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Meet Graze: The All-Electric, Fully Autonomous Mower That Wants to Make The Commercial Landscaping Industry More Eco-Friendly

Graze

By Rachael Green, Benzinga Interested in investing in Graze Mowing? Click here to get started! According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one hour of operating a standard gas-powered lawn mower produces the same amount of air pollutants as driving a car for 45 miles. Adding to that, the process of refilling the gas tank on a lawn mower can result in accidental spills which release those pollutants into the air via evaporation and into the groundwater via seepage. While those spills may look small, the EPA estimates that about 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled each year as a result of refueling lawn equipment. While one household typically spends just 25 hours per year mowing their lawn, a single commercial landscaper will use lawnmowers for 406 hours per year on average. finding a way to curb the commercial use of gas-powered lawn equipment could be a key to addressing this contributor to carbon emissions. That’s what the team behind Graze Mower set out to accomplish. The tech start-up is currently raising capital via a crowdfunding campaign to scale production of its eco-friendly all-electric autonomous lawn mower. The Graze Mower Aims To Make Eco-Friendly Landscaping A Reality One of the simplest solutions to the pollution problem of gas-powered mowers is to switch to electric equipment. An all-electric mower produces zero emissions during operation and doesn’t need to be refilled with gas, eliminating the risk of gasoline spills seeping into the groundwater. No internal combustion engine also means less noise pollution. A standard gas-powered mower produces about 95 decibels of noise on average, a volume equivalent to a motorcycle. Meanwhile, the average electric mower produces 75 decibels, which is equivalent to a washing machine. Graze’s autonomous lawn mower is 100% electric and powered by rechargeable batteries. Designed with large-scale landscaping jobs in mind, Graze can professionally mow up to three acres per hour and lasts up to eight hours on a single charge. So commercial landscapers can tackle large jobs without worrying about the machine running out of power before it’s done. This makes switching to an electric mower and slashing carbon emissions and fuel costs a viable option for more landscapers. To add to its eco-friendly benefits, Graze is a mulching mower, meaning it chops the grass clippings up into small pieces and returns them to the soil as it goes so that they can serve as mulch for the lawn. Mulching recycles the nutrients locked in the clippings so that they can be reabsorbed by the lawn, allowing the lawn’s owner to rely less on environmentally-hazardous fertilizers. The simple practice is so effective, in fact, that a lawn can get up to 25% of its annual nitrogen requirements from recycled grass clippings alone. That’s about one full fertilizer application per year that can be skipped. Mulching also conserves soil moisture by preventing evaporation and releasing the moisture locked in the clippings themselves back into the soil. This can reduce the amount of irrigation needed by as much as two-thirds. That layer of clippings on the soil even reduces weed growth by blocking the sunlight weed seeds need to grow, meaning fewer toxic herbicide treatments are needed to control weeds. Plus, because Graze is fully autonomous, landscapers can slash labor costs while they’re at it. Workers can focus on the higher value tasks while Graze handles the mowing on its own, meaning jobs can get done by smaller teams or in fewer hours. Graze estimates landscapers cut labor costs by as much as 50% with one of its automated mowers. Learn more about Graze’s autonomous mower and how to invest in the crowdfunding campaign here. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. Grazie is a fully autonomous and electric commercial lawnmower. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details John Vlay invest@grazemowing.com

March 21, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Transportation Stocks Every Investor Should Have On The Radar

