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Ultra Clean Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

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HAYWARD, Calif., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: UCTT), today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 29, 2023.

“UCT executed well in the fourth quarter with results coming in as expected despite a dynamic business environment,” said Jim Scholhamer, CEO. “As the semiconductor equipment inventory adjustment cycle remains fluid, we will continue to implement measures to synchronize our worldwide operations with our customers’ forecasts to ensure we have the flexibility and capacity to meet future demand. These efforts are creating long-lasting value to our customers and will increase UCT’s leading position within the industry over the long-term.”

“We are pleased with the execution of our plan to optimize our capital deployment strategy throughout 2023,” said Sheri Savage, CFO. “Generating $136 million in cash from operations enabled us to invest for future growth, pay down $39 million in debt, spend $29 million re-purchasing shares, and complete the strategic acquisition of HIS Innovations Group.”

Fourth Quarter 2023 GAAP Financial Results

Total revenue was $444.8 million. Products contributed $389.7 million and Services added $55.1 million. Total gross margin was 16.0%, operating margin was 1.0%, and net loss was $(3.8) million or $(0.08) per diluted share. This compares to total revenue of $435.0 million, gross margin of 15.0%, operating margin of 1.3%, and net loss of $(14.5) million or $(0.32) per diluted share, in the prior quarter.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Non-GAAP Financial Results

On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 16.7%, operating margin was 5.2%, and net income was $8.5 million or $0.19 per diluted share. This compares to gross margin of 15.5%, operating margin of 4.4%, and net income of $2.0 million or $0.04 per diluted share in the prior quarter.

Full Year 2023 GAAP Financial Results

Total revenue was $1,734.5 million. Products contributed $1,501.6 million and Services added $232.9 million. Total gross margin was 16.0%, operating margin was 2.0%, and net loss was $(31.1) million or $(0.70) per diluted share. This compares to total revenue of $2,374.3 million, gross margin of 19.6%, operating margin of 5.1%, and net income of $40.4  million or $0.88 per diluted share in the prior year.

Full Year 2023 Non-GAAP Financial Results

On a non-GAAP basis, the company reported gross margin of 16.6%, operating margin of 4.9%, and net income of $25.2 million or $0.56 per diluted share. This compares to gross margin of 20.2%, operating margin of 11.0%, and net income of $181.9 million or $3.98 per diluted share in the prior year.

First Quarter 2024 Outlook

The Company expects revenue in the range of $430.0 million to $480.0 million. The Company expects GAAP diluted net loss per share to be between $(0.25) and $(0.05) and non-GAAP diluted net income per share to be between $0.03 and $0.23.

Conference Call

The conference call and webcast will take place on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 1:45 p.m. PT and can be accessed by dialing 1-800-836-8184 or 1-646-357-8785. No passcode is required. A replay of the call will be available by dialing 1-888-660-6345 or 1-646-517-4150 and entering the confirmation code 03090#. The Webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://uct.com/investors/events/.

About Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. is a leading developer and supplier of critical subsystems, components, parts, and ultra-high purity cleaning and analytical services, primarily for the semiconductor industry. Under its Products division, UCT offers its customers an integrated outsourced solution for major subassemblies, improved design-to-delivery cycle times, design for manufacturability, prototyping, and high-precision manufacturing. Under its Services Division, UCT offers its customers tool chamber parts cleaning and coating, as well as micro-contamination analytical services. Ultra Clean is headquartered in Hayward, California. Additional information is available at www.uct.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to providing results that are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management uses non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP net income to evaluate the Company’s operating and financial results. We believe the presentation of non-GAAP results is useful to investors for analyzing our core business and business trends and comparing performance to prior periods, along with enhancing investors’ ability to view the Company’s results from management’s perspective. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Tables presenting reconciliations from GAAP results to non-GAAP results are included at the end of this press release.

The Company defines non-GAAP net income as net income (loss) before amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, acquisition activity costs, fair value adjustments, legal-related costs, VAT settlement, net loss on divestitures, Covid-19 related costs and the tax effects of the foregoing adjustments.

