MOULINEX

Moulinex, a major brand of domestic food appliances, has relaunched its kitchen blender, the Genuine, in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the region. First made available over 35 years ago, the original Genuine rapidly became the “iconic food mixer.” The machine quickly found itself as a ubiquitous feature in household kitchens across the world. “The new blender builds on the success of the original model, retaining the style and qualities that made the machine such a bestseller in 1971, but also incorporates new features designed to make it an indispensable accompaniment for the modern culinary world,” the company said. Adhering to its classic upright style, the new blender frees up space on work surfaces and ensures that its jug handle is positioned at just the right height for easy access. The improvements include a more powerful motor and an increase in jug capacity by 25 percent.

DEUTSCHE LUFTHANSA

Jacques Aigrain, CEO of Swiss Re, has been appointed by the Cologne district court to the supervisory board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. He succeeds Dr. Gerhard Cromme. The latter, who has been on the Lufthansa supervisory board since January 2002, stepped down on June 30. The Swiss Aviation Foundation nominated Jacques Aigrain by exercising its right to name a new member in the event of a vacancy occurring on the Lufthansa supervisory board. Jacques Aigrain has been a member of the board of directors since 2001. Lufthansa, one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious airlines, is renowned as the world’s favorite international airline. It successfully owns a fleet of 390 aircraft and is among the world’s Top 10 airlines. The airline is also a founding member of the Star Alliance which offers more than 15,500 daily flights to over 842 destinations in 152 countries.

TAG HEUER

TAG Heuer has announced the Middle East launch of TAG Heuer Grand Carrera, a premium avant-garde new series inspired by the motor-racing heritage and featuring unprecedented sophistication, performance and precision. The new watch is powered by the TAG Heuer Caliber RS movements, the first mechanical line of movements engineered with “Rotating System” indicators. It is a new premium collection of superlatively sophisticated timepieces inspired by the spirit of modern GT cars. Innovative and contemporary, it draws its DNA from the classic TAG Heuer Carrera collection born in 1964 and consistently reinterpreted ever since to become a TAG Heuer icon. Among its many premium features is the ingenious GT car engine-inspired rotating system. The benchmark in cutting-edge chronographs and timekeeping technology since 1860, TAG Heuer is the Swiss watch brand with the longest-standing links to motor sports and dream cars.

UPS

UPS’ first 747-400 arrived at the company’s global air hub in Brussels yesterday for its public debut, ready to begin fulfilling the global mission emblazoned on its fuselage — “Synchronizing the world of commerce.” UPS will fly the jumbo freighter on its long-range international routes, primarily into the Asia-Pacific region. Regular destinations for UPS’ first 747-400 will include Hong Kong, Incheon in South Korea, Sydney in Australia and Shanghai, where the company is building its China air hub. Ultimately, the company will use the aircraft on its “around the world” flights with stops in Cologne in Germany, Dubai and Mumbai in India. “As we continue to see strong international growth, the 747-400 is a perfect fit for UPS,” said Mike Eskew, UPS’ chairman and CEO. “It has tremendous range and payload capacity so we can satisfy the need of customers to move packages and freight to overseas markets.”

ETHIOPIAN/BCC

Ethiopian Airlines has signed an agreement with Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC) for the purchase of one MD-11 freighter aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines Chief Operating Officer Ato Tewolde G. Mariam and BCC’s Senior Director Christopher M. Cooked signed the deal in Addis Ababa recently. The MD-11F, which at the moment is in a passenger configuration, will soon be converted to freighter with an 88-ton cargo capacity. The aircraft will be delivered to Ethiopian in December 2008. Ethiopian now owns two 757 freighter aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines recently inaugurated a new cargo terminal in line with its strategic plan to make Addis Ababa a cargo regional hub and meet the expanding cargo operation as well as in response to the growing export market of Ethiopia, according to Muna Abebe, Jeddah-based area manager of the airline for Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The airline is the recipient of awards in 2006 and 2007.

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN

NBA champion Tony Parker, the second player in NBA history after Kobe Bryant to win three championships at the age of 25 and married to one of Hollywood’s most beautiful actresses, is now the new friend to one of the most sought-after Swiss watch brands, IWC Schaffhausen. “I’m very excited to partner with IWC,” says Parker. “I appreciate the design and craftsmanship of their watches. Also as first ambassador to the make a Wish Foundation in France, I’ve come to really appreciate the charitable enterprises that companies take on. In this area, IWC stood out — their involvement in social responsibility initiatives such as the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which helps underprivileged youth around the world really impressed me.” Moving from France in 2001 to join the top-ranked San Antonio Spurs, Parker became the youngest player in Spurs’ history and the youngest starting point guard in the NBA.