RazorPitch/Transportation

The transportation industry is a vital component of the global economy, with a staggering valuation of $875.5 billion, according to the American Trucking Association (ATA). As the industry continues to experience impressive growth rates around 2.8–3.2%, key sector stocks are making strategic moves to reward their shareholders. Top performers in the sector are declaring higher cash quarterly and annual dividends, offering stock buybacks, and outperforming industry growth rates. The trucking transportation industry has evolved significantly with the introduction of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, intermodal transportation strategies, logistics protocols, last-mile delivery skills, new fuels, IoT devices for predictive maintenance, and onboard sensors. These developments have made the trucking and transportation sector, a new and exciting industry. However, the industry also faces several challenges, such as increased wages for employees and drivers, benefits, rents, fuel, and operating costs. Additionally, finding enough qualified drivers, offsetting higher fuel costs, and dealing with less imported freight due to decreased shipments from Asia in the short term are other challenges the industry is facing. Moreover, port delays and other operating expenses increase the need for intermodal multi-transportation truck/rail/sea/air logistics for greater efficiency Forbes Says Technology Will Make Transportation More Profitable Forbes recently published an analysis that highlighted how new technology strategies in transportation are promoting sustainability while also driving profitability in the industry. However, these rapid changes make it difficult for investors to accurately value fast-changing transportation stocks. Despite this challenge, the transportation sector remains a viable investment option. According to SimplyWallSt., analysts are particularly optimistic about the trucking industry, predicting 34% annual earnings growth over the next five years. In contrast, the earnings growth rate for railroads is expected to be only 3.2% over the same period. Investors looking for that growth potential may want to keep an eye on the transportation sector, which seems to have a promising future. Here’s a look at some industry winners. Werner Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WERN) trades at a PE ratio (TTM) of 11.41 and a market cap of $2.7 billion. It is one of the nation’s largest trucking and logistics companies. Its board just declared another quarterly dividend, this time $0.13 per common share, as it has every quarter since July 1987. Last year, Werner paid dividends of $32.2 million and repurchased shares worth $110.40 million. Both had similar payouts in 2021. It serves clients in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Its revenues in 2022 were greater than $3.3 billion, and its net income was $241.2 million. WERN’s services include truckload brokerage, freight management, intermodal, and final mile logistics. Its shares have grown 3.1% over the past three months. outperforming the 2.8%–3.2% projected rise of the trucking transportation industry. However, the company’s expenses grew 15.9% in Q4 2022. Higher expenses included driver wages, benefits (5.9% higher), fuel up (55.1% increase), plus more rent and purchased transportation expenses (a 13.7% jump). Analyst Zacks is impressed with its cash dividend payouts and share buyback program, designed to boost shareholder value and reinvest in its business. Zacks ranks its stock as a ‘hold’. Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE: SNDR) trades at a TTM PE ratio of 10.18 and a market cap of $4.6 billion. Last year's revenues were $6.6 billion, up 6.6% from the prior year, and its net income in 2022 rising 13% to $457.8 million from FY 2021. However, its profit margin dropped to 6.9% in 2022 from 7.2% in FY 2021. That was because SNDR's expenses increased. SimplyWall St. says it forecasts Schneider’s fiscal performance to stay flat over the next three years vs. a 5.1% jump in Transportation Industry sector revenue seen for the same period. SNDR is increasing its dividend in April for a 1.2% annual payment to its stock price—unfortunately, that dividend is less than what others in this industry sector are paying, according to analyst SimplyWallSt. In 2022, SNDR paid $56 million in dividends, well above 2021 levels, the company said on its Q4 earnings call. Its new intermodal Western partner is Union Pacific. Trucking activity was down in Q4 2022 because import activity from Asia waned, an industry-wide headwind. Even with SNDR’s disappointing performance, which missed analysts’ estimates by just 1.5%, SimplyWallSt. calculates that SNDR stock is still trading close to its estimated fair value. This analyst uses a proprietary two-stage free cash flow calculation method to determine its fair value estimate per share of $25.98. The stock currently trades at $29+ per share. That valuation strategy uses future cash flows and discounts them for their current value today. Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD) has a PE ratio (TTM) of 9.11. It has a market cap of $1.25 billion. Its fiscal performance for the full year 2022 beat analysts' expectations. Revenue was up 59% from FY 2021 to $968 million in FY 2022. Net income increased by 69% to $133.6 million. Its profit margin of 14% in FY 2022 stayed in line with FY 2021. As a result, it declared a cash dividend of $0.02 per share, payable on April 7, 2023. That means the company has paid out $544.2 million in cash dividends, including this most recent dividend payment. SimplyWallSt. estimates 13% revenue growth for HTLD on average over the next three years vs. a 5.1% forecast for the transportation sector in the US over this period. However, Zacks rates this stock a ‘hold’ after its slight fiscal miss of analyst expectations for Q4 2022 performance. Marten Transport, Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRTN) has a strong PE ratio (TTM) of 14.66 and trades at a market cap of $1.64 billion. In 2022, MRTN reported revenues of $1.26 billion, 30% higher than the previous year. Net income rose 29% to $110.4 million in the full year 2022. But like other companies in transportation trucking, MRTN showed a slight decrease in profit margin—to 8.7% in 2022—as higher expenses, from fuel to payroll, cut into the bottom line. This company is also forecast to outperform the transportation industry over the next two years with a 5.4% growth in revenue. Perhaps due to its fiscal performance, MRTN’s shares have risen YTD. Now analysts are gleefully watching its improved return on capital (ROCE) trends. SimplyWallSt. discovers that it has increased by 15% over the last five years and that its stock has increased by 72% over the same period. Its ROCE has outperformed the industry sector average. For investors willing to take more risk for a potentially higher gain, smaller up-and-coming companies may provide that action. One stock that is virtually unknown and flying under the radar in this sector is APSI. Let’s take a closer look at what makes APSI a high-potential opportunity. Last year, Aqua Power Systems, Inc. (OTC: APSI) purchased 100% of transportation trucking company Tradition Transport and all of its subsidiaries. For the full fiscal year 2022, sales are expected to be in the $125 million range, with a net profit of $4.5 million. In 2021, Tradition reported revenue of $87,695,384 and a net profit of $2,986,945. In 2020, the company generated $49,992,274 and a net income of $1,738,623. APSI moved from a shell OTC company to a bona fide asset-based transport/trucking firm with seven subsidiaries. Yet, APSI trades at a market cap of only $5.7 million. Tradition Debuts New Intermodal Services Tradition, through its subsidiary Freedom Freight Solutions, added new intermodal services through its drayage inbound and outbound freight business at its facility in the Port of Savannah. The seamless intermodal strategy is designed to make freight movement faster and more efficient for the customer. Tradition is adopting new technology for its large base of some 500 active customers. It serves a diversified base of industries such as building materials, automotive, manufacturing, containers, and food. This broad spectrum gives Tradition a stable client footprint. APSI also owns an asset-based fleet of 162 company-owned tractors, some 303 trailers, and six warehouses totaling two million sq. ft. In terms of assets, Tradition Transport is a solid investment that delivers revenue and net income via this fleet. It also acquired Anchor Bolts & Fasteners, LLC, a company that manufactures bolts and fasteners as well as custom plates, cages, and embeds. Tradition's goal is to acquire another 200+ tractors and some 400 trailers in 2023 and 2024. More deployment centers for Tradition are scheduled to open in Savannah, Nashville, Dallas, and Indianapolis. M&A is on the horizon. In addition to its organic growth structure, Tradition Transport is already reviewing future potential buyout candidates related to the businesses. Tradition is also planning to grow its international business, and already serves freight to and from Mexico and Canada. APSI Stock Is Undervalued: A Significant Opportunity For Investors Tradition's parent, APSI, has just 17,204,180 shares outstanding, and its pricing remains undervalued in the transportation industry. By any measurement of revenue, net income, or assets, it deserves better. In fact, it should trade at well above $1 per share—and perhaps closer to $6-7 per share. Financial experts would agree that the APSI market cap makes no mathematical sense as it currently stands. A valuation based on industry standards compared to 10 competing publicly traded transportation companies finds that the median enterprise LFY valuation in this sector is 1.6X revenues. That would translate into an APSI market cap of some $200 million, based on 2022 full year sales of $125 million. A valuation based on typical sector multiples — such as the average enterprise based on LFY having 3.2 times revenues — means APSI would have a market cap of $400 million with a share price of $23.25. Even a one-time revenue share price at the estimated 2020 sales of $125 million would translate into $7.26 per share. APSI May Be One Of Most Undervalued Companies Publicly Listed APSI may be one of the most undervalued companies publicly listed when industry or sector multiples are applied. APSI has already filed an application with the SEC for an uplist to the OTCQB exchange. A NASDAQ listing is its ultimate goal. When this stock uplists, investors will notice. Investors should keep APSI on their watch lists because of the company’s asset-based acquisitions in the hot transport business — freight, logistics, warehousing, brokerage, leasing, and more. Disclaimers: RazorPitch Inc. is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors a safe harbor in regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions, or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward looking statements in this action may be identified through use of words such as projects, foresee, expects, will, anticipates, estimates, believes, understands, or that by statements indicating certain actions & quote; may, could, or might occur. Understand there is no guarantee past performance will be indicative of future results. Investing in micro-cap and growth securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. It is possible that an investors investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled. RazorPitch Inc has been retained by Aqua Power Systems and is responsible for the production and distribution of this content. It should be expressly understood that under no circumstances does any information published herein represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. This content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by RazorPitch or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in this article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. RazorPitch is not a fiduciary by virtue of any persons use of or access to this content. Contact Details RazorPitch Inc Mark McKelvie +1 585-301-7700 markrmckelvie@gmail.com Company Website http://RazorPitch.com