A reconciliation of our guidance for non-GAAP net income per diluted share for the subsequent quarter is not available due to fluctuations in the geographic mix of our earnings from quarter to quarter, which impacts our tax rate and cannot be reasonably predicted or determined. As a result, such reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts and we are unable to determine the probable significance of the unavailable information.

Safe Harbor Statement

The foregoing information contains, or may be deemed to contain, “forward-looking statements” (as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. We use words such as “anticipates,” “projection,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “believes,” “plan,” “expect,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “see,” “predicts,” “should” and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements included in this press release include our expectations about the semiconductor capital equipment market and outlook. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results predicted or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors also include, among others, those identified in “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise unless required by law.

Contact:
Rhonda Bennetto
SVP Investor Relations
rbennetto@uct.com

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; in millions, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 29,

December 30,

December 29,

December 30,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Revenues:

Product

$

389.7

$

499.5

$

1,501.6

$

2,074.7

Services

55.1

66.9

232.9

299.6

Total revenues

444.8

566.4

1,734.5

2,374.3

Cost of revenues:

Product

335.0

412.3

1,290.5

1,712.3

Services

38.7

45.6

166.7

197.0

Total cost of revenues

373.7

457.9

1,457.2

1,909.3

Gross profit

71.1

108.5

277.3

465.0

Operating expenses:

Research and development

6.6

7.1

28.3

28.5

Sales and marketing

13.2

13.2

51.8

54.4

General and administrative

46.7

44.4

162.0

184.3

Net loss on divestitures

77.4

Total operating expenses

66.5

64.7

242.1

344.6

Income from operations

4.6

43.8

35.2

120.4

Interest income

1.6

0.5

4.1

0.9

Interest expense

(12.8)

(10.8)

(48.8)

(33.9)

Other income (expense), net

(1.1)

3.4

(1.8)

0.9

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

(7.7)

36.9

(11.3)

88.3

Provision for income taxes

(6.2)

8.5

10.9

37.9

Net income (loss)

(1.5)

28.4

(22.2)

50.4

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

2.3

0.6

8.9

10.0

Net income (loss) attributable to UCT

$

(3.8)

$

27.8

$

(31.1)

$

40.4

Net income (loss) per share attributable to UCT common stockholders:

Basic

$

(0.08)

$

0.61

$

(0.70)

$

0.89

Diluted

$

(0.08)

$

0.61

$

(0.70)

$

0.88

Shares used in computing net income (loss) per share:

Basic

44.7

45.4

44.7

45.2

Diluted

44.7

45.7

44.7

45.7

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; in millions)

December 29,

December 30,

2023

2022

ASSETS

Current assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents

$

307.0

$

358.8

  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

180.8

253.7

  Inventories

374.5

443.9

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets

30.9

42.4

Total current assets

893.2

1,098.8

Property, plant and equipment, net

328.3

279.6

Goodwill

265.2

248.8

Intangible assets, net

215.3

187.9

Deferred tax assets, net

3.1

36.0

Operating lease right-of-use assets

151.7

99.0

Other non-current assets

10.9

10.8

Total assets

$

1,867.7

$

1,960.9

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

  Bank borrowings

$

17.6

$

20.8

  Accounts payable

192.9

253.5

  Accrued compensation and related benefits

47.7

52.5

  Operating lease liabilities

18.1

17.1

  Other current liabilities

33.7

45.3

Total current liabilities

310.0

389.2

Bank borrowings, net of current portion

461.2

493.0

Deferred tax liabilities

19.0

52.2

Operating lease liabilities

143.0

80.3

Other liabilities

37.3

9.2

Total liabilities

970.5

1,023.9

Equity:

UCT stockholders’ equity:

  Common stock

496.6

515.5

  Retained earnings

346.7

377.8

  Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(4.4)

(5.4)

Total UCT stockholders’ equity

838.9

887.9

  Non-controlling interest

58.3

49.1

Total equity

897.2

937.0

Total liabilities and equity

$

1,867.7

$

1,960.9

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; in millions)

