Press Releases

SCA Sells Pratovecchio Paper Machine Nov 11, 2009 05:07AM

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

SCA (STO: SCAA)(STO:SCAB) has reached an agreement to sell its Italian Pratovecchio facility and paper machine to Cartiera Carma. The transaction will not result in neither capital gain nor capital loss.

The agreement follows an announcement in March 2009 aimed at improving supply-chain operations in Italy. A concentration of resources to nearby Lucca was decided and implemented. At that stage, a closure of the Pratovecchio paper machine was discussed. However, SCA has instead reached an agreement to sell the property and paper machine to Cartiera Carma, a privately-owned company based in Italy.

The paper machine has a capacity of approximately 20,000 tonnes per year, and the 24 employees currently working in paper making will continue their employment. The transaction will become final before the end of December 2009.

SCA is a global hygiene and paper company that develops and produces personal care products, tissue, packaging solutions, publication papers and solid-wood products. Sales are conducted in some 90 countries. SCA has many well-known brands, including the global brands Tena and Tork. Sales in 2008 amounted to SEK 110 billion (EUR 11.5 billion). SCA has approximately 52,000 employees. More information at www.sca.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

    Source: SCA

Toying Around With Holiday Spending: Half of Americans Will Buy Toys This Holiday Season Nov 11, 2009 05:00AM

But Two In Five Toy Purchasers Will Spend Less than Last Year

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Not halfway through November the commercials have started, and every parent has started to hear the strains of "I want that!" when a toy commercial hits the television screen. While most everyone enjoys the holiday season, it is an especially exciting time of year for kids. Unfortunately, the economic turndown has made this year more difficult for parents and those buying toys. Toy buying seems to have felt the impact, but hopefully the joy of children everywhere will not.

Half of Americans (54%) will be buying toys as gifts this year, up from 47% who said they would be buying toys last year. Among those who have children in their household, seven in ten (69%) will be buying toys this year and just under half of those in household without children will be buying toys this year (46%).

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll(R) of 2,293 adults surveyed online between October 5 and 12, 2009 by Harris Interactive(R).

Spending on toys compared to last year

Among those who intend to purchase toys this year, two in five (41%) say the amount they will spend on toys will be no different than last year and 16% of toy buyers say they will be spending more than last year. Two in five (39%) toy buyers, however, say that the amount they spend on toys will be less this year when compared to last year's amount.

In looking specifically at toy purchasers who have a child in the household, 45% say they will be spending less on toys this year compared to last year, while 37% will be spending about the same and 17% will be spending more.

What toys will be purchased this year

Traditional toys are still important, as just under half of toy purchasers (45%) say they will be buying children's books this year and almost half of those with children in the household will be purchasing books (48%). Video games are not forgotten; over one-third (36%) say they will be purchasing games for consoles this year, and this number jumps to almost half of those with children in the household (47%).

There are also more traditional toys being purchased, as three in ten toy buyers say they will be buying board games (30%), dolls (29%) and arts and crafts (28%). One in five toy buyers will purchase building blocks and bricks this year (21%), sports equipment (21%) and handheld electronic games (20%). Just one in ten (12%), however, say they will be purchasing game consoles this year.

TABLE 1

HOLIDAY TOY PURCHASING

"Thinking now of this holiday season, are you planning on purchasing toys as gifts this year?"

Base: All adults

                                     Child in household

                              Total  Households     Households

                                     with children  without children

                              %      %              %

WILL PURCHASE (NET)           54     69             46

Definitely will purchase      26     38             20

Probably will purchase        28     31             27

WILL NOT PURCHASE (NET)       36     22             43

Probably will not purchase    18     15             20

Definitely will not purchase  18     7              23

Not sure                      10     9              10

Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding

TABLE 2

HOLIDAY TOY PURCHASING - TREND

"Thinking now of this holiday season, are you planning on purchasing toys as gifts this year?"

Base: All adults

                              2008  2009

                              %     %

WILL PURCHASE (NET)           47    54

Definitely will purchase      19    26

Probably will purchase        28    28

WILL NOT PURCHASE (NET)       41    36

Probably will not purchase    22    18

Definitely will not purchase  19    18

Not sure                      12    10

Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding

TABLE 3

HOLIDAY TOY PURCHASING SPEND COMPARED TO LAST YEAR

"Compared to the amount you spent for toy purchases last year, will the toy purchases you make this year be...?"

