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You only wish it was that limited....
Enjoy the remainder of your trading day.
Not sorry to disappoint.
Can't wait to see someone attach a post of jealousy to this....
Anytime now.
3...2...1...
TO YOU PERHAPS....
WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE.
GET A FEW CONTACTS IN THE INDUSTRY...
THEN WE CAN TALK.
The technology spoken of today, was LATE ON ARRIVAL...
PUBLISHED OVER TWO MONTHS AGO....
1/25/24-Researchers Engineer Bacteria That Eat Plastic, Make Multipurpose Spider Silk
1/25/24- RESEARCHERS ENGINEER BACTERIA THAT EAT PLASTIC, MAKE MULTIPURPOSE SPIDER SILK
LINK POSTED ON KBLB Hub 1/25/24
Researchers have developed a strain of bacteria that doesn't just digest plastic but also converts it to spider silk.
Move over Spider-Man: Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a strain of bacteria that can turn plastic waste into a biodegradable spider silk with multiple uses.
Their new study marks the first time scientists have used bacteria to transform polyethylene plastic — the kind used in many single-use items — into a high-value protein product.
That product, which the researchers call “bio-inspired spider silk” because of its similarity to the silk spiders use to spin their webs, has applications in textiles, cosmetics, and even medicine.
“Spider silk is nature’s Kevlar,” said Helen Zha, Ph.D., an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering and one of the RPI researchers leading the project. “It can be nearly as strong as steel under tension. However, it’s six times less dense than steel, so it’s very lightweight. As a bioplastic, it’s stretchy, tough, nontoxic, and biodegradable.”
All those attributes make it a great material for a future where renewable resources and avoidance of persistent plastic pollution are the norm, Zha said.
Polyethylene plastic, found in products such as plastic bags, water bottles, and food packaging, is the biggest contributor to plastic pollution globally and can take upward of 1,000 years to degrade naturally. Only a small portion of polyethylene plastic is recycled, so the bacteria used in the study could help “upcycle” some of the remaining waste.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bacteria used in the study, can naturally consume polyethylene as a food source. The RPI team tackled the challenge of engineering this bacteria to convert the carbon atoms of polyethylene into a genetically encoded silk protein.
Surprisingly, they found that their newly developed bacteria could make the silk protein at a yield rivaling some bacteria strains that are more conventionally used in biomanufacturing.
The underlying biological process behind this innovation is something people have employed for millennia.
“Essentially, the bacteria are fermenting the plastic. Fermentation is used to make and preserve all sorts of foods, like cheese, bread, and wine, and in biochemical industries it’s used to make antibiotics, amino acids, and organic acids,” said Mattheos Koffas, Ph.D.,
Dorothy and Fred Chau '71 Career Development Constellation Professor in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering, and the other researcher leading the project, and who, along with Zha, is a member of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies at Rensselaer.
To get bacteria to ferment polyethylene, the plastic is first “predigested,” Zha said. Just like humans need to cut and chew our food into smaller pieces before our bodies can use it, the bacteria has difficulty eating the long molecule chains, or polymers, that comprise polyethylene.
In the study, Zha and Koffas collaborated with researchers at Argonne National Laboratory, who depolymerized the plastic by heating it under pressure, producing a soft, waxy substance. Next, the team put a layer of the plastic-derived wax on the bottoms of flasks, which served as the nutrient source for the bacteria culture. This contrasts with typical fermentation, which uses sugars as the nutrient source.
“It’s as if, instead of feeding the bacteria cake, we’re feeding it the candles on the cake,” Zha said.
Then, as a warming plate gently swirled the flasks’ contents, the bacteria went to work. After 72 hours, the scientists strained out the bacteria from the liquid culture, purified the silk protein, and freeze dried it. At that stage, the protein, which resembled torn up cotton balls, could potentially be spun into thread or made into other useful forms.
“What’s really exciting about this process is that, unlike the way plastics are produced today, our process is low energy and doesn’t require the use of toxic chemicals,” Zha said. “The best chemists in the world could not convert polyethylene into spider silk, but these bacteria can. We’re really harnessing what nature has developed to do manufacturing for us.”
However, before upcycled spider silk products become a reality, the researchers will first need to find ways to make the silk protein more efficiently.
“This study establishes that we can use these bacteria to convert plastic to spider silk. Our future work will investigate whether tweaking the bacteria or other aspects of the process will allow us to scale up production,” Koffas said.