Twelve Months Ended

December 29,

December 30,

2023

2022

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$

(22.2)

$

50.4

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities (excluding assets
acquired, liabilities assumed at acquisition):

Depreciation and amortization

65.6

72.3

Stock-based compensation

12.1

19.1

Change in the fair value of financial instruments

1.7

1.0

Deferred income taxes

(12.4)

(0.2)

Net loss on divestitures

77.4

Others

(0.9)

(0.2)

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:

Accounts receivable

78.5

(15.7)

Inventories

80.8

(84.4)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

12.5

(4.5)

Other non-current assets

(3.4)

Accounts payable

(61.5)

(68.4)

Accrued compensation and related benefits

(5.6)

7.1

Income taxes payable

(5.2)

(0.1)

Operating lease assets and liabilities

0.4

(2.2)

Other liabilities

(7.9)

(1.0)

Net cash provided by operating activities

135.9

47.2

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(75.8)

(100.1)

Divestiture of subsidiaries

3.4

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

2.2

0.5

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

(46.1)

Net cash used in investing activities

(119.7)

(96.2)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments on bank borrowings

(38.6)

(39.7)

Repurchase of shares

(29.4)

(12.1)

Employees’ taxes paid upon vesting of restricted stock units

(2.2)

(3.9)

Payments of debt issuance costs

(0.3)

(0.7)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

0.8

0.7

Others

(0.2)

(0.3)

Net cash used in financing activities

(69.9)

(56.0)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

1.9

(2.7)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(51.8)

(107.7)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

358.8

466.5

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

307.0

$

358.8

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

(Unaudited; dollars in millions)

GAAP

Non-GAAP

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

December 29, 2023

December 29, 2023

Products

Services

Consolidated

Products

Services

Consolidated

Revenues

$

389.7

$

55.1

$

444.8

$

389.7

$

55.1

$

444.8

Gross profit

$

54.7

$

16.4

$

71.1

$

56.9

$

17.5

$

74.4

Gross margin

14.0

%

29.8

%

16.0

%

14.6

%

31.7

%

16.7

%

Income from operations

$

2.7

$

1.9

$

4.6

$

17.8

$

5.3

$

23.1

Operating margin

0.7

%

3.4

%

1.0

%

4.6

%

9.5

%

5.2

%

Three Months Ended

December 29, 2023

Products

Services

Consolidated

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross profit to Non-GAAP Gross profit (in millions)

Reported gross profit on a GAAP basis

$

54.7

$

16.4

$

71.1

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

1.0

1.0

2.0

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.5

0.5

Restructuring charges (3)

0.3

0.1

0.4

Inventory fair value adjustment (5)

0.4

0.4

Non-GAAP gross profit

$

56.9

$

17.5

$

74.4

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross margin to Non-GAAP Gross margin

Reported gross margin on a GAAP basis

14.0

%

29.8

%

16.0

%

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.3

%

1.8

%

0.4

%

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.1

%

0.1

%

Restructuring charges (3)

0.1

%

0.1

%

0.1

%

Inventory fair value adjustment (5)

0.1

%

0.1

%

Non-GAAP gross margin

14.6

%

31.7

%

16.7

%

Reconciliation of GAAP Income (loss) from operations to Non-GAAP Income from operations (in millions)

Reported income from operations on a GAAP basis

$

2.7

$

1.9

$

4.6

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

4.3

2.9

7.2

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

3.2

0.4

3.6

Restructuring charges (3)

3.3

0.1

3.4

Acquisition-related costs (4)

3.4

3.4

Inventory fair value adjustment (5)

0.4

0.4

Legal-related costs (6)

0.5

0.5

Non-GAAP income from operations

$

17.8

$

5.3

$

23.1

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating margin to Non-GAAP Operating margin

Reported operating margin on a GAAP basis

0.7

%

3.4

%

1.0

%

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

1.1

%

5.3

%

1.6

%

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.9

%

0.7

%

0.8

%

Restructuring charges (3)

0.8

%

0.1

%

0.8

%

Acquisition-related costs (4)

