Day: 2025-03-31

ATLANTA, GA, Mar 31, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Despite fears of job loss, Quality Assurance (QA) professionals are leaning into AI faster than ever, according to Katalon’s newly released 2025 State of Software Quality Report. The report reveals that testers using AI tools are twice as likely to fear being replaced by them, a paradox that underscores the profession’s evolving relationship with automation. Yet those with stronger AI fluency aren’t just adapting—they’re testing faster, leveling up their skills, and reclaiming joy in the work that once burned them out.Source: Katalon, 2025 State of Software Quality Report, https://www.katalon.com That shift is fueled by both urgency and intent. As AI reshapes expectations, 82% of QA professionals say AI skills will be critical in the next 3 to 5 years, and teams are already adapting. The report finds that those with higher AI fluency excel not just at using new tools, but in test planning, problem-solving, and applying AI concepts in real-world scenarios.To close the skills gap, 67% of teams are investing in continuous learning, while 53% are adopting AI-driven testing practices to stay ahead. And for the most advanced teams, QA is no longer just a safeguard, it’s a business enabler. In fact, 77% of respondents say aligning QA with business goals has helped improve customer retention.Katalon’s 2025 State of Software Quality Report surveyed over 1500 quality professionals, from engineers to senior executives, across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The report explores the challenges, capabilities, and innovations shaping today’s testing landscape—and how QA teams are evolving from execution-focused roles to strategic drivers of business value.“The shift toward AI-powered testing isn’t just accelerating—it’s inevitable. This year’s report validates what we’ve long believed: QA professionals, the unsung heroes of software innovation, are navigating intense pressure to move faster without compromising quality, and their impact is finally being recognized, with 48% of organizations now viewing QA as a competitive advantage. Looking ahead, the future of quality will belong to teams who can combine AI fluency with human insight to lead testing into a smarter, more adaptive era.”– Vu Lam, CEO of KatalonKey highlights of Katalon’s 2025 State of Software Quality Report:* AI Integration with Human Expertise: Testers who blend AI, automation, and manual testing skills with critical thinking, the new generation of hybrid testers—are leading the next wave of innovation in software quality. According to the report, high-maturity QA teams that leverage these hybrid testers are 1.3 times more likely to adopt AI-augmented test optimization and 1.8 times more likely to implement intelligent test maintenance practices like self-healing tests, compared to lower-maturity teams.* The Happiness Edge: Happier QA pros aren’t just more satisfied, they’re more effective. According to the report, they’re 1.4 times more likely to implement advanced automation solutions (46% vs. 34%) and 1.4 times more likely to say AI has improved efficiency and automation in their roles (71% vs. 52%). As organizations modernize, these findings reveal a clear connection between job satisfaction and innovation in software quality.* AI and The Future of QA: AI-driven testing is gaining momentum, with 61% of QA teams adopting it to automate repetitive tasks and free up time for more strategic work. Forward-looking teams are embracing advanced automation tools, augmented with AI, with the potential to make testing more adaptive, efficient, and intelligent. Beyond AI, they’re also investing in performance and load testing tools (34%) and test management platforms (30%) to further optimize workflows and scale quality with confidence.* Redefine quality with AI: The research shows that high-performing teams are modernizing on three critical fronts: 61% are adopting AI-driven tools, 51% are using modern development practices, and 40% are investing in continuous testing. Together, these shifts are accelerating release cycles while preserving what matters most: trust, reliability, and quality at scale.Resources* Download the full report katalon.com/SoSQR2025* Explore the future of software quality katalon.comSave your seat for the April 24 virtual summit katalon.com/webinars/quality-horizon. Join Katalon, industry experts, and QA leaders to discuss key findings from the report and what’s next for AI in testing.About KatalonKatalon is the category leader in AI-augmented software testing, empowering hybrid testers—those blending manual, automation, and AI skills, to deliver exceptional digital experiences. Trusted by more than 30,000 QA and DevOps teams across 80+ countries, Katalon has been named a G2 Leader in software testing for 11 consecutive quarters. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Atlanta, Katalon helps teams accelerate software delivery and elevate quality through a powerful, integrated test automation platform, empowering them to release with speed and confidence.Contact:Arati Mukerji commarati@gmail.com +91-9958895759Ms Nhung (Rosie) Nguyen nhung.nguyen@katalon.com +84-039689137 Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

HONG KONG, Mar 31, 2025 - Huatai Securities Co., Ltd. (the "Company"; stock codes: 601688.SH, 6886.HK, HTSC.L), a leading technology-driven comprehensive securities company in China, released its consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, reporting record revenue and profit, alongside substantial progress in its internationalization strategy.Annual Highlights:- In 2024, the Company continued to execute on strategic priorities, contributing to net revenues of RMB 54.29 billion, net earnings of RMB 15.35 billion, and diluted EPS of RMB 1.62, achieving the highest results for each.- The Company announced a final payout of RMB 5.2 per 10 shares (including tax), reinforcing its commitment to shareholder value.- The investment banking business led the Mainland market, ranking first in STAR Market and ChiNext IPOs, and first in M&A activities.- The Company expanded its presence in Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, leveraging operations across Mainland China, Hong Kong, the US, the UK, and Singapore.- The Company drove growth across its comprehensive financial services, including investment banking, wealth management, and institutional services, through technology-driven initiatives.The Company made significant progress in the following areas: Investment Banking ExcellenceThe preeminent global investment banking business leveraged industry insights and deep expertise to help clients seize new opportunities, unlocking growth and driving transformation. Ranked first in IPO underwriting on the STAR Market and ChiNext, Huatai Securities achieved a total IPO underwriting volume of RMB 8.5 billion, ranking second in the A-share market. The Company maintained a leading position in M&A advisory, particularly in restructuring project reviews. Additionally, it secured second place in equity underwriting with RMB 54.9 billion and achieved third place in bond underwriting, with a total volume of RMB 1,296 billion. In 2024, the Company ranked third in the total number of Hong Kong IPOs across the market and third among Chinese securities firms in terms of funds raised.Huatai Securities solidified its leading position in China's capital markets by supporting innovation-driven enterprises. Since 2012, the Company has been a critical catalyst for technological innovation, backing over 270 technology companies with a collectively market capitalization of RMB 9.47 trillion. In 2024, this commitment continued with support for over 10 "Little Giants" and specialized medium-sized enterprises endorsed by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.Global Reach AcceleratesHuatai Securities expanded its international footprint in 2024, demonstrating resilience in navigating volatile overseas markets. Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) became a lead underwriter in Tokyo's PRO-BOND market, while Huatai Securities (USA) gained Nasdaq underwriting membership. Additionally, a subsidiary of Huatai International, operating as a Chinese securities firm, successfully obtained a securities trading license in Vietnam.The Company's Global Trading Platform (GTP) now connects Hong Kong, the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore 24/7, enhancing cross-border capabilities. Research output surged, with 587 overseas reports (up 96% year-on-year) covering U.S., European, Japanese, and Southeast Asian markets, and stock coverage increased by 65%.Advancing Through