“Professors Zha and Koffas represent the new generation of chemical and biological engineers merging biological engineering with materials science to manufacture ecofriendly products. Their work is a novel approach to protecting the environment and reducing our reliance on nonrenewable resources,” said Shekhar Garde, Ph.D., dean of RPI’s School of Engineering.
More like a respectful answer...
Not everyone has to use derogatory insults, to get their point across.
I am not your Q & A outlet...
Only contact others like Randy Lewis, with questions I deem are important.
It is what it is.
May this morning bring you both happiness and prosperity. 💯
Anything beyond your initial inquiry, feel free to ask AI.
You can find them right next to KBLB's results of the fibres the military tested back when.
12/20/15 - UTAH STATE, TECHNOLOGY HOLDING WIN SPIDER SILK DOD RESEARCH CONTRACT
By Jim Lane
LINK
In Utah, Utah State University has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract with Salt Lake City based Technology Holding LLC from the U.S. Army to continue research and development of Spider Silk manufacturing.
The total contract award is $1 million and is managed through the Army Research Office. Among the goals of the researchers is to address the use of fossil fuels for the production of materials such as nylon and the on foreign energy resources for raw material – issues that are limited in the production of synthetic spider silk.
Spider silk is stronger than Kevlar and more elastic than nylon making it a product that has interested industry seeking better solutions for products. Lewis is a prominent researcher in the development and use of spider silk for potential industrial uses in a variety of applications, including ligament and tendon repair, advanced coating, high-tech clothing, parachutes, bioadhesives, time release coatings and airbags.
Under the terms of the SBIR contract, Utah State and Technology Holding will deliver to the Army multiple lengths of fiber made from synthetic spider silk to test for the uniformity of the manufacturing process, multiple swatches of knit material, raw spider silk fiber for strength and elasticity testing, and an economic analysis of the cost of manufacturing.
Technology Holding has developed a proprietary process for protein production that, when used with the USTAR Bioproducts Scale-Up Facility that opened earlier this year at Utah State, enables scientists and engineers to demonstrate the viability of commercial production.
"ARE IN SUFFICIENT AND REASONABLY AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES."
KBLB & "THE PRODIGY NETWORKS" WON'T QUALIFY UNDER THE ABOVE CRITERIA THIS YEAR....
BEST CASE SCENARIO IS 2025, AS THE NEED TO SATISFY THE BURDEN OF CONTINUOUS COMMERCIAL-SIZED QUANTITIES IS NOT PROVEN WITH MERELY ONE METRIC TON. 🤫
NO NEED TO ARGUE THE POSITION.
GIVE IT TIME AND YOU'LL SEE FOR YOURSELF.
Hence a steel reinforcement...
I get your point though.
Have the latest "material developments" been made into garments for prototypical testing yet?
NO SALE...
Merely an altered "version" of spider silk...
Every company is aware of that. in the respective field.
They are SPIDER SILK COMPANIES because in one way shape or form, their origins began with using spider silk proteins as a focal point. 💯
The best one can do is come close to replicating the properties of spider silk.
Unless it is extruded directly from a spider, it isn't a "spider's silk," period....
No matter how one may transgenically alter another organisms bodily chemistry. 🤫 💯
Rome wasn't built in a day.
Reddit's Successful IPO Puts These ETFs in Focus
Written by Sanghamitra Saha for Zacks ->March 25, 2024 — 07:16 am EDT
LINK
The popular social media platform Reddit RDDT celebrated a triumphant entry to the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, with its shares skyrocketing 48% on debut, reaching a market capitalization of $9.5 billion. Reddit's success, marked by selling $748 million in shares, has ignited hopes for a revived IPO market, which has been sluggish since 2021. Shares slumped 8.8% on Friday, probably on profit booking.
ETFs in Focus
The market debut of Reddit could pave its entry into a number of ETFs in the coming days. Investing in IPO ETFs could be a compelling way to enter the IPO business without directly investing in individual companies. IPO ETFs are funds that invest in a basket of companies that have recently gone public, providing diversified exposure to the IPO market. Plus, the stock may be included in several sector ETFs that align with the space Reddit operates in.
These ETFs include Renaissance IPO ETF IPO, First Trust US Equity Opportunities ETF FPX, Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund XLC, Global X social media ETF SOCL, Invesco NASDAQ Internet ETF PNQI and Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF IGPT.
