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Cell Phones for Soldiers partners with AI reverse logisitics giant Vendidit, relocates fulfillment operations to Austin area

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The revered charity processes nearly 7,000 devices a month to help veterans, will create new jobs

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cell Phones for Soldiers, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to servicemen and women since 2004 has selected Austin-based Vendidit to handle their fulfillment process.

Under the new partnership, Vendidit will serve as the secure conduit for donations to the nonprofit from both businesses and individuals alike.

“When people send us their devices, they undergo a thorough inspection process to ensure they are in good condition for our veterans. This is crucial work, and we are confident that Vendidit is the ideal fulfillment partner to guarantee that this process is carried out securely and efficiently. By doing so, we can ensure that people’s generous donations reach those Veterans who need them as quickly as possible,” said Rob Bergquist, the founder of Cell Phones for Soldiers.

The organization currently processes about 7,000 devices every month and gets them in the hands of veterans who could not otherwise afford them. For devices that can’t be salvaged for ‘upcycling,’ Vendidit will responsibly recycle them and keep them out of landfills. In addition to cell phones, the charity also accepts portable devices such as MP3 players, tablets and calling cards.

Donations can be sent to the Vendidit warehouse, located at 18919 N. Heatherwilde Boulevard, Suite 125 in Pflugerville, TX, 78660. This location will also be hiring veterans for new jobs.

Vendidit launched earlier this year, as the newest co-creation of reverse logistics leader, Gary Stephens, and one of Austin’s most famous businessmen, John Paul DeJoria, who also co-founded The Patron Spirits Company and Paul Mitchell hair products.

DeJoria is famous for not only his entrepreneurship, but also his philanthropy. Once homeless himself, he continues to find new ways to give back to those who need it the most through the companies he invests in.

The homeless veteran population has surged over the past few years, as has the suicide rate. On average, the veteran suicide rate is 57% higher than the rest of the American population. “With statistics like these, donating to Cell Phones for Soldiers is a literal lifeline to help unhoused veterans who often don’t have a phone or any way to seek vital support, such as calling a suicide hotline,” said Jennifer Gooding of Narwhal Media Group, a spokesperson for the partnership.

The relationship between the two organizations started decades ago when Bergquist’s work caught the attention of Stephens. “I’ve known Rob since he created this incredible nonprofit when he was just a kid,” said Stephens, “The fact that it is still going strong 20 years later is a testament to not only the generous people and organizations that donate, but to his relentless dedication of making sure the charity thrived far past its inception. We at Vendidit are honored to be part of making the next 20 years even stronger than the first.”

About Cell Phones for Soldiers

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services and emergency funding to active-duty military members and veterans. Since 2004, the charity has provided more than 400 million minutes of airtime to servicemen and women deployed around the world, by recycling more than 25 million cell phones reducing the impact on landfills. 

About Vendidit

Vendidit is a proprietary, end-to-end software platform that connects qualified secondary market buyers with retail returns sellers to drive maximum value for returns. The platform puts interested parties together seamlessly and simultaneously when returned products have the highest value. It was co-founded by renowned entrepreneurs John Paul DeJoria and Gary Stephens and other reverse logistics industry veterans who saw a problem to be solved: retailers have returns inventory they can’t sell efficiently, and secondary market sellers (who can move inventory for them) don’t have enough of it or an efficient way to procure it.  In five words, Vendidit converts limited inventory into cash.

About Gary Stephens

Gary is a visionary technology executive and is an industry thought leader in reverse logisitics. He is the imagineer of both Vendidit, launched in 2024, and Renew Logic, which he started from a single pallet of recyclables in 2016. His previous career includes work on the Windows 95 launch team, being head of Windows NT updates under Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates and building a third electronics recycling company from scratch to $400M. His positive contributions to ethical business practices and industry improvements led to testifying before Congress in 2018 about smart, diverse employment policies. Beyond tech, Gary’s diverse passions include race car driving, piloting and philanthropy – particularly helping dog rescues. He’s a proven leader, blending business acumen with a profound commitment to societal impact.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Gooding
Narwhal Media Group
jgooding@narwhalmediagroup.com
646.981.0278

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SOURCE Vendidit

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BIDU Stockholders Have Rights – If You Lost Money Investing in Baidu, Inc. Contact Robbins LLP for Information About Recovering Your Losses

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SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Shareholder rights law firm Robbins LLP reminds investors that a class action was filed on behalf of persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) securities, including call options, between November 18, 2025 and August 17, 2026, inclusive (the “Class Period”). Baidu is a Chinese technology company that operates the most popular internet search engine in China.