0.9

%

0.8

%

Inventory fair value adjustment (5)

0.1

%

0.1

%

Legal-related costs (6)

0.1

%

0.1

%

Non-GAAP operating margin

4.6

%

9.5

%

5.2

%

1    Amortization of intangible assets related to the Company’s business acquisitions

2    Represents compensation expense for stock granted to employees and directors

3    Represents severance, retention and costs related to facility closures

4    Represents acquisition activity costs

5    Fair value adjustments related HIS’ sold inventories

6    Represents estimated costs related to legal proceedings

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED RESULTS

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 29,

December 30,

September 29,

December 29,

December 30,

2023

2022

2023

2023

2022

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (loss) to Non-GAAP Net Income (in millions)

Reported net income (loss) attributable to UCT on a GAAP basis

$

(3.8)

$

27.8

$

(14.5)

$

(31.1)

$

40.4

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.2

7.0

5.5

24.1

30.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

3.6

4.6

3.9

12.5

19.3

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

1.5

3.2

9.2

3.3

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.7

4.3

0.6

Fair value related adjustments (5)

2.5

4.0

Legal-related costs (6)

0.5

(0.4)

2.2

VAT settlement (7)

4.0

Net loss on divestitures (8)

77.4

Covid-19 related costs (9)

2.9

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (10)

(3.4)

(1.8)

(5.0)

(10.2)

(22.2)

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (11)

(4.9)

3.5

8.2

12.8

23.9

Non-GAAP net income attributable to UCT

$

8.5

$

42.6

$

2.0

$

25.2

$

181.9

Reconciliation of GAAP Income from operations to Non-GAAP Income from operations (in millions)

Reported income from operations on a GAAP basis

$

4.6

$

43.8

$

5.7

$

35.2

$

120.4

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.2

7.0

5.5

24.1

30.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

3.6

4.6

3.9

12.5

19.3

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

1.5

3.2

9.2

3.3

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.7

4.3

0.6

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.4

0.4

Legal-related costs (6)

0.5

(0.4)

2.2

VAT settlement (7)

4.0

Net loss on divestitures (8)

77.4

Covid-19 related costs (9)

2.9

Non-GAAP income from operations

$

23.1

$

56.9

$

19.0

$

85.3

$

260.2

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating margin to Non-GAAP Operating margin

Reported operating margin on a GAAP basis

1.0

%

7.7

%

1.3

%

2.0

%

5.1

%

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

1.6

%

1.2

%

1.3

%

1.4

%

1.3

%

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.8

%

0.8

%

0.9

%

0.7

%

0.8

%

Restructuring charges (3)

0.8

%

0.3

%

0.7

%

0.5

%

0.1

%

Acquisition related costs (4)

0.1

%

0.2

%

0.3

%

0.0

%

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.1

%

0.0

%

Legal-related costs (6)

0.8

%

0.0

%

0.1

%

VAT settlement (7)

0.2

%

Net loss on divestitures (8)

3.3

%

Covid-19 related costs (9)

0.1

%

Non-GAAP operating margin

5.2

%

10.0

%

4.4

%

4.9

%

11.0

%

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross profit to Non-GAAP Gross profit (in millions)

Reported gross profit on a GAAP basis

$

71.1

$

108.5

$

65.2

$

277.3

$

465.0

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

2.0

1.5

1.5

6.5

6.3

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.5

0.4

0.2

1.5

1.5

Restructuring charges (3)

0.4

0.3

0.7

1.6

1.0

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.4

0.4

VAT settlement (7)

4.0

Covid-19 related costs (9)

2.9

Non-GAAP gross profit

$

74.4

$

110.7

$

67.6

$

287.3

$

480.7

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross margin to Non-GAAP Gross margin

Reported gross margin on a GAAP basis

16.0

%

19.2

%

15.0

%

16.0

%

19.6

%

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.4

%

0.3

%

0.3

%

0.4

%

0.3

%

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.1

%

0.0

%

0.0

%

0.1

%

0.1

%

Restructuring charges (3)

0.1

%

0.0

%

0.2

%

0.1

%

0.0

%

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.1

%

0.0

%

VAT settlement (7)

0.2

%

Covid-19 related costs (9)

0.1

%

Non-GAAP gross margin

16.7

%

19.5

%

15.5

%

16.6

%

20.2

%

Reconciliation of GAAP Interest and other income (expense) to Non-GAAP Interest and other income (expense) (in millions)

Reported interest and other income (expense) on a GAAP basis

$

(12.3)

$

(6.9)

$

(13.2)

$

(46.5)

$

(32.1)

Fair value related adjustments (5)

2.1

4.9

Non-GAAP interest and other income (expense)

$

(10.2)

$

(6.9)

$

(13.2)

$

(41.6)

$

(32.1)

Reconciliation of GAAP Earnings Per Diluted Share to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Diluted Share

Reported net income (loss) on a GAAP basis

$

(0.08)

$

0.61

$

(0.32)

$

(0.70)

0.88

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

0.16

0.15

0.12

0.54

0.66

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

0.08

0.10

0.09

0.28

0.42

Restructuring charges (3)

0.08

0.03

0.07

0.20

0.07

Acquisition related costs (4)

0.08

0.02

0.10

0.01

Fair value related adjustments (5)

0.05

0.09

Legal-related costs (6)

0.01

(0.01)

0.05

VAT settlement (7)

0.09

Net loss on divestitures (8)

1.69

Covid-19 related costs (9)

0.06

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (10)

(0.08)

(0.04)

(0.11)

(0.23)

(0.49)

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (11)

(0.11)

0.08

0.17

0.29

0.52

Non-GAAP net income

$

0.19

$

0.93

$

0.04

$

0.56

$

3.98

Weighted average number of diluted shares (in millions) on a non-GAAP basis

44.9

45.7

45.0

45.1

45.7

 

ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 29,

December 30,

September 29,

December 29,

December 30,

2023

2022

2023

2023

2022

(in millions, except percentages)

Provision for income taxes on a GAAP basis

$

(6.2)

$

8.5

$

5.3

10.9

37.9

Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (10)

3.4

1.8

5.0

10.2

22.2

Income tax effect of valuation allowance (11)

4.9

(3.5)

(8.2)

(12.8)

(23.9)

Non-GAAP provision for income taxes

$

2.1

$

6.8

$

2.2

$

8.3

$

36.3

Income (loss) before income taxes on a GAAP basis

$

(7.7)

$

36.9

$

(7.5)

(11.3)

88.3

Amortization of intangible assets (1)

7.2

7.0

5.5

24.1

30.1

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

3.6

4.6

3.9

12.5

19.3

Restructuring charges (3)

3.4

1.5

3.2

9.2

3.3

Acquisition related costs (4)

3.4

0.7

4.3

0.6

Fair value related adjustments (5)

2.5

5.4

Legal-related costs (6)

0.5

(0.4)

2.2

VAT settlement (7)

4.0

Net loss on divestitures (8)

77.4

Covid-19 related costs (9)

2.9

Non-GAAP income before income taxes

$

12.9

$

50.0

$

5.8

$

43.8

$

228.1

Effective income tax rate on a GAAP basis

80.5

%

23.0

%

-70.7

%

-96.5

%

42.9

%

Non-GAAP effective income tax rate

16.4

%

13.7

%

37.3

%

18.9

%

15.9

%

1    Amortization of intangible assets related to the Company’s business acquisitions

2    Represents compensation expense for stock granted to employees and directors

3    Represents severance, retention and costs related to facility closures

4    Represents acquisition activity costs

5    Fair value adjustments related to contingent consideration, HIS’ sold inventories, intercompany loan related to an acquisition, net of $1.3 million loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

