• Revenue surged by 67.6% YoY to RMB 1,665 million
• Gross profit surged by 133.4% to RMB 535 million, with a gross profit margin of 32.1%, a 9.0 percentage points increase compared to 1H 2023.
• Net profit increased by 175.5% to RMB 488 million, with a net profit margin of 29.3%, a 11.5 percentage points increase compared to 1H 2023.
• Adjusted net profit grew by 146.6% to RMB 534 million, with an adjusted net profit margin of 32.0%, a 10.2 percentage points increase in 1H 2023.
• The total global customer base expanded to 419, with 71 new customers added in 1H 2024.
• The total number of integrated projects reached 167, with 26 new integrated projects signed.
• The number of later stage (phase II and above integrated projects) increased to 29, including 9 PPQ projects from global pharma and biotech customers.
• The backlog grew to US$842 million, representing a 105.0% YoY growth.
• Continued to drive facility and talent expansion to meet increasing global demands. The Wuxi site ramped up quickly, delivering a 100% success rate to global clients.
• The Group received multiple top awards in the “2024 Asia (ex-Japan) Executive Team” by Institutional Investor.

SHANGHAI, Aug. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — WuXi XDC Cayman Inc. (“WuXi XDC” or “the Group”, stock code: 2268.HK), a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) focused on the ADC and the other types of bioconjugate market, is pleased to announce its interim results for the first half of 2024 (“Reporting Period”).

Dr. Jimmy Li, CEO of WuXi XDC, stated, “In the first half of 2024, WuXi XDC achieved outstanding financial results and demonstrated strong business momentum. We appreciate all the trust, contributions and support from our employees, customers, investors, and stakeholders. By focusing on customer needs, we actively explore innovative trends in ADCs and new types of bioconjugates, enhancing our technical capabilities and further solidifying our integrated platform. We have expanded the capacity of dual-function production lines and advanced the implementation of “Global Dual-Source” manufacturing strategy. Additionally, we continue to build a strategic talent pool and reinforce quality and compliance training across all staff. With a client-oriented approach, we are delivering high-quality services and solutions, laying a solid foundation for future growth. Looking forward, we are excited by the vast market opportunities in the bioconjugate space.  With our leading expertise and integrated capabilities, we are committed to flawless execution and maintain sustainable growth, delivering the superior values to our customers, partners and shareholders.”

2024 Interim Financial Highlights

The revenue of the Group increased by 67.6% YoY from RMB 993.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, to RMB 1,665.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. This increase was primarily attributable to (i) the growth in the number of customers and projects, driven by rapid growth of the global ADC and broader bioconjugates outsourcing service market and the Group’s established position as a leading ADC CRDMO service provider in that market and (ii) the advancement of the Group’s projects into later stages.

• Gross Profit and Gross Profit Margin

The Group’s gross profit increased by 133.4% YoY to RMB 535 million, with a gross profit margin of 32.1%, driven by (i) the increase in revenue resulting from the increased demand for the Group’s services, (ii) the quickly ramp-up and reached high utilization in both DS and DP, and (iii) the optimized cost control and procurement strategy.

• Net Profit and Net Profit Margin

The net profit for the period increased by 175.5% YoY to RMB 488 million. Net profit grew faster than revenue and business growth, mainly attributed to significant increase in revenue, coupled with improvement in operation efficiency and more effective and reasonable cost control measures, resulting in higher net profit margin. The net profit margin of the Group is 29.3%, a 11.5 percentage points increase compared to 1H 2023.

• Adjusted Net Profit and Adjusted Net Profit Margin

Adjusted net profit for the period increased by 146.6% YoY to RMB 534 million. The margin of adjusted net profit improved to 32.0%.

Customers and Projects Highlights

• Our rapidly expanding and high-quality customer base has reached a cumulative total of 419, including high profile and innovative global customers. Collectively, our clients have submitted 71 INDs with the strong support of our Group. Notably, 13 out of TOP 20 global pharmaceutical companies (ranked by 2023 revenue) and 4 of the 7 ADC companies nominated by Clarivate^TM as “ADC Companies to Watch” have actively partnered with us in various stages of projects.
• The “Enable, Follow and Win the Molecule” strategy continued to drive sustained and rapid project growth. The total number of integrated projects is 167, with 26 newly signed integrated projects.

• Later-stage projects (Phase II and III) increased to 29, with 9 PPQ projects. Anticipating potential BLA submissions in 2024 and beyond to facilitate ADC commercialization success.
• The Group has a diversified project base with a total of 705 projects, covering both innovative ADC and broader bioconjugate (XDC) projects. The total number of integrated ADC projects reached 152. The number of integrated XDC projects increased to 15.

Platform Innovation to Empower R&D

• The Group strives to empower customers with cutting-edge conjugation and payload-linker technologies, along with extensive process development expertise to fulfill diverse R&D requirements. The proprietary WuXiDARx™ technology aims to meet clients’ demands to develop highly homogeneous ADCs with a range of distinct DAR values.
• The Group is committed to meeting the diverse and transformative needs of the global industry.  In the first half of 2024, the Group has achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully delivering over 11,000 bioconjugate molecules accumulatively.
• The Group has extensive expertise in new formats of bioconjugates beyond ADCs. The number of XDC discovery projects reached 126, covering multiple innovative targets and novel modalities.

 Capacity Expansion and Business Operation Upgrade

• The Group has adopted a centralized quality assurance system across its “All-in-One” manufacturing facilities in Wuxi site, further guarantee the product quality. By leveraging “All-in-One” facilities and expertise, the Wuxi site has ramped up quickly and delivered a 100% success rate to global clients.
• In response to the strong and increasing global demands, the Group quickly initiated build-up of mAb/DS dual functional line (BCM2 L2) just after the first dual production line (BCM2 L1) released in Sept 2023. The new mAb/DS line is expected to be operational by Q4 2024, and DP line (DP3) is under construction and expected to be operational by Q2 2025.
• The Singapore site broke ground in March 2024 and construction is on track to be operational by late 2025 /early 2026.

• The total number of full-time employees increased by 72.2% YoY to 1,496 in the Group, driven by rapid business growth.
• All of the Group’s manufacturing operations are conducted in accordance with the GMP regulations set by FDA, EMA and NMPA, ensuring the high-quality manufacture of innovative bioconjugate products. The Group has completed more than 110 GMP audits from global clients, including 11 audits by EU Qualified Persons.
• During the reporting period, the Group’s marketing efforts have expanded and diversified into extensive global marketing initiatives to enhance WuXi XDC’s global presence and strategically drive business opportunities.
• Under the lean principal guidance, the Group actively implements the WBS (WuXi Business System) and its lean management system, focusing on continuous improvement as a core objective. Our efforts are dedicated to enhancing capabilities across multiple dimensions, including quality, processes, cost, and operational efficiency.

-***-

About WuXi XDC

WuXi XDC Cayman Inc. (“WuXi XDC”, stock code: 2268.HK) is a leading global CRDMO focused on antibody drug conjugates (ADC) and the broader bioconjugate market. It provides end-to-end contract research, development and manufacturing services for bioconjugates, including ADCs. Its services cover antibody intermediates and other biologics intermediates, chemical payloads and linkers, as well as bioconjugate drug substances and drug products. For more information about WuXi XDC, please visit: www.wuxixdc.com 

Contacts

Investor: wuxixdc.ir@wuxibiologics.com

Media: wuxixdc_pr@wuxibiologics.com

BD: wuxixdc_info@wuxibiologics.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This presentation may contain certain “forward-looking statements” which are not historical facts, but instead are predictions about future events based on our beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to our management.  Although we believe that our predictions are reasonable, future events are inherently uncertain and our forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect.  Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks relating to, among other things, the ability of our service offerings to compete effectively, our ability to meet timelines for the expansion of our service offerings, and our ability to protect our clients’ intellectual property. Our forward-looking statements in this presentation speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law or listing rules. Accordingly, you are strongly cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by reference to the cautionary statements set forth in this section.