March 21, 2023 08:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Wingtra lands $22M funding round as their commercial drones take off to new heights

Wingtra

The business use case and appetite for drone technology is growing rapidly, a marketplace that was worth $29.8B in 2022 is growing 38.6% annually. Serving this demand, the world’s largest producer of commercial vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones Wingtra is today announcing a $22M series B funding round as they accelerate their operations globally. The funding round included DiamondStream Partners, EquityPitcher Ventures, Verve Ventures, the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), ACE & Company, John L. Steffens (founder of Spring Mountain Capital) and some of the most successful Swiss Entrepreneurs. Wingtra manufactures professional mapping drones, develops the software for fully autonomous flights and the WingtraPilot app operates the combined solution for reliable, fast and accurate collection and processing of aerial survey data. The drones are making it easier for surveying professionals in industries like construction and infrastructure, mining, environmental monitoring, agriculture and urban planning and land management to digitize their surrounding world. Their signature drone, the WingtraOne VTOL commercial drone has emerged as a formidable aerial data solution on the market. The VTOL design means the WingtraOne can take-off and land almost anywhere, even in confined spaces or on rough terrain enabling widespread data collection It is being used by hundreds of businesses and organizations including CEMEX, Rio Tinto, Army Corps of Engineers and Kenya Red Cross spread across 96 countries. The drones conduct over 100,000 flights annually, having mapped 18 million acres of land and sea (the equivalent of 13.6M football fields). The team successfully released their second generation drone in 2021, the WingtraOne Gen II drone which offers superior survey grade 2D and 3D maps to help users of the data make better decisions. It integrates the highest quality sensors in top-end RGB cameras to create 3D models, helping make digital twins at scale such that a single flight covering over 100 hectares can be digitized at 0.5 in/px. Compared to terrestrial surveying this is up to 30 times faster and 90% cheaper. Wingtra is delivering on the promise of the drone industry to offer effective and reliable means to achieve their needs. Wingtra is the brainchild of four young entrepreneurs Maximilian Boosfeld (CEO), Basil Weibel (VP Growth), Elias Kleimann (CFO) and Sebastian Verling (lead engineer) which was created in the Autonomous Systems Lab of ETH Zurich, one of the world's leading tech universities. Its notable graduate luminaries include Albert Einstein and Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss, who financed the Wyss Zurich Translational Center and is also an investor in Wingtra. Wingtra started life as a thesis paper for the university and became a startup at the Wyss Zurich accelerator to an internationally expanding scale-up business and, today, the world's largest producer of commercial VTOL drones. Wingtra employs close to 200 people, has offices in Zurich (Headquarters in Switzerland), Fort Lauderdale (US) and Zagreb (Croatia). Maximilian Boosfeld, CEO and co-founder of Wingtra commented: “Our vision at Wingtra is to create a world where drones help people make the management of large parts of our planet more sustainable and efficient. We reduced the cost of adopting drone assets and increased the data quality. This will help industry to plan better and, fundamentally, improve safety for humans and the environment. We have built the best tool for accurate data collection and have created solutions together with our partners for a variety of use cases our customers face: As an example, our solution is used in all stages of the construction life cycle: from the concept phase (feasibility & right-of-way studies), over the design phase (bidding process, detailed design & site planning), the construction phase (progress tracking to built survey all the way to maintenance, repair and operations. And the same holds true for use cases in agriculture, land management and environmental protection. We will continue to innovate and solve the problems of the future with easy to use solutions.” Wingtra has reinforced its senior leadership with 5 new industry veteran appointments as it scales the company: Marcos Bayuelo joins as VP Product from Hexagon AB where he directed product and innovation at the mining division of Hexagon AB, driving business growth from $12m to $60m in a single product portfolio Aleksandar Kostadinov joins as VP Sales and Customer Success and brings two decades of experience building international sales alliances and introducing Leica and Hexagon products to untapped markets. Alberto Toledo joins as GM in the US from Citrix where revenue lept from $4m to $25m in just three years. Corinna de Maddalena joins as VP People having led HR functions in leading tech companies over 15 years. Marco Schicker joins as COO from Hilti AG where he handled the transformation of global teams and brings insights and strengths as a 3x founder. “Every one of these leaders has the right experience to take Wingtra forward” said Maximilian Boosfeld. “They have all successfully grown several organizations to the next level. With this funding round, the right people and market leading product we are well set to accelerate the company growth.” DiamondStream Partners Dean Donovan: “We are very excited about partnering with Wingtra. The product’s simplicity of use, its high reliability engineering, and the company’s global network of value-added resellers and service providers have positioned it to expand its leadership in the $83+ Billion mapping segment of the aerial intelligence market globally. We look forward to helping the company in the United States and Latin America, which will be increasingly important geographies as Wingtra continues to expand." Wingtra's works to revolutionize the mapping workflow for surveying and mapping professionals to help them execute their work better and faster. Significant new features, camera integrations and product launches can be expected in the upcoming years. About Wingtra Headquartered in Switzerland, Wingtra is the world’s leading VTOL drone solution provider for construction, infrastructure and mining, and urban planning and land management professionals. Since its market entry in early 2017, Wingtra has partnered with the biggest equipment dealers on all continents and has been selling mapping drones globally ever since. In the summer of 2021, Wingtra released the second generation of its WingtraOne drone, the WingtraOne GEN II. The system demonstrates the leading edge of reliability, versatility, efficiency and ease-of-use. To learn more about Wingtra, visit: www.wingtra.com About DiamondStream Partners A thematic aerial mobility fund investing in the next generation aviation and aerospace technologies and services. The Fund’s partners bring strong insight into the economics of aerospace and aviation and a deep commitment to developing the industry based on their experiences as co-founders of Volaris and Eos, Seabury Consulting, British Airways, and Bain & Company’s airline practice. For more information, please visit www.diamondstream.com About EquityPitcher Ventures EquityPitcher is an early-growth Venture Capital firm that supports promising startups from the DACH region. Through close cooperation with renowned industry experts, investors and exit partners, we pave the way for entrepreneurs to attain the three decisive success factors: capital, know-how and network. For more information, please visit www.equitypitcher.com About the EIC Fund The European Innovation Council Fund from the European Commission is an agnostic Fund: it invests across all technologies and verticals, and all EU countries and countries associated to Horizon Europe. It provides the investment component of the EIC Accelerator blended finance. The EIC Fund aims to fill a critical financing gap and its main purpose is to support companies in the development and commercialisation of disruptive technologies, bridging with and crowding in market players, and further sharing risk by building a large network of capital providers and strategic partners suitable for co-investments and follow-on funding. The Fund pays particular attention to the empowerment and support of female founders as well as the ambition to reduce the innovation divide among EU countries. www.eic.ec.europa.eu About Verve Ventures Verve Ventures is a network and technology-driven venture capital firm based in Switzerland. Verve Ventures invests in startups across Europe from Seed stage onward, in software, hardware and healthcare. With a portfolio of more than 150 startups and around 20-30 new investors investments per year, Verve Ventures is one of Europe’s most active startup investors and has been listed among Europe's top 5 deeptech investors. Verve Ventures has grown to around 50 team members in Zurich, Berlin and Paris. www.verve.vc About ACE & Company ACE & Company is a leading global private equity and venture capital firm with over $1.6 billion in total assets. Since its inception, ACE Ventures has invested $400 million in more than 150 startups across various sectors and geographies. With offices in Geneva, London, New York, and Cairo, ACE & Company has a global network of partners and advisers, providing unparalleled support to portfolio companies Contact Details Wingtra Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://wingtra.com/

March 21, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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EVs for EV-eryone: New Report Unveils the Essentials to Scale E-Mobility

