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S&C Electric Company and Argonne National Laboratory Expand Research to Turn Scientific Discovery into Grid Solutions

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Research framework helps move promising grid technologies from the lab to the grid—combining Argonne’s scientific research with S&C’s distribution-grid expertise

CHICAGO, Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — S&C Electric Company and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have expanded their collaboration through a new umbrella Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to advance technologies that support a more resilient, reliable, and modern electric grid.

The agreement establishes a framework for joint research and development across strategic areas, including grid modernization, grid resilience, power reliability, electrification, and emerging grid technologies. By combining Argonne’s world-class scientific capabilities with S&C’s deep expertise in designing and manufacturing technologies for the distribution grid, the collaboration aims to accelerate the development of solutions that address some of the most pressing challenges facing the electric power industry.

“The electric grid needs to evolve to accommodate the growing and shifting demands, which are exacerbated by external factors that have changed since the grid’s original design. Solving these new challenges will require new technologies and new ways of working together,” said Ernst Scholtz, Chief Technology Officer at S&C Electric Company. “By combining Argonne’s research capabilities with S&C’s grid expertise, we’re creating a pathway to move promising innovations from the laboratory into technologies that can help utilities improve reliability, strengthen resilience, and meet the growing demands placed on the grid.”

As electricity demand grows, infrastructure ages, and extreme weather events place greater stress on the grid, innovation increasingly depends on collaboration. The expanded partnership creates a pathway for scientific discoveries to move more quickly from research to real-world applications, helping power operators strengthen resilience, improve reliability, and prepare for the evolving needs of the energy system.

“Meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving electric grid will require close collaboration between industry and the national laboratories,” said Monica Neukomm, Director of the Electric Grid Program at Argonne National Laboratory. “This expanded partnership with S&C creates a platform for advancing technologies that improve grid reliability, resilience, and performance while helping accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions needed to support the nation’s growing energy needs.”

The new agreement builds on a history of successful collaboration between Argonne and S&C. One example is their ongoing work to co-develop advanced ceramic-polymer insulation materials for medium- and high-voltage grid equipment through the Department of Energy’s Transformer Resilience and Advanced Composite (TRAC) program.

Leveraging Argonne’s expertise in materials design, processing, characterization, and testing, the teams are exploring advanced material systems that can withstand higher temperatures and electrical stress while supporting longer equipment lifetimes and improved grid performance. If successful, the research could inform future insulation systems across a range of S&C distribution-grid technologies, helping improve equipment durability and reliability under increasingly demanding operating conditions.

Projects such as ceramic-polymer insulation demonstrate how the partnership combines Argonne’s scientific capabilities with S&C’s grid technology expertise to address critical challenges facing the modern electric power system. The umbrella CRADA provides a framework to broaden these efforts into additional areas of mutual interest and accelerate the development of technologies that strengthen grid reliability, support growing electricity demand, and enhance U.S. energy security.

About S&C Electric Company

For over a century, S&C Electric Company has redefined safe and reliable electricity distribution. Building on its legacy of caring for team members, excellent customer service, and technology leadership, the company continues to deliver innovative solutions for a safer, more reliable, and resilient electrical grid. With a vision for an outage-free, sustainable energy future, S&C’s global workforce focuses on safety, quality, and empowering the transformation of the grid. Learn more at www.sandc.com.

About Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

Media Contact: Laura Patrick, S&C Electric Company

585.953.0111, Laura.Patrick@sandc.com

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SOURCE S&C Electric Company

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Driven Tech Named No. 571 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 List, the Most Prestigious Ranking of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

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Company Recognized for Triple Digit Three-Year Revenue Growth, Earning a Place Among the Nation’s Most Successful Independent Businesses

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Driven Tech Inc. today announced it has been ranked No. 571 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, the annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list is the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses, recognizing companies that have achieved remarkable growth while driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of the economy. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Oracle, and Patagonia.

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for the third consecutive year,” said Vinu Thomas, President and COO of Driven Tech. “Our continued triple-digit growth is a validation of the strategy we set in motion — to build a different kind of technology company focused on customer outcomes, deep engineering expertise, and innovation. A 92.7 Net Promoter Score and 93.4 Customer Satisfaction score demonstrate that we’re scaling without compromising the experience and outcomes we deliver for our customers. As AI fundamentally reshapes the enterprise, we’re continuing to invest aggressively in our people, capabilities, and AI-enabled platform strategy to help organizations build an AI-Driven Digital Foundation with Pervasive Security at its core. We’re incredibly excited about the opportunity ahead.”

This year’s Inc. 5000 recognizes a new class of companies redefining what growth looks like. From AI and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, consumer products, and professional services, these businesses are expanding their impact, creating jobs and proving that entrepreneurial ambition continues to fuel the U.S. economy. Among the 5,000 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate was 130%, and those companies have collectively added more than 627,208 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years.