TechnologyTo meet the evolving demands of institutional clients, Huatai Securities continued upgrading core trading infrastructure such as FICC HEAD platform and CAMS (Credit Analysis Management System). The tech-powered transformation enabled the Company to lead in market-making in the STAR Market with 126 stocks and fund liquidity services with 589 funds, while dual-counter RMB-HKD trading achieved full coverage and increased market share. The Company was awarded "2024 Top Market Maker – RMB Counter" by HKEX.On the retail front, "ZhangLe Fortune Path" app, the Company's mobile wealth management platform, is deepening AI integration to enhance client services, delivering sophisticated ETF tools for product selection and trading strategies, thereby boosting client and asset growth. Huatai Securities' fund distribution ranked second among securities firms, with AUM of equity fund reaching RMB 120.2 billion. The Huatai-PineBridge CSI 300 ETF approached RMB 360 billion, leading non-money-market ETFs in Shanghai and Shenzhen.Sustainability and GovernanceHuatai Securities' MSCI ESG rating rose to AAA in 2024, the highest among global investment banks, up from AA, marking two years of steady progress. Through its Huatai Foundation, rated 5A in Jiangsu's social organization assessment, the Company advanced rural revitalization, education, and eco-initiatives such as "One Yangtze River", promoting Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) in China, which were presented at COP16.Looking AheadHuatai Securities will continue its strategic focus on leveraging technology to enhance its wealth management and institutional services. By integrating resources across the business chain, the Company will further deepen its internationalization strategy, aiming to become one of the leading global investment banks providing top-tier professional financial services.About Huatai SecuritiesIncorporated in April 1991, Huatai Securities is a leading technology-driven securities group in China, with a highly collaborative business model, a cutting-edge digital platform and an extensive and engaging customer base. It provides comprehensive financial services to individual and institutional clients, including wealth management, investment banking, sales and trading, investment management, among others, with a substantial international presence.For enquiries, please contact:CDRBenny Liu Linda PuiTel: +86 10 6567 5056 Tel: +852 3103 0118Email: HTSC@cdrconsultancy.com Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

香港, 2025年3月31日 - (亞太商訊 via SeaPRwire.com) - 中國領先且快速增長的在家吃飯餐食產品品牌鍋圈食品（上海）股份有限公司（簡稱「鍋圈」或「公司」，股票代號：2517.HK）公佈截至2024年12月31日止十二個月經審核之全年業績。2024年，面對極具挑戰的市場環境，公司憑借扎實的供應鏈能力、創新的渠道策略、高效的會員運營，實現營收毛利雙增長。截至2024年12月31日，鍋圈年度收入為人民幣6,469.8百萬元，同比增長6.2%；毛利為人民幣1,416.8百萬元，同比增長4.9%；核心經營利潤為人民幣310.8百萬元，同比增長3.1%。與此同時，鍋圈尤為注重股東回報，董事會已決議派發2024年度末期股息每股人民幣0.0746元，股東回報金額超人民幣2億元。夯實萬家門店基礎，精准佈局下沉市場2024年，鍋圈主動把握消費趨勢的變化，通過優化產品組合，提升門店運營管理和經營能力，擁抱線上渠道等多方位舉措，形成了全方位的即時零售門店網絡，門店數量從2024年6月30日的9,660家門店增長至2024年12月31日的10,150家門店，零售門店網絡覆蓋全國31個省、自治區及直轄市。與此同時，基於對下沉市場的深入理解，公司在鄉鎮市場的門店開拓也取得了不俗表現，二零二四年度淨新增287家鄉鎮門店。新鄉鎮門店，在產品結構和門店陳列等方面均有別於鍋圈的標準門店，更好地滿足鄉鎮市場的消費者需求。線上與線下雙輪驅動，全渠道銷售網絡撬動多場景消費生態為賦能加盟商並促進其銷售增長，以及進一步擴大消費者範圍並提供更靈活的購物體驗，鍋圈亦開發了多種線上銷售網絡，包括公司的鍋圈APP、微信小程序、第三方外賣平台以及流行社交商務平台（如抖音），以推動線下門店和線上渠道的聯動。於二零二四年，公司繼續通過多層級的抖音賬號進行鍋圈產品的消費者觸達，全年通過抖音渠道的總曝光量突破62.1億次。此外，鍋圈陸續推出諸如「99元毛肚自由火鍋套餐」、「99元酸菜魚自由火鍋套餐」等質價比受到廣大消費者喜愛的產品組合。其中，從五月底開始陸續推出的毛肚火鍋套餐，深受廣大消費者歡迎，於二零二四年度累計售出超過人民幣5億元。优质會員生態賦能增長，體係化革新提升消費粘性鍋圈通過會員计划，與消費者建立緊密的線上及線下聯繫和互動，培養消費者忠誠度。2024年下半年，鍋圈針對會員體系進行全面升級，通過對會員等級分級體系的調整，同時加強會員權益的回饋，以期進一步帶動會員數量的增長和黏性的提升。於2024年，註冊會員數量達到約41.3百萬名，同比增長48.2%。公司繼續加強及深化預付卡計劃，預付卡預存金額達約人民幣9.9億元，同比上升36.6%。深化上游產業佈局，築牢「好吃不貴」護城河鍋圈通過採納單品單廠策略，已具備戰略性的食材生產力，對公司主要產品的生產及供應實現更加嚴格的控制。公司已全面實現對火鍋主要食材的產業端佈局，於二零二四年，擁有六個食材生產廠，即生產牛肉產品的「和一工廠」、生產肉丸產品的「丸來丸去工廠」、生產火鍋底料產品的「澄明工廠」、生產水產類產品的「歡歡工廠」、生產滑類產品的「逮蝦記」、以及生產酸湯底料產品的「台江工廠」。通過產業端的深耕與佈局，鍋圈在上游採購端的議價能力持續提升，生產端的規模效應不斷釋放，助力生產成本持續優化。2025年，鍋圈將圍繞「品牌、產品、渠道」三位一體的發展戰略，深化「產、供、銷」一體化的協同效應，通過持續整合上下遊供應鏈、擁抱AI與無人零售、實現線上線下融合發展，積極探索海外市場，傳遞中國好味道。一是，擴大及深化全渠道銷售網絡，持續拓展下沉市場。鍋圈計劃繼續拓展多層級的銷售網絡，提升已覆蓋地區的市場滲透率及將門店網絡擴展至新地區，並通過諸如鄉鎮店等新店型，覆蓋更多的縣鄉市場。公司也將繼續推出滿足下沉市場消費需求的產品及服務，在龐大的下沉市場中佔據更多市場份額。二是，夯實會員體系建設，IP賦能品牌觸達。鍋圈將持續延展拓客渠道推動會員拉新，完善公域、私域引流路徑，並通過知名電視廣告、線下廣告和社交電商平台（如抖音等）觸達消費者，從而擴大公司的會員群體。公司將通過豐富會員積分商城及升級會員權益體系，不斷優化會員福利計劃。公司將逐步圍繞品牌卡通IP形象「鍋寶」，創作和發佈各種圖文和視頻形式的優質內容，與消費者產生情感連結，更好的傳遞品牌價值理念。公司亦會提高對消費者行為的理解，以提供最合適的營銷、服務及產品，提高會員活躍度。