Tag: 3BL

By Carrie Browen

In the previous blog posts we explored the architecture, business requirements, and challenges of the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) transition. Now, it’s time to zoom in and look at how we, as Keysight, are helping shape this future by delivering the technologies, insights, and tools that enable our customers and partners to move forward with confidence.

The SDV journey is not just about adapting to change; it’s about leading it. And that requires a deep understanding of the technological domains that are evolving rapidly. From electrification to perception, from connectivity to cloud and cybersecurity, SDVs are built on a complex, interconnected technology stack. Keysight provides comprehensive, scalable, and integrated solutions that deliver actionable insights across the entire development workflow.

Where We Help Drive the SDV Transition

We empower our customers across six technological domains that are essential for the success of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). In the sections that follow, we’ll explore each domain in detail and highlight how Keysight’s expertise and solutions can drive innovation and performance in every area.

E/E Platform: Enabling intelligent and electrified architectures

SDVs rely on a powerful and interconnected electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture that supports everything from electrification to advanced perception. This domain forms the technological foundation of the SDV, enabling intelligent decision-making, seamless sensor integration, and efficient energy management. As vehicles become more software-centric, the E/E platform must evolve to support high-speed data exchange, real-time control, and scalable electrified systems. This includes electric vehicle (EV) components, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), vehicle-to-grid (V2G) interfaces, and sophisticated electronic control and sensing technologies such as battery management systems, radar, lidar, and cameras. Keysight empowers this transformation by providing high-precision test and validation solutions that span the entire E/E ecosystem. Our tools help engineers simulate, measure, and optimize everything from battery performance to sensor accuracy, enabling faster development cycles, improved system reliability, and future-ready vehicle architectures. Our solutions include:

• Power semiconductor characterization Accurate modeling and testing of power semiconductors are essential for optimizing energy efficiency and thermal performance in EV powertrains and onboard electronics. Keysight provides advanced tools for characterizing wide-bandgap devices such as SiC and GaN, enabling reliable and high-performance designs.
• EV Test Solutions
  Comprehensive test capabilities for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, including:
  • Charging Test Solutions for EV and EVSE, covering interoperability, protocol compliance, and power quality.
  • Battery Test Solutions for cell, module, and pack-level validation, including aging, thermal behavior, and performance under dynamic load conditions.
  • AC and Grid Emulation to simulate real-world grid conditions and V2G scenarios for robust system integration. Learn more about Keysight EV Test Solutions here.
• Radar and Lidar Sensor Test & Validation
  High-fidelity simulation and measurement tools for validating sensor performance under diverse environmental and operational conditions. This includes target simulation, signal integrity analysis, and interference testing to ensure the reliability of perception systems.
• SerDes Design Test & Validation
  Signal integrity and compliance testing for high-speed serial links (e.g. SerDes, MIPI) used in zonal architectures and centralized computing platforms. Keysight enables precise jitter, eye diagram, and BER analysis to ensure robust data communication.
• In-Circuit Test for Board-Level Validation
  Scalable in-circuit test solutions to verify component placement, connectivity, and functionality that are critical for achieving high board test coverage and reducing manufacturing defects in complex automotive electronics.

Computing & In-Vehicle Networks: Powering Intelligence and Data Flow

At the heart of every SDV lies a high-performance computing (HPC) environment and a robust in-vehicle network architecture. These systems enable real-time data processing, seamless communication between electronic control units (ECUs), and support for advanced features like digital cockpits, autonomous driving, and zonal architectures. SDVs require scalable computing platforms and wireline communication technologies such as Ethernet, MIPI, SerDes (etc.), that ensure high data integrity and low latency under automotive conditions.

Keysight supports this domain with a comprehensive suite of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, covering simulation, verification, and compliance. These solutions feature built-in design templates, extensive component libraries, and robust electromagnetic and thermal modeling capabilities, accelerating the development of reliable, high-performance systems. For automotive wireline networks, Keysight offers comprehensive test solutions that span protocol analysis, signal integrity testing, and compliance validation across all major standards, such as Automotive Ethernet and SerDes. Solutions like Novus Network Testing enable compact, scalable network validation for automotive and industrial IoT applications, supporting realistic traffic emulation, performance benchmarking, and stress testing across complex topologies such as 10Base-T1S.

