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QSL to drive further growth with iCON and CDPQ as new shareholders

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QUÉBEC, Feb. 23, 2024 /CNW/ – QSL International Ltd. (“QSL”) is pleased to announce the arrival of new shareholders: funds advised by iCON Infrastructure LLP (“iCON”), CDPQ and the QSL management shareholders already active in the company’s capital. iCON is a long-term investor focused on infrastructure businesses in Europe and North America. CDPQ is a global investment group which is already active in the company’s capital structure.

QSL will remain headquartered in Québec and the company will continue to be led by the current executive leadership team. iCON and CDPQ are supportive of QSL’s growth strategy, including investing in new projects, particularly in Québec.

The transaction is anticipated to close in mid-2024. Upon completion of the transaction, Denis Dupuis, QSL’s founder, will be stepping down from the company.

Denis Dupuis, Founder of QSL
“I began this business in 1978 with $10,000 cash, a personal loan from my mother. My vision was to build a major company, anchored in the city of Québec, that would set the standard for maritime logistics through impeccable service, strategic development and lasting partnerships. Within just over 40 years, QSL has forged an enviable reputation and stands out for the clear promise it has made: to support the tailor-made success of our clients. Now the time has come to hand over the reins with a sense of accomplishment, confident that the future is in good hands and that my dream will continue. 

I am proud of what we have accomplished at QSL, grateful for the confidence shown in the company by credible and ambitious partners and enthusiastic about seeing the current management team steer the company toward what promises to be a stimulating future”.

Robert Bellisle, President and Chief Executive Officer of QSL
“I’d like to acknowledge Denis Dupuis’ visionary leadership. He has shown remarkable vision and, over the past few years, has rigorously prepared QSL for further growth by putting in place a strong management team ready to take over and lead the organization to even greater heights in the future. We are grateful for his tremendous contribution to the company and the industry.

For our employees, clients and partners, this announcement heralds a new era of development, exciting projects and innovation, as we work together to meet the challenges of tomorrow. This marks a new era that will ensure sustainable growth for the organization, give it the means to achieve its ambitions and, above all, offer stimulating prospects for our people to dream even bigger!”

Kristoff Torfs, Partner at iCON
“The team at iCON is proud to include QSL within our portfolio of high-quality businesses in the ports and terminals sectors. We are also delighted to welcome another high-quality Canadian business into our portfolio, in addition to our current investments in Capstone Infrastructure and Vista Services.

Working in partnership with the QSL management team and CDPQ, we see great opportunity to consolidate the company’s position as a Québec champion in the ports and logistics sectors and grow the QSL business across North America“.

Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice-President and Head of Québec at CDPQ
“CDPQ has been supporting QSL’s development in the form of loans since 2021. Through this initial introduction, we were able to get to know the company and see its major impact on the logistics chain. We are proud to take an equity stake today, which will enable us to keep the assets and talent here, alongside an experienced partner in the maritime sector. Working together, we will enable QSL to pursue an ambitious growth plan, in which Québec will remain the hub”. 

About QSL
QSL is a North American port terminal and logistics operator headquartered in Québec, with a portfolio of 64 multi-purpose cargo terminals across Canada and the US. The business provides stevedoring services, tailor-made and innovative cargo handling solutions, transportation and marine services to its customers.

QSL’s socio-economic footprint is impressive, with over 2,000 employees across its activities. QSL is a Gold Standard winner of the Best Managed Companies in Canada. All of its port terminals are certified under the Green Marine program and in 2021, QSL became the first maritime company in Canada to join the United Nations Global Compact. In 2023, a significant portion of its activities obtained the ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (health and safety) certifications. Today, this pursuit of excellence continues, among other things, through the implementation of these certifications across all of its activities. www.qsl.com

About iCON
iCON is an award-winning, independent investment firm advising funds with $8 billion of capital. iCON focuses on making long-term equity investments in private, mid-market, infrastructure businesses located in Europe and North America. iCON’s affiliated funds have successfully invested in a diversified portfolio of 48 businesses spanning a range of infrastructure sectors including transport, utilities, telecoms, energy & environment and social infrastructure. Investors in iCON’s funds comprise blue-chip institutions across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. For more information, visit www.iconinfrastructure.com 

About CDPQ
CDPQ invests constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, CDPQ works alongside its partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. CDPQ is active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2023, CDPQ’s net assets totalled CAD 434 billion. For more information, visit www.cdpq.com, consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages, or follow us on X. CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries. 

Advisers
National Bank Financial acted as financial advisors and McCarthy Tetrault acted as legal advisors to QSL and Denis Dupuis in respect of the transaction.

CIBC Capital Markets acted as financial advisors and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as legal advisors to iCON in respect of the transaction.

Scotiabank acted as financial advisors and Norton Rose Fulbright acted as legal advisors to CDPQ in respect of the transaction.

