Emprise Bank and Kasasa Change the Face of Local Banking

Offering Consumers a Better Banking Experience

Wichita, KS, February 15, 2012 – Emprise Bank asks consumers, “Do you Kasasa?” as it becomes the first financial institution in Wichita to launch the country’s most innovative financial products.

Kasasa® is a new brand of free checking and savings accounts that pays consumers to use their account with what interests them most—high interest or automatic savings. These accounts, combined with the personal service that only community financial institutions can deliver, are offering residents a better checking account option.

“Consumers deserve to wake up to happier days of banking. We are pleased to be the first in Wichita to offer these unique products,” said Teri Ginther, E.V.P. at Emprise Bank. “Kasasa delivers what research shows people really want but believe they can’t have—great financial products with the personal service of a community based financial institution.”

Emprise Bank is offering two Kasasa financial products, including Kasasa Cash® and Kasasa Saver®. All Kasasa products are free, reward-based accounts, with no minimum balance to get the rewards, no monthly service fees, online banking and nationwide ATM fee refunds.

Kasasa Cash – A free checking account that pays high interest for every month the account holder qualifies.

Kasasa Saver – A free, high interest saver account linked to a Kasasa Cash checking account. The interest and ATM fee refunds earned in the Kasasa Cash account are automatically deposited into the Kasasa Saver account when the consumers qualify. The balance in the Kasasa Saver account also earns a high rate of interest.

To receive the Kasasa account benefits, each monthly qualification cycle account holders are asked to do a few simple things like, receive an eStatement, use a debit card a minimum number of times, and have an electronic transaction (such as direct deposit) post and clear their account. If an account holder does not meet the qualifications in a given month, Emprise Bank will alert the individual, who will be eligible the following month for the benefits.

“Extensive research has shown us that consumers would prefer to do business with community financial institutions, but feel they would lose access to products,” continued Ginther.

“Kasasa is opening people’s eyes to a new banking model where no sacrifices are necessary. It’s a win-win because account holders get innovative products and personalized service.”

In 2009, Kasasa was piloted in six other markets across the U.S. In just the first two months of offering Kasasa, participating community financial institutions reported growth rates upwards of 150% on new account openings and 372% in deposits at institutions focused on deposit growth.

Kasasa is being introduced with an aggressive, highly engaging marketing campaign. It comes to life through a fresh mix of eye-popping advertising. The ads feature America’s top slam poets www.kasasa.com/news-and-media/advertising riffing lyrical threads around the theme of “Do you Kasasa?”

Kasasa is distributed to Emprise Bank from BancVue, the leading provider of innovative products, dynamic marketing, and data-driven consulting solutions to community financial institutions nationwide.

For more information on Kasasa accounts, consumers can visit www.emprisebank.com.

Do you Kasasa?
Kasasa® is the first national brand of the most innovative checking accounts available today. The accounts, offered exclusively by the finest community financial institutions, are designed to be the first and only accounts that actually take an interest in their account holders by paying them to use their account with what interests them most—high interest, cash back, automatic savings, money to donate to charity or iTunes® or Amazon.com® downloads. Kasasa, developed and distributed by BancVue, marries innovative banking products with the personal touch of community financial institutions. For more information, visit www.kasasa.com.    

Contact:
Katie Weathers
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
(404) 791-8245
kweathers@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

The En Sound Music Awards Heads For Atlanta GA On July 29, 2012

The En Sound Music Awards, one of Gospel’s most recognized awards events of its kind, will be heading to the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in the city of Decatur, GA on July 29, 2012 and promises to be an evening packed with great performances and surprises.

New York, NY (USA), Tuesday – February 14, 2012 — The En Sound Music Awards, one of Gospel’s most recognized awards events of its kind, will be heading to the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in the city of Decatur, GA on July 29, 2012 and promises to be an evening packed with great performances and surprises.

This year, the event will be held for only one day and will honor longtime Gospel music Radio Personality, Big Brother CJ.

Founded in 2006 by independent gospel recording artist and Founder of En Sound Entertainment, Delroy Souden, this award ceremony has created a buzz on all continents and is one of the most talk-about event of its kind in Gospel music. Its purpose is to recognize independent Christian and gospel artists – who are often ignored by other awards shows that cater to major-label artists.

“There’s hardly a day that goes by when someone doesn’t ask, when is the next En Sound Music Awards ( http://www.ensoundmusicawards.org ) or, Are you accepting submissions for the next En Sound Music Awards?” Souden said.

