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Woolpert, Chance Maritime Employ Autonomous Vessel and Team Collaboration to Efficiently Map Florida Seafloor

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KEY WEST, Fla., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Woolpert and Chance Maritime have partnered to leverage autonomous technology, geospatial expertise, and broad-based staffing to most efficiently collect hydrographic survey data in support of the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative and other projects off the coast of Florida.

Woolpert, a leading provider of lidar and sonar bathymetry and hydrographic survey data, was tasked by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to map the seafloor off the coast of Florida to advance coastal resilience and mitigate the impact of hurricanes and flood inundation as part of FSMI. Woolpert enlisted Chance Maritime to mobilize its Mission Capable 29, a 29-foot uncrewed survey vessel, enabling the firms to monitor vessel operations and data collection remotely.

“What is distinctive about the Chance Maritime vessel is that it can securely carry and operate our sensors and highly sensitive equipment, but it also has exceptional power and endurance,” Woolpert Vice President and Maritime Market Director Dave Neff said. “We knew the MC29 could run continuously for more than a week, 24/7, through pretty rough weather, from near shore to about 100 kilometers offshore. This allowed us to collect the most accurate, high-quality data in the least amount of time.”

To monitor the data collection 24 hours a day, Woolpert enlisted a few staff members in locations across multiple time zones to each work in consecutive six- or eight-hour shifts, communicating over Microsoft Teams, to remotely monitor data collection. Chance Maritime had staff in Florida around the clock to monitor the vessel.

“Our team stayed in communication 100% of the time through shift handoffs,” Chance Maritime Chief Technology Officer Michael Scherer said. “Even though there are not people on the water, the skilled cross-disciplinary team monitors the equipment 24/7 from shore without having to get seasick. If the MC29 gets hailed by a nearby vessel, we can answer remotely. By not having to return to shore for crew changes and short weather events, we increase the efficiency of survey operations.”

The MC29 can operate for 20 or more days continuously while delivering kilowatts of continuous power to its onboard sensors. It is compact and can be transported by road via boat trailer, allowing it to be deployed quickly to any site around the country, including after extreme weather events. “The MC29 has the simple logistics of a small survey vessel with the endurance and 24-hour production capabilities of a much larger survey vessel,” said Stuart Chance, Chance Maritime CEO.

Neff added that this streamlined approach enabled Woolpert’s hydrography team to mobilize to other project locations, expanding efficiencies outside the initial project.

“There’s a lot of coastal mapping, dredge spoil surveys, and more that needs to be done to support navigation safety, national security, coastal resilience, disaster mitigation, etc.,” Neff said. “We took this novel approach by combining our advancing resources and technologies with those of Chance Maritime, and it proved successful for all involved. We’re excited to build on this technology partnership to advance our maritime efficiencies while still collecting and delivering the highest quality geospatial data.”

About Chance Maritime
Chance Maritime Technologies provides Ocean Drones as a service with industry leading power and endurance. We specialize in the design, build, operation, lease, and sale of uncrewed boats to commercial, government, and academic clients. Chance Maritime’s team of experts have over 120 years of combined experience in uncrewed design and operations, ensuring quality and precise solutions which meet customer needs. For more information, visit www.chancemaritime.com.

About Woolpert
Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, and geospatial (AEG) firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private, and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is a Global Top 100 Geospatial Company, a Top 100 ENR Global Design firm and has earned eight Great Place to Work certifications. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been America’s fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. Woolpert has over 2,700 employees and more than 60 offices on five continents. For more, visit woolpert.com.

Media Contact
Lynn Rossi
312-837-2017

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Make Time Wellness Announces Launch of Award-Winning Products at The Vitamin Shoppe

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New Wellness Solutions Available Starting April 2025, Empowering Women to Prioritize Their Brain Health

LOS ANGELES, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Make Time Wellness, the rapidly growing wellness brand focused on women’s brain health, is excited to announce its official launch at The Vitamin Shoppe. Beginning this month, Make Time Wellness products are now available at approximately 475 retail locations of The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements, as well as www.vitaminshoppe.com, making it easier for women across the U.S. to prioritize their brain health, beauty, and overall wellness.