Reddit’s User Metrics and Engagement
In the three months leading up to December 31, 2023, Reddit boasted an average of 73.1 million daily active users and 267.5 million weekly active users. The platform also noted the presence of over 100,000 active communities and a remarkable 1 billion cumulative posts. These metrics underscore Reddit's broad user base and vibrant community engagement.
Strategic Partnership With Google and Valuation
Before its IPO, Reddit secured a strategic partnership with Alphabet's Google (GOOGL), indiacting its intent to leverage artificial intelligence capabilities. The deal, estimated at $60 million annually, highlights Reddit's commitment to enhancing its platform.
The deal allows Google to train AI models on its posts. Moreover, Sam Altman, renowned for his role at OpenAI, has invested over $60 million in Reddit, securing a 9.2% share of the voting power within the online discussion platform.
Reddit's journey to the public market reflects a broader transformation for the platform, from a fringe community to a mainstream discussion hub. Despite initial reservations, Reddit's IPO has been well-received, indicating robust public investor interest in new listings, even for unprofitable entities like Reddit.
Financial Windfall for CEO Huffman
The IPO proved lucrative for Reddit's CEO, Steve Huffman, who sold a significant portion of his shares, netting $17 million. The need to attract advertisers and satisfy Wall Street expectations has led Reddit to a shift toward a more controlled and profitable model. AI technology has become a crucial point in Reddit's strategy, as indicated in its recent IPO prospectus.
CNA Explains: Reddit's gone public. What does it mean for users?
BY Davina ThaM Mar 25, 2024 06:00AM
(Updated: 25 Mar 25, 2024 10:19AM)
LINK
The trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange prepares for the social media platform Reddit's initial public offering on Mar 21, 2024 in New York City. (Photo: Getty Images/Spencer Platt via AFP)
NORTHLAND INITIATES ASTERA LABS STOCK WITH OUTPERFORM, CITES MARKET POSITION
Editor Ismeta Mujdragic Stock Markets-Published Mar 25, 2024 07:26AM ET
INVESTING.COM LINK
On Monday, Astera Labs (NASDAQ:ALAB) received a new Outperform rating from Northland, accompanied by a price target set at $85.00.
The initiation of coverage is based on Astera Labs' innovative approach to addressing the increasing demands of compute performance, which is being driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).
Astera Labs has developed a software-defined integrated circuit (IC) architecture, which is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional connectivity solutions. This technology is particularly significant as AI applications continue to push the boundaries of what is required from processing, memory, and bandwidth. The company's approach aims to meet these growing needs with a scalable and adaptable solution.
Additionally, Astera Labs offers a software suite named COSMOS, which is utilized by major cloud service providers for the management of their server fleets. COSMOS enables users to configure, manage, monitor, and optimize Astera Labs' products, a feature that enhances the appeal of the company's offerings.
The software's capabilities contribute to making Astera Labs' products "sticky," suggesting that once customers integrate these solutions into their systems, they are likely to continue using them due to the high switching costs and the value derived from the products.
The new price target of $85.00 reflects confidence in the company's market position and its growth potential. This valuation is indicative of the firm's expectations for Astera Labs' performance in the market.
Astera Labs' entry into the market with its advanced solutions positions the company as a key player in the technology sector, catering to the burgeoning needs of AI-driven compute performance. The Outperform rating and the price target serve as indicators of the company's prospects in addressing the critical demands of the industry.
InvestingPro Insights
Following the new Outperform rating and price target for Astera Labs (NASDAQ:ALAB), InvestingPro data provides additional context for investors considering the company's financial health and market performance. Astera Labs boasts a market capitalization of $10.67 billion, reflecting significant investor confidence in its market position and growth potential. Despite this, the company's adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023 stands at a steep -406.55, highlighting its current lack of profitability.
The company's revenue growth is robust, with a 44.97% increase over the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, indicating a strong expansion in sales. This growth accompanies a high gross profit margin of 68.94%, suggesting that Astera Labs is efficient in its cost management relative to its revenue. However, it's important to note that the company's operating income margin is negative at -25.47%, which may be a point of concern for potential investors.
InvestingPro Tips provide additional insights into the
Company's recent market performance. Astera Labs has seen a strong return over the last month, with a price total return of 12.85%. Moreover, the company's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, which could provide some financial stability in the near term. However, Astera Labs does not pay a dividend to shareholders, which may influence the investment decisions of those seeking regular income from their investments.
Possible, perhaps...
Probable is anyone's guess. 🤫
Congrats to those who decided to trade around their core throughout the years and have used the money in a way that has further enriched your lives; whether it being investing in other stocks, home improvement, auto purchase, etc., etc.
For those that sold their entire position at a profit; congratulations to you also.
Others forced to sell due to unforeseen personal events, at a loss, I hope your situations have either rectified themselves or became that much less of an issue.
For those that sit on their shares, year in and out, either awaiting a meteoric rise or a buyout, I hope you get your hearts desires....
That being said, i'm still going to place relevant information on this board, with respect to KBLB-related competitors, etc, to inform of the latest progress/advancements in the field.
Here's to hoping things progress at a pace eventually that will truly place KBLB on the map. 🤫
CUSTOMED-DESIGNED, MASS SILK PRODUCTION IN GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SILKWORMS
PUBLISHED: March 22, 2024
BY Ye Yu, Kai Chen, Jingxia Wang, Zhongjie Zhang, Bo Hu, Xiaojing Liu, Zhi Lin, Anjiang Tan
PNA NEXUS LINK
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
ABSTRACT
Genetically engineered silkworms have been widely used to obtain silk with modified characteristics especially by introducing spider silk genes. However, these attempts are still challenging due to limitations in transformation strategies and difficulties in integration of the large DNA fragments.
Here we describe three different transformation strategies in genetically engineered silkworms, including transcription-activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated fibroin light chain (FibL) fusion (BmFibL-F), TALEN-mediated FibH replacement (BmFibH-R), and transposon-mediated genetic transformation with the silk gland-specific fibroin heavy chain (FibH) promoter (BmFibH-T).
As the result, the yields of exogenous silk proteins, a 160 kDa major ampullate spidroin 2 (MaSp2) from the orb-weaving spider Nephila clavipes and a 226 kDa fibroin heavy chain protein (EvFibH) from the bagworm Eumeta variegate, reach 51.02% and 64.13% in BmFibH-R transformed cocoon shells respectively.
Moreover, the presence of MaSp2 or EvFibH significantly enhances the toughness of genetically engineered silk fibers by ~86% in BmFibH-T and ~80% in BmFibH-R silkworms, respectively.
Structural analysis reveals a substantial ~40% increase in fiber crystallinity, primarily attributed to the presence of unique polyalanines in the repetitive sequences of MaSp2 or EvFibH. In addition, RNA-seq analysis reveals that BmFibH-R system only causes minor impact on the expression of endogenous genes.
Our study thus provides insights into developing custom-designed silk production using the genetically engineered silkworm as the bioreactor.
I wonder what new rarified INFRASTRUCTURE KBLB is searching for...
Possibly the "holy grail of INFRASTRUCTURE."
===========
KBLB touted the ideal INFRASTRUCTURE was in Vietnam, when in talks to enter the country...
They attain a business license and build a facility or two in the locale, after several years of alleged red tape.......
STILL NO WEARABLE PRODUCT TO SELL TO THE PUBLIC; EVEN IN LIMITED EDITION.
===========
IDEAL INFRASTRUCTURE WITHOUT IDEAL TECHNOLOGY IS LIKE HAVING THE ICE CREAM CONE AND NO USABLE ICE CREAM TO FILL IT. 💯
I brought up PETA some time ago and all of a sudden the notion was brought up that it was a scare tactic.
Very well could be a reality one day, that they speak to the transgenic silkworm.
===========
Let's all never put possibilities on this board and let's see how interesting things get.
===========
Some said, "you know what you're doing" but in reality they have no clue because no one knows anyone that well on these boards...
They just wish they did. 💯
I tell you...
How dare an organization care about the humanity of creatures in such a way...
===================
Next thing we'll be eating modified meat and poultry...
That's right, we are....
It's called hormones. 🤫💯
KIM SPEAKS TO REPORTER:
Didn't you know placing interest on public monies owed is all the rage, for a small publicly-traded company pm the OTC, not making either profits or wearable products to sell; year in and out? 🤫
All this talk of "goo" and yet when KBLB creates a "Frankenstein" silkworm, it's just accepted by some as a necessary evil...
Cocoons being boiled, additionally.
==================
Killing transgenic bacteria...
Killing transgenic silkworms in their cocoon...
Which is more "humane?" 🤫
Their valuation increases, with each successful venture.
The main goal of all investors is an IPO.
If any of KBLB'S "COMPETITORS" (according to their website) goes public on one of the MAJOR EXCHANGES, it will take attention away (to a certain point anyway) from Kim & company. 🤫
Announcement of third-party allocation of new shares and commencement of joint research with Kansai Paint on the development of new materials and technologies utilizing Brewed Protein™ materials
March 13, 2024
Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., a Japanese company with over 100 years of experience in the paint and coating industry, has initiated a collaboration with Spiber to develop new materials and technologies utilizing Brewed Protein™ materials. Spiber has also issued new shares through a third-party allocation to Kansai Paint at this time.
Transforming paint into a sustainable resource is at the core of Kansai Paint Group’s business activities and contributions to the local community. In this context, Kansai Paint recognizes significant potential in our philosophy, technology, and materials.
This partnership aims to advance the development of new materials by leveraging Kansai Paint’s expertise in paint and coating technologies alongside our proprietary technology platform and materials.
Furthermore, Kansai Paint and Spiber will actively pursue joint research and development beyond the textile sector to facilitate the advancement of non-fiber materials, including paints and coatings.
NTN To Release New Products Using Boa Fabric Featuring Brewed Protein™ Fiber This Autumn
March 15, 2024
LINK
Three new items of boa clothing featuring Brewed Protein™ fiber—including zip liner jacket, vest, and scarf—will be released as part of the Fall/Winter 2024 collection from NTN, designed by previous brand manager for sacai menswear Nobuaki Takahashi. The items will be available for purchase in Japan only, beginning in November.
This release marks the first time that products using boa fabric made with Brewed Protein™ fiber (pile layer: 20% Brewed Protein™ fiber, 50% reclaimed wool, 30% virgin wool; base: 100% recycled polyester) will be sold by an apparel brand. This boa fabric, characterized by its fine texture, is made from recycled wool that has been reclaimed through a unique process that transforms used clothing, yarn, and fabrics back into staple fiber.
These products are also the first to feature a name tag made with Brewed Protein™ fiber (5% Brewed Protein™ fiber, 95% organic cotton).
BREWED PROTEIN ZIP UP LINER / UNISEX
Color: Natural
Size: 0, 2
Retail price: ¥140,800 incl. tax
The design is inspired by a classic zip-up boa liner, featuring a collar and generously sized gusseted pockets that lend a distinctive three-dimensional silhouette. The lining is made from OCTA, a high-performance mesh material that efficiently retains heat and is quick drying and superabsorbent.
BREWED PROTEIN REVERSIBLE NO COLLAR VEST / UNISEX
Color: Natural
Size: One Size
Retail price: ¥80,300 incl. tax
This collarless vest features blind hooks at the front opening and boasts large gusseted pockets seamlessly integrated into the garment’s body, resulting in a strikingly three-dimensional silhouette. This piece is reversible, featuring boa fabric made with Brewed Protein™ fiber and recycled wool on the front, while the back showcases ripstop nylon taffeta quilting.
BREWED PROTEIN DOUBLE FACE SCARF / UNISEX
Color: Natural
Size: One Size
Retail price: ¥42,900 incl. tax
This reversible scarf features boa fabric made with Brewed Protein™ fiber and recycled wool on the front, and ripstop nylon taffeta quilting on the back. 🤫
Condé Nast’s Parent Made A $2 Billion Windfall From Reddit’s IPO. Now Come The Uncomfortable Questions
Story by Analysis by Oliver Darcy, CNN • 7 HOURS AGO
LINK
Executives at Advance Publications are likely popping champagne bottles. But as they sip on their celebratory bubbly they are now being confronted with some uncomfortable questions.
The S.I. Newhouse-founded media company, which owns the Condé Nast suite of prestigious magazines and local news outlets across the country, netted approximately $2.1 billion on Thursday when Reddit went public on the New York Stock Exchange in a long-awaited blockbuster IPO.
The social media company, which priced its offering at $34 a share, rocketed 48% on its first day, closing above $50 in an impressive public debut for the 20-year-old message board platform.
It’s quite a return on an investment for Advance, which acquired the “front page of the internet” for a mere $10 million in 2006, before spinning it off in 2011 and allowing others to invest in the digital forum.
The windfall, however, comes at a notable time for the company. Like other media giants facing existential headwinds, Advance’s publications have endured a sustained downturn in digital advertising and seen traffic from social media platforms decline, prompting uncomfortable belt-tightening and scaled-back ambitions.
Condé Nast has for months been engaged in a standoff with its union. The company announced in November that it planned to lay off 94 staffers, or roughly 5% of its workforce. (It has said it will keep operating costs consistent with the last three years, but that it wants to invest in different areas, necessitating the layoffs.)
Tensions have only escalated since then. Condé Nast boss Roger Lynch told Axios’ Sara Fischer earlier this month that, while it missed its revenue target, there were no plans for further layoffs. But the Condé Union said this week that management had effectively gone back on its word and added another five staffers to its layoff list, inflaming already high emotions and prompting renewed protests Wednesday outside Lynch’s office.
While Advance cannot sell its shares for six months, laying off staffers as it reaps billions of dollars from Reddit’s IPO would present, at minimum, an optics problem for Condé Nast, which has been bruised in recent months during union negotiations. The earnings also offer a few uncomfortable questions for the company. Will Advance go through with such cuts while it rains cash over at company headquarters? How can Advance expect Condé Nast management to push through with painful layoffs while the parent company experiences a gold rush?
I asked representatives for Advance on Thursday if the $2 billion+ windfall it stood to reap had given it any second thoughts on allowing Condé Nast to move forward with the layoffs. As you might expect, representatives for the company were not too keen on answering such questions. My multiple emails went unreturned.
But the IPO bonanza has certainly secured the attention of employees at Condé Nast. And it is sure to be a factor as the union continues contract negotiations with management. While Advance is remaining mum about the massive sum it has made on its Reddit bet, the union is already speaking out.
“The fact that billions of dollars in wealth poured into Advance as we continue to fight for jobs illustrates where Condé Nast’s priorities are,” Susan DeCarava, president of The NewsGuild of New York, told me. “Management needs to stop investing in threats and start investing in the concerns of the workers who power the company’s success.”
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
LINK
Resignation of Directors and Officers
On February 28, 2024, Mr. Harmel S. Rayat, submitted to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) notice of his resignation from his position as Chairman of the Board, and as a director of the Company, with such resignations to be effective as of February 28, 2024.
The Board accepted Mr. Rayat’s resignation on February 28, 2024. Mr. Rayat resigned because of an officer and director bar ordered by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “US District Court”) on February 27, 2024, in Case No. 1:21-cv-04777 (S.D.N.Y.) more fully described in Section 8.01 of this Report.
Birkenstock Investing €15 Million In Portugal
By TPN/Lusa, in News, Portugal, Business, Porto & North · 1 hour ago
LINK
German footwear brand Birkenstock is investing 15 million euros in Arouca to operate a production unit there with more than 600 direct jobs being created.
According to data from the Municipal Council of the district of Aveiro, the German multinational acquired as a subsidiary the single-person company S&CC Portugal, which had already been operating in the sector since 2003, and is next to the current facilities of the firm that it is building a new unit, 10 times larger in size.
The new factory should be completed by December 2024 and will occupy 13,000 square meters in the São Domingos Industrial Zone, involving a workforce that, by 2025, should reach 600 to 650 direct jobs.
For the mayor of Arouca, Margarida Belém, “the attraction of this foreign direct investment by the Birkenstock economic group results from several competitive factors in the country, the region and the municipality”.
The socialist mayor explains: “Arouca is today an active part of an ecosystem of innovation and business development based on the areas of intelligent specialization in its region, among which creativity and the symbolic capital of fashion stand out – which includes footwear” .
Considering the reputation of the brand which, according to Fortune and Forbes magazines, in 2022 it sold more than 30 million pairs of shoes to around 100 countries, Margarida Belém expects from Birkenstock “a commitment to differentiation, quality and knowledge”, of which should result in “significant direct and indirect impacts (for the municipality) such as the creation of new jobs, population retention, attraction of new residents and boosting added value”.
The mayor also highlights that the investment of 15 million euros is also associated with the commitment that the German multinational demonstrates “an attitude of social and environmental responsibility, which, in conjunction with current public policies, will certainly contribute positively to the local and regional development dynamics”.
According to an internal Birkenstock publication that Lusa had access to, the new factory will have a leisure area on the roof and a kindergarten prepared to accommodate 50 children. The company also intends to “provide free transport to employees, so that they can go to work without having to use their cars”.