Meanwhile, Bit Error Ratio Test (BERT) tools offer in-depth protocol debugging and analysis capabilities, enabling engineers to identify signal integrity issues, validate link robustness, and optimize performance across high-speed digital interfaces. Keysight’s BERT systems deliver industry-leading accuracy in physical-layer design verification, supporting multi-gigabit standards critical to SDV computing and communication architectures.)

Communication: Ensuring connectivity, always and everywhere

SDVs rely on a diverse set of communication technologies to connect with infrastructure, other vehicles, the cloud, and users. From cellular to satellite and short-range protocols, these systems are foundational in enabling advanced features, ensuring safety, and delivering seamless user experiences. Keysight supports this domain with a comprehensive portfolio of test solutions that help validate, optimize, and future-proof communication systems to ensure robust performance, low latency, and compliance with global standards across technologies, including 4G, 5G, and emerging 6G networks.

Cellular Communication

• NG eCall Conformance Test Solutions perform end-to-end functional and standards-compliant testing for next-generation emergency call systems.
• C-V2X Test Solutions  enable vehicle-to-everything communication for both infrastructure and on-board units, supporting critical safety applications and traffic efficiency. WaveBee V2X test tools and SA8700A C-V2X Test Solution to learn more.

Short-Range Communication

• Ultra-Wideband (UWB)supports precise localization and secure access for advanced vehicle features.
• Wi-Fi  enables high-speed data exchange both within the vehicle and with external networks.

Satellite Connectivity

• Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)  solutions help reduce development risk and accelerate satellite system validation. Keysight enables antenna design interference detection, RF emission monitoring, and ground-based testing to ensure optimal performance in orbit.

By helping customers test, validate, and optimize these technologies, Keysight ensures that SDVs deliver reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity. Whether enabling critical safety features, enhancing user experiences, or supporting future-proof architectures, our tools and expertise make seamless, always-on communication a reality.

Perception: Empowering Vehicles to See, Sense, and Interact

Perception systems are central to enabling intelligent driving functions and services in SDVs. These systems allow vehicles to interpret their surroundings and make real-time decisions through a fusion of technologies such as radar, lidar, and cameras. They support critical applications including ADAS, autonomous driving (AD), digital cockpits, and connected services like V2X (vehicle-to-everything), V2G (vehicle- to-grid), and V2H (vehicle-to-home).

Keysight provides advanced solutions for validating perception technologies across multiple layers, from sensor signal fidelity to system-level behavior. Our tools support sensor fusion testing by integrating data from radar, lidar, and cameras to ensure accurate environmental modeling. Scenario-based testing, including radar scene emulation, enables validation of ADAS and autonomous driving systems under dynamic conditions. The Radar Scene Emulator replicates real-world scenarios by varying speed, distance, and target count across a continuous field of view, allowing radar sensors and backend software to be tested against complex driving environment, reducing development risk and accelerating deployment of next-generation vehicle autonomy.

To ensure seamless integration between perception and connectivity, Keysight’s C-V2X Autonomous Drive Emulation platform validates both communication performance and user interface (UI)/ user experience (UX) behavior, evaluating how V2X data is presented to drivers and how users interact with safety alerts and navigation features. This supports realistic interaction modeling and enhances system responsiveness in connected environments.

As AI and machine learning become integral to SDV perception and decision-making, Keysight provides tools for testing and validating AI/ML and Generative AI models, focusing on performance, robustness, and regulatory compliance. Solutions include AI-based test automation, Human-in-the-Loop modeling, and user experience testing, supporting generative AI requirement-based testing, realistic interaction scenarios, and accelerating validation of intelligent vehicle systems.

By enabling precise, scenario-based validation of perception systems, Keysight helps customers build vehicles that are not only aware of their environment but also capable of interacting with it intelligently, safely, and in compliance with global regulations.

Security: Embedding Cybersecurity by Design

As SDVs grow in software complexity and connectivity, cybersecurity becomes a foundational design requirement. Protecting vehicle systems, data, and user privacy requires a proactive, multi-layered approach that spans hardware, software, and network domains. Keysight helps customers embed security by design, supporting every stage of the development lifecycle with scalable, integrated solutions.