The launch at The Vitamin Shoppe marks a significant milestone for the brand, which has gained widespread recognition for its innovative approach to women’s wellness. Make Time Wellness’ unique product offerings, including the Make Time for Brain Health & Beauty Gummies, Make Time for Beauty Sleep Gummies, and the reformulated Make Time for Brain, Body & Beauty Vitamin Powder, are designed to support women in their daily health and beauty routines.

Helen Christoni, co-founder of Make Time Wellness, shared her thoughts on the brand’s new partnership. “We are beyond excited to launch Make Time Wellness at The Vitamin Shoppe. This partnership gives us the opportunity to expand our reach and offer more women across the country the tools they need to take control of their brain health and to make time for their overall well-being.”

As part of the launch, Make Time Wellness is introducing three of its innovative products to The Vitamin Shoppe customers. These include:

Make Time for Brain Health & Beauty Gummies ($39.99) – A sugar-free gummy formulated with Cognizin® Citicoline, biotin, MCT oil, and Curcumin to support brain function, focus, and beauty from within.Make Time for Beauty Sleep Gummies ($29.99) – A sugar-free gummy with melatonin, biotin, elderberry, lavender, and chamomile extract to promote restful sleep and rejuvenation of the skin.Make Time for Brain, Body & Beauty Vitamin Powder ($49.99) – The award-winning hero product, recently reformulated with Cognizin® Citicoline and organic green tea to support cognitive function, focus, and vitality while maintaining its signature orange flavor.

Emma Heming Willis, co-founder of Make Time Wellness, reflected on the significance of the collaboration. “Partnering with The Vitamin Shoppe is a big step for us in bringing our products to a wider audience. We’re also proud to give back by donating 5% of every sale to Hilarity for Charity, which supports families and caregivers impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. This partnership allows us to make a meaningful impact, not only through our products but also by supporting a cause that’s very close to our hearts.”

“As the premier specialty retailer for lifelong wellness solutions, The Vitamin Shoppe is proud to introduce Make Time Wellness to our customers. We admire the brand’s science-driven approach to brain health and holistic well-being, as well as the passion and leadership Emma, Helen, and their team bring to advancing essential conversations around women’s health,” shared Muriel Gonzalez, President of The Vitamin Shoppe.

With this launch, Make Time Wellness is excited to offer more women the opportunity to discover its science-backed products and take the first step in their wellness journey.

About Make Time Wellness

Make Time Wellness was created to help women prioritize their brain, body, and beauty—and, in doing so, make more time for themselves. Co-founders Emma Heming Willis and Helen Christoni were inspired by the lack of products focused on women’s brain health, and together, they built a movement to raise awareness, educate, and offer high-quality, science-backed wellness products. For more information, visit maketimewellness.com or follow @maketimewellness on Instagram.

About The Vitamin Shoppe

Lifelong Wellness Starts Here™. The Vitamin Shoppe®, a subsidiary of Franchise Group, Inc., is a global, omnichannel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle Company with the mission of providing customers with the most trusted products, guidance, and services to support them on their journeys of lifelong wellness. Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Company offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, sports nutrition, specialty supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and green living products. In addition to carrying products from approximately 700 national brands, The Vitamin Shoppe offers products from its proprietary brands within its owned and wholesale channels, including: The Vitamin Shoppe®, Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe®, BodyTech®, BodyTech® Elite, plnt®, ProBioCare®, and True Athlete®. In the U.S., the Company conducts business through over 675 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements™ banners and via its website, www.vitaminshoppe.com. Globally, The Vitamin Shoppe serves customers in select Asia, South America, and Central America markets through local omnichannel partners.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/make-time-wellness-announces-launch-of-award-winning-products-at-the-vitamin-shoppe-302421152.html

SOURCE Make Time Wellness

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Sell with Confidence. Keep Your Business in Trusted Hands

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A new opportunity is available to help rural business owners transition ownership while protecting their legacy, supporting employees, and keeping wealth in local communities.

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — A new opportunity is available to help rural business owners transition ownership while protecting their legacy, supporting employees, and keeping wealth in local communities. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is making it easier for businesses to explore employee ownership, thanks to a program that removes financial barriers and offers valuable tax credits and discounts.

“Too many business owners reach retirement without a solid succession plan.This program provides a clear, affordable path for owners to explore employee ownership and safeguard what they’ve built.”

With 80% of businesses listed for sale never finding a buyer, many owners face difficult choices that often result in closures, displacing loyal employees and pulling money out of the community. However, this program provides a better solution—helping business owners transition to employee ownership and securing the future of their businesses.

Employee ownership offers a proven pathway for preserving small businesses, empowering employees, and strengthening local economies. Unlike traditional sales, transitioning ownership to employees ensures that businesses remain rooted in their communities, maintaining jobs and keeping profits local.

With Baby Boomers retiring at record rates, rural businesses face increased risk of closure because of a lack of potential buyers in these smaller markets. “Too many business owners reach retirement without a solid succession plan,” said Marion Champoux-Pellegrin, Rural Employee Ownership Director for Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center. “This program provides a clear, affordable path for owners to explore employee ownership and safeguard what they’ve built.”

Who Qualifies?

The program is available to a limited number of businesses starting the process in 2025. To qualify, businesses must meet the following requirements:

At least three interested employeesSale of at least 20% of the businessLocated in rural Colorado

Business owners ready to protect their legacy and empower their employees should act now. With limited spots available for 2025, interested owners are encouraged to contact Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center (RMEOC) today to begin the process.

Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center (RMEOC), – RMEOC is a Colorado-based nonprofit leading the effort to help Colorado businesses explore and convert to employee ownership models. RMEOC’s mission is to create a more inclusive and fair economy by equipping business owners with the tools and resources they need to transition successfully. Through this program, RMEOC provides technical assistance, education, and ongoing support, ensuring that business owners have the guidance they need throughout the transition process.

Media Contact

Marion Champoux-Pellegrin, Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center, 1 303-351-2003, marion@rmeoc.org, https://www.rmeoc.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/sell-with-confidence-keep-your-business-in-trusted-hands-302419363.html

SOURCE Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center

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ECOVACS ROBOTICS Embraces Matter: Taking Smarter, More Convenient Floor Cleaning to the Next Level

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ECOVACS ROBOTICS robotic vacuum cleaners DEEBOT now support Matter for seamless smart home control.

SUZHOU, China, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ECOVACS ROBOTICS, a global leader in service robotics, has taken a major step forward in smart home integration by bringing its robotic vacuum cleaners DEEBOT into the Matter ecosystem. As China’s decade-long market leader in robotic vacuum cleaners, ECOVACS is making cross-platform connectivity, control, and automation smoother than ever.

Matter, the universal smart home standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), eliminates compatibility barriers by allowing devices from different brands to work together seamlessly. With enhanced interoperability, robust security, and simplified setup, Matter ensures a smarter, more reliable smart home experience—whether controlled locally or via the cloud.

ECOVACS’ global lineup – including DEEBOT X2, X2 Combo, T50, T50 Max, and X8 – will gain Matter 1.4 support, with functionality updates rolling out across these models in phases. This strategic enhancement ensures seamless integration with the growing Matter ecosystem, further simplifying connected home experiences.

Building on ECOVACS’ technological advancement, the brand made waves at CES 2025 with the global debut of its groundbreaking DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI. This industry-redefining robotic cleaner introduces the revolutionary OZMO ROLLER Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology—ECOVACS’ first ultra-high pressure, high-speed mopping system with real-time self-cleaning capabilities.

The X8 PRO OMNI’s exceptional innovation earned remarkable industry acclaim, receiving top honors at the world’s prestigious tech events: the ‘Best in Show,’ ‘Best of CES,’ and ‘Editor’s Choice’ awards at CES 2025, along with both the ‘Best of IFA’ distinction and ‘Indoor Cleaning Solutions Gold Award’ at 2024 IFA.” The X8 Family has achieved cumulative sales of 230,000 units in the Chinese market by February 2025.

With 27 years of innovation in service robotics, ECOVACS has empowered over 28 million households across more than 170 markets—driven by its mission of “Robotics for All.” Now supporting Matter, ECOVACS enables effortless cross-platform integration, letting users sync their robots with any Matter-compatible smart home setup, ushering in a new era of intelligent home cleaning.

SOURCE ECOVACS

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