Category: Economics

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How to watch UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perez livestream online

A few weeks after UFC 300, the mixed martial arts promotion company returns with UFC Fight Night, which has Brazilian fighter Matheus Nicolau (19-4-1) going up against American Alex Perez (24-8-0) in the main event.

 

UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perez takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

On Saturday, April 27, the prelims began at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. The main card started at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. If you want to watch the event online, it livestreams with an ESPN+ subscription.

 

$503 and up

BUY: UFC FIGHT NIGHT: NICOLAU VS. PEREZ TICKETS ON VIVID SEATS

Last-minute tickets to UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perezin Las Vegas are still available on sites like Vivid Seats. meanwhile, you can use promo code VAR2024 to get $20 off your purchase at Vivid Seats. Tickets are also available at StubHub.

 

Want to watch UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perez online? This event is streaming on ESPN+, ESPN and ESPN2, so there are a few ways to watch UFC Fight Night. Let’s break it down.

$10.99/Month

WATCH UFC FIGHT NIGHT: NICOLAU VS. PEREZ ON ESPN+

To watch UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perez online, you’d have to sign up for a subscription to ESPN+ for $10.99/Month. If you don’t want to go month-to-month, you can sign up for an annual subscription for $109.99/Year — which is about a 15% savings from the monthly price.

 

$109.99/Year

BUY: ESPN+ ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

You can also sign up for the Disney Trio — which includes ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+ — starting at $14.99/month.

 

In addition, UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perezbroadcasts on ESPN for the main card and ESPN2 for the prelims, which are both available to watch on DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and Sling Orange. And since DirecTV Stream and Fubo offer free trials, you can watch UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perez online for free.

 

Check out the full fight card below, and stream UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs. Perez here.

 

Main Card, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

  • Flyweight: Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez — main event
  • Light Heavyweight: Ryan Spann vs. Bogdan Guskov — co-main event
  • Women’s Flyweight: Ariane Lipski vs. Karine Silva
  • Heavyweight: Austen Lane vs. Jhonata Diniz
  • Featherweight: Jonathan Pearce vs. David Onama
  • Welterweight: Tim Means vs. Uros Medic

 

Prelims, 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT

  • Bantamweight: Rani Yahya vs. Victor Henry
  • Lightweight: Austin Hubbard vs. Michael Figlak
  • Heavyweight: Don’Tale Mayes vs. Caio Machado
  • Women’s Strawweight: Ketlen Souza vs. Marnic Mann
  • Lightweight: James Llontop vs. Chris Padilla
  • Women’s Flyweight: Ivana Petrovic vs. Na Liang
  • Lightweight: Maheshate Hayisaer vs. Gabriel Benitez

 

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— Variety

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Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet disclose $32B+ in combined expenses for data centers, capital costs in Q1; they accelerate AI spending

—  The spending that the industry’s giants expect artificial intelligence to require is starting to come into focus — and it is jarringly large.

 

Karen Weise / New York Times:

 

 

If 2023 was the tech industry’s year of the A.I. chatbot, 2024 is turning out to be the year of A.I. plumbing. It may not sound as exciting, but tens of billions of dollars are quickly being spent on behind-the-scenes technology for the industry’s A.I. boom.

— Microsoft said generative A.I. had contributed to more than a fifth of the growth of its cloud computing business.Credit…Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

 

Companies from Amazon to Meta are revamping their data centers to support artificial intelligence. They are investing in huge new facilities, while even places like Saudi Arabia are racing to build supercomputers to handle A.I. Nearly everyone with a foot in tech or giant piles of money, it seems, is jumping into a spending frenzy that some believe could last for years.

 

Microsoft, Meta, and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, disclosed this week that they had spent more than $32 billion combined on data centers and other capital expenses in just the first three months of the year. The companies all said in calls with investors that they had no plans to slow down their A.I. spending.

 

In the clearest sign of how A.I. has become a story about building a massive technology infrastructure, Meta said on Wednesday that it needed to spend billions more on the chips and data centers for A.I. than it had previously signaled.

 

“I think it makes sense to go for it, and we’re going to,” Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, said in a call with investors.

 

The eye-popping spending reflects an old parable in Silicon Valley: The people who made the biggest fortunes in California’s gold rush weren’t the miners — they were the people selling the shovels. No doubt Nvidia, whose chip sales have more than tripled over the last year, is the most obvious A.I. winner.

 

The money being thrown at technology to support artificial intelligence is also a reminder of spending patterns of the dot-com boom of the 1990s. For all of the excitement around web browsers and newfangled e-commerce websites, the companies making the real money were software giants like Microsoft and Oracle, the chipmaker Intel, and Cisco Systems, which made the gear that connected those new computer networks together.

But cloud computing has added a new wrinkle: Since most start-ups and even big companies from other industries contract with cloud computing providers to host their networks, the tech industry’s biggest companies are spending big now in hopes of luring customers.

 

Google’s capital expenditures — largely the money that goes into building and outfitting data centers — almost doubled in the first quarter, the company said. Microsoft’s were up 22 percent. Amazon, which will report earnings on Tuesday, is expected to add to that growth.

 

Meta’s investors were unhappy with Mr. Zuckerberg, sending his company’s share price down more than 16 percent after the call. But Mr. Zuckerberg, who just a few years ago was pilloried by shareholders for a planned spending spree on augmented and virtual reality, was unapologetic about the money that his company is throwing at A.I. He urged patience, potentially for years.

 

“Our optimism and ambitions have just grown quite a bit,” he said.

 

Investors had no problem stomaching Microsoft’s spending. Microsoft is the only major tech company to report financial details of its generative A.I. business, which it said had contributed to more than a fifth of the growth of its cloud computing business. That amounted to $1 billion in three months, analysts estimated.

 

Microsoft said its generative A.I. business could have been even bigger — if the company had enough data center supply to meet the demand, underscoring the need to keep on building.

 

Read More

 

 

— Techmeme

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Congresswoman Watson-Coleman, County Exec Benson unveil 4.1M grant award for Trenton-Mercer Airport taxiway

EWING, N.J. — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman has secured Trenton-Mercer Airport a $4.1 million allocation in Congress’s most recent appropriations bill.

A press conference was held Thursday with Mercer County Exec. Dan Benson, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, Commissioner Chair John Cimino, Commissioner Vice-Chair Kristin McLaughlin, Commissioner Lucylle Walter, Commissioner Sam Frisby, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, and Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann.

The project includes the full-depth reconstruction of 20,000 SY of airfield taxiway and apron pavement. The full-depth reconstruction of the taxiway will allow Trenton-Mercer Airport to enhance overall aircraft safety by giving them more reliable pavement to operate on. The new taxiway is essential to Mercer County’s larger terminal replacement project.

“Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, has once again demonstrated tremendous leadership for Mercer County, and the region with her advocacy in securing over 4 million dollars for the reconstruction of Taxiway Alpha. I look forward to us continuing to work hand-in-hand to make Trenton-Mercer Airport’s Terminal Replacement Project a success,” said Mercer Executive Dan Benson.

“Mercer County is at a pivotal point and as someone who has spent their career as an infrastructure professional, we have a unique opportunity to position ourselves a as a geographic transportation hub,” said County Commissioner Chairman John Cimino.

“County Executive Benson has an innovative vision for Mercer County and I am delighted to be a tireless, vigilant Congressional champion in securing Mercer County their fair share to deliver for our residents, “said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman.

For additional information, please reach out to Theo Siggelakis at TSiggelakis@Mercercounty.org.

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AM Best downgrades Credit Ratings of Farm Bureau County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas and Texas Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company; removes affiliates from under review

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance — AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) to “a-” (Excellent) from “a” (Excellent) of Farm Bureau County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas and Texas Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company (together known as Texas Farm Bureau Casualty Group).

 

The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative. At the same time, AM Best has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a-” (Excellent) of Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company and Texas Farm Bureau Underwriters (together known as Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Group). The outlook assigned to these ratings is negative. All companies are domiciled in Waco, TX, and are collectively referred to as Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Group (the group).

The ratings reflect Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Group’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

 

Following a year of material surplus deterioration, the group implemented a pooling agreement between its property affiliates (Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company) and the casualty operations (Texas Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company), consisting primarily of personal auto, effective Jan. 1, 2024, which will allow the group to manage capital more effectively. Under the pooling agreement, premiums, losses and expenses are combined and pro-rated, with participation percentages based on the individual members’ policyholder surplus.

 

The group’s balance sheet strength assessment of very strong reflects of its very strong overall risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), as well as moderate levels of leverage, adequate liquidity, favorable calendar-year reserve development and a comprehensive reinsurance program.

 

The group’s marginal operating performance assessment reflects the most-recent three consecutive years of operating losses and a high degree of volatility. As a result, most of the key profitability metrics fall short of the private passenger standard auto and homeowner composite. Like most of its peers, net underwriting losses were driven by the extraordinary weather-related events in 2023. These weather-related events resulted in 13 catastrophe losses, as classified by the group, four of which exceeded its occurrence catastrophe retention level. Further driving elevated losses is the impact of increased loss cost trends across the group’s core lines of business.

 

Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Group’s business profile is neutral, supported by the group’s market penetration as a leading personal lines writer in Texas, along with their broad product offering. In addition, the assessment takes into account the group’s relationship with the Texas Farm Bureau, which enhances customer loyalty and affinity.

 

In response to these adverse trends, management has put in place a series of initiatives to return to profitability and improve balance sheet strength metrics, including significant rate increases, increased segmentation on the auto line of business and more-refined underwriting guidelines. However, the negative outlooks reflect the uncertainty and execution risks associated with these efforts. Should key balance sheet or operating performance metrics not stabilize as a result of these actions, the ratings may be downgraded.

 

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Brinda Modi Shah
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 882 1767
brinda.shah@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Richard Attanasio
Senior Director
+1 908 882 1638
richard.attanasio@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com

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How TikTok has influenced US culture: shaped Hollywood, privacy, shopping, news, music, mental health, national security, and more

— TikTok has changed America

 

New York Times:

 

 

—  Has there ever been an app more American seeming than TikTok, with its messy democratic creativity, exhibitionism, utter lack of limits and vast variety of hustlers?

 

And yet, of course, TikTok is not American, which is the whole reason that in March, the House of Representatives passed a bill with broad bipartisan support that would force the Chinese owners of the video-app juggernaut to either sell to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban. Lawmakers say it’s a national security threat, and that the Chinese government could lean on its owner, ByteDance, to obtain sensitive U.S. user data or influence content on the app to serve its interests.

 

There’s a long road of legislation, deal making and legal challenges ahead before TikTok could be forced to change ownership or even be banned. The Senate would need to pass the legislation — which it may do as soon, now that the House has bundled it into a foreign aid package. It would have to survive lawsuits from TikTok and creators. Buyers would have to clear regulatory approval. And after all that, Beijing could simply block a deal.

 

But imagining what a United States without TikTok would look like throws into sharp relief just how much the app has worked its way into American culture.

 

TikTok, which officially landed in the United States in 2018, was the most downloaded app in the country, and the world, in 2020, 2021 and 2022. It wasn’t that the elements of it were so new — compelling videos from randos had long been a staple of American pop culture — but TikTok put the pieces together in a new way.

 

Unlike Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat, TikTok didn’t build itself around social connections. Its goal is pure, uncut entertainment. The algorithm ingested every data point it could from what users skipped, liked or shared — and spat it directly into the maddeningly habit-forming For You Page. Fans whispered reverently that it knew them better than they knew themselves.

 

Here are 19 ways of understanding how TikTok became part of American life. The music America listens to, the movies it sees, what conspiracies it believes, how it can make or break a product’s success, who it defines as a celebrity — all of it has been influenced by TikTok, for good and bad. Even if you’ve never opened the app, you’ve lived in a culture that exists downstream of what happens there.

 

Read More

 

 

— Techmeme

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The AACCNJ announces Schnearia Ashley as Vice Chair of Community Board of Directors

TRENTON, N.J. –- The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) announces Schnearia Ashley, Senior Vice President, Truist, CRA Community Development Manager, Truist – PA and NJ, as Vice Chair of the AACCNJ Community Board of Directors.

“I am deeply honored to serve as vice chair of the community board of directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce New Jersey”, said Schnearia Ashley, Senior Vice President, Truist, CRA Community Development Manager, Truist – PA and NJ. “I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of our vibrant community.”

“Having a partner to help me continue to pave the way will be a privilege,” Viviana Lamm, CEO, Risk Strategy Solutions, and Chair, AACCNJ Community Board of Directors. “Our Vice Chair will add a refreshing approach to the success of our community board.”

“I look forward to working with our new Chair and Vice Chair of the Community Board of Directors to design strategies that will derive value for our members and those that invest in the mission of AACCNJ while contributing to the competitiveness of New Jersey,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President, & CEO, AACCNJ.

 

Please visit the links for more information:

https://www.aaccnj.com/board-members

 

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

The AACCNJ performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

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TimberTech® Composite Decking recognized by industry and design professionals for performance, innovation and sustainability

CHICAGO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE: AZEK) (“AZEK” or the “Company”), the industry-leading manufacturer of beautiful, low-maintenance and environmentally sustainable outdoor living products, including TimberTech® decking and railing, Versatex® and AZEK® Trim, and StruXure® pergolas, is proud to announce that the new TimberTech Composite Terrain+ CollectionTM has been recognized for its innovative design and performance characteristics as well as its sustainability attributes, receiving Green Builder’s 2024 Sustainable Product of the Year Award and being named to HGTV Magazine’s 2024 Green List.

 

TimberTech Composite Terrain+ decking features sophisticated aesthetics with multi-color variegation and realistic emboss patterns combined with the high performance and durability found across all of TimberTech’s Composite decking collections. With its protective 4-sided capping, the Terrain+ Collection palette includes three on-trend colors, including Weathered Oak, Natural White Oak, and Dark Oak – each delivering a sophisticated, versatile and natural wood look. It is sustainably manufactured in the USA with up to 85% recycled content and protected with Product and Fade & Stain Limited Warranties for up to 30 years.


“As we celebrate the recognition of our TimberTech Composite Terrain+ Collection by Green Builder and HGTV Magazine, it’s clear that our commitment to innovation and sustainability is resonating with industry experts and consumers alike,” said Chief Marketing Officer Sam Toole. “This award-winning collection is a testament to our dedication to creating products that are both beautiful and environmentally responsible. It also reinforces AZEK’s position as an industry leader, where our focus on innovation enables us to consistently launch new outdoor living solutions that meet and exceed homeowner expectations.”

 

The Terrain+ Collection was named a winner in Green Builder’s 2024 Sustainable Product of the Year Awards, which recognizes the best innovations in sustainable home and building product design. Receiving accolades for its nature-inspired design, realistic wood looks, and superior performance and durability, the collection’s environmental sustainability attributes also stood out to the judges who deemed TimberTech as one of the brand leaders defining the future of green building.

 

2024 marks the second year in a row that TimberTech Decking was featured on HGTV Magazine’s Annual Green List, which features the editors’ best picks for eco-friendly furniture, décor and outdoor spaces. The Terrain+ Collection was their standout pick for homeowners looking to make their outdoor spaces more environmentally friendly.

 

To learn more about TimberTech’s beautiful, low-maintenance and sustainable outdoor living solutions, visit timbertech.com.

 

About The AZEK® Company

The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE: AZEK) is the industry-leading designer and manufacturer of beautiful, low maintenance and environmentally sustainable outdoor living products, including TimberