End of January, Bystronic announced the completion of its acquisition of the Tools for Materials Processing division of the US company Coherent Corp. and is reviving the Rofin brand.

NIEDERÖNZ, SWITZERLAND / GILCHING,GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 2 February 2026 – The acquisition will help Bystronic expand into new attractive growth markets such as medical technology, semiconductors, and general manufacturing. In addition, Bystronic’s portfolio will be expanded to include new laser applications such as micro material processing, marking, engraving, and drilling.

With this acquisition, Bystronic also acquires the rights to the well-known Rofin brand, which will continue as part of the newly created “Bystronic Rofin” business unit.

Bystronic Rofin’s versatile laser technologies enable the processing of a wide range of materials, including metal, glass, ceramics, polymers, and organic materials. Due to the wide variety of applications and materials, the acquisition will open up new opportunities in research and development.

Applications for a wide range of industries

“We warmly welcome all customers, partners, and colleagues of the company to our new Bystronic Rofin division,” says Domenico Iacovelli, CEO of Bystronic. “We are integrating Rofin’s successful and pioneering technology into our Bystronic product portfolio, thereby creating a broad range of applications for customers from various industries. Together, we will support our customers in optimizing and further developing their production so that they can remain at the forefront in increasingly competitive markets.”

With around 400 employees, the profitable Bystronic Rofin business unit has achieved annual sales of around USD 100 million in recent years. Its headquarters are located in Gilching near Munich.

Hashtag: #Bystronic

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About Bystronic

Bystronic (SIX: BYS) is shaping the future of industrial manufacturing. As a leading provider of solutions for sheet metal and material processing, the company combines laser cutting technology, press brakes, automation, and software with innovative laser applications for new materials and processes. From marking and micro-processing to complex cutting and welding, Bystronic opens new possibilities for connected, sustainable production worldwide.

Bystronic headquarters are located in Switzerland, with development and production facilities in Germany, Spain, Italy, China and the USA. The company serves customers in more than 30 countries with its own subsidiaries and a network of dealers and agents.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 February 2026 – Real-time payments (RTPs) are becoming an integral part of everyday transactions across Southeast Asia, according to a regional study written in partnership with the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Nextrade Group, and the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute (VEEI). The study, “Strengthening Southeast Asia’s Real-Time Payments: Security, Trust and New Pathways to Financial Access”, surveyed 5,500 consumers and 2,100 small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, highlighting strong RTP adoption among consumers and small businesses, alongside opportunities to enhance security and build greater confidence in the fast-evolving payment ecosystem.

Findings show that RTPs are widely used and represent about 26 per cent of customer transactions for small and medium sized businesses, behind credit, debit and prepaid card payments (35%), and ahead of digital wallets (15%). While adoption is accelerating, the report identifies trust and security as key priorities for sustaining growth. Different markets had varying concerns about using real-time payments, but the top three barriers identified in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand include:

Singapore:

• 47% worry about sending money to the wrong account
• 43% cite inability to earn rewards
• 37% fear transferring to fraudulent or scam accounts

Malaysia:

• 52% worry about sending money to the wrong account
• 46% fear transferring to fraudulent or scam accounts
• 39% are concerned about data/privacy security

Thailand:

• 40% worry about sending money to the wrong account
• 35% fear transferring to fraudulent or scam accounts
• 27% are concerned about data/privacy security

Closing the Trust Gap: A Shared Opportunity for Progress

Users across Southeast Asia seek greater consistency, transparency and reassurance in their payment experiences, especially around transaction tracking, refunds, and dispute resolution. Customer-related issues are the primary pain points for SMBs in Southeast Asia when it comes to real-time payments. Sixty percent of SMBs report challenges such as customers paying the wrong amount (21%) and delays from slow transaction completion (21%). Additionally, 38 per cent are concerned about fraud and scams—a leading payment pain point in Singapore, second only to customers taking too long to pay and causing queue delays (29%).

Cross-border adoption of real-time payments remains more limited, with 41 per cent of SMBs noting that tourists prefer international cards, and some of these businesses do not have card acceptance.

Collaboration and Interoperability

The report emphasises that no single sector can address these challenges alone. Robust public-private partnerships — uniting governments, regulators, payment networks, technology providers, and businesses — are critical to setting clear standards, sharing intelligence, and coordinating rapid responses to emerging threats.

“Real-time payments are transforming the way people and businesses move money, but speed must go hand-in-hand with security,” said Serene Gay, Group Country Manager for Regional Southeast Asia, and SVP, Global Clients & Acquirers for Asia Pacific at Visa.

“At Visa, we’re committed to making real-time payments not only faster but safer. That’s why we’ve invested in advanced fraud prevention capabilities like Featurespace, which uses cutting-edge technology to protect account-to-account transactions. By combining AI-driven risk detection with Visa’s global expertise, we help partners stay ahead of evolving threats and build trust across the ecosystem. Fraud prevention is foundational to the confidence that enables growth for consumers, businesses, and the entire payments network,” added Serene.

As RTP adoption accelerates, Visa is working with industry partners, banks, fintechs and regulators to enhance security, interoperability and user protections. The report highlights opportunities to embed stronger risk controls, including Visa Account-to-Account (A2A) Protect, which in a recent UK pilot identified a significant share of fraudulent transactions that had already passed through existing bank and payment service provider fraud detection systems. Visa’s Scam Disruption initiative also leverages AI-driven risk detection and partnerships to help protect consumers and businesses from evolving scam typologies.

To read the full report, please click here.

Hashtag: #Visa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 February 2026 – Global management consultancy Kearney has announced key leadership transitions across Asia Pacific, effective 1 January 2026. The appointments come as the firm enters its 100th year, reinforcing its commitment to developing future leaders while deepening its regional client partnerships and tackling their toughest challenges.

Australia and New Zealand (ANZ)

Sarovar Agarwal, Senior Partner in Melbourne, has been appointed the Managing Partner for ANZ, succeeding Adam Dixon. As the previous Asia Pacific practice leader for Kearney’s Communications, Media, and Technology (CMT) practice, Sarovar draws on more than 20 years of experience at the firm, working across India, ANZ, and around the world advising telco and media executives on productivity, customer experience, and transformation. In his new role, Sarovar will be responsible for strengthening ANZ’s growth trajectory and further establishing Kearney ANZ as a premier destination for both clients and talent.

“I’m excited to be stepping into the Managing Partner role and leading our exceptional team, especially as the firm marks its 100th year,” Sarovar said. “Thank you to Adam and past unit leads who have built strong foundations and a wonderful culture here at Kearney ANZ. My focus will be on doubling down on that momentum and supporting our clients on strategic transformations, creating supply chain and procurement value, and developing capabilities in addition to accelerating the practical implementation of AI across enterprises.”

Under Adam’s leadership, Kearney ANZ established a C-suite community and delivered consistent profitable growth, nearly doubling its Australian revenue over the past six years. Later this year, Kearney ANZ will publish Australia: A Lighthouse in the Global Storm. The CEO Imperative. Adam’s commitment to culture and mentoring emerging talent has helped establish the unit as a leading destination for clients and talent in the region.

Adam Dixon will also step into the role of chairman for ANZ.

Japan

Takefumi Harigaya, Senior Partner in Tokyo, has been appointed as the Managing Director for Japan, succeeding Shigeru Sekinada. Most recently with Kearney’s CMT practice in Japan, Takefumi brings more than 20 years of experience partnering with clients on new business creation, business transformation, and M&A. His strong client relationships, passion for developing future leaders, and deep understanding of Kearney’s value of “essential rightness” position him well to drive Japan’s purpose and vision forward.

Over the past six years, Shigeru has led Kearney’s Japan unit, nurturing strong relationships with large corporations and emerging start-ups and establishing executive communities for CEOs and CXOs. He will continue as the region chair for Asia Pacific and take on the role of Chairman for Japan, focusing on Kearney’s regional strategy while supporting overall growth in Japan and APAC.

Takefumi said, “Japan is demonstrating remarkable dynamism: sustained growth, rising investor confidence, and real momentum in technology and innovation. I’m honored to step into this leadership role as we build on current momentum and drive the next stage of growth in Japan. I’m excited to lead our team as we partner with our clients to capitalize on emerging opportunities and strengthen their long-term competitiveness.”

Malaysia

Keat Yap, Senior Partner in Kuala Lumpur, will lead the business in Malaysia as its Country Head. Currently the APAC Lead for Kearney’s Product Excellence and Renewal Lab, Keat brings over 15 years of operations expertise at Kearney and a results-focused mindset to transformation work across the region. His international experience – spanning Japan, China, Korea, and the US, and commitment to delivering real client impact position him well to strengthen Kearney Malaysia’s growth trajectory.

Communications, Media, and Technology Practice

Marco de la Rosa has been appointed as the next Asia Pacific leader for Kearney’s CMT practice, taking over Sarovar’s previous role. A Senior Partner based across Manila and Singapore, Marco leads the firm’s Philippines business. With 20 years of experience across APAC and the United States, Marco has led large-scale transformations for top telcos. His hands-on approach with clients and his commitment to developing talent will build on the strong momentum Sarovar has established.

Global board appointments

Finally, Adam Dixon and Makoto Inoue, senior partners with the firm, were elected to Kearney’s global board in December 2025. Their appointments reflect the region’s growing voice in shaping Kearney’s future, as the firm doubles down on its Impact First approach, empowering companies to navigate business transformation in an era of change. Adam and Makoto will champion the voices of the firm’s APAC clients and people in conversations that impact Kearney’s growth and direction.

“I’m pleased to welcome these leadership rotations across Asia Pacific,” said Shigeru Sekinada, APAC Region Chair and Chairman of Kearney Japan. “In a rapidly evolving environment, experienced leaders who have deep market knowledge and strategic capabilities are key to delivering sustained value for our clients,” he said. “Beyond the decades of experience that leaders such as Sarovar, Takefumi, Keat and Marco bring, their passion for the firm, trusted client relationships, and steadfast commitment to talent development are central to shaping a purpose-passion driven culture. As Kearney enters its centenary year, these leaders embody what has always guided Kearney: ‘essential rightness’ and ‘kando’—doing work that creates real impact and deep fulfillment for our people, clients, and communities.”

Hashtag: #Kearney #Leadershipappointments

https://www.kearney.com/
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Kearney

For 100 years, Kearney has been a leading management consulting firm and trusted partner to three quarters of the Fortune Global 500 and governments around the world. With a presence across more than 40 countries, our people make us who we are. We work impact first, tackling your toughest challenges with original thinking and a commitment to making change happen together. By your side, we deliver—value, results, impact. To learn more about Kearney, please visit www.kearney.com.