For the full Inc. 5000 list, honoree company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, please visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.

“Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance-it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honorees on this significant achievement.”

Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2026 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, taking place October 14-16 in Dallas, Texas and the top 500 will be listed in the Fall issue of Inc. Magazine. Tickets are on sale now.

About Driven Tech, Inc.

Driven Tech is a Security and AI-first technology integrator specializing in Pervasive Security, Applied Intelligence, and AI-Driven Digital Foundations. The company helps organizations modernize infrastructure, secure digital environments, and harness artificial intelligence to improve cyber resilience, operational efficiency, and business outcomes. Driven delivers advisory, professional, and managed services across cybersecurity, cloud, networking, data, and AI, enabling customers to securely innovate in an increasingly AI-driven world.

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Tripper Allen
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Oxford + Bond
tripper.allen@oxfordandbond.com

This release was issued through WebWire®. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com.

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SOURCE Driven Technologies

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Kroger names Nate Faust Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer

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CINCINNATI, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) today announced that Nate Faust will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer, effective September 1, 2026.

Faust brings more than two decades of experience building and scaling highly impactful eCommerce businesses, most recently at Olive creating a waste-free delivery and returns experience for brands like Rhone, Cynthia Rowley and Rent the Runway. As a founder, operator, investor and advisor, he has consistently been at the forefront of supply chain innovation, digital commerce and customer experience.

“Nate built businesses that redefined what customers expect from eCommerce, built on speed, value and the experience of getting exactly what the customer ordered,” said Greg Foran, CEO of Kroger. “That is the standard we are holding ourselves to as we grow our digital business. I am thrilled to welcome Nate to the team.”

Faust is the co-founder of Jet.com, the mass merchandise eCommerce marketplace. As Chief Operating Officer, he led first-party merchandising, replenishment, fulfillment, and customer service. He also launched the groundbreaking Smart Cart model that rewarded customers with lower prices for shopping more efficiently.

After Jet.com was acquired by Walmart in 2016, Faust served as Senior Vice President of Walmart U.S. eCommerce Supply Chain, where he led a multi-year transformation of the customer delivery experience. 

Earlier in his career, Faust was a member of the executive team at Diapers.com, where he built what was the fastest fulfilment and delivery network in eCommerce – offering free one- and two-day shipping nationwide and same-day delivery in key markets.

“Kroger has deep customer relationships, unmatched loyalty data and a footprint that puts us closer to customers,” said Faust. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work alongside Greg again and build on that strong foundation, continuing to improve the customer experience in this fast-growing part of the business.”

Faust holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S.E. in Operations Research and Financial Engineering from Princeton University.  

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.

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Visual Comfort & Co. Opens New Showroom in Newton, Massachusetts

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HOUSTON, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visual Comfort & Co. announces the opening of its new Newton showroom, a 4,000-square-foot destination showcasing the company’s portfolio of designer lighting partnerships, including AERIN, Thomas O’Brien, Ralph Lauren, Alexa Hampton, and many others.

The showroom features an immersive demonstration area where decorative lighting, architectural lighting, lighting controls, and shading solutions come to life within a home environment. Here, guests can experience the essence of “visual comfort” firsthand, discovering how intentional lighting design not only enhances the richness of fabrics, finishes, and artwork, but also shapes mood, atmosphere, and overall well-being. The space also integrates motorized shades, including the company’s new custom Roman Shade program, to illustrate how smart shading and layered lighting work in harmony to balance natural daylight and interior illumination.

“The Greater Boston design community has a longstanding appreciation for craftsmanship, timeless design, and exceptional quality,” says Gale Singer, founder of Visual Comfort & Co.’s direct division. “Our new showroom makes it easy to experience the beauty and simplicity of integrated lighting and shading, with our lighting design experts helping bring each project from concept to completion.”

The showroom is open for walk-ins or by appointment. In-person or virtual consultations can be scheduled by calling 617.409.5509 or at visualcomfort.com/us/showrooms/newton

Visual Comfort & Co. – Newton 
230 Needham St, Suite E5
Newton, MA 02464
617.409.5509

About Visual Comfort & Co.:
Visual Comfort & Co. is the world’s premier resource for whole home lighting solutions, spanning decorative, architectural, ceiling fans, landscape, integrated controls and shading. Collaborating with the most talented and influential designers and brands in the industry, Visual Comfort offers an unparalleled assortment of products for every category, style, and price point. With over 70 showrooms and growing across the US, UK, and Asia, Visual Comfort continues to advance its vision of enhancing people’s lives through the power and beauty of light.

For more information, visit visualcomfort.com.

Press Contact: Sabrina Hames, sabrina@blitzerandcompany.com 

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SOURCE Visual Comfort & Co.

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