Artificial Intelligence
AppHarvest opens 15-acre high-tech indoor salad greens farm featuring touchless growing system with autonomous harvesting to supply new “Queen of Greens®” washed-and-ready-to-eat packaged salad brand
Announces $30 million financing deal with marketing partner Mastronardi Produce secured by AppHarvest Berea
Company expects four-farm network to be operating by year-end,
with 30-acre Somerset berry farm expected to begin commercial shipments soon
AppHarvest four-farm network will include 165 acres making it a top controlled environment agriculture producer
MOREHEAD, Ky., Oct. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AppHarvest, Inc. (NASDAQ: APPH, APPHW), a sustainable food company, public benefit corporation and Certified B Corp building some of the world’s largest high-tech indoor farms to grow affordable, nutritious fruits and vegetables at scale while providing good jobs in Appalachia, today opened its Berea, Ky., 15-acre high-tech indoor salad greens farm featuring a touchless growing system with autonomous harvesting and announced a $30 million loan from marketing partner Mastronardi Produce secured by the AppHarvest Berea farm. Consistent with its strategy to secure attractive long-term financing for its assets, AppHarvest also intends to pursue sale-leaseback financing for its Berea farm.
The secured financing is being delivered in two tranches of $15 million each, the first of which occurred on Oct. 25 and the second is anticipated four weeks later. The loan will incur an interest rate of 7.5% with interest paid in kind until the loan matures.
At 15-acres – or nearly 654,000 square feet – the AppHarvest Berea farm is expected to be the world’s largest high-tech indoor farm for autonomously harvested salad greens with a cutting-edge touchless growing system. The hands-off system is automated from pre-seeding to packaging including onsite washing to help improve both food safety and efficiency for the “Queen of Greens®” washed-and-ready-to-eat salad packs. The farm is designed to grow about 35 million lettuce plants at a time, which go from seed to maturity in about three to four weeks depending on variety.
The AppHarvest Berea controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility was proclaimed officially open today as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, U.S. Representative Andy Barr and AppHarvest Founder & CEO Jonathan Webb used handheld harvesters to cut down a strip of crispy and juicy greens grown in the farm’s touchless system. The farm is opening on a phased approach, beginning with five acres then bringing on additional productive acreage over time. AppHarvest began first commercial shipments of salad greens earlier this month.
“Our top customers increasingly request CEA-grown produce for its reliable quantity and consistent quality—especially in terms of flavor, texture, color and shelf-life—and its more sustainable growing methods. This deeper relationship with AppHarvest positions us to grow together efficiently to meet increasing demand by expanding our local footprint and delivering on our long-standing ‘fresh from the farm’ commitment to customers,” said Mastronardi Produce CEO Paul Mastronardi.
“AppHarvest is deepening its relationship with Mastronardi Produce under the ‘Queen of Greens®’ packaged salad brand. Securing non-dilutive sources of capital to fund our growth has been the team’s priority, and we expect this financing through Mastronardi to improve cash flow as we continue to scale operations,” said AppHarvest Founder & CEO Jonathan Webb. “Working closely with Mastronardi, the AppHarvest team has set new precedents in the CEA sector by quadrupling our number of farms in such a short time. With the Berea opening, we now have two farms shipping produce to national customers, and our 30-acre Somerset berry facility also is expected to ship in the next few weeks. We expect Morehead to start its third harvest and to start planting our 60-acre Richmond tomato farm in November.”
The AppHarvest Berea growing environment leverages sunshine and rainwater and is automated for lighting, humidity and temperature. The farm uses a closed-loop irrigation system, which enables expected water savings of up to 90 percent compared to open-field farming and allows for precision dosing of nutrients, resulting in far less use of fertilizer compared to open-field farming while avoiding pollution from agricultural runoff. The closed-loop system also aids in integrated pest management —using good bugs to take care of bad bugs and early detection and prevention—to avoid the use of harsh chemical pesticides. The adaptive spacing design of the troughs in the touchless growing system further minimizes any potential pest exposure.
The packaged salad market in North America was estimated to be about $5.9 billion in 2021 and growing. As traditional lettuce-producing areas in California and Arizona experience ongoing drought and other severe weather conditions wreak havoc on crop yields, AppHarvest believes its CEA approach producing more predictable yields with less water and other resources will be critical in providing fresh fruits and vegetables that are affordable.
