www.acquisition-international.com • Issue 12 2023 Beyond the Borders of Legal Brilliance Following the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong found itself in a precarious situation. In both a political and economic sense, there arose a dire need for direction from any who were willing to provide it. Enter Anthony Siu & Co., a Hong Kong-based legal firm that has been helping to reshape the region’s legal sphere since 2004. Now, as it approaches its 20th year of delivering solution-based legal services, Anthony Siu & Co. stands as a testament to its founder’s determination to inspire change. Below, we venture into its successes, and how each one has contributed towards its status as the Civil Litigation Firm of the Year 2023 - Hong Kong.
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Contents 4 News 6 Beyond the Bordersof Legal Brilliance 10 Human Performance Leveraged to New Heights 11 Shaping the Future of Finance 12 The Best Litigation this Side of the Mississippi 13 Cleaning Up in the Battle Against Corrosion 14 A Market Leader in Essential Import and Export Support: Strong & Herd LLP 16 Unlock the Power of Physical Location with Cloud4Wi 17 A Specialist in Essential Business Solutions 18 Proactive Worldwide: Driving Business Success with Competitive Intelligence 20 A Streamlined Solution to Personalise Your Shopping Experience 22 Selling a Business Has Never Been Easier 23 Leading the Transformation of Advanced Manufacturing 24 A Trailblazer in Gas Detection Solutions 25 Unmatched Expertise in International Law- Sensitive aspects of Finance, Corporate Matters, and Securities 26 Best Youth-Related Research Study 2023 28 Tax Advisory Magnificence in the Midlands 29 Mick Todd: MEA’s Leadership Coach of the Year 30 Expert FinTech Solutions in The Sunshine State 31 A Personalised Approach to Financial Services 32 Helping Patients Get Better Faster 33 Corporate Finance and M&A Advisory Services 34 Trusted Partner. True Protection. 35 Uniting Strategic Water Management and Farming 36 Expert Healthcare Marketing to Achieve Measurable Growth 11 33 17
NEWS Data consultancy announces exciting expansion Leading data consultant, Sam Gaskell of SJG Data Consultancy Limited , has announced significant expansion of her business, revealing a selection of specialist services available under the company’s new name - DataFit Limited. The Hampshire-based company, which operates nationwide, will now offer four core services including; small to medium business consultancy, large business consultancy, data training & mentoring and recruitment. The rebrand and expansion marks a major milestone for the brand, which hopes to empower and equip individuals and businesses with the knowledge and skills they need to utilise their data and accelerate company-wide performance, while saving significant money and time in the long-run. Commenting on the announcement, DataFit founder and CEO, Sam Gaskell said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be in a position to expand the services available and pursue my dream of a data and training consultancy that is built on a zero dependency policy. “The whole DataFit mantra is centered around leaving individuals and businesses better than we found them - while we’re happy to be parachuted into overwhelmed data teams to get projects over the line, we also really want to encourage companies with data teams in place to shift from a consultant-led approach to empowering and investing in their own employees. “Upskilling an existing team offers a longterm, cost effective business solution and builds a culture and workforce that have the confidence and expertise required to do their jobs operating with passion and purpose. “For small to medium companies with no in-house data function, we welcome the opportunity to implement our speciallydeveloped framework that embeds data management best practice into their day-today operations and sees us provide ongoing monthly support to ensure the business really is getting the most from its data.” Sam’s data career has spanned 12 years during which she has gained vast experience across varying sectors including; financial services, healthcare, energy, retail, property, construction and automotive, gaining extensive knowledge and experience of data management.. As part of DataFit’s training and mentoring service, Sam will use her experience to provide in person and virtual workshop based training for those looking to expand their knowledge and understanding in key areas of data including; data management, data governance and data quality. Meanwhile DataFit’s recruitment offering supports businesses looking to fill data roles by sourcing and placing talent directly into these positions or, for companies with their own internal recruitment function, being involved in the interview process and selection criteria, to ensure the best candidate is selected for any data roles. Sam concluded: “We’re a people-first, datasecond company and that’s because the data is already there but without the right people and skills in place that data is irrelevant. “We’d love to hear from anybody or any business that feels we may be able to help them with one of our services, and if you’re not sure if we can help - just ask, we love to chat all things data!”
