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Empowering Entrepreneurs: FLAsia 2024 to Ignite Franchising & Licensing Opportunities Across Asia

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SINGAPORE, Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The countdown has begun for Franchising and Licensing Asia (FLAsia) 2024 – one of the region’s most anticipated trade events for franchising and licensing. Organised by the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore) and Constellar, FLAsia 2024 will take place at Sands Expo & Convention Centre from September 12 to 14. The trade event offers unparalleled opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to connect with leading brands looking to expand across the rapidly growing Asia Pacific consumer market.

Asia’s Gen Z Driving Future Consumption Demand and Retail Trends

As Asia continues to be a key driver of global economic growth, its increasingly affluent millennials, Gen Z consumers and the burgeoning middle class are shaping global consumption patterns and driving demand for quality services and products across various sectors. These include beauty and wellness, education, food and beverages, and technology – which are leading exhibitor profiles at FLAsia 2024.

Gen Zs will account for 23.2 percent of the global population and spending an estimated US$12 trillion by 2030, becoming the highest consumer spending class in many regions. Much of the total spending by this population will also be from non-Western countries[1]. This makes Asia one of the most lucrative regions with vast opportunities for homegrown and global brands to expand beyond their familiar markets and target Gen Zs through franchising & licensing, therefore increasing their potential as lucrative business models in Asia[2].

Franchising & Licensing Boosts Business Stability and Wealth Growth 

The United States of America is home to about 33.2 million small businesses, with only 2.4 percent (or over 806K) are franchises. While in Asia, China leads the Asian franchise market with over 4,000 franchise brands and 500,000 franchise outlets. Southeast Asia also hosts over 4,500 franchise systems with more than 160,000 franchisee firms. Coupled with a robust surge in franchising within India, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in recent years, Asia now contributes to over 30 percent of all franchised businesses worldwide, establishing itself as a lucrative market for franchising undergirded by robust growth potential[3].

Against this backdrop, franchising & licensing is also becoming a viable and accessible option for financially-savvy younger generations seeking to monetise and grow their accumulated wealth as business owners[4]. An increasingly attractive alternative pathway to entrepreneurship, franchising & licensing significantly reduces risk and enhances the potential for a successful and rewarding career as a business owner.

Franchising & licensing offer more business stability and growth, while leveraging on the established master brand recognition, multiplier brand impact from wider marketing efforts, as well as training and comprehensive support offered across the business journey. Additionally, the benefits include enabling franchisees and licensees to be part of businesses and brands that resonate with their ambitions, aspirations and ethics.

“As the springboard to the vast Asian consumer market, Singapore is a strategic market and launchpad for master franchisors and aspiring entrepreneurs. The city’s pro-business environment and stability offer a favourable climate for regional growth. FLAsia 2024 aims to be the essential platform for knowledge exchange and business networking for franchisors and franchisees to explore exciting partnerships,” said Mr Dickson Low, President of the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore).

FLAsia 2024 Highlights

FLAsia 2024 expects to feature over 300 franchise brands and licensable characters by 150 exhibitors, including international franchises from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam, enabling FLAsia 2024 as the most international franchising show in the region[5].

Extensive Best Practices and Franchise Journeys Sharing at FLAsia 2024 Conference, Workshop and Fresh! Brands Showcase: Focusing on strengthening resilience in the franchising business, this year’s conference and workshop delves into dynamic discussions, hands-on workshops and insightful case studies to empower franchisors and franchisees with strategies and solutions to address and overcome challenges. Emerging brands with innovative F&B concepts and cutting-edge tech solutions can also pitch their brands at the Fresh! Brands Showcase. These sessions include:Panel Discussion on the advantages of investing in franchises, and the benefits and rewards as a franchisee, with Anytime Fitness Singapore and Philippines, Fun Learners’ School, Ryan’s Grocery and 7-Eleven;Roundtable Discussions on the ins-and-outs of franchising in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, hosted by the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore) and helmed by in-market experts at each roundtable; Workshops that empower aspiring and prospective franchisees at every stage of the franchising journey: From understanding investment profiles to identify suitable franchises for acquisitions, franchise recruitment and relationship management, as well as conflict management strategies and communication techniques for franchisees and franchisors.Unparalleled Insights and Opportunities for Character Licensing: Bandai Namco will be showcasing its licensable characters – Pac Man and Tamagotchi, for which the licenses can be acquired. Licensees can then design and create co-branded merchandise and products for retail sale. As an agent for character licensors, XM Studios seeks to connect licensors and licensees to explore partnership opportunities. To further empower and equip attendees for this unique adventure, XM Studios and FT Consulting will be helming a panel discussion at the FLA 2024 conference to explore innovative licensing models and strategic brand collaborations that will unlock growth potential for merchandise and product licensing[6].Direct Access to Franchisors Onsite: FLAsia 2024 provides direct access to new and established brands in key sectors experiencing higher consumer demand from Asia; namely beauty & wellness, education, food & beverage, health and retail. The franchise brands seeking potential franchisees beyond their home countries include Appzgate, Dian Xiao Er, EAT Pizza, Figaro Coffee, Grains & Co, Greendot, Hawker Chan, Lee Wee & Brothers, Moon Eat Mountain Shawarma, Shen Mo Education Group, The GearBox (by MK Group) and more.

For F & B brands, attendees can also get more familiar with the brand experience and actual product, enabling them to make better informed decisions when considering franchising intent.

For the latest information on FLAsia 2024, connect on Linkedin and Facebook. To register, visit the FLAsia website.

For media enquiries and interview requests, contact the Constellar Communications team at comms@constellar.co.

About Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore)

FLA (Singapore), one of the founding members of the World Franchise Council, was established in 1993 with the mission to nurture and develop Singapore’s franchising industry. An essential component of Singapore’s knowledge-based economy, FLA (Singapore) promotes and facilitates the use of franchising, licensing and branding as a growth strategy for Singapore enterprises, thus contributing to turning Singapore as a regional franchise and license hub. Through its partnership with Singapore government agencies and international franchise and license bodies, FLA (Singapore) also assists its members in their international development programmes. With an active growing membership of close to 150 companies, representing more than 250 strong brands, FLA (Singapore) is led and managed by a dedicated team of advisors, committee members and a full-time secretariat with the goal of supporting Singapore companies to expand internationally. https://www.flasingapore.org/

About Constellar

Constellar is Asia’s preferred partner for convening businesses, curating ideas and creating opportunities for sustainable business growth and global impact. Based in Singapore with a regional footprint in China and Malaysia, we curate and develop influential trade and consumer events for key industries, connecting global marketplaces in sectors such as fintech, industrial transformation and ESG. We also manage the Singapore EXPO, Singapore’s largest purpose-built venue for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE). Our vision is to be a global leader made in Asia, activating impactful networks to enable cross-industry collaboration and innovation through our holistic portfolio of intellectual properties (IP) in the MICE industry. Visit Constellar.co for more information.

[1] These observations were made in a 2024 market research report by NielsonIQ and World Data Lab on the Gen Z population, which also noted that only 44 percent of Gen Z’s total spending will come from Western countries (North America and the EU).

[2] Among these observations include franchise tea chains Nayuki, Hey Tea and Mixue Bingcheng expanding into Southeast Asia; 40-year-old Thai fast-food chicken franchise Five Star‘s aim for 11,500 outlets across 10 countries by 2024; Australian doughnut chain Lukumades (with franchises in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and UAE) recently opening its first franchise outlet in Singapore; US bakery chain Sprinkles entering South Korea and expanding to Singapore and Malaysia; Kusto Group planning to expand restaurant chain Wendy’s presence in Central Asia, with 55 outlets across Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan by 2030; and  Wyndham Hotels & Resorts identifying Singapore as a key strategic market and opening Wyndham Singapore (previously The Peninsula Excelsior Singapore) to introduce the Wyndham brand in Asia.

[3] Franchising.com reported that the franchising landscape in Asia has experienced a robust surge in recent years, establishing the Asia-Pacific region as the global leader in the franchise market. Some observations include India holding the position of the third-largest market after United States and China, with over 4,600 active franchisers and nearly 200,000 outlets operated by almost 1.7 lakh franchisees; Japan as a major player in the Asian franchising scene, boasting over 1,500 franchise brands and 240,000 franchise outlets; South Korea experiencing a remarkable 50% increase in franchise brands since 2010 and Taiwan witnessing a notable 20% growth in franchise brands since 2010. 

[4] Entrepreneur.com and Forbes in recent years observed that franchising is a feasible way for investors to diversify their investment portfolios and build generational wealth with the right strategies and when matched with the right franchise(s). Entrepreneur.com also further featured working couple Nadine and James Middleton becoming successful entrepreneurs and achieving generational wealth through franchising. 

[5] Franchising & Licensing Asia 2023 showcased franchises and licensable characters from over 105 exhibitors and 5 country pavilions, as well as offered first-hand insights into the business from 46 experts at the FLA Conference, Workshop and Fresh! Brands Showcase. The event attracted over 6,500 attendees and facilitated over 300 business meetings and hosted tours.

[6] FT Consulting provides franchising, branding and Intellectual Property strategies and services to Southeast Asian enterprises; while XM Studios is an award-winning producer of hand-painted luxury art collectibles of characters by DC Comics, Marvel, Transformers, and more.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/empowering-entrepreneurs-flasia-2024-to-ignite-franchising–licensing-opportunities-across-asia-302216364.html

SOURCE Constellar

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Hyundai Motor Group Announces 2024 Second Half Key Executive Appointments

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Jaehoon Chang is promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive DivisionJosé Muñoz appointed as CEO of Hyundai Motor CompanySung Kim appointed as President of Hyundai Motor CompanyJun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation; and Kyoo Bok Lee is promoted to President of Hyundai GlovisAppointment of new CEOs for the Group’s affiliates, including Cheol Seung Baek, Hyundai Transys; Joon Dong Oh, Hyundai KEFICO; Hanwoo Lee, Hyundai E&C; Woo Jeong Joo, Hyundai Engineering

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced key executive appointments for the year 2024 as part of its aims to solidify sustainable growth and better prepare for uncertainties in the global business environment.

This appointment reflects its commitment to a performance-based approach that aligns with outstanding achievements. By consolidating the Group’s core competencies and strategically placing proven leaders with verified track records in key positions, the Group aims to strengthen organizational foundations and accelerate our future transformation.

Jaehoon Chang is promoted to Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group – Automotive Division, effective Jan. 1st, 2025, to further strengthen the future competitiveness of the Group’s mobility business.

Looking ahead, Chang will oversee the entire value chain, including product planning, supply chain management manufacturing, and quality assessment. He will optimize business operations across the automotive business while securing internal synergies and building foundational systems for cost and quality innovation to ensure sustainable future competitiveness.

José Muñoz is appointed President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company to advance global management framework and solidify customer-focused mobility innovation through diverse powertrain offerings, including electric, hybrid, ICE and hydrogen technologies, effective Jan. 1st, 2025.

As a result, Muñoz is appointed as the first non-Korean CEO of Hyundai Motor – identified as the ideal fit to further enhance the company’s performance thanks to his merit-based management philosophy and his commitment to recruiting top global talent. Going forward, he is expected to enhance the company’s global management systems and further elevate its stature as a leading global brand.

Sung Kim is appointed as President of Hyundai Motor Company to manage the business effectively through global economic uncertainties, effective Jan. 1st, 2025.

As part of his appointment to enhance the company’s Think Tank capabilities and better navigate various geopolitical challenges, Kim will oversee global external affairs, analyze and research domestic and international policy trends, and lead communications and PR initiatives. He will focus on increasing synergies across the company’s intelligence functions, strengthening external networking and advancing global protocol capabilities.

Jun Young Choi is promoted to President of Kia Corporation from Head of Domestic Production Division and Chief Safety Officer (CSO). Kyoo Bok Lee, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, is promoted to President.

To strengthen sustainable management and accelerate business transformation, the Group has appointed Cheol Seung Baek as CEO of Hyundai Transys and Joon Dong Oh as CEO of Hyundai KEFICO.

To address challenges in the construction industry and accelerate fundamental improvements, the Group has appointed Hanwoo Lee as CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (Hyundai E&C) and Woo Jeong Joo as CEO of Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd.

* Editor’s note: Appointment of all CEOs referenced are subject to approval by the relevant Group affiliate’s Board of Directors

About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at:

http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Media Center (kianewscenter.com), Genesis Media Center.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor Group

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GreenPower Provides Business Update and Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results

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Shareholder Call Scheduled for November 15, 2024 at 10 a.m. EST/7 a.m. PST

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — GreenPower Motor Company Inc. (Nasdaq: GP) (TSXV: GPV) (“GreenPower” and the “Company”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, today reported its second quarter fiscal year 2025 results and provided an update on its manufacturing operations.

“GreenPower spent the quarter advancing the school bus production process at its West Virginia facility by setting up an oversized paint booth and establishing production stations to increase throughput in order to meet customer orders and demands,” said GreenPower President Brendan Riley. “The increase in production coupled with manufacturing process improvements is expected to result in higher gross profit margins and cost reductions on a per unit basis as throughput improves.”

Riley said that the Company has been systematically increasing its production workforce to provide for its growing production. “Putting the workforce in place and validating the manufacturing process is key to our efficiency, and production growth which is expected to drive cost savings on a per unit basis. With these in place, GreenPower will be able to attain its longer-term manufacturing goal of producing 20 school buses per month,” he said, noting that steady, measured growth, a foundation of GreenPower’s model, is critical for maintaining quality throughout the production process.

“The growth in production complements GreenPower’s sales strategy of focusing on states where there are money and mandates for electric school buses,” added Fraser Atkinson, CEO of GreenPower. “While we continue to manufacture and sell EV school buses for current orders and contracts under both state and federal programs, the future is more focused on states that have put policies and plans in place to provide a cleaner, healthier ride for students through the deployment of electric school buses. States like California and New York, and regions like the Southwest.”

During the second quarter of GreenPower’s fiscal year 2025, the manufacturing process was exhibited when the Company produced the first Type D BEAST all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission school bus for the 37 BEAST order from the state of West Virginia from its South Charleston plant, which was delivered at the beginning of our current quarter.  That was the second BEAST produced in the facility following the production of the Kanawha County bus purchased directly by the school district outside of the state order. Additional deliveries to fulfill the state order are planned to take place in the third and fourth quarters.

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights:

Generated revenues of $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of 78% over the previous quarter.Delivered 11 BEAST Type D all-electric school buses, six EV Star Cargo and EV Star Cargo Plus and five EV Star Passenger Vans.Deferred revenue increased to $10.4 million, including the current portion of $7.5 million, which is expected to be realized over the next year.At the end of the quarter GreenPower had working capital of $10.1 million including inventory of $31.7 million consisting of $9.3 million of finished goods, $18.6 million of work-in-process and $3.8 million of parts and components.Received order for school buses under EPA’s Clean School Bus Program from the RWC Group for Arizona.

In October the Company completed an underwritten offering of 3,000,000 common shares raising gross proceeds of $3 million. The net proceeds from this offering are intended for the production of all-electric vehicles, including BEAST school buses and EV Star commercial vehicles, product development, with the remainder, if any, for general corporate purposes.  

For additional information on the results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2024 review the interim financial statements and related reports posted on GreenPower’s website as well as on www.sedar.com or filed on EDGAR.

Shareholder Call Information

Date: Friday November 15, 2024 
Time: 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST

Participant dial-in: (US) 1-844-739-3982 (Canada); 1-866-605-3852; (International) 1-412-317-5718. Ask to be joined into the GreenPower Motor Company Inc. conference call.

Webcast Link: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=pVZ0NwpL

Replay: (US) 1-877-344-7529; (Canada) 1-855-669-9658; (International) 1-412-317-0088
Replay access code: 4413647

For further information contact:

Fraser Atkinson, CEO
(604) 220-8048

Brendan Riley, President
(510) 910-3377

Michael Sieffert, CFO
(604) 563-4144

About GreenPower Motor Company Inc.
GreenPower designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including transit buses, school buses, shuttles, cargo van and a cab and chassis.  GreenPower employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture all-electric vehicles that are purpose built to be battery powered with zero emissions while integrating global suppliers for key components. This OEM platform allows GreenPower to meet the specifications of various operators while providing standard parts for ease of maintenance and accessibility for warranty requirements. GreenPower was founded in Vancouver, Canada with primary operational facilities in southern California. Listed on the Toronto exchange since November 2015, GreenPower completed its U.S. IPO and NASDAQ listing in August 2020. For further information go to www.greenpowermotor.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, GreenPower’s business and operations and the environment in which it operates, which are based on GreenPower’s operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “upon”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, “estimate”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “believe” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or similar variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. A number of important factors including those set forth in other public filings (filed under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com) could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made. GreenPower disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All amounts in U.S. dollars. ©2024 GreenPower Motor Company Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE GreenPower Motor Company

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Announcing the Launch of “JPxData Portal (beta version)”, a Portal Site Comprehensively Covering Data Provided by JPX Group, etc.

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TOKYO, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc., a leading global provider of Japan’s financial market data, promptly began provision of “JPxData Portal (beta version)” (hereinafter referred to as “Website”), a portal site that comprehensively introduces data provided by Japan Exchange Group, Japan Exchange Group companies and partner companies (hereinafter referred to as “JPX Group, etc.”), as of August 2024.

What is JPxData Portal?
JPX Group, etc. currently provide over 200 types of data, which are used by a wide range of users, including investors, brokerage firms, and listed companies. However, JPXI received feedback that it is difficult for users to search through due to the overwhelmingly large amount of data and know what kind of data can be used for what. This feedback led us to the launch of Website providing users with easy access to data they seek and showing how to use the data.

“JPxData Portal” is named after “a data portal site of JPX Group, etc.” and “a place where “Japan (JP)” and “data(Data)” are combined” with the letter “x.” JPXI will aim to develop Website further to make it an easy-to-use site, where any data on the Japanese market are accessible in the future.

Click here for JPxData Portal (beta version): https://clientportal.jpx.co.jp/ClientPortalEN/s/

JPxData Portal Main Features
Product List

Users can search over 200 types of data by using simple keywords such as “stock price,” “derivatives,” “margin trading,” and “ESG.”Users can check the frequency and timing of updates, the period of historical data available, file formats (PDF, CSV, Excel, etc.), and if such data are provided via an API.For some data, sample data and articles on how to use them are also provided.

Use cases

Users can find articles introducing how to use data, including examples of analysis using the data, and the differences among similar data such as stock price data and issue master data with comparison of them.Users can discover related data from an article about data users initially searched for.

Company search

Users can check basic information, timely disclosure information, filing information, corporate governance, and other information about each issue.In addition to company names and codes, users can also search by using keywords such as “cloud” and “digital transformation” based on generative AI technology.The current list of listed issues is available for free download.

Disclosure search

Users can search TDnet disclosures published for the past one year*.
* The latest one is for two business days prior.Users can leverage browser machine translation easily for financial statements and other information disclosed in HTML format. An article on how to use browser’s machine translation features and detailed usage notes is also provided.English tags are attached to Japanese documents to facilitate primary extraction of information so that users easily search for information in English.

Useful links

Users can check a list of useful websites related to the securities market*.
* Currently, only websites managed by JPX Group or related companies are available.)

About JPX Market Innovation & Research
JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc. (JPXI) was established as a subsidiary of Japan Exchange Group, Inc. (TOKYO:8697) in 2022. It consolidates JPX Group’s data/index services and system-related services, and leads further business enhancement of JPX Group by leveraging IT technologies and new business partnerships.

Contact
Frontier Development Department,
JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc.
E-mail: inf_dev@jpx.co.jp
Inquiry form: https://clientportal.jpx.co.jp/ClientPortalEN/s/InquiryFormEn

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/announcing-the-launch-of-jpxdata-portal-beta-version-a-portal-site-comprehensively-covering-data-provided-by-jpx-group-etc-302306517.html

SOURCE JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc.

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