News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs.
Below are snippets of all the media releases we received from April 29 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

Lenovo Launches LISSA

Sydney, April 26: Lenovo has introduced the Intelligent Sustainability Solutions Advisor (LISSA), an AI-powered tool designed to help businesses make sustainable IT decisions. LISSA provides insights on emissions impacts across the IT lifecycle and offers customized solutions for reducing carbon footprints.
“At Lenovo, we’re keen to underscore that sustainability is a business imperative,” said Claudia Contreras, Executive Director of Global Sustainability Services at Lenovo. She added that LISSA equips customers with data and AI-driven recommendations for IT purchasing, emphasizing sustainability.
Lenovo’s commitment includes achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. LISSA plays a crucial role by offering real-time data comparison of IT solutions, helping businesses align with sustainability goals efficiently.
“There is no one defined path; each customer is on their unique sustainability journey and needs access to data to measure progress,” Contreras noted.

Epson Wins iF Award

Sydney, April 29: Epson’s printer and scanner models have clinched the prestigious iF Design Award 2024.
Organized by iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover, the award recognizes outstanding industrial designs since 1954.
The SureColor F2260 printer and ES-C380W scanner are among the Epson products honored for their innovation, functionality, and design excellence in a competitive field of 10,800 entries from 72 countries.
Epson’s garment printers, including the SureColor SC-F2200 series, are praised for their compact design and ease of operation, enhancing productivity in textile printing.
The DS-C480W and DS-C420W document scanners also received accolades for their space-saving features, contributing to a more comfortable and efficient workspace.

Canon Reinforces Eco-Commitment on Earth Day

Kuala Lumpur, April 29: In celebration of World Earth Day, Canon Marketing Malaysia announced the extension of its partnership with Taman Tugu for the third year.
The partnership aims to promote environmental education and sustainability, aligning with Canon’s corporate philosophy of ‘Kyosei,’ which signifies living and working together for the common good.
Over 60 Canon employees and their families participated in a variety of environmental activities at Taman Tugu, including an Eco-Workshop for children, guided forest trails, and a T-shirt upcycling workshop in collaboration with Zero Waste Malaysia. These activities highlight Canon’s dedication to environmental conservation and community engagement.
“Our continued partnership with Taman Tugu reflects Canon’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and community development,” said Masato Yoshiie, President & CEO of Canon Marketing Malaysia. He emphasized the company’s efforts to empower employees and the community to foster a greener future.
Tracey Surin, Head of Fundraising, Activation, and Communications at Taman Tugu, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing collaboration, noting, “These activities raise awareness about environmental conservation while also fostering a sense of community involvement and responsibility.”
Canon’s commitment to environmental stewardship is further evidenced by its ‘One Canon One Tree’ initiative, which has resulted in over 9,000 trees being planted since 2016. The company continues to engage in various sustainability and community development initiatives across Malaysia.

Sabah Launches First Integrated Waste Facility

Kota Kinabalu, April 29: Tex Cycle Technology (M) Berhad, in partnership with Evolusi Bersatu Sdn Bhd, announced the opening of Sabah’s first integrated scheduled waste management facility, designed to promote sustainable waste management and economic growth in the region. The announcement was made during an event at the Hilton Hotel, attended by YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor, Chief Minister of Sabah.
The facility, developed by the joint venture Tex Evolusi Waste Management Sdn Bhd, represents a RM100.0 million investment and is expected to begin construction in the second half of 2024. It aims to reduce waste processing costs and emissions by keeping operations local, while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The initiative is projected to create over 150 jobs and supports Sabah’s commitment to sustainable development.
“With the launch of this integrated scheduled waste management facility, we are promoting sustainable and responsible waste management,” said Muhamad Tolling, Managing Director of Tex Evolusi Waste Management Sdn. Bhd. He emphasized the facility’s role in maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing environmental impact through advanced recovery and recycling technologies.
YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor praised the initiative, stating, “This facility represents a significant step in our journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable Sabah. By prioritising environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors alongside economic growth, we are creating a pathway for a brighter, greener future for the state.”

Xefco Raises AUD$10.5 Million to Transform Textile Industry

Sydney, April 30: Australian tech firm Xefco has secured AUD$10.5 million in funding to advance its eco-friendly textile solutions, aiming to reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact.
The investment round was led by Main Sequence, with additional funds from Breakthrough Victoria, Virescent Ventures, and others.
Xefco’s technology, Ausora, innovatively dyes and finishes textiles without water, addressing significant pollution and resource use issues in traditional fabric processing methods.
CEO Tom Hussey emphasized the need for greener supply chains, citing the extensive damage caused by current dyeing processes.
The new funds will help expand Xefco’s team and scale its operations at Deakin University’s ManuFutures hub.

