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Xobin Recognized in the 2024 Gartner® Market Guide for Developer Skills Assessment and Interview Platforms

CHENNAI, India, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Xobin, a leading skills assessment software, proudly announces its recognition in 2024 Gartner® Market Guide for Developer Skills Assessment and Interview Platforms.

With 4 million+ test takers annually and 5000+ customers across 55+ countries, Xobin is a trusted skills assessment partner for talent acquisition professionals worldwide.

Xobin: Revolutionizing the Future of Hiring

Xobin’s skills assessment platform helps organizations hire top talents 20x faster while saving 10x time and resources with precision and efficiency. Designed for industries like IT, finance, banking, retail, and more.

For more information, visit www.xobin.com.

Key Features Driving Xobin’s Success

1. Customizable Assessments: Xobin has 3,400+ skill and 2,500+ job-based tests for precise evaluation for technical and non-technical roles across industries.

2. AI-Powered Hiring: AI Evaluate automates assessments, while AI Communication Checker analyzes candidates’ communication skills, saving recruiters time.

3. Psychometric Testing: Gain insights into candidates’ personalities to build high-performing teams with data-driven precision.

4. Advanced Proctoring: AI Web Proctoring, EyeGazer, and Browser Monitoring ensure secure, cheat-proof assessments by detecting anomalies.

5. Coding Assessments: Real-time coding tests, simulators, and hackathons help companies assess developers efficiently. And much more.

Gartner Recognition: A Testament to Xobin’s Excellence in our view

As a Representative Vendor, Xobin excels in skills assessments, including usability, scalability, and innovation. Supporting skill-based and job role-based hiring, tech and non-tech recruitment, L&D and large-scale university hiring to help organizations hire top talent efficiently.

Quote from the CEO

Guruprakash Sivabalan, CEO of Xobin:
“At Xobin, we believe in transforming the hiring process into a seamless and efficient experience, ensuring our clients find the best talent with ease.”

Gartner Attribution and Disclaimer

Gartner, Market Guide for Developer Skills Assessment and Interview Platforms, 7 November 2024.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Media Contact:
Guruprakash Sivabalan
Xobin
guru@xobin.com 

 

L’ORÉAL CHINA UNVEILS ITS FIRST SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY IN CHINA: 1 L’ORÉAL JOB IN CHINA GENERATES 20 JOBS IN THE WIDER ECONOMY

SHANGHAI, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — L’Oréal China held its 2024/2025 Annual Results Press Meeting, under theme ‘Believing in Beauty, Elevating the Game’. L’Oréal China reaffirmed its belief in the Essentiality of Beauty, shared its consumer-centric approach, and introduced its latest strategic investments to lay the foundation for the future in China.

“L’Oréal’s purpose of creating beauty aligns with Chinese consumers’ growing aspiration of a better life. We firmly believe that investing in China is investing in the future,” said Vincent BOINAY, President of L’Oréal North Asia Zone and CEO of L’Oréal China. “With a long-term commitment, we will continue to deepen our presence in China, seizing opportunities from beauty’s socio-economic impact, enhancing our proximity to Chinese consumers, and elevating the game with strategic investments. Let’s embark on the conquest of new spaces in the beauty galaxy, and win together in the Year of Snake!”

Vincent BOINAY, President of L'Oréal North Asia Zone and CEO of L'Oréal China, Shares Key Strategies
Vincent BOINAY, President of L’Oréal North Asia Zone and CEO of L’Oréal China, Shares Key Strategies

Fueling socio-economic impact in China with beauty

Amid global uncertainties and instability, Vincent reaffirmed L’Oréal’s strong confidence in China’s beauty market, driven by the country high-quality development and beauty’s stronger-than-ever relevance to Chinese society. As a universal quest, beauty intertwines deeply with culture, daily life, the economy, and international relations.

China’s dynamic beauty industry is a testament to this. A study by Asterès shows that L’Oréal China supports over 330,000 jobs, with each direct job creating 20 additional jobs across the economy—eight times the national average (2.7). Meanwhile, beauty remains a key pillar of Sino-French cooperation, with France as China’s leading cosmetics importer. L’Oréal actively fosters bilateral exchanges through initiatives spanning culture, art, business, and innovation.

Vincent BOINAY Shares Socio-Economic Impact Study on Beauty
Vincent BOINAY Shares Socio-Economic Impact Study on Beauty

Meeting beauty aspiration with consumer centricity

In 2024, despite a challenging market, L’Oréal maintained its leadership as China’s NO.1 beauty group, driven by the strength of its 4 divisions. L’Oréal Paris, Lancôme, and Kérastase respectively lead in mass beauty, luxury beauty, and hair care, while L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty captured the largest market share.

Laurence Ma, Deputy CEO of L’Oréal China and General Manager of Luxury Division shared L’Oréal China’s systematic strategic framework, which fully leverages its strengths and deep consumer insights, while maintaining a consumer-centric approach:

  • Seize what’s starting with consumer-centricity and win key consumers clusters including Gen-Z, Gen-X & Boomers, and men;
  • Sharpen unique brand portfolio by introducing highly-promising brands, e.g. Miu Miu and Dr.G, while crafting brand personas for 32 diverse brands;
  • Elevate hero products driven by innovation, develop breakout hits, and inspire global innovation;
  • Advance omni-channel footprint, expand penetration in lower-tier cities, and empower new retail with aspirational experiences and professional partnership;
  • With a people-first belief, build a multi-generational management team and enhance reputation among both employees and the public.

Laurence said: “After 28 years in the Chinese market, we believe brand success relies not only on our own capabilities, but also on continuously evolving to meet rapidly changing consumer needs. From brand portfolio and product innovation to channel strategy and talent development, we go from strength to strength. We are committed to bringing the best beauty products and services to China’s savvy and sophisticated consumers, fulfilling their ever-growing aspirations for beauty.”

Laurence Ma, Deputy CEO of L’Oréal China and General Manager of Luxury Division, Shares Systematic Strategic Framework
Laurence Ma, Deputy CEO of L’Oréal China and General Manager of Luxury Division, Shares Systematic Strategic Framework

Elevating the game for the future of beauty

In 2024, L’Oréal expanded its presence in the Chinese market through investments, including the launch of the group’s first smart fulfillment center in Suzhou to meet the growing e-commerce demand with greater operational resilience and capability. The company also invested in Yesskin to seize new opportunities in the expanding aesthetics sector.

Fully confident in the potential of the Chinese market, L’Oréal will continue its Beauty Stimulus Plan, to solidify China’s strategic importance for the group and lay the foundation for future growth, expanding investment in key areas:

  • Innovation:

– On the 20th anniversary of L’Oréal China’s R&I Center, L’Oréal remains committed to “Innovating in China, for China, Inspiring the World“, advancing science across all beauty categories and driving end-to-end innovation.

Xavier BLIN, Director of L’Oréal Research & Innovation China, Shares R&I Strategies
Xavier BLIN, Director of L’Oréal Research & Innovation China, Shares R&I Strategies

– L’Oréal has invested in Longevity integrative ScienceTM, introducing groundbreaking products like Cell BioPrint, and Lancôme Absolue Longevity Cream.

– The 2025 BIG BANG Beauty Tech Innovation Program kicks off, introducing a new sustainability track and emphasizing AI as a transversal focus across all tracks.

  • Society:

– L’Oréal China is in discussions with JD.com, to promote sustainable consumption and lifestyle.

– The For Girls in Science program will further inspire girls with global exchange opportunities.

–  Tailoring the “Essentiality of Beauty” program in China, L’Oréal is collaborating on a socio-economic study on beauty with partners including China Association of Fragrance, Flavor and Cosmetic Industries, and co-developing a cultural partnership with the National Museum of China.

Zhenzhen LAN, President of Public Affairs for L'Oréal North Asia and China, Shares the Concept and Progress of
Zhenzhen LAN, President of Public Affairs for L’Oréal North Asia and China, Shares the Concept and Progress of “Essentiality of Beauty” Program

  • Talents: The 2025 Youth Fun, L’Oréal China’s flagship youth empowerment program, kicked off last week with three newly upgraded tracks incl. a beauty-tech hackathon for university students.
  • Ecosystem: L’Oréal China established two new investment funds dedicated to supporting burgeoning Chinese beauty brands and related companies, fostering their growth in China and beyond. The first fund, launched in partnership with Cathay Capital and the Jing’an district of Shanghai, will focus on investing in growth-stage beauty brands and related businesses. The second fund, managed by Tiantu Capital in collaboration with BOLD, the venture capital fund of L’Oréal, aims to invest in early-stage companies within the same sector.

 

About L’Oréal Groupe

For 116 years, L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as essential, inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 37 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L’Oréal for the Future programme, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality.

With more than 90,000 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks (e-commerce, mass market, department stores, pharmacies, perfumeries, hair salons, branded and travel retail), in 2024 the Group generated sales amounting to 43.48 billion euros. With 20 research centers across 11 countries around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4,000 scientists and 6,400 Digital talents, L’Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse.

More information on https://www.loreal.com/en/mediaroom

About L’Oréal China

L’Oréal, the world’s largest beauty company, entered Chinese mainland in 1997. L’Oréal China is headquartered in Shanghai and has five offices across the country. L’Oréal China currently has 32 brands and one R&I center in China, as well as two factories in Suzhou and Yichang, owning more than 15,000 employees. After 28 years of high-quality, steady and sustainable growth, China has become the second-largest market in the world, the headquarter of the North Asia “Beauty Triangle”, and one of three Beauty Tech Hubs worldwide. L’Oréal founded the Group’s first venture capital firm of regional markets in China, “Shanghai Meicifang Investment Co., Ltd”. L’Oréal Group’s first self-build smart fulfillment center has been officially opened in Suzhou.. As one of the best corporate citizens in China, L’Oréal China has always implemented and kept the “L’Oréal for the Future Sustainable Development Commitment 2030” in mind. China is L’Oréal’s first market to reach 100% renewable energies for its sites, and L’Oréal China actively contributes to the good development of Chinese society through CSR programs.

 

Ostium Launches Competitive Points Program for Trading Activity and Liquidity Provision

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ostium, the pioneering leveraged trading platform for Real World Assets, today announced the launch of its Ostium Points Program, a competitive system tracking user activity and engagement across the platform designed to help incentivize trading, referrals, and liquidity provisioning across its ecosystem. Today the platform enables users to long or short stocks, commodities, indices and currencies.

The program officially launches on Monday, March 31, 2025, with an initial points distribution of 10 million points allocated retroactively to early adopters who have been active on the platform prior to the program launch. Retroactive points emphasize recognizing users on Ostium’s public Mainnet and private Mainnet, testnet, and pre-testnet phases. Visit ostium.app/points to check your points allocation.

500,000 points will be distributed weekly based on user activity. Weekly points distribution may increase and available points will be communicated at the start of each week.

The program is designed to recognize early adopters while creating an engaging competitive environment for all participants. By acknowledging users who contribute to the ecosystem through their trading activity, referrals, and liquidity provision, Ostium aims to further strengthen its community of traders and liquidity providers.

The Ostium Points Program features the following components:

  • Real-time score tracking: Scores update immediately when users trade or provide liquidity. These scores are converted into points at the end of every week.
  • Weekly conversions to points: Every Sunday at midnight UTC, accumulated scores convert to points based on relative participation levels. Score tracking then resets for the new week.
  • Dual scoring system: The program tracks two types of scores: Trading/Referral scores and Liquidity Provision scores. While there are two score categories, they combine into a single points total.
  • Competitive leaderboards: Users can monitor their real-time ranking against other participants in both score categories and in the global points leaderboard.
  • Referral benefits: The program allocates 1 trading score for every 5 trading scores generated by referred users. Users who sign up with a referral code receive a 5% boost on all trading scores.
  • Community contributions: A small portion of weekly points is optionally reserved for substantial open-source contributions to the protocol, such as critical bug reports and technical research.

The Points Program represents the next phase in Ostium’s community development strategy, building on its mainnet launch that brought access to global macro markets for the first time onchain.

The Ostium Points Program begins March 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET. Users can view their point allocations and track their scores on the platform’s interface. New points are allocated weekly on Sundays at midnight UTC.

For more information about the Ostium Points Program, visit www.ostium.app/points.

About Ostium

Ostium is the leading leveraged trading platform for Real World Assets offering the first onchain long/short exposure to markets like the Nasdaq, Gold, and Oil. The platform enables users to trade stocks, commodities, indices and currencies. Ostium was founded by alumni from Harvard, Bridgewater, and BlackRock and is supported by top-tier investors such as General Catalyst, LocalGlobe, Susquehanna (SIG), GSR, and Alliance DAO.

Note: The Ostium Points Program is designed for tracking engagement and participation. Points have no monetary value, cannot be transferred, sold, or exchanged for any consideration, and do not represent any ownership interest, investment opportunity, or any right to any future rewards. Ostium reserves the right to modify or terminate the program at any time.

 

Education Cannot Wait Welcomes Sigrid Kaag of The Netherlands as New Chair of its High-Level Steering Group

The visionary advocate for children’s rights will lead ECW’s global efforts to mobilize more resources to ensure children living on the frontlines of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises are able to access quality education.

NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations, is proud to announce the appointment of Sigrid Kaag of The Netherlands as the new Chair of ECW’s High-Level Steering Group.

“Education Cannot Wait and its strategic partners transform the lives of millions of girls and boys impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement and climate-induced disasters. Our investment in their right to quality education is our shared responsibility and is the best investment towards economic resilience, global security and sustainable development,” said Kaag.
“Education Cannot Wait and its strategic partners transform the lives of millions of girls and boys impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement and climate-induced disasters. Our investment in their right to quality education is our shared responsibility and is the best investment towards economic resilience, global security and sustainable development,” said Kaag.

As the Chair, Kaag will serve as a champion and advocate to strengthen political will and increase global funding for education in emergencies and protracted crises as world leaders race to deliver on the promise of universal education outlined in the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Through its four-year strategic plan, ECW is working with donors, member states, the private sector, UN agencies and civil society to raise US$1.5 billion to reach 20 million crisis-impacted children with the safety, hope and opportunity of a quality education.

The needs are more pressing than ever. When ECW was founded in 2016 by The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, it was estimated that approximately 75 million crisis-impacted children required urgent education support. Today, that number has more than tripled to almost a quarter of a billion crisis-affected girls and boys.

“Education Cannot Wait and its strategic partners transform the lives of millions of girls and boys impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement and climate-induced disasters. Our investment in their right to quality education is our shared responsibility and is the best investment towards economic resilience, global security and sustainable development,” said Kaag. “With continued, generous and expanded support of public and private sector donors, we can increase ECW’s remarkable results, which have already reached more than 11 million children. I thank The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown for his visionary leadership in creating and leading ECW – from a start-up just a few years ago to the billion-dollar global fund it has become. I look forward to working with the High-Level Steering Group and the Director, along with the support of the Executive Committee to continue his legacy.”

Brown served as the Chair of ECW’s High-Level Steering Group from 2016 to 2024 and will continue his global advocacy through his ongoing role as the UN Special Envoy for Global Education.

“With her diverse and deep international experience and passion for the needs of crisis-affected children, refugees and displaced young people, Sigrid Kaag will be a brilliant Chair for the ongoing evolution of Education Cannot Wait,” Brown said.

“Under the strategic and visionary leadership of The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, Education Cannot Wait and our partners created a new vision to deliver quality education with humanitarian speed and development depth on the frontlines of the world’s humanitarian crises,” said ECW Director Yasmine Sherif. “We are delighted to welcome Sigrid Kaag as our new High-Level Steering Group Chair. Through her leadership, we will continue our efforts to reach millions of crisis-impacted girls and boys worldwide.”

Kaag’s appointment included a broad consultation, selection and approval process with senior United Nations leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and senior members of the ECW High-Level Steering Group.

ECW’s High-Level Steering Group provides strategic guidance to the Fund’s operations. Convened at the ministerial level, it is comprised of partner organizations – including heads of UN agencies and multilateral aid agencies, CEOs of civil society organizations and foundations, and private sector representatives – and works closely with ECW’s Director and Executive Committee.

Kaag brings a wealth of experience in political, humanitarian and development affairs, as well as in diplomacy. In 2025, she was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, a.i. Kaag has just concluded her mandate as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, a role she held since 2024. She served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and first female Minister of Finance in the Dutch government starting in January 2022. Prior to this, she was Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation from October 2017 until May 2021, and Minister for Foreign Affairs until September 2021. 

The groundbreaking ceremony for EPG’s second factory in Malaysia was held

The ChinaMalaysia governments and enterprises collaboratively creating a new road roadmap for smart manufacturing in Southeast Asia

JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On March 22, Mr Alick Wan, CEO and Chairman of EPG, announced the official groundbreaking of EPG’s second factory in Malaysia. This marks a further expansion and deepening of EPG’s presence in the Southeast Asian market, with its global strategy continuing to accelerate.


As a pioneer in the data center field, EPG focuses on the research, development, manufacturing, and servicing of diesel generator sets and IDC & AIDC modular products for data centers. The company is committed to creating industry benchmarks and steadily advancing the global data center industry, contributing to the prosperity of the digital age.

Yang Berhormat Lee Ting Han, Chairman of the Johor State Investment, Trade, and Consumer Affairs Committee; Yang Berhormat Dato’ Haji Ir Hasni Bin Mohammad, Johor State Economic and Investment Advisor; Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia; as well as representatives from the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, other Institutional Representative and entrepreneurs attended the event.

In his speech, YB Lee Ting Han highly praised EPG’s contributions to the local data center industry and talent development, calling it “an important driving force for regional economic upgrading.” Dato’ Haji Ir Hasni Bin Mohammad emphasized that the project will optimize Johor’s industrial structure and support high-quality economic development. Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia, pointed out that EPG’s technological innovations will inject new momentum into the relevant industrial chains in Southeast Asia.

Alick Wan stated that Malaysia is one of the core hubs in EPG’s global strategy, and the second factory will become an intelligent manufacturing base serving the Southeast Asian market, helping to drive the optimization and upgrading of relevant industrial chains. At the same time, EPG’s production capacity and supply efficiency in overseas markets will see a significant improvement, thereby strengthening the company’s competitiveness in the global market.

At the event, the guests jointly completed the groundbreaking ceremony, officially marking the launch of the project. EPG also announced a special fund donation to support local talent development programs.

This groundbreaking event highlights EPG’s commitment to deepening its presence in the Malaysian market and sets a new benchmark for ChinaMalaysia economic and trade cooperation.

Driven by innovation, EPG will continue to grow in Malaysia. With deep local collaboration, EPG seeks to promote the upgrading of the data center industrial chain in Southeast Asian, and implement the strategic vision of the “Smart Global Chain.”

About EPG

EPG is a leading manufacturing company specializing in prefabricated (modular) data center products. With a robust R&D team based in Shanghai, our high-end manufacturing plants in Shanghai and Malaysia, With a significant presence across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, we are at the forefront of innovation in the data center and power systems industry. For more information, please visit www.epg-module.com

Human Frontier Science Program: Research Grants Awarded to 104 of the Most Pioneering Scientists from 30 Nations

STRASBOURG, France, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — To pioneer new frontiers in life science research, the Human Frontier Science Program has awarded 104 of the world’s most ingenious scientists from 30 nations with 2025 HFSP Research Grants and the first round of the new Accelerator Grants. 

Human Frontier Science Program: Research Grants Awarded to 104 of the Most Pioneering Scientists from 30 Nations
Human Frontier Science Program: Research Grants Awarded to 104 of the Most Pioneering Scientists from 30 Nations

“Our awards provide the world’s top scientists with the means to explore new frontiers in scientific research and discover whole new worlds of possibility,” said Pavel Kabat, HFSP Secretary-General.

Scientists from these nations receive 2025 HFSP Research Grants & Accelerator Awards:

Australia

China

Hungary

Norway

Spain

Belgium

Czech Republic

India

Netherlands

Sweden

Brazil

Denmark

Israel

New Zealand

Switzerland

Burkina Faso

France

Italy

Portugal

Turkey

Canada

Germany

Japan

Singapore

United Kingdom

Chile

Greece

Korea

South Africa

United States of America

In 2025, HFSP awarded 30 Research Grants and 12 Accelerator Grants that span the full range of life science research. Highlights include:

  • New insight on epigenetics, the study of how our environment influences our genes by changing the chemicals that attach to them. This project resumes research began more than 100 years ago at the Biologische Versuchsanstalt (BVA) in Vienna, Austria.
  • Research on how tick-borne diseases are being spread over great distances, including by migratory birds, and becoming a global concern. The study analyzes rapidly changing environmental factors driven by climate change that affect tick populations, and, thus, the spread of viral diseases.

HFSPO reviewed proposals from over 2,100 researchers for 780 projects. To read the awardees’ abstracts, click: 2025 HFSP Research Grant Awardees. To find individual scientists, search the Index by Country.

About HFSP Awards:

HFSP Research Grants: last for three years and on average, provide $400,000 USD per year. Both early career scientists and those at any stage of their career may apply.

HFSP Accelerator Awards: This new program seeks to strengthen the world’s life science enterprise by diversifying the pool of expertise by including scientists on groundbreaking research grant teams, who might not otherwise have comparable opportunities. Accelerator awards go to scientists who work at research institutions in these HFSP Member countries: India, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Korea, Singapore, and South Africa.

Journalists can view the full press release here.

For more information or to schedule interviews, contact Rachael Bishop, Science Writer and Editor: phone: +33 (0)7 81 87 62 21 or email: rbishop@hfsp.org.

Otis Selected As Elevator and Escalator Supplier for Kaohsiung MRT Red Line Extension

TAIPEI, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Otis Taiwan will supply 65 elevators and escalators for the extension of the Kaohsiung MRT Red Line RLC01, expanding its presence in the city’s transportation network. Otis Taiwan is part of Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS), the world leader in the manufacture, installation and maintenance of elevators and escalators.

The Red Line RLC01 expansion will include 3 stations. Otis will provide 50 escalators and 15 Gen2 elevators. The project is scheduled to conclude by 2030.

“We are honored to build on our longstanding relationship with the Kaohsiung MRT. This project demonstrates our commitment to advancing urban mobility in Kaohsiung and highlights our dedication and expertise in providing safe, efficient and innovative elevators and escalators for transport infrastructure projects in Taiwan and worldwide,” said Ian Lau, Managing Director of Otis Taiwan.

The heavy-duty escalator is designed to meet the demands of high-traffic environments. Otis’ best-selling Gen2 elevator replaced conventional ropes with coated steel belts for a smoother ride and reduced energy consumption compared with conventional elevator machines.

In addition to the MRT Red Line expansion, Otis has provided elevators and escalators across Kaohsuing’s Railway, High-Speed Rail and MRT systems. This includes Kaohsiung Station, ZuoYing HSR Station, Kaohsiung MRT Red Line RK1, and the under-construction Kaohsiung MRT Yellow Line.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.4 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.4 million customer units worldwide – the industry’s largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world’s most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 44,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.

Ricoh awarded EcoVadis Platinum Rating for Sustainability Performance

TOKYO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ricoh today announced it has been awarded the highest Platinum rating from EcoVadis, the world’s most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. Placing Ricoh among the top 1% of companies assessed, this is Ricoh’s first Platinum rating, following ten consecutive years of Gold ratings from 2014 to 2024.

Ricoh receives its first EcoVadis Platinum Rating, recognising top-tier global sustainability performance.
Ricoh receives its first EcoVadis Platinum Rating, recognising top-tier global sustainability performance.

The EcoVadis assessment evaluates more than 150,000 companies worldwide across 21 sustainability criteria in four core themes: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Many global companies rely on EcoVadis insights when selecting suppliers. This year, Ricoh achieved an overall score of 82 out of 100—an increase of 5 points from last year—with particularly strong recognition in the Environment category, along with notable improvements in the Labour & Human Rights and Ethics categories. This achievement reaffirms Ricoh’s commitment to responsibility and accountability, positioning the company as a leader in its sector.

Mikako Suzuki, Corporate Officer in charge of ESG and Risk Management at Ricoh Company, Ltd., commented: “We are immensely proud of this milestone, which underscores our long-standing commitment to sustainability. The 2025 Platinum rating is a testament to Ricoh’s active promotion of ESG risk management in our supply chain, including improvements in labour conditions and human rights. It also reflects our ongoing efforts to deepen our environmental policies and targets, expand information disclosure, and advance environmental management. Through our business, Ricoh will continue contributing to the realisation of a sustainable society by working to solve social issues throughout the value chain.

Related Links

About Ricoh

Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support the digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimise business performance.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh’s global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organisational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2024, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,348 billion yen (approx. 15.5 billion USD).

It is Ricoh’s mission and vision to empower individuals to find ‘Fulfillment through Work’ by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realise a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

© 2025 RICOH ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.