Use of Adjusted Financial Measures (Non-IFRS Measures)

We have provided adjusted net profit, adjusted net profit margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted diluted earnings per share for the corresponding periods, which excludes the share-based compensation expenses, listing expenses, gains or losses from equity investments and foreign exchange gains or losses, and are not required by, or presented in accordance with, IFRS. We believe that the adjusted financial measures used in this presentation are useful for understanding and assessing underlying business performance and operating trends, and we believe that management and investors may benefit from referring to these adjusted financial measures in assessing our financial performance by eliminating the impact of certain unusual and non-recurring items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our business. However, the presentation of these non-IFRS financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. You should not view adjusted results on a stand-alone basis or as a substitute for results under IFRS, or as being comparable to results reported or forecasted by other companies.

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The storied hotel comprises a collection of traditional Moroccan riads, offering peace within the vibrant heart of the Marrakech medina

LONDON, Aug. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Royal Mansour Marrakech, Morocco, has been named winner of the No.3 Gin Art of Hospitality Award, ahead of The World’s 50 Best Hotels awards 2024 in September. 600 voters in The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, were asked to name the property where they received their single-best hospitality experience within the 18-month voting period. 

Royal Mansour Marrakech wins the No.3 Gin Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024.

The award celebrates a property and its staff for outstanding service and attention to detail. Voters were asked to consider the ambience created in the hotel, the delivery of unique experiential elements and the overall warmth of the hospitality. 

Designed by King Mohammed VI, 53 riads are dotted throughout lush gardens, showcasing traditional architecture, crafted by local artisans. Shaded spots under date palms, quiet courtyards and mosaiced fountains create a sanctuary in the city. The sprawling spa is the crown jewel, with a hammam and holistic treatment menu. 

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, says: “Royal Mansour Marrakech has long been setting an example of what it means to be truly hospitable. Less than a year on from the Marrakech-Safi earthquake, this is especially impressive – we are honoured to celebrate this award as a testament to the hotel’s resilience and dedication to delivering exceptional service in the face of challenging times.”

Each guest enjoys their own private palace with service fit for royalty. The network of hidden tunnels allows butlers, assigned to each riad, to deliver impeccably discreet service.  

The Moroccan spirit of gracious hospitality extends to the restaurants: La Grande Brasserie and La Grande Table Marocaine – led by renowned chef Hélène Darroze; Sesamo, the opulent Italian restaurant from the Alajmo brothers and Le Jardin, Mediterranean-Asian fusion by Executive Chef Jérôme Videau.

Jean-Claude Messant, Managing Director of Royal Mansour Collection, says: “It’s a very special honour for our flagship hotel to receive this award. It’s down to our exceptional people, always striving to deliver the highest level of hospitality, ensuring each guest leaves with magical and unique memories of their stay. As our collection grows, we will continue to innovate our approach to hospitality, which lies at the heart of everything we do.”

Media Centre: https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com/

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SYDNEY, Aug. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, Tmall Global, in collaboration with New Weekly, launched a global treasure hunt initiative. The campaign aims to identify the top 100 global treasure brands across multiple categories including home living, health improvement, scientific parenting, avant-garde cosmetics, self-care, pet feeding, and emerging fashion, in order to bring more high-quality imported brands to the forefront.

As a comprehensive dietary supplement brand under Australian company Forestpark, Witsbb has successfully been selected as one of the Top 100 Global Treasure Brands S100 in the “Scientific Parenting” category. This global treasure hunt initiative is themed around “Discover with Heart, Always Discovering Something New.” According to Mu Ling, the brand joint marketing director at Tmall Global, there were three main criteria for selecting the Top 100 Global Treasure Brands S100: global recognition, brand discovery appeal, and competitive pricing. Tmall Global spent a total of three months screening through brands to ultimately select those that met the criteria for the Top 100 Global Treasure Brands.

As a leader in the “hypoallergenic” infant and child nutrition industry, Witsbb recently received the “Best Product Quality” certificate from Hopkins Lab. In the Chinese market, Witsbb’s “hypoallergenic” infant and child nutrition products have been the top-selling for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023. It is clear that Witsbb enjoys significant recognition in the global market.

So, how does Witsbb create “treasures”? And how did it manage to be selected as one of the Top 100 Global Treasure Brands S100?

“Our approach to creating ‘treasures’ starts right from the formulation stage. Witsbb pioneered the ‘hypoallergenic’ liquid calcium and ‘hypoallergenic’ Vitamin AD categories. Our entire product range advocates an ‘anti-allergy + hypoallergenic’ formula, free from the eight major allergens, making it safe for sensitive babies to consume.” In an interview, YOYO, the CMO of Witsbb China, explained that Witsbb was the first to advocate the concept of a ‘hypoallergenic’ formula, aiming to enable more children to supplement their growth needs through targeted nutrition. Especially in recent years, with the increasing number of sensitive baby households in China and the growing demand for stricter nutritional requirements, Witsbb has upgraded from being free from the eight major allergens to being free from dozens of allergens.

“The treasure experience we want to offer consumers is our ongoing pursuit of ‘hypoallergenic’ formulas, allowing more sensitive babies to eat with confidence,” YOYO remarked. Currently, the preventative allergy category is still in a nascent stage, but for Witsbb, which is deeply rooted in this field, no one is more committed to doing this right. Based on our brand ethos, we are dedicated to driving the development and prosperity of the hypoallergenic infant and child nutrition category, and we strive to make our product formulas as pure and hypoallergenic as possible.

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Revealing microscopic haircare for the first time and also announcing experts of Pantene Hair Science Institute

SHANGHAI, Aug. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On August 19, 2024, Pantene held its 2^nd hair science summit at the historical Aurora Museum in Shanghai, following its inauguration in 2023. This year’s summit was another milestone for Pantene in exploring the science of haircare and seeking breakthroughs. At this year’s summit, Pantene shared the latest research results of how to repair the damaged hairs and also demonstrated a high-definition microscopic bio-imaging technology, which was a breakthrough in the industry and able to get high-definition images of a hair’s internal structure. For the first time, this has confirmed that the Pro-vitamin B5 (Pro-V B5) and lipidol ingredients in Pantene products can enter the very core of damaged hair to repair them. Pantene also announced the experts of Pantene Hair Science Institute at the event. The institute is committed to bringing together researchers around the world for a new era of haircare.

A new era of science-based haircare

Pantene is the world’s most popular haircare brand and the first brand to have discovered the role of Pro-V B5 in protecting and repairing hairs. It’s also the only haircare brand certified by the Swiss Vitamin Institute (SVI). Pantene has been working on haircare for 82 years. With a DNA in research, Pantene has been striving to apply the latest research results in its products. The brand is discovering issues from the perspectives of consumers and using scientific tools to solve them. This is how it is responding to the trust of consumers. Luan Lan, General Manager of the Pantene Brand in China, said: “We believe that every scientific breakthrough of us represents the fulfilment of our commitment to healthy and beautiful hairs for consumers. At Pantene, we will be always with consumers, leveraging the power of science to help make their hairs beautiful.”

Last year, Dr. Jennifer Marsh, Global Chief Research Scientist at Pantene, shared her studies of the mechanism and effect of small molecules in protecting and repairing hair core at the 2023 meeting of the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC). This year, her research team further uncovered the mechanism of synergistic hair damage at the core. Dr. Lai Wei, a dermatologist and hair expert from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, also provided an in-depth interpretation of this discovery at the summit. He emphasized: “Hair damage is visible to the naked eye, but the root cause is the damage at the core, which is difficult to see, but very important. The in-depth study of hair damage at the core by Pantene scientists can help us design better haircare solutions that combine both external and internal haircare. We should choose small-molecule ingredients that can really enter the very core of hairs to repair them.”