The complaint alleges that Baidu, Inc. overstated the ability of its AI business to mitigate rapid declines in its legacy online marketing business.

Investors who suffered significant losses during the Class Period may be eligible to participate in the lawsuit and should contact Robbins LLP before the November 13, 2026, lead plaintiff deadline.

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Why Was Baidu Sued?

According to the complaint, online Marketing Services is Baidu’s core legacy business, which represented approximately 53.1% of total revenues for the third quarter of 2025. However, Online Marketing Services revenue for the third quarter of 2025 fell 17.6% compared to the third quarter of 2024. Despite this, Baidu assured investors that its new Core AI-powered Business growth had, and would continue to, meaningfully mitigate Baidu’s Online Marketing Services decline.

The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, defendants failed to disclose to investors:

(1) that the Company had overstated the ability of its AI business to mitigate rapid declines in its legacy online marketing business;

(2) that, as a result, the Company’s revenue was reasonably likely to decline; and

(3) that, as a result, defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

Why Did BIDU Stock Drop?

The complaint alleges that on February 26, 2026, Baidu reported fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results, revealing that total revenue fell more than 4% year over year for the fourth quarter to RMB32.74 billion (or $4.68 billion) and fell more than 3% year over year for the full year to RMB129.079 billion (or $18.458 billion). However, Baidu management assured investors its “AI-Powered Business” grew 48% year over year to RMB40 billion for fiscal year 2025, mitigating this transition. On this news, the price of Baidu American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) fell $7.50 per share or 5.65%, to close at $125.15 per share on February 26, 2026.

Then, on August 18, 2026, Baidu reported second quarter 2026 financial results, revealing that Baidu General Business revenue fell 4% year over year to RMB25.2 billion (or $3.71 billion), with Legacy Business revenue falling 23% year over year to RMB10.4 billion and total Online Marketing Services revenue falling 19% year over year to RMB13.1 billion. Critically, the Baidu Core AI-powered business fell 8% quarter over quarter to RMB12.5 billion (or $1.86 billion), its year-over-year growth having decelerated from 49% in the first quarter of 2026 to 25%, and its largest component, AI Cloud Infra, having fallen 17% quarter over quarter from RMB8.8 billion to RMB7.3 billion. On this news, the price of Baidu ADS fell $13.25 per share, or 12.73%, to close at $90.87 on August 18, 2026.

Who May Be Eligible to Participate in the Baidu Class Action?

The lawsuit seeks to represent investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Baidu, Inc. securities between November 18, 2025 and August 17, 2026. Investors who suffered losses during that period may have legal rights under the federal securities laws.

What Is a Lead Plaintiff?

The lead plaintiff is a court-appointed investor who represents the interests of all class members throughout the litigation. Stockholders who wish to lead the class action should contact Robbins LLP for information before the November 13, 2026, lead plaintiff deadline.

Serving as lead plaintiff is not required to share in any potential recovery. Investors who do not seek appointment may remain absent class members if the case proceeds and later resolves successfully.

Does It Cost Anything to Participate?

No. Robbins LLP represents investors on a contingency fee basis.

Why Robbins LLP?

A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, Robbins LLP represents investors in securities fraud and shareholder derivative litigation. We have helped restore more than $2 billion in value to shareholders and secured some of the largest recoveries in shareholder derivative litigation history. 

“Companies have an obligation to provide investors with complete and accurate information so that markets can function fairly and efficiently,” said Brian J. Robbins, Founding Partner of Robbins LLP.

To be notified if a class action against Baidu, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today.

Contact Robbins LLP

Investors seeking additional information about the Baidu, Inc. securities class action may contact Robbins LLP by submitting an inquiry, emailing attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or calling (800) 350-6003.

Attorney Advertising.Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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SOURCE Robbins LLP

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GMP Labeling Celebrates 40 Years of US Manufacturing for Regulated Industries

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GRANITE BAY, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors navigate evolving global supply chain risks, GMP Labeling Inc. is utilizing Manufacturing Day 2026 to highlight its nearly 40-year history as a domestic manufacturer of critical compliance identification. The company specializes in the foundational traceability components required for stringent regulatory environments. View the company’s core capabilities and full catalog.

While often viewed as minor components, labels for quality control, sample identification, and equipment status represent a potential vulnerability in highly regulated production lines. Material inconsistencies or shipping delays can interrupt manufacturing workflows, complicate federal audits, and compromise the integrity of quality records.

“In the highly regulated environments of biotechnology and medical manufacturing, a label is far more than a simple supply item,” said Robin Kalsbeek, General Manager of GMP Labeling. “It is a critical element of traceability and compliance.”

Strategic advantages for life sciences

For pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, the company’s domestic production model supports specific operational requirements:

Supply Chain Reliability: Stock quality control labels remain available for rapid dispatch to prevent production bottlenecks.Material Continuity: Revision-controlled development and lot segregation practices ensure material consistency, mitigating risk for long-term projects.Regulatory Qualification: The ISO 9001-certified quality management system is open for customer review, facilitating the documentation required for rigorous supplier evaluation programs.Environmental Performance: Specialized engineering enables label durability in demanding conditions, including cryogenic storage, autoclave cycles, and xylene exposure.

GMP Labeling has maintained its manufacturing footprint in the United States since its founding in 1987. The organization provides a stable alternative to international suppliers susceptible to logistics volatility.

This domestic focus ensures that biotech and medical device firms can maintain continuous compliance with safety standards through dedicated account management and technical expertise. The company’s catalog further extends to facility signs, barcode printers, and custom identification solutions designed for cleanroom-compatible applications.

GMP Labeling is a trusted provider of compliance-focused label solutions for medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other regulated manufacturing environments. GMP Labeling partners with leading technology and material suppliers to deliver durable, traceable, and customizable labeling systems that support quality, safety, and regulatory requirements. The company’s solutions include quality control labels, custom labels, asset tags, calibration and safety labels, thermal printers, ribbons, and software integration services.

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SOURCE GMP Labeling Inc.

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Midea and Electrolux Group Officially Begin New Chapter in North America as All Three Joint Ventures Go Live

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By combining their complementary strengths, the two companies are creating a more localized and competitive platform to develop innovative products, enhance operational efficiency and support long-term sustainable growth.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Midea Group and Electrolux Group are advancing their long-term strategic partnership in North America as all three joint ventures are now live. This milestone brings together two global industry leaders with a shared ambition: to strengthen product competitiveness, accelerate innovation and deliver even greater value to consumers and customers.

The partnership was announced on April 23, 2026, building on more than 20 years of collaboration. It brings together the companies’ capabilities in manufacturing, product development, innovation, supply chain and commercial strategies to deliver stronger value to customers and consumers in North America.

“As all three joint ventures go live, the partnership marks a concrete step forward in the companies’ long-term strategy in North America. By bringing our strengths together and working more closely across product development, operations and go-to-market, we can convert years of collaboration into new opportunities to innovate, improve efficiency and better serve consumers and customers,” said Louis Zhao, Vice President of Midea Group & President of Smart Home Business Group.

“This partnership marks a major milestone in the execution of Electrolux Group’s strategy and puts us in a position to accelerate profitable growth. It enables us to continue to invest in sustainable, consumer-centric innovations to serve our customers and consumers with even stronger product offerings in North America,” said Yannick Fierling, President & CEO of Electrolux Group.

Looking ahead, Midea Group and Electrolux Group will continue strengthening local manufacturing and supply capabilities to meet evolving consumer needs. Together, the companies plan to achieve annual North American production of Food Preservation and Fabric Care products that is roughly double current capacity, while also expanding into new product categories.

About Midea Group

Midea is a global technology group covering seven business segments, including smart home, industrial technology, building technologies, robotics and automation, energy, healthcare, as well as smart logistics.  Founded in 1968, Midea serves over 500 million users annually and operates more than 400 subsidiaries, 41 R&D centers and 68 major production bases across more than 200 countries and regions. The group has invested over USD 10.4 billion in R&D over the past five years.

About Electrolux Group

Electrolux Group is a leading global appliance company that has been shaping living for the better for more than 100 years. Through leading brands including Electrolux, AEG and Frigidaire, the group delivers solutions across taste, care and well-being to consumers in around 120 markets, with sustainability at the heart of its products and operations. In 2025, Electrolux Group recorded sales of 131 billion Swedish kronor and employed approximately 39,000 people worldwide.

 

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SOURCE Midea Group Co., Ltd

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