12-month diploma training at the Erie campus uses 35 welding bays and covers MIG, TIG, pipe, and structural welding.

ERIE, Pa., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute of Medical and Business Careers (IMBC) is enrolling students in its Welding Technology diploma program at the Erie, Pennsylvania campus. The program is for career changers and working adults who want industry-based training and a shorter path into a welding career than a traditional college schedule.

IMBC's welding training is offered only at the Erie, Pennsylvania campus, 5739 West 26th Street, which has 35 welding bays. Students start with basic applications and move into MIG, TIG, pipe, and structural metal welding, plus destructive and non-destructive testing, quality control, and safety procedures. The program does not require an internship. Built into the tuition are two nationally recognized American Welding Society (AWS) certifications: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW). Students who earn these certifications increase their marketability as they enter the workforce. IMBC also partners with the American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric to prepare graduates to be workforce-ready with skills and competencies.

"Welding remains one of the most direct ways for someone in the Erie area to move into a skilled trade without spending years in school," said Michael Euliano, President of IMBC. "Our S.P.A.R.K.™ model—Support, Pride, Awareness, Responsibility, and Knowledge —combined with hands-on and interactive training helps students build confidence and graduate ready to contribute to the workforce within the community."

Key Program Features

- Welding Technology diploma, about 12 months

- Offered only at the Erie campus (5739 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506)

- 35 welding bays

- MIG, TIG, pipe, and structural welding, plus testing and quality control

- Nationally recognized professional certifications included in the training program

- American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric partnerships

- Small classes and support through the S.P.A.R.K.™ model

The Erie, Pennsylvania campus also offers Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, HVAC/R, Veterinary Technician, and Commercial Truck Driving. Welding is not offered at the IMBC Pittsburgh campus.

About IMBC

The Institute of Medical and Business Careers provides hands-on career training in healthcare, business, and skilled trades at its Erie and Pittsburgh campuses and online. A nationally accredited ABHES college and designated a Military Friendly School, IMBC emphasizes practical skills, including nationally recognized certifications, and personalized support through its S.P.A.R.K.™ model. For more than 20 years, IMBC has helped students launch rewarding careers in high-demand occupational training fields.

For information on the Welding Technology program visit, imbc.edu or to speak with an admissions advisor, visit imbc.edu or call 855-773-0758.

SOURCE Institute of Medical and Business Careers

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Proven product leader to advance Forma industry cloud and AI strategy and drive the next phase of AEC growth

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced that Diana Colella has been named executive vice president of its architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) business. Colella succeeds Amy Bunszel, who previously announced her retirement and will remain with Autodesk through November 2, 2026, to support the transition.

Colella will lead Autodesk's largest industry business as the company enters its next phase of growth in AEC, driven by Autodesk Forma, the company's industry cloud for AEC that connects data, context and workflows to deliver AI and project intelligence across the AEC lifecycle.

"The AEC industry is entering a new era, as AI creates new possibilities for how buildings and infrastructure are designed, built and operated," said Andrew Anagnost, president and CEO of Autodesk. "Amy and the AEC team have built a strong business and laid the foundation for the next phase of growth, with Forma becoming the industry cloud for AEC and AI helping customers navigate increasing complexity across the project lifecycle. Diana is the right leader for this moment. She brings a proven track record of leading through major technology shifts, aligning products, data and teams behind a clear vision, and turning innovation into tangible customer outcomes. Combined with her deep understanding of Autodesk and the industries we serve, Diana is uniquely positioned to build on this momentum and help shape the future of AEC."

In her new role, Colella will advance the Forma strategy while continuing to evolve our desktop products such as Revit and Civil 3D while connecting them more closely to Forma workflows. By bringing together the data and context created across the project lifecycle, Autodesk aims to make AI more useful in the work customers do every day, helping teams reduce friction, make better-informed decisions and increase their capacity to design and build.

Colella brings nearly three decades of Autodesk leadership experience spanning finance, strategy, sales, operations, product management and industry leadership. She joined Autodesk through the acquisition of Discreet Logic and has since held leadership roles across the company, including leading Autodesk's AutoCAD business and helping launch One AutoCAD. Her broad experience has given her deep insight into how Autodesk's products, operations and go-to-market teams work together to create customer success.

Most recently, Colella led the AI transformation of Autodesk's Media & Entertainment (M&E) business, where she advanced the Flow platform strategy and expanded Autodesk's role across the production lifecycle. Through acquisitions including Moxion, PIX and Wonder Dynamics, and the continued development of Autodesk Flow Studio, she helped broaden the value Autodesk delivers to creators and studios. Colella will continue to oversee the M&E business and will open a search for a new leader, reporting directly to her.

"Our customers are being asked to deliver more while navigating greater complexity, persistent resource constraints and rapid technological change," said Colella. "My priority is to listen to them, build on the strong foundation Amy and the team have created, and make sure the work we're doing across Forma and AI translates into meaningful improvements in how projects are designed, built and operated. I'm honored to lead Autodesk's AEC business at such an important moment for our customers and the industry."

About Autodesk

The world's designers, engineers, builders, and creators trust Autodesk to help them design and make anything. From the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive over. From the products we use and rely on, to the movies and games that inspire us. Autodesk's Design and Make Platform unlocks the power of data to accelerate insights and automate processes, empowering customers with the technology to create the world around us and deliver better outcomes for their businesses and the planet. For more information, visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk. #MakeAnything

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

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PITTSBURGH, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- "As a carpenter, I thought there should be a way to install moldings on windows and doors without the hassle of opening or removing them," said an inventor, from Magna, Utah, "so we invented the EASY EDGE LINE. Our design would be easy to insert and use."

The invention provides an effective way to install moldings on windows and doors. In doing so, it eliminates the need to open or remove the doors. As a result, it saves time and effort. It also increases convenience. The invention features a compact design that is easy to use so it is ideal for contractors, carpenters, remodelers, do-it-yourselfers, etc. Additionally, a prototype is available.

The original design was submitted to the National sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 25-LOS-633, InventHelp, 100 Beecham Drive, Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9801, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

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Maye, CTBS, has spent nearly three decades in the field, including six years chairing AATB's Standards Committee

BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- C5 Biomedical LLC, an FDA-registered, AATB-accredited manufacturer of amniotic membrane allografts, today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Tim Maye, CTBS, will be honored tonight in San Francisco as one of the "50 at 50" honorees at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Association for Advancing Tissue and Biologics (AATB).

The 50 at 50 is a one-time honor recognizing 50 individuals who have shaped AATB and the broader tissue and biologics field.

Maye has spent 28 years in tissue banking and biologics and has held his Certified Tissue Bank Specialist (CTBS) credential since 1999. He chaired AATB's Standards Committee for six years and founded C5 Biomedical in 2021.

C5 Biomedical earned AATB accreditation in November 2025 under standards Maye helped write.

"This recognition belongs to everyone who's helped raise the bar in tissue banking over the last three decades. I've had the privilege of helping write some of the standards this industry runs on today, and I'm not finished. I still sit on that committee, and there's more work ahead I want to see through," said Tim Maye, CTBS, CEO of C5 Biomedical.

"Tim chaired the AATB Standards Committee for six years, during which time I had the opportunity to be the liaison to this extremely important and impactful committee. The foundation of the Association has always been the establishment and refinement of our Standards for Tissue Banking, and Tim was able to continue that legacy without missing a beat. Tim brought cohesion and calm leadership to his role, completely voluntary, that allowed members of the committee to discuss and debate the issues to achieve best outcomes," said Beverly Bliss, MBA, CTBS, former AATB Vice President of Accreditation and Standards.

The celebration is part of AATB Congress 26. The full list of honorees is on AATB's website (https://www.aatb.org/news/aatb-announces-its-50-50-honorees).

About C5 Biomedical LLC

C5 Biomedical is an FDA-registered, AATB-accredited manufacturer of amniotic membrane allografts for use across wound care, burn, ocular, spine, orthopedic and other surgical applications. Its product lines include AéroGuard™, NéoGuard™, xPatch™ and iPatch™. C5 Biomedical also manufactures private-label allografts for distributors. For more information, contact [email protected].

About AATB

The Association for Advancing Tissue and Biologics (AATB), formerly the American Association of Tissue Banks, is the standard-setting body for the safety and use of donated human tissue.

Media Contact:

Stephen Maye

Chief Revenue Officer

C5 Biomedical LLC

[email protected]

703-371-8392

SOURCE C5 Biomedical LLC

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SpecialtyRx Expands Georgia Presence with Sandy Springs Pharmacy, Celebrates Ribbon Cutting November 4

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SpecialtyRx, the nation's largest privately owned long-term care pharmacy, will celebrate the grand opening of its Sandy Springs regional pharmacy with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 4, bringing together company leadership, healthcare partners, community leaders, and elected officials to celebrate the company's growing presence in Georgia and the greater Atlanta region.

Since beginning operations in Sandy Springs earlier this year, the pharmacy has strengthened SpecialtyRx's ability to provide localized long-term care pharmacy services throughout greater Atlanta and surrounding markets. The 14,000-square-foot facility is part of SpecialtyRx's network of 15 regional pharmacy locations and serves as a central hub for the company's operations in Georgia.

Healthcare providers, community stakeholders, and other interested parties are invited to visit www.srxltc.com to explore partnership opportunities and connect with the SpecialtyRx team.

For skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and other institutional healthcare providers, medication needs can change quickly. Having a pharmacy team located within the market allows SpecialtyRx to respond more efficiently, shorten medication delivery times, address urgent needs, and work more closely with the nurses and caregivers responsible for patients each day.

The Sandy Springs pharmacy offers:

- Patient capacity: Currently serving over 5,000 patients, with capacity to support up to 15,000 as regional demand increases.

- Clinical support: 24/7 pharmacist support.

- Urgent services: Emergency STAT medication delivery and same-day IV services.

- Connected technology: Prescription and delivery tracking, plus secure communication with pharmacy teams.

"Being closer to the patients and facilities we serve allows us to deliver the reliable and personalized support our partners depend on," said Joel Zupnick, Co-Founder of SpecialtyRx. "That's what this investment in Sandy Springs is ultimately about."

"Greater Atlanta is an important market for our continued growth," said Chesky Berkowitz, Co-Founder of SpecialtyRx. "Sandy Springs gives us the capacity and infrastructure to serve more long-term care communities across Georgia and the surrounding region."

The Sandy Springs pharmacy also represents an ongoing investment in Georgia's healthcare workforce and infrastructure. SpecialtyRx currently employs 35 team members at the location, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, operations professionals, and support staff, and is expected to create 75 to 100 additional jobs over the next two years.

While its primary focus is greater Atlanta and communities throughout Georgia, the Sandy Springs pharmacy also enhances SpecialtyRx's ability to support long-term care providers across the Southeast.

The November 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at SpecialtyRx's Sandy Springs pharmacy, located at 8601 Dunwoody Place, Suite 430, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. The event will recognize the pharmacy's role in supporting long-term care communities across the region and SpecialtyRx's continued investment in local healthcare services.

About SpecialtyRx

SpecialtyRx is the nation's largest privately owned long-term care pharmacy, serving skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare organizations nationwide. The company supports more than 1,190 healthcare facilities and 350,000 patients annually through its network of 15 regional pharmacy locations across 19 states. SpecialtyRx combines advanced technology, clinical expertise, and personalized service to help providers improve medication management, maintain compliance, and enhance resident care. For more information, visit www.srxltc.com.

SOURCE SpecialtyRx

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Breast cancer survivor and healthcare CEO Cheryle Jackson launches the campaign during Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a message that goes beyond mammograms

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BigHeart Health today launched Her Health Can't Wait, a campaign that speaks directly to the women who keep everyone else healthy (the mothers, daughters, partners, and caregivers who schedule the appointments, track the prescriptions, and show up for the people they love) while quietly postponing their own care.

The campaign debuts during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and early screening is central to its message. But Her Health Can't Wait asks a bigger question: What happens to a woman's health when she is always the one caring for others? The answer too often shows up as skipped checkups, ignored symptoms, and conditions caught later than they should be—even when she has health insurance.

Leading the campaign is Cheryle Jackson, a breast cancer survivor who now serves as CEO of BigHeart Health, a Chicago-based virtual healthcare company dedicated to eliminating health disparities and addressing social determinants of health by expanding access to preventive education and care. Big Heart Health is in network with Illinois' top managed care organizations (MCOs) and Medicaid.

"I spent years making sure everyone and everything around me was taken care of. When my own diagnosis came, it forced me to face how often I had put myself last after my family, my job, and community commitments," Jackson said. "Taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's how you keep showing up for the people who count on you."

Starting October 6, the campaign will urge women to visit herhealthcantwait.com to schedule a virtual Her Health First Visit. A provider will conduct a whole-person health review that looks at heart and body, hormones and cycles, stress and sleep, screenings she's due for, and life at home. A care navigator then schedules specialist visits, shares records, and checks in between appointments to make sure each step actually happens. Health doesn't stop at the doctor's office, so women who need help with food security, housing, transportation, child- and elder-care support will be directed to resources close to home. Most health insurance plans cover one wellness visit a year.

Jackson brings a unique perspective to the campaign: she has been the patient, the caregiver, the advocate, and the executive working to improve how healthcare reaches all women but Black women, in particular.

An article citing historical references and studies on discrimination in healthcare published by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners for Women's Health states: "Black women endure disproportionate health burdens affecting physical, reproductive, and mental health. These are not isolated events, but the result of persistent structural inequities strategically rooted within a healthcare system that never had them in mind."

The writer goes on to say that Black women navigating healthcare systems feel unheard, unbelieved, and unprotected, with 34% admitting to switching providers, worsening health, or being less likely to pursue care because of negative experiences.

Black women and Black family caregivers shoulder disproportionately high-intensity caregiving roles, averaging 31.2 hours of care per week, which is higher than any other racial or demographic group, according to a study by Mental Health America.

"Women are the health keepers of their families and communities. With Her Health Can't Wait, we want every woman to know she deserves the same care and attention she gives so freely to others," Jackson said.

Nearly one in four women say they have delayed or skipped needed medical care (the Kaiser Foundation's Women's Health Survey), and about one in four family caregivers, most of whom are women, report that caregiving has hurt their own health (AARP/National Alliance for Caregiving Support). Yet when breast cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 99% (American Cancer Society).

Throughout October and beyond, Her Health Can't Wait will encourage women to take concrete steps for their own well-being, starting with a mammogram and extending to annual checkups that take a holistic approach to supporting their heart health, mental health, reproductive and sexual health, weight and metabolic health, and listening to the symptoms they tend to brush aside or are never asked about in the first place. The campaign will include giveaways, a digital storytelling series, community events, a resource hub, and social media activations using #HerHealthCantWait.

About BigHeart Health

BigHeart Health (formerly MyOwnDoctor) expands access to preventive education and culturally competent care so every person feels respected, understood, and valued. Learn more at bighearthealth.com.

Media Contact: Shawn Taylor | [email protected] | 312-371-6260.

SOURCE BigHeart Health

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DelNova extends scientific platform to natural deodorant supported by dermatologist Dr. Kathy Fields

DelNova today announces SECCO, patent-pending aluminum-free deodorant that applies sweat-inhibition science to personal care, backed by dermatologist Dr. Kathy Fields.

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today DelNova is announcing a paradigm shift in personal care with SECCO, translating scientific principles of sweat inhibition to create a premium, clean, natural, aluminum-free product. DelNova, Inc. debunks the misconception that consumers must accept inferior protection in their daily hygiene routine or face potential health concerns.

DelNova's biopharma story evolves to clean beauty within its new division, DelNaturals. DelNaturals is redefining personal hygiene with its patent-pending aluminum-free deodorant SECCO, designed to target perspiration at its source while delivering long-lasting performance.

Rather than competing as another clean beauty brand, DelNaturals is creating a new product category. Health-conscious consumers want clean, synthetic chemical-free, metal-free deodorants but face a basic dilemma: natural options only mask or mitigate odor, with little attention to wetness. They do not meaningfully reduce sweat. That gap between clean claims and real performance is frustrating a growing market segment.

DelNaturals closes the gap by applying scientific discovery to deliver a new standard of performance. With SECCO, there is no need for consumers to compromise between natural and product performance. SECCO will be a first-in-class natural deodorant formulated with premium skincare ingredients to deliver sweat-inhibiting performance without aluminum or metal salts. The technology is proprietary and patent-pending, originating from DelNova's clinical-stage biopharma platform. Starting from known scientific mechanisms and a consumer gap flagged by Dr. Fields, the novel formulation is powered by a proprietary ingredient blend sourced from plants.

Legacy brands have failed to advance beyond aluminum-containing antiperspirants for over a century. DelNaturals is poised to build on its scientific credibility and network of medical professionals to educate consumers, attract investors, and establish third-party validation before widespread commercial adoption.

Positioned for Strategic Partners and Investors

"DelNaturals is seeking partners who recognize the value of IP-protected innovation in the clean beauty space," says Mary Gardner, CEO & Founder. The personal care sector is undergoing consolidation around brands capable of delivering both clean credentials and credible scientific differentiation. Investors and strategic partners increasingly prioritize platforms with defensible intellectual property, translational research foundations, and leadership teams experienced in regulated product development.

DelNaturals is positioned within this emerging landscape. The company's patents, scientific heritage, and disciplined R&D approach create a foundation for expansion into adjacent premium personal care categories. The deodorant platform represents the first consumer-facing application of the company's broader technology portfolio.

""The market does not need another fragrance story. It needs a product that meets expectations for feeling fresh and dry. Dr. Fields' involvement is not only a significant endorsement of DelNova's credibility. Dr. Fields' participation adds category-building expertise from two of the most commercially successful dermatologist-founded brands of the past three decades and expands DelNova's access to clinical and consumer networks in skincare," says Mary Gardner, CEO & Founder.

About Dr. Kathy Fields

Dr. Kathy A. Fields is one of the most widely recognized dermatologists and entrepreneurs in modern skincare. She is the co-creator of Proactiv and co-founder of Rodan + Fields, two of the most influential skincare brands of the past three decades. She is a board-certified dermatologist, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at UCSF, and an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University.

Dr. Fields' career spans therapeutic dermatology, consumer skincare innovation, and leadership in science-based brand building. She has been repeatedly recognized by Forbes and is known for advancing clinically informed skincare solutions that reach broad consumer audiences.

About DelNova, Inc. and DelNaturals

DelNova Inc. is a biopharma startup with a proven track record of innovation targeting unaddressed market needs and technology gaps. ReViVox, the company's lead therapeutic asset, is positioned to serve a global botulinum toxin market measured in the multi-billion-dollar range. There is a well-documented absence of an approved, locally administered reversal agent for off-target paralysis, including eyelid and brow ptosis. The new structure is intended to create value-creation paths from a single scientific franchise.

DelNaturals, its newly created division, is designed to generate a nearer-term commercial platform in premium personal care while reinforcing DelNova's intellectual-property portfolio and dermatology relationships. SECCO deodorant will be the first product launch (www.seccolab.com).

Contact

Mary Gardner

CEO & Founder, DelNova, Inc.

224 730 1621

[email protected]

www.delnova.net

SOURCE DelNova, Inc.

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BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Place To Work® and Fortune magazine have selected KNIPEX Tools for the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production™ List. This is KNIPEX Tool's first time being named to this prestigious list, this year coming in at 23rd place in the small & medium category. Earning a spot means that KNIPEX Tools is one of the best companies to work for in the country.

The Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production award is based on analysis of survey responses from over 106,000 employees at Great Place To Work Certified™ companies in the manufacturing and production industry.

Todd Shumate, President of KNIPEX Tools North America reflected on the accolade and it's meaning to the organization. "This achievement is something we are all tremendously proud of. It reflects the culture we have built together and the commitment each of our employees brings to the organization every day. As we continue our journey from good to great, this recognition serves as an important reminder that our people are the foundation of our success."

The Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production list is highly competitive. Great Place To Work, the global authority on workplace culture, determines its lists using its proprietary Trust Index™ Survey to evaluate and certify thousands of organizations in America's largest ongoing annual workforce study, based on over 1.3 million survey responses and data from companies representing more than 7.3 million employees.

Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for employees regardless of job role, work status, or other demographic factor.

"Congratulations to the Fortune Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production," says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. "People are at the heart of work in every industry, and manufacturing is no exception. These companies show how delivering for your people drives financial performance and turns fear of the future into the confidence to win."

KNIPEX Tools is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for 2026. This year's achievement follows a certification in 2024 and 2025 as well.

About KNIPEX Tools

KNIPEX Tools LP is the North American branch of KNIPEX‐Werk. For more than 140 years, KNIPEX has set the standard for precision, performance and durability manufacturing best-in-class hand tools for professional tradespeople around the world. With over 1,500 styles and sizes, KNIPEX serves a variety of industries from automotive, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and more. Headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany since 1882, KNIPEX continues to drive innovation and lead the market through its commitment to quality & engineering excellence.

About the Fortune Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production List

Great Place To Work selected the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production by analyzing confidential survey responses from more than 1.3 million confidential employee surveys, representing the experience of more than 7.3 million workers 2025 and 2026. Of those, more than 106,000 responses came from employees at Great Place To Work Certified companies in the manufacturing and production industries, and this ranking is based on that feedback. Companies with 10 to 999 employees competed in the small and medium category. Companies with 1,000 or more employes were considered for the large category. Read the full methodology.

To get on this list next year, start here.

About Great Place To Work

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work, a UKG company, brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and Great Place To Work Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified and receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces list.

Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram, and sign up for the Great Place To Work LinkedIn newsletter, Culture Edge, to get the latest research on what drives business success.

About Fortune Media

Fortune is a global multi-platform media company built on a legacy of trusted, award-winning reporting and information for those who want to make business better. Independently owned, Fortune tells the stories of the world's biggest companies and their leaders as well as a new generation of innovators who are moving business forward. Digitally and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks, and holds companies accountable, in regions around the world. Its iconic rankings include Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, Most Powerful Women, and World's Most Admired Companies. Fortune builds world-class communities by convening industry thought leaders for exclusive summits and conferences, including the Fortune Global Forum, Fortune Brainstorm Tech, and Fortune Most Powerful Women. For more information, visit fortune.com.

SOURCE KNIPEX Tools

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ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- FANUC America, a global industrial automation leader, will demonstrate how artificial intelligence, collaborative robotics and machine vision are helping packaging and processing companies tackle labor shortages, simplify product handling and automate more of the packaging process at PACK EXPO International 2026 in Chicago.

In Booth N25217, visitors will experience live demonstrations ranging from package verification and food-grade processing to integrated packaging and palletizing applications.

"Whether companies are automating product handling, packaging, food processing or palletizing applications, they're looking for solutions that are easy to implement, simple to operate and capable of delivering value quickly," said James Cooper, FANUC America Vice President, U.S. General Industry Sales. "Our PACK EXPO exhibit highlights automation technologies that can be applied across a wide range of manufacturing environments, helping companies reduce manual tasks, improve operational efficiency and accelerate their automation journey."

Flexible Automation for Today's Packaging Challenges

A key focus of the FANUC exhibit is how automation can help manufacturers address workforce challenges while simplifying robot deployment.

- Robot Operation by Generative AI with Vibe Coding: One of the most innovative demonstrations in the booth showcases a FANUC CRX-20iA collaborative robot operating through natural-language commands. Equipped to handle 20 kg payloads, the CRX-20iA allows attendees to verbally request specific production configurations while Generative AI translates those instructions into AI-generated Python code and robot actions. The application demonstrates how AI-assisted programming can simplify deployment, reduce programming complexity and make robotic automation more accessible to a wider range of users.

- Keep Production Moving with Dynamic Proximity Monitoring: This interactive application demonstrates how productivity can be maintained when people and robots share the same workspace. The FANUC CRX-10iA/L collaborative robot uses dynamic motion planning, machine vision and barcode verification to present packages for scanning while automatically adjusting its path around workers to keep production moving.

New Collaborative Automation Solutions for Packaging Operations

FANUC will exhibit collaborative automation solutions that streamline packaging workflows while adapting to changing production requirements.

- Three Cobots. One Complete Packaging Process: A coordinated work cell featuring FANUC CRX-20iA/L, CRX-10iA and CRX-5iA collaborative robots demonstrate an end-to-end packaging workflow. Combining vision-guided picking, label orientation verification, packing and palletizing in a single automated process, the application shows how manufacturers can use collaborative automation to streamline material flow, maximize floor space and increase production flexibility.

- High-Payload Collaborative Palletizing: With a new 40 kg payload capacity, the FANUC CRX/30-18A collaborative robot demonstrates how cobots are expanding into heavier-duty palletizing applications. Equipped with integrated 3D vision guidance and a dual-case gripper, the system efficiently handles larger loads while maintaining the ease of deployment and intuitive programming flexibility that have made collaborative robots increasingly popular across manufacturing operations.

Food-Grade Robotics Deliver Proven Performance

FANUC will also showcase one of the industry's broadest portfolios of food-grade automation technologies with applications spanning primary food handling, packaging and palletizing.

- Coordinated Food Packaging with Delta and SCARA Robots: This demo shows the DR-3iB/6 Stainless IP69K-rated delta robot and a food-grade SR-12iA/C SCARA robot coordinating high-speed placing of sausage links in packages. Supporting sanitation standards, the system uses vacuum grippers and FANUC's iRPickTool for accurate placement in high-pressure washdown environments.

- Vision-Guided Case Packing of Frozen Protein Products: The FANUC LR Mate Food Clean robot demonstrates automated case packing of frozen protein products. Utilizing FANUC iRVision technology and iRPickTool software, the system identifies randomly oriented packages on a moving conveyor and accurately places them into cases. The application reveals how food processors can improve packing efficiency, increase throughput and reduce repetitive manual handling operations through automation.

- Automated Food-Grade Palletizing: The FANUC M-710/50-26D Food Option robot shows automated palletizing food products using FANUC PalletTool 3 software. With a 50 kg payload capacity, food industry design options, and NVIDIA Isaac Sim digital twin visualization, the robot efficiently handles product crates, helping manufacturers increase productivity, reduce repetitive manual tasks and build stable pallet loads for storage and shipment.

High-Speed Packaging Automation

- Circular Line Tracking with SCARA Robotics: Featuring a compact footprint and high-speed performance, the FANUC SR-9iA/R SCARA robot combines vision guidance and visual conveyor tracking in a circular line-tracking application. After picking moving parts and placing them into trays, the robot automatically changes tooling to transfer parts into cartons. The demonstration shows how manufacturers can maximize throughput while conserving valuable space on the production floor.

Advanced Automation Technologies

Across the exhibit, FANUC will showcase advanced automation technologies including Generative AI, iRVision®, iRPickTool®, PalletTool® 3, visual conveyor tracking and the latest R-50iA and R-30iB Mini Plus controller platforms. Together, these technologies help manufacturers simplify deployment, increase flexibility and maximize automation performance.

About FANUC America Corporation

FANUC America Corporation is a subsidiary of FANUC CORPORATION in Japan and provides industry‑leading CNC systems, robotics, and ROBOMACHINEs. FANUC's innovative technologies help manufacturers maximize productivity, reliability, and profitability. Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan, FANUC America has facilities throughout North and South America. Learn more at www.fanucamerica.com or explore collaborative robots at crx.fanucamerica.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Fanuc America Corporation

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Customers can discover Southwest destinations and plan flights in an experience powered by OpenAI and Amazon Web Services

DALLAS, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today launched a first-of-its-kind U.S. airline plugin in ChatGPT, marking the first step in a phased AI-powered booking approach with OpenAI and Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows travelers to discover and shop for Southwest flights in ChatGPT.

By launching the Southwest® plugin in ChatGPT, the airline can appear earlier in the Customer journey and offer a simpler, more direct path from inspiration and discovery to booking options with Southwest.

"Customers are evolving how they plan their travel, and Southwest is helping to shape what comes next," said Sabrina Callahan, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at Southwest Airlines®. "It is a meaningful example of how we test and learn with AI innovation to continue the Customer-first approach that defines our brand."

"We're putting the right technology in place to support what our Customers need today with flexibility to build what they'll need tomorrow," said Lauren Woods, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Southwest Airlines. "By creating a secure, scalable foundation for AI, we can add new capabilities more quickly and thoughtfully, making it easier to serve Customers across their journey."

Southwest is working with OpenAI and AWS to combine leading AI and cloud technologies with Southwest's deep understanding of its Customers. With OpenAI and AWS, Southwest is creating more intuitive travel planning while thoughtfully expanding AI-powered capabilities over time.

Learn more about the Southwest plugin in ChatGPT at Southwest.com/chatgpt.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 120 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline¹. By empowering its more than 73,000². People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. 

1. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2025.

2. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of June 30, 2026.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company's expectations with respect to its digital evolution, technology capabilities, including artificial intelligence capabilities, and Customer needs and expectations. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current estimates, intentions, beliefs, expectations, goals, strategies, and projections for the future and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the impact of geopolitical conflicts, fears or actual outbreaks of diseases, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, actions of competitors (including, without limitation, pricing, scheduling, capacity, and network decisions, and consolidation and alliance activities), governmental actions, consumer perception, consumer uncertainties with respect to trade policies, tariffs, or government shutdowns, economic conditions, fears or actual acts of terrorism or war, sociodemographic trends, and other factors beyond the Company's control, on consumer behavior and the Company's results of operations and business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ii) the Company's ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, operate, maintain, and protect the technology systems, cybersecurity measures, artificial intelligence and other emerging technology capabilities, and infrastructure necessary to support its operations and initiatives; (iii) the Company's ability to effectively execute and evolve its strategic plans, initiatives, product offerings, and policies, including related consumer behavior and response; (iv) the impact of fuel price changes, fuel price volatility, and fuel availability on the Company's business plans and results of operations; (v) the impact of the Federal Aviation Administration and other governmental regulations and actions, including with respect to government shutdowns and Air Traffic Control staffing shortages and inefficiencies, as well as the Company's ability to obtain any required governmental approvals, on the Company's business plans, results, and operations; (vi) the Company's dependence on The Boeing Company ("Boeing") and Boeing suppliers with respect to the Company's aircraft deliveries, fleet and capacity plans, operations, maintenance, strategies, and goals; (vii) the Company's dependence on other third parties, including with respect to technology, revenue management, distribution channels, operational reliability, fuel supply, maintenance, and the impact on the Company's operations and results of operations of any third-party delays or nonperformance; (viii) the impact of labor matters on the Company's business decisions, plans, strategies, and results; (ix) the Company's ability to obtain and maintain adequate infrastructure and equipment to support its operations and initiatives; (x) the Company's dependence on its workforce, including its ability to employ and retain sufficient numbers of qualified Employees with appropriate skills and expertise to effectively and efficiently maintain its operations and execute the Company's plans; (xi) the cost and effects of the actions of activist shareholders; and (xii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

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