NEWS approach is essential to sustain Europe’s innovation and uphold its technological supremacy.” IQ Capital, Earlybird, Onsight Ventures, First Momentum, Creator Fund, UnternehmerTUM, and various angel investors from the semiconductor industry have together invested €3m, while €4m is provided by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator and the Bavarian state in grant funding. Quantum sensing startup QuantumDiamonds Secures €7M in Seed Funding QuantumDiamonds, the quantum sensing company, announces the raise of €7m in seed funding led by IQ Capital and Earlybird. QuantumDiamonds develops sensors that enable non-destructive, nano-scale imaging of magnetic fields, with applications across various industries including semiconductor manufacturing and medical diagnostics. The company was founded in 2022 by Dr. Kristina Liu (COO), Dr. Fleming Bruckmaier (CTO), and Kevin Berghoff (CEO), graduates from the Technical University of Munich. QuantumDiamonds produces its core technology with defects in synthetic diamonds known as nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres. These defects are then manipulated to detect and measure physical quantities with extreme precision. This method opens a previously untapped area of sensing technology and allows for highly sensitive measurements at atomic and molecular levels. QuantumDiamonds already has a working prototype and will use the investment to hire more quantum engineers as it moves towards building its first commercial product. The company is currently testing with four of the world’s top 10 semiconductor manufacturers. Their technology has additional applications in industries such as medical diagnostics and battery development. Other contributors to the round included the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator and the Bavarian state. Kevin Berghoff, Co-Founder and CEO at QuantumDiamonds, said: “We are at the forefront of revolutionising sensing technology through our work at QuantumDiamonds, advancing both semiconductor manufacturing and breakthroughs in other critical fields such as biology and chemistry on a global scale. The funding will enable us to move towards the launch of our first commercial product, supported by the expansion of our quantum engineering team. Our ultimate goal is to build a robust global quantum sensing platform that transcends boundaries and catalyzes transformative advancements in various scientific disciplines.” Mason Sinclair, Principal at IQ Capital, said: “With its ground-breaking developments in quantum sensors, QuantumDiamonds is redefining quality assurance standards within the semiconductor industry. Their breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionise semiconductor manufacturing processes. We are excited about the prospect of supporting QuantumDiamonds in achieving widespread adoption and success in this transformative field.” Philipp Semmer, Partner at Earlybird-X, said, “We are thrilled to announce our investment in QuantumDiamonds, an innovative startup poised to emerge as a global leader. In partnership with exceptional investors spanning Europe, we are forging a united front to bolster the company, enabling it to rival counterparts in the US and Asia on an equal playing field. We are steadfast in our belief that this collaborative Developer of atom-sized quantum sensors will use funds to launch first commercial product and expand quantum engineering team
6 | Acquisition International, Issue 12 2023 Beyond the Borders of Legal Brilliance entered around the notion that no client interaction is complete without a positive outcome, Anthony Siu & Co. is a civil litigation firm that has revolved its practises around delivering exceptional services in a highly professional manner. Specialising in disputes, commercial matters, corporate finance, trust planning and arrangement, data privacy, and employment law, Anthony Siu & Co. embodies an unrelenting dedication to ensuring a successful, solution-oriented approach. This is primarily accomplished through the commitment that it upholds when partnering with its clients – by tending to clients in a personal and attentive manner, Anthony Siu & Co. is able to go the extra mile to secure the perfect levels of care, and it has done so, without fault, for almost 20 years running. However, it’s Anthony Siu & Co.’s team of cross-border dispute resolution lawyers that invite a sense of true individuality to the firm. Whilst most would expect a law firm to be comprised of individuals who are only able to handle cases within the region, Anthony Siu & Co. has long since defied this expectation. With licences to practise law across England, Wales, New York, and the PRC, Anthony Siu & Co. has gone out of its way to establish cohesive partnerships with some of the world’s leading lawyers. In addition, it has also instructed the UK’s King’s Counsel on multiple occasions – a feat that simply proves that Anthony Siu & Co. is more than capable of handling even the most complex international and cross-border legal issues. Combined with an exceptional knack for consistently performing to an outstanding degree, Anthony Siu & Co. has made a name for itself across a multitude of countries. Every area is imbued with its desire to offer unapologetic brilliance, and nowhere does this manifest clearer than through its accomplishments. Spearheaded by the avid passion of its founding partner, Mr. Anthony Siu, Anthony Siu & Co. has managed to rise above its competitors throughout the years, and it now stands atop a tower of legal triumphs. However, to truly understand the extent of Anthony Siu & Co.’s astounding dedication to its craft, we believe it is necessary to guide our readers through one very specific, and equally crucial, case. This case, of course, is the long-running dispute between Xiamen Xinjingdi and Eton Properties Limited and Others – one that resulted in the Hong Kong Court granting an anti-arbitration injunction to protect the enforcement of a prior award. To provide context for this particular case, Xiamen Xinjingdi entered into an agreement to develop land within Mainland China – one that was governed by PRC law, and possessed an arbitration clause that provided for CIETAC arbitration in the Mainland. The intention was for Xiamen Xinjingdi to build and sell apartment blocks on land purchased from Eton Properties Limited and Others, and owned by one of EP’s subsidiaries. Once complete, Eton Properties Limited and Others would transfer their shareholding in the subsidiary to Xiamen Xinjingdi. And yet, just before the shareholding was transferred, Eton Properties Limited and Others allegedly terminated the agreement, and instead had its subsidiary develop the land itself. In response, Xiamen Xinjingdi commenced arbitration, and eventually gained its ‘First Award’ – one that decreed that Eton Properties Limited and Others were to perform their obligations under the agreement. Namely, it was to completely transfer the shareholding to Xiamen Xinjingdi. However, it soon came to light that Eton Properties Limited and Others had restructured, which it had claimed was what was preventing it from effecting the transfer. As such, arbitration was commenced from Eton Properties Limited and Others’ side in the hopes that the agreement could not be performed, and that both parties should be exempt from performing it. The tribunal denied this, in turn declaring that it was not satisfied that the agreement couldn’t be carried out. During this time, Xiamen Xinjingdi was seeking damages for the breach of the implied promise that the First Award would be honoured. Unfortunately, the CFI dismissed this claim, and a new approach needed to be made in order for Xiamen Xinjingdi to make an appeal. So, it turned to the Court of Appeal and the Court of Final Appeal, through which the case was appealed, and ruled in favour of Xiamen Xinjingdi. Following this, the Common Law Enforcement Following the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong found itself in a precarious situation. In both a political and economic sense, there arose a dire need for direction from any who were willing to provide it. Enter Anthony Siu & Co., a Hong Kong-based legal firm that has been helping to reshape the region’s legal sphere since 2004. Now, as it approaches its 20th year of delivering solution-based legal services, Anthony Siu & Co. stands as a testament to its founder’s determination to inspire change. Below, we venture into its successes, and how each one has contributed towards its status as the Civil Litigation Firm of the Year 2023 - Hong Kong. C “ Though this instance was arguably one of Anthony Siu & Co.’s most defining cases, there is another that we would love to touch on. This being its involvement in a dispute between Barco Investments Limited and Wong Han and Others. Having taken place just this year, this case was one that would demonstrate the sheer extent of the firm’s international and crossborder capabilities. ”
Beyond the Borders of Legal Brilliance Action was returned to the CFI in the hopes of determining the damages. As an exceptionally high-profile case, one that has been publicly available since its resolution by the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in 2020, this matter went on to define Anthony Siu & Co. as a firm. It was this very case that served to truly outline its cross-border capabilities, granting it a standing within Hong Kong that has yet to be contested. Though this instance was arguably one of Anthony Siu & Co.’s most defining cases, there is another that we would love to touch on. This being its involvement in a dispute between Barco Investments Limited and Wong Han and Others. Having taken place just this year, this case was one that would demonstrate the sheer extent of the firm’s international and cross-border capabilities. Involving a variety of offshore companies, each having participated in fraud schemes, Anthony Siu & Co. went above and beyond to procure foreign advice on the company’s international standing. Through this case, Anthony Siu & Co. managed to successfully obtain interim injunctions and summary judgment involving millions of USD against investment fraudsters. As such, its success was made abundantly clear to an international clientele – success that would actively contribute towards its global reputation. By now, it’s no secret that Anthony Siu & Co. has a comprehensive and detailed list of successful case outcomes. As expected, this demonstrates its excellence on a far greater scale than any of its
8 | Acquisition International, Issue 12 2023 To strengthen their capabilities in serving clients with crossborder needs, the firm has recently entered into collaborations with various prestigious PRC law firms. This includes forming an Association with Duan & Duan, a firm headquartered in Shanghai. Additionally, they have established an association office with China Commercial Law Firm, Huashang-Anthony Siu (Haikou) Association Law Office, located in Hainan Province, Mainland China. With a deep understanding of the complexities involved in crossborder transactions and legal matters, the team at Anthony Siu & Co. is dedicated to providing exceptional service and tailored solutions. Backed by an extensive network of collaborators and their comprehensive knowledge of both Hong Kong and PRC laws, they are well-equipped to meet the specific needs of their clients. Though Anthony Siu & Co. has come exceptionally far since its inception, it seems as though there isn’t anything slowing it in its pursuit of spreading its reach further across the globe. At the forefront of legal innovation, it has already started working towards pushing the boundaries of legal development, with its focus resolutely falling upon cross-border recognition and enforcement actions. Having won this award due to its diligence, Anthony Siu & Co. is determined to continuously demonstrate an unapologetic desire to keep learning at each turn. Only then does it believe it’ll be able to expand. As we step into the future of the legal industry, it’s becoming increasingly evident that firms must remain on top of emerging changes and challenges if they wish to uphold their position. Thankfully, Anthony Siu & Co. is far ahead of the curve already, and has its sights set on leveraging its already fantastic cross-border standing to optimise its services to the fullest. Though it’s already doing everything it can for each client that it comes into contact with, it seems as though Anthony Siu & Co. is a firm believer that you can never be too perfect for those who are relying on you to make a difference in their lives. So, whilst its services and interactions with clients are already second to none, Anthony Siu & Co. is still avidly working to enhance the experiences of its clients. Combined, all of these factors amount to one overarching goal that is constantly helping Anthony Siu & Co. move forward with its practises. This goal is, of course, to be recognised as a leader in cross-border dispute resolution services within its industry, all whilst maintaining its commitment to the highest standards of service excellence. Anthony Siu & Co. is a fascinating entity unlike any other. Despite having a wealth of success in its grasp, it still believes that there is much work to be done. Cross-border disputes are becoming increasingly difficult to resolve, and yet it has dedicated everything to ensuring that it can be a dependable firm that any client can turn to in their time of need. This is the exact reason why it has earned itself an award-winning industry standing. We’re so very pleased to become a part of Anthony Siu & Co.’s journey towards being the go-to cross-border firm that it has always been destined to become. It’s magnificent to see such a successful collective aspire to be even more than it already is, and it’s thanks to this drive that we have confidently presented Anthony Siu & Co. with the prestigious title of Civil Litigation Firm of the Year 2023 - Hong Kong. We wish Anthony Siu & Co. the very best in its pursuit of further excellence. Contact: Anthony Siu Company: Anthony Siu & Co. Web Address: https://www.anthonysiu.com/eng/index.html competitors – these cases, whilst deeply complex, have ultimately resulted in the desired outcome, and it’s all due to Anthony Siu & Co.’s diligence in the field. Its track record is irrefutably strong, which ultimately grants it the chance to consistently promise only the best of the best for each of its individual clients. No matter the depth of a case, nor the amount of time that it occupies, Anthony Siu & Co. is determined to consistently deliver on its overarching ethos – to pursue success, no matter how difficult the road may be to reach it. Of course, assisting clients in such complicated cases isn’t an easy feat to accomplish. Thankfully, Anthony Siu & Co. has coalesced a cohesive team, led by a collaborative leadership style that’s wholly focused on fostering brilliance at every turn. Upon founding Anthony Siu & Co., Anthony recognised that the only way to encourage his team to thrive is to promote their differences, and avidly support them in their creative ventures throughout their work. As such, he looked to bring together both diverse and seasoned experts from a variety of areas, each equipped with a strong sense of camaraderie that would serve the firm well when it comes to operating as a cohesive unit. “ Introducing Anthony Siu Co., a team of highly skilled legal professionals ready to serve cross-border clients. With a team comprising two dualqualified lawyers (in Hong Kong and PRC), five China-Appointed Attesting Officers, three Notary Public, and eight solicitors who have successfully passed the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination (GBA Exam), they possess the expertise to handle a wide range of legal matters. ” Now, Anthony Siu & Co. boasts a workforce that has been nurtured to be the very best version of itself. This is, in part, due to the additional input of the leadership team. In addition to the individual members’ innate excellence, the guidance of the firm’s management has led to repeated success throughout a myriad of regions. Of course, Anthony is no exception – despite being the principal and founding partner, Anthony doesn’t leverage his position to insert himself as being atop a hierarchy. On the contrary, he actively engages with his team, utilising his involvement in the legal sphere since 1995 to empower the individuals that he’s surrounded himself with. He isn’t just a founder, but a teacher and mentor to those within the firm, allowing the team to rise to all new heights of greatness. Introducing Anthony Siu & Co., a team of highly skilled legal professionals ready to serve cross-border clients. With a team comprising two dual-qualified lawyers (in Hong Kong and PRC), five China-Appointed Attesting Officers, three Notary Public, and eight solicitors who have successfully passed the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Legal Professional Examination (GBA Exam), they possess the expertise to handle a wide range of legal matters.
Beyond the Borders of Legal Brilliance
Aug22499 10 | Acquisition International, Issue 12 2023 Oct23080 Human Performance Leveraged to New Heights aving served many national, international, and regional organisations, Fidello Inc.’s key consultants all boast between 15 and 20 years of direct industry experience, immeasurably benefiting their clients. With the innovative HR Web Software system to boot, managing client systems is done in an incredibly effective manner, and the reports and data available allow clients to make the most informed and strategic decisions possible, securing measurable outcomes each and every time. Quoting the eternal words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The difference between what we are doing and we’re capable of doing would solve most of the world’s problems”, the business has adopted a like-minded approach to its tackling of leadership development, ensuring that this capability is maximised to the full. This is all starts with four key questions, with Fidello asking companies to question if their approach to leadership is focused, friendly, flexible, and fast. These four areas are critical to success, and based upon more than 33,000 open-ended survey responses, the company has conquered a new frontier of leadership development. Using its Leading Indicators online assessment tool, Fidello is able to assess leaders on their ability to comply with 52 measures of effective leadership, leveraging the results to help leaders and their organisations hone their development efforts on the factors that need improvement and are the most closely related to what the business aims to achieve. This innovative tool also comprises of suggested readings associated with each of the 52 leading indicators, with users being directed to a host of useful resources, such as workshops and tapes, all of which fully align with the offerings of their organisation. Through Fidello’s development planning and career development solutions, a competency-based approach is paramount, combining resources and aspirations to fully support the organisational strategies and needs of clients. As a result of this approach, employee morale and enthusiasm is noticeably improved as staff learn to make wise and wellinformed decisions regarding the future of their careers. To this end, an overall performance in the wider organisation is made apparent as competencies are improved, top performers are retained as they navigate the necessary tools to advance their careers, and a subsequent shared accountability and commitment towards achieving strategic objectives can be found. Fidello assures this in a number of ways, the first of which being its crafting of competency inventories and job profiles, which clearly outline the strategy and culture of a client’s business. Following on from this, powerful and user-friendly online tools are used to assess performance and manage careers, complete with training functions, the reporting of development needs, and the curating of a budget and curriculum for managers accessing the data. As J. Paul Getty once said, “the employer generally gets the employee he deserves.” In the fiercely competitive business landscape of today, it is important to capitalise on the competitive advantage that an emphasis on recruitment and selection can bring. As an organisation swiftly finds and hires the best candidates for its roles, the powerful advantage that it will have over its competitors will soon be clear to see. The key to this advantage starts with Fidello’s automated tools, and these allow for candidate experience and skill to be matched against the job role in question. Thanks to Fidello’s unique online systems, an integrated software solution is available to clientele, which can identify, define, and document competency profiles, with these then being used to design intricate recruitment and selection tools. These tools are useful for assessing not only external job candidates, but also internal ones, supporting candidate interview and tracking processes, as well as maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of recruitment and selection processes. Ultimately, Fidello Inc. has leveraged its solutions in the field of human performance consulting to establish itself as an industry frontrunner, and has more than earned its place amongst some of the best the industry has to offer. Contact: Christoper Bjorling Company: Fidello Inc. Web Address: https://web.fidello.com/index.cfm?Page=Home Consultancy firm Fidello Inc. specialises in improving human performance, identifying the key competencies and behaviours that serve to drive key strategic results across all elements of business. As one of 2023’s Leading Innovators in Human Performance Consulting – USA, the company has a range of products and services that assist clients with the design, development, and strategic implementation of integrated HR processes and systems, demonstrably benefiting the success of clients. With three keen areas of focus, the business and its team of experts in the fields of leadership development, development planning, and selection/recruitment, more than live up to the moniker of “the human performance specialists”. H
Issue 12 2023, Acquisition International | 11 bringing in cutting-edge digital banking technology and working towards economic development through its intuitive products, Ghazanfar Bank has set a new standard that has yet to be met. Combined with its determination to help female entrepreneurs grow their businesses among male dominated markets, Ghazanfar Bank has proven that it has truly earned the right to be the face of the future of finance. Contact: Matiullah Obaidi Company: Ghazanfar Bank Web Address: https://www.ghazanfarbank.com Shaping the Future of Finance Built around international standards and strong ethical principles, Ghazanfar Bank is a collective that focuses on delivering key financial services to the region. Offering said services under both conventional and Islamic banking, it’s able to promise a varied brilliance throughout its operations. This particularly translates through its products – ones that have been specifically designed to meet the needs and aspirations of clients across the sector. In addition, Ghazanfar Bank boasts an accessibility that allows it to extend its reach very far in place of far further than one would expect. Situated in some of the country’s most notable locations, namely Mazar e Sharif, Kunduz, Takhar, and more, it guarantees that clients are granted the opportunity to seek assistance from fifteen total locations. It’s no secret that the financial industry within the region is growing at a stable pace, which has ultimately led to Ghazanfar Bank navigating the myriad of economic advantages that consistent growth brings. From economic stability, to job creation and additional financial services, Ghazanfar Bank has devoted itself to capitalising on the best of the industry, as opposed to fretting over the challenges. As such, it’s able to assist clients on a more fundamental scale, delving into their