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Mecho Unveils EPDs for all Manual Shade Systems

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All Mecho manual shade systems and shade cloths now have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Feb. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With the unveiling of EPDs across our entire suite of manual shade systems, paired with our wide array of Mecho shade cloths, Mecho is excited to announce an industry-first for EPDs for complete shade assemblies. This achievement furthers Mecho’s commitment to advancing its leadership position in sustainability and represents a significant leap forward in our mission to equip clients with the most comprehensive and transparent information, enabling them to make environmentally responsible choices with confidence. 

EPDs enable architects, building owners, and others to understand the environmental impact of an entire manual shade assembly, an industry first. The information is largely centered on embodied carbon. Embodied carbon data is in high demand from both specifiers and end customers and helps them to objectively understand the climate impact of our product. 

Why Did Mecho Invest in EPDs, and Why Are They Important? 

EPDs provide third-party verified environmental data, enhancing transparency and building trust among architects and designers regarding sustainability claims. EPDs offer a deeper understanding of a product’s climate impact, including carbon emissions, which supports informed decision-making for designers. We have also received consistent feedback from our sales team and customers that architects and designers prefer products with EPDs. While widely adopted in other building product categories, EPDs remain underutilized in the window covering industry. 

A Closer Look at Mecho Manual Shade Systems:

Mecho/7

The latest innovation in our manual shade lineup, Mecho/7 is designed to lift larger shades (up to 30′ window bays and 6 shade bands) with ease. This system enhances design and user experience while providing unmatched durability for challenging environments. It offers an easy and accurate installation process and is easily upgradeable to motorized shades and Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze™ certification – as such, it is ideal for various commercial settings. With a 25-year limited warranty, Mecho/7 sets the industry standard for performance and sustainability.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MECHO/7

Mecho/5x

Building on the legacy of Mecho/5, Mecho/5x combines patented clutch technology for nearly effortless lifting of large shades. It offers uniform height for multi-band shades up to 20 feet wide, enhancing room aesthetics and reducing light leaks. Durable and designed for various commercial environments, it’s easy to install, compatible with manual operations, and supports health-conscious settings. Certified for sustainability with Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze, it contributes to LEED or WELL certifications and comes with a 25-year limited warranty, making it a comprehensive, efficient shading solution.

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Mecho/5

This roller shade clutch set the standard for our industry – it includes more than four decades of proven engineered performance in manual commercial window shades. This patented shade lift system is our flagship product that allows our manual window shades to provide superior quality and performance in all types of commercial buildings.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MECHO/5

UrbanShade

A cost-effective commercial roller shade system for projects that don’t require Mecho’s larger systems. The system is easily installed with its compact design and provides flexibility to manage daylight with room darkening shades. UrbanShade offers manual or motorized lift options that are field upgradeable, letting you design a shading solution that is perfectly suited to meet the demands of your next project.

LEARN MORE ABOUT URBANSHADE

The Process Behind Our EPDs 

Since there is no existing product category rule for the window coverings industry, Mecho collaborated with WAP consulting to adopt PCR 2019:14 for construction products for custom window shade products. From data collection to modeling to publishing, this process took one full year to complete. 

An Eye Towards the Future 

The incorporation of Mecho/7, Mecho/5x, Mecho/5, and UrbanShade into our EPD initiative is a big step forward in our sustainability journey. We extend our gratitude to our customers, partners, and team for their support in reaching this significant milestone. As we continue to innovate and lead in innovative shading solutions, Mecho remains committed to supporting our clients’ green building goals, contributing to a more sustainable, transparent future. 

About Mecho 

Mecho is an industry leader in providing innovative shading solutions. Since 1969, Mecho has been dedicated to revolutionizing window shades and excelling in challenging design and technical landscapes. Mecho embraces projects featuring non-standard windows, consistently delivering high-quality and innovative shading solutions. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mecho-unveils-epds-for-all-manual-shade-systems-302074680.html

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Amwell Receives Frost & Sullivan’s 2026 United States Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition for Technology-Enabled Care Platforms

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Amwell® is transforming virtual care delivery through its unified Amwell Platform, combining interoperability, clinical integration, and intelligent orchestration to improve access, efficiency, and outcomes.

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As healthcare organizations move beyond fragmented telehealth solutions toward connected virtual care models, Amwell is helping redefine how digital care is delivered at scale. Frost & Sullivan is pleased to recognize Amwell with the 2026 United States Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition in the Technology-Enabled Care Platforms industry for its ability to address healthcare fragmentation through a unified platform that connects patients, health plan members, clinicians, and partner ecosystems across the care continuum.

Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies through a rigorous benchmarking process across two core dimensions: strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. Amwell excelled in both, demonstrating its ability to align strategic initiatives with evolving healthcare needs while executing with flexibility, scalability, and measurable customer impact. “The combination of reliability, flexibility, and clinically integrated workflows positions the Amwell Platform as a strategic enabler for organizations seeking to reduce fragmentation, improve member engagement with covered programs, expand access to care, and create more connected healthcare experiences,” said Sagar Mukhekar, Industry Analyst, Frost & Sullivan.

Guided by a strategy centered on connected care, interoperability, and continuous, digital innovation, Amwell has positioned the Amwell Platform as an operating layer for next-generation healthcare delivery. Rather than relying on disconnected point solutions, the platform integrates technology, services, and clinical intelligence to orchestrate personalized care experiences across virtual primary care, urgent care, behavioral health, chronic condition management, and specialized digital programs.

Backed by 20 years of technology-enabled care innovation, more than 90 million covered lives, and over 38.7 million virtual visits, Amwell continues to help health plans and healthcare organizations modernize digital care delivery at scale.

“As healthcare becomes more digital, it risks becoming more fragmented. Health plans need more than point solutions. They need enterprise infrastructure, clinical integration, and an open platform that brings partners and programs together. Our vision at Amwell is that technology creates value when it improves access, engagement, quality, and efficiency, and produces measurable clinical and business outcomes. We’re honored by this recognition from Frost & Sullivan,” said Dan Zamansky, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Amwell.

Amwell’s enterprise scale includes supporting the digital transformation of the Defense Health Agency’s Military Health System, serving approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries. The company’s commitment to measurable outcomes is also reflected in a landmark National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded study, published in Nature Human Behaviour and among the largest studies of its kind. The study found that students offered SilverCloud® by Amwell® engaged in mental healthcare at more than double the rate of traditional care, experienced lower rates of mental health disorders, and generated an estimated $1.18 million in avoided costs for the study population.

The company further differentiates its platform through intelligent orchestration and navigation, helping guide members to appropriate programs while giving clinicians visibility across care plans. Amwell also evaluates integrated third-party programs for clinical effectiveness, scalability, and enterprise readiness.

Frost & Sullivan commends Amwell for setting a high standard in competitive strategy, execution, and technological innovation. The company’s unified approach to digital care is helping reduce fragmentation, improve access, strengthen operational efficiency, and support more equitable and sustainable healthcare delivery.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition to a company that demonstrates outstanding strategy development and implementation, resulting in measurable improvements in market share, customer satisfaction, and competitive positioning. The recognition identifies forward-thinking organizations that are reshaping their industries through innovation and growth excellence.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition

Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.
Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:
Ashley Shreve
E: ashley.weinkauf@frost.com 

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

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MiniTool Released MovieMaker 8.9 with Advanced Keyframe Animation

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VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MiniTool Software Limited has released MiniTool MovieMaker 8.9, a significant update to its video editing software. The latest version focuses on empowering creators with advanced keyframe animation controls, a more streamlined installation experience, and an optimized export button for a smoother experience.

Precise Control with Keyframe Animation

The hallmark of MiniTool MovieMaker 8.9 is the introduction of keyframe animation for video, images, and elements. Users can now set keyframes for position, scale, and rotation at different points. As a result, they can easily generate smooth, cinematic motion effects.

The position parameter supports accurate X- and Y-axis adjustments, allowing flexible horizontal and vertical movement of clips to achieve natural screen scrolling and displacement effects. The scale feature allows for seamless zoom-in and zoom-out transitions, enabling users to zoom in on a clip and highlight key visual elements. Coupled with rotation control, which supports precise angle adjustments, the three tools work together to deliver smooth, dynamic visual effects.

Designed with simplicity and accessibility in mind, this update brings intuitive keyframe animation tools without complex settings. It balances powerful editing capabilities and ease of use, allowing users to easily bring static photos to life and create custom movements for high-quality visual content.

Installation Package Optimization for Faster Setup

MiniTool MovieMaker 8.9 places a strong emphasis on the installation package. In this latest release, the development team has reduced the overall installation package size, enabling a faster, more streamlined download and setup experience. This enhancement not only saves disk space but also improves application launch speeds. As a result, creators can quickly run the software and start working on their projects with minimal delay.

Enhanced Export UI for a Seamless Final Step

The final export stage is crucial to the editing workflow. This time, MiniTool MovieMaker 8.9 brings a new export button with a redesigned interface. This update optimizes the export button and provides intuitive guidance. Therefore, users can quickly locate the button for exporting their projects, whether they are absolute beginners or experienced editors.

About MiniTool MovieMaker

MiniTool MovieMaker is an easy-to-use video editing program designed for beginners, featuring a clean interface and a variety of effects, text templates, stickers, filters, and transitions for quick video creation.

The software offers a flexible multi-track timeline where users can layer and independently manage video tracks and audio tracks to create complex compositions, such as picture-in-picture (PiP) effects and video collages. Users can also place visual elements on different layers and lock tracks to prevent accidental edits.

More importantly, this editing tool can export videos in 1080P or 4K for free and without watermarks, ensuring high-quality, professional-looking results.

About MiniTool® Software Ltd.

MiniTool® Software Ltd. is a software development company specializing in providing software services across multiple fields, including video editing, screen recording, video conversion and compression, video enhancement, as well as disk partition management.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minitool-released-moviemaker-8-9-with-advanced-keyframe-animation-302869995.html

SOURCE MiniTool® Software Limited

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From Trust to Value: Miles Group Signs Bo Jin and Isaac Lam, Launching into the Athlete Representation Track

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HONG KONG, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Miles Group, specializing in international sports marketing, announced today the signing of two outstanding professional golfers, Bo Jin and Isaac Lam. This milestone concurrently marks the official launch of the company’s athlete representation business.

Founded in 2012, Miles Group has spent over a decade providing Asian market marketing services for premier global golf brands, including Major Championships, the LPGA Tour, and the United States Golf Association (USGA). In 2026, the group’s domestic arm, Miles Shanghai, launched its proprietary tournament IP—the Junior Charity Classic—which offers top Asian junior golfers a direct pathway to elite junior tournaments in the United States.

“I have always believed that elite athletes are among the rarest and most valuable brand assets, yet their commercial potential remains vastly underestimated. Miles Group is entering the talent representation arena not simply to sign established names, but to leverage our 15 years of international sports marketing expertise. Our mission is to build a dedicated value-amplification system for Asia’s athletes, empowering them to command top-tier commercial influence far beyond the field of play.” said Smile Xu, founder of Miles Group and a top-tier marketing strategist.

“Having known Smile for ten years, I’ve watched her grow from an industry rising star into someone who drives real change. I have absolute faith in her capabilities, but what I admire most is her vision—helping more players use innovative methods to unlock true, long-term value, and even rewrite the rules of the industry,” said 24-year-old Bo Jin, who currently competes on the China Tour. “Entering my second year as a professional, I chose Miles Group because I believe in the future she sees, and it’s a future I want to be part of.”

Bo is the first Chinese player to reach the finals of the U.S. Junior Amateur, a member of the 2019 Junior Presidents Cup International Team, the individual runner-up at the 2021 NCAA D1 Championship, and the runner-up at the 13th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2022. Turning professional in 2025, Bo delivered a remarkable rookie year, capturing two runner-up finishes on the China Tour and placing in the top 20 during his DP World Tour debut.

Isaac Lam, 27, hails from Hong Kong, China, and turned professional in 2024. Now an active competitor on the China Tour, he boasts the title of a two-time Tour champion. Following his maiden China Tour victory at the 2025 Wuyishan International Open, Lam lifted his second trophy this past August at the Fanling Golf Classic in front of his home crowds.

“On the course, I am a champion, but in the business world, I am a complete novice. Two China Tour titles didn’t bring the commercial breakthrough I had anticipated,” Lam shared. “Since my amateur days, Smile has always given me unconditional advice. Joining Miles Group now is a choice born from seeing her selfless dedication to young players. She brings both the wisdom to sharpen my direction and the resources and capability to translate a championship title into real commercial value.”

Play Beyond • More than just the game—from amateur to professional, from trust to value! In launching its talent representative agency business, Miles Group is dedicated to systematically developing athletes’ multidimensional commercial value off the course. Moving forward, Miles Group will leverage precise resource matching and long-term strategic planning to create sustainable growth opportunities for players, while introducing high-value sports IPs to partners for mutual empowerment.

About Miles Group

Miles Group is a marketing agency headquartered in Hong Kong that has been deeply rooted in the Asian market for 15 years. With teams across Mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Thailand, it focuses on the sports and lifestyle sectors. The group provides one-stop services covering public relations, digital media, content creation, KOL management, and event management for top global clients. Its client portfolio includes industry benchmarks such as USGA, LPGA, LIV Golf, BLAST and more. Since 2025, the group has focused on developing its own tournament IPs and content; its inaugural Junior Charity Classic immediately became an industry market benchmark. 思迈超牛 is the affiliated operating company of Miles Group in Mainland China.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/from-trust-to-value-miles-group-signs-bo-jin-and-isaac-lam-launching-into-the-athlete-representation-track-302870107.html

SOURCE Miles Group

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