• The Automotive Cybersecurity Test Platform enables validation of security mechanisms at ECU/TCU, subcomponent, and vehicle level—simulating real-world cyberattacks to assess system resilience.
• Pre-silicon and code-level vulnerability testing to identify and remediate issues early in the development process, reducing downstream risk.
• SecOps and Zero Trust validation  to ensure secure operations, access control, and policy enforcement in dynamic, distributed environments.
  • With CyPerf, lightweight test agents are deployed across physical, cloud, and edge environments to validate Zero Trust architectures and network security environments
  • The Threat simulator continuously emulates breach and attack scenarios, providing actionable insights into the effectiveness of security controls.
• CCC Digital Keys support contactless and secure vehicle access and authentication via smartphones and vehicles.
• With CloudLens, Keysight extends visibility into hybrid cloud environments, enabling packet capture, filtering, and analysis down to the edge, providing dynamic network intelligence essential for monitoring and securing SDV cloud-based services.

By integrating security into every layer of the SDV architecture, Keysight empowers customers to build vehicles that are not only intelligent and connected, but also secure, trusted, and future-proof.

Cloud & Backend: Enabling Scalable Services and Intelligent Operations

The cloud backend is the digital foundation of SDVs, powering mobility services, OEM platforms, data analytics, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. As vehicles become increasingly connected and software-driven, cloud infrastructure must support secure, scalable, and low-latency operations across a wide range of services, from infotainment and diagnostics to energy management and autonomous driving.

Mobility Services & Application Ecosystems
Keysight enables validation of mobility platforms and OEM services, including web-based automotive applications and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) ecosystems. Our solutions support OTA firmware and app store testing, ensuring secure and reliable software delivery, updates, and lifecycle management across SDV fleets.

Cloud Performance & Security Validation
To ensure robust and secure cloud operations, Keysight offers tools like  CyPerf, which performs scalable application and security testing across distributed cloud environments. CloudPeak validates the functionality and benchmarks the performance of virtualized network infrastructures. IxLoad VE emulates real-world traffic, such as web, video, voice, storage, VPN, and security protocols, to assess backend responsiveness and scalability under realistic load conditions.

Energy & Edge Services Integration
Keysight supports the development and validation of V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) and EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)systems through advanced emulation and conformance testing solutions. These tools enable bidirectional energy exchange testing, protocol validation, and in-field debugging to ensure interoperability and compliance with global charging standards. In parallel, Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) plays a critical role in delivering low-latency, real-time services such as ADAS, V2X communication, and predictive maintenance. While Keysight does not directly implement MEC platforms, it provides performance MEC such as CyPerf and CloudPeak , to test edge infrastructure under realistic traffic and threat conditions, ensuring reliable operation of latency-sensitive SDV applications.

By helping customers test, secure, and optimize cloud-based SDV architectures, Keysight ensures that vehicles can deliver intelligent, personalized, and continuously evolving experiences, securely and at scale.

Conclusion: Let’s Build the Future Together

What sets Keysight apart is our ability to deliver  insights across the entire SDV workflow, from early design to validation, from lab to road. Our tools are built to scale, integrate seamlessly, and empower teams to make decisions faster and with greater confidence.

We help our customers:

• Accelerate innovation and development cycles and enabling shift-left testing
• Improve test coverage, automation and continuous testing
• Ensure compliance and security from code to chipset to system to operation

The SDV transformation is complex, but with the right partner, it becomes an opportunity. At Keysight, we’re proud to support the pioneers of this new era of mobility. Whether you’re building the next-gen EV platform, validating AI-based perception systems, or securing your cloud-connected vehicle architecture, we’re here to help.

Let’s shape the future of mobility. Together.

Wesco Anixter and RSE have strengthened their relationship by equipping RSE’s newest apprentices with professional-grade toolkits at a significantly reduced cost. This initiative marks a meaningful step in their shared commitment to fostering career development in the industry, ensuring that apprentices begin their journey with the tools, support, and confidence needed to succeed.

RSE offers apprenticeships at many of their locations, including Muir of Ord, Deephaven, Cumbernauld, Dalgety Bay, Basingstoke and West Thurrock, with the diversity of the business allowing young talent to be identified and developed throughout their early careers into senior and even office-based roles.

The standard of workmanship expected by RSE requires quality tools, and with apprentices joining the programme from a range of backgrounds, it’s important that each apprentice receives a high-quality toolkit that will serve them well throughout the duration of the apprenticeship programme.

In late August, Zubi Hussain, Business Development Manager Electrical and Electronic Solutions UK, visited the Muir of Ord Production facility to meet RSE’s newest electrical and mechanical apprentices, who received their toolkits through the newly launched apprentice tooling initiative.

“We are delighted to begin this initiative with Wesco Anixter,” said Mike Campbell, RSE Apprentice Officer. “It is encouraging to see their approach to apprenticeships and supporting the early careers of upcoming talent is well aligned with RSE’s, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”

Zubi Hussain, Wesco Anixter Business Development Manager, added: “We’re thrilled to partner with RSE in supporting the next generation of apprentices through this tooling initiative. By providing high-quality toolkits, we’re helping these young aspiring individuals start their careers with confidence and the right resources. What excites me most is how closely aligned our values are with RSE’s. This collaboration reflects our long-term commitment to building a stronger future for the industry.

Wesco Anixter has also committed to providing toolkits at no cost for future apprentice groups, as a way to support career development and give back to the industry.

Notes to the editor 

About RSE

RSE is the UK’s leading provider of sustainable water treatment solutions, working to bring new technology to life and play a leading role in improving water quality across the globe.

Through standard integrated product solutions, RSE aims to reduce lead times, assure factory quality and reduce lifecycle costs while offering a range of commercial models including temporary and rental solutions.

The firm was founded in Muir of Ord in the Scottish Highlands in 1982 and now employs more than 2,000 people across 17 sites. Over the last few years, RSE has enjoyed rapid growth, with revenue increasing from £61million in 2019 to £360million in 2025.

RSE’s commitment to the circular economy, carbon reduction and cutting-edge engineering, including modular off-site fabrication and digital innovation, has enabled the business to achieve company-wide carbon neutral status.

RSE delivers projects for the UK’s major water companies, as well as leading firms including Diageo, Siemens, SSE and EDF.

About Wesco Anixter

Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500® company with more than $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry’s premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations.

Eastman

MILAN, October 27, 2025 /3BL/ — Ugolini, the Italian benchmark company in the production of countertop equipment for catering and hospitality, has taken an important step forward on its sustainability journey by integrating Tritan™ Renew, Eastman’s innovative copolyester, into the design of its products.

The company had already adopted traditional Eastman Tritan copolyester in 2019 in response to European regulations banning the use of BPA in materials intended for food contact. Today, driven by growing consumer awareness of environmental sustainability and strengthened European regulations, Ugolini has chosen to evolve further by switching to Tritan Renew, a more sustainable version of the same material.

“We are excited to offer a more sustainable version of a material we already fully trust,” said Marco Ugolini, the company’s CEO. “Tritan has shown exceptional durability over the years. With Tritan Renew, we can deliver the same technical performance while adding a strong environmental value that our customers increasingly appreciate.”

Tritan Renew is made with certified recycled content* thanks to Eastman’s molecular recycling technology. This process significantly reduces the use of fossil resources and greenhouse gas emissions without compromising performance, safety or durability.

For Ugolini, the choice of material is crucial. Containers used for preparing and dispensing beverages must meet high standards for food suitability, hygiene, and chemical and thermal resistance and withstand intensive wash cycles. Tritan Renew meets these requirements perfectly while also offering a BPA-free solution, which is increasingly sought after in international markets.

“We are proud to collaborate with a company like Ugolini, which is driving innovation in its sector also through the selection of more sustainable materials,” said Paolo Franco, business development manager at Eastman. “With Tritan Renew, Ugolini offers a product that is not only safe and high performing but also more environmentally conscious — an added value that is increasingly decisive for consumers.”

The collaboration between Ugolini and Eastman has taken concrete form in the development of the mold for the ICON 3 model, characterized by the tank’s complex technical design. The combined experience of the Ugolini and Eastman teams made it possible to produce a mold perfectly suited to processing Tritan Renew while maintaining the final product’s mechanical and visual performance.

This synergy of expertise has accompanied the evolution of Ugolini equipment, first with the adoption of Tritan and now with the transition to Tritan Renew, consolidating the company’s commitment to a more responsible, future-oriented production model.

Ugolini products, symbols of Made in Italy design and distributed worldwide, can be seen on the official website ugolinimilano.com.

_{*Certified recycled content by ISCC via mass balance allocation method}

 

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

What are your top wellness priorities? Perhaps they include exercise, eating a balanced diet or mindfulness practices. What about doctor appointments — are your routine screenings on the list as well?

Wellness checkups are excellent tools for staying on top of your health — especially routine screenings that can help detect certain diseases, like cancer, early and before they’ve had a chance to spread. However, many Americans admit to putting off and/or avoiding important recommended health checkups and screening tests, according to the 2025 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey.¹

Aflac commissioned its third annual Aflac Wellness Matters Survey to gain key insights from everyday Americans about important health care issues. It explores topics such as routine health appointments and recommended health screenings, how health care is prioritized compared to other factors, and who are the biggest influences on individuals’ decisions to seek routine care. 