Eurelectric

Soaring energy prices and supply chain disturbances have not stopped EVs in Europe. Yet, as the EV industry gets ready to reach scale, consumers must be at the centre of this EV-olution. A new Eurelectric-EY study presents the six essentials to turn EVs into an affordable, reliable, user-friendly choice for every car owner across Europe. 2022 was a bumper year for e-mobility. EV sales won around 20% of the market, up from 17% in 2021, reaching 8 million units in Europe. Driving into the mainstream, however, will depend on the ability to convince the mass-market customer to take the EV-turn. A new Eurelectric-EY study presents six essentials for electric vehicles’ mass-market uptake: critical raw materials, smart charging, grid management, clean power generation, skilled labour, and digitalisation for consumer acceptance. “Getting our transport sector off its fossil fuel addiction is critical to achieve energy independence. The key to achieve that is to make the EV ecosystem the obvious choice for the consumer” – says Kristian Ruby, Secretary General at Eurelectric. The essentials for EVs uptake According to the report, bringing down battery prices is the first step. This entails setting clear regulations and mandates to attract investments in a resilient supply chain. Enhanced battery performance, recycling, and innovation in alternative chemistries as well as faster permitting and sustainable mining to ensure access to lithium, cobalt, and nickel are now urgently needed to escape dependencies on unreliable suppliers. But the battery price tag is not the only factor to encourage consumers to make the switch. The vehicle itself is only part of the story. It must be coupled with adequate charging infrastructure, in the places and spaces where people need it. It must be enabled by a smart grid that allows the two-way flow of green energy and supported by digital technologies that make EV ownership simple, flexible and likeable. Get these essentials right, and e-mobility becomes the new normal for road transport. The lack of public charging infrastructures is the first concern for potential EV buyers. Charging stations - whether at home, in the office, or on the road - must be quickly and evenly deployed across EU countries. By 2030, Europe will need 5.4 million non-residential chargers from the 482,000 currently accessible to supply around 200TWh of energy demand for EVs. And we need that energy to be carbon-free. This raises challenges for grid balancing that must be addressed now to avoid overloads and blackouts later. An ecosystem challenge “The EV industry is at an inflection point as e-mobility pushes beyond early adopters faster than previously anticipated. But a smooth transition from here is not guaranteed. Success hinges on a multi-stakeholder response and the role of utilities in maintaining the momentum cannot be underestimated. Collaboration around the six essentials is key, as failure could result in missed net-zero targets, unresolved air quality issues, wasted investments, and an extended transition period” – says Serge Colle, EY Global Energy & Resources Industry Market Leader. Utilities will play a huge role in pushing the e-mobility industry into mass adoption, by rolling out new and upgraded networks and renewable projects. Regulators, however, must be on board with a clear enabling framework. Eurelectric calls on policymakers to: Expand, upgrade, and climate-proof distribution grids; Streamline permitting to reduce delays in installing charging infrastructure and incentivize businesses to install charging stations via tax credits and subsidies; Support flexible technologies such as smart meters, and vehicle-to-grid to enable demand-side response and raise awareness on how citizens can become active energy transitioners; Encourage investments in domestic raw material production, recyclability, and alternative battery technologies; END Note to Editors: Eurelectric represents the interests of the European electricity industry. With members in over 30 European countries, we speak for more than 3,500 companies in generation, distribution and supply. Contact Details Eurelectric Eleonora RINALDI, Press and Media Officer +32 473 40 17 29 erinaldi@eurelectric.org Company Website https://www.eurelectric.org/

March 21, 2023 05:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Transportation Stocks Every Investor Should Have On The Radar

RazorPitch APSI

The transportation industry is a vital component of the global economy, with a staggering valuation of $875.5 billion, according to the American Trucking Association (ATA). As the industry continues to experience impressive growth rates around 2.8–3.2%, key sector stocks are making strategic moves to reward their shareholders. Top performers in the sector are declaring higher cash quarterly and annual dividends, offering stock buybacks, and outperforming industry growth rates. The trucking transportation industry has evolved significantly with the introduction of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, intermodal transportation strategies, logistics protocols, last-mile delivery skills, new fuels, IoT devices for predictive maintenance, and onboard sensors. These developments have made the trucking and transportation sector, a new and exciting industry. However, the industry also faces several challenges, such as increased wages for employees and drivers, benefits, rents, fuel, and operating costs. Additionally, finding enough qualified drivers, offsetting higher fuel costs, and dealing with less imported freight due to decreased shipments from Asia in the short term are other challenges the industry is facing. Moreover, port delays and other operating expenses increase the need for intermodal multi-transportation truck/rail/sea/air logistics for greater efficiency Forbes Says Technology Will Make Transportation More Profitable Forbes recently published an analysis that highlighted how new technology strategies in transportation are promoting sustainability while also driving profitability in the industry. However, these rapid changes make it difficult for investors to accurately value fast-changing transportation stocks. Despite this challenge, the transportation sector remains a viable investment option. According to SimplyWallSt., analysts are particularly optimistic about the trucking industry, predicting 34% annual earnings growth over the next five years. In contrast, the earnings growth rate for railroads is expected to be only 3.2% over the same period. Investors looking for that growth potential may want to keep an eye on the transportation sector, which seems to have a promising future. Here’s a look at some industry winners. Werner Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WERN) trades at a PE ratio (TTM) of 11.41 and a market cap of $2.7 billion. It is one of the nation’s largest trucking and logistics companies. Its board just declared another quarterly dividend, this time $0.13 per common share, as it has every quarter since July 1987. Last year, Werner paid dividends of $32.2 million and repurchased shares worth $110.40 million. Both had similar payouts in 2021. It serves clients in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Its revenues in 2022 were greater than $3.3 billion, and its net income was $241.2 million. WERN’s services include truckload brokerage, freight management, intermodal, and final mile logistics. Its shares have grown 3.1% over the past three months. outperforming the 2.8%–3.2% projected rise of the trucking transportation industry. However, the company’s expenses grew 15.9% in Q4 2022. Higher expenses included driver wages, benefits (5.9% higher), fuel up (55.1% increase), plus more rent and purchased transportation expenses (a 13.7% jump). Analyst Zacks is impressed with its cash dividend payouts and share buyback program, designed to boost shareholder value and reinvest in its business. Zacks ranks its stock as a ‘hold’. Schneider National, Inc. (NYSE: SNDR) trades at a TTM PE ratio of 10.18 and a market cap of $4.6 billion. Last year's revenues were $6.6 billion, up 6.6% from the prior year, and its net income in 2022 rising 13% to $457.8 million from FY 2021. However, its profit margin dropped to 6.9% in 2022 from 7.2% in FY 2021. That was because SNDR's expenses increased. SimplyWall St. says it forecasts Schneider’s fiscal performance to stay flat over the next three years vs. a 5.1% jump in Transportation Industry sector revenue seen for the same period. SNDR is increasing its dividend in April for a 1.2% annual payment to its stock price—unfortunately, that dividend is less than what others in this industry sector are paying, according to analyst SimplyWallSt. In 2022, SNDR paid $56 million in dividends, well above 2021 levels, the company said on its Q4 earnings call. Its new intermodal Western partner is Union Pacific. Trucking activity was down in Q4 2022 because import activity from Asia waned, an industry-wide headwind. Even with SNDR’s disappointing performance, which missed analysts’ estimates by just 1.5%, SimplyWallSt. calculates that SNDR stock is still trading close to its estimated fair value. This analyst uses a proprietary two-stage free cash flow calculation method to determine its fair value estimate per share of $25.98. The stock currently trades at $29+ per share. That valuation strategy uses future cash flows and discounts them for their current value today. Heartland Express (NASDAQ: HTLD) has a PE ratio (TTM) of 9.11. It has a market cap of $1.25 billion. Its fiscal performance for the full year 2022 beat analysts' expectations. Revenue was up 59% from FY 2021 to $968 million in FY 2022. Net income increased by 69% to $133.6 million. Its profit margin of 14% in FY 2022 stayed in line with FY 2021. As a result, it declared a cash dividend of $0.02 per share, payable on April 7, 2023. That means the company has paid out $544.2 million in cash dividends, including this most recent dividend payment. SimplyWallSt. estimates 13% revenue growth for HTLD on average over the next three years vs. a 5.1% forecast for the transportation sector in the US over this period. However, Zacks rates this stock a ‘hold’ after its slight fiscal miss of analyst expectations for Q4 2022 performance. Marten Transport, Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRTN) has a strong PE ratio (TTM) of 14.66 and trades at a market cap of $1.64 billion. In 2022, MRTN reported revenues of $1.26 billion, 30% higher than the previous year. Net income rose 29% to $110.4 million in the full year 2022. But like other companies in transportation trucking, MRTN showed a slight decrease in profit margin—to 