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BGL Announces GENDA Inc. has Reached a Definitive Agreement to Acquire National Entertainment Network

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The acquisition will help GENDA expand its presence in the United States

CHICAGO, June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Brown Gibbons Lang & Company is pleased to announce GENDA Inc. (“GENDA”) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all equity interests of National Entertainment Network, LLC (“NEN”), a leading operator and provider of amusement vending machines in the United States through Kiddleton, Inc. (“Kiddleton”), a Dallas-based consolidated subsidiary of GENDA. BGL’s Consumer investment banking team is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to GENDA in the transaction.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, GENDA is an entertainment company that aims to increase the “total volume of fun” around the world through its diversified range of business activities, including amusement arcade, karaoke, food and beverage, character merchandising, and content & promotion. GENDA’s platforms include GiGO and the karaoke chain BanBan, as well as mini locations of non-staffed gaming areas in Japan, North America, mainland China, the UK, and across the Middle East.

Kiddleton, an operator in GENDA’s mini-location business in the U.S., has more than 400 locations that offer small Japanese-style prize machines (arcade games designed to win prizes) and prizes with Japanese-style “Kawaii” designs, which were previously unavailable in the U.S. market. GENDA is developing its business with a unique focus on “products and experiences that can only be obtained here.”

NEN is a leading operator and provider of amusement vending machines, including skill cranes, bulk vending, “kiddie” games, and video games across approximately 8,000 locations in the United States. NEN has achieved sales of approximately $100 million and operating income before depreciation and amortization of approximately $8 million. NEN boasts a large network of grocery and retail customers in the U.S., including Walmart, Kroger, and Denny’s. Additionally, NEN has a nationwide maintenance network and operates a manufacturing facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, where they repair, wrap, and store gaming equipment. NEN is working on a digital initiative that allows users to take part in a digital rewards program and allows players to experience free plays by scanning QR codes on machines.

GENDA anticipates integrating the NEN acquisition with Kiddleton’s existing expertise, which features sales per location three times higher than NEN’s. The integration will include NEN’s maintenance networks, streamlined operations for cash collection and prize replenishment, prize and equipment procurement synergies, the rollout of additional credit card readers, and the promotion of digital membership programs. This acquisition is part of GENDA’s roll-up strategy to expand business operations in the United States and increase profit contributions to the companies in GENDA’s company group.

BGL’s Branded Consumer Products investment banking team has extensive expertise and a track record of successfully assisting branded consumer companies achieve outstanding results across a range of subsectors. Our Consumer Group is a leader in eCommerce investment banking for the middle market. Our team has the technical expertise, positioning strategies, and growth-oriented projection models to ensure branded and managed marketplace DTC & B2B eCommerce platforms are optimally positioned to achieve outlier valuations

To learn more about the state of M&A across the Consumer industry, including how to navigate the challenges and opportunities in today’s market, download our most recent Insider here: https://bit.ly/bglConsumerResearch

About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital marketsfinancial restructuringsbusiness valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of Global M&A Partners, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 35 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com

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SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

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Sinch Becomes the Only Cloud Communications Provider with Direct 10DLC SMS Connections to All Tier 1 U.S. Carriers

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STOCKHOLM and ATLANTA, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) – (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Digital Customer Communications Cloud, today announced that it has become the only Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) provider with direct connections to all Tier 1 U.S. carriers specifically for 10-digit long-code (10DLC) SMS. Sinch leads the market as the only CPaaS provider offering this level of direct connectivity, marking a significant achievement that further strengthens Sinch’s global leadership and underscores its position as a trusted partner for the future of digital customer communications.

This breakthrough specifically applies to 10DLC SMS, where Sinch leads with unmatched direct carrier access. While connectivity for short code and toll-free SMS follows separate models, no other provider can claim direct 10DLC SMS connection to all Tier 1 U.S. carriers.

By eliminating third-party aggregators and unnecessary routing, Sinch controls the full delivery path for 10DLC SMS from start to finish – ensuring faster message delivery, real-time feedback, stronger security, and full visibility into communications. This gives enterprises a critical advantage in today’s competitive and compliance-driven landscape, delivering the highest levels of reliability, transparency, and performance.