SOURCE QSL

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PURE POWER FOR ALL–VAPORESSO’s Global Movement to Drive Clean Energy Solutions and Sustainable Living

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SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On December 2nd, VAPORESSO proudly launched its PURE POWER FOR ALL global ECO-Empowerment initiative—a powerful testament to its commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and promoting sustainable lifestyles worldwide. Anchored by the revolutionary ECO NANO SOLAR and the forward-thinking PURE POWER ACTION movement, this initiative seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technological innovation with impactful social action. Together, these efforts mark a pivotal step in the global transition toward clean energy and a more sustainable future.

ECO NANO SOLAR—Revolutionizing Sustainable Vaping in the Industry

At the heart of this initiative lies the industry’s first solar-powered open-system vape—ECO NANO SOLAR. Crafted from 70% eco-conscious materials, this innovative device features a modular structure with interchangeable components, extending product life while promoting resource efficiency and long-term sustainability.

This pioneering ECO innovation combines degradable photovoltaic technology with a recyclable modular design. Its solar panel achieves remarkable light-to-electricity efficiency and is over 80% biodegradable, advancing clean energy adoption while significantly reducing environmental impact. With the ECO NANO SOLAR, VAPORESSO sets a new standard for sustainability in the vaping industry, inspiring a broader shift toward eco-conscious practices and paving the way for a greener future in vaping and beyond.

PURE POWER ACTION: Bridging Online Engagement with Real-World Impact

The PURE POWER ACTION movement, as a key part of the PURE POWER FOR ALL initiative, engages participants worldwide through a series of interactive online activities designed to build momentum for clean energy advocacy. From simple actions like clicking to show support to vibrant community discussions on sustainable living, each activity amplifies the reach of this global movement. Together, these efforts inspire eco-friendly habits, encourage the exchange of ideas, and foster collective commitment through initiatives like the Pure Living Proposal. By empowering individuals to take small, meaningful steps, the movement unites participants in creating a ripple effect of change that transcends geographic boundaries, all while boosting the Pure Power Level—a key measure of progress.

As the Pure Power Level reaches new milestones, the initiative transitions from online engagement to tangible offline impact. Clean energy solutions, including solar-powered innovations, are introduced into vape stores worldwide, offering users hands-on opportunities to experience the convenience and benefits of renewable power sources. These offline activities, supported by the collective efforts of participants, not only bring sustainability to the forefront of the vaping industry but also demonstrate how individual contributions can culminate in meaningful, real-world changes. Through this seamless integration of online and offline efforts, VAPORESSO underscores the importance of unified action in driving the global transition toward a brighter tomorrow.

A Greener Tomorrow Begins Today

With PURE POWER FOR ALL, VAPORESSO demonstrates how ECO innovation and forward-thinking movement can lead to meaningful global impact. The groundbreaking ECO NANO SOLAR stands as a powerful benchmark for ECO innovation, inspiring the adoption of cleaner, more responsible practices in the vaping industry. At the same time, the PURE POWER ACTION initiative fosters a ripple effect of positive change, uniting individuals and communities in a shared mission to embrace sustainable living and advance clean energy solutions. Together, through collective effort and shared commitment, VAPORESSO is not only shaping the future of the vaping industry but also contributing to a healthier, more sustainable world.

For more details about the PURE POWER FOR ALL movement and ECO NANO SOLAR, please visit: https://www.vaporesso.com/activity/pure_power_for_all. Together, we create a brighter, cleaner future for all.

About VAPORESSO

VAPORESSO was founded on the belief that each action is an endeavor to achieve excellence. Our unwavering commitment to surpassing the ordinary has propelled us to become the leading vaping brand globally. We embody a vision where our technology and values merge, crafting a better, cleaner, and more enjoyable life for all.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pure-power-for-allvaporessos-global-movement-to-drive-clean-energy-solutions-and-sustainable-living-302339062.html

SOURCE VAPORESSO

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SWAG, Asia’s Largest Adult Content Platform, Releases 2024 Annual Report

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Revealing the Top 15 Searched Keywords in Asia

TAIPEI, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SWAG, Taiwan’s largest adult livestreaming platform, often known as the “Pornhub of Asia,” has released the 2024 SWAG Recap today. The report dives into the world of trending adult content, the year’s top searched keywords, and even the income of creators, sparing no details. According to the data, the top searched keyword on SWAG in 2024 was “Vietnam.” Meanwhile, two Taiwanese creators—former Army Chief Counselor “Neinei” and former Sea Dragon Frogman 177—landed in the 3rd and 6th positions as the most searched keywords thanks to their enormous social media buzz. The hashtag with the most clicks went to “Big Boobs.”

In this year’s top searched keyword ranking, “Vietnam” and Vietnamese creator Rosa (@rosababyvip) dominated the top two spots with overwhelming search volume, highlighting the loyalty of Vietnamese enjoyers of SWAG. Meanwhile, keywords like “Ex-Army Chief Counselor Neinei” and “Sea Dragon Frogman 177” maintained high visibility throughout the year, landing them in 3rd and 6th places, respectively.

Analyzing average daily login time by users from different countries, SWAG users spent 15 minutes and 56 seconds per session on average globally, 49 seconds longer than last year. Taiwan emerged as the undisputed champion with an average daily login time of 16 minutes and 21 seconds, the only country above the platform average. On the flip side, Japanese users clocked in at just 11 minutes and 25 seconds, becoming the quickest to reach post-nut clarity. Notably, Vietnamese users soared from last year’s last place to the 4th longest with their online duration time, surpassing users from Singapore and the U.S.

Among SWAG’s nearly 200 hashtags, “Big Boobs” reclaimed its crown from last year’s champion, “Schoolgirl,” becoming the most searched hashtag of the year. “Schoolgirl” fell to 4th, edged out by “Gangbang.” Surprisingly, the long-beloved tag “Creampie” dropped to its record-low position, only ranking 9th.

SWAG noted that nearly 5,000 new creators joined this year, with 40% hailing from Vietnam, making it the country with the most new creators, followed by Taiwan. Among the talents, luna (@rouav) and Jolly (@jollyntr) were crowned as the most popular creator and best newcomer respectively! After a brief hiatus, Luna made a strong comeback by captivating fans with her “natural melons,” “S-line waist,” “perky booties,” and “flawless legs.” Her popularity skyrocketed by 891 spots, earning her the title of SWAG’s Most Popular Creator 2024. The best newcomer, Jolly, who only joined SWAG less than a year ago, gained immense popularity for her housewife aesthetic and NTR-themed content. Fans of the married lady buzzed over her livestreams and videos, where her husband reportedly has been watching helplessly behind the camera, further fueling her meteoric rise.

In other creator data, SWAG’s “Fan Following Clock” is ticking faster than ever! On average, a creator gains a new follower every 5.7 seconds on the platform. Additionally, 8.8% of new creators earn USD 30,000 in less than four months, with Betty (@bettyqueen) achieving this milestone in just three weeks, making her the fastest-earning newcomer of 2024.

Does SWAG make creators rich? The numbers prove everything. This year,  Shirley (@shirleybebe) posted a story, which was unlocked by over 3,000 users within 48 hours, earning her approximately $1,500 instantly as the post became the most profitable story of 2024. Best Newcomer Jolly also delivered impressive results. After debuting in May, one of her long videos attracted over 2,000 viewers, earning her $17,000 just from that one single upload.

When it comes to SWAG’s most lucrative money-making features, livestreaming and private messaging definitely top the list. For example, when Grape (@stellajs) hosted her birthday livestream this year, she generated USD 37,000 in just three hours. Meanwhile, Nini Baby (@ninibaby), well-known for her private chats, sent 380,000 text messages to users this year, receiving 85,000 replies and countless chat gifts. Her private messaging income alone earned a staggering USD 490,000 in revenue, a 17% increase from last year, securing her throne as SWAG’s Queen of private chat.

《2024 SWAG Recap》: https://swag.live/blog/en/swag_2024_recap/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/swag-asias-largest-adult-content-platform-releases-2024-annual-report-302339051.html

SOURCE SWAG

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Higer New V Series, Leading Bus New Trend

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SUZHOU, China, Dec. 24, 2024 /CNW/ — In November 2024, Higer New V Series buses officially launched in the Philippines, this batch of electric buses was the first batch of new energy buses introduced by the Philippines and put into commercial operation. And it has aroused extensive attentions and heated discussions from the Philippines local government, media and people.

Higer New V Series products were launched globally in March 2024, and then made a stunning debut at the Higer Global Partners Conference. The New V-series products with a new shape and a new platform are committed to creating new classic models with high quality, high safety and high intelligence.

In 3 years, more than 1000 people participated in the process of R&D, a one-time investment of more than 100 million yuan was made in the R&D and manufacturing of key components, equipment, tooling, molds, inspection tools, verification of components and vehicle, achieving comprehensive innovation, realizing a significant improvement in product quality and reliability, maintenance convenience and customer experience. Measuring from 8 to 13 meters in length, they can be powered by fossil fuels, electricity, hydrogen, etc. and are readily adaptable for the tourist transportation market, urban public transportation market, etc. The luggage compartment volume is 21.6% greater than similar products, the seating space is 50mm larger, and the middle aisle is 30mm wider. The overall component universality rate was greatly improved by the platform, modular, and universal design concept, and the number of component types decreased by 58%.

It is worth mentioning that Higer is committed to creating a technological experience, redefining the domain-centralized electronic and electrical architecture, and Higer launched the industry’s first mass-produced intelligent cabin. It will help the driver concentrate on driving. The new model provides a mobile phone control interface, drivers and tour guides can control lighting, multimedia, air conditioning, etc. through app. In addition, the intelligent cabin can be customized according to the operational needs of the transport company, realizing intelligent dispatching, intelligent charging, intelligent maintenance, AI interaction, and human-computer interaction.

So far, Higer new V series coaches have already received orders from more than 20 countries like Italy, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and etc., showing a fast rising popularity in the international market.

Higer new V series are committed to providing customers with new “classic models” with better quality, higher efficiency, achieving sustainable development and exploring more possibilities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/higer-new-v-series-leading-bus-new-trend-302339047.html

SOURCE HIGER

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