6    Represents estimated costs related to legal proceedings

7    Represents impact of value added tax ruling

8    Represents the net loss on the divestiture of certain non-core subsidiary entities

9    Covid-19 related costs incurred during the period

10  Tax effect of items (1) through (9) above based on the non-GAAP tax rate

11  The Company’s GAAP tax expense is generally higher than the Company’s non-GAAP tax expense, primarily due to losses in the U.S. with full federal and state valuation allowances. The Company’s non-GAAP tax rate and resulting non-GAAP tax expense considers the tax implications as if there was no federal or state valuation allowance position in effect

 

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SOURCE Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

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/C O R R E C T I O N from Source — Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc./

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In the news release, Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is 30% Stronger than Existing Roadways, issued 12-Nov-2024 by Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc. over CNW, we are advised by the company that corrections were made to the release. The complete, corected release follows:

Carbon Upcycling, Minnesota DOT and National Road Research Alliance Joint Study Shows High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete is Stronger than Existing Roadways

Carbon Upcycling’s concrete mix demonstrated a 28% increase in strength at 28 days, while reducing cementitious content by 12.3%, setting a new standard for low-carbon sustainable infrastructure

CALGARY, AB, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ – Carbon Upcycling Technologies, Inc. (Carbon Upcycling), a leader in decarbonization and carbon capture & utilization (CCU) for hard-to-abate industries, along with, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) has successfully completed the construction phase of a multi-year study on the use of low-carbon cement in highways. The results highlight Carbon Upcycling’s ability to be a drop-in solution for reducing carbon-intensive cement in concrete.

The study, managed by Sutter Engineering LLC and sponsored by the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA), rigorously tested 16 unique concrete mixtures in real-world conditions on an active Minnesota highway to identify options that could reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure without sacrificing strength or durability. Completed in early 2024, the study aimed to find materials that could significantly lower the carbon footprint of concrete paving without compromising durability. Carbon Upcycling’s CO2-enhanced mix achieved a 12.3% reduction in cement content while matching the workability of traditional concrete, allowing seamless handling, placement, and setting times for construction crews. These findings provide valuable data to guide future low-carbon infrastructure projects across North America, as the seamless integration into existing workflows offers a drop-in, low-carbon alternative without compromising ease of use or performance.

The study revealed significant performance and environmental benefits of Carbon Upcycling’s concrete mix:

Increased Strength: 28% stronger at 28 days compared to the advanced control concrete.Reduced Cement Use: The CCU process allowed a 12.3% reduction in cementitious material, effectively reducing both carbon emissions and material costs.Greater Resiliency to Natural Elements: 32% increase in chloride resistivity for more durable concrete.

“Infrastructure is the very foundation of a sustainable future, and at Carbon Upcycling we’re committed to creating materials that support this vision while establishing a secure, stable North American supply chain,” said Apoorv Sinha, CEO of Carbon Upcycling. “Our collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Transportation highlights how Carbon Upcycling can transform captured emissions into local materials that strengthen our infrastructure. By focusing on resilience and sustainability, we’re contributing to a vision where our essential structures are clean and built to last.”

Carbon Upcycling partnered with BURNCO to deploy and test 140 m³ of its CCU-enhanced concrete mix, monitored by Larry Sutter, Principal Engineer at Sutter Engineering LLC, for strength, workability, and environmental impact on a Minnesota highway.

“Carbon Upcycling submitted a very impressive mixture design to the trial,” said Larry Sutter, MnDOT’s Principal Engineer and the project’s technical manager. “Their material not only achieved the highest reduction in cementitious content among all submissions but also demonstrated remarkable strength. By embedding CO2 and reducing the reliance on portland cement, Carbon Upcycling’s technology addresses one of the concrete industry’s most pressing challenges—lowering its carbon footprint as global demand for cement is expected to double by 2050. This project data will be invaluable as the industry works toward its 2030 CO2 reduction targets.”

Since 2021, Carbon Upcycling has deployed over 3,000 tonnes of low-carbon cement and has attracted investment from some of the world’s largest cement industry players such as Cemex, CRH and Titan Cement.