三是，強化社區央廚定位，加碼即時零售、智慧零售。鍋圈將繼續深化多元消費場景，最終打造成為億萬戶家庭的社區廚房。公司也將繼續創新銷售渠道，發展「一店一鋪一庫」的商業模式，提供無限的購物體驗，擺脫實體門店零售空間的限制。公司也將依託於物聯網、大數據及AI技術，對部分即時零售門店進行智慧化的無人零售改造，以進一步延長門店營業時間，服務更多在家吃飯的消費場景，打造全時段覆蓋的智慧零售網絡。四是，推動產業端佈局，夯實供應鏈體系，鞏固產品的核心競爭優勢。鍋圈將繼續採取「單品單廠」戰略，以實現規模經濟效應並提升成本優勢。公司計劃通過投資或合作的方式，推動產業端佈局，聯合具備市場潛力、能與鍋圈實現協同效應的海內外優質食品供應商，進一步整合公司的上游資源及引進優質食材，形成強大的產業供應鏈。五是，探索海外市場，傳遞中國好味道。鍋圈計劃初步探索海外區域市場，審慎評估及選擇合適的地點，諸如中國香港、東南亞等地，嘗試佈局銷售公司的產品，向外輸出供應鏈能力，傳遞中國好味道，從而不斷提升全球知名度，探索海外銷售增長點。關於鍋圈食品（上海）股份有限公司(2517.HK)：鍋圈食品（上海）股份有限公司（股票代號：2517.HK）是中國領先的一站式在家吃飯餐食產品品牌，提供即食、即熱、即煮和即配食材，並專注於在家火鍋和燒烤產品。憑藉強大的供應鏈能力、自有工廠的產業端佈局，遍佈全國的萬家即时零售門店網絡及精心策劃的產品組合，公司使用「鍋圈食匯」品牌為消費者提供各種在家吃飯餐食產品解决方案，服務於不同的用餐場景。 Copyright 2025 亞太商訊 via SeaPRwire.com.

SINGAPORE, Mar 31, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Avantor Inc., a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences and advanced technologies industries, was recognized with two prestigious awards at the recent Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards (ABEA) 2025. The recognition underscores Avantor’s commitment to providing high-quality biopharma manufacturing solutions, addressing logistics challenges and optimizing supply chain.Specifically, Avantor was recognized for the ABEA:Best Bioprocessing Supplier Award: Single Use SystemsBest Bioprocessing Supplier Award: ChromatographySingle-use solutions enhance flexibility and speed in biopharma manufacturing. As the only open-architecture provider, Avantor offers end-to-end design, manufacturing, and logistics support worldwide. With a diverse portfolio of chromatography resins and advanced production technologies, these solutions enable the rapid and scalable delivery of high-quality therapies.Narayana Rao Rapolu, VP & GM, BPS AMEA, Avantor said, “We are honored by these two awards recognizing Avantor and our team’s contributions to advancing biomanufacturing. As biologics grow more complex, Avantor remains dedicated to providing innovative chromatography and single-use solutions that enhance flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness globally. Additionally, by leveraging our wide range of chromatography resins, process chemicals, and reagents, our application scientists, and customer support centers are able to provide total solutions that improve process efficiency."Rajesh Bhagwat, Director, Strategy & Marketing, BPS AMEA, Avantor said, “Avantor’s expertise in delivering customized, scalable solutions drives innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Our advanced chromatography resins, including PROchievA and J.T.Baker® Bakerbond®, provide unique selectivity for next-generation therapies across the Asia-Pacific region. This award reinforces our commitment to supporting customers at every stage, from small-scale development to large-scale production.”Rajesh Bhagwat, Director, Strategy & Marketing, BPS AMEA, Avantor, receiving the Best Bioprocessing Supplier Award - Chromatography at ABEA 2025Stephanie Chan, Head of Biopharma, SEA, Avantor, receiving the Best Bioprocessing Supplier Award - Single Use Systems at ABEA 2025The Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards (ABEA) recognizes exceptional Asian bioprocessing, biologistic, clinical trials and aseptic fill and finish experts, organizations and technologies. It celebrates outstanding achievements and innovations in the bioprocessing industry across the Asia Pacific region. The awards are judged by a panel of industry experts, and winners are selected based on their contributions to the advancement of the bioprocessing industry.About AvantorAvantor® is a leading life science tools company and global provider of mission-critical products and services to the life sciences and advanced technology industries. We work side-by-side with customers at every step of the scientific journey to enable breakthroughs in medicine, healthcare, and technology. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities at more than 300,000 customer locations in 180 countries. For more information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook.Regional Media Contact:Swati ChhabraManager - Corporate Communications, AMEAAvantor91-9958-404-334swati.chhabra@avantorsciences.comGlobal Media Contact:Eric Van ZantenHead - External CommunicationsAvantor1-610-529-6219eric.vanzanten@avantorsciences.com Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.