Avenue Bank Leadership Shift

Sydney, April 30: Avenue Bank has appointed Jo Mikleus as a new independent, non-executive director and Chair of the Board Audit Committee. She replaces Christian Bernecker and brings extensive experience from her roles at Acumentis Group, Yondr Money, and as Senior Vice President at Cyble Inc. Mikleus has over three decades of banking and financial expertise with ANZ and Latitude Group.
Stephen Rix, Avenue’s Chairman, expressed gratitude to Bernecker and welcomed Mikleus, saying, “We wish to thank Christian Bernecker for his valuable contribution to Avenue and are delighted Jo has accepted her appointment. Jo’s proven track record and focus on growth, customer design thinking, and innovation will be valuable to Avenue’s Board of Directors. Her experience will ensure our Board continues to have the collective skills needed as an ADI to deliver on its strategic plan as Australia’s first and only bank specialising in bank guarantees.”
Jo Mikleus commented on her new role, “It’s a thrilling period to join Avenue’s Board. I look forward to contributing to Avenue’s trajectory, reinforcing its position at the forefront of banking innovation for Australian businesses.”
This appointment follows the bank’s significant strides since its establishment as an ADI in March, highlighted by its innovative digital bank guarantees that have transformed commercial leasing. Peita Piper, CEO of Avenue Bank, remarked, “The response to our digital bank guarantees has been overwhelmingly positive. We are reshaping the future of commercial leasing, and Jo’s guidance will play an important part in steering us through this exciting phase of growth and innovation.”

Aid for Long Kerangan

Miri, April 30: Yayasan MR D.I.Y and Tanoti extended crucial support to the Penan community in Long Kerangan, Sarawak, following a destructive fire in March. Seventy residents were affected, with significant damage to their longhouse. Yayasan MR D.I.Y provided tools and equipment for temporary shelters, while Tanoti facilitated the delivery.
Zaleha Mohd Mydin, CEO of Yayasan MR D.I.Y., expressed solidarity: “Our sympathies go out to the residents of Long Kerangan who lost their homes and belongings in the recent fire. We hope that our contribution will help ease their burdens while their new homes are being built. We are especially grateful to the Tanoti community for bringing to our attention the plight of the longhouse residents and for ensuring the supplies reached the affected residents. Their partnership and support are a perfect example of how Yayasan MR D.I.Y works with local communities to have a positive impact on the lives of Malaysians. We are very glad to help the residents of Long Kerangan rebuild their lives; our thoughts are with them, and we remain dedicated to supporting them throughout the recovery process.”

F&B Rethinks Plastic Use

Sydney, April 30: Recent research by Tetra Pak highlights a significant shift among food and beverage (F&B) companies towards minimizing plastic use due to sustainability commitments and consumer demand. The study, involving interviews with industry experts and a consumer survey across 29 markets, revealed a growing readiness to adopt sustainable manufacturing practices despite economic challenges. Seventy-seven percent of businesses expressed willingness to accept cost-related trade-offs for sustainability.
Terrynz Tan, Sustainability Director for ASEAN at Tetra Pak, emphasized the consumer-driven demand for sustainable practices, “The result from this study confirms the consumer shift we are witnessing when it comes to the environment. They want F&B brands to be transparent, credible, and make a positive impact. Sustainable packaging isn’t just about being eco-friendly — it’s a chance for beverage makers to connect with customers in meaningful ways. By choosing renewable materials, brands can stand out in a crowded market and appeal to those who care about the planet. At Tetra Pak, we’re passionate about creating the most sustainable food package possible. It’s not just about business; it’s about our commitment to responsibly sourced, recyclable, and carbon-neutral packaging.”
Gilles Tisserand, Vice President Climate & Biodiversity at Tetra Pak, also commented on the industry’s critical role in addressing climate challenges, “The food and beverage industry is at a critical moment, rethinking its way of doing business to help address the climate emergency and dealing with the inevitable impact this has on their operations and solutions. They are looking to suppliers to help them thrive in an increasingly competitive market, and we remain committed to playing our part, keeping the innovation engine running to develop new research, collaborative ecosystems and product offering.” He further noted the growing consumer preference for sustainable packaging options, which are influencing production decisions and contributing to the industry’s environmental impact reduction efforts.

AVM Elevates Cloud Prestige

Kuala Lumpur, May 3: AVM Cloud, a subsidiary of TIME dotCom and part of Integrated Global Solutions, has been recognized as a Premier Partner with VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) program, managed by VMware by Broadcom.
This designation highlights AVM’s proficiency in delivering exceptional cloud services and its unique position as the only partner with six Master Services Competencies in Malaysia.
Amidst industry changes, CEO Kenny Lim emphasized AVM’s commitment to maintaining high-quality services and taking advantage of the opportunities the revitalized VCSP program offers.
Broadcom’s strategy post-acquisition aims to enhance the adoption of VMware Cloud Foundation, providing partners like AVM new opportunities for growth.
“We remain unwavering in our commitment to innovation in our products and services,” said Lim, confident in continuing to deliver superior cloud solutions with Broadcom’s support.