About Carbon Upcycling Technologies:
Carbon Upcycling is a decarbonization and carbon capture & utilization technology provider for the world’s hardest-to-abate industries. The company’s commercial technology upcycles point-source industrial CO2 emissions and local industrial waste materials into high-performance, low-carbon cement alternatives. The company is currently commissioning its first-of-a-kind commercial system at Canada’s largest cement plant. Carbon Upcycling has received global recognition for its industry-leading innovation. Notably, Carbon Upcycling was named a 2023 and 2024 Global Cleantech 100, Reuter’s Top 100 Innovators Leading the Energy Transition, and a World Economic Forum 2024 Technology Pioneer.

For more information, visit www.carbonupcycling.com.

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SOURCE Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc.

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Massachusetts Community Colleges Partner with AMSimpkins & Associates to Implement their S.A.F.E. Platform in Efforts to Combat Student Applicant Fraud

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This partnership marks a significant milestone for Massachusetts Community Colleges in their efforts to prevent fraud and ensure equitable access to education. The implementation of S.A.F.E. will provide the institutions with cutting-edge technology and reliable safeguards, solidifying their reputation as forward-thinking leaders in the fight against student application fraud.

ATLANTA, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — AMSimpkins & Associates, a leader in cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions for educational institutions, is proud to announce that Massachusetts Community Colleges have selected the S.A.F.E. (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) platform to bolster their efforts in preventing and detecting student application fraud. This strategic move underscores Massachusetts’ commitment to maintaining the integrity of its admissions process and ensuring that valuable educational resources reach legitimate students.

“We’re excited to partner with Massachusetts Community Colleges and support their mission to provide quality education to genuine, eligible students.”

In recent years, fraudulent applications and financial aid scams have become increasingly pervasive issues, especially as institutions pivot towards more digital and remote application processes. By adopting the S.A.F.E. platform, Massachusetts Community Colleges are taking a proactive stance to safeguard their institutions against evolving fraud tactics.

S.A.F.E., developed by AMSimpkins & Associates, is a comprehensive fraud detection and prevention solution that leverages advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning algorithms, and real-time monitoring to identify potentially fraudulent activity within the student application and financial aid processes. With over 50 colleges and universities already utilizing the S.A.F.E. platform, Massachusetts Community Colleges now join a growing community of educational institutions committed to integrity, transparency, and security.

“S.A.F.E. is built from the ground up with the unique needs of higher education institutions in mind,” said Maurice Simpkins, President of AMSimpkins & Associates. “With our deep understanding of the higher education landscape, we’ve created a solution that not only detects and prevents fraud but also allows institutions to seamlessly integrate these checks into their admissions workflows. We’re excited to partner with Massachusetts Community Colleges and support their mission to provide quality education to genuine, eligible students.”

The S.A.F.E. platform offers a robust set of features to prevent and detect fraudulent applications, including:

Real-time Identity Verification: Through partnerships with industry-leading identity verification services, S.A.F.E. ensures that applicants are who they claim to be by cross-referencing multiple data points, including Social Security Number validation, address checks, and real-time ID verification.AI-Driven Anomaly Detection: S.A.F.E. continuously monitors and learns from application data patterns, enabling it to detect suspicious behaviors that could indicate fraudulent activity.Geo-Blocking and Risk Scoring: Institutions can customize geo-blocking settings to restrict access from high-risk regions and employ dynamic risk scoring based on user interactions, device profiling, and behavior analytics.Customizable Fraud Rules and Policies: The platform allows administrators to set specific fraud thresholds and responses, tailoring the system’s sensitivity to meet the unique needs of each college or university.Real-time Alerts and Data Sharing: S.A.F.E. sends real-time alerts to designated stakeholders if suspicious activities are detected, allowing for quick responses and preventative actions.Additionally, the platform facilitates data sharing across institutions to block repeated offenders system-wide.

In addition to its fraud prevention features, AMSimpkins & Associates also provides cybersecurity consulting and support through partnerships with Cybersecurity organizations, adding another layer of protection for Massachusetts Community Colleges. This comprehensive approach aligns perfectly with the state’s vision of creating a secure and resilient higher education environment.

About AMSimpkins & Associates

AMSimpkins & Associates is an industry-leading provider of cybersecurity solutions focused on safeguarding educational institutions. Their flagship product, S.A.F.E. (Student Application Fraudulent Examination), is specifically designed to address the complex challenges of fraud in higher education admissions and financial aid. By partnering with colleges, universities, and technology providers, AMSimpkins & Associates is committed to maintaining the integrity of education by keeping students and institutions safe from fraud.

For more information about AMSimpkins & Associates and the S.A.F.E. platform, please visit amsa-highered.com

Media Contact

LAQWACIA SIMPKINS, AMSimpkins and Associates, 1 6786824193, LSIMPKINS@AMSA-CONSULTING.COM, AMSimpkins and Associates

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

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SOURCE AMSimpkins and Associates

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bswift Acquires Evive: Launches Integrated Personalized Engagement Platform

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bswift announces a fully integrated personalized engagement solution aimed at delivering better health care outcomes through data-driven personalization, predictive analytics, and behavioral science. 

CHICAGO, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — bswift LLC, an industry leader in employee benefits technology and administration, announced today the launch of its fully-integrated personalization and engagement engine. This solution is a result of bswift’s recent acquisition of Evive Health, LLC, a pioneer in the field with a demonstrated track record of driving outcomes for employees, employers and health plans by optimizing benefit understanding and utilization, resources, and programs for millions of Americans. 

“By bringing bswift and Evive together, we have integrated a powerful engagement platform,” – bswift CEO, Ted Bloomberg.

With this exciting investment, bswift reinforces its mission to lead the benefits administration space and strengthens its role as a strategic ally for its clients – empowering them to deliver on their benefits strategies by motivating plan participants to manage their health and wellbeing proactively.

“Our clients and partners consistently tell us that member engagement, personalized experiences, and cost management are their top strategic priorities today and in the foreseeable future,” said bswift CEO, Ted Bloomberg. “By bringing bswift and Evive together, we have integrated a powerful engagement platform into our core benefits administration solution. That is a first, and we are delighted to immediately and directly support employers’ critical priorities with proven, industry-leading capabilities.” 

Using data-driven personalization and the power of predictive analytics and behavioral science, bswift’s personalization toolset is proven to increase benefits awareness, engagement, and utilization by delivering tailored and actionable messages about the right benefit at the right time. Demonstrated results include driving a 3X increase in health actions recommended by qualified providers, and a 12% increase in annual preventative care screening visits. 

“We’re thrilled to be the first in our market to deliver this supercharged engagement capability across all aspects of the user experience,” said bswift Executive Vice President of Product, Matt Waldrup. “bswift is completely reimagining the benefits experience with personalized, data-driven, multi-channel communications that engage employees across their physical, emotional, financial, and personal wellbeing, empowering people to make the most of their benefits.” 

bswift’s new personalization engine empowers employers and employees: 

Personalized, next-best-action journeysReward and incentive-based gamification to boost engagementOn-the-go access to benefits and incentive activities via mobile appRobust analytics and reporting for HR teams to track campaign ROI and engagement metrics

Employers can now leverage bswift’s expertise to systematically deliver smarter, more relevant communications to promote healthier habits, optimize benefit utilization – and maximize employee health outcomes. 

About bswift 
bswift LLC offers cloud-based technology and services that transform the way employees perceive and engage with their benefits. With adaptive technology, service excellence, and compassionate service, bswift serves millions worldwide. Their comprehensive suite of solutions provides intuitive, personalized online enrollment, interactive decision support, ACA compliance reporting, and employee engagement. Visit www.bswift.com to learn more. 

About Evive 

Evive is a digital communications and engagement platform that helps health plans and employers optimize the benefits, resources and programs they offer their employees. Using data-driven personalization, closed-loop engagement reporting and the power of predictive analytics and behavioral science, Evive increases benefits awareness, engagement and utilization to deliver the right message about the right benefit at the right time. Visit www.goevive.com to learn more.

Media Contact: 
Zoya Siddiqui 
Senior Director, Marketing 
zsiddiqui@bswift.com

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SOURCE bswift LLC

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