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Americana and Farm Frites to expand MENA footprint with $100 million investment (SAR 375 million) in a state-of-the-art Greenfield Frozen French Fries factory in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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Located in Sudair Industrial and Business City, Riyadh, the Greenfield Frozen French Fries factory is set to commission at the start of 2026, making this establishment the second Joint Venture ‘JV’ partnership between Americana and Farm Frites in the MENA region, to produce a varied range of Frozen French Fries and specialty potato products.The new facility will contribute to KSA’s Vision 2030 and aid in advancing KSA’s food security agenda, boosting local production. By installing capacity in KSA, we aim to participate in advancing the local agriculture landscape in KSA, support and empower local potato growers to further develop their farming practices, enhance crop quality and improve their yields.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Agricultural Growth and Processing Company, a subsidiary of Americana Holding for Food Ltd, is set to expand its business operation with a significant $100 million investment (SAR 375 million) in a Greenfield Frozen French Fries manufacturing plant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Following a strong three-decade partnership in Egypt with Farm Frites, a global leader in the cultivation of potatoes and production of Frozen French Fries, the new processing factory will be established in Sudair Industrial and Business City, pushing forward our partnership with Farm Frites to greater heights.

To commemorate this significant milestone, the Agricultural Growth and Processing Company (Americana and Farm Frites) held a lease-signing ceremony on November 20th, 2024, with the the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones in MODON Headquarters, in Riyadh, in the presence of MODON’s CEO, and hosted a Groundbreaking ceremony in Sudair Industrial and Business City on November 25th, 2024, to mark the commencement of construction for the new Frozen French Fries processing plant. The event was attended by esteemed government and ministerial delegates, and key stakeholders, including local potato growers, valued global, regional and local customers and key strategic partners.

The $100 million investment is a strategic step aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030 plans to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, while also contributing to its food security agenda by boosting local production and creating employment opportunities for KSA nationals, local potato growers and farmers. The investment by the Agricultural Growth and Processing Company will enable the company to expand its footprint in KSA, wherein Americana has been operating for over two decades, with two factories in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Mohamed Ali Rashid Alabbar, Chairman of the Kuwait Food Company (Americana) KSCC commented: “We are excited to start the construction of our new Frozen French Fries plant in Saudi Arabia. Our partnership with Farm Frites dates back over three decades having been partners in Egypt since 1988. We are delighted to be renewing our long-standing relationship with a trusted partner, this time in Saudi Arabia, and are proud to be contributing to KSA’s Vision 2030 and championing efforts to increase local production in KSA. This was made possible through the vital support and collaboration of key government and institutional partners including but not limited to the Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and MODON, each playing a crucial role in our business expansion journey.”

Piet de Bruijne, Owner and Chairman of Farm Frites commented: “We are thrilled to once again join hands with Americana, building on a 30-year partnership of mutual growth and shared success. Among the 100 countries where Farm Frites is present in the world, KSA stands as the 5th largest market globally, reinforcing our commitment to the MENA region and to KSA’s growth and economic diversification. We remain dedicated to advancing the industry holistically, from agriculture and logistics to delivering superior value directly to our customers.”

The new facility will be established on a plot exceeding 100,000 square meters and will employ cutting-edge equipment and advanced technology to produce Frozen French Fries and other specialty potato products. The plant is set to be inaugurated in Q1 2026 and will have a total annual production capacity of 70,000 MT during phase one, with plans for future expansion in the future. Upon commencing operations, this will mark the second joint venture partnership between Americana and Farm Frites and with the new facility underway in Sudair Industrial and Business City, we are set to become the largest producers of Frozen French Fries in the MENA region.

Mohamed Safwat Moustafa, Managing Director of the Agricultural Growth and Processing Company concluded: “I am proud and deeply honoured to kick off this landmark new development in KSA. With a commitment to delivering excellence, we aim to establish a world-class facility right here on Saudi soil. I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve some of the most renowned customers, both globally and regionally, with a superior range of French Fries products, proudly made in KSA. This new facility reinforces our dedication to quality, innovation, and the Kingdom’s potential.”

