NIQ LAUNCHES AI-POWERED PLATFORM TO REVOLUTIONISE GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION INSIGHTS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- NielsenIQ (NIQ) has announced the global launch of gfknewron Supply Chain, an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled platform providing distributor sales data to assist Tech & Durables clients in managing their distribution and channel business.

According to NIQ in a statement, the tool, introduced on its advanced gfknewron platform, offers manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers a comprehensive view of the global supply chain, enabling them to adapt quickly to market changes and make data-driven decisions.

NIQ Head of Distribution and Supply Chain Intelligence, Tatjana Wismeth highlighted that this integration of global distribution intelligence with existing market intelligence, consumer insights, and forecasting features marks a significant step forward in helping clients achieve business success.

She emphasised the unique achievement of integrating these complex datasets into a single platform.

gfknewron Supply Chain provides in-depth sell-through data based on distributor sales from around 300 distributors across over 45 global markets, covering 200 product groups in information technology, consumer electronics, office equipment, telecom, and small domestic appliances. The data is updated weekly and reports on 24 individual sales channels, offering a detailed view of market dynamics.

The tool was developed in collaboration with the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) and its members, enabling users to analyse distributor sales data with flexibility. GTDC EMEA General Manager, Peter van den Berg expressed excitement about the tool’s potential to simplify distribution intelligence, improve efficiency, and enhance sell-through market data analytics.

Users can seamlessly switch between different modules to track growth drivers, sales channel trends, price developments, and top-selling items at the stock-keeping unit level. The platform also enhances collaboration by allowing teams to combine and share analytics across markets.

With the addition of point-of-sale information, consumer insights, and NIQ’s forecasting module, the tool offers a holistic view of market trends, helping businesses optimise pricing strategies and improve sales management.

-- BERNAMA

TRINITY GROUP UNVEILS TRINITY SENSORIA 'BELI & MENANG' CAMPAIGN

Trinity Sensoria redefines urban living with a five-tier protection system, setting a new benchmark for wellness and safety in modern spaces.

Win Prizes Worth Up to RM3 Million!

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 April (Bernama) -- Trinity Group, a leading property developer, has launched its 'Beli & Menang' Campaign to thank homebuyers for their continued support and make homeownership even more rewarding.

Running from 1 April to 30 June 2025, the campaign offers new homeowners at Trinity Sensoria the chance to win exclusive prizes worth up to RM3 million. It also helps alleviate the financial burden of furnishing their new dream homes.

Dato’ Neoh Soo Keat, Founder and Managing Director of Trinity Group Sdn Bhd said, “At Trinity Sensoria, we believe a home is a sanctuary, not just a place to live. Through Trinity’s ‘Beli & Menang’ Campaign, we’re not only providing high-quality homes but also enriching the living experience by easing the financial burden of furnishing. We want our homeowners to settle in with ease, enjoy their space from day one, and celebrate their new journey with the chance to win furnishing prizes.”

Exclusive Prizes Worth RM3 Million
Homebuyers who purchase a unit at Trinity Sensoria between April and June 2025 will automatically be entered into the lucky draw. The prize pool includes premium items such as:
• HABIB Gold Bars
• Bosch Oven with Microwave
• Gintell Massage Chair
• LG Refrigerator
• Recliner Sofa
• 65-inch Sony TV
• Robot Vacuum Cleaner
• Dyson Air Purifier
• Cash Prizes

A Rewarding Living Experience
Trinity Sensoria, located in Beverly Heights, Ampang North, offers a perfect blend of comfort, security, and style. Launched in November 2024, the development features a Five-Tier Protection System that integrates contactless technology, wellness-oriented design, and physical, social, and mental wellness amenities.

The development also boasts exceptional facilities, including an infinity pool, pickleball courts, a mini futsal court, an edible garden, an outdoor cinema, Himalayan salt sauna, hydrotherapy pods, a gym, a multi-purpose hall, and a spa villa. These features create a peaceful environment surrounded by lush greenery.

Homeowners also benefit from the Trinity Gold Assurance Programme, offering extended warranties and superior after-sales support. This initiative ensures high-quality living while providing lasting value, reinforcing Trinity Group’s commitment to long-term investment and security.

Your Dream Home Awaits
Trinity Sensoria, slated for completion in 2028, is by Trinity Group, a recognised leader in delivering exceptional residential properties.

Don’t miss the chance to own a home at Trinity Sensoria and enter the ‘Beli & Menang’ Campaign for a chance to win amazing prizes.

Visit the Trinity Sensoria Sales Gallery in Ampang for more details or register your interest via WhatsApp at +60 3-8084 0808. For more information, visit www.sensoria.com.my or follow Trinity Group on social media.

SOURCE: Trinity Group Sdn Bhd

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Media Contact:
Name: Rayeon Lee
Senior Executive Public Relations
Email: rayeon@trinitygroup.com.my

--BERNAMA

Generali Malaysia emphasises the importance of comprehensive protection following Putra Heights Gas Pipeline Fire Incident

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- The recent gas pipeline fire incident in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya has caused widespread disruption to over 200 properties and close to 400 vehicles.
Generali Malaysia recognises the emotional and financial toll that the tragic event has brought to individuals, families, and business owners and stands ready to support impacted policyholders throughout this ordeal.

As a gesture of goodwill, vehicle owners whose vehicles have been impacted by the Putra Heights explosion incident will get to retain their No Claim Discount (NCD) under Generali’s Private Car Comprehensive insurance.

To provide prompt support to impacted policyholders, Generali Malaysia had also set up an on-site support booth at Masjid Putra Heights from 3rd April 2025 until 6th April 2025. The mobile team and adjusters were on site to guide impacted policyholders through their home and motor claims and offer necessary support.

As part of the company’s commitment to assist impacted policyholders with expedited and easy claims process, Generali Malaysia has also waived the requirement for police and fire incident (Bomba) reports to ease the claims process. All eligible policyholders impacted by the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire incident can submit their claims via 1300 13 2121 / +603 3007 2121 or email customer.service.gi@generali.com.my.

Fabrice Benard, CEO of Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad, highlights the importance of comprehensive motor and home insurance coverage to mitigate the financial burden and facilitate swift recovery. He said, “It only takes one incident to cause significant financial loss. The role of insurance is to safeguard people from unforeseen events and is not just a ‘good to have’. It is important to regularly review our coverage and protection needs to ensure that we are adequately protected and have peace of mind.”

Many homeowners insure only their homes against fire and other perils because it is a compulsory requirement under their housing loan. Properties with strata titles such as flats, apartments, and condominiums are usually insured under a master fire policy by Joint Management Bodies or Management Corporations. However, many are unaware that this only covers the building or common areas, and not the home contents or belongings. Hence, it is recommended to purchase home contents coverage to protect belongings and valuables against any unprecedented peril. Additionally, it is also crucial to have comprehensive motor insurance coverage and other relevant add-ons to better protect vehicles from any unexpected damage.

For more information, please visit Generali Malaysia’s official Facebook or Instagram page.

SOURCE: Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Media Relations
Name: Sheena Ho
Email : sheena.ho@generali.com.my
Name: Samantha David
Email: samantha.david@generali.com.my

--BERNAMA

SBC Medical Faces Q4 Challenges But Achieves Full-Year Growth

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (SBC Medical), a global owner, operator and provider of management services and products to cosmetic treatment centres, reported a mixed performance with a decline in quarterly figures but a notable increase in annual revenues.

In a statement, SBC Medical said the company’s total revenues dropped 29 per cent to US$44 million in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, compared to the previous year. (US$1=RM4.43)

Net income also decreased by 54 per cent to US$7 million, with earnings per share dropping 58 per cent to US$0.06. Gross profit fell by 22 per cent to US$34 million, while income from operations plummeted by 80 per cent, reaching just US$5 million.

These figures reflect the struggles faced by SBC Medical, posing potential challenges for the company moving forward.

Despite these challenges, the company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margin improved to 47 per cent, signalling some operational efficiency.

However, despite the fourth-quarter setbacks, SBC Medical achieved strong full-year results with a six per cent increase in total revenues and an 18 per cent rise in net income, driven by the expansion of franchise clinics and a strategic acquisition in Singapore.

The company expanded its network to 251 partner clinics, serving 6.03 million customers—a 15 per cent growth—and boasting a strong 71 per cent repeat customer rate.

On the financial front, SBC Medical’s balance sheet showed positive results, with total assets rising to US$266 million and cash and cash equivalents growing to US$125 million, offering liquidity for future operations.

Total liabilities dropped significantly to US$71 million, indicating improved financial health. However, the return on equity decreased to 28 per cent, suggesting room for improved efficiency in profit generation.

Despite a challenging regulatory environment and heightened competition in Japan’s aesthetic medical market, SBC Medical maintained its market leadership. Strategic pricing for its franchise clinics helped increase customer numbers, and the acquisition of Aesthetic Healthcare Holdings in Singapore marked an important step in its Asian expansion strategy.

Looking ahead, SBC Medical aims to maintain its market leadership by revising its franchise fee structure and implementing strategic pricing initiatives to support long-term growth and expansion both domestically and internationally.

-- BERNAMA

Emergency Response: Water Mission Delivers Relief After Myanmar-Thailand Earthquake

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Water Mission, a Christian engineering non-profit, has deployed a Disaster Response Assistance Team to Southeast Asia following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand.

According to a statement, the team would begin operations in Thailand to assess safe water, sanitation, and hygiene needs across the affected regions.

Water Mission President and Chief Executive Officer, George C. Greene IV said the organisation has responded to over 60 disasters worldwide, including major earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco in recent years.

“Our Disaster Assistance Response Team is well-versed in quickly mobilising and collaborating with partners on the ground to provide emergency assistance where it is needed most,” he said.

In the wake of the disaster, access to clean water is critical to prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses, which can be particularly dangerous for children.

The earthquake has caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, including buildings, homes, and roads, with more than 150 people having reportedly lost their lives and hundreds still missing.

With more than 20 years of experience in disaster response and humanitarian aid, Water Mission has provided safe water solutions during hurricanes in the United States and the Caribbean, floods in East Africa, earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco, and cholera outbreaks in Malawi.

-- BERNAMA

BYD Energy Storage Debuts Chess Plus For C&I Energy Storage In China

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Renewable energy solutions provider, BYD Energy Storage, a division of BYD Company Limited, recently unveiled its next-gen commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage system, Chess Plus, designed to address challenges in safety, efficiency, and profitability amid a fiercely competitive market.

BYD Energy Storage representative, Dr Wang Xiaoye in a statement, emphasised the importance of cell-level research and development for true value and efficiency in energy storage, highlighting that Chess Plus embodies the company’s 17-year expertise and commitment to sustainable innovation.

At the core of Chess Plus is BYD’s innovative cell-to-system (CTS) protection framework, featuring "Thick Blade Battery" cells with ceramic terminals to eliminate leakage risks and improve corrosion resistance. These cells have undergone rigorous testing, including thermal runaway simulations and extreme overcharge conditions.

The system’s two-hour fire-resistant battery casing and integrated aerosol fire suppression further ensure safety. Chess Plus also includes advanced system-level protections such as seismic resistance, IP55 enclosures, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven risk prediction for early thermal anomaly detection.

Chess Plus boasts ultra-long-lasting battery cells capable of over 10,000 cycles, ensuring long-term durability and efficient operations. Its dual-mode cooling system combines liquid cooling for batteries with smart forced air cooling for electronic components, reducing auxiliary power consumption by 20 per cent and increasing thermal stability, thereby extending component lifespan by 30 per cent.

It incorporates high-performance edge computing for real-time state-of-charge optimisation and fault prediction, and its modular design allows for stable operations with independent data and control channels.

The system is suitable for a wide range of applications, including industrial parks, electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs, and microgrids. With AI-driven management, Chess Plus maximises energy efficiency and return on investment.

Previously, BYD Energy Storage’s C&I product in Jiangsu, China, helped generate US$3 million annually with a three-year payback period, proving the potential of their energy storage solutions. As the global demand for green energy grows, Chess Plus stands poised to play a leading role in the energy storage market with its advanced safety features and intelligent operational capabilities. (US$1=RM4.43)

-- BERNAMA

Picus Security Named Representative Vendor In Gartner's Adversarial Exposure Validation Guide

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Picus Security, the security validation company, has been recognised as a Representative Vendor in the Gartner Market Guide for Adversarial Exposure Validation (AEV).

This category includes technology that validates vulnerabilities and identifies techniques that allow adversaries to exploit an organisation. The report aims to help security and risk management leaders understand key use cases of adversarial exposure validation and navigate the AEV solution market.

Picus Security co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Volkan Ertürk, said the growing demand for validating threat exposures through real-world attack scenarios reflects organisations’ need to justify security investments and address vulnerabilities efficiently.

“The Picus platform uniquely provides evidence-based exposure prioritisation and validation, derisking critical vulnerabilities that are not truly exploitable, so security teams can focus on what matters the most,” he said in a statement.

The AEV market category merges previously separate technologies, including breach and attack simulation, automated penetration testing, and red teaming, into a unified approach.

Gartner predicts that by 2027, 40 per cent of organisations will have adopted formal exposure validation initiatives, with many relying on AEV technologies and managed services to achieve maturity and consistency in their security operations.

The Picus Security Validation Platform enables organisations to simulate real-world attack scenarios, providing continuous, automated validation of exploitable exposures while assessing the effectiveness of security controls.

By emulating adversarial tactics, techniques and procedures, Picus assists security teams in identifying critical vulnerabilities, prioritising remediation efforts and enhancing overall security posture without increasing the skill level required by security defence teams.

According to the Gartner Market Guide, Picus Security’s platform offers several benefits, including helping organisations strengthen defences, prioritise vulnerabilities, and enhance readiness for real-world attacks.

The AEV market is rapidly evolving, with solutions that reduce complexity and lower the skill level required for effective security testing. Additionally, AEV technologies streamline security operations, improve team collaboration, and enhance the precision and effectiveness of security testing.

-- BERNAMA