Key findings show:¹

• The overwhelming majority of Americans (more than 90%) have put off getting a checkup or recommended health screening on time.
• Nearly all Americans (94%) face barriers to getting checkups and recommended screenings on time.
• Half of younger Americans are using urgent care or the ER for their health care needs.
• Women are most likely to admit skipping common recommended screenings and are also less likely than men to have a feeling of control over many aspects of their health.
• Sixty-eight percent of Americans are interested in using AI for health concerns. 

In hopes of inspiring a healthier population for today and in the future, the Aflac flock is sharing their wellness stories. Click here to watch their videos and know we are cheering you on to advocate for your health, because your wellness matters.

Click here to watch: Buffy’s Story, Darcy’s Story, Mayauna’s Story, Olivia’s Story and Rusty’s Story.

For more tips about taking the first steps, view the Wellness Matters tip sheet. 

1. Aflac (2025). The Aflac Wellness Matters Survey. Accessed on Sept. 26, 2025 from www.aflac.com/wellnessmatters.

Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2500987

EXP 10/26

Originally published on Tork Newsroom

Tork, an Essity brand and the leading global professional hygiene brand, announced its entrance into the restroom air care category in North America, with the introduction of the Tork Constant Air Freshener to the U.S. and Canada. Bringing innovation to the traditional air freshener category, Tork Constant Air Fresheners continuously deliver freshness in restrooms, eliminating odors with a system that is easy to maintain and refill.

Poor restroom experiences can negatively impact business reputation, causing visitors to leave early or avoid a location altogether; a bad restroom odor is a top reason (#2) people avoid public restrooms. Additionally, 63% of restroom users say a fresh scent helps determine if a public restroom is clean; a “fresh scent” is also the top solution consumers recommend for ideal public restroom design.²

Tork Constant Air Freshener neutralizes odors with evenly and continuously distributed fragrance that eliminates, rather than masks, bad odors. This unique design eliminates the “spray and fade” effect from traditional systems, creating a fresh restroom experience that lasts up to 90 days between refills. The propellant-free system features three scents with adjustable intensity levels to suit any restroom size or preference.

“The scent of a restroom – good or bad – is often the first impression of its condition, and people view a restroom’s condition as a direct reflection on that business,” says Brian Kincaid, Product Management Director, Skincare & Aircare, Essity. “After launching Tork Constant Air Fresheners in Europe, we received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers who quickly discovered this product delivers on a real need and is highly effective at neutralizing odors and maintaining a steady fragrance, which results in a consistently welcoming restroom environment. Add in the easy maintenance and sustainability benefits, and it checks the boxes for businesses looking to create a restroom experience that is memorable in all the right ways.”

Tork Constant Air Freshener is “easy to use”  for speedy refilling by cleaning staff. Where traditional air fresheners need to be placed high on walls for whole-restroom fragrance distribution, Tork Constant Air Fresheners allow flexible placement at reachable heights for easy refilling during the normal cleaning routine. It is also compatible with Tork Vision Cleaning, the world’s leading data-driven cleaning solution, which allows cleaning staff to know exactly when and where to refill all Tork dispensers in the restroom. 71% of cleaning staff agree that if restroom dispensers were quicker and easier to refill, they’d have more time for other cleaning tasks.⁴

Tork Constant Air Fresheners support sustainable hygiene management best practices, helping the planet by avoiding harmful propellants and enabling more efficient product usage, and helping people by delivering inclusive hygiene in the restroom. This includes accessible product design for greater ease of use with cleaning staff, to creating spaces that are approachable and free of odors that might otherwise lead to restroom avoidance.

Learn more about how Tork Constant Air Fresheners can help deliver a great restroom experience through smart, sustainable hygiene management here: www.torkglobal.com/us/en/airfreshener

About Tork

The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissues, soap, napkins and wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity and a committed partner to customers in more than 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit www.torkglobal.com/us/en/.

About Essity

Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company. Every day, our products, solutions and services are used by a billion people around the world. Our purpose is to break barriers to well-being for the benefit of consumers, patients, caregivers, customers and society. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa. In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information at essity.com.

Taco Bell

One of the coolest things about working at Yum! Brands is the ability to complete an STA. An STA, also known as Short Term Assignment, is the ability to work across corporate, brand and business affiliate offices. This allows employees to grow their skills, learn more about the different functions and gain further insight into business operations without the permanent commitment of a role switch. In this story series, we’ll spotlight those who have completed STA’s and how it’s grown their career.

McKenzie H., Training Coordinator on the learning and development team, came to Taco Bell about five years ago. Before this, McKenzie grew up in the “middle of nowhere” as she proclaimed, in Minnesota. She wanted to be a vet when she was younger but didn’t enjoy dissecting animals in biology class, so she set out on a different path.

McKenzie originally went to college for elementary/special education before switching careers and getting a degree in graphic design. After college, she was looking for jobs and decided to follow her brother to California. He worked for a company that managed the Service Desk for Taco Bell, so McKenzie joined the team, too!

“A little after I started on the Service Desk, my role changed… I started working with the training team to help create materials for the field teams, such as knowledge-based articles teaching folks about standard operations procedures and how to troubleshoot.”

McKenzie realized that her graphic design skills layered perfectly with crafting learning and development modules, so she put herself out there and asked someone on the current learning and development team to be her mentor. At the same time, she did a lot of LinkedIn Learning courses, making her well-prepared for a STA that she eventually got the opportunity to do!

“Working with cross-functional teams, managing multiple deadlines, critical thinking and having the patience to translate content were all skills I had learned on the Service Desk. At the same time, LinkedIn Learning, mentorship and practicing role-specific tasks was how I built my foundation. So, when the opportunity came to apply for the team, I was ready.”

While McKenzie applied all her Service Desk skills to her STAs, she also had immense passion and perseverance that helped her land her dream role. She found something she loved and stuck with it, built relationships with people in that field, and learned new techniques along the way.

“After a few months of the STA, I went back to being a full-time Service Desk member. But I continued to express interest, so I started working a couple hours a week with the learning and development team. Not long after that, I was offered another STA with the team… and this year, I ended up getting hired on full-time!”

We’re excited to see what McKenzie continues to do with her career at The Bell! Stay tuned for more stories about our exceptional talent.

Three Things to Remember

1. Leidos has opened a new office in Richmond, Virginia to better serve the growing energy demands across the Southeast.
2. The location enhances the company’s ability to deliver advanced engineering and grid modernization solutions while facilitating closer alignment with customers.
3. The expansion will support regional talent development and community partnerships in sustainability and STEM.

Strengthening energy resilience across the southeast

Leidos has expanded its footprint in Virginia with the opening of a new office in Richmond — strengthening its ability to deliver advanced engineering solutions for the growing electric utility market across the Southeast.

As utilities work to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective power, they face mounting challenges from rising load demands and infrastructure strain. Across the Southeast, including Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas, load growth is projected to increase 25% by 2035, driven primarily by new data centers and manufacturing facilities. In Richmond alone, load growth driven by data center expansion in the state is projected to rise rapidly by 5% annually, more than doubling by 2040.

The new Richmond office positions Leidos to meet these challenges head-on. By deepening local engagement and improving accessibility, the company can better support utility customers through faster response times, enhanced collaboration, and greater agility. The new location also reinforces Leidos’ continued focus on service delivery and program execution while advancing efforts in grid modernization and AI-enabled solutions for energy infrastructure. 

From Richmond, Leidos will aim to deliver a full suite of capabilities, including transmission and distribution line design, substation and system engineering, system planning, civil and structural engineering, and project management. Together, these capabilities will help utilities strengthen grid resilience and prepare for future energy demands.

“Our Richmond office will facilitate closer alignment with our customers,” said Bill Johnson, senior vice president, Energy, Infrastructure and Automation at Leidos. “This proximity allows us to be more agile and responsive, scaling our workforce quickly to meet the growing demand for innovative engineering solutions.”

Building local partnerships, powering future growth

As operations expand, Leidos plans to invest further in local talent, creating opportunities for engineers and energy professionals throughout the region. The company is focused on building a strong, sustainable workforce that supports both its customers and the surrounding community. 

Beyond business growth, Leidos is committed to making a lasting impact in the Richmond area through partnerships with local organizations that foster healthier lives, advance environmental sustainability and support STEM education initiatives that inspire the next generation of innovators.

SEE HOW LEIDOS MODERNIZES THE NATION’S ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

EMERYVILLE, Calif., October 27, 2025 /3BL/ – SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is pleased to announce that its Sustainably Grown® certification standard has been officially benchmarked as equivalent to the Silver Level of the SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0, a globally recognized framework for sustainable agricultural production.