About Americana

Established in 1964, Americana Foods is one of the largest FMCG companies in the MENA region. From our humble beginnings in Kuwait, to our strong presence and extended reach in KSA, UAE, and Egypt, we have over decades grown to become a trusted household brand name in the region and beyond. Americana operates a diverse portfolio of products across several categories including but not limited to frozen processed products (poultry, beef and seafood), frozen fruits and vegetables, canned and packaged food, sweet and savory snacks. With 19 production facilities across the MENA region, direct route-to-market and distribution network in 4 key operating markets, and presence in 50+ countries across the world, Americana continues to be at the forefront of the industry, continually pushing the boundaries of quality and taste, enriching consumers’ lives through the joy of food.

About Farm Frites

Founded in 1971 as an independent family business, Farm Frites was born from a passion for potato cultivation and crafting quality fries. Over the past five decades, this passion has driven our growth into a global enterprise. Today, we process over 1.2 million tons of potato products annually and serve more than eighty types of fries, potato specialties, and appetizers to foodservice providers all over the globe. While our operations have grown, our primary focus remains unchanged: to serve happiness, from field to plate. Our team has expanded to over 1,600 colleagues across 6 manufacturing facilities and 43 global sales offices, serving foodservice entrepreneurs in over 100 countries. 

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2568359/Americana_Farm_Frites.jpg

 

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SOURCE Americana

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Payroll Vault Announces Tricia Petteys as Incoming CEO

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Former CEO Sean Manning Transitions to Executive Chairman of the Board

LITTLETON, Colo., Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Payroll Vault, a leading provider of payroll and workforce management services for small and medium-sized businesses, is proud to announce the appointment of Tricia Petteys as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Sean Manning.

Petteys, a 16-year veteran of Payroll Vault, co-founded Payroll Vault Franchising LLC with Manning in 2012. She has held key leadership roles throughout her tenure, including Vice President of Operations, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and now, CEO of Payroll Vault.

As part of a thoughtfully orchestrated leadership transition, Manning will now assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. This strategic shift ensures a seamless transfer of the CEO role while preserving Payroll Vault’s strategic continuity for both the present and the future. While stepping back from daily operational tasks, Manning will continue to play an essential role in guiding the company’s long-term direction, focusing on supporting the new CEO, refining the company’s vision, and working closely with the leadership team and Board of Directors.

New CEO Focused on Growth and Franchise Support

Payroll Vault has seen its best growth year on record with 14 new Payroll Vault owners opening and operational in 2024 and 20% growth in the number of new clients Payroll Vault owners serve.

As CEO, Petteys’s immediate priority is to drive continued year over year growth of payroll and workforce management revenue across Payroll Vault’s expanding network of franchisees.

“After significant investments in technical solutions and systems over the last few years, it’s time for us to focus on expanding and scaling our operations. My top priority is to push business to our franchisees, supporting their growth and ensuring we provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed,” said Petteys.

Petteys also highlighted one of the company’s most recent achievements: the successful conversion to the isolved Network payroll software platform.

“This was a monumental undertaking that involved the hard work and cooperation of every franchisee and staff member. It was a challenging project, but we persevered and emerged even stronger. This success is a testament to the resilience and dedication of everyone in our system,” Petteys noted. “I’m also incredibly proud of the culture we’ve cultivated at Payroll Vault. We live our values of Community, Generosity, Collaboration, Integrity, and Service every day, and these principles guide us in everything we do.”

Manning Reflects on Tricia’s Leadership
In reflecting on Petteys’s leadership, former CEO Sean Manning emphasized her vital role in Payroll Vault’s recent success and future growth.

“Tricia has been at the heart of our expansion efforts, from growing our internal team and integrating new software systems to supporting the development of our franchise network. As CEO, she will continue to lead our franchisees to success by connecting with other franchise systems’ executives and referral partners to ensure Payroll Vault’s continued recognition as an industry leader for small and medium-sized businesses.”

Manning added, “Tricia’s experience and commitment to our franchisees’ success made her the perfect choice to succeed me as CEO. I am confident that under her leadership, Payroll Vault will thrive, and I look forward to supporting her in my new role as Executive Chairman of the Board.”

About Payroll Vault Franchising 

Payroll and workforce management services are growing requirements for small businesses. Payroll Vault aims to help these businesses avoid penalties by focusing on core business operations while providing the opportunity for prospective franchisees to own a boutique-style full-service payroll company supported by a team of experts and a nationally recognized brand. Franchisees are trained on business best practices and provided systems and strategies to operate a payroll business in an increasingly in-demand industry. From the franchise launch in 2012, Payroll Vault Franchising has rapidly grown as a result of exemplary franchisee satisfaction and is an industry leader, receiving numerous accolades and awards nationally. For more information, visit PayrollVault.com/franchise.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Williams
jwilliams@919marketing.com
919.459.3592

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SOURCE Payroll Vault

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Delta Unveils Taiwan’s 1st Megawatt-grade Hydrogen Electrolyser and Fuel Cell R&D Lab to Advance Hydrogen Energy Innovation

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TAIPEI, Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Delta, a global leader in power management and a provider of IoT-based smart green solutions, inaugurated today Taiwan’s 1st megawatt (MW)-grade R&D lab for water electrolysis hydrogen production and for fuel cells, the “Delta Net Zero Science Lab,” at its Tainan Plant 2. This significant milestone provides a diverse testing environment for component and system validation of hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies. It also aims to foster materials from the local hydrogen energy supply chain, helping Taiwan align with global energy transition trends. The inauguration ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Minister of Environment Chi-Ming Peng, Deputy Minister of the National Development Council Fang-Guan Jan, as well as senior executives from China Steel Corporation, CPC Corporation, and Taiwan Power Company.

Ping Cheng, Delta’s Chairman and CEO, underscored, “Achieving net-zero carbon emissions has become a global consensus, and hydrogen energy provides a crucial path to that ultimate goal. Guided by its mission, ‘To provide innovative, clean, and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,’ Delta has been dedicated to the development of next-generation green energy technologies for decades. Our new testing platform not only lays the foundation for Delta’s R&D endeavors on hydrogen technology, but also advances the local hydrogen technology ecosystem. We look forward to contributing to Taiwan’s energy transition and enhancing its competitive edge in the global hydrogen energy market.

Dr. Charles Tsai, General Manager of Delta’s Hydrogen Energy Application New Business Development Department, noted, “The challenge of hydrogen energy adoption lies in how to effectively improve efficiency. To this end, Delta has focused on industry-leading solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technologies and has developed Taiwan’s first SOEC/SOFC self-designed and produced stack performance testing facilities. This facility works in conjunction with the local supply chain, enabling validation and testing of various material categories, thereby laying a foundation for the localized production of key components and materials, ranging from hydrogen power generation and fuel cell stacks to system integration. By leveraging Delta’s expertise in energy infrastructure integration, we are committed to providing efficient and stable hydrogen energy solutions, with mass production in Taiwan expected by the end of 2026.”

Delta’s SOFC technology has already been applied in microgrid pilot projects, integrating renewable energy, energy storage, and power management systems to help clients establish low-carbon, high-efficiency distributed energy grids and energy management solutions. Additionally, the SOEC technology, combining industrial heat recovery to produce hydrogen gas from steam, can be applied to various industrial processes. This technology is suitable to support not only the steel industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, but also traditional fossil fuel energy companies in producing carbon-neutral fuels.

The Delta Net Zero Science Lab is equipped with the power, natural gas, hydrogen, and high-temperature control environments required for diverse testing scenarios, along with essential safety equipment. It features comprehensive facilities, including stack testing module, system testing module, monitoring system, and gas supply module. The official inauguration of the lab symbolizes Delta’s commitment to advancing hydrogen energy technology. Looking ahead, Delta will continue to drive innovation in hydrogen energy technologies and collaborate with industry, academia, and the authorities to foster the local hydrogen energy sector. This effort aims to contribute actively to mankind’s energy transition and the global goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

Delta Net Zero Science Lab Overview

The Delta Net Zero Science Lab can accommodate fuel cells powered by various fuels and MW-scale water electrolysis hydrogen production. It provides a verification site necessary for material localization, including stack testing module, thermal system testing, and performance validation, serving as a robust R&D support system for hydrogen energy solutions and localized supply chain integration. Key highlights include:

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC): A high efficiency and environmental-friendly energy generation device that directly transforms the chemical energy of fuels (such as hydrogen and natural gas) into electricity and heat through solid oxide fuel cell. Operating temperatures range from 500°C to 600°C, making it ideal for integrating waste heat recovery and improving energy utilization efficiency. SOFCs are renowned for their high efficiency, low emissions, and fuel flexibility, widely applied in microgrids, distributed energy supply, and high-efficiency power generation systems, serving as a critical technology for energy transition and carbon reduction.Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) Technology: A medium temperature electrolysis technology using solid oxides as electrolytes to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Operating at 500°C to 600°C, SOEC effectively utilizes external heat sources such as industrial recycle heat to reduce power demand and enhance hydrogen production efficiency. Compared to traditional electrolysis technologies, SOEC offers higher energy conversion efficiency, making it particularly suitable to integrate with industrial processes or energy systems in order to achieve low-cost, large-scale hydrogen production and accelerate green hydrogen development, a key driver to carbon neutrality goals.Stack Performance Testing Facilities: Independently established by Delta, this is Taiwan’s only self-designed and produced SOEC/SOFC stack performance testing facility. It meets the needs for local supply chain implementation, such as the validation and testing of various materials, cell and stack production, and more. As for production quality assurance, the testing facility also provides fast failure identification from different production batches.

About Delta
Delta, founded in 1971, and listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (code:2308), is a global leader in switching power supplies and thermal management products with a thriving portfolio of IoT-based smart energy-saving systems and solutions in the fields of industrial automation, building automation, telecom power, data center infrastructure, EV charging, renewable energy, energy storage and display, to nurture the development of smart manufacturing and sustainable cities. As a world-class corporate citizen guided by its mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” Delta leverages its core competence in high-efficiency power electronics and its ESG-embedded business model to address key environmental issues, such as climate change. Delta serves customers through its sales offices, R&D centers and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across 5 continents.

Throughout its history, Delta has received various global awards and recognition for its business achievements, innovative technologies and dedication to ESG. Since 2011, Delta has been listed on the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices for 13 consecutive years. Delta has also won CDP with double A List for 3 times for its substantial contribution to climate change and water security issues and has been named Supplier Engagement Leader for its continuous development of a sustainable value chain for 7 consecutive years.

For detailed information about Delta, please visit: www.deltaww.com 

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SOURCE Delta Electronics, Inc.

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Cognizant Named to Newsweek’s List of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity

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Recognition adds to numerous awards Cognizant has received in 2024 for excellence across multiple categories 

TEANECK, N.J., Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH), a leading global technology company, today announced it has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity. This prestigious recognition celebrates the top companies that are dedicated to supporting a diverse workforce.

In addition to Newsweek’s recognition, Cognizant has also earned numerous leadership awards over the past year from organizations including Fortune, Forbes, TIME, Indeed, and others. These accolades underscore Cognizant’s global excellence in IT and client services, its investment in workplace wellbeing, and its advancements in innovation and societal impact across areas like sustainability, reliability and diversity.

“Cognizant is honored to be recognized as a leader in IT and client services, workplace wellbeing, and innovation and societal impact,” said Ravi Kumar S., CEO of Cognizant. “These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our associates, as well as our commitment to making a positive impact for our clients and the world.”

In addition to being featured on Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, Cognizant has been highlighted across the following other areas in the past year:

IT and Client Services Leadership:

Cognizant has been named to the 2024 Fortune Sector Leaders List, recognizing its leadership and excellence in the technology sector. In addition, Cognizant has been recognized as one of the Forbes World’s Best Management Consulting Firms 2024, reflecting its outstanding consulting services and client satisfaction.

Workplace Wellbeing Leadership:

Cognizant’s dedication to employee wellbeing has been acknowledged with its inclusion in the Indeed Work Wellbeing 100. The company has also been named one of the Forbes World’s Best Employers, highlighting its commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace.

Innovation and Societal Impact Leadership:

Cognizant was featured at number seven on the Fortune Change the World list and was recognized on the TIME World’s Best Companies 2024 list, highlighting its efforts to find innovative ways to solve societal problems. The company has also been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greenest Companies 2025, America’s Most Reliable Companies 2025, and America’s Most Responsible Companies 2025, reflecting its dedication to sustainability, reliability, and corporate responsibility.Cognizant has been included in the 50/50 Women on Boards Gender Diversity Directory, highlighting its commitment to gender diversity and inclusion at the board level.

For more information about Cognizant and its recent awards, please visit Cognizant’s website.

About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences to stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we’re improving everyday life. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

For more information, contact:

U.S.

Name Gabby Gugliocciello

Email
gabrielle.gugliocciello@cognizant.com

Europe / APAC

Name Christina Schneider

Email
christina.schneider@cognizant.com

India

Name Rashmi Vasisht

Email
rashmi.vasisht@cognizant.com

 

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SOURCE Cognizant

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