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United Network for Organ Sharing Seeks Better Air Transportation for Lifesaving Organs

United Network for Organ Sharing

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the non-profit that serves as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under contract with the federal government, is seeking to systematically improve nationwide transportation for donated organs. In a letter sent today to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg, UNOS leadership requested a meeting with the DOT as well as the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to discuss potential solutions for increasing efficiency for commercial air transportation of organs for transplant. The letter was authored by UNOS’ Interim CEO Dr. Maureen McBride, UNOS Board President Dr. Jerry McCauley, Vice President/President-Elect Dr. Dianne LaPointe Rudow, and Past President Dr. Matt Cooper. “Practical, logistical, and regulatory obstacles to the safe and efficient delivery of donor organs should be identified, remedied, and monitored,” wrote McBride, McCauley, Rudow and Cooper. “We believe you, the FAA and TSA could provide valuable assistance on how to increase the efficiency of commercial air transportation of organs for transplant.” During an OPTN Board of Directors meeting on Monday, December 5, Dr. McBride called for stakeholders across the donation and transplant community to help expand upon ongoing improvements to the national system, which included prioritizing potential solutions for safer and more efficient organ transportation. “Today we’re going to have a collaborative conversation about how the community can answer the public’s call for assurances that these precious gifts of life are delivered safely and efficiently to their destination,” said Dr. McBride to the OPTN board on Monday. “We’re going to ask all of you to prioritize potential solutions for how the OPTN can fix these problems. That includes advocating as a community for federal level solutions.” Also copied on the letter were HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson, FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and TSA Administrator David P. Pekoske. A copy of the full letter can be found here. About UNOS United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit, charitable organization that serves as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under contract with the federal government. The OPTN helps create and define organ allocation and distribution policies that make the best use of donated organs. This process involves continuously evaluating new advances and discoveries so policies can be adapted to best serve patients waiting for transplants. All transplant programs and organ procurement organizations throughout the country are OPTN members and are obligated to follow the policies the OPTN creates for allocating organs. Contact Details Anne Paschke +1 804-782-4730 anne.paschke@unos.org Company Website https://unos.org

December 08, 2022 03:10 PM Eastern Standard Time

Cooper Standard Named to Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023 List for Fourth Consecutive Year

Cooper Standard

Cooper Standard (NYSE: CPS) is pleased to announce that it has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023 for the fourth consecutive year. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. America’s Most Responsible Companies were selected based on publicly available key performance indicators (KPIs) derived from CSR Reports, Sustainability Reports and other reports, as well as an independent survey. The KPIs focused on company performance in the environmental, social and corporate governance areas, while the independent survey asked U.S. citizens about their perception of company activities related to corporate social responsibility. The final list, which can be viewed on Newsweek’s website, recognizes the top 500 most responsible companies in the United States, spanning 14 industries. Cooper Standard has been included on the list of most responsible companies in the United States since its inception four years ago. “It is an honor to again be recognized in Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies list,” said Jeffrey Edwards, chairman and CEO, Cooper Standard. “Cooper Standard’s commitment to addressing ESG issues makes our team, partnerships and business stronger as we continue developing innovative products and systems to address our customers’ ever-changing needs.” Cooper Standard offers insights into the ESG topics considered most important by the Company’s stakeholders through an annual corporate responsibility report that covers the Company’s progress toward world-class performance and actions to elevate value for all stakeholders. In its latest report, “TOGETHER,” the Company incorporated new goals for renewable energy and waste reduction, along with a focus on climate change risks and impacts. This report also shares progress on its long-term goals supporting key ESG material topics. The Newsweek recognition serves as further validation of Cooper Standard’s commitment to ethical business practices. Earlier this year, the Company was again recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2022 World's Most Ethical Companies. About Cooper Standard Cooper Standard, headquartered in Northville, Mich., with locations in 21 countries, is a leading global supplier of sealing and fluid handling systems and components. Utilizing our materials science and manufacturing expertise, we create innovative and sustainable engineered solutions for diverse transportation and industrial markets. Cooper Standard's approximately 23,000 employees are at the heart of our success, continuously improving our business and surrounding communities. Learn more at www.cooperstandard.com or follow us on Twitter @CooperStandard. ### CPS_G Contact Details Media Contact Chris Andrews +1 248-596-6217 candrews@cooperstandard.com Company Website https://www.cooperstandard.com/

December 08, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Bloomington, MN Celebrates 15 Years in Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

Bill and Karen Grewe have owned their Minuteman Press franchise in Bloomington, Minnesota since July of 2007. As they celebrate 15 years in business, Bill shares keys to success, lessons learned, high-demand products and services, and many more insights and reflections. Minuteman Press in Bloomington is located at 8742 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55420. Congrats on 15 years in business! What does this milestone mean to you and what are 3 keys to your success and longevity? Bill Grewe: It means we’ve thrived over other competitors in the area, and we lasted longer than the average small business. Most recently, we survived the Covid-19 crisis, and we start to see a return to normalcy. Further, our retirement plans include continuing to work in our shop for the foreseeable future. We still enjoy it! Key 1: Our customer focus requires us to authorize staff to solve ‘the problem.’ We back the good faith decisions made in our absence. We prioritize discussions about how to solve issues when we are available. We emphasize that the customer is not always right, but we all make mistakes. Even so, there is no need to place blame. We look for win-win solutions. Key 2: Prioritize the quote. It is not the least expensive print company that gets the job; it is the most responsive. Sure, we accommodate ‘commodity-focused’ customers. We also price aggressively on three tiers: retail, print brokers, and non-profits. We also have two of our five employees, who generate estimates for us. Key 3: Value your team members. Our payroll is excessive, and that is intentional. We pay for talent, and that inspires loyalty. When Covid forced us to reduce hours and pay, our staff supported us. We share the successes and struggles, and we look for opportunities together. What are some of the key ways you’ve grown your business? Bill Grewe: One of the hardest lessons we learned was ‘cold calling.’ We waited too long to start following the advice received at training. (What can we say, introverts find it difficult.) A business coach encouraged us to experiment with a variety of ideas. So, we ventured outside the ‘comfort zone.’ As the business expanded, we found a salesman to perform this task for us. Early on, we remembered an important lesson from Minuteman Press International (MPI), “When someone asks you if you can ‘print this’, the answer is always ‘Yes.’” Since our small print shop simply did not have the resources to produce every job, we figured out how to find “central facilities” to fill the gaps. (Hint: We asked our MPI friends, searched the internet for trade only printers, and checked the vendor catalog.) Before FLEX offered a feature to request reviews, we employed a vendor to perform the service on our behalf. Now, we use functionality built in to automatically make this request when invoices are sent. The benefit of our finding this functionality early is that we are working to maintain a 5.0 rating, not trying to earn it. Our Google rating is one of the most often mentioned ways that new customers find us. What are the high-demand products and services that have really been helpful for your clients? Bill Grewe: EDDM offers one landscaping customer the opportunity to replace the 20% customer loss experienced year-over-year. On a routine basis several times each year, we use a central facility to produce 30,000 postcards. Our customer chooses the carrier routes they want to prospect. Then, we batch the postcards and deliver them to various post offices in the area. Wide format is a place where our central facility strategy permits us to offer signs for graduates. Our graphic designer offered to produce artwork for a school-themed graduation sign, and word quickly spread. Several other schools participated, and parents even paid in advance our third year providing this service to our community. One private school decided to pay for all the signs ahead of time and resell them. We print so many envelopes, regular and window. We moved our envelope printing off our digital toner machines onto an inkjet envelope printer, and we assigned the task to our graphic designer. This freed up our other machines for other work. We still have discriminating customers, who demand precise color. So, when our team cannot match color digitally, we work with an area pressman, who works out of his garage. How would you best describe your community? Bill Grewe: Bloomington is the 5th largest city in Minnesota with more jobs per capita than either Minneapolis or St. Paul, the two largest cities. Businesses range in size from the smallest to large, multi-national corporations. From a business perspective, the opportunities are abundant. Why do you think printing remains so vital to businesses today? Bill Grewe: Print provides tangible marketing messages that you can set aside for a convenient read. Where people skim their emails followed by the quick delete, they store and share meaningful documents. What was your background before franchising and why did you choose Minuteman Press? Bill Grewe: Neither of us comes from a print background. Karen worked in a day care center, then provided home day care. I worked for the revenue department for 20 years before looking for something new. An advertisement caught my attention, and the rest is history. What has the support from Minuteman Press International been like for you? Bill Grewe: After learning volumes of new information during training, I spent the first year figuring out what it all meant. Remember when I said we waited too long to start following all the advice we received from Minuteman Press International? I was so wrapped up in trying to understand it all, I missed the ‘do this’ advice that helped our business start growing. The FLEX software is a significant advancement over previous versions, which underscores Minuteman Press International’s commitment to improvement. Its integration with the website and increased functionality allows us to accept orders and payments online. Much of our business remains either an email or phone conversation, but the day is coming when current customers can reorder previously delivered projects with the click of a portal button. We should not miss an opportunity to thank the most important local support provided by Minuteman Press International, our field representative Kate. When Bill, our salesman, retired in July this year, Kate was on the job helping train Pete with updated advice from the franchisor, using FLEX, etc. What are the biggest personal and professional rewards of owning your business? Bill Grewe: For us, our franchise provides a sense of security. While there are income fluctuations, the business provides a steady income. Furthermore, it is part of our retirement plan. (We enjoy working with our staff.) What advice would you give to other business owners or people looking to own a business? Bill Grewe: For people looking to own a business, your first responsibility is to build your market share. Your employees depend on their paycheck. This means you must separate yourself from the day-to-day operations and focus on how to increase income. Our franchise focuses on building a relationship with customers. This starts with listening long enough to hear the vision, ask questions to clarify the intent, and suggest options that deliver the right product on schedule. It involves managing expectations and avoiding unrealistic promises. Sometimes the best thing to tell your customer is, ‘We simply cannot meet that deadline.’ Otherwise, you risk delivering a product that advertises failure. It’s better to overdeliver. For more information on Minuteman Press in Bloomington, MN, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/mn/bloomington/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and see Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

December 07, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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'Tis the Season-ally Inspired Holiday Menus at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

500NewsWire

Charlotte, NC ( 500NewsWire ) -- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill introduces new holiday lunch and dinner menus just in time to make any celebration a memorable one this holiday season. From hand-cut wood-fire grilled NY Strip, and certified Duroc pork chop with cognac cream sauce, to Bananas Foster Bread Pudding for dessert, Firebirds’ limited time scratch-made menus are available now through January 3. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is known for its signature hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood hand-fileted in-house and seared over locally sourced hickory, oak, or pecan wood on Firebirds’ exposed wood-fired grill. Firebirds’ seasonal Lunch Menu includes suggested wine pairings, and features: NY Strip (10oz.) BLT butter / choice of side Suggested wine pairing: Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon Parmesan Crusted Mahi Coal-roasted tomato-basil sauce / “loaded “ember-grilled corn / fresh asparagus Suggested wine pairing: Decoy Chardonnay Lump Crab Cakes Bold remoulade / wonton slaw / seasoned steak fries Suggested wine pairing: Firebirds Private Label Chardonnay Guests can enhance their entrées by adding: Lump Crab Cake Lobster Mac & Cheese Dessert Bananas Foster Bread Pudding Vanilla bean ice cream / spiced pecans / crispy cinnamon-sugar tortilla Firebirds’ seasonal Dinner Menu includes suggested wine pairings, and features: NY Strip (14oz.) BLT butter / choice of side Suggested wine pairing: Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon Tomahawk Prime Pork Chop Wood-grilled, certified Duroc pork chop / cognac cream sauce / red wine-poached apples / green chile mac & cheese Suggested wine pairing: Acrobat Pinot Noir Parmesan Crusted Mahi Coal-roasted tomato-basil sauce / “loaded “ember-grilled corn / fresh asparagus Suggested wine pairing: Decoy Chardonnay Lump Crab Cakes Bold remoulade / wonton slaw / seasoned steak fries Suggested wine pairing: Firebirds Private Label Chardonnay Guests can enhance their entrees by adding: Lump Crab Cake Lobster Mac & Cheese Dessert Bananas Foster Bread Pudding Vanilla bean ice cream / spiced pecans / crispy cinnamon-sugar tortilla Many of the restaurant’s dishes are created using fresh seasonal ingredients. Gluten-sensitive menu items, such as Grilled Tenderloin Salad, Wood Grilled Salmon, and Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, are also available. Firebirds offers catering, online ordering for ToGo and delivery options. In addition, Firebirds is offering a holiday gift card promotion. For every $100 in gift cards purchased in-store or online, guests will receive $20 in “bonus cards.” This special offer is available now through December 31st and “bonus cards” are valid for redemption from January 1 through February 9, 2023. For more information visit firebirdsrestaurants.com/gift-cards/. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill’s FIREBAR® offers an impressive array of seasonal cocktails, craft beer, bourbon, after-dinner drinks, Firebirds’ private label wine, hand crafted mocktails and more. Popular specialties include Wine Down Mondays, and happy hour in the FIREBAR® and on the Patio every Monday through Friday from 4PM – 7PM. Happy Hour times vary. Visit FirebirdsRestaurants.com to make a reservation, order ToGo online, or register to become a member of Firebirds’ Inner Circle and be the first to hear about upcoming events, promotions, new menu items and exclusive offers. Members receive a gift for joining and a gift for their birthday. About Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a polished casual American restaurant, is an energetic twist on the traditional grill featuring a boldly flavored menu in a stylish, fire-centric atmosphere. Signature menu items include hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood hand-fileted in-house and seared over locally sourced hickory, oak, or pecan wood on Firebirds’ exposed wood-fired grill. Complementing its inviting dining room, a patio with seasonal comforts and the award-winning FIREBAR® are additional gathering spaces inside the restaurant. Firebirds has been named one of ten ‘Breakout Brands’ by Nation’s Restaurant News, and the 2022 Diners’ Choice Winner awarded by OpenTable. Firebirds supports sustainability efforts and partners with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, having surpassed $3 million raised for childhood cancer research through the sale of fresh-squeezed lemonade. To become a member of Firebirds Inner Circle, order ToGo online or to make a reservation visit firebirdsrestaurants.com. Contact Details Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Lesley Gamwell +1 404-309-6915 lgamwell@rountreegroup.com Company Website https://firebirdsrestaurants.com/

December 07, 2022 08:59 AM Eastern Standard Time

Secro Wins Approval from the International Group of P&I Clubs

SECRO

The International Group of P&I Clubs (the Group) added Secro as an approved electronic bill of lading provider. Established in 2021, Secro is an independent technology company helping buyers and sellers of bulk commodities to digitize their core business workflows and optimize working capital. Approval by the Group ensures that liabilities arising in respect to the carriage of cargo under such paperless trading are covered. The legal documentation and terms of use associated with the use and operation of Secro system, as well as the Secro electronic bill of lading, were reviewed and approved by the Group. Secro, which is a proud member of BIMCO, provides a frictionless digital trade documentation platform that is safe, trustable and seamless. The customer is onboarded to the Secro platform with a nimble click-through process and can collaborate with its trading partners in minutes. Internal due diligence is simplified by robust yet concise terms of use and conditions of carriage. Further, the Secro platform enables the customer to invite its trading partners on the platform, for free, just by sharing a secure link at any given stage of the transaction, allowing unprecedented flexibility. Secro Co-Founder and CEO, Michele Sancricca stated: “Our customers asked us to build a platform to easily create securely exchanged electronic bills of lading with anyone in the world without the need for cumbersome private agreements. This innovative approach delivers the ease of adoption that legacy providers did not achieve.” Truly viable electronic bills of lading, able to replace traditional paper-based documents, has been a chimera for decades. Thanks to Secro proprietary technology’s compliance with the latest digital trade laws, for the first time the adoption of electronic bills of lading really offers speed, security and cost savings. With Secro’s ease of use, and the Group’s approval, traders, shippers, banks and ship owners can digitally transact with confidence. Sancricca wants the maritime community to appreciate that this is just the beginning for Secro. “Secro E-bill of lading is only the first product we are launching in this arena. Customers will find in Secro a one-stop-shop to digitize their end-to-end trade workflows.” At SHIPPINGInsight 2022, Secro received the organization’s Innovation Award by securing the most support from investors and shipowners in the SHARK TANK. Secro is currently available to selected customers with the public launch expected during Q1 2023. For more information on the company go to Secro. Contact Details Morgan Marketing & Communications Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-260-0480 c.walker@morganmarketcomm.com Company Website https://secro.io/

December 06, 2022 10:38 AM Eastern Standard Time

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News Release

Are You Confident About Your Vehicle’s Repairs?

AutoTech IQ

Many car owners dread making an appointment with auto repair shops because they feel unprepared to carry on a discussion with the service adviser about the need and cost of repairs. That lack of preparation creates unease over whether to even go to the shop for fear of being ripped off. AutoTechIQ.com was created to make car owners overcome that initial fear by being preeducated and confident about what symptoms and related fixes are typical for their specific vehicle type and compare the visible and audible symptoms their vehicle shows with images, videos and descriptions in articles. A typical example is a squealing noise while driving. How Does Preeducation Make Me Confident? By preeducating yourself before a meeting with the shop, you’ll ensure that you have the proper details to share with a service adviser. For example, if your car starts emitting oil-like odors, you can browse through AutoTechIQ and find articles that cover oil-related issues, such as “Why does my car smells like burning oil?” Then, by reading the article’s content and comparing the images and videos with your vehicle’s symptoms, you’ll rule out potential problems and their fixes. Note that AutoTechIQ’s articles feature images, videos and sound representations of typical issues that point to specific symptoms. There, you’ll also find information about certain vehicles’ years, makes and models that commonly portray these symptoms and the usual faulty parts involved. Get the knowledge you need and share it with your go-to auto shop; this will make a discussion about the service’s budget more transparent and precise. What Is the Best Approach When Engaging the Service Adviser? Often, shops focus on fixing the symptom and send you back on the road. That approach implies less money spent on an individual visit but adds up over time. Tell the service adviser about the symptom and ask for a digital vehicle health inspection, which will give you the entire vehicle’s state of health. The best approach when dealing with a service adviser during car service is to ask for a digital vehicle health inspection. This type of inspection aims to make you aware of your car’s current condition and future risks; it creates a state of health for your car. This approach focuses on saving you money in the long run by showing your vehicle’s “possible upcoming issues” and how impactful they can be for your wallet and your safety. Why Repairs Based on the State of Health Save You Money Once the state of health information is in your hands, showing in red, yellow and green and substantiated with images and videos and notes what your vehicle’s health is, you can engage the service adviser in what needs to be done now (red), can be deferred (yellow) and is in mint condition (green). Certified AutoTechIQ shops follow a process guaranteeing a comprehensive report, which lets you budget the current and upcoming repairs. If the shop is certified the digital vehicle health inspection is called a Digital Auto Checkup. More specifically, the state of health record shows, in color-based categories, what type of risk your vehicle has. The colors identify as: Red: Needs urgent assessment Yellow: Can be deferred Green: Mint condition at the time of inspection This is also substantiated with images, videos and notes to clarify the condition as much as possible. When taking your car to a certified AutoTechIQ shop, you’ll have education-focused service. The state of health they offer will be a comprehensive report where you’ll budget the current and upcoming repairs confidently. Note that for AutoTechIQ-certified shops, the term you can use for this inspection is Digital Auto Checkup. Why Is It Important to Ask for a Digital Auto Checkup? Many auto repair shops listen to your concern and immediately provide a solution. When you go to any doctor for a symptom checkup, does the doctor immediately diagnose you? Typically they don’t do that unless you are in the emergency room. Instead, they’ll check your vital signs, test your blood and conduct other testing procedures. The same goes for your vehicle during car service. First, you establish baseline health before addressing the main symptom. The vehicle’s bill of health is called Digital Auto Checkup or Digital Vehicle Health Inspection. What Do You Get From AutoTechIQ as a Car Owner? The majority of car owners dread the appointment at an auto repair shop. To counter that, the shops in AutoTechIQ ’s network put your education and professional service as top priority. Additionally, the shops you’ll find in AutoTechIQ’s business directories follow these criteria: The business has at least 100 Google reviews with an average score higher than 4.5 out of 5. A digital vehicle health inspection is consistently relied upon to examine the health of your vehicle and covers at least 35 topics. The documentation of mint and problem conditions uses images and videos to give you complete transparency. Contact Details AutoTech IQ AutoTech IQ +1 866-678-8505 support@AutoTechIQ.com Company Website https://www.autotechiq.com/

December 05, 2022 04:02 PM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Alarmed By Frequent Car Smells? AutoTechIQ Can Help You With That

AutoTech IQ

Bad smells are an age-old problem that affects cars to this day, regardless of how modern they are. Although bad car smells are evident, they can be tricky to track down.. So, we’ll share tips to help you detect the bad smell’s root cause in your car and assist you in getting rid of it. Can I eliminate the smell myself? AutoTechIQ suggests that any odd odor coming from the car needs a professional inspection. An analysis of millions of work orders across North America reveals that the problem is commonly more critical than it appears. Taking your car for a Vehicle Health Inspection is highly recommended; this professional procedure shows a snapshot of your vehicle’s health status, pointing to any damage and smell sources. Visit AutoTechIQ.com and use the shop selector to find the best-suited shop in your area. Shops have three certification levels that you can choose from: Certified, Recommended, and Good Standing. You can find easy-to-digest educational content about car smells and how to fix them on AutoTechIQ.com. And don’t worry, you won’t have to read technical lingo and jargon; we make it friendly. What are the most common car smells? We list common problematic car smells below. If you're experiencing any of those, visit AutoTechIQ.com and find the article that matches your experience. Then, send it to your trusted auto repair shop for reference. My Car Smells Like Burning Oil My Car Smells Like Burning Plastic My Car Smells Like Burning Rubber My Car Smells Like Rotten Eggs What other symptoms should I look for? A distinct smell is often the most dominant symptom, but it might not be the only one. For example, a failed serpentine belt pulley makes a burnt rubber odor and can make a noticeable noise. Reoccurring problems are especially concerning, and it is important to describe the context of these issues to your trusted auto repair shop. Knowing the problem's characteristics helps the professional eliminate up to 90% of the potential root causes, saving you a lot of money for unnecessary diagnostics or repair. What should be my budget when taking my car to an auto repair shop? Traditionally, most car owners follow the service interval recommendation provided by their trusted auto repair shop or just go to the shop when problems arise. Most of the time, the latter is the most expensive way of taking care of your vehicle since it adds to each visit’s cost. Using a preventive maintenance plan from your trusted auto repair shop opens opportunities to discuss future expenses or deferred services. You can start budgeting for future expenses and still save money because preventive maintenance is significantly more cost-effective than paying the repair cost when problems occur. Condition-based inspections take the preventive maintenance concept even further. Your auto repair shop conducts a vehicle inspection every time you drop off your vehicle. The results are compared to previous inspection diagnostics to determine wear and tear patterns. Based on those patterns, the shop discusses the best course of action with you. Why is it important to ask for a Digital Auto Checkup? Many auto repair shops listen to your concern and immediately provide a solution. But, in comparison, when you go to any doctor for a symptom checkup, does the doctor immediately diagnose you? Typically, they don’t do that unless you are in the emergency room. Instead, the doctor will order a vital signs check, blood draw, and other testing procedures. The same goes for your vehicle during car service. First, you establish baseline health before addressing the main symptom. The vehicle’s bill of health is called “Digital Auto Checkup” or “ Digital Vehicle Health Inspection.” What do I get from AutoTechIQ as a car owner?? The majority of car owners dread the appointment at an auto repair shop. To counter that, the shops in AutoTechIQ ’s network put education and professional service as top priorities. Additionally, the shops you’ll find in our business directories meet these criteria: The business has at least 100 Google reviews with an average score higher than 4.5 out of 5. A digital vehicle health inspection is consistently relied upon to examine the health of your vehicle and covers at least 35 topics. The documentation of mint and problem conditions uses well-documented images and videos to give you complete transparency. Contact Details AutoTech IQ +1 866-678-8505 support@AutoTechIQ.com Company Website https://www.autotechiq.com/

November 28, 2022 03:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Why People Aren’t Calling Auto Repair Businesses

AutoTech IQ

In case you haven’t noticed, the world of communications is changing. And that includes customer calls and service requests in the auto repair business. In the past, the automotive repair business centered around phone calls and one-on-one interactions with customers. But today’s customers expect more. Digital communication and education are the foundation of today’s successful auto repair businesses. If you haven’t implemented these changes in your shop, learn about why digital tech has replaced yesterday’s phone communication. 7 Reasons Auto Repair Businesses Aren’t Getting Calls The younger generations grew up using technology, which has changed how they interact with businesses. They no longer want to call a business but prefer to communicate via text, view data-driven estimates and pay with online invoices. In other words, they require more transparency and want to understand the particulars of what they are paying for. In fact, in one study, the majority of those surveyed prefer digital communications when getting car repairs. The advent of digital communication not only gives your customers those benefits, but it also helps you build essential trust as you earn their business. Fewer People Want to Talk Because people prefer to do business digitally, they want instant access to the information that will help them decide which business to go to. One survey shows that 80% of all local searches result in a sale. But that same survey explains that the people doing the local search want to easily find the business’s number, address and product offerings. In other words, they want to skip the call — and the wait to speak with someone — and get all the pertinent information from their phone. Not Optimizing the Mobile Experience Because most people use their phones to make purchases and set appointments, the auto repair shops that have a mobile app that allows for easy online booking will attract those customers. No one wants to wait 10 minutes on the phone trying to set an appointment. Instead, they want to log onto the website, choose from the available appointments, and schedule one. An app allows customers to do things on their own schedule and not have to worry about making a decision while someone is waiting on the other end of the line. Lack of Quality Customer Service What’s worse than having to call a car repair shop for an appointment or an explanation about your car’s issues? Dealing with someone on the phone who isn’t helpful or friendly. If your customers must call your shop, it’s important to ensure they speak with someone who shows they care. And forget about old-school sales techniques when explaining the potential repairs. Today’s customers want digital proof of what’s wrong with the car and what it will take to fix it. Give your customers more emphasis on helpful and specific details to gain their trust. Long Wait Times People want access to quick information online, but that doesn’t mean they don’t expect superior service when they do have to call or interact with a technician. A survey shows that 75% of callers won’t leave a voicemail, and 85% of them will not call you back if you don’t answer the phone. And because many auto repair shops have a reputation for long wait times on the phone and in person, it’s something that needs to be addressed. Ideally, car repair shops will reduce call wait times, drop-off wait times, service wait times and the amount of time it takes to complete paperwork — all in addition to offering digital communication to their customers. Lack of Quality Customer Service Did you know that 90% of people use customer service as a factor when deciding whether to do business with a company? And 58% of those surveyed say they will switch companies because of poor customer service. In the automotive repair business, customer service often comes down to whether a business uses digital communications to allow customers to view their car repair options. These digital reports and estimates make customers feel in control and allow for better decision-making. Lack of Transparency Most people don’t know how to fix their own car, and they look for an auto technician they can trust to do the job for them. If a technician doesn’t explain a needed repair — or worse, recommends an unnecessary repair — they aren’t going to gain the trust of their customers. Today’s customers want digital proof of needed repairs from techs like AutoTechIQ-certified auto repair shops, where a vehicle’s bill of health is the basis of their recommendation. They can view digital reports and feel confident they have full transparency when making decisions. Digital Vehicle Inspections Seeing is believing, as the old saying goes, and that’s true when it comes to auto repairs. That’s why digital inspections are the new norm when it comes to auto repairs. These digital inspections show customers the whole picture of their car’s health with videos, high-resolution photos and detailed notes. And once a customer sees for themself what’s needed, they tend to approve two to three times the amount of work than when given verbal explanations. Give Customers the Control and Confidence They Need The auto repair shops that give today’s customers what they need are the shops that will thrive in this new marketplace. If you haven’t yet used digital communications and reports, contact AutoTechIQ now and find the best shop in your area. Contact Details AutoTech IQ +1 866-678-8505 support@AutoTechIQ.com Company Website https://www.autotechiq.com/

November 28, 2022 02:51 PM Eastern Standard Time

Volatus Aerospace Expands Product Distribution to US Market with Acquisition of Empire Drone Company LLC.

Volatus Aerospace Corp.

Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV: VOL) (OTCQB: VLTTF) (“Volatus” or “the Company”) announced today that it has signed an arm’s length definitive agreement to acquire Syracuse-based Empire Drone Company LLC., one of North America’s fastest-growing distributors and integrators for unmanned aerial systems. With Fortune Business Insights projecting the commercial drone market to grow to $47.38 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 28.58%, the addition of Empire Drone in the USA positions Volatus to capitalize on this opportunity by adding to its growing global presence in key markets for green drone technologies, which includes Volatus Aerospace LATAM in South America, Omniview Tech in Canada, and iRed Remote Sensing in the UK. “Volatus is already a major distributor and developer of civil and defence drone solutions in Canada,” said Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace. “The addition of Empire Drone solidifies our footprint in America and positions us for improved margins and accelerated growth in America with a US depot and US-based support.” “Joining Volatus provides Empire with the resources needed to accelerate our growth,” said Sean Falconer, CEO and founder of Empire. “We’ll become a more important partner for our existing OEM suppliers and increase our offering with Volatus technologies such as the Aerieport remote nesting station, Hydra Crawler, and other Volatus defence and public safety products. It’s long been my goal to be a dominant player in the United States and this deal will give me the resources needed to get there.” Empire Drone is expected to generate revenue of C$2.5M in 2022 with a 6% EBITDA margin. Under the terms of the agreement, Volatus will purchase 100% of the company for a cash consideration of US$300,000, equity of US$350,000 with a minimum floor price of $0.65, and earn out of US$350,000 paid in equity after one year anniversary based on the 30-day volume weighted average price (VWAP) with a minimum floor price of $0.65 per share and assume the long-term debt of US$225,000. This announcement marks another step in a series of interrelated commercial milestones intended to drive and scale the commercialization of drone technologies including: Announcement of Volatus Aerospace LATAM, a joint venture with EOLO Drones S.A.C. ("EOLO") to expand Volatus' commercial operations in Latin America. Introduction of a full-service financing program for enterprise and industrial drone equipment to help drone service providers, public safety agencies and industrial clients leverage the rapid evolution of related technologies by offering rental, usage contracts, and customized funding arrangements for the sale of its Drone Solutions targeted at transactions valued from $25,000 to over $2,000,000. Acquisition of iRed Remote Sensing based in Emsworth, England to provide a foundation for continued growth in the UK. The acquisition of Empire Drone is scheduled to close on December 31st conditional on satisfactory completion of due diligence, approval of the respective Board of Directors, and regulatory approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange. About Volatus Aerospace: Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions throughout North America and growing into Latin America and globally. Volatus serves civil, public safety, and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, as well as R&D, design, and manufacturing. Through our subsidiary, Volatus Aviation, we are introducing green and innovative drone solutions to supplement and replace traditional aircraft and helicopters for long-linear inspections such as pipeline, energy, rail, and cargo services. Volatus is committed to carbon neutrality; the fostering of a safe, equitable and inclusive workplace; and responsible governance. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding: (if) the business plans and expectations of the Company; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the commercialization of drone flights beyond visual line of sight and potential benefits to the Company; the completion of the Offering; meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV; and anticipated and unanticipated costs and other factors referenced in this news release.” Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Source: Volatus Aerospace Corp. TSXV: VOL Contact Details Abhinav Singhvi +1 514-447-7986 abhinav.singhvi@volatusaerospace.com Company Website https://volatusaerospace.com

November 28, 2022 06:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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