Base: Will purchase toys

                              Child in household  Household income

                       Total  With      Without   $34.9k   $35k -  $50k -
                                                                           $75k+
                              children  children  Or less  $49.9k  $74.9k

                       %      %         %         %        %       %       %

MORE THAN LAST YEAR    16     17        16        17       12      14      19
(NET)

Much more than last    4      5         3         3        4       3       4
year

Somewhat more than     12     12        13        14       7       11      15
last year

No different than      41     37        45        35       42      46      44
last year

LESS THAN LAST YEAR    39     45        35        44       44      37      35
(NET)

Somewhat less than     25     25        25        28       28      21      23
last year

Much less than last    14     20        10        17       16      16      12
year

Did not purchase toys  3      1         4         4        3       3       1
last year

Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding

TABLE 4

HOLIDAY TOY PURCHASING SPEND COMPARED TO LAST YEAR - TREND

"Compared to the amount you spent for toy purchases last year, will the toy purchases you make this year be...?"

Base: Will purchase toys

                                 2008  2009

                                 %     %

MORE THAN LAST YEAR (NET)        16    16

Much more than last year         2     4

Somewhat more than last year     13    12

No different than last year      36    41

LESS THAN LAST YEAR (NET)        44    39

Somewhat less than last year     26    25

Much less than last year         18    14

Did not purchase toys last year  4     3

Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding

TABLE 5

TYPES OF TOYS TO BE PURCHASED THIS YEAR

"What types of toys will you purchase this year?"

Base: Will purchase toys

                                   Child in household  Gender

                            Total  With      Without
                                                       Men  Women
                                   children  children

                            %      %         %         %    %

Children's books            45     48        42        41   48

Games for consoles          36     47        28        40   32

Board games                 30     38        23        27   33

Dolls                       29     30        28        28   29

Arts and crafts             28     33        24        24   32

Building blocks and bricks  21     26        18        21   22

Sports equipment            21     26        17        28   15

Handheld electronic games   20     26        16        22   19

Game consoles               12     17        9         16   9

Something else              26     29        24        30   23

Not sure                    21     15        26        20   22

Note: Multiple Responses Allowed

The Harris Poll(R) #128, November 12, 2009

By Regina A. Corso, Director, The Harris Poll

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States October 5 and 12, 2009 among 2,293 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

J37076

Q726

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research, powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

    Source: Harris Interactive

Aricent to Speak at the Femtocells Americas 2009 Conference Nov 11, 2009 05:00AM

PALO ALTO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 11/11/09 -- Aricent(TM), a global innovation, technology and services company focused exclusively on communications, announced today that its Senior Manager, Ravi Kapoor, will be presenting at the Femtocells Americas 2009 Conference.

Kapoor's presentation titled, "Femtocells and Set Top Boxes: Converged Solutions for Smart Homes," will discuss the growing trend of equipment manufacturers opening up to the possibility of integrating Femtocells with other entertainment hardware, such as set top boxes. He will elaborate on the innovative architectures that can be adopted by equipment manufacturers to create smart solutions for operators that in turn will increase revenues from consumers.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. PT

WHERE: Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118

WHO: Ravi Kapoor has extensive experience across diverse technology domains including Satellite Communication, UMTS, GSM, & IP TV as well as on a host of wire-line technologies. Ravi has been instrumental in strengthening Aricent's Wireless and Convergence business for the North American market with primary focus on cutting edge technologies including LTE, Femtocells & WiMAX.

About Femtocells Americas:

It is expected that all major US Carriers will have deployed femtocells prior to this event together with several Asian and European Operators. As a result, there will be a growing body of consumer experience, take-up analysis and product performance data to review. Companies are likely to have introduced their second generation products and differentiation will be the key with both features and services coming to the fore. Other events in the series include Femtocells Asia, which was held in Tokyo in March and Femtocells World Summit, which was held in London in June with over 300 delegates participating.

For more information on Femtocells Americas, please visit: http://www.avrenevents.com/FemtocellsAmericas2009/home.asp.

About Aricent: Aricent is a global innovation, technology and services company focused exclusively on communications. Aricent combines the leading innovation capabilities of frog design with unparalleled domain expertise in communications as a strategic supplier to the world's foremost infrastructure, application and service providers. The company's investors include Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Sequoia Capital, The Family Office and The Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board.

For more information, visit http://www.aricent.com

Aricent is a trademark of Aricent Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For more information, contact:
Steven Manuel
Aricent
Tel: +1 650 391 1621
Email: Email Contact

Jay Nichols
Americas: Sterling Communications
Tel: +1 415 992 3210
Email: Email Contact

Varun Dubey
Aricent
Tel: +91 9711360391
Email: Email Contact

Paula Muezerie
Aricent Europe: AxiCom
Tel: +44 208 392 4081
Email: Email Contact

Shikha Singh Sehrawat
Aricent India: Text 100
Tel: +91 981 175 7369
Email: Email Contact

Universal Detection Technology Presents Live Training Demos of Anthrax Detection Kits at Milipol Paris 2009 Nov 11, 2009 05:00AM

LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 11/11/09 -- Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com) (OTCBB: UNDT), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies and counter-terrorism training programs to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats, announced today that it will showcase the latest developments in bio-weapons detection technology, including the TS-10-5-agent biodetection kit, with live training kit demos at Milipol Paris 2009.

Universal Detection Technology's kits, certified earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an "Approved Product for Homeland Security," are the industry's only hand-held assay designed to detect and identify up to five separate threats using one sample in a single, easy-to-use device. The kits equip first responders with an effective tool for the rapid onsite detection of up to five biological warfare agents: anthrax, ricin, botulinum toxin, Y. pestis (plague) and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB). Detection time is under three minutes.

The equipment's capacities feature the following:

    * No cross-reactivity with near neighbor strains
    * No cross-reactivity to household powders
    * No set up time
    * No expensive reader needed
    * No decontamination requirements
    * No false positives
    * No false negatives
    * No hook effect

Universal Detection Technology will showcase its TS-10-5-agent bio-detection kit with live and taped demonstrations at U.S. Pavilion, booth #11K059 at the Milipol Paris 2009, held November 17 - 21, 2009. Members of UNDT's executive team, including R&D and business development, will be present to answer questions about the products and the company.

Prior to Milipol Paris 2009, Universal Detection Technology will be presenting its bio-detection kits to the 2012 London Olympics organizers at the 2009 Terrorism & Security Conference, to be held in London November 17th and 18th.

UNDT has also recently signed agreements with the U.S. Department of Commerce to be the featured exporter of bioterrorism detection equipment in France and South Korea.

For more information, please visit www.udetection.com or email info@udetection.com.

About Universal Detection Technology

Universal Detection Technology is a developer of monitoring technologies, including bioterrorism detection devices. The company on its own and with development partners is positioned to capitalize on opportunities related to Homeland Security. For example, Universal Detection Technology, in cooperation with NASA, has developed a bacterial spore detector that detects certain biohazard substances. The company is also a reseller of handheld assays used for detection of five bioterrorism agents, radiation detection systems and antimicrobial products. www.udetection.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievement in the future to differ materially from forecasted results, performance, and achievement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in the Company's plans or expectations.

Media Contact(s):

Stefan Pollack
Jonathan Younger
The Pollack PR Marketing Group
310-556-4443
Email Contact
Email Contact

Company Contact:
Jacques Tizabi
310-248-3655
Email Contact

CKE Restaurants(R), Inc. Reports Period Ten and Third Fiscal Quarter Same-Store Sales and Gives Guidance Nov 11, 2009 05:00AM

CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) announced today period ten company-operated same-store sales for the period ended November 2, 2009, for Carl's Jr.(R) and Hardee's(R).

Brand       Period 10         Third Quarter     Fiscal Year to Date

            FY 2010  FY 2009  FY 2010  FY 2009  FY 2010  FY 2009

Carl's Jr.  -7 .0%   0  .0%   -5 .2%   +0 .5%   -5 .5%   +2 .9%

Hardee's    -3 .4%   +2 .1%   -1 .8%   +1 .3%   -0 .4%   +1 .1%

Blended     -5 .4%   +1 .0%   -3 .7%   +0 .9%   -3 .3%   +2 .1%

"Unemployment rates have continued to worsen while our competitors have escalated the deep discount burger wars. Both of these events are having an adverse impact on same-store sales results for everyone including us," said Andrew F. Puzder, Chief Executive Officer. "We remain focused on same-store sales while maintaining our brand positioning and improving our restaurant operating margins. In this respect, and as discussed more fully below, we are forecasting that our company operated restaurant level margins will improve from 17.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to between 18.0% and 18.3% for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 despite an increase of approximately 80 basis points in depreciation expense, primarily related to our ongoing remodel program."

Mr. Puzder continued, "We continue to move forward with our sales-building initiatives focused on increasing awareness of our excellent value-for-the-money premium products, such as the recently introduced Parmesan Chicken Sandwich at Carl's Jr., and our mid-tier priced items like The Big Carl(TM) and The Big Hardee(TM) burgers."

