in the range of 50% - 75%
of SR Face Value.
BW RR4: Recovery Value of the Underlying Assets is in the range of 25% - 50%
of SR Face Value.
BW RR5: Recovery Value of the Underlying Assets is less than 25% of SR Face Value.

Mutual Fund

BWR MF AAA: BEST credit quality of underlying Debt portfolio
BWR MF AA: HIGH credit quality of underlying Debt portfolio
BWR MF A: ADEQUATE credit quality of underlying Debt portfolio
BWR MF BBB: MODERATE credit quality of underlying Debt portfolio
BWR MF BB: INADEQUATE credit quality of underlying Debt portfolio
BWR MF B: LOW credit quality of underlying Debt portfolio
BWR MF C: VERY LOW credit quality of underlying Debt portfolio

Real Estate Project

BWR RP 1+: BEST project implementation
BWR RP 1: EXCELLENT project implementation
BWR RP 2: ADEQUATE project implementation
BWR RP 3: MODERATE project implementation
BWR RP 4: INADEQUATE project implementation
BWR RP 5: LOW project implementation

Real Estate Developer

BWR RD 1+: BEST project implementation capability
BWR RD 1: EXCELLENT project implementation capability
BWR RD 2: ADEQUATE project implementation capability
BWR RD 3: MODERATE project implementation capability
BWR RD 4: INADEQUATE project implementation capability
BWR RD 5: LOW project implementation capability

Till now, Brickwork Ratings had a unique BWR AAA+ rating which was the highest in its Rating Scale. However, as advised by SEBI that they are in the process of bringing in uniformity and standardization of rating symbols across the Rating Industry, Brickwork Ratings has merged BWR AAA+ and BWR AAA ratings into one rating category called BWR AAA (Pronounced BWR triple A). BWR AAA+ category is withdrawn. This reclassification is given immediate effect and does not amount to downgrade. Now on, 'BWR AAA' is the highest rating in Brickwork Ratings scale and it stands for an instrument that is considered to offer the BEST credit quality in terms of timely servicing of debt obligations. Accordingly, reclassification of rating as 'BWR AAA' has been given effect to in all applicable cases under intimation to the respective clients.

Brickwork Ratings is committed to financial literacy. In order to increase public awareness in issues related to Credit Rating, Brickwork Ratings has been regularly conducting programs for corporate executives, Chartered Accountants, Industry and Trading house representatives, Bankers etc., covering various topics ranging from Term lending & project Appraisal, Basel II, Forex Hedging, Export Finance, Excel in Financial Modeling to Finance for Non-Finance executives. Besides these, it has already successfully conducted two programs titled 'Derivatives Demystified'.

As a matter of Corporate Policy, Brickwork Ratings has educational programs on an on going basis for the benefit of various classes of investors and public. The revised Ratings Scale and Rationales have been updated in the website.



CONTACT DETAILS
Anitha G, Brickwork Ratings, 1-860-425-2742, media@brickworkratings.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, CONSULTANCY SERVICES, MARKETING, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, Financial Analyst, STOCK EXCHANGES

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