“At Sinch, we’re pioneering what best-in-class messaging should look like,” said Robert Gerstmann, Co-founder, Chief Evangelist, and interim Chief Product Officer at Sinch. “We’re building on a strong foundation of innovation and trust to deliver faster, more transparent, and more reliable messaging experiences. By connecting directly to every major U.S. carrier for 10DLC SMS, we’re giving businesses the confidence and control they need to meet today’s customer expectations across every mobile channel.”

With Sinch’s 10DLC solution, businesses can expect:

Direct-to-carrier routing that minimizes delays, maximizes throughput, and reduces riskUnmatched flexibility, with options to bring your own Number, Brand, Campaign, or (Number Network Identifier) NNiDSeamless onboarding, powered by AI/ML-driven registration via API or dashboardScalable, carrier-grade infrastructure that handles high-volume messaging with zero compromise on qualityFewer hops, reduced latency, faster issue resolution, and greater control over campaign onboarding and management

With proven reliability, global reach, and a strong foundation in innovation, Sinch gives businesses the tools to communicate with speed, transparency, and control. As the need for secure real-time communication grows, Sinch helps enterprises meet rising expectations and drive better outcomes across every digital channel. To learn more about Sinch and its CPaaS solutions visit www.sinch.com

For more information, please contact:
Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications
janet.lennon@sinch.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

 

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91% of European commercial drivers say work-related stress negatively impacts driving, Geotab survey finds

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Geotab conducts survey of 3,501 European truck and van drivers across seven European markets; a massive 95% say the risk of accidents has increased over the last five years90% say work-related stress negatively impacts their driving; 70% believe stress is a contributing factor to increased dangers on road, highlighting the need for driver supportAlmost half of respondents (47%) have considered quitting their jobs in past 12 months55% of those surveyed feel uncomfortable approaching their employer with stress or mental health concerns; 37% say their employer offers only a low level of support or no support at allOver two thirds (69%) of the drivers surveyed would support new technology that helps improve overall driving performance

LONDON, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The vast majority (91%) of Europe’s commercial vehicle drivers say that work-related stress has a negative impact on their driving, while 70% say that stress is a contributing factor to increased dangers on the road. These are the findings of a new pan-European survey*, titled “The Unseen Toll: Driver Stress and Road Safety“, commissioned by Geotab, the global leader in connected vehicle and asset solutions.

Geotab surveyed 3,501 commercial vehicle drivers across France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK in April. Nearly all of them (95%) consider the risk of accidents to have increased over the last five years, with 61% reporting this increase as ‘very’ or ‘quite significant’.

Significant work pressures appear to contribute to stress. Half of the drivers surveyed (50% average) admitted feeling the need to regularly break speed limits to complete jobs on time. This was reported most often in Ireland (64%), the Netherlands (62%), and Germany (59%). Furthermore, nearly two-thirds (64% average) stated that excessive traffic or roadworks make completing their jobs difficult, a challenge acutely felt in Spain (78%).

When asked about the most regularly noticed dangerous behaviours, distractions caused by other drivers using mobile phones were frequently cited (42%), peaking in Italy (59%) and Spain (53%). Other commonly observed issues included generally poor driving by others (37%) and excessive speeding by other vehicles (36%).

Against the backdrop of increased work pressures, many drivers feel unsupported by their employers. Over half (55%) feel uncomfortable approaching their employer for support with stress and other mental health concerns, rising to 66% in Ireland and 60% in Germany. This is also reflected in over a third (37%) reporting their employer offering only a low or non-existent level of support, notably in Spain (50%) and Italy (44%). The effects of these pressures are clear: Nearly half of respondents (47%) have considered quitting their jobs in the past 12 months (rising to 66% in Ireland and 58% in the Netherlands). This comes at a time when more than 200,000 truck driving jobs are unfilled in Europe, and that number is likely to rise to 745,000 by 2028, according to McKinsey.

“These results are a stark reminder of the pressures faced by commercial drivers, impacting road safety for everyone. Europe’s economy relies heavily on commercial vehicle drivers, yet stress is pushing them out of the industry and putting road safety at risk,” said Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President, Geotab EMEA.  

“Drivers face significant work-related stress, observe dangerous behaviours daily, and are often pressured by schedules, yet many feel unsupported or uncomfortable seeking help. These challenges aren’t unique to Europe, echoing findings from our recent North American driver survey. With nearly half thinking about quitting – and that amidst a driver shortage –  it is crucial for employers to provide better mental health support now.”

Using technology for good

Looking forward, over two-thirds (69%) of drivers support adopting technology to enhance driving performance. Geotab’s findings clearly illustrate the necessity for increased investment in driver support, stress management, and promoting a culture of safety.

“As an industry, we must prioritise driver wellbeing, employing data and technology not just for efficiency, but to proactively create safer, less stressful environments. A real commitment is needed to keep roads safe and supply chains moving,” Kulperger added.

Addressing these challenges is crucial for driver wellbeing and fleet efficiency. Prioritising safety helps reduce accidents, lowering insurance, repair, and downtime costs. Implementing robust safety programmes, supported by telematics data and cutting-edge AI models, allows proactive interventions. By pinpointing risks, coaching safer behaviours, and monitoring wellbeing indicators, fleets can enhance safety, improve productivity, and achieve significant cost savings, leveraging the technology drivers are willing to adopt

Full research findings are available via: https://insights.geotab.com/view/279177405/ 

* Methodology
Geotab commissioned Opinion Matters to survey 3,501 professional lorry and van drivers (aged 18+) across the United Kingdom (500), Germany (500), France (500), Netherlands (500), Ireland (500), Italy (501), and Spain (500) to examine the state of driver stress, job satisfaction, perceived road safety, and technology adoption in the commercial vehicle sector. The data was collected online between 8 April 2025 and 14 April 2025.

About Geotab:

Geotab is a global leader in connected vehicle and asset solutions, empowering fleet efficiency and management. We leverage advanced data analytics and AI to transform fleet performance, safety, and sustainability, reducing cost and driving efficiency. Backed by top data scientists and engineers, we serve over 55,000 global customers, processing 80 billion data points daily from more than 4.7 million vehicle subscriptions. Geotab is trusted by Fortune 500 organisations, mid-sized fleets, and the largest public sector fleets in the world, including the US Federal Government. Committed to data security and privacy, we hold FIPS 140-3 and FedRAMP authorisations. Our open platform, ecosystem of outstanding partners, and Marketplace deliver hundreds of fleet-ready third-party solutions. This year, we’re celebrating 25 years of innovation. Learn more at www.geotab.com and follow us on LinkedIn or visit our blog.

Media contact: Romina Dashghachian, Strategic Communications Lead EMEA, Geotab, rominadashghachian@geotab.com 

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Inari Grows Greenhouse Operations in Ghent, Belgium

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GHENT, Belgium, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Inari, the SEEDesign™ company, today marked the grand opening of a state-of-the-art controlled environment facility in Ghent, Belgium. With more than 2,000 square meters of new greenhouse space, the site triples the company’s indoor plant growth capacity in the region – further accelerating research and development of step-change seed products.

The new building contains multiple greenhouse compartments and walk-in growth chambers, providing a cutting-edge environment to test and advance novel product designs within fine-tuned customizable conditions. In line with the company’s commitment to embed sustainable practices at all levels of the organization, the facility includes advanced features like energy-efficient LED lighting, shading systems to optimize growing conditions, and water recycling for the growth chambers.

“This investment reflects Inari’s commitment to Europe and highlights our confidence in the exceptional talent of our Ghent team,” said Fred Van Ex, Inari Head of Europe, Africa and Middle East, as well as the Ghent site’s managing director. “As the European Union progresses toward adopting its proposal for new genomic techniques, this greenhouse space further ensures that we are well-positioned to quickly develop crops tailored for the region.”

Through its SEEDesign™ technology platform, Inari combines AI-enabled predictive design and advanced multiplex gene editing to unlock the full potential of seed in support of a thriving planet, food security and farmer well-being.

Learn more at Inari.com.

About Inari

Inari, the SEEDesign™ company, develops seeds that address the world’s needs, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for a more sustainable, nature-positive food system. Through a combination of AI-enabled predictive design and a pioneered multiplex gene editing toolbox, the company is unlocking the full potential of seed to bring step-change soybean, corn and wheat products to market. Founded by Flagship Pioneering in 2016, Inari is based in Cambridge, Mass., with additional sites in West Lafayette, Ind., and Ghent, Belgium. Inari is a growing team of more than 300 employees working to solve the critical issues of food security and sustainability. To learn more, visit Inari.com.

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