Period 10 Revenue Trends

For period ten, consolidated revenue from company-operated restaurants (exclusive of all franchise-related revenue and royalties) was approximately as follows:

Brand            Period 10         Third Quarter     Fiscal Year to Date

($ in millions)  FY 2010  FY 2009  FY 2010  FY 2009  FY 2010  FY 2009

Carl's Jr.       $ 44.4   $ 46.8   $ 136.7  $ 140.3  $ 472.3  $ 482.6

Hardee's         $ 36.5   $ 38.5   $ 109.9  $ 115.2  $ 375.2  $ 398.0

Total            $ 80.9   $ 85.3   $ 246.6  $ 255.5  $ 847.5  $ 880.6

For period ten, trailing-13 period average unit volume from company-operated restaurants was as follows:

Brand             Period 10

($ in thousands)  FY 2010  FY 2009

Carl's Jr.        $ 1,468  $ 1,529

Hardee's          $ 1,004  $ 982

Blended           $ 1,221  $ 1,221

Third Quarter Trends

As has been the practice, the Company is providing general insight on selected items for the third quarter of fiscal 2010. However, investors should be aware that the Company has yet to complete its review of the cost components for the full quarter, and that there may be other material trends or items which could adversely or positively impact operating expenses or its business in general.

"The company recorded approximately $1.5 million in franchise income in the third quarter of last year related to refranchising activity and collection of previously unrecognized amounts from financially troubled franchisees. The company does not expect these payments to recur in the third quarter of fiscal 2010," said Ted Abajian, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

"On a consolidated basis, fiscal 2010 third quarter restaurant level margin as a percentage of company-operated restaurants revenue is anticipated to increase to 18.0 percent to 18.3 percent as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2009, when consolidated restaurant level margin was 17.9 percent.

"We anticipate food and packaging costs as a percentage of company-operated restaurants revenue to be 165 to 175 basis points lower than our results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. In the prior year third quarter, food and packaging costs on a consolidated basis were 30.0 percent of company-operated restaurants revenue.

"We expect labor and employee benefit costs as a percentage of company-operated restaurants revenue to be 100 to 110 basis points higher than our results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. In the prior year third quarter, labor and employee benefit costs on a consolidated basis, were 27.9 percent of company-operated restaurants revenue.

"We anticipate consolidated occupancy and other costs as a percentage of company-operated restaurants revenue for the third quarter will be approximately 35 to 45 basis points higher than the results reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense of approximately 80 basis points related to our ongoing remodel program and the deleveraging impact of our blended same-store sales decline during the third quarter of fiscal 2010. In the prior year third quarter, occupancy and other costs on a consolidated basis, were 24.2 percent of company-operated restaurants revenue.

"The company expects interest expense for the third quarter to be approximately $6.4 million. This figure includes interest paid on the Company's term loan and revolving credit facility, as well as an estimated $3.6 million unfavorable adjustment to mark-to-market the Company's interest rate swap agreements."

Upcoming Communications

The Company will report period eleven same-store sales and third quarter earnings results on or about December 8, 2009.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements including expectations relating to future brand strategies and discount pricing impact on profitability and are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond the Company's control. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those described include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to compete with other restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores; changes in economic conditions which may affect the Company's business and stock price; the effect of restrictive covenants in the Company's credit facility on the Company's business; the Company's ability to attract and retain key personnel; the Company's franchisees' willingness to participate in the Company's strategy; the operational and financial success of the Company's franchisees; changes in consumer preferences and perceptions; changes in the price or availability of commodities; changes in the Company's suppliers' ability to provide quality products to the Company in a timely manner; the effect of the media's reports regarding food-borne illnesses and other health-related issues on the Company's reputation and its ability to obtain products; the seasonality of the Company's operations; increased insurance and/or self-insurance costs; the Company's ability to select appropriate restaurant locations, construct new restaurants, complete remodels of existing restaurants and renew leases with favorable terms; the Company's ability to comply with existing and future health, employment, environmental and other government regulations; and other factors as discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

CKE Restaurants, Inc.

Headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif., CKE Restaurants, Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CKR." As of the end of its fiscal 2010 second quarter, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,140 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 14 countries, including 1,212 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,915 Hardee's restaurants. For more information about CKE Restaurants, please visit www.ckr.com.

    Source: CKE Restaurants, Inc.