Hair repair at the core enabled by science

Probing deeper into the core of hair damage and how to repair damaged hair core has been a new research area for P&G Haircare in recent years. At the summit, Wang Yu, a senior analytical scientist at Pantene, shared the application of bio-imaging in haircare and Pantene’s latest research results of using the technology to detect ingredients. Using this technology, her team, for the first time, discovered that Pro-V B5 could enter the core of hairs and rebuild its structure to repair the damaged hairs. The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore has collaborated with P&G Haircare for ten years. As a microscopy expert, Dr. Ma Xiaoxiao, Senior Scientist and Manager at A*STAR Microscopy Platform, shared the joint research results of the two parties. She said: “The high-resolution bio-imaging technology allows us to detect and screen the ingredients for hair core repair more efficiently and more intuitively. By collaborating with the research team at Pantene, we found that the haircare formulations of Pantene could replenish the lipids lost from the hair core. With this technology, we are able to see the effect of those haircare ingredients at the core. In the future, we will explore the possibility of discovering more haircare ingredients together, aiming to provide consumers with more targeted and diverse haircare solutions.”

Pro-V B5 and lipidol are two main ingredients for Pantene’s haircare products. Using  Pantene Intensive Shot Hair Mask as an example, Pantene Chief Scientist Zhang Chao shared how the brand’s research team has been working on a number of fronts including formulation, experiment, and detection to develop effective haircare products. Over the past five years since its launch, the Pantene Intensive Shot Hair Mask has undergone three iterations. The effectiveness of this product for haircare has been confirmed on multiple dimensions through continuous consumer research and practical testing. The latest generation contains Pro-V B5 and lipidol beads, which are able to penetrate into the core of hairs quickly and help reestablish the broken links, so as to repair the damaged hairs at the very core, and to keep them bouncy, resilient, and shiny.

The experts of Pantene Hair Science Institute announced

Topping the agenda of this year’s summit, the experts of Pantene Hair Science Institute were announced. These experts come from many different fields including basic medicine, haircare, bio-imaging, and vitamin research. Pantene hopes to work with leading scientists while listening to industry experts, to continue to study haircare using cutting-edge technologies. This helps to integrate research resources and push the boundaries in haircare. Representatives of the institute’s experts made an appearance at the summit. With their rigorous attitude toward research and strong insights into haircare, they will start a new chapter for haircare research together with Pantene.

This year’s summit demonstrated the determination of Pantene to drive haircare through scientific research. The remarkable research results shared at the summit came from the brand’s unremitting pursuit of healthy and beautiful hairs. They also attested to the brand’s commitment to consumers. Going forward, they will help to light up the road ahead for each and every consumer in pursuing haircare, to keep their hairs beautiful, and to make them more confident.

Source

Company announces progress in business integration, product resiliency and community impact  

SYDNEY & CHICAGO, Aug. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX; NYSE: JHX), (“James Hardie” or the “Company”), the North American leader in fiber cement exterior design solutions and a company inspiring how communities design, build and grow, today released its latest annual sustainability report detailing progress across the four primary pillars of the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy: Zero Harm, Planet, Innovation and Communities.

“Sustainability is foundational at James Hardie. It is central to how we do business,” said Jill Kolling, Chief Sustainability Officer with James Hardie. “We have ambitious goals, and our progress has been possible through collaboration and innovation across the value chain, as together we aim to put sustainability into action, doing right by our planet, our people and the communities we serve.”

The report, entitled “Building a Culture of Sustainability,” features employee-driven initiatives, key industry collaborations and innovations to advance the company’s purpose of Building a Better Future for All™. The report includes the following highlights from fiscal year 2024:

Integration into Business Processes

• Sustainability strategies were integrated into the Hardie™ Manufacturing Operating System (HMOS) with an intent to prioritize the sustainability impact of plant operations while delivering against future targets.
• Internal, near-term regional targets were established to drive local accountability and progress toward James Hardie’s global environmental goals.

Zero Harm

• Significant global investment was made in safety infrastructure projects including upgrading equipment used when working from heights, installing more than 1,200 machine guards to provide additional protection for employees and promoting risk awareness.

Product Innovation

• In Europe, Hardie^® Panel high-performance facade cladding achieved the lowest CO₂ emissions of A2 fire-rated facades.
• In the United States, Green Builder Media recognized James Hardie as a green innovation and brand leader, naming Hardie^® Artisan Lap Siding as a 2024 Sustainable Product of the Year for its lower carbon footprint than traditional heavyweight building products, durability and resilience to harsh weather and natural disasters.

Diversity in Management

• The number of women in management increased from 19 percent in fiscal year 2023 to 23 percent in fiscal year 2024 toward the fiscal year 2026 goal of 25 percent.

Human Rights

• Completed risk mapping of global in-scope tier one suppliers through a modern slavery lens and internationally recognized responsible business frameworks, an important next step to expand the responsible sourcing program.

Stronger Communities

• Contributed $1.66 billion in economic value in the communities in which it operates through capital expenditures at plants and by investing in employees, local ecosystems and across the supplier base.
• Launched a corporate sponsorship of the Habitat Strong initiative to build affordable and climate-resilient homes that can withstand severe weather conditions and natural disasters.

“Every product in and around the home has an impact, and our company strives to lead the building products industry to ensure all homes are future ready,” said Aaron Erter, Chief Executive Officer with James Hardie. “Sustainability is a never-ending journey for James Hardie, and we will continue to actively integrate our goals into business operations, our governance structure and company culture.”

Building a Culture of Sustainability

James Hardie’s sustainability goals align directly with issues that matter most to its stakeholders and overall corporate objectives. The company’s sustainability strategy is driven through collaboration, including research and development, engineering, manufacturing, finance and human resources.

“Ensuring that our sustainability efforts are part of HMOS reinforces to our workforce that this is how we intend to operate our plants and deliver against our targets moving forward,” said Ryan Kilcullen, Executive Vice President Global Operations with James Hardie. “HMOS encompasses our culture of continuous improvement and LEAN manufacturing and empowers our people to champion improvements to environmental performance.”

Beautiful Products, Exceptional Durability and Resilience

James Hardie is firm in its commitment to develop beautiful products with exceptional durability and resilience to extreme weather as the frequency of climate-driven events increases. In fiscal year 2024, James Hardie fiber cement products were selected by three leading home builders from across the U.S. to highlight carbon neutral construction and show that the average family can afford a sustainable home. The projects, which were featured at the NAHB International Builders’ Show^® in February 2024, demonstrate that each element of a sustainable home can have an impactful role in aspiring toward a low carbon future.

Hardie^® durable products are non-combustible, pest resistant and U.S. flood-zone rated. They require less maintenance and last longer, and in turn use fewer resources in the long run, build value for homeowners and meet demand for high-quality products.

For more information about James Hardie Building Products Inc., visit www.jameshardie.com. 

About James Hardie Building Products Inc. 

James Hardie is the North American leader in fiber cement exterior design solutions. Hardie® products offer long lasting beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and low maintenance. As the #1 producer of high-performance fiber cement building solutions in the United States, James Hardie offers siding and accessories for every style. Hardie® products are non-combustible and stand up to weather and time while empowering homeowners and building professionals to achieve the home of their dreams. James Hardie operates with an inclusive company culture and an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. The company proudly employs a diverse workforce of over 3,700 employees in North America. 

For more information and media resources, visit JamesHardie.com and JamesHardie.com/about-us/media resources./about-us/media-resources.

For investor information, please visit ir.jameshardie.com.au.

For sustainability information and to view the full report, please visit JamesHardie.com/all-about-james-hardie/sustainability-esg-initiatives/.

Connect with James Hardie on social media:

LinkedIn
Instagram 
Facebook
Twitter 

Forward-Looking Statements 

This Media Release contains forward-looking statements and information that are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of James Hardie to be materially different from those expressed or implied in this release, including, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in Section 3 “Risk Factors” in James Hardie’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2024; changes in general economic, political, governmental and business conditions globally and in the countries in which James Hardie does business; changes in interest rates; changes in inflation rates; changes in exchange rates; the level of construction generally; changes in cement demand and prices; changes in raw material and energy prices; changes in business strategy and various other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. James Hardie assumes no obligation to update or correct the information contained in this Media Release except as required by law.

This media release has been authorized by the James Hardie Board of Directors.

Investor and Media Contact

Joe Ahlersmeyer, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations

Telephone:  +1 773-970-1213
Email: investors@jameshardie.com

James Hardie Industries plc is a limited liability company incorporated in Ireland with its registered office at 1st Floor, Block A, One Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2, D02 FD79, Ireland.

Source: James Hardie Building Products Inc.

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BEIJING, Aug. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As POP MART continues its global expansion, the brand is exploring new opportunities for its IPs in international markets.

This summer, POP MART’s CRYBABY has teamed up with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 series to launch the exclusive “Cry Me a Galaxy” limited-edition gift box, making its debut in Thailand. This collaboration seamlessly merges technology with pop culture, representing POP MART’s first successful overseas licensing venture and marking a significant milestone in the brand’s global expansion.

The limited-edition gift box features space-themed blue packaging, highlighting CRYBABY character SAMMY dressed as an astronaut. This unique fusion of technology and pop culture promises fans an exceptional unboxing experience. To further celebrate this partnership, a CRYBABY-themed train has been introduced in Bangkok, attracting numerous fans to engage and share their experiences. This vibrant event not only brightened Bangkok’s streets but also deepened POP MART’s connection with its fans, naturally amplifying its presence in Thailand and laying a robust foundation for further growth in the region.

Kevin Zhang, Head of POP MART International Strategic Partnerships, commented, “This collaboration showcases the global appeal of POP MART’s IPs. Partnering with a renowned international brand highlights our commitment to expanding our reach and delivering unique experiences to fans worldwide. We are excited to strengthen our presence in key markets and continue forging influential global partnerships.”

Building on its success in Thailand, POP MART will continue to drive its global expansion. Through innovative collaborations and new IPs, the brand aims to strengthen its international footprint and solidify its position as a leader in global pop culture.

This summer, join POP MART in exploring the boundless possibilities of technology and pop culture!

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HONG KONG, Aug. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ZOTAC GAMING proudly announces the much-anticipated premium gaming handheld, the ZOTAC GAMING ZONE, is ready to begin accepting preorders in select regions and e-tailer platforms. The ZONE, which emphasizes premium hardware and elite controls, was announced COMPUTEX 2024 with great anticipation.

Visitors arriving at GAMESCOM 2024, one of the largest video game trade fairs held annually in Cologne, Germany, will be the first to experience the thrills of gaming on the ZONE.

GAME IN THE ZONE

The ZOTAC GAMING ZONE is the first handheld gaming PC on the market to incorporate premium hardware and elite control features that players will not find on other handheld PCs, offering gamers more immersion and advantages in PC games like non-other.

The ZOTAC GAMING ZONE is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 8840U, an efficient powerhouse with bleeding edge Zen 4 architecture and RDNA™ 3 graphics that enables even AAA gaming at native 1080p resolution. Along with the 16GB of LPDDR5X-7500 Memory on board, the ZONE makes the full spectrum of experiences that PC gaming can offer through stunning visuals and performance, and take advantage of AMD’s driver-level Fluid Motion Frames (FMF) and FidelityFX™ Super Resolution technology to enhance gameplay performance and immersion further. Also featured are a full-sized 2280 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD and a UHS-II microSD card reader to cover every gamer’s storage needs.

The ZOTAC GAMING ZONE is equipped with a premium 7” Full HD AMOLED Display, a first in Handheld PCs. With the deep blacks and Wide Color Gamut that only AMOLED displays can provide, gamers are guaranteed to be blown away by the unmatched visual immersion. To add to the players’ competitive edge, the display also benefits from a fast 120Hz high refresh rate and up to 800nits of brightness, making for smooth visuals and crystal clear details.

ELITE CONTROLS

While hardware performance is crucial for Handheld Consoles, the ZOTAC GAMING ZONE steps up the ante through an entire suite of elite control options that are typically only found on premium game controllers.

Hall Effect Sensors

Triggers and Analog Sticks utilize hall-effect sensors, which enhance precision and prevent drifting from wear and tear.

2-Stage Adjustable Triggers

Designed to meet the needs of the modern gamer, the ZONE features 2-stage adjustable triggers so gamers can play like a pro on the go. Rapid fire with the short-travel hair triggers, or assume full control with traditional analog triggers with a flick of a switch.

Radial Dials

For those times when you can’t take your hands off your game, the ZONE’s got your back. The Radial Dials around both Analog Sticks allow gamers to adjust system settings with a single twist.

Dual Trackpads

Twin trackpads flank both sides of the ZONE to provide an alternative means to control the desktop or play your favorite mouse-heavy PC titles without additional peripherals.

Such features enhance the gaming experience and give gamers an edge against in a competitive environment. Additionally, a full-sized gamepad, rear twin macro buttons, and even button types are deliberately chosen, with the D-Pad utilizing clicky microswitches for greater feedback.

ERGONOMICS

Aside from added buttons, the overall shape of the ZOTAC GAMING ZONE has been carefully considered and designed for a stable, balanced grip that will stay comfortable for hours on end of continuous usage. Button layouts are also designed in a symmetrical fashion, which allows players a more positive grip on the device as opposed to offset controller layouts.

Dual USB4 Ports

Two full-speed USB4 Ports are strategically positioned on the top and bottom of the device, allowing for greater flexibility for usage. Transfer large files or charge rapidly using the port of your choice.

Connectivity

With Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 on board, offering users with high bandwidth, and high-speed internet connectivity to download larger titles and play with lower latency, and opens up usage of additional Bluetooth accessories and peripherals. The ZONE will also be equipped with a front-facing camera and microphone for impromptu video calls, as well as a fingerprint reader power button that supports secure login to the ZONE via Windows Hello.

Accessories

Alongside the ZOTAC GAMING ZONE itself, ZOTAC GAMING is also introducing two bespoke accessories to expand the gaming handheld’s use cases: a docking station with a well-rounded selection of ports as well as an interface for an additional fast NVMe SSD storage to convert the handheld gaming into a full-fledged desktop; as well as a carrying case with additional storage space so players can game on the go with the peace of mind that their ZONE will be well-protected.

XBOX Game Pass

To allow gamers to jump right into the ZOTAC GAMING ZONE, each unit will come bundled with a free one-month XBOX Game Pass Trial so that gamers can dive straight into the world of handheld gaming. Discover your next obsession, or rediscover gaming classics all in one membership, and with games added all the time, there is always something to play.

GAMESCOM 2024

From August 21 to 23, ZOTAC GAMING, in partnership with Be Quiet! will be showing off specimens of the finalized ZOTAC GAMING ZONE handheld in addition to its well-known graphics cards and ZBOX Mini-PC lineup of products to present guests with ZOTAC’s latest product developments in the gaming market.

Aside from its ZBOX E-Series MAGNUS demo machines, ZOTAC GAMING will also set up a trove of ZOTAC GAMING ZONE handhelds for all to try, and get in the ZONE’s stunning AMOLED display and elite controls, which one has to see to believe how truly remarkable it is.

We invite GAMESCOM visitors to meet us and our partners from Be Quiet! in hall 10.1, booth A-078 to get exclusive insights on our latest and to-be-released products, and a chance to win a ZOTAC GAMING ZONE handheld on-site.

AVAILABILITY FOR ZOTAC GAMING ZONE

The ZOTAC GAMING ZONE ZGC-G1A1W-01 is ready for pre-order now on exclusive e-tailer platforms in select regions, in a ready-to-go configuration with 16GB LPDDR5X memory, 512GB M.2 SSD, and Windows 11 Home preinstalled.

ABOUT ZOTAC TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

ZOTAC Technology Limited, a global pioneer in computer hardware and electronics since 2006, delivers cutting-edge products emphasizing quality, performance, and reliability across graphics cards, mini PCs, and accessories, earning recognition and accolades throughout the industry through the dedication to rigorous standards and the relentless pursuit of excellence. In 2017, a sub-brand, ZOTAC GAMING, was launched with a focus on elevating the gaming experience for gamers around the world.

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