8.7% in 2022—as higher expenses, from fuel to payroll, cut into the bottom line. This company is also forecast to outperform the transportation industry over the next two years with a 5.4% growth in revenue. Perhaps due to its fiscal performance, MRTN’s shares have risen YTD. Now analysts are gleefully watching its improved return on capital (ROCE) trends. SimplyWallSt. discovers that it has increased by 15% over the last five years and that its stock has increased by 72% over the same period. Its ROCE has outperformed the industry sector average. For investors willing to take more risk for a potentially higher gain, smaller up-and-coming companies may provide that action. One stock that is virtually unknown and flying under the radar in this sector is APSI. Let’s take a closer look at what makes APSI a high-potential opportunity. Last year, Aqua Power Systems, Inc. (OTC: APSI) purchased 100% of transportation trucking company Tradition Transport and all of its subsidiaries. For the full fiscal year 2022, sales are expected to be in the $125 million range, with a net profit of $4.5 million. In 2021, Tradition reported revenue of $87,695,384 and a net profit of $2,986,945. In 2020, the company generated $49,992,274 and a net income of $1,738,623. APSI moved from a shell OTC company to a bona fide asset-based transport/trucking firm with seven subsidiaries. Yet, APSI trades at a market cap of only $5.7 million. Tradition Debuts New Intermodal Services Tradition, through its subsidiary Freedom Freight Solutions, added new intermodal services through its drayage inbound and outbound freight business at its facility in the Port of Savannah. The seamless intermodal strategy is designed to make freight movement faster and more efficient for the customer. Tradition is adopting new technology for its large base of some 500 active customers. It serves a diversified base of industries such as building materials, automotive, manufacturing, containers, and food. This broad spectrum gives Tradition a stable client footprint. APSI also owns an asset-based fleet of 162 company-owned tractors, some 303 trailers, and six warehouses totaling two million sq. ft. In terms of assets, Tradition Transport is a solid investment that delivers revenue and net income via this fleet. It also acquired Anchor Bolts & Fasteners, LLC, a company that manufactures bolts and fasteners as well as custom plates, cages, and embeds. Tradition's goal is to acquire another 200+ tractors and some 400 trailers in 2023 and 2024. More deployment centers for Tradition are scheduled to open in Savannah, Nashville, Dallas, and Indianapolis. M&A is on the horizon. In addition to its organic growth structure, Tradition Transport is already reviewing future potential buyout candidates related to the businesses. Tradition is also planning to grow its international business, and already serves freight to and from Mexico and Canada. APSI Stock Is Undervalued: A Significant Opportunity For Investors Tradition's parent, APSI, has just 17,204,180 shares outstanding, and its pricing remains undervalued in the transportation industry. By any measurement of revenue, net income, or assets, it deserves better. In fact, it should trade at well above $1 per share—and perhaps closer to $6-7 per share. Financial experts would agree that the APSI market cap makes no mathematical sense as it currently stands. A valuation based on industry standards compared to 10 competing publicly traded transportation companies finds that the median enterprise LFY valuation in this sector is 1.6X revenues. That would translate into an APSI market cap of some $200 million, based on 2022 full year sales of $125 million. A valuation based on typical sector multiples — such as the average enterprise based on LFY having 3.2 times revenues — means APSI would have a market cap of $400 million with a share price of $23.25. Even a one-time revenue share price at the estimated 2020 sales of $125 million would translate into $7.26 per share. APSI May Be One Of Most Undervalued Companies Publicly Listed APSI may be one of the most undervalued companies publicly listed when industry or sector multiples are applied. APSI has already filed an application with the SEC for an uplist to the OTCQB exchange. A NASDAQ listing is its ultimate goal. When this stock uplists, investors will notice. Investors should keep APSI on their watch lists because of the company’s asset-based acquisitions in the hot transport business — freight, logistics, warehousing, brokerage, leasing, and more. Razorpitch Inc. is a marketing communications and investor relations firm serving private, pre-IPO, and public companies. RazorPitch specializes in corporate, investor, and stakeholder communications. Our goal is to raise visibility, expand awareness, and increase value. To learn more, visit RazorPitch.com. Disclaimers: RazorPitch Inc. is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors a safe harbor in regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions, or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward looking statements in this action may be identified through use of words such as projects, foresee, expects, will, anticipates, estimates, believes, understands, or that by statements indicating certain actions & quote; may, could, or might occur. Understand there is no guarantee past performance will be indicative of future results. Investing in micro-cap and growth securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. It is possible that an investors investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled. RazorPitch Inc has been retained by the company and is responsible for the production and distribution of this content. It should be expressly understood that under no circumstances does any information published herein represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. This content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by RazorPitch or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in this article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. RazorPitch is not a fiduciary by virtue of any persons use of or access to this content. Contact Details Mark McKelvie +1 585-301-7700 markrmckelvie@gmail.com Company Website http://razorpitch.com

March 21, 2023 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Angie Avers Shares Why She Left Corporate World to Buy & Grow Minuteman Press Franchise in Phoenix, AZ

Minuteman Press International Inc

Angie Avers has owned her Minuteman Press franchise in Phoenix, Arizona since July of 2021. In this interview, Angie shares how she no longer felt valued as an employee working for others, why she felt comfortable taking the leap into business ownership with Minuteman Press, and how she has successfully grown her business. Angie’s Minuteman Press center is located at 2432 W. Peoria Ave., Suite 1023, Phoenix, AZ 85029. What does it mean to you to be a business owner? Why did you choose Minuteman Press? Angie Avers: “I left the corporate environment after nearly 30 years because I was tired of working for someone else and not feeling valued as an employee. I also struggled with finding a new job for over 2 years as well. One day on LinkedIn, the Minuteman Press opportunity presented itself and I inquired about it. I thought to myself, I have nothing to lose at this point so why not? I was later contacted by Brady Rockwell from the Minuteman Press Int’l team and it all started to become real. I started to panic and almost walked away from this opportunity, but after looking at what Minuteman Press International has accomplished and what they were about, I was sold! I knew they wouldn’t judge me for my age or my background and the key part of it all was ‘we’ll train you.’ My background is in marketing and communications, and why wouldn’t I want to help other business owners build their business with print and promotional products? I thought “this is a no brainer!” What has the support from Minuteman Press International been like for you? Angie Avers: “Minuteman support has been great. Whenever I have a problem with FLEX the team always helps me and if I have other issues, I’m always directed to the correct person. There is so much information in FLEX that I still would like to learn even more. Jack Panzer, my local RVP in Arizona, and Sky Hittle, our Field Rep, are always there to help and be there for when I need help or they direct me to where I need to be.” What do you think sets you apart from the competition? Angie Avers: “I describe my business as a ‘full-service print and marketing design company exclusively ran by women.’ We have a plethora of resources at our fingertips and if we can’t do it in-house, we always have resources to help. I believe what sets us apart is our strong work ethic, our honesty with our customers, and our customer service.” What are your high-demand products and key growth areas? Angie Avers: “It’s really hard to say what our high-demand products are. Our core is still paper products, but we are growing other areas. One area we have grown substantially is our design services. New business owners come into our shop all the time. We discuss what their initial needs are and we start with their logo and colors. From there, we build upon what their other needs are and help them brand other products they may need for their business. One customer comes to mind, where we started from scratch with their logo, then brochures and flyers, labels, and now trade show equipment and promotional products. It’s been super fun helping them build their brand and grow their business.” What are some of the key ways you’ve grown your business? Angie Avers: “One of the biggest ways I grew my business was through an acquisition and it doubled my business last year. I also network with BNI and other organizations when I have a chance. I have started doing more email marketing now that my learning curve has minimized some. Our foot traffic into the shop has also grown. When I took over the business, we put up all new window graphics and added two 14-ft. flags in front of the shop which is located on a main road. We have customers tell us all the time they saw our flags outside.” Why do you think printing remains so vital to businesses today? Angie Avers: “Print is vital because without it, everything would just be shapes and images. A world cannot go without print. We wouldn’t even know how to read if we didn’t have print. So, it is vital for sure.” What are the biggest personal and professional rewards of owning your business? Angie Avers: “Personally, I like answering to myself and making myself accountable for what is happening in my business. I thrive on giving my all to our customers and having a team that gets the job done without me chasing after them all the time. My goal is to be a million-dollar shop before I retire and professionally speaking, I just love helping businesses in my community come alive and building those relationships to sell other products.” What advice would you give to other business owners right now? Angie Avers: “Do your research, put together your pros and cons on being a business owner, and while it’s scary to take the plunge, you’ll never know unless you try. Change is hard for a lot of people, but you don’t grow staying in the same place where you are unhappy. Challenge yourself to be the best you. I did and it was the best decision I ever made. I love what I’m doing, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.” Angie Avers’ Minuteman Press franchise is located at 2432 W. Peoria Ave., Suite 1023, Phoenix, AZ 85029. For more information, call or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/az/phoenix20/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

March 20, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Murgado Automotive Group Acquires Six Motor Werks Dealerships in Illinois

Murgado Automotive Group

Murgado Automotive Group, a leading automotive retailer with dealer franchises in Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey, has announced the acquisition of Motor Werks Auto Group, a prestigious and respected automobile retailer based in Barrington, Illinois. The acquisition includes BMW, Cadillac, Honda, Infiniti, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz dealerships and grows Murgado Automotive Group to 24 dealership locations, selling economy to ultra-luxury brands. The sale closed on March 17, 2023. The acquisition of Motor Werks by Murgado Automotive Group is part of the company's strategic expansion plan to increase its market presence and customer base. The addition of Motor Werks to Murgado Automotive Group's dealer franchise portfolio will enable the company to offer a broader range of automotive brands and services to customers in the Chicagoland area. Murgado Automotive Group already operates Honda of Downtown Chicago, Volkswagen of Downtown Chicago, Honda Libertyville, and Acura Highland Park. “Motor Werks was the first Cadillac dealership that I ever visited as a boy with my father in 1975, so I am deeply familiar with the brand and its legacy,” said Mario Murgado, president and CEO of Murgado Automotive Group. “We are proud and excited to welcome Motor Werks to our family of dealerships and add to our presence in Greater Chicago. We look forward to working with the many long-time and experienced employees and extending the tradition and success of Motor Werks.” Founded in 1971 with one store in downtown Barrington, Motor Werks grew into a state-of-the-art campus that is recognized as one of the most successful automotive retailers in Illinois. The Motor Werks brand will be retained, and no major staffing changes were announced. Customers of Motor Werks can expect a seamless transition of ownership and continued commitment to providing an outstanding automotive retail experience. “I want to thank Paul Tamraz and Mick Austin for the opportunity to acquire their incredible stores,” said Murgado. “They built a beautiful family business and have set a high bar, but we are up to the challenge.” Murgado Automotive Group, founded in Miami, Fla. In 2001, is a family-owned and operated automotive retailer with 24 dealer franchises in Florida, Chicago, and New Jersey. The company represents leading automotive brands, including Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Ferrari, GMC, Honda, Infiniti, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen. With a commitment to exceptional customer service and operational excellence, Murgado Automotive Group has been recognized as one of the top automotive retailers in the United States. More information is available at MurgadoAutomotiveGroup.com. Contact Details John P. David +1 305-724-3903 john@davidpr.com Company Website https://www.murgadoautomotivegroup.com/

March 20, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

This Tech Startup Says Its Autonomous Mower Is the Eco-Friendly Answer To The Labor Shortage In The Landscaping Industry

Graze

Interested in investing in Graze Mowing? Click here to get started! Graze Mowing, a tech startup aiming to disrupt the commercial landscaping industry, launched a crowdfunding campaign with the goal of raising $7.5 million to help the company scale production of its autonomous AI lawn mower. The patent-pending technology uses machine learning, GPS navigation, computer vision and advanced safety features to create a lawn mower that can professionally mow three acres per hour without the need for a human operator. Targeting the $176 billion commercial landscaping industry, the autonomous mower is made to help landscaping crews working on golf courses, parks, airports, and other large-scale projects automate one of the most time-consuming and costly parts of the job: lawn mowing. Mowing Is One Of The Biggest Pain Points For Professional Landscapers Mowing is one of the biggest factors eating into profit margins for professional landscaping companies. Add to that the widespread labor shortages, the high turnover rate in the landscaping industry, and the growing pressure from legislators to switch to equipment that doesn’t use fossil fuels, and razor-thin margins can end up disappearing entirely. Graze’s unique technology is meant to address all of those problems by making commercial landscaping both eco-friendly and more profitable. The fully electric mower features a rechargeable battery and a 60-inch tri-blade mow deck that can adapt to different terrains and grass types while offering precision mowing based on a pre-set mow height and cut pattern. By automating mowing, landscaping crews can focus their effort on higher-value landscaping work, getting jobs done faster without sacrificing quality. According to Mainscape, a landscaping partner of Graze, the autonomous mower has the potential to increase profit margins from just 10% to 43% by helping the company reduce labor costs. How The Graze Mower Aims To Bring Better, Safer, More Professional Automation To Robotic Mower Market The emerging robotic mower market has seen a few interesting entries, but most products are meant for smaller, residential products or require users to put up physical barriers to set the perimeter of the job site for the machine. With Graze, users set the perimeter using virtual mapping software, with no physical barriers required. Then, they set the mow height and cut pattern and let the machine get to work. Graze plans and executes its own mowing paths based on those settings. Once set, landscapers can use the same job site map and mow settings over and over again. While mowing, Graze uses smart sensors, computer vision, and other safety features to detect and avoid any obstacles ranging from debris to sidewalks to animals. Meanwhile, it uses machine learning to collect and apply data so that it can optimize for better precision and efficiency the next time it’s mowing that job site. With over $14.7 million raised so far from 9,300 investors and nearly $31 million in potential revenue from pre-orders according to Graze, the tech startup has already gained impressive traction among both investors and industry leaders in commercial landscaping. Learn more about the autonomous mower and the crowdfunding campaign here. This article originally appeared on Benzinga here. Graze is a fully autonomous and electric commercial lawnmower. Contact Details John Vlay invest@grazemowing.com

March 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Solactive AG concerned by potential e-fuels "backdoor"

HANetf Holdings Limited

Solactive AG head of research Konrad Sippel updates Proactive's Thomas Warner with the latest news from the world of EV charging infrastructure. Sippel highlights the potential for an e-fuels "backdoor" resulting from disharmony in the European Union, over plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine-powered cars by 2035. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

March 15, 2023 07:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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