According to USDA reports, the value of U.S. fruit and vegetable imports rose to a record level in 2021 and has been projected to keep increasing in 2022. Changing weather patterns—ranging from mega-drought in the Southwest of the U.S. to more frequent flooding to catastrophic wind events—are making it harder than ever for open-field farmers to predict the duration of their growing seasons and to have conditions that result in a quality harvest. Major food retailers have demonstrated increasing interest in high-tech indoor farms for their ability to de-risk fruit and vegetable production with a more climate-resilient, more sustainable year-round growing solution that uses far fewer resources. Europe, a pioneer in the industry, is estimated to have nearly 520,000 acres of CEA production compared to an estimated 6,000 acres in the United States.
About AppHarvest
AppHarvest is a sustainable food company in Appalachia developing and operating some of the world’s largest high-tech indoor farms with robotics and artificial intelligence to build a reliable, climate-resilient food system. AppHarvest’s farms are designed to grow produce using sunshine, rainwater and up to 90% less water than open-field growing, all while producing yields up to 30 times that of traditional agriculture and preventing pollution from agricultural runoff. AppHarvest currently operates its flagship farm – about the size of 50 football fields – in Morehead, Ky., producing tomatoes. The company is developing a network of farms to produce a variety of vine crops, salad greens and berries. The four-farm network that is expected to be operational by the end of 2022 consists of 165 acres. For more information, visit https://www.appharvest.com.
About Mastronardi Produce
A pioneer and industry leader in the gourmet greenhouse industry, Mastronardi Produce grows and markets nationally recognized products under the SUNSET® brand, including Campari®, Flavor Bombs® and Angel Sweet® tomatoes and WOW® Berries. Mastronardi Produce has been family-owned for over 70 years and prides itself on producing consistently flavorful gourmet tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and berries. For more information, visit https://www.sunsetgrown.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words or phrases such as “will,” “estimate,” “projected to,” “continue,” “expect,” “plan,” “work to” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding AppHarvest’s intention to build high-tech CEA farms, AppHarvest’s expectation that the Berea farm will be the world’s largest high-tech indoor farm for autonomously harvested salad greens, the landscape of the fruit and vegetables market, the economic impact of changing weather patterns on production for open-field farmers, the anticipated benefits of and production at such facilities, timing and availability of produce, AppHarvest’s future financial performance, anticipated benefits of and use of proceeds from the financing arrangement with Mastronardi Produce, the potential for a sale-leaseback of the Berea farm as well as AppHarvest’s growth and evolving business plans and strategy, ability to capitalize on commercial opportunities, future operations, estimated financial position and cash flow, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this news release, and on the current expectations of AppHarvest’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of AppHarvest. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC by AppHarvest on August 3, 2022, under the heading “Risk Factors,” and other documents AppHarvest has filed, or that AppHarvest will file, with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect AppHarvest’s expectations, plans, or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. AppHarvest anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while AppHarvest may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, AppHarvest specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing AppHarvest’s assessments of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
Media Contact: Travis Parman, [email protected]
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STOCKHOLM, Oct. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The following representatives of ASSA ABLOY AB’s shareholders will be members of the Nomination Committee for the 2025 Annual General Meeting:
– Johan Menckel, Investment AB Latour, Chairman of the Nomination Committee
– Mikael Ekdahl, Melker Schörling AB
– Marianne Nilsson, Swedbank Robur Fonder
– Yvonne Sörberg, Handelsbanken Fonder
– Carina Silberg, Alecta
The Chairman of the Board, Johan Hjertonsson, has been co-opted to the Nomination Committee.
The Nomination Committee shall prepare proposals for the Annual General Meeting in 2025 regarding the election of Chairman of the General Meeting, members of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, auditor, fees for the members of the Board including division between the Chairman, the Vice Chairman and the other Board members as well as fees for committee work, fees to the company’s auditor and, if necessary, changes to the instructions for the Nomination Committee.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 23 April 2025, in Stockholm, Sweden.
Shareholders who wish to submit proposals to the Nomination Committee should send an email to [email protected].
For more information, please contact:Nico Delvaux, President and CEO, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 82Erik Pieder, CFO and Executive Vice President, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 72 Björn Tibell, Head of Investor Relations, tel. no: +46 70 275 67 68
About ASSA ABLOY
The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. The Group operates worldwide with 61,000 employees and sales of SEK 141 billion. The Group has leading positions in areas such as efficient door openings, trusted identities and entrance automation. ASSA ABLOY’s innovations enable safe, secure and convenient access to physical and digital places. Every day, we help billions of people experience a more open world.
