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International MSME Day: IFQM Calls for a National Quality Mission to Embed India’s MSMEs into Global Value Chains

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NEW DELHI, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the world marks International MSME Day on June 27, India’s 7.47 crore Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises stand at the heart of the nation’s economic future. As stated in the Economic Survey 2025-26, with 31.1% of GDP, 35.4% of manufacturing output, and 48.58% of exports, MSMEs are the backbone of India’s growth story.Yet, as of 2024, India accounted for an estimated 2.9 per cent of the global manufacturing GVA and only 1.8 per cent of global merchandise exports. This paradox underscores why International MSME Day is not just symbolic—it is a call to action for India to transform scale into competitiveness and embed its enterprises into global value chains.

Since its inception in 2023, the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) has championed a National Quality Mission to make Indian organizations globally respected. At the core of this mission is the MSME Cluster Development Approach, built on the IFQM Business Excellence Model – “The India Way.”

Suppliers begin with self-assessment and quality visits by IFQM counsellors, co-creating roadmaps with sponsoring parent companies.Year 1 focuses on fundamentals: Total Quality Management, Zero Defect Manufacturing, and Operational Excellence.Senior counsellors and subject matter experts conduct regular visits, guiding MSMEs on their “Good to Great” journey.

Since January 2025, IFQM has launched clusters with ZF, Bosch, TVS Motors, Tata Steel, Lucas TVS, Padmini VNA, Sundaram Clayton, and the Coimbatore region. The first ZF cluster has already completed its inaugural year, with suppliers reporting measurable gains in productivity, defect reduction, and operational discipline. IFQM calls this a “Journey of Excellence” — moving beyond small-q quality to embrace holistic business excellence (Big Q).

On the occasion of International MSME Day, Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO & Director, IFQM, emphasized: “India’s economic momentum is undeniable, yet our global trade share remains below 2%. The missing link between growth and competitiveness is quality. Germany’s Mittelstand demonstrates how MSMEs can anchor exports through precision, systems, and supply chain discipline. India’s 7.47 crore MSMEs must embrace the same ethos. At IFQM, we are equipping leaders with actionable frameworks—daily work management, continuous improvement, and adherence to global benchmarks. India’s opportunity will not arrive by default; it must be secured through rigor and excellence. Quality is the lever that will position India as a trusted global partner.”

Building on this foundation, IFQM convened its first MSME Symposium at Anna University, Chennai on March 20, 2026. Captains of industry from Biocon, TVS, Boeing, Motherson, Maruti Suzuki, Cummins, L&T, Bosch, ZF, and Deloitte engaged MSME leaders on quality, competitiveness, and digital transformation. The symposium addressed India’s growth-competitiveness paradox head-on, presenting actionable frameworks, global benchmarks, and transformation case studies.

Five flagship initiatives were unveiled to move MSMEs from aspiration to execution:

Cluster Development Programme to benchmark MSMEs against world-class standardsIFQM Quality Excellence Prize (QEP) — India’s first industry-led excellence award designed for smaller enterprisesLeadership Development Course through the IFQM AcademyZero Defect Manufacturing Course with SRM IST, Chennai and CIT, ChennaiExcellence in Manufacturing Engineering Course with VelTech University

About IFQM

The IFQM Governing Council: Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons; Mr. Dilip Sanghvi, Executive Chairman, Sun Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, – Biocon Group; Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel Limited; Mr. K.N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Co; Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd; Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India & South Asia; Mr. SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman & MD, Larsen & Toubro; Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Co & Chairman, IFQM; Mr. Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman, Motherson Group.

IFQM on Web: https://ifqm.org.in/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifqm

For more information, please contact:

Suman Nath

Brevanta Communications suman@brevanta.in, info@ifqm.org.in

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MDA SPACE SELECTED BY MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC FOR NEXT-GENERATION DEFENCE COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE PROGRAM

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Multiple contracts for next-generation digital payload and other subsystems in the UK and in Montréal for the GEO satellite series supporting operations of the Japanese government.

TORONTO, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA) (NYSE: MDA), a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, has been selected by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) to design and manufacture the digital payload, antennas and various subsystems for the next-generation defence communications satellite program ordered by the Japan Ministry of Defense. This satellite program will replace DSN-2, also known as Kirameki-2, in geostationary orbit.

MDA Space in the UK will support the core technology for the advanced, anti-jamming, resilient multi-beam payload with digital beamforming that can be dynamically reconfigured in orbit. The MDA Space facility in Montréal will manufacture and test the advanced antenna solutions, including the analog repeater before shipping to Japan, where the assembly, integration and testing will be performed by Mitsubishi Electric.

The satellite will also be supported by MDA Space’s legacy products for the deployable mechanism of thrusters and reflectors.

The announcement comes as the UK, Canada and Japan endeavour to strengthen their trade relationships. 

The contract will be added to MDA Space’s backlog in the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

“It’s an honour for us to once again be collaborating with long-time customer Mitsubishi Electric, this time to provide key technology for Japan’s critical defence communication infrastructure,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. “Our advanced dual-use technologies combined with the expertise and reach of our global satellite team ideally position MDA Space to respond to robust demand for sovereign missions with secure and flexible capabilities.”

—    Mike Greenley, CEO, MDA Space

“Our partnerships with Canada and Japan are delivering real results, helping to build secure, resilient space infrastructure for modern defence. It’s great to see UK capability at the centre of this, with MDA Space’s UK facility providing the digital beamforming technology supporting Japan’s future defence communications.”

—    Liz Lloyd, UK Space Minister

“Today’s MDA Space announcement shows what’s possible when a global Canadian company and the Government of Canada work together to unlock new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers. We are strengthening Canada’s capacity to innovate and to compete in important markets such as Japan and advancing our commitment to trade diversification. Canada will continue to help businesses scale, innovate, and reach customers around the world. When we expand trade and investment opportunities, we create good jobs at home and ensure Canadian companies can succeed on the world stage.”

—    Hon. Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the company’s current expectations regarding future events. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the ultimate functionality and use of the digital payload, antennas and subsystems being supplied by MDA Space. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by MDA Space in light of management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of MDA Space to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including without limitation the risks and uncertainties detailed under the “Risk Factors” section of MDA Space’s annual information form dated March 4, 2026.

Although MDA Space believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect and there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking statements. There are a number of additional risks and uncertainties affecting or that could affect MDA Space, which could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those described in, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information included within this press release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, MDA Space is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ABOUT MDA SPACE
Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA; NYSE:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global defence and space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 4,000 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission — bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit mda.space.

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BPC HONOURED WITH THREE GLOBAL RECOGNITIONS AT THE GLOBAL BRAND AWARDS 2026

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LONDON, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BPC has been recognised with three prestigious titles at the Global Brand Awards 2026, organised by Global Brands Magazine (GBM).

The company received the following awards:

Excellence in Digital Payment Platform Enablement – EMEABest Card Management Solution – GlobalLeading AI-Powered Fraud Management – Global

The Global Brand Awards recognise organisations that demonstrate sustained excellence, innovation, and measurable impact within their industries. BPC was recognised for its leadership in digital payments, card management, and AI-powered fraud prevention, helping financial institutions and businesses navigate the growing demands of modern transaction ecosystems. BPC is a global payments technology company helping banks, processors, fintechs, governments, merchants and transport operators build modern digital transaction ecosystems. Built on a scalable, microservices-based architecture, SmartVista supports multiple deployment models, including on-premises, hybrid, public cloud, private cloud and PaaS. With more than 500 customers across 140+ countries, BPC has a global presence with continuous growing adoption across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa and Americas.

Through its technology platform, BPC enables secure payments, intelligent fraud management, scalable card solutions, and digital transformation initiatives that support financial inclusion, operational efficiency, and customer-centric innovation across global markets.

With its Digital Financial Ecosystem Platform, BPC helps financial institutions, fintechs launch secure, personalised and real-time financial experiences across consumer, SME, merchant, wallet, agent banking and embedded finance ecosystems. The platform supports digital onboarding, eWallets, QR payments, SoftPOS, personal financial management, digital lending, embedded finance, agent banking, AI-assisted customer engagement and intelligent financial servicing.

Modern BPC card management supports the full lifecycle of modern card programmes, including debit, credit, prepaid, virtual, loyalty, payroll, fuel, crypto and CBDC-linked cards, consolidating issuing, loyalty, fraud management, disputes, routing, service operations and reporting in a single environment.

To secure all channels in real-time, BPC offers leading enterprise grade AI-powered fraud management capabilities that combine machine learning, adaptive risk scoring, behavioural analytics, link analysis, real-time monitoring, low-code/no-code rules configuration and advanced case management to help financial institutions detect complex fraud patterns faster, improve operational resilience and protect customers across omnichannel payment ecosystems.

Commenting on the recognition, Jay Reddy, CEO of Global Brands Magazine, said: “The payments industry continues to evolve at remarkable speed, driven by growing expectations around security, convenience, and digital accessibility. BPC’s recognition across three categories reflects its commitment to developing technologies that support modern payment ecosystems while helping organisations deliver more efficient and secure experiences for their customers.”

Responding to the award, Imran Vilcassim, Global Chief Commercial Officer, Digital Banking, BPC, said: “We are honoured to receive this recognition from the Global Brand Awards, which underlines BPC’s continued commitment to helping all payment ecosystem players modernise the way payments are delivered, managed and protected. Our solutions are designed to help customers drive innovation, respond faster to market change and deliver secure, seamless and reliable digital payment experiences. These awards reflect not only the strength of our technology, but also the trust our customers place in BPC to support their transformation and growth across complex payment ecosystems.”

ABOUT BPC

BPC is a proven industry leader that is shaping the world of transactions with quick, safe and easy payment processing. With a focus on exceptional technology development and customer service, BPC helps financial institutions and businesses to deliver innovative and best-in-class proven solutions that fit with today’s consumer lifestyle when banking, shopping, or moving in both urban and rural areas. With more than 500 customers across 140 countries, BPC collaborates with all ecosystem players to deliver services for the digital world. Its core product SmartVista suite comprises cutting-edge banking, commerce, and mobility platforms that enable innovative solutions for digital banking, ATM and switching, payments processing, card, and fraud management, financial inclusion, merchant portals, transport, and smart cities. To find out more about how BPC can help businesses deliver a seamless payments processing experience to consumers, please visit http://www.bpcbt.com

ABOUT GLOBAL BRANDS MAGAZINE

Global Brands Magazine (GBM) is a UK-based publication providing independent insights, analysis, and recognition of brands shaping industries worldwide. Through its editorial platform and annual awards programme, GBM evaluates organisations on performance, innovation, relevance, and long-term impact across global markets.

The publication reaches over 6 million annual readers, generating more than 10 million page views, and engages a growing international audience across digital and social platforms.

ABOUT THE GLOBAL BRAND AWARDS

The Global Brand Awards celebrate excellence in brand performance, recognising companies and organisations that excel in quality, innovation, and customer-centric services across various sectors, including finance, education, hospitality, technology, and more.

The 2025 awards ceremony was hosted at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai, continuing a tradition of high-profile venues, including The Address Downtown, Waldorf Astoria, and JW Marriott.

The 2026 ceremony will take place at Address Sky View Dubai on 02 October 2026.

For a complete list of winners, visit:
https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/brand-awards-winners/

To nominate a company or leader for the Global Brand Awards 2026, visit: https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/nomination-form/

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2648066/6014126/GBM_Awards_2025_Logo.jpg

 

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SOURCE Global Brands Magazine

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A Crash Test Dummy Built for Women Wins Top Global Innovation Award

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Humanetics’ THOR-5F, the world’s first crash test dummy specifically designed around female anatomy, has been honored with a top global innovation award. The recognition comes as regulators in the U.S., EU, and China move toward adopting the world’s most advanced female crash test dummy to help close a crash-safety gap that puts women at greater risk.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Humanetics today announced that its THOR-5F advanced crash test dummy has been named Testing Hardware Innovation of the Year at the 2026 Automotive Testing Technology International (ATTI) Awards, presented during Automotive Testing Expo Europe in Stuttgart, Germany. The award honors what many in the field regard as the most significant advance in years toward a long-overdue goal: ensuring that the cars women drive and ride in are tested, and engineered, to protect women’s bodies, not just men’s.

“This award belongs to everyone who refused to accept that women should be less protected than men on the road…vehicle safety must reflect the full diversity of the people it is meant to protect.” said Christopher O’Connor, President & CEO of Humanetics.

“This award belongs to everyone who refused to accept that women should be less protected than men on the road,” said Christopher O’Connor, President & CEO of Humanetics. “The THOR-5F is the product of years of collaboration among Humanetics engineers, regulators, and researchers who share one conviction: vehicle safety must reflect the full diversity of the people it is meant to protect.”

A safety gap measured in lives

For more than half a century, the dummies used to design and certify vehicle safety systems have been based primarily on the average adult male. The consequences have been measurable and serious. Research from the University of Virginia found that belted women are 73% more likely than belted men to be seriously injured in a frontal crash, even after accounting for crash severity, age, height, weight, and vehicle age. Federal data show belted women are roughly 17% more likely to be killed in a comparable crash.

Women deserve the same level of protection as men in a crash. They tend to sit closer to the steering wheel and the deploying airbag, and they differ from men in bone density, muscle distribution, neck strength, and pelvic structure. Yet the seatbelts and airbags meant to protect them are optimized against regulatory tests that use devices without sensors where women are most vulnerable to injury. Until safety systems are evaluated against a tool that reflects those differences, women will remain at risk.

A tool built from the ground up for women

The THOR-5F changes that. With 150 sensors instrumented where women are most vulnerable to impact, it is the industry’s most advanced female frontal-impact crash test dummy — engineered from the ground up around female anthropometry rather than scaled down from a male design. Enhanced thorax biofidelity, improved pelvis instrumentation, refined spine and joint structures, and an expanded array of sensors give engineers a far clearer picture of how a female occupant responds in a crash. That data is precisely what allows automakers to fine-tune seatbelts, airbags, seating geometry, and restraint timing to protect women as effectively as men.

Complementing the physical device is a corresponding finite element model developed by Humanetics. The model allows to compare and correlate physical test data with simulation results, supporting ongoing efforts to better understand female injury biomechanics and occupant protection.

From the laboratory to the rulebook, in the U.S., EU, and China

The award also recognizes the role of public-sector leadership. The THOR-5F was developed in close partnership with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), whose research, funding, and sustained commitment have been central to bringing a credible, validated female dummy to readiness. Following extensive validation, repeatability, and durability testing, NHTSA has signaled its intent to incorporate the THOR-5F into future vehicle safety assessments. This step paves the way for adoption [RM1] across regulatory and consumer-rating programs in the United States, the European Union, and China. Indeed, Euro NCAP is the first safety group that has committed to introducing THOR-5F into its 5-Star safety assessments in 2029.

Once written into regulation across these markets, the THOR-5F would give engineers a common, female-representative benchmark, and give women, for the first time, real assurance that a vehicle’s safety rating reflects their safety, too.

“This recognition signals us the industry is ready to make that vision real.” said Christopher O’Connor, President & CEO of Humanetics, who accepted the award in Stuttgart. “The technology now exists to better understand and protect female occupants, and we have a responsibility to ensure those insights are translated into safer vehicles for everyone.”

“The technology is ready. What’s needed now is the regulatory will to require it,” said Mark Westen, President of Humanetics Safety. “We urge policymakers and regulators in the United States, Europe, and China to move the THOR-5F from validation into rule, so that every new vehicle is tested for the people most at risk. Closing this gap is not a question of capability; it is a question of priority. Women have waited long enough to be designed for.”

For safety advocates, lawmakers, and the hundreds of millions of women who get behind the wheel every day, the message is straightforward: the tool to close the crash-safety gap now exists, and it has been recognized by the industry’s own. The remaining work is to require its use, turning a proven innovation into protection that reaches every road, every vehicle, and every woman.

The THOR-5F is part of Humanetics’ broader Safety Intelligence strategy, which combines physical testing, digital simulation, human body modeling, and advanced sensing to help manufacturers and regulators make better-informed safety decisions, advancing the long-term goal of reducing serious injuries and fatalities on roads worldwide.

About Humanetics

Humanetics is an industrial technology group and a leading provider of safety systems, crash test dummies (ATDs), simulation software (RAMSIS), CAE models, human body models, a complete line of passive and active safety software and testing solutions, precision sensors, fiber optics, and laser material processing solutions. The group is organized into three divisions — Safety, Digital, and Sensors — focused on precision engineering and software development that put humans at the heart of industrial design. Humanetics has over 1,100 employees in facilities worldwide, with global corporate headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA. Learn more at humaneticsgroup.com.

Media Contact

Barney Loehnis, Humanetics, 1 203-246-1397, bloehnis@humaneticsgroup.com, humaneticsgroup.com

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