U.S. Last-Mile Leaders Win on Control, Not Speed, FarEye Research Finds

High-control operators achieve 95% on-time performance; speed-first operators report 24% median cost inflation

CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. delivery operators are entering a phase where control and predictability are emerging as stronger performance differentiators than speed, according to FarEye research.

Eye on the Last Mile America 2026 draws on more than 500 U.S. delivery operators and over 3,000 data points. It finds median year-over-year cost per delivery increased 12% in 2026, while 88% say delivery costs are growing at the same pace as revenue or faster.

"The last mile is fundamentally about control. As supply chains become more distributed across carriers, couriers and gig providers, companies need to orchestrate the network as one. Technology, carriers and processes matter, but when something changes, the ability to connect everything and respond quickly ultimately determines the customer experience. That's what stood out in FarEye's findings and my conversations with industry leaders at the conference."

- Nick Costides, C-Level Advisory, Former Global President of IT, UPS

The research identifies a 'speed penalty.' Operators prioritizing the fastest possible delivery report 76% on-time performance and 24% median cost inflation. In contrast, high-control operators achieve 95% on-time performance, compared with 65.5% among low-control operators, despite both groups reporting the same median investment level.

"The last mile is becoming a test of orchestration, not investment. The companies that get this right won't just deliver better — they'll grow without their cost base growing with them," said Kushal Nahata, CEO & Co-Founder, FarEye.

The report was unveiled at Last Mile Leaders America 2026, held August 26–28 at The Gwen in Chicago. Read the report: REPORT LINK

The findings also show that 55.7% of operators prioritize predictable delivery or first-attempt success, compared with 11.4% prioritizing the fastest possible delivery.

About FarEye

FarEye is an AI-Powered Delivery Management System (DMS) for the last mile & order-to-door logistics. FarEye is a partner for companies obsessed with a superior delivery experience for their customers, while driving efficiency gains, sustainably with smarter delivery orchestration.

Our vision is to ensure every delivery in the world reaches its destination every time, on time, accurately, efficiently, and as sustainably as possible.

FarEye has 150+ customers across 30 countries and seven offices globally.

FarEye, First Choice for Last Mile.

SOURCE FarEye Technologies Pvt. Ltd

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The sarcoidosis market is expected to experience steady growth over the coming years, supported by increasing disease awareness, improvements in diagnosis, and the growing need for effective long-term treatment options. Additionally, the launch of emerging therapies such as KRP-R120 (Efzofitimod; Kyorin Pharmaceutical and aTyr Pharma), Brepocitinib (Priovant Therapeutics), OATD-01 (Molecure), XTMAB-16 (Xentria), and others will further propel the market growth.

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently published Sarcoidosis Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, sarcoidosis emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2022 to 2036, segmented into leading markets [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Sarcoidosis Market Summary

- The total sarcoidosis treatment market size is expected to grow positively by 2036 in the leading markets.

- The United States accounted for the largest sarcoidosis treatment market size in the 7MM in 2025, compared to other major markets, including the EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan.

- Sarcoidosis is a rare disease, with an estimated 150,000–200,000 cases in the US each year and approximately 27,000 new cases diagnosed annually.

- Leading sarcoidosis companies, such as Kyorin Pharmaceutical, aTyr Pharma, Priovant Therapeutics, Molecure, Xentria, OrphAI Therapeutics, Quince Therapeutics, MindMaze Therapeutics, Foresee Pharmaceuticals, and others, are developing new sarcoidosis treatment drugs that can be available in the sarcoidosis market in the coming years.

- The promising sarcoidosis therapies in clinical trials include KRP-R120 (Efzofitimod), Brepocitinib, OATD-01, XTMAB-16, LAM-001, RLF-100, Aderamastat (FP-025), and others.

Discover latest insights on sarcoidosis therapeutics market @ https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/sarcoidosis-market

Key Factors Driving the Growth of the Sarcoidosis Market

- Growing Prevalence of Sarcoidosis: An increasing number of diagnosed cases across major markets is expanding the addressable patient population. Improved disease surveillance and recognition of extrapulmonary manifestations are further contributing to higher diagnosis rates.

- Limitations of Existing Treatments: Corticosteroids remain a cornerstone of treatment, but their prolonged use can result in significant adverse effects. Concerns over steroid-related toxicity and inadequate responses in some patients are driving demand for alternative and steroid-sparing therapies.

- Expansion of Targeted and Biologic Therapies: Growing understanding of the immune pathways involved in sarcoidosis is accelerating the development of targeted treatments, including biologics and other immune-modulating therapies. These approaches could provide more effective disease control for patients with refractory disease.

- Growing Clinical Development Activity: Increasing investment from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies has led to a more robust pipeline of sarcoidosis therapies including KRP-R120 (Efzofitimod; Kyorin Pharmaceutical and aTyr Pharma), Brepocitinib (Priovant Therapeutics), OATD-01 (Molecure), XTMAB-16 (Xentria), LAM-001 (OrphAI Therapeutics/Quince Therapeutics), RLF-100 (MindMaze Therapeutics), Aderamastat (FP-025; Foresee Pharmaceuticals), and others. Multiple late-stage and mid-stage clinical programs are expected to generate important data over the coming years, supporting market expansion.

Aparna Thakur, Project Manager of Forecasting & Analytics at DelveInsight, said that among emerging therapies, efzofitimod is expected to achieve significant uptake following potential approval, supported by its novel immunomodulatory mechanism and ability to reduce corticosteroid dependence while preserving disease control. Its differentiated mechanism and favorable safety profile could position it as an attractive option for patients with chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis Market Analysis

- The treatment landscape for sarcoidosis has progressed incrementally over the years; however, substantial unmet needs persist because of the limited number of therapies specifically developed for the disease.

- At present, Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) remains the only FDA-approved treatment specifically indicated for symptomatic pulmonary sarcoidosis.

- Although corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapies remain the cornerstone of management, their long-term use is associated with safety concerns, inconsistent treatment responses, and the risk of disease recurrence. These limitations have accelerated efforts to develop more targeted and disease-specific treatment strategies.

- Among the emerging therapies, efzofitimod has attracted significant attention because of its novel immunomodulatory mechanism and potential to reduce reliance on corticosteroids in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

- Brepocitinib has shown promising clinical activity in cutaneous sarcoidosis and could provide a targeted option for addressing chronic inflammatory pathways implicated in disease progression.

- OATD-01 is evaluating a potentially first-in-class chitinase inhibition approach designed to influence granulomatous inflammation and fibrotic processes, while XTMAB-16 has progressed into mid-stage clinical development, with topline results anticipated to provide further insights into its therapeutic value.

- Collectively, these pipeline therapies employ diverse mechanisms of action and could broaden the treatment landscape beyond traditional immunosuppressive approaches.

- Overall, the sarcoidosis market across the 7MM is projected to expand steadily through 2036, driven by improvements in disease diagnosis and the increasing development of targeted treatment candidates.

- As these therapies advance through clinical development, agents offering steroid-sparing effects, enhanced safety, and potential disease-modifying benefits could substantially transform the treatment paradigm.

- This evolving pipeline may also unlock significant commercial opportunities within a market that currently has a relatively limited range of approved disease-specific treatment options.

Sarcoidosis Competitive Landscape

Some of the sarcoidosis drugs under development include KRP-R120 (Efzofitimod; Kyorin Pharmaceutical and aTyr Pharma), Brepocitinib (Priovant Therapeutics), OATD-01 (Molecure), XTMAB-16 (Xentria), LAM-001 (OrphAI Therapeutics/Quince Therapeutics), RLF-100 (MindMaze Therapeutics), Aderamastat (FP-025; Foresee Pharmaceuticals), and others.

Kyorin Pharmaceutical and aTyr Pharma's Efzofitimod is an innovative biologic immunomodulator under clinical development for interstitial lung disease (ILD), a group of immune-mediated conditions characterized by lung inflammation and fibrosis, or permanent scarring. Derived from a tRNA synthetase, efzofitimod selectively targets activated myeloid cells through neuropilin-2, with the aim of resolving inflammation without causing broad immune suppression and potentially slowing or preventing fibrotic disease progression.

The therapy is currently being evaluated in the Phase 2 EFZO-CONNECT™ study in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc, also known as scleroderma)-associated ILD. In addition, aTyr has submitted a protocol to the FDA for a global Phase 3 trial evaluating efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis, a significant form of ILD. Given the limited treatment options available for these ILD subtypes, there remains a significant need for safer, more effective disease-modifying therapies that can improve patient outcomes.

The US FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to efzofitimod for the treatment of sarcoidosis, along with Fast Track Designation (FTD) for pulmonary sarcoidosis. In Europe, the European Commission has awarded efzofitimod Orphan Drug Designation for sarcoidosis following a positive recommendation from the EMA's Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP). In Japan, the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) has granted Kyorin Pharmaceutical Orphan Drug Designation for efzofitimod in the treatment of sarcoidosis.

Priovant Therapeutics' Brepocitinib is an investigational oral dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor being developed for a range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including cutaneous sarcoidosis. The therapy was assessed in the Phase 2 BEACON trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral brepocitinib in adults with cutaneous sarcoidosis. Following encouraging results from the Phase 2 BEACON study, Priovant intends to initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial of brepocitinib in cutaneous sarcoidosis in 2026.

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the sarcoidosis market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the sarcoidosis market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

Discover more about the pulmonary sarcoidosis market @ Sarcoidosis Therapeutics Clinical Trials

Recent Developments in the Sarcoidosis Market

- In July 2026, aTyr Pharma, Inc. presented a subgroup analysis from the Phase 3 EFZO-FIT™ trial evaluating efzofitimod in pulmonary sarcoidosis, a significant type of interstitial lung disease, at the 2026 Congress of the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG), held July 15–17, 2026, in Porto, Portugal.

- In May 2026, Xentria presented the latest update on XTMAB-16 in sarcoidosis. XTMAB-16 demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, without unexpected TNF-inhibitor class effects.

Experienced orthopedic executive to lead mission-driven business focused on restoring mobility and independence for veterans and patients facing complex limb reconstruction.

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OsteoCentric Technologies announced the appointment of Jeffrey S. Zanni as President and General Manager of Oncology and Limb Restoration, a business focused on oncology, complex reconstruction, limb salvage, and limb restoration prosthesis.

At the center of the business is a human problem that transcends technology: helping someone who has experienced devastating injury or limb loss regain mobility, independence, and quality of life. For OsteoCentric, that mission carries particular meaning for veterans whose service and sacrifice have resulted in life-altering physical challenges.

Zanni will lead the strategic, operational, and commercial development of the business, expanding the application of OsteoCentric technologies in some of the most clinically demanding areas of orthopedic care.

Zanni brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience across orthopedics, medical devices, biologics, advanced implant technologies, and osseointegration. He has held senior leadership roles with Stryker Orthopaedics, Tornier, Conventus Orthopedics, and Integrum, where he served as U.S. President. His background spans public company leadership, private equity-backed growth organizations, full P&L responsibility, commercial scale-up, and the launch of disruptive technologies.

"Jeff is being asked to build a business around a human problem we all immediately understand: helping someone who has sacrificed regain mobility, independence, and quality of life," said Eric Brown, CEO of OsteoCentric Technologies. "For our veterans and others facing devastating injury or limb loss, restoring mobility can mean restoring a part of the life they fought to protect. That is the mission behind this business. Jeff brings the experience, discipline, and leadership to turn that mission into meaningful impact at scale."

"Throughout my career, I have seen what restoring mobility can mean for a patient and their family," said Zanni. "This is an opportunity to pair meaningful innovation with a mission centered on restoring mobility and independence. I look forward to working with surgeons, veterans, patients, and our team to expand what is possible in limb restoration and AI bionic technology."

Zanni received a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Legal Studies from the University of Massachusetts and completed advanced Master of Public Health coursework at Boston University.

About OsteoCentric Technologies

OsteoCentric Technologies develops and commercializes UnifiMI, a platform technology designed to provide stable and durable mechanical integration across clinical and industrial applications. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

SOURCE OsteoCentric Technologies

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Al Shams Expresses Intention to Nominate Majority Slate of Independent Directors for Braemar Hotels & Resorts

Braemar's Annual Meeting Announcement and Compressed Nomination Window Represent the Latest Example of Troubling Governance Practices

Releases Letter to Shareholders

PEMBROKE, Bermuda, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Al Shams Investments Limited ("Al Shams" or "we"), the largest shareholder of Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: BHR) ("Braemar" or the "Company"), today indicated its intention to nominate a slate of directors to the Board of Braemar and released a letter to shareholders.

The full text of the letter follows:

Fellow Braemar Shareholders,

On the 4th September, Braemar Hotels & Resorts announced the date of its 2026 Annual Meeting and, with it, a September 14 deadline relating to shareholder director nominations, providing shareholders with an extraordinarily short window and choosing to make the announcement immediately before a long holiday weekend.

After everything shareholders have witnessed at Braemar, this latest maneuver is unfortunately consistent with the governance practices I have addressed in my previous letters. Announcing a compressed nomination window over a holiday weekend appears designed to keep shareholders off guard and make the process unnecessarily difficult.

If the Board believed that this timing would leave Al Shams unprepared, it was mistaken.

Al Shams Investments Limited is fully prepared and intends to nominate a complete slate of highly qualified, independent directors sufficient to constitute a change in control of the Board. Our nominations will be submitted in full compliance with the applicable requirements and within the required timeframe.

The Board should not confuse procedural gamesmanship with effective governance. Shareholders are entitled to a genuine choice regarding who represents them in the boardroom, particularly given the longstanding concerns surrounding Braemar's governance, external management structure and alignment with shareholders.

We will shortly present our five nominees who, if elected, will work tirelessly to safeguard the interests of shareholders.

Respectfully,

Al Shams Investments Limited

About Al Shams Investments Limited

Al Shams Investments Limited is a Bermuda-based private investment company focused on global investments across private equity, real estate, and alternative asset classes.

Certain Information Concerning the Participants

Al Shams, together with the other Participants (as defined below), intends to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the "Definitive Proxy Statement") and accompanying WHITE Universal Proxy Card to be used to solicit proxies from the shareholders of the Company in connection with the Annual Meeting.

SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE FILED OR WILL FILE WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING ABOUT THE MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTERESTS, BY SECURITY HOLDINGS OR OTHERWISE.

At this time, the participants in the solicitation of proxies are anticipated to be Al Shams and Wafic Rida Said (collectively, the "Participants").

The Definitive Proxy Statement and accompanying WHITE Universal Proxy Card will be furnished to some or all of the Company's shareholders and will be, along with other relevant documents, available at no charge on the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov/.

Information about the Participants and a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained on an amendment to Schedule 13D filed by the Participants with the SEC on July 23, 2026, and is available here. As of the date hereof, by virtue of the relationship among the Participants as members in a Schedule 13(d) group and solely for the purpose of such Schedule 13(d) group, each of the Participants is deemed to beneficially own the 6,513,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.01, held directly by Al Shams.

Investor and Media Contact

Karim Khatoun

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Al Shams Investments Limited

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. and MALÉ, Maldives, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- beOnd, the world's first premium leisure airline and Business-Class.com have announced a new partnership that brings together one of premium leisure travel's most distinctive growth airlines with a platform used by more than 600,000 travelers seeking smarter ways to fly Business and First Class. Through joint marketing campaigns and advisor-led booking support, the partnership will help connect travelers with beOnd's all-premium, lie-flat service to select destinations, including the Maldives and The Red Sea.

The collaboration comes as Business-Class.com continues to see strong demand from premium travelers looking for more distinctive, comfortable, and better-supported ways to fly. As beOnd advances its growth strategy, the partnership creates a natural bridge between an airline built for modern luxury leisure travel and a customer base actively looking for smarter, more comfortable ways to fly.

Boston Consulting Group forecasts leisure travel spending to triple from $5 trillion in 2024 to $15 trillion by 2040, a sign of how strongly people are prioritizing the trips they take and, most importantly, the quality of those trips. For luxury travelers, that shift is increasingly visible in what they expect from the flight itself: more space, better service, smoother planning, and fewer compromises before arrival.

Some trips ask for more than a better seat. A honeymoon in the Maldives, a once-in-a-while family escape, or a carefully planned stay on The Red Sea comes with a different kind of expectation: the details should feel handled, the cabin should feel calm, and the journey should not begin with guesswork.

That is where the partnership between Business-Class.com and beOnd is especially relevant. Business-Class.com offers direct access to premium travelers and expert booking support, while beOnd, the world's first premium leisure airline, provides an all-premium, lie-flat experience for guests who want a calmer, more personal way to fly.

As the world's first premium leisure airline, beOnd is designed around the guest rather than the aircraft. Every cabin is all-premium, with fully reclining flat-bed seats handcrafted in fine Italian leather, generous personal space and soft ambient lighting. Onboard, guests enjoy curated three-course dining, fine wines and champagne, full table lay-up service, and multilingual hosts trained in lifestyle hospitality. Every ticket also includes complimentary travel insurance, so guests planning higher-value trips travel with their peace of mind already taken care of.

"beOnd was created for modern luxury travelers who want something more refined than the traditional airline experience, without the complexity of private charter," said Tero Taskila, Chief Executive Officer of beOnd. "Business-Class.com understands how these customers choose, compare, and book premium travel. This partnership helps us extend our Promise to Every Journey to more travelers, who care not only about where they are going, but about the standard of service they expect along the way."

For Business-Class.com customers, the value starts before boarding. Advisors help travelers choose the best beOnd flight options, understand routing, cabin details, fare conditions, timing, and itinerary choices before anything is booked. That support is especially useful for high-value leisure trips, where the wrong connection, fare rule, or cabin assumption can affect comfort, timing, and peace of mind before the traveler even arrives.

"Premium travel starts with better decisions: the right seat, the right route, the right fare, and the right service model for the trip," said Jonathan Fitzsimons, Chief Commercial Officer at Business-Class.com. "beOnd brings something very distinct to the market: all lie-flat, no economy, no middle seats, and a cabin designed for leisure travelers who want a calmer, more personal way to fly. It is a privilege to work with a team building such a distinctive airline from one of the world's most important aviation regions, and we are confident the UAE's aviation sector will continue to show the resilience and momentum it is known for. Our role is to help customers see when beOnd is the right fit, and make that choice with confidence before they book."

Customers can explore beOnd travel options through Business-Class.com at:

- Maldives via beOnd: https://www.business-class.com/promo/beond-business-class-the-maldives 

- Red Sea via beOnd: https://www.business-class.com/promo/beond-business-class-the-red-sea

About beOnd

beOnd is the world's first premium leisure airline, redefining the travel experience for guests who seek more than simply reaching their destination. Operating a fleet of all-premium Airbus A320-family aircraft, beOnd combines lie-flat comfort, personalised service and thoughtfully designed luxury to create a journey that feels as exceptional as the destination itself. Through scheduled and bespoke travel services spanning more than 80 destinations across 45 countries, beOnd delivers a seamless travel experience where every detail is crafted for comfort, care and effortless sophistication.

For more information about beOnd, visit https://flybeond.com/

About Business-Class.com

Business-Class.com is a premium flight service helping travelers book Business and First Class flights with expert, human support. Founded in Florida in 2018, the company has grown into an international operation with more than 800 staff across eight offices, supporting over 600,000 travelers worldwide.

The company works with an international team of travel advisors who help customers compare routes, cabin options, fare conditions, and itinerary details before booking. Through direct airline relationships, tailored itinerary planning, and 24/7 personal support, Business-Class.com makes premium air travel more accessible, practical, and easier to navigate.

Rated 4.8 on Trustpilot, Business-Class.com serves travelers flying from the U.S. to destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and beyond, with optional concierge support for trip details such as airport transfers, hotel coordination, and special travel requests.

For more information about Business-Class.com, visit www.business-class.com.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Business Travel Group LLC

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Bringing Omnichannel Gift Card Solutions to MyPOS Connect Retailers

BROOMALL, Pa., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Factor4, a leading provider of omnichannel gift card and loyalty solutions, today announced a new integration partnership with Tri-City Retail Systems, provider of MyPOS Connect, a cloud-based retail point-of-sale platform designed to help specialty retailers manage their businesses across stores, online channels, and multiple locations.

The new integration connects Factor4's gift card and loyalty technology with MyPOS Connect, enabling retailers to offer and manage physical and digital gift cards through their retail environment. The integration supports gift card sales, balance inquiries, and redemptions, including online redemption, giving retailers the ability to provide customers with a seamless gift card experience across in-store and digital channels.

MyPOS Connect is designed to support retailers ranging from independent single-store businesses to multi-location and enterprise retailers. The platform provides point-of-sale, omnichannel sales, inventory management, purchasing, customer engagement, and reporting capabilities, while allowing retailers to connect their POS environment with ecommerce platforms and other third-party applications.

Through the integration with Factor4, MyPOS Connect retailers can leverage Factor4's omnichannel gift card capabilities to create new revenue opportunities, increase customer engagement, and provide customers with a convenient way to purchase and redeem gift cards wherever they shop.

"Partnering with Tri-City Retail Systems and integrating with MyPOS Connect allows Factor4 to bring our gift card and loyalty technology to a strong network of specialty retailers," said Dan Battista, CEO of Factor4. "MyPOS Connect is designed around the needs of retailers that want a flexible and scalable platform, and our integration gives those merchants the ability to offer physical and digital gift cards, balance inquiries, and redemption across both their in-store and online channels."

"Gift cards have become an important part of the customer experience for retailers, and we wanted to provide our MyPOS Connect customers with a solution that could support both their in-store and online needs," said Michael Steg, Managing Director of Tri-City Retail Systems. "Our integration with Factor4 gives retailers a flexible way to offer physical and digital gift cards while maintaining a connected experience through MyPOS Connect. We are excited about the opportunity to provide our customers with another valuable tool to increase customer engagement and drive repeat business."

About Factor4

Factor4 provides comprehensive gift card and loyalty solutions designed to help merchants increase sales, strengthen customer relationships, and grow their brands through physical and digital gift card programs.

Factor4's RewardOS™ API enables integrations with point-of-sale systems, ecommerce websites, payment terminals, tablets, and other platforms, providing merchants with flexible solutions for managing gift card and loyalty programs across multiple sales channels.

For more information, visit www.factor4gift.com.

About Tri-City Retail Systems

Tri-City Retail Systems is a provider of retail technology solutions focused on helping specialty retailers improve their business operations through cost-effective retail management solutions. The company has helped more than 1,000 specialty retailers and is the exclusive North American distributor of MyPOS Connect, a cloud-enabled Point Of Sale system.

MyPOS Connect provides retailers with point-of-sale, omnichannel sales, inventory management, purchasing, customer engagement, and reporting capabilities. The platform is designed to support businesses from single-store retailers to organizations operating hundreds of locations.

For more information, visit www.tricityretail.com.

Media Contact

Factor4

[email protected]

(844) 444-4013

SOURCE Factor4

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Dallas-Fort Worth contractor advances equipment replacement, hydronic piping, sheet metal, JOC, facility renewal and capital-project capabilities for commercial, institutional and public-sector facilities.

DALLAS, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Elevated Solutions Team (EST) is expanding its commercial mechanical project-delivery platform across Dallas-Fort Worth and selected Texas markets, strengthening the company's ability to support active facilities where existing conditions, shutdowns, procurement, mechanical-system interfaces and turnover must be managed as part of the construction plan.

Through its Commercial Mechanical & HVAC Services platform, EST supports owners, facility teams, general contractors, prime contractors and institutional project teams from existing-condition review through installation, startup, testing and documented closeout.

The company's core capabilities include Commercial HVAC Equipment Replacement & Service, Hydronic Piping & Mechanical Rooms, and Commercial Sheet Metal & Air Distribution, along with coordinated mechanical modernization. Projects may involve demolition, rigging and equipment setting, piping and duct modifications, pumps and valves, equipment transitions, controls coordination, flushing, pressure testing, startup, TAB or commissioning support, and final turnover.

The expansion is centered on work in operating and occupied facilities, where access, phasing, shutdown planning, long-lead procurement, temporary conditions and coordination across trades can directly affect schedule and facility operations.

"Our growth is centered on mechanical work that has to be planned around the facility," said Alonzo Hill Jr., CEO of Elevated Solutions Team. "Existing conditions, shutdowns, procurement, field coordination, equipment interfaces, testing and turnover all affect whether a project succeeds. We are continuing to build EST around disciplined execution from the first field review through final closeout."

JOC & Facility Renewal

For recurring, time-sensitive and existing-facility work, EST supports owners and institutions through its Job Order Contracting & Facility Renewal platform. The delivery model combines field-verified scope development, line-item estimating, procurement coordination, supervised mechanical execution and documented turnover for equipment, hydronic, airside and facility-renewal work.

Texas Special Projects & Capital Improvements

Beyond Dallas-Fort Worth, EST pursues qualified statewide opportunities through its Texas Special Projects & Capital Improvements platform. The focus is commercial, institutional and public-sector capital work where mechanical scope, procurement strategy, schedule, project partnership and field execution requirements align.

About Elevated Solutions Team

Elevated Solutions Team is a Dallas-Fort Worth commercial mechanical contractor supporting commercial, institutional and public-sector facilities with HVAC equipment replacement, chillers, boilers, hydronic piping, sheet metal, facility renewal, Job Order Contracting and coordinated mechanical construction.

Owners, general contractors, prime contractors and facility teams can submit project information or invite EST to bid.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Darlene Green | Executive Assistant

Dallas, Texas | 972-850-8544

SOURCE Elevated Solutions Team

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The Custom Rug Brand's First Midwest Location Supports Chicago's Vibrant Design Community

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernesta, the leading retailer of custom-sized rugs, announces the opening of its newest showroom in Chicago, Illinois. Located in the bustling Southport Corridor, the new space reflects Ernesta's continued investment in design-forward communities and its commitment to serving both consumers and trade professionals through a personalized, omnichannel shopping experience.

The new Chicago showroom offers a welcoming environment where visitors can explore Ernesta's ever-growing selection of designer quality, custom-sized rugs, including new collections and styles with high-quality wool, natural fiber and performance materials. The showroom offers customers access to expanded customization options such as stair runners, corner shapes, and fireplace cutouts, as well as white-glove delivery and installation. With a robust local team, the locations also serve as a practical resource for both customers and interior designers, with a dedicated lounge for one-on-one consultations, allowing trade professionals to host client meetings and review samples together.

"Chicago was a natural next step for Ernesta given the strong demand and appreciation we have seen for custom rugs in the Midwestern design hub," said Jennifer Parker, Chief Sales Officer at Ernesta. "This showroom location provides us with the chance to more directly connect with the local design community and support them with Ernesta's personalized service. Our expert guidance and high-quality custom solutions are made specifically for each space, whether it's a large industrial loft, historic home, or anything in between."

Founded in 2022, Ernesta is the leader in designer-quality custom rugs, offering to-the-inch sizing in as little as two weeks. The Chicago location marks the 11th showroom and another step in the brand's strategic nationwide expansion, following recent openings in Ardmore, PA, Charlotte, NC, and Fairfax, VA. It reinforces Ernesta's mission to transform the purchasing process of the most foundational elements of home design. As its showroom footprint grows, Ernesta continues to pair that precision with higher-touch service nationwide.

Ernesta Chicago is located at 3530 N. Southport Ave, Unit C2, Chicago, IL 60657 and is now open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about Ernesta Chicago and its offerings, visit https://www.ernestarugs.com/locations/.

About Ernesta

Ernesta is America's largest retailer of custom-sized, designer-quality rugs. The company enables interior designers and homeowners to create beautifully tailored rugs in virtually any size, delivered in weeks rather than months. By combining premium materials, transparent pricing, personalized design guidance, and a seamless omnichannel shopping experience, Ernesta is transforming the purchasing process for one of the most important design elements in the home. Recognized by Good Housekeeping as a 2025 Home Renovation Awards winner, Ernesta is setting a new standard in home design.

SOURCE Ernesta

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The new "Hot or Cold, Always Perfetto" campaign brings a playful new chapter to Brad Pitt's longstanding partnership with De'Longhi, celebrating coffee made your way with the new Magnifica Duo.

UPPER SADDLE RIVER, N.J., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- De'Longhi, the World's #1 Automatic Espresso Maker* and World's #1 Espresso Machine Maker*, has spent more than 50 years combining Italian design, coffee expertise and thoughtful innovation to elevate the at-home coffee experience. Today, the brand unveils its latest global campaign, "Hot or Cold, Always Perfetto," starring longtime brand partner Brad Pitt and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Jonze.

The campaign marks a playful new chapter in De'Longhi's ongoing Perfetto story, built around a simple idea: when it comes to coffee, there is no single definition of perfect. Rooted in the Italian approach to savoring everyday moments, Perfetto is personal, shaped by individual taste, mood and ritual. Whether hot or cold, bold or creamy, the best coffee is the one enjoyed exactly the way you want it.

"Your coffee. Your way. Always Perfetto," said Pitt.

At the center of the campaign is De'Longhi's new Magnifica Duo, a fully automatic coffee machine designed to bring that choice to life with both hot and cold milk-based coffee recipes at the touch of a button. Featuring 20 preset hot and iced recipes, dedicated technologies for authentic espresso, drip coffee and cold brew, and De'Longhi's signature LatteCrema™ Hot & Cool Technologies, Magnifica Duo makes it effortless to move from a warm morning cappuccino to an iced afternoon latte or cold brew, all from one machine.

Directed by Spike Jonze, the story drops us into a home where Brad lives with his 16 roommates, many of whom he has known since college. Brad longs for just one quiet morning where he can enjoy a cup of coffee from his De'Longhi machine. Instead, there seems to be a complicated dynamic at play with the roommates (this can be said for any roommates, right?) every single morning, Lawrence wants to know why he got up late. Kyle wants to know why the dishes aren't done. Patrick wants to know why he's dressed up. In this film, a man tries to navigate the perils of the group in search of his one small luxury: a cup of coffee.

Will he find that moment? Will he find his "Perfetto" — a small, hard-won hot or cold triumph in this world of large personalities? Will You? Will anyone?

Through the humor and chaos, the campaign brings De'Longhi's Italian approach to coffee to life: a belief that coffee is more than a drink, but a moment to savor. By pairing that heritage with thoughtful innovation, De'Longhi makes it effortless for coffee lovers to create their own Perfetto at home, whatever their taste, mood or moment.

"At De'Longhi, we believe that Perfetto is the spirit of immersing yourself in your coffee moment, Italian style. But perfected to your taste. Our Duo range is designed to do exactly that - it serves up your perfetto, your way - hot or cold. Through every season and every mood. Together with Brad Pitt, Spike Jonze and LOLAMadrid, we have created a campaign that encapsulates this duality - the wins and misses, the hot and cold that swings into every moment. And who better to deliver that in a memorable way, but the duo Brad and Spike! Ably supported by a few special stars, the campaign brings banter, humour and inimitable Italian panache to not just ONE perfetto moment but DUO perfetto moments," said Aparna Sundaresh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at the De'Longhi Group.

The campaign is the latest global work from LOLAMadrid as part of its ongoing creative partnership with De'Longhi and will roll out across broadcast, digital and social platforms beginning in September. It will also be supported by a Perfetto Barista influencer campaign featuring two creators who joined the film set, picked up a few Oscar-level tricks and brought them home to inspire their own content. The creators will put their own spin on the campaign's hot-or-cold duality, showing how they create a personal Perfetto moment at home.

The De'Longhi Magnifica Duo is available now for $999.95 at DeLonghi.com and select retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.delonghi.com.

About De'Longhi:

Headquartered in Treviso, Italy, De'Longhi is the global leader in home coffee innovation. For more than 50 years, the company has built a legacy of craftsmanship, designing and engineering premium appliances that bring café-quality coffee experiences into the home, inspired by Italy - the birthplace of espresso. As the #1 Worldwide Espresso Machine Maker*, De'Longhi is recognized for combining Italian design, quality craftsmanship, and meaningful innovation across a broad portfolio of coffee solutions, including fully automatic espresso machines, manual espresso machines, and specialty coffee appliances.

Part of the De'Longhi Group, a global house of premium appliance brands that includes La Marzocco and Eversys, De'Longhi is committed to making coffee more accessible at home through thoughtfully designed, performance-driven products. Today, De'Longhi is present in more than 120 countries worldwide, helping consumers craft exceptional espresso, coffee, and specialty beverages with ease.

*Source: Based on GfK global sales data for the espresso coffee maker category.

SOURCE De'Longhi

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Sulforaphane itself is too unstable to bottle. The standard industry workaround pairs glucoraphanin, its shelf-stable precursor, with myrosinase, the enzyme that converts it, inside a capsule, and leaves the reaction to happen after swallowing. Nootropics Depot's analytical lab put that assumption through a Distek dissolution tester with simulated gastric fluid. At stomach-acid pH, myrosinase is largely inactivated. The same reaction that proceeds normally at intestinal pH barely happens in acid, which means much of the precursor in a conventional capsule passes through without ever becoming sulforaphane.

SulfoMax moves the reaction outside the body, and every component of the powder has a job in that chemistry. Potassium bicarbonate buffers the glass of water into the pH range where myrosinase stays active. Within that window, the enzyme, supplied by 240mg of white mustard seed powder, the richest myrosinase source among the brassicas the company evaluated, hydrolyzes the glucoraphanin from 360mg of black kale extract standardized to 17%. A 12mg dose of vitamin C serves as a cofactor that pushes the conversion further, and an acacia fiber base keeps enzyme and precursor suspended together long enough to finish the job. Five minutes after mixing, the glass holds active sulforaphane. Then it can be diluted with more water and drank, or mixed with other things like InfiniFiber and InfiniGreens.

The design exploits an asymmetry in the chemistry: the enzyme is fragile in acid, but the finished compound is not. Sulforaphane itself is stable in gastric fluid, so once the conversion is complete, digestion no longer threatens it. UPLC testing confirmed that the finished serving's sulforaphane survives simulated gastric fluid at both pH 1.2 and pH 3. Heat sensitivity is also why SulfoMax is a powder rather than a capsule or a pre-converted liquid, since sulforaphane degrades rapidly at elevated temperatures.

The compound's reputation in longevity research rests largely on one pathway. Research suggests sulforaphane modifies cysteine residues on the Keap1 protein, releasing the Nrf2 transcription factor to switch on the body's own cytoprotective enzymes. Rather than acting as a direct antioxidant, sulforaphane supports the expression of the cell's endogenous defense systems, which is why studies describe support for antioxidant redox balance, a healthy inflammatory response, and long-term cellular resilience. The brain is part of that story as well. Cell-model research suggests Nrf2 activation in astrocytes helps condition neighboring neurons against oxidative stress, a form of cross-protection behind sulforaphane's growing profile in work on cognitive resilience, mental clarity, and focus. None of that machinery matters, the company argues, unless active sulforaphane actually arrives, which is the problem SulfoMax was engineered to solve.

"We watched the capsule approach fail in simulated gastric fluid over and over," said Paul Eftang, CEO of Nootropics Depot. "Once you have seen myrosinase quit in stomach acid enough times, the answer is obvious: do the chemistry in a glass of water, where we control the pH, then verify the result on the UPLC. Then you know you are getting the same amount of sulforaphane each time you take a dose." 

The formulation took almost two years of iteration, with each formulation measured at Omnient Lab, the company's sister laboratory in Tempe Arizona, rather than estimated from precursor math. SulfoMax is taken once daily in the morning, best taken with food: stir, wait five minutes, drink.

SulfoMax is available now at nootropicsdepot.com in 30-serving ($59.99) and 60-serving ($99.99) jars, manufactured in a cGMP, FDA-registered facility in Arizona with third-party lab testing and a published certificate of analysis. Read more about the SulfoMax R&D story.

About Nootropics Depot

Nootropics Depot is a leading supplement company setting benchmark standards for quality and transparency in the industry. Founded in 2013, Nootropics Depot's mission has been to educate consumers on the science behind dietary supplements, and to advance the lab testing and quality control standards of the industry. Their stance is that consumers should be able to trust the products they buy, and that the brands selling those products have a duty to ensure they are using modern validated science. Nootropics Depot offers a wide range of high-quality cognitive enhancement and general health supplements. The company's commitment to quality and transparency is evident in their rigorous testing procedures, easily accessible Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and lab testing results available on every product page. In addition, they have formed a Scientific Advisory Board with board certified doctors, PhD researchers, and botanists to ensure that consumers can trust that scientific rigor is being upheld in everything they do. Nootropics Depot's newly redesigned website features a user-friendly interface, and includes an innovative quiz to help beginners find the right supplements for their needs. With partnerships with third-party labs, and collaboration with the Future Nutra Foundation, Nootropics Depot continues to push the boundaries of supplement quality and consumer education. For more information about Nootropics Depot's products and their commitment to transparency, visit nootropicsdepot.com.

Media Contact:

Michael Packman

Nootropics Depot

[email protected]

SOURCE Nootropics Depot

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