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Artificial Intelligence
AI in Social Media Market worth $10.33 billion by 2029- Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Oct. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The AI in Social Media Market is projected to grow from USD 2.20 billion in 2024 to USD 10.33 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.2% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™. The market is expected to grow due to the rise in the need for more personalized user experiences, optimized advertising, and automated customer service.
Browse in-depth TOC on “AI in Social Media Market”
315 – Tables 63 – Figures320 – Pages
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Scope of the Report
Report Metrics
Details
Market size available for years
2019-2029
Base year considered
2023
Forecast period
2024-2029
Forecast units
USD (billion)
Segments Covered
Product type, Use case, End user, and Region
Geographics covered
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Latin America
Companies covered
Major vendors in the global AI in Social Media Market are Google (US), Meta (US), IBM (US), Sprout Social (US), Sprinklr (US), AWS (US), LivePerson (US), HubSpot (US), Microsoft (US), Adobe (US), Baidu (China), OpenAI (US), Hootsuite (US), Qualtrics (US), Brandwatch (UK), Converseon (US), Meltwater (US), Quid (US), Digimind (France), CreatorIQ (US), Aspire.io (US), Lately.AI (US), SocialPilot (US), Copy.ai (US), Flick (UK), Dash Hudson (US), Jasper (US), Upfluence (US), Ocoya (Lithuania), Upgrow (US), StoryChief (Belgium), Genius.AI (UAE), ContentStudio (US), Emplifi (US), Lumen5 (US), Buffer (US), Narrato (India), Mentionlytics (UK), Kapwing (US), Predis.AI (India), Pictory (US), Midjourney (US), and Synthesia (UK).
The major factors driving the market growth of AI in Social Media Market include the introduction of AI-powered deepfake detection in social media to identify and flag altered content. Social platforms are increasingly relying on advanced AI algorithms to detect and flag manipulated videos, images, and audio, addressing growing concerns about misinformation, fraud, and digital deception. Growth in Gen AI-based content creation tools enables brands to create captivating and unique content. These tools empower brands to effortlessly create captivating, unique content at scale, allowing personalized engagement with audiences. The rising demand for highly personalized content and recommendations tailored to user preferences and behavior are shaping the social media market. This personalization boosts user satisfaction, fosters stronger engagement, and increases time spent on platforms, benefiting users and advertisers. Improved collaboration between influencers and brands is boosting the effectiveness of influencer marketing campaigns with AI. AI tools help brands and influencers to better understand the audiences by analyzing data like preferences, behaviors, and trends. This helps both brands and influencers grow their reach and engagement which makes influencer marketing campaigns successful.
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Advent of Gen AI-based content creation tools enables brands to create captivating and unique content.
The rise of gen AI-based content creation tools has transformed social media by empowering brands to create unique content. These tools are powered by advanced language models, enable automated text generation, images, and videos that cover target audiences, and maintain a dynamic presence on platforms. The utilization of gen AI across sectors such as entertainment, healthcare, and marketing agencies is transforming content creation and customer engagement. Gen AI also simplifies content production workflow, reducing time and cost related to traditional content creation methods. Global tech giants are investing heavily in AI technologies to improve user experience, enhance advertising effectiveness, and gain competitive advantages in the AI in social media market.
By Product type, the influencer marketing segment registers for the fastest growing market during the forecast period.
By automating and optimizing influencer marketing, AI social media tools enable brands to make data-driven decisions, reach relevant audiences, and ensure their campaigns are more effective and cost-efficient. AI-based social media tools in influencer marketing assist brands in detecting fraudulent influencers, which can improve the ROI, increase sales, and improve the brand’s reputation. For instance, AI content tools like Lumen5, Canva, Jasper, and Midjourney are major tools for improving influencer marketing strategies by crafting high-quality content.
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By region, Asia Pacific to register the highest CAGR market during the forecast period.
Asia Pacific is a rapidly growing region for AI in social media, compelled by high mobile and internet penetration rates and a young, tech-savvy population. Countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea are leading the adoption, with social media platforms being central to the region’s social media ecosystem. With the vast amount of content generated in diverse languages, AI in social media is used for content moderation, language translation, and understanding user-generated content, specifically across China and India.
