Smiths Medical joins Ventilator Training Alliance app partnership

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 -- Smiths Medical has joined several of the world’s other ventilator manufacturers in the Ventilator Training Alliance (VTA), supporting frontline medical providers access to a centralised repository of ventilator training.

The partnership involved ventilator manufacturers including Dräger, GE Healthcare, Getinge, Hamilton Medical, Medtronic, Nihon Kohden and Philips, powered by Allego.

According to a statement, the VTA app connects respiratory therapists, nurses and other medical professionals with ventilator training resources from alliance member companies.

Included in the app are instructional how-to videos, manuals and troubleshooting guides critical to treating patients suffering from COVID-19 related respiratory distress.

Content on the VTA app can be accessed on iOS and Android devices, even in environments with little to no Wi-Fi access or from a web browser.

 Smiths Medical is a leading supplier of specialised medical devices and equipment for global markets, focusing on the medication delivery, vital care and safety devices market segments. More details at www.smiths-medical.com.

-- BERNAMA

Polyplastics’ new DURACON(R) POM grade delivers improved diesel fuel resistance

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 -- The Polyplastics Group has introduced a new DURACON(R) polyoxymethylene (POM) grade which delivers improved diesel fuel resistance for the production of injection-molded automotive fuel system components.

The new material complements Polyplastics' flagship DURACON(R) POM portfolio which is already widely used for automotive fuel system components due to its superior mechanical properties, heat and fuel resistance, and excellent moldability.

The newly-launched DURACON(R) H140DR offers superior performance over competitive materials and is targeted for global markets, according to a statement from Polyplastics Co Ltd.

While drive systems will likely shift toward electrification, diesel engines are expected to remain in use for certain commercial vehicles. Low-quality diesel fuel contains a high concentration of acid and sulfur which has negative effect on POM.

Meanwhile, fuels that contain a high concentration of sulfur act on main polymer chains and facilitate decomposition in POM. Tests show the percentage of weight change when POM is immersed at high temperature in test diesel fuel with a high concentration of sulfur.

DURACON(R) H140DR has superior resistance compared to a competitor's improved diesel fuel resistant POM and a standard material. It has a higher melt flow rate (MFR) than standard grade M90-44, resulting in good formability.

It has the same level of creep-fracture properties versus competitive materials, and appears to have enough long-term mechanical resistance properties as well. Environmental stress fracture testing reveals that DURACON(R) H140DR has high resistance to external factors such as acid rain and various acidic solvents used in cars.

More details at https://www.polyplastics.com/en/product/lines/pom_h140dr/index.html.

-- BERNAMA

The Boston Group acquires People Prime Worldwide to grow staffing business globally

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 -- The Boston Group Private Limited has acquired People Prime Worldwide, one of the most preferred recruitment consultancies in India.

Headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, People Prime Worldwide is a dedicated IT Staffing and Recruitment company with over 3,000 placements annually to its credit.

This acquisition empowered The Boston Group to strengthen its position in the software services industry globally, enabling them to deliver best in class resources to their clients and drive business growth.

According to a statement, the acquisition will also expand The Boston Group IT staffing services platform to multiple customers globally and enhance its business growth.

The Boston Group chairman, Subu Kota said: “The Boston Group will utilise the robust process, tools and procedures that have been built over the years by the People Prime Worldwide.

“With COVID-19, we all have realised that remote work seems to be a new way of doing business. This gives us an opportunity to provide best in class associates to our customers across various locations such as India, Singapore, Malaysia and (the) USA.”

More details at www.thebostongroup.com

-- BERNAMA

New Zealand’s Quest Credit Ratings affirmed - AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘bb+’ of Quest Insurance Group Limited (Quest) New Zealand.

The outlook of these Credit Ratings is stable, according to a statement.

The ratings reflect Quest’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorised as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The ratings also factor in a neutral impact from the company’s ultimate majority ownership by Federal Pacific Group Limited.

Quest’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which AM Best expects to remain at least at the very strong level over the medium term, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, supported by internal capital generation from positive prospective earnings.

The company has a track record of adequate operating performance, as evidenced by a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 9.8 per cent (fiscal-years 2015 to 2019).

AM Best expects prospective performance to remain supportive of the adequate assessment over the medium term, driven by positive underwriting results and solid investment returns.

More details at www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA