Technology

SGS & Co and SGK unite to become Propelis – a global agency built for brand impact

Published

12 months ago

May 7, 2025

Propelis family of brands created to serve wide range of client needs across the globe, with the packaging graphics and print solutions teams from SGS & Co and SGK combining into SGX

CHICAGO, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Two of the world’s most respected names in brand creative, packaging, print solutions, branded environments, and content production have officially joined forces. Today, SGS & Co and SGK announce the finalization of their merger to become the Propelis family of brands – a next-generation global agency designed to move brands forward with greater speed, clarity, and confidence.

With a combined legacy spanning more than 150 years, Propelis commences operations with 10,000 employees in 30+ countries, nearly $1 billion in annual sales, and a diverse client base of over 2,000 leading companies. Offering fully integrated solutions spanning creative, brand production, and technology, Propelis combines the strengths of SGK and SGS & Co into an unprecedented go-to-market ecosystem of talent, services and technology-enabled solutions for brands, retailers, and printers.

Clients will benefit through attentive local service in more markets, backed by a global delivery platform; by combined economies of scale; and through access to a larger, more diverse network of creative, production, and technology expertise. Furthermore, combined investments in cloud-smart, AI-enabled content and packaging automation technology will accelerate scaled delivery capabilities to help clients meet the rapidly growing consumer demand for all kinds of content.

The Propelis name symbolizes upward momentum, integration, and purposeful innovation. To bring focused expertise to every stage of the brand journey, Propelis will deliver its integrated solutions through a family of specialist brands:

SGX – industry-leading packaging graphic production, flexo plate, rotogravure cylinder, and metal deco solutions that combine the rich history and unique expertise of SGK and SGSMarks & Equator – delivering creative, strategy, digital commerce, experiential marketing, engineering, and creative content productionCollide – experts in store signage; large format, digital, and sheetfed printing; packaging mockups, influencer kits, and samples; fabrication; merchandising; and distribution5Flow – unified, cloud-smart platforms powering content and packaging automation and workflows

Gary Kohl, formerly President of SGK, has been appointed CEO of Propelis. Matt Gresge, previously CEO of SGS & Co, will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board.

Gary Kohl said: “This is a defining moment for our industry, our clients, and our people. I’m thrilled to be leading Propelis, the new entity created from the recently completed merger of SGK and SGS & Co. With exponentially greater resources, expanded global reach, and a world-class team united around a single vision, we are entering this next chapter with purpose and momentum. From day one, our focus is clear: to meet the evolving go-to-market needs of our clients faster, better, and more efficiently, while envisioning new, creative ways for their brands to build stronger consumer connections.”

Matt Gresge added: “The formation of Propelis is a bold step into the future of our industry. We’re building something new: a unified, agile agency model that is uniquely equipped to solve our clients’ biggest challenges and drive meaningful change in how brands engage with their customers. With our combined capabilities, Propelis is poised to become the go-to global partner for brands that want to lead with creativity, move with precision, and grow with purpose.”

Through SGX, Marks, Equator, Collide, and 5Flow, the Propelis family of brands will continue to serve clients across industries, including CPG, food and beverage, personal care and beauty, retail and private label, technology, sports and entertainment culture, and travel and hospitality, with the agility, creativity, and global scale needed to lead in today’s dynamic, fast-moving market.

To learn more, visit: www.propelis.com.

ABOUT PROPELIS
Propelis is a go-to-market ecosystem that enables marketers to move their brands forward with greater speed, clarity, and confidence. Our broad range of integrated solutions include brand creative, packaging, print solutions, branded environments, and content production. Services are delivered through our family of brands: SGX, Marks, Equator, Collide, and 5Flow. With a combined legacy spanning more than 150 years, Propelis commences operations with 10,000 employees in 30+ countries, nearly $1 billion in annual sales, and a diverse client base of over 2,000 leading companies. For more information about Propelis, visit propelis.com.

PROPELIS HEADQUARTERS
1330 W Fulton Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60607

SOURCE Propelis

Technology

1-800Accountant Launches Tax Savings Services Designed for 1099 Workers

Published

21 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

New offering helps independent contractors structure their business to reduce their tax burden from day one

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 1-800Accountant, the nation’s leading virtual accounting firm for small businesses, announced the launch of a new service offering built specifically for 1099 workers and independent contractors. The service helps freelancers and self-employed professionals work with an accountant to select the right business setup for their income, with a focus on reducing taxes from the start.

Growth Is Outpacing Tax Readiness

Independent contractor work has grown significantly in recent years. 1-800Accountant’s client data shows sharp year-over-year growth across contractor-heavy industries, with Consulting up 17%, Construction up 10%, and Service-sector clients growing more than 200% compared to 2024. Despite this growth, many contractors continue to overpay their taxes because they operate without a formal business structure in place or the right tax election.

The gap is particularly visible in industries like Healthcare, Engineering, and Legal, where LLC adoption among 1-800Accountant clients sits at 81%, 72%, and 71%, respectively, well below the 90%-plus rates seen in higher-adoption industries like Construction and Real Estate. 1-800Accountant’s new business tax optimization service closes that gap by matching contractors with the right business type while ensuring their business is set up correctly before they file their first return.

