PR Newswire

TORONTO, July 31, 2014

TORONTO, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A deserving family from Sudbury, Ontario, yesterday was awarded a new, universally accessible MV-1 vehicle, made by Mobility Ventures, LLC, an AM General Company, after entering the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Associations' (NMEDA) National Mobility Awareness Month's (NMAM) "Local Heroes Contest" earlier this year.

Kyle and Paula Watson, whose twin 14-year old boys - Scott and Ian, have cerebral palsy and use large motorized wheelchairs, won the vehicle through the annual NMAM online contest that includes sharing their personal story with NMAM site viewers who voted to select the finalists.

"Winning an MV-1 through the NMAM 'Local Heroes Contest' was truly a dream come true," said Kyle. "Finding a vehicle to accommodate two very large motorized wheelchairs poses a huge challenge in itself. Now we can go where we want, as a family, together. This will be life-changing for us."

The shiny black MV-1 was delivered to the Watson family by MV-1 Canada (the Canadian distributor of the MV-1), at an event held at the Toronto Convention Centre, in front of well wishers and local media.

"This vehicle was designed to open up a world of new possibilities, and that's exactly what it will do for this wonderful family," said John Walsh, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Mobility Ventures. "This vehicle has the space, durability and safety for all their needs. We are proud to support this event and are thrilled for the Watson family."

"The Local Heroes Contest is such a rewarding part of what we do at NMEDA. Each year the awareness for mobility challenges and solutions continues to grow. We thank our members, contest sponsors and the hundreds of communities and thousands of individuals who rallied this year to make National Mobility Awareness Month special once again. I also want to personally thank the millions who took the time to read and learn about all of the Local Heroes in our contest and then cast their votes," said Dave Hubbard, NMEDA CEO.

Mobility Ventures is breaking new barriers with its MV-1 line of vehicles. Unlike many vans that are converted for accessibility, the MV-1 is the only vehicle that is "purpose-built" from the ground up for people with disabilities. The MV-1 has a side-entry powered ramp and space for a wheelchair passenger to sit in the front of the vehicle next to the driver, with additional room in back for another wheelchair and extra passengers. The MV-1 provides "Best in Class" safety direct from the factory and meets all applicable safety standards in the U.S. and Canada for crash-worthiness test as required by both the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) without exceptions or exemptions.

To purchase an MV-1 vehicle, please contact an authorized MV-1 dealer in your area which can easily be found on our newly revamped website at www.mv-1.us The new site also includes useful tabs on vehicle specifications, downloadable brochures and vehicle photos.

About MV-1 CanadaSeven years ago we saw a rising need for a more affordable and reliable accessible vehicle solution and began a journey to bring the MV-1 to Canada. To us, the MV-1 is not a vehicle. It's a significant improvement in the quality of life and financial freedom of its owners. Our mission is to improve access to quality personal and public accessible transportation for all Canadians. MV-1 Canada is the Canadian distributor of the MV-1, operating a national network of independent dealers and service centers. Please see more information about MV-1 Canada at www.mv1canada.com

About the National Mobility Equipment Dealers AssociationThe National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) was founded in 1989 as a non-profit trade association. NMEDA supports more than 600 mobility equipment dealers, manufacturers and driver rehabilitation specialists in the U.S. and Canada who are dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities. NMEDA also sponsors National Mobility Awareness Month in May. For more information, please visit www.nmeda.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter (@NMEDAcom) and Pinterest. Visit MobilityAwarenessMonth.com for the national awareness month.

About Mobility Ventures, LLC Mobility Ventures is an industry innovator in purpose-built paratransit vehicles for public and private transportation providing design, engineering, marketing, sales, and customer service support. Mobility Ventures is an AM General Company. Please see more information about Mobility Ventures at www.mv-1.us

About AM General AM General designs, engineers, manufactures, supplies and supports specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers worldwide. AM General has more than five decades of experience meeting the changing needs of the defense and automotive industries, supported by its employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and a strong supplier base that stretches across 43 states. Please see more information about AM General at www.amgeneral.com

MEDIA CONTACTS:Jeff Adams – Mobility Venturesjeff.adams@amgeneral.com /(703) 347-2276

Peter Grande – MV-1 Canadapgrande@motiongroup.ca /(905) 738-3800

Donna P. Tinoco – NMEDAdonna.tinoco@evokad.com /(407) 341-1104

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140731/132215

SOURCE Mobility Ventures LLC

PR Newswire

CHICAGO, Oct. 07, 2014

CHICAGO, Oct. 07, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Features: Methode Electronics (NYSE:MEI-Free Report), Markit Ltd. (Nasdaq:MRKT-Free Report) and Tenaris SA (NYSE:TS-Free Report).

Earnings Reports to Refresh Market Views

This fall, "divergence" is the stock market's mantra. The divergence mantra says trade on higher GDP and rates in the U.S., and lower GDP and lower rates abroad.

In October, share market indexes trade on a full-year 2015 earnings landscape -- and on the slosh of global money. A new calendar year is one quarter away. Fair value computations price a firm 2015 earnings and revenue growth outlook.

San Fran Fed Sees Economic Momentum

Here's what the latest macro Fed writer had to say:

"Recent data suggest that economic momentum was largely sustained entering the second half of this year, although growth is likely to slow somewhat from the strong second quarter. Overall consumer spending in recent months has been disappointing, but motor vehicle sales have been robust. Housing market activity has been encouraging, and overall construction spending has risen. Industrial production also continued to expand in recent months.

"On balance, we expect real GDP to grow at about a 3% pace over the remainder of this year and next year."

Zacks Sector/Industry/Company Telescope

With a new earnings season on the way, early October Zacks Industry Ranks are to be taken with a grain of salt. There is a two-month window in our system. Meaningful change in analysts estimate revisions will come going forwards.

There is only one Very Attractive sector: Info Tech. Two Attractive sectors are Financials and Industrials.

(1) Info Tech is Very Attractive. The leaders are Computer-Office Equipment and Semiconductors.

Company to look at: Methode Electronics (NYSE:MEI-Free Report)is a Zacks #1 Rank.

This company manufactures component devices worldwide for automotive OEMs and information processing and networking equipment companies, and many other IT segments.

(2) Financials are Attractive. Real Estate leads. Finance and Bank & Thrifts follow. The loser is Investment Funds.

Company to look at: Markit Ltd. (Nasdaq:MRKT-Free Report)is a Zacks #1 Rank.

This company provides financial information processing services. This includes pricing and reference data, indices, valuation and trading services, and others.

(3) Industrials are Attractive. The leader is Metal Fabricating. Close on the heels is Railroads, Business Services and Aerospace & Defense.

Company to look at: Tenaris SA (NYSE:TS-Free Report)is a Zacks #2 Rank.

This Luxembourg corporation is a leading manufacturer and supplier of seamless steel pipe products and services to the oil & gas, energy and other industries.

(4) Consumer Discretionary is a Market Weight. This is due to two bright spots: Apparel and Media. Autos are in the middle. Losers are Publishing and Consumer Electronics.

(5) Energy is a Market Weight. The brightest spot across all Zacks Industries this time around is the Coal Industry. Most industries are in the middle. Oil & Gas Drilling is Very Unattractive.

(6) Health Care is Market Weight. The bright spot is Medical Care. Drugs and Medical Products are Unattractive.

(7) Telcos are Market Weight. Just a middle of the road ranking in play before fresh earnings reports come in.

(8) Utilities are Market Weight. Another middle-of-the-road ranking in play before fresh earnings reports.

(9) Materials are Unattractive. The bright spot is Steel. Paper, Building Products, Chemicals and Metals Non-Ferrous hold the sector back.

(10) Consumer Staples is Very Unattractive. Tobacco, Agribusiness, Soaps & Cosmetics, Food & Misc. Staples are all in the tank.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.

The agency's approval, published in the Federal Register onWednesday, ends years of controversy about the proposal, whichwas sparked by multibillion-dollar Ponzi schemes orchestrated byBernard Madoff and R. Allen Stanford.

Wall Street's industry-funded watchdog, the FinancialIndustry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), had been pushing to putthe so-called "mid-case referral rule" in place since 2010.Allowing securities arbitrators to voice serious concerns in themiddle of a case about possible frauds that could harm investorsis a procedure that provides "a necessary means" of alertingFINRA staff to such threats, the SEC wrote in a notice.

Arbitrators must currently wait until the end of a case toalert FINRA staff.

FINRA runs its own securities arbitration system in which investors must resolve their legal disputes with brokerages. TheSEC must review all changes to FINRA rules.

Lawyers for brokerages and investors worried how FINRA wouldhandle arbitrators who report suspicious behavior. Arbitratorswho continue in a case after referring concerns to FINRA, thelawyers have said, may show bias against certain parties becausethey already may have come to conclusions before hearing all theevidence. That could make it easier for one party to laterchallenge a ruling.

Getting a replacement arbitrator up to speed also mightprolong a case and increase legal costs.

In January, FINRA withdrew an initial version to tweak it inresponse to the lawyers' concerns. It refiled the plan with theSEC in February.

FINRA has acknowledged that the rule may cause delays andincrease costs in some cases. Nonetheless, "the rule is designedin a way that should make its invocation rare," the SEC wrote.For example, arbitrators must believe that the conduct involvedposes a serious threat that is "likely to harm investors unlessimmediate action is taken," the SEC wrote.

The SEC and FINRA plan to monitor mid-case proceedings inresponse to concerns. FINRA has agreed to collect statistics onthe number of cases in which arbitrators make mid-case referralsfor one year after the rule becomes effective, the SEC wrote.The watchdog will then report those figures to the SEC.

It is unclear when the rule will become effective. A FINRAspokeswoman was unable to immediately comment. (Reporting by Suzanne Barlyn; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, May 22, 2014

LOS ANGELES, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- "Vi Millionaire*" Jason Silverthorn has recently achieved the 5-Star Ambassador rank with ViSalus. As a top earner for the company behind the #1 90-Day weight-loss and fitness challenge platform in North America, Silverthorn attributes his success to his team's collaboration and cohesion.

"Our success grew at the beginning of the year when we all decided to work together, not separately," said Silverthorn. "Our goal was to make this year completely different than the past. We all have backgrounds in different careers, so when we joined forces to recommit ourselves to the PROJECT 10 Challenge, we used a fresh approach and attitude. That's why we proudly called ourselves the ALL-in Team."

According to Silverthorn, being a Promoter for ViSalus was his Plan B as he was already making a living working in the mortgage and real estate business. "But then I fell in love with all the ViSalus opportunities around transforming others' physical health and financial freedom. My Plan B, as a Promoter, quickly turned into my A-Game," stated Silverthorn.

ViSalus Co-Founder and Global Ambassador Nick Sarnicola stated, "Jason's dedication to the PROJECT 10 Challenge and his drive for success inspire other ambitious Vi Promoters who can learn from his work ethic and dedication. We are proud to have him as a part of the Vi Family."

Silverthorn added, "The ALL-in Team emphasizes the importance of building relationships among one another. We are not just partners, we are friends. We were best men in each other's weddings, we go through ups and downs together, and we experience life's firsts side-by-side because we are a pack." Silverthorn paralleled his vision with The Jungle Book author, Rudyard Kipling's saying, "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack."

"Be coachable, be humble and care for people as if they are family," said Silverthorn. As he works toward his goal of earning the Diamond Ambassador rank*, Silverthorn's advice to new Vi Promoters: "Pick a direction, stay the course and never let your team down."

*Results not typical. Achievements in earnings depend upon many factors, such as hard work, determination, financial resources and social contacts.

About ViSalusViSalus, Inc. is a healthy lifestyle company that is dedicated to Challenging the World… 10 lbs. at a Time. Founded in 2005, ViSalus develops high-quality weight-management products and nutritional supplements that it markets and sells direct-to-consumers through an international sales force of independent promoters. ViSalus markets its products in North America under the ViSalus®brand and in Europe under the Vi™ brand, through the Body by Vi Challenge®. ViSalus is headquartered in Los Angeles, California and Troy, Michigan and is majority-owned by Blyth, Inc. (NYSE: BTH). For more information about ViSalus, please visit vi.com and follow the Vi-Community on Facebook and Twitter.

Media ContactFred Heimfheim@visalus.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/90316

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120816/LA58521LOGO

SOURCE ViSalus

PR Newswire

CORONA, Calif., May 19, 2014

CORONA, Calif., May 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AVT, Inc. (OTC Markets: AVTC) (www.autoretail.com), a leader in custom kiosks and automated retailing units, announced that it received a purchase order from OpticWash, worth over $6 million. OpticWash is the world's first automated kiosk to clean fine eyewear and jewelry.

"This is the hottest new system in the industry right now," said Shannon Illingworth, Chairman and Founder of AVT, Inc. "We are pleased to be the manufacturing partner with OpticWash, and proud to include this innovative system in our portfolio of world-class products."

AVT is considered a technology leader in the automated retailing industry and has developed and /or manufactured some of the most advanced systems in the world, including The Burrito Box, Medbox, Farmer's Fridge, Rug Doctor Self-Service Carpet Cleaning Equipment Rental Kiosk, The Cupcake Dispenser, and The Fresh Juice ATM.

According to Bryan Myers, CEO of Opticwash, interest in the system is growing daily. "We are looking at placements in military installations, college campuses, healthcare facilities, retailers, optical centers, jewelry stores, and malls throughout North America," he said. "The interest comes from virtually every channel you can imagine."

This purchase order is for the OpticWash "Pro" Unit. A new "Commercial" unit is also being developed for deployment later this year.

"The market potential is enormous," Myers said. "The optical industry alone has over 14,000 locations, and the top 100 retailers in the United States have over 266,000 more locations," he added. "When you look at all the potential sites for our unit, the numbers are staggering."

For information on Opticwash, call (877) 976-3109, or visit: www.opticwash.com

For information on AVT, call (877) 424-3663, or visit: www.autoretail.com.

ABOUT AVT:AVT is a public company (ticker: AVTC), with a 15-year track record of success and innovation. AVT provides custom solutions to companies seeking an automated platform to increase sales, expand distribution, control lift, lower overhead, and enhance brand awareness.

Forward-Looking Statements: The statements herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Such statements are based on our current beliefs, and are subject to potential risk and change. We do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or developments after the statement was made.

SOURCE AVT, Inc.