This benchmarking confirms that Sustainably Grown meets the rigorous environmental, social, and economic requirements of the FSA framework and aligns with global best practices for responsible farming and continuous improvement. The standard, developed and maintained by SCS Standards and certified by SCS Global Services, supports producers and brands seeking to credibly demonstrate sustainability performance across the agricultural supply chain.

“This recognition affirms the integrity and rigor of the Sustainably Grown standard and its contribution to driving measurable improvement in agricultural sustainability,” said Victoria Norman, Executive Director of SCS Standards and Assurance Systems. “By achieving Silver Level benchmarking, Sustainably Grown enables producers and supply chain partners to access FSA-aligned sourcing programs while demonstrating conformance to global supply chain requirements with confidence.”

The benchmarking was independently reviewed and validated by SAI Platform’s FSA team, confirming that the Sustainably Grown certification meets the criteria and governance requirements of FSA 3.0. With this recognition, farms certified under Sustainably Grown are now able to demonstrate equivalence to the FSA Silver Level without additional audits or duplicative assessments, reducing reporting burden and streamlining market access.

“Achieving FSA Silver benchmarking demonstrates the strength and credibility of the Sustainably Grown program as a trusted assurance framework for sustainable agriculture,” said Kevin Warner, Director of ESG Certifications and Strategy at SCS Global Services. “For growers and buyers, this means greater efficiency, reduced audit duplication, and the ability to meet FSA-aligned sourcing goals through a single, comprehensive certification. We’re proud to deliver certification services that empower farms and brands to achieve meaningful sustainability impact.”

“The benchmarking of SCS Sustainably Grown standard against the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0 is a strong testament to SCS’ commitment to fostering industry-level harmonization and standardization,” says Joe Iverson, FSA Manager with SAI. “The benchmark benefits users of the Sustainably Grown standard who can now claim equivalence to the FSA as a global standard for sustainability, further validating their work and providing enhanced market access”.

The Sustainably Grown standard applies globally across all crops, providing a comprehensive and flexible framework for agricultural sustainability that supports continuous improvement and meaningful environmental and social outcomes.

For more information about the Sustainably Grown Certification Standard and its FSA benchmarking, please visit www.SCSstandards.org.

For more information about getting certified to Sustainably Grown, please visit https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/sustainably-grown-certification.

Read More

About SCS Standards

SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is an organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent, and collaborative approach. SCS Standards and Assurance Systems is the official standards development body for Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. For more information, visit www.SCSstandards.org.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business.

About SAI FSA

The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform) is a global, non-profit organization leading the food and drink industry’s transition to sustainable and regenerative agriculture. With 190 members spanning the value chain, from farmers to retailers, and strategic partners, from academia to NGOs, SAI Platform plays a vital role in convening stakeholders and facilitating the meaningful dialogue required to transform the global food and drink industry to source and produce more sustainably. By fostering industry alignment and encouraging collaborative action, SAI Platform offers members a safe space to share expertise, pioneer practical solutions to address the pressing challenges facing agriculture and accelerate progress towards a more resilient food system.

Media Contact:
Shyama Devarajan
Senior Marketing Analyst, SCS Global Services
sdevarajan@scsglobalservices.com

In response to the “No Coffee Tax Act,” legislation introduced September 19, 2025, by Reps. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) and Ro Khanna (D-California) to repeal the Trump Administration’s tariffs on coffee, Fairtrade America issued the following statements:

“Passing this bipartisan bill into law would be a huge relief for coffee farmers, small businesses across the U.S. that roast and sell coffee, and the 150 million Americans who drink coffee every day.

“Prior to the Trump Administration’s tariffs, the coffee industry was already in a tough spot. Droughts and extreme rainstorms caused a global supply shortage. The cost of coffee climbed to staggering highs which has left small roasters in the U.S. struggling to maintain their businesses. And moreover, coffee farmers often couldn’t realize the benefit of these higher prices due to increased costs and production challenges. Coffee has become more expensive, hurting consumers’ wallets for a product they love.

“The U.S. will never be able to grow enough coffee domestically to satisfy demand so charging an additional tax on top of the existing challenges is simply an unnecessary punishment for everyone who touches the global coffee supply chain. Repealing these tariffs, as well as those on other commodities that cannot be grown in the U.S., like cocoa and bananas, will help these already overstressed supply chains stabilize and help Americans save money on their grocery bills.”

–Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America

 

“Tariffs can disrupt access to what have been dependable markets for the small-scale farmers who grow most of Americans’ coffee and cocoa. These widely consumed commodities cannot be grown in the U.S. at scale, so it is possible that importers will push the import duties to be absorbed upstream by the farmers themselves. For small-scale farmers throughout Africa, many of whom already live in poverty, this means a devastating loss of income due to lower prices and reduced sales volumes.

“Rescinding the tariffs on commodities that are important exports for African economies and cannot be grown in the U.S. would remove a layer of uncertainty from what is already a high-risk business sector. Africa’s cocoa and coffee farmers, in particular, have been struggling for months with compounding crises. Climate change, rising production costs, and decades of underpayment from more powerful actors along their supply chains have made it nearly impossible for them to earn a decent living. Continuing the 10-30% tariff rates imposed across various countries will be a significant blow to Africa’s farmers and their communities.

“Young Africans have already turned away from farming as a career because it is seen as a dead end. Who will grow Americans’ beloved coffee and cocoa when the challenges become so extreme that no one is willing to farm these commodities?”

–Paul Colditz, Commercial Manager, Fairtrade Africa

MetLife offers extensive benefits and resources to help colleagues prioritize their well-being, which in turn allows them to contribute to our purpose to the best of their ability. 

EMBEDDING WELL-BEING EVERY DAY

We strive to make well-being an everyday consideration for colleagues. Our global BeWell initiative demonstrates our commitment to holistic well-being by connecting employees to health and wellness resources, individual support and leader tools. In addition, we raise awareness of our benefits through storytelling, leader messages and awareness campaigns. 

We provide access to mental health care by offering virtual mental health care options and providing employee assistance programs in 21 markets. These include mindfulness programs for U.S. colleagues through the platform eMindful and free access for colleagues in 16 markets to a mental health app that offers tools to help with sleep, meditation and relaxation. In addition, we enhanced access to Employee Assistance Program counseling in the U.S. through Emotional Well-Being Solutions. Colleagues and their families can now schedule no-cost appointments online and, through our care provider, we guarantee access to a counselor for no cost within five days. Empathy continues to provide practical and emotional support for U.S. employees and employees of U.S. Group customers following the loss of a loved one.

Find out more about MetLife’s benefits program and view our U.S. Employee Policies & Benefits.

TALENT AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

MetLife’s strong foundation of learning and professional development supports our workforce’s ability to deliver results in a fast-changing world. Our approach emphasizes building business-critical skills and encourages colleagues to pursue development opportunities in line with their aspirations. We create impactful learning experiences through a combination of virtual, hybrid and in-person opportunities where colleagues can network and learn from one another. 

Investing in Learning and Development

Now in its third year, Growing@MetLife showcases the many learning and development resources available to our colleagues. Through career and development conversations with their managers, employees receive feedback on their strengths, as well as how they can grow their skills to reach their potential. Following these conversations, employees use MetLife’s online platform to create individual development plans and access a variety of personalized learning options.

MyLearning provides access to digital learning resources such as articles, books, videos, webinars and courses. By adding “focus skills” to their MyLearning profiles, colleagues receive AI-based recommendations to learning resources aligned to their development needs. The number of employees with “focus skills” increased 53% from 12,228 employees in 2023 to 18,657 employees in 2024. 

Additionally, we’ve introduced deep-skilling programs to give colleagues training in areas that can help them become future-ready. The programs use top-tier, industry-related educational content offered in local languages. For U.S.-based Assistant Vice Presidents across lines of business, we began offering a two-day boot camp focused on financial and business acumen to underscore the drivers of financial growth for MetLife, including specifics about our primary products and services. 

A key addition to our learning and development campaign is the Coaching@MetLife initiative. Following a successful pilot in 2023, MetLife expanded the program and now offers on-demand coaching to all interested employees. Feedback to date indicates that coaching is perceived as highly valuable, with nearly 100% of participants saying they would recommend it to others. Through our MyVoice survey comments, we believe Coaching@MetLife has contributed to strong career-related scores against benchmark.

Our global internal talent marketplace, MyPath, allows employees to manage their own professional development by providing opportunities for experiential learning and skill-building while also addressing business priorities. The platform uses AI-based recommendations to match employees to opportunities based on their skills, experiences and ambitions. MyPath is available globally and in seven languages. 

Mandatory training also helps colleagues stay up to date with the latest on our regulatory requirements; learn how to protect each other, the Company and our customers; and drive key MetLife priorities. 

Read more about how MetLife is supporting the well-being of its colleagues in our 2024 Sustainability Report.