Author: sHq_LoGiNz

LOS ANGELES, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XDS, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers, today announces the global expansion of X-LAB, a vertically integrated performance bicycle platform, to fifteen new markets including the US, Norway, Japan and Australia. The rollout introduces nine models spanning road, gravel, urban, and electric categories, including X-LAB’s first gravel and electric platforms.

XDS manufactures more than eight million bicycles annually at global scale. With X-LAB, the company brings that capability into a consumer-facing platform to integrate engineering, materials, and components within a singular system. This system has been tested now at the highest level as X-LAB is raced by the XDS–Astana WorldTour Team.

As cycling demand grows, so does the friction for that demand

At a time when interest in cycling is expanding worldwide, fueled in part by electric mobility and growing demand for outdoor activity, the industry faces structural challenges and artificial friction. Fragmented supply chains, inaccessible consumer entry points, and punishing dealer agreements have made performance cycling hard for new riders to enter and even harder for retailers to sustain.

X-LAB introduces a new operating model to solve for just that. Built within XDS’ vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing ecosystem, X-LAB is designed as a single, cohesive system – enabling faster innovation cycles, more efficient supply chain , and stronger value shared with both riders and retailers.

“The bicycle industry has incredible heritage, and we respect that deeply,” said Edwin Tan, CEO of XDS International. “But when engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain live in different places, innovation becomes painfully slow, and costs rise needlessly. X-LAB starts from a different premise. If you design the whole system together, you unlock better performance and better economics at the same time.”

A dealer-first partnership model

X-LAB is launching with a go-to-market approach that’s intentionally different from where much of the industry is heading. While margin pressure pushes many brands toward a DTC-first playbook, X-LAB chooses to focus a meaningful portion of its distribution model on the independent bike shops.

Why? As Tan says, “High-performance bicycles aren’t purely transactional. Fit, setup, service, education, and ongoing support are essential to the experience. That experience begins in a shop, with professionals who know riders, know the local terrain, and know how to care for good bikes longterm.”

One such shop that partnered with X-LAB early is Contender Bicycles, a cycling community hub of Salt Lake City. As Contender president Ryan Littlefield says, “What stands out about X-LAB is the level of integration and spec at those price points. X-LAB feels and works like a complete system, with frameset, wheelset, in-house components, and integrated tech all working together. The brand is making that level of performance accessible to more riders.”

That’s not to say X-LAB does not enter the market with a clear view of the retail landscape. The industry-wide reality is that many bike shops have reported real financial strain in recent years. Furthermore, legacy dealer programs often add friction with front-loaded inventory commitments, complex incentive structures, and channel conflicts that can undercut retailers.

X-LAB’s model is built on supply chain efficiency and confidence in product-market demand, enabling transparent dealer terms designed to support healthier sell-through without shifting excess risk onto retailers. “The goal is to remove those friction points and let retailers focus on what they do best: to deliver a world-class experience for riders,” added Tan.

Nine bikes spanning road, gravel, urban, and electric

X-LAB launches with a nine-bike lineup built around a clear idea: make truly high-performance cycling more attainable. For decades, top-tier performance has been pushed further and further to the very top of the price curve. X-LAB believes that price inflation is not entirely necessary.

Unlike the traditional approach of mixing frames from one supplier with wheels and components from others, X-LAB is built on one of the industry’s most vertically integrated design ecosystems, with framesets, wheelsets, and key components engineered together to create a more cohesive on-road feel, better reliability, and a streamlined ownership experience.

It is for this reason that performance specs typically reserved for $10K+ builds are now available in an entirely different price range, with the flagship X-LAB AD9 WorldTour aero race bike retailing at just under $8,000.

Highlights in the lineup include:

• AD9: the WorldTour aero platform raced by the XDS-Astana Team (see GC Performance review)
• GT8: a purpose-built carbon gravel platform engineered for speed, stability, and long mixed-surface days
• RT9: a new frontier in materials science with a carbon frame engineered to approximately 550 grams, bringing elite climbing ambitions to more consumers (see Velo review)
• ST5+: an urban e-bike platform with a unique in-house mid-drive motor ,designed for simplicity and reliability, delivering integrated performance and everyday usability

Across the lineup, integrated technologies such as in-house power meters and Apple “Find My” reduce reliance on aftermarket upgrades, simplifying the ownership experience while maintaining high-end performance characteristics.

“How do you grow? It might surprise the casual observer just how much momentum cycling has already gained in recent years,” said Patrick Pan, Head of International Growth at X-LAB. “Yet, for new riders it still feels hard to get started. If we really want the sport to grow, we can’t just serve the converted – we have to create new riders out of thin air. This not only means we should build bikes that serious cyclists will love, but it means we have to make performance simpler to spec, easier to own, and more accessible from day one.”

North American rollout

X-LAB’s North American expansion is anchored in Los Angeles, where the company has established a local office, built a dedicated U.S. team, and deployed a sizable warehouse to support distribution and dealer operations.

This infrastructure enables faster fulfillment, consistent inventory availability, and direct dealer support.

X-LAB bicycles are available through authorized dealers and online at https://xlabbikes.com in the United States, with continued rollout across Europe, Asia, and ANZ markets.

About the Company

About XDS
Headquartered in Shenzhen, XDS is one of the world’s largest and most vertically integrated manufacturers in cycling, with full-stack in-house capabilities spanning carbon frame engineering, wheelsets, components, motors, sensors, and software. The company manufactures at global scale and is the official sponsor of the XDS Astana WorldTour Team.

About X-LAB
X-LAB is the elite performance platform developed by XDS, bringing system-level engineering and vertically integrated manufacturing into the global lineup. Launching across road, gravel, urban and electric mobility categories, X-LAB has plans to further expand this year into additional performance categories including full-suspension mountain bikes. With global operations anchored in Los Angeles, X-LAB is powered by a team with deep expertise in engineering, technology, and go-to-market.

To see an insider’s look at the full build out – from the woven carbon fibers to the finished WorldTour AD9 complete bike – take a look at Cycling Weekly’s all-access deep dive through the Shenzhen facilities.

Media Contact:

Patrick Pan
media@xds.co
https://xlabbikes.com

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SOURCE X-LAB

SANDPOINT, Idaho, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Solar Roadways® (SR), the U.S. pioneer in intelligent infrastructure, today announced three major milestones: the introduction of its new SR5 Solar Road Panel (SRP), first US military base deployment, and completion of its seventh government grant. SR also opened an equity investment opportunity to complete UL certification and accelerate scalable manufacturing.

Solar Roadways has successfully completed grants with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Defense. USDOT funding supported R&D, independent testing, and the creation of the world’s first solar parking lot.

Co-Founder Scott Brusaw, a Marine veteran, said, “I love supporting our military bases and our country. Our manufacturing partner manufactured the panels for our first military installation and shares our commitment for America’s SRPs to be made in the USA. We want to support American manufacturing and job growth while protecting the environment.”

Solar Roadways sits at the intersection of several multi-billion-dollar markets, including clean energy, smart cities, and decentralized energy. The company invented and patented the intelligent Solar Roadways concept with Solar Road Panels for all walking and driving surfaces. The 2023 Polaris Market Research report projects the global solar highway market projects to reach $100 billion by 2032. https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/solar-highway-market

Co-Founder Julie Brusaw is in constant communication with supporters around the world via the company’s social media platforms. She says, “I watched the worldwide enthusiasm for Solar Roadways explode when we released our viral Solar Freakin’ Roadways video and people love the idea of a solar panel with LEDs that doubles for sports and games and helps keep families safe.”

The company says they’re currently focused on preparing for scaled manufacturing, but are excited about the future enhancements such as enabling dynamic charging for EVs and making autonomous vehicles safer.

A brief equity investment opportunity is currently open to the public through Wefunder: https://wefunder.com/solar.roadways.incorporated

About Solar Roadways

Solar Roadways invented and patented robust, modular, multi-featured SRPs for walking and driving surfaces. They are designed to replace traditional asphalt and concrete while being impervious to potholes. The panels generate clean energy while incorporating safety benefits via heating elements for winter safety, and dynamic LEDs to replace paint for road markings.

Founded in 2006 by Scott and Julie Brusaw and HQ’d in Sandpoint, Idaho, Solar Roadways is now advancing the SR5 generation of panels toward commercial production, visit www.solarroadways.com.

Photos and video available upon request or at solarroadways.com/press.

Media Contact:

Scott Brusaw
Co-Founder & CEO
Solar Roadways
Phone: (208) 946-3180
Email: 411820@email4pr.com

Website: www.solarroadways.com

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SOURCE Solar Roadways

MIAMI, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Origis Energy, one of America’s leading clean energy platforms, today announced the closing of $118M in tax equity financing from RBC Community Investments (“RBC”) for the Chalan Solar + Storage project in Kern County, California.

Origis Energy is constructing and will own and operate the 65 MWac solar and 25 MW / 100 MWh battery energy storage facility, which is expected to achieve commercial operation in Q4 2026. The project’s output is contracted under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Pioneer Community Energy, a not-for-profit community choice electricity provider headquartered in Rocklin, California, serving customers across Placer and El Dorado counties.

“We are delighted to partner with RBC to bring another high-quality solar and storage project to the grid and deliver reliable, cost-effective clean energy to Pioneer’s customers and communities,” said Alice Heathcote, Chief Financial Officer of Origis Energy. “This transaction underscores the strength of our platform – from development through financing – and our ability to attract top-tier capital partners as we continue to scale.”

“RBC’s investment in the Chalan solar and storage project demonstrates our longstanding and continued commitment to the clean energy transition,” said Jonathan Cheng, Managing Director and Head of RBC’s Renewable Energy Tax Equity Investments. “We are excited to partner with Origis on this transaction and look forward to collaborating on future projects.”

About Origis Energy

Origis Energy is one of America’s leading renewable energy platforms, committed to delivering near-term, cost-competitive solutions for today’s infrastructure needs. We put customers first by deploying a full suite of energy services, including grid-scale power generation, performance optimization, and long-term operation of solar and energy storage assets across the U.S. Learn more at www.origisenergy.com.

About RBC Community Investments

RBC Community Investments is a leading syndicator of Renewable Energy Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Workforce Housing Investments, Historic Tax Credits, and State Tax Credits. By creating well-structured investments, our team of experienced professionals crafts equity solutions that help drive the successful development of affordable multifamily communities and renewable energy projects nationwide. As of April 2026, our team of over 156 professionals has raised over $22.3 billion in equity with 121 institutional investors.

To learn more, visit www.rbccm.com/communityinvestments

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SOURCE Origis Energy

WILMINGTON, Del., April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Guidepost Montessori, running 80+ preschools across the United States, has partnered with illumine, the world’s first AI-powered childcare management software, to power parent communication and operational infrastructure across its growing network of campuses.

With an established presence spanning more than 20 states, Guidepost Montessori is focused on building a modern digital infrastructure that upholds the operational excellence and unwavering quality families have come to expect from the Montessori experience. As a network rooted in intentional, child-centered education, Guidepost sought a technology partner that could match that standard. illumine, AI-powered vertical SaaS platform designed specifically for early childhood education, emerged as a natural fit. illumine now supports family communication, tuition collection, compliance, attendance management, and operational workflows across Guidepost Montessori schools – ensuring that every campus delivers the consistent, high-quality experience that defines the Guidepost name. The platform also enables centralized visibility for leadership teams, helping administrators maintain that standard consistently across every location.

Bringing AI to Modern Childcare Operations

While artificial intelligence is transforming many industries, early childhood education has historically lagged behind in adopting advanced technology. As an AI-powered platform purpose-built for early childhood education, illumine integrates AI directly into everyday school operations. Built on years of childcare operational data and educator workflows, the platform applies intelligent automation to simplify tasks that traditionally require hours of manual work.

One of the most important areas where AI is creating impact is communication. Early education environments often serve diverse communities where families speak different languages or have varying levels of digital familiarity. illumine’s platform helps schools bridge this gap by enabling multilingual communication and simplifying how updates, announcements, and classroom moments are shared with families.

By combining secure AI, childcare-specific data, and purpose-built childcare management software, illumine is helping early education providers modernize how schools run-without compromising the human-centered nature of early learning.

Leadership Perspectives on the Partnership

Navneet Rastogi, CEO of illumine, said “Guidepost Montessori has built an extraordinary network of schools grounded in authentic Montessori principles and a deep commitment to families. We’re excited to support their continued growth with an AI-powered childcare management platform that simplifies operations, strengthens parent communication, and gives leadership teams real-time visibility across campuses. Our goal is to remove operational friction so educators can focus on what matters most – supporting children and their development.”

Matthew Sears, Senior Vice President of Technology, Global, at Guidepost Global Education, added: “When we decided to move to illumine for our U.S. network, the objective was to eliminate fragmented systems and create a unified experience for both our internal teams and the families we serve. Previously, many processes relied on manual work across disconnected tools – from updating data between systems to calculating seat availability through spreadsheets and custom solutions. It worked, but only because people were holding it together. As we sought a more efficient operating model, that approach became unsustainable. We needed real-time visibility into what was happening across every campus, dramatically less administrative burden on our teams, and a system that could handle the complexity of operating dozens of schools across more than twenty states.”

“illumine addressed all three.” He said, “And it covers all aspects of the family and staff experience from enrollment, communication to billing, and more. illumine provides visibility at all levels of the organization – from school leaders checking form completion to regional managers monitoring billing across campuses and executives reviewing enrollment trends network-wide. It puts the families we serve in control of their own information, and connects them directly with the staff most important to them and their child.  And the whole system is backed by a great support team at illumine, eager to understand our needs and help us get the most out of the platform.  They’ve made all the difference as we navigated the challenge of rolling out a new system in the middle of the academic year across 80+ locations.

Building the Future of Early Education Technology

The collaboration between Guidepost Montessori and illumine highlights the growing role of AI-powered technology in modern early childhood education. As childcare networks expand across regions and markets, digital platforms purpose-built for early education are becoming essential to maintaining operational efficiency, parent trust, and consistent school experiences.

By implementing illumine across its network, Guidepost Montessori is building a scalable digital infrastructure designed to support both operational excellence and strong school–family partnerships.

About illumine
illumine is an AI-powered childcare management platform built for preschools, daycares, and early education networks.. It streamlines enrollment, tuition and billing, attendance tracking, regulatory compliance, and parent communication within a unified system powered by AI. Built to reduce administrative burden and improve operational efficiency, Illumine supports childcare centers and multi-site programs across the United States and globally. For more information, visit www.illumine.app.

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SOURCE illumine Technology Inc

MIRAMAR, Fla., April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16), VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, is calling on Americans to take an important step: document their healthcare goals and wishes before a crisis occurs.

Advance care planning ensures that individuals receive care aligned with their values, while easing the emotional burden on families and improving communication across the healthcare continuum. Yet many adults have not completed an advance directive or had conversations with loved ones about their preferences.

Free CME/CE Educational Webinar

To help address this gap, VITAS will host a free educational webinar designed for healthcare professionals and community members alike. The session offers one complimentary CME or CE credit, equipping clinicians with practical tools to guide meaningful conversations about advance directives and care planning.

• Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning
• Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Virtual (Zoom): Register at VITAS.com/Webinars

“Too often, these conversations happen in moments of crisis, when patients may no longer be able to share their wishes,” said Heather Veeder, MD, regional medical director at VITAS. “Advance care planning gives people a voice in their care and provides clarity for families and clinicians. It is one of the most important steps we can take to ensure care reflects what matters most to each individual.”

The webinar will explore how clinicians can integrate advance care planning into routine practice, normalize conversations about serious illness and help patients document their preferences clearly and effectively.

Healthcare professionals and community members can learn more and register for the April 15 webinar and other upcoming topics at VITAS.com/Webinars.

Partnering With Healthcare Communities

VITAS is also expanding its educational outreach through collaboration. In partnership with the Florida Hospital Association, VITAS will host a joint webinar on April 16, focused on strengthening advance care planning conversations across Florida’s healthcare system. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to improving patient-centered care through earlier, more consistent dialogue.

In addition, VITAS experts recently contributed to broader national discussions on the topic. Dr. Veeder and Jason Cooper, national spiritual services lead, offered their perspectives during an episode of the MANifesting Health Webinar Series hosted by the American Association for Men in Nursing. Their discussion emphasized the clinical, emotional and spiritual importance of advance care planning, reinforcing the need for interdisciplinary approaches to these conversations.

Year-Round Advance Care Planning

While National Healthcare Decisions Day serves as a reminder each year, Dr. Veeder stresses that advance care planning should be an ongoing priority. “Every adult should have a plan in place, regardless of age or health status,” she said. “When preferences are documented and shared, patients receive care that aligns with their goals, and families are spared the uncertainty of making difficult decisions without guidance.”

By advancing education, fostering collaboration and equipping clinicians with the tools to lead these conversations, VITAS continues to set the standard for compassionate, patient-centered end-of-life care.

About VITAS^® Healthcare
VITAS Healthcare is the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care. For almost 50 years, VITAS (pronounced VEE-tahs) has delivered compassionate hospice and palliative care to seriously ill patients and their families. Headquartered in Miramar, Florida, the company operates 59 service areas across 15 states (Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia. 

VITAS cares for more than 22,000 patients daily, primarily wherever they call home, as well as in its inpatient hospice settings and through partnerships with hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities. With a team of nearly 12,000 employees, VITAS was named a 2025 Top Workplace in Healthcare. Visit www.vitas.com.

Media inquiries contact: media@vitas.com, 877-848-2701 

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SOURCE VITAS Healthcare

LOS ANGELES, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Los Angeles Football Club and America’s Tire today announced their season-long partnership, naming one of the nation’s leading independent tire and wheel retailers an Official Partner of LAFC.

For the 2026 season, LAFC fans will see America’s Tire branding integrated throughout home matches, and America’s Tire will offer fans helpful tire safety tips through pre-match video fan engagement features at select home matches. The partnership includes in-stadium rotating LED signage during home matches at BMO Stadium and digital out-of-home signage on LAFC’s exterior LED network surrounding the stadium.

America’s Tire first opened a store in California in 1983, and today, it operates over 120 stores in the state. With 10 stores in the Los Angeles area, including several within just a 15-minute drive from BMO Stadium, America’s Tire is equipped to help LAFC fans get to and from matches safely.

“With America’s Tire’s strong foundation in Southern California, this partnership positions us well to connect with more customers across the region, while continuing to promote tire safety among passionate soccer fans,” shared Tom Williams, chief experience officer at America’s Tire.

Through the partnership with LAFC, America’s Tire will further expand its commitment to supporting soccer fans while promoting tire safety and helping keep drivers safe on the roads. The retailer also serves as the Official Tire Retailer of Major League Soccer in its 31st season, including the MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup.

“We’re excited to partner with America’s Tire and extend its mission of uniting passionate soccer fans and sharing important, lifesaving tire safety tips,” said LAFC Co-President & Owner Larry Freedman. 

America’s Tire operates in 20 MLS markets across the United States — including Los Angeles — where drivers can expect expert tire, wheel, and wiper blades installation and free tire safety checks.

For more information about America’s Tire and to find a location, visit americastire.com. For more information about Los Angeles Football Club, visit lafc.com.  

About America’s Tire
America’s Tire is the leading independent retailer of tires, wheels, and windshield wipers. Founded in 1960 by Bruce T. Halle, the company serves customers at more than 1,250 stores in 40 states. The company does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and as America’s Tire in parts of California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Treadwell, America’s Tire’s proprietary online tire recommendation tool, uses decades of data and individual driving habits to recommend the right tires for each driver’s unique needs. America’s Tire is a primary sponsor of the No. 2 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Official Tire Retailer of Major League Soccer. For more information, visit www.americastire.com

About LAFC
The 2022 MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Football Club has represented the greater Los Angeles area in Major League Soccer since 2018. The two-time Supporters’ Shield Champions (2019, 2022) and 2024 U.S. Open Cup Champions, LAFC is dedicated to building a world-class soccer club that represents the diversity of Los Angeles and is committed to delivering an unrivaled experience for fans. LAFC’s ownership group is comprised of local leaders and innovators of industry with intellectual capital, financial prowess, operations expertise, and success in the fields of entertainment, sports, technology, and media. LAFC is invested in the world’s game and Los Angeles, constructing and developing the 22,000-seat BMO Stadium and a top-flight training center on the campus of Cal State Los Angeles.

Media Contacts
America’s Tire
Rachel Baker
pressemails@discounttire.com

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SOURCE Discount Tire