Trophies will be handed out in 16 categories this year in such categories including Male Vocalist of the Year; Female Vocalist of the Year; Song of the Year and Artist of the Year and Song of the Year among others, and performances from Atlanta’s own Delra Harris and others. The host of the evening will be announced in the coming weeks.

Requirements for the En Sound Music Awards include but not limited to artist visibility on the web; Internet/Terrestrial radio; press releases; blogs; interviews; album reviews; television appearances; busy performance schedules etc., and must become a member of the Christian Internet Radio Association (www.1cira.org) before April 30, 2012. Artists wishing to submit their professionally produced and packaged CD releases or mp3 files to be considered, must do so no later than April 30, 2012 to:

En Sound Music Awards – PO Box 32507, Newark, NJ 07102-0907 ( http://www.ensoundmusicawards.org )

Voting for the 2012 En Sound Music Awards will take place online and via text messaging and anyone over the age of 13 will be able to vote for his or her favorite artists. En Sound Entertainment is elated that this event will be held in Georgia, and everyone who will be in attendance can expect a spirit-filled evening that features some of the finest independent Christian artists of today.

Press & Media Contact:
Delroy Souden
En Sound Music Awards
PO Box 32507
Newark, NJ 07102 – USA
862-241-3351
esmawards@gmail.com
http://www.ensoundmusicawards.org

Which State Loves Pets more Naturally?

For the third year in a row, natural pet care products rank highest in popularity in California.

Ferndale, WA (USA), Tuesday – February 14, 2012 — For the third year in a row, natural pet care products rank highest in popularity in California.

According to AllPetNaturals, an online webstore that offers natural pet care supplies, organic treats, herbal remedies and eco friendly companion animal accessories, California headed the annual list of the 10 most naturally-minded U.S. states. Pennsylvania is the runner-up. Followed by North Carolina, New Jersey and Nevada.

AllPetNaturals creates its list by comparing sales data of natural pet product such as herbal remedies, homeopathics, organic treats, catnip, books, music for pets and eco friendly pet furniture and adventure clothing for dogs.

Quality Remedies Inspired by Nature http://www.allptetnaturals.com

About All Pet Naturals:
All Pet Naturals is an online web store for natural pet care, herbal and homeopathic remedies for a variety of pet health conditions, as well as a supplier of eco friendly pet beds, sweaters, harnesses, plus vitamins and supplements. Find information, tips and resources on our blog and Facebook.

All Pet Naturals is an award-winning, comprehensive and quality-driven web store dedicated to providing rich educational content, professional veterinary advice and expertise plus the latest scientific research so that you may become better informed and determine if natural pet care is the right choice for your pet’s health condition.

Press & Media Contact:
Bill Greenbaum
All Pet Naturals
1465 Slater Road
Ferndale, WA 98248 – USA
1-877-232-7387
bill@allpetnaturals.com
http://www.allpetnaturals.com

50 IAVA Member Veterans Receive Scholarships from Veritas Prep to Help Prepare Competitive Applications to a Wide Variety of Graduate Degree Programs

American Heroes Scholarship Recipients Illustrate Diverse Career Interests of Today’s Veterans

Malibu, CA, February 14, 2012 – Veritas Prep, a leading GMAT prep and graduate school admissions consulting firm, in partnership with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, announced today that it has awarded American Heroes Scholarships to 50 IAVA Member Veterans. These test preparation and admissions consulting scholarships will allow U.S. Military Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to pursue a wide variety of interests including business, environmental science, history, law, medicine, museum studies, nutrition, psychology and public administration.

“Everyone at Veritas Prep feels honored to award the inaugural American Heroes Scholarships to 50 deserving IAVA Member Veterans. It is our privilege to help these exceptional men and women as they begin their journey to earn the professional degree they need to advance in the military or excel in a civilian career,” said Chad Troutwine, co-founder and CEO of Veritas Prep. “The recipients exemplify the diverse career interests of today’s U.S. Military Veterans. Their inspiring stories remind us that military service and graduate education are a potent combination that can lead to success in many fields. We look forward to furthering our partnership with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to create life-changing opportunities for service members and veterans.”

“Veritas Prep is a national leader in supporting new veterans and has stepped up in a big way to show veterans that they have our backs. They understand the immense potential of this New Greatest Generation. These scholarships will provide valuable opportunities so new veterans can be at their very best throughout the graduate school admissions process. Education and employment are two of our top priorities at IAVA, so this partnership with Veritas Prep is especially exciting,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff.

“Since separating from the Army, I’ve decided that I’d like to put the experience and skills I gained in the military to use in a career in business. While military service helped me develop leadership skills, to become a business leader I need the management skills that an MBA would provide,” said Shahriar Chowdhury, former Captain, U.S. Army. “My goal is to go to a good business school, but to do that I need to score well on the GMAT. I’d wanted to take a prep course, but held off because of the cost. I’m extremely grateful to the Veritas Prep scholarship program because now I can better prepare for the GMAT and hopefully achieve the score I need to get into a top program.”

“The four years I spent on active duty as an army medic introduced me to the everyday and often extreme demands of what being a healthcare provider entails. From these experiences, I found my calling to become a physician and scientist, and now wish to delve into the challenging, yet inspiring, world of research and medicine,” said Cameron Waites, former Sergeant in the U.S. Army and current National Institutes of Health research fellow. “But before this dream has any chance of becoming a reality, one particularly important challenge remains on my horizon – getting accepted into medical school. Fortunately, the scholarship from Veritas Prep will provide expert guidance and support, helping me to prepare a strong application.”

Of the 50 scholarships awarded, 31 IAVA Member Veterans will receive a free Veritas Prep GMAT prep course, either in-person or online, and Veritas Prep’s full suite of 15 GMAT course books and extensive resources; 19 will receive six hours of graduate school admissions consulting with a Veritas Prep admissions expert related to the graduate program of their choice. In addition to the scholarships announced today, Veritas Prep is extending discounts to all qualified IAVA Member Veterans; offering 50 percent off Veritas Prep GMAT courses and 25 percent off admissions consulting services.

For more information about Veritas Prep, visit www.veritasprep.com. To learn more about Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America or to sign up for a free membership, visit www.iava.org.

About Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep is the world’s largest privately-owned GMAT preparation and admissions consulting provider, offering industry-leading programs to help applicants improve their test scores and gain admission to the world’s best graduate schools. Founded in 2002 by graduates of the Yale School of Management, Veritas Prep now offers live GMAT prep instruction in more than 80 cities worldwide, as well as interactive online courses available everywhere. Additionally, Veritas Prep offers industry-leading admissions consulting services for applicants seeking admission to the most competitive business schools, law schools, and medical schools in the world. For more information visit www.veritasprep.com.

About Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
IAVA is the country’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 200,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. For more information visit www.iava.org.

Contact:
Lindsey Mikal
CSG PR
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303 433 7020
lmikal@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Biotage Introduces SNAP Ultra High Performance Flash Chromatography Cartridges with Biotage HP-Sphere Silica

Biotage introduced the new Biotage® SNAP Ultra high performance flash chromatography cartridges utilizing Biotage® HP-Sphere™ spherical silica.

Uppsala, Sweden, February 14, 2012 — Biotage (STO: BIOT), a leading global supplier of solutions and technology for analytical and medicinal chemistry, introduced the new Biotage® SNAP Ultra high performance flash chromatography cartridges utilizing Biotage® HP-Sphere™ spherical silica. Biotage® SNAP Ultra is available in a wide range of sizes from 10 g – 340 g.

Biotage® HP-Sphere™ is chromatographically tested proprietary silica with 40% more surface area than previously available flash silica in the same high performance category, improving loading capacity and providing superior separation of eluting compounds. The precision engineered Biotage® SNAP Ultra cartridges combine industry leading resolving power, universal plug and play compatibility, and lower back pressures resulting in the highest performing flash chromatography cartridges available.

A researcher can load twice the amount of sample on a Biotage® SNAP Ultra cartridge than they can on an equal sized cartridge from other suppliers, enabling chemists to utilize cartridges half the size of those normally used. Using a smaller, higher surface area cartridge saves time and uses less solvent. Less solvent also means less cost per separation and less waste. And consistent with the SNAP family, a removable cap allows for simple internal sample loading for liquid and dry samples further improving purification performance.

Biotage® SNAP Ultra cartridges and Biotage® Isolera™ flash purification systems integrate seamlessly to produce better separations and pure compounds on the first attempt. Luer lock inlet and outlet ports also ensure the most reliable connection to Biotage® Isolera™ systems, and any other flash chromatography system on the market.

For further information visit http://www.biotage.com or call:
In Europe: +46 18 56 57 10
In North America: (Toll Free) 1 800 446 4752
In Japan: +81 3 5627 3123
Other areas, please call: +46 18 56 57 10.

-Ends-

For further press information at Biotage please contact:
James Churchill
Marketing Communications
Biotage GB Limited
Distribution Way
Dyffryn Business Park
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed CF82 7TS
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1443 811 849
Mobile: +44(0)7875484778
E-Mail: james.churchill@biotage.com

About Biotage
Biotage offers solutions, knowledge and experience in the areas of analytical and medicinal chemistry. Customers include the world’s top pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as leading academic institutes. The company is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, with offices in China, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and a worldwide network of distributors. Biotage has 272 employees with sales of 428.9 MSEK in 2010. Biotage is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Stock Exchange. Website: http://www.biotage.com.

Terminally Single Love Seekers Suffer on Valentines Day

Singles Can find out if they are at risk of being Terminally Single with America’s most innovative Love Expert & Author, Susan Bradley’s free online video’s and webinars from Valentines Day through Sadie Hawkins Day.

Carmel, CA, USA – February 14, 2012 — America’s most loved Relationship Expert teaches singles how to Fall in Love avoid being a TS’er (Terminally Single)

Susan Bradley, relationship expert and award winning author of How to be Irresistible to the Opposite S*x rescues singles just before Singles Awareness Day. Want to know if you are at risk of being one of the nations TERMINALLY SINGLE? Find out if you are a TS’er with her online guide: found at http://www.MyDramaFreeRelationship.com.

Direct Link: http://vsta.pr/xWriwd

Top FIVE qualities of the Terminally Single:
1. TOO INEXPERIENCED: You don’t date much, have only been in love once or twice, have never been in a serious long term relationship and still keep thinking it’s going to happen “one day.”
2. TOO SMART: Super intelligent, logical, rational people think that flirting is beneath them. They worry they won’t be taken seriously.
3. TOO CHOOSY: These singles always say: I’m just too selective. On the surfact this seems like a rational excuse but the real reason is that they’re just plain afraid to be disappointed again. No one seems to measures up to their lofty unrealistic standards.
4. TOO PC: Singles who are too politically correct come across like dull door mats. They never seem to spark loves flames.
5. TOO RISK ADVERSE: Risk Adverse singles, worry too much about every detail in dating and relating. They have pesky belief systems that work overtime to protect them from getting hurt again so they never quite make their move.

Too many singles think that when the “time is right”, someone will magically appear. This is a very dangerous mind set. Bradley can successfully teach shy singles how to flirt and how to go for their love goals, but if they never change their old belief system that negatively impacts their love action plan, they will end up terminally single.

Bradley says that the #1 reason singles avoid love is fear of negative relationship drama. She advises singles to avoid dating people with:

D: Divorce Drama- If the divorce proceedings are rocky, you will be impacted.
R: Re-probates -people with DUI’s or excessive run-ins with the law.
A: Anger/Abuse Issues (Watch for the little red flags that show up.)
M: Money issues (perpetual ones) and people who are still Married or in a relationship.
A: Active Addiction Issues: Avoid people who are actively in recovery or still in denial and not doing anything about their addiction.

Instead of falling into the DRAMA trap, singles should seek to Partner & Prosper in Love. Life is filled with a certain amount of unavoidable drama but no single should invite more into their life. Healthy singles make healthy prosperous couples but they do need to take a NO DRAMA approach to choosing the best soul mate.

Seek to Partner and Prosper: not Date and Divorce. Bradley says that: In today’s world it is critically important for singles to be 100% more aware of their choices in love and seek professional help from a love coach. No more dating people with “potential.” Make yourself ready and then raise the bar. Singles still looking to partner and procreate need to get more serious before their window of opportunity eludes them. Those who are looking for love and take the time to Break Through their Love and Abundance Barriers (sneaky underlying fears that keep love at bay) will find love. Love seekers that keep letting their fears stop them, won’t. Singles are not equipped to eliminate these fears on their own.

Bradley will help the Terminally Single avoid negative drama and find a Partner and Prosper with her ground-breaking FREE webinars found online beginning Valentines Day and ending on Sadie Hawkins day (Feb 29th).

RETRIEVE YOUR FREE admission to any one of 3 LovingUnversity Webinars by:Posting a comment on her LOVE BLOG AT http://vsta.pr/xWriwd or “Like” her Facebook GuidetoFlirting page and gain immediate access to a FREE series of FB Webinars designed to give you the top ten keys to avoiding DRAMA and falling in love with yourself, your life, and your Soulmate.
Topics Include: 1. Are you Terminally Single?(tm) 2. How to Find Drama Free Love 3. How to Flirt & Not Look Like you are in Heat

Susan Bradley RN is a veteran relationship expert and the award winning author of How to be Irresistible to the Opposite S*x and Irresistible Prescriptions for Love. Her ebook: How to Flirt and Not Look Like you are in Heat is found at http://www.GuideToFlirting.com
She is the founder of Loving University: Get Your PHD in Love
She’s been featured on Discovery Channel, CNN, & various morning talk shows in five countries. She will be releasing a new book: I Know Why You’re Still Single…and so do you. in the fall of 2012
YouTUBE Channel: LovingUniversity
TWITTER: FlirtingExpert
Video: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery-health/13753-how-to-flirting-video.htm#mkcpgn=tw1
Bradley is available for media interviews at 831-238-6111. E-Mail: susan@mydramafreerelationship.com

Media Contact:
Angela White
Loving University – Get Your Phd in Love
PO BOX 3836 Carmel, CA 93921-3836
Tel: 831-238-6111
E-Mail: susan@mydramafreerelationship.com
Website: http://www.mydramafreerelationship.com

A Sociopath Beside Me by Junie Moon released in Print Version now available Worldwide

A Sociopath Beside Me is the author’s personal account of living with a sociopath.

Sarasota, Florida, USA – February 14, 2012 — As an addition to the eBook version of A Sociopath Beside Me by Junie Moon, a print book has been released by First Edition Design Publishing.

A Sociopath Beside Me is a true story and the personal account of the author’s life with a sociopath. The shocking tale takes the reader on a journey inside the mind and darkness of a sociopath. Junie Moon’s personal journey leads to the discovery that a sociopath was in her midst, examines his dishonorable behaviors and the devastating circumstances he created for his many victims. Junie Moon is the author’s ghost name, which she used to hide her true identity for her personal safety.

“The mission of this book is to give the reader the needed tools to recognize the sociopath who walks among us, so that we might lessen their intrusion and avoid becoming their next unsuspecting victim,” the author said.

“After I read the book, I was able to look back in my past and realize that sociopath’s had victimized me many times. I am now well armed with the tools to avoid any future encounters with a sociopath,” said Gary Bennett at storiesremembered.com.

The non-fiction 73 page softcover print version of A Sociopath Besides Me, ISBN 9781937520564, is priced at $12.99 USD. It is available through Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and numerous other on-line retailers.

Media Contact:
Junie Moon
Tel: 815-830-0503
E-Mail: juniemoon1@hotmail.com

Latest Android app from UK Theatre Web uses show posters to make finding theatre tickets even easier

UK Theatre Web have released an updated version of their free Android application for smart phones featuring an experimental poster recognition service which aims to make it even easier for customers to find, compare and buy West End theatre tickets.

(United Kingdom – February 14, 2012) — Innovative what’s on listings and ticket comparison website UK Theatre Web (http://www.uktw.co.uk) have released an updated version of their free Android application for smart phones featuring an experimental poster recognition service which aims to make it even easier for customers to find, compare and buy West End theatre tickets.

The brand new feature of the app allows users to snap the poster of top West End shows using the camera on their phone so that clever technology can automatically recognise it and display show information and a “Call for Tickets” button. The poster can be photographed from a billboard, magazine or newspaper.

At present the experimental system will recognise the publicity posters of around 30 different shows and plays currently running in London’s West End including War Horse, Legally Blonde, Shrek the Musical, The Wizard of Oz and Billy Elliot.

The UKTW App, Version 1.6 of which can now be downloaded for free from the Android Market (search for UKTW), allows searching of the UKTW listings database by town, show or person providing access to extensive details including venue maps, cast and ticket information provided by the SeatChoice ticket finder service. The UKTW App is designed to provide basic listings details even if no internet connection is available by using a local copy of the key listings information that can be updated regularly. Smart phones which use the Android platform include HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Nexus.

Users of the UKTW App can read or add reviews using the system and can now, since the latest release, search the extensive UK Theatre Web archive of over 1 million records going back to the mid 1990’s.

UK Theatre Web founder Robert Iles said: “We have been providing what’s on information on-line for seventeen years but this new facility is one of the most exciting we’ve launched recently. If you’re passing a poster for a West End show and think you’d like to go and see it all you have to do is snap it with your camera phone and we’ll connect you to all the information you need. More and more people are using their smart phones to access information on the move and this free ‘app’ makes finding West End theatre tickets and information about shows even easier.”

More details about the ‘app’ can be found at http://www.uktw.co.uk/android/

-Ends-

For further information please contact:

Jason at MAW Communications on 07824 818242
Gordon at MAW Communications on 01603 505845

If you would like to link to our website please use http://www.uktw.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Covering all genres and the whole of the UK, UK Theatre Web (UKTW) provides what’s on information and links to tickets, meal deals and theatre breaks from a wide range of reputable suppliers. In addition to providing links, UKTW uses the SeatChoice Ticket Finder to conduct real-time searches of price and availability for many shows.

Over thirteen million theatre tickets are sold each year in London alone with increasing numbers of people choosing to buy online. However, using search engines often returns overwhelming and confusing results.

AAA: Billionaire’s decision to invest in forestry shows ethical approach

A billionaire investor has this week opted to put much of his cash in forestry investments, in a move that has been welcomed by alternative and ethical investment advocates, AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, February 14, 2012 — A billionaire investor has this week opted to put much of his cash in forestry investments, in a move that has been welcomed by alternative and ethical investment advocates, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

New Zealand-born and Singapore-based billionaire, Richard Chandler has decided to invest some $150 million into Tasmanian timber group Gunns, which means that he is now one of the their largest shareholders. The investment is intended to be used by the firm to finish the development of its long-awaited Bell Bay Pulp Mill. Chandler is expected to want to start influencing the business and driving growth.

Chandler claims that having an ethical influence on firms is part of the responsibility that comes with investing in them. He said, “Responsible investors will engage corporate governance issues where they encounter them, as an intrinsic and necessary component of professional investment management.”

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, claims Chandler is the latest in a line of influential investors to opt for an ethical approach to investing. Mr Johnson said, Investing in forestry can be an exceptionally ethical approach to making money as sustainable forestry helps communities to prosper while maintaining habitats for wildlife and adding to carbon absorption.”

Adding to the amount of forested land in a country is one of the best and most cost-effective ways of reducing carbon emissions thanks to the carbon sequestration characteristics of trees, claims AAA.

AAA supports forestry plantation investments, such as the one run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, which enables investors to buy up sections of sustainably-operated plantation land, which provide forestry products including charcoal for the steel industry.

Timber prices are expected to increase in the coming years as demand from Europe and emerging economies like China and India starts to exceed supply. Already, China is becoming one of the world’s major importers of timber and this trend is set to continue as its economy grows further.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

FRA says Timber demand from China could help US forestry industry

FRA has welcomed the news that the demand for timber is on the up thanks to the increasing appetite for timber in China.

Bainbridge Island, WA, February 14, 2012 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has welcomed the news that the demand for timber is on the up thanks to the increasing appetite for timber in China.

Figures on timber harvesting in 2011 analysed by forestry economist, Gary Lettman, showed that harvests had picked up last year with the number of board feet harvested looking better than the past few years, which have been disappointing for the US forestry industry.

West Wood Productions Association’s CEO, Kevin Binam claims that demand in 2012 is going to improve, but is still cautious. He said, “There’s not anybody out there jumping for joy, saying it’s going to be a roaring good year, but everybody expects 2012 to be a little better than 2011.”

Many mills in the US are still running at around 80 per cent capacity, up from around 70 per cent last year in many cases. Industry insiders said they will be able to ‘ramp up’ production should demand increase even further from China and other emerging markets.

Exports of logs to China totalled 1.1 billion feet, up 108 per cent in the first ten months of last year, which indicates a major improvement in demand from the country. Binam said, “That’s been a big game changer for, not all the Western [US] mills, but certainly for some.”

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, said that although the experts are remaining tight-lipped about the prospects in 2012, the increase in demand from China is great news for the industry, which has had a tough few years. He said “We expect this increase in demand to translate to higher timber prices, with investment in sustainable forestry plantations in developing countries still proving popular with Western investors.”

FRA is an analysis and research consultancy that specialises in forestry investment. It supports a range of sustainable projects in which people can invest, including Greenwood Management’s teak and eucalyptus plantations in Brazil.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com