“Independent contractors continue to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the American workforce, and they are also among the most underserved when it comes to strategic tax planning,” said Mike Savage, Founder and CEO of 1-800Accountant. “That lack of planning means that most 1099 workers don’t realize how much they’re leaving on the table. This service changes that. We’re giving contractors access to the same strategic advantages that established businesses have, ensuring the right business setup from the beginning.”

Tax Strategy Built In from Day One

These services walk clients through a structured process that includes accountant-recommended business types, registering with the appropriate state agencies, and coordinating with an accountant to ensure alignment between the structure and the client’s specific tax situation. 1-800Accountant integrates business setup for 1099 earners into a broader tax strategy tailored around each contractor’s income level, filing status, and long-term goals.

“What sets us apart is the tax strategy layer,” said Ryan Teeples, Chief of Strategy at 1-800Accountant. “What contractors and gig workers actually need are professionals to help them understand which tax setup makes the most sense for their income, their industry, and where they want their business to go. Then, we do the work to save on both their business and personal taxes. That’s what we’re delivering here.”

The service is available now to new and existing 1-800Accountant clients. Pricing starts at $19 per month (plus any government filing fees) and includes business setup evaluation, tax return preparation and filing, state registration, federal registration, simple-to-use AI bookkeeping software, and a consultation with a tax expert for onboarding and explanation of their individual tax situation.

About 1-800Accountant

1-800Accountant is the nation’s leading virtual accounting firm for small businesses and independent contractors. With a team of credentialed accountants and tax professionals, 1-800Accountant provides bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax planning, and advisory services to clients across all 50 states. The firm is committed to making professional accounting accessible and affordable for business owners at every stage.

Contact: Wyatt Johnson
Content Manager, 1-800Accountant
920-807-9159 | media@1800accountant.com

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SOURCE 1-800Accountant

Technology

9fin launches in APAC to expand global credit coverage

Published

21 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

With APAC playing a bigger role in increasingly complex global credit markets, 9fin brings the news, data and AI tools professionals need to navigate volatility

HONG KONG, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 9fin, the AI-native information platform for global debt markets, has formally launched in the Asia Pacific region, giving credit professionals access to cutting-edge news, data and analysis across private and public bonds and loans.

As the 9fin team continues to grow quickly across APAC from its initial base in Hong Kong, it is supporting firms locally by providing proprietary credit intelligence, comprehensive data, and AI-powered workflow tools, all within one unified platform.

The launch comes as the tussle between public and private markets intensifies in APAC, making it more important than ever for banks, asset managers, advisors, and law firms to have visibility across the full credit landscape. While bond issuance has dropped amid geopolitical disruption, private credit activity remains robust as borrowers seek alternative financing options.

By combining deal intelligence from local sources with its extensive global credit database and AI tools, the 9fin platform gives users a comprehensive view across fragmented markets. The APAC platform includes coverage of more than 1,800 issuers and 16,000 instruments, with issuance history dating back to 2003 following 9fin’s acquisition of Bond Radar, in March 2025.

9fin is already used by more than 300 institutions globally, including KKR, Apollo, BNP Paribas, and Kirkland & Ellis. The company’s APAC buildout — supported by its $170 million Series C fundraise in March 2026 — marks the next phase of its global expansion.

Steven Hunter, CEO and co-founder at 9fin, commented: “APAC is a complex region and is becoming even more so as private markets expand and geopolitical volatility increases. The region needs a faster, smarter platform covering the full picture across bonds, loans, private credit and distressed. That’s exactly what 9fin provides. With our full platform now live in APAC, we’re giving our users the clarity to make informed decisions, faster.”

9fin’s APAC launch follows its expansion across the US, Europe, and Latin America, with CEEMEA to follow.

About 9fin

9fin is the AI-native platform for global debt markets. Founded by former J.P. Morgan banker Steven Hunter and Deutsche Bank engineer Hussam EL-Sheikh, the company combines data, analytics, and AI-powered workflows in a single platform, helping clients work smarter and faster to outperform their peers.

The company is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Hong Kong, and Belfast and with teams across Latin America and Asia. For more information, visit 9fin.com.

Media contacts
Jessica Simpkin
jessica.simpkin@9fin.com
Shree Dhond/Katie Nerantzis
Dukas Linden Public Relations | 9fin@dlpr.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/9fin-launches-in-apac-to-expand-global-credit-coverage-302750649.html

Technology

Trimble First Quarter Earnings Call and Webcast

Published

21 minutes ago

April 22, 2026

WESTMINSTER, Colo., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB) will hold a conference call on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 8 a.m. ET to review its first quarter 2026 results. The call will be broadcast live on the web at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/544327873. Analysts who wish to dial into the call may do so by first registering at https://events.q4inc.com/analyst/544327873?pwd=s5ilhwSm. Upon registration, dial-in details will be sent via email to the registrant.

About Trimble

Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it is helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.

FTRMB

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SOURCE Trimble