Top Key Companies in AI in Social Media Market:
Some major players in the AI in Social Media Market include Google (US), Meta (US), IBM (US), Sprout Social (US), Sprinklr (US), AWS (US), LivePerson (US), HubSpot (US), Microsoft (US), Adobe (US), Baidu (China), OpenAI (US), Hootsuite (US), Qualtrics (US), Brandwatch (UK), Converseon (US), Meltwater (US), Quid (US), Digimind (France), CreatorIQ (US), Aspire.io (US), Lately.AI (US), SocialPilot (US), Copy.ai (US), Flick (UK), Dash Hudson (US), Jasper (US), Upfluence (US), Ocoya (Lithuania), Upgrow (US), StoryChief (Belgium), Genius.AI (UAE), ContentStudio (US), Emplifi (US), Lumen5 (US), Buffer (US), Narrato (India), Mentionlytics (UK), Kapwing (US), Predis.AI (India), Pictory (US), Midjourney (US), and Synthesia (UK).
Browse Adjacent Markets: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Research Reports & Consulting
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AI as a Service Market – Global Forecast to 2029
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Artificial Intelligence
NTT DATA signs agreement to acquire Aoop and will become a leader in ServiceNow solutions in Latin America
BIELEFELD, Germany and SÃO PAULO, Oct. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NTT DATA Business Solutions AG, a global unit of NTT DATA, announces that the agreement for the acquisition of Aoop, a leading ServiceNow implementation company in Brazil, has been signed. The terms of the acquisition have been finalized between the companies and will be completed following approval from the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE). Founded in 2017, Aoop supports customers across various industries and is a specialist in the acceleration of automated digital strategies. With Aoop, NTT DATA will expand its operations in the Latin American ServiceNow solutions market, complementing a recent acquisition in the UK focused on strengthening this offering in Europe and the United States.
“With the acquisition of Aoop, we significantly increase our competitive strength in Brazil by offering both SAP and ServiceNow solutions, positioning us alongside market leaders,” says Norbert Rotter, CEO, NTT DATA Business Solutions. “This move will not only secure us a leading position in the fast-growing ServiceNow ecosystem but will also integrates a company with a strong market presence and solid financials to NTT DATA. It will be a significant step in driving our strategic objectives, strengthening our partnership with ServiceNow and our commitment to establishing a Center of Excellence in the region.”
Ricardo Fachin, Managing Director of NTT DATA Business Solutions Brazil adds: “The acquisition of Aoop will solidify our leading position in the Brazilian market. It will enhance synergies with our other Latin American and U.S. operations, accelerating our regional growth. As part of ServiceNow’s global strategy, Brazil will become a significant shoring center for the group. Aoop’s comprehensive portfolio, covering all ServiceNow verticals, will benefit all NTT DATA customers.”
With a strategy focused on driving the future of organizations and providing full lifecycle services, Aoop has completed around 2,500 digital transformation projects and has over 300 professionals certified on ServiceNow solutions. This expertise has led the company to become a ServiceNow Elite Partner in record time. The continuous commitment to excellence and the delivery of innovative solutions have established Aoop as a market reference, integrating intelligent efficiency throughout the entire production chain.
“Aoop leads the ServiceNow market in Brazil. Our integration with NTT DATA Business Solutions will allow us to further expand our solution offerings to existing customers, access new opportunities for joint solutions with SAP customers and accelerate our international expansion,” says Luiz Cesar Baptistella, CEO and founder of Aoop.
The acquisition of Aoop will add 120 customers to the portfolio of NTT DATA Business Solutions, which has been operating in Brazil for 25 years. Aoop will become a subsidiary of NTT DATA Business Solutions – Servicos de Tecnologia Ltda. in Brazil and will operate as an independent company after the acquisition, using the brand name “Aoop, an NTT DATA Company”.
For more information visit nttdata-solutions.com.
About NTT DATA Business Solutions
NTT DATA Business Solutions is a leading global IT service provider focused on SAP with a powerful ecosystem of partners. With more than 35 years of in-depth experience, we enable companies worldwide to become Intelligent Enterprises. We deliver end-to-end solutions that accelerate sustainable growth and success – from strategic consulting and implementation to managed services and beyond. As a global strategic SAP partner, we drive innovation and leverage the latest technologies to support our customers individually and across all industries. Our more than 15,300 dedicated employees in over 30 countries work passionately every day to make it happen.
NTT DATA Business Solutions is part of NTT DATA, a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services headquartered in Tokyo. As One NTT DATA we serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping customers innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group.
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Local
Global
Sofia Baldessar
Sales Operation Director
NTT DATA Business Solutions –
Servicos de Tecnologia Ltda.
1440 Visconde de Nacar Street –
13th floor Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
T: +55 41 988658826
Email: [email protected]
Jasmin Straeter
Head of Global Communications
NTT DATA Business Solutions AG
Königsbreede 1, 33605 Bielefeld, Germany
T: +49 521 9 14 48 108
Email: [email protected]
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