needs in an effective manner, and providing new services as they emerge. The industry has always held the potential for expansion, and Ghazanfar Bank is one of the few who have been brave enough to seize this very opportunity. But just how does Ghazanfar Bank consistently stay ahead of the curve? By using innovative solutions and investing in technology that’s able to assist in providing secure banking for its clients, Ghazanfar Bank has established a variety of services that have become gamechangers in their own right. In addition, it uses data analytics to gain vital insights into customer behaviour, offer mobile banking solutions, produce advanced digital banking systems, and identify how to introduce payments via QR code. In fact, Ghazanfar Bank is the first bank to propose such a payment approach. And, as if all of these combined factors weren’t impressive enough, it also has its sights set on exploring blockchain technology in the coming years. What truly makes Ghazanfar Bank special, however, is its commitment to its clients. Though Ghazanfar Bank possesses a wealth of opportunities, it’s the intricate details that have encouraged it to frequently impress individuals across the region. As such, there isn’t anything that it isn’t able to do in order to assist customers with managing their finances, guiding them towards sensible banking in a new and innovative way. In an industry that has arguably remained the same for decades, Ghazanfar Bank has equipped itself with the tools to redefine the industry. For this, it has earned itself mass renown. Considered to be the most forward-thinking bank in Afghanistan, Ghazanfar Bank is on the right path to continuously introduce innovation to an often stagnant industry. By concentrating on Following its licensing from the Central Bank of Afghanistan in 2009, Ghazanfar Bank is a full-fledged licensed commercial bank that has become one of the leading entities of its kind. With shareholders belonging to some of the region’s most renowned business groups, Ghazanfar Bank has rapidly become an industrial powerhouse that’s involved in various critical sectors. For thirteen years, it has been working to rebuild the national economy, so let us take you on a journey through the brilliance that Ghazanfar Bank has to offer. Ghazanfar Bank
12 | Acquisition International, Issue 12 2023 The Best Litigation this Side of the Mississippi Leading Construction Litigator of the Year – New Orleans awardee Montiel Hodge, LLC is a litigation firm based in Louisiana and co-founded by Partner Mark G. Montiel, Jr. The business offers an extensive range of services across its areas of speciality, including construction litigation, insurance litigation, labour & employment law, environmental law, premise liability, worker’s compensation, occupational hearing loss, and business disparagement & defamation, to name just a few. Designed with its clients in mind, the firm prides itself on tailoring the firm to the client, and not the other way around, as is often the industry standard. We catch up with Mark, who provides further insight into the company’s journey, array of specialist areas, and commitment to providing a service that always puts clients first. Contact: Mark Montiel Company: Montiel Hodge, LLC Web Address: https://www.montielhodge.com/ Montiel Hodge, LLC was born from the simple idea of providing a business where the needs of clients take priority. Before the forming of Montiel Hodge, Mark felt that client needs rarely corresponded with the internal structure, priorities, and policies of big firms, leading to a miscommunication and struggle, whether this be internal or external. Firm in the belief that the needs of clients should not bend to appease the methods of the company, Mark and his team have created a firm that is responsive, adaptable, and knowledgeable across the board. Services offered by the firm in the area of construction litigation are particularly noteworthy, with counselling and reputation provided for those in the sector, including developers, contractors, architects, engineers, and property owners, who find themselves in the midst of issues regarding design, sequencing, water intrusion, defects, construction related injury, or property damage. The team also gladly handle any claims that have arisen out of abuse from the public bid process, regarding local government commissions or agencies. In addition to this, Montiel Hodge represents a plethora of clients in the fields of transactional matters, contract disputes, claims for extra work, casualty, and collection. Moreover, clients are assessed who are facing insurance issues, indemnity/hold-harmless agreements, additional insurance requirements, as well as miscellaneous contractual provisions. Mark’s primary focus is also on litigation, and he serves his clients not only in construction litigation, but also many of the other key areas that the firm specialises in, such as business defamation, worker’s compensation, and trucking & transportation. Having learned the careful art of negotiation and conflict resolution from a young age thanks to a father who was a trial attorney and former Court of Criminals Appeals Judge, Mark is often described as straightforward, big picture oriented, relentless, and in possession of a great sense of humour. The perspective that he brings is unique, and bolstered by a proactive approach to business, favourable results can be delivered to clients before costly and protracted litigation, as consultation with a litigator often solves such disputes early. Clients regularly comment on Mark’s excellent availability throughout litigation proceedings, praising his ability in helping them to clearly understand the issues and make the best possible choices in regard to their cases. Liaising with Mark ultimately means entering negotiations from a position of strength, and pride in his unrivalled ability to respond to clients in a manner that is timely and update them using technology ensures client satisfaction, apparent through Mark’s Avvo rating of 8.8. The journey Mark has been on since he was raised in Montgomery, Alabama is an impressive one, educated at the University of Alabama and Tulane University for his BA and Juris Doctorate respectively; Mark has since been admitted to both the Louisiana and Alabama Bar, as well to districts across Louisiana and Alabama, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and has earned membership at the State Bar of Louisiana and Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel. Quintessentially, Montiel Hodge, LLC is an incredibly successful firm that specialises in a host of areas, and yet maintains the same excellent standard throughout them all. Spearheaded by Mark, the team of attorneys all go the extra mile to ensure that client satisfaction is as high, and litigation matters are handled as swiftly and effectively as possible. As a result of this sustained excellence, the company and its team are more than deserving of this award, celebrating their uniqueness and brilliance within the sector.
Issue 12 2023, Acquisition International | 13 Cleaning Up in the Battle Against Corrosion ndustrial cleaning often involves the use of highly abrasive materials, chemicals, or water blasting to remove dirt and corrosion from surfaces. The trouble with such methods is that they can create hazardous waste, and necessitate the use of personal protective apparatus for workers. They are also illmatched as cleaning techniques for composites, fibreglass, alloys, and expensive, delicate materials used in the manufacturing of modern premium company assets. SurClean offers a laser beam delivery system that is paired with off the shelf components to enable highly customisable and cutting-edge solutions. Its laser coating removal and surface preparation systems are accurate, risk-free, and clean. They make a formidable replacement for current cleaning methods, and are far better suited to many customers’ varied needs and applications. SurClean’s original purpose was to help advance the military in the ongoing fight against corrosion. Over the years, the cost of fighting corrosion has risen into billions for the US military, who obviously require their equipment to be kept in first-class condition. Nobody wants to take to the skies in a rusty jet fighter! SurClean is able to offer a way of reducing the costs, easing the environmental impact, and improving the safety for military service members. “SurClean aims to replace many of the expensive methods used currently to drastically cut the cost of removing rust from military assets. We want to make regular maintenance more feasible and help lengthen the lifespans of corrosion-vulnerable assets.” SurClean utilises a team of experienced engineers to offer its advanced laser beam delivery, including Navy veteran Don Sprentall. Don, a veteran of the United States Naval Nuclear Submarine Force, helped to pioneer the original SurClean system. He currently works as a managing member of the engineering team with an aim to customise and improve the designs, making them even more useful for defence-specific applications. He is instrumental in the technology development and product design at SurClean. SurClean’s laser ablation solutions save time, money, and reduce many of the risks associated with removing rust, dirt, and paint coatings. It focuses on its speciality, the beam delivery system, and is suitable for use in a range of circumstances. This includes paint removal and de-coating, surface preparation for adhesive bond and coating, mould cleaning, de-oiling, and surface structuring. It can also be used to help with the restoration of stone, brick and concrete, and is ideal for sensitive substrate cleaning. The company’s ability to aid corrosion cleaning means it can be practically employed to preserve bridges and infrastructure, vessels and ships, and within the aviation industry. The laser coating removal system used by SurClean is up to 16 times faster than chemical cleaning, and utilises precise removal, stripping layer by layer. It is safe and efficient, leaving no hazardous waste behind, and offers solutions that are customised specific to client application needs. The company uses the latest technology, with up-to-date IC, I/O, and PLC protocols in place. Its COTS and Beam delivery system is also a cost-effective solution. Using laser energy to remove or vaporise material from surfaces such as paint and/ or contaminants is something widely used in various industries including automotive, aerospace, conservation, and restoration. It’s particularly valuable when dealing with delicate or intricate surfaces where traditional methods such as sand blasting could cause untold damage. SurClean offers different types of lasers for different ablation needs. The choice is dependent on factors such as the material to be removed, the desired level of precision, and the depth of ablation required. The beauty of using SurClean is that the company brings over 40 years of experience in the laser industry, and that’s why it can be relied upon to rise to any occasion, and solve myriad challenges. Company: SurClean Inc. Web Address: www.surclean.com Contact Name: Susan Sprentall SurClean Inc. is a female owned company that manufactures laser coating removal and surface preparation equipment. Using custom laser coating removal methodology is precise, safe, and clean, and its environmental impact is considerably lower than other methods in use today. The company has been awarded the title Best Coating Removal Technology Manufacturer 2023 - Midwestern USA, in the AI Global Excellence Awards. Following which we decided to find out a little more about the business. I
14 | Acquisition International, Issue 12 2023 A Market Leader in Essential Import and Export Support: Strong & Herd LLP or over 28 years, Strong & Herd has been a market leader in customs, international trade, and export development support and training. It is the goal of Strong & Herd’s skilled workforce of technical advisors, trainers, and client relations teams to provide essential support to businesses. Through crucial training, practical workshops, helpline support, one-to-one consultancy, and mentoring sessions, clients will understand the areas of import, export, and customs compliance. The friendly client relations team handles all enquiries and is the first to converse with prospective clients. All team members understand clients’ needs in-depth and are ready to provide efficient support to guide clients through the process. With roughly 2000 members in the business’s support services, OneCall™, the central helpline, and the new CDS Community™ provide clients with the knowledge to use the new UK HMRC customs computer system, CDS (Customs Declaration Service). Strong & Herd also runs an outsourced shipping office, which feeds into the development of its training. The business is now a qualification awarding body and is qualified in various areas of customs regulations and export controls. Strong & Herd is working to develop niche offerings, such as its new Food – International Trade Procedures Learning Pathway. Through a steadfast commitment to continuous innovation, the company has retained several clients for over 25 years who remain with the business because of its approachable, informative style. Its services are essential to clients’ continued growth and assist in the business’s ability to thrive. The company is unique in its involvement in the practical side of importing and exporting goods, its collaboration with the UK government, and its work as a software development test house for new systems. The business also represents British trade in several trade associations. Strong & Herd uses these experiences to update its services when new regulations are introduced. An advantage of trialling new software systems is that clients can receive advanced training and remain abreast of future updates. The company aims to ensure its training and content remain relevant to those who need to use this knowledge daily. Since the UK left the EU, there has been a growing need for companies to stay aware of changing customs regulations. To address clients’ demands, Strong & Herd renewed its standard core training courses to include the changes that resulted from Brexit and created new courses to help clients adapt. Priding itself in its agility, Strong & Herd has adjusted its services to changing circumstances and continues to create new ways of sharing information with the UK business world. As the UK government continues to change how the country trades internationally, it is vitally essential that Strong & Herd remain informed to address clients’ import and export needs. Many businesses experienced difficulties due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Still, Strong & Herd’s work with government departments ensured that clients were kept abreast of requirements and informed about ways to manage the impact. At the beginning of the lockdown in March 2020, Strong & Herd moved everything online to ensure its vital training courses and business support continued. To assist clients working alternative hours or furloughed due to the pandemic, the business launched free daily upskilling sessions to ensure professionals remained current on new customs procedures. The first session began within the first fortnight of lockdown and continued for over a year, with around 3500 participants in attendance. Expanding its portfolio, Strong & Herd now features virtual training sessions and e-learning, as well as face-to-face training, and plans to develop more practical Learning Pathways featuring online activities, study groups, quizzes, and tutor support. Including virtual tools such as break-out rooms, screen sharing, and whiteboards has enabled the business to provide a comprehensive learning experience that allows participants to interact and have their questions answered. A recent development for Strong & Herd has supported businesses in transitioning from the old HMRC computer, CHIEF, to submit import and export declarations on the new CDS system. The company has recently created a new high-priority helpline to address urgent enquiries such as goods stuck in customs or being rejected by the computer. Strong & Herd’s CDS Community™ holds specific clinics and briefings to support clients who need to learn the new declaration system or pass on information to the agents who make their customs entries. As submissions are legal declarations, all the data submitted must be accurate. Although the HMRC system is mostly complete, the technology is improving and will not fully transition until 2024. Strong & Herd is committed to supporting UK businesses adjusting to these digital changes. As an inclusive employer, Strong & Herd believes that all employees possess unique experiences and skills that shape the business’s future together. Workers are encouraged to develop their professional skills through internal and external training sessions. The Strong & Herd family aims Established in 1995, Strong & Herd LLP assist businesses with import and export support in international trade and customs compliance. They aim to explain key subjects comprehensively and ensure enterprises understand regulations. With its expert team of advisors and trainers, Strong & Herd aims to foster clients’ growth and development in a friendly and supportive manner. For its client-centric approach and welcoming service, Strong & Herd has received a Global Excellence Award for this year’s Leading Experts in Import & Export Training. F
to nurture its members with continuous support, which has been especially important during the recent challenges of Brexit and Covid-19. Embracing an agile approach, the business has increased its flexibility in working hours to ensure employees can maintain a good work-life balance. By respecting employees and acknowledging their individuality, Strong & Herd’s employees are motivated to work hard and contribute to the business’s overall success. A future goal for the company is the continued development of its Learning Pathways. Strong & Herd aims to expand its offerings with industry sector-specific opportunities like the Food – International Trade Procedures, due for release in 2024. The company has become renowned for its training and support, and Strong & Herd would like to highlight its professional qualifications. With the help of its highly skilled team, the company will continue to serve its clients with essential services and support. Fuelled by a combination of knowledge and experience, Strong & Herd is well-equipped to steer clients through the ever-evolving landscape of imports and exports. Strong & Herd has received our award for this year’s Leading Experts in Import & Export Training. Contact Details Contact: Sandra Strong Company: Strong & Herd LLP Web Address: www.strongandherd.co.uk A Market Leader in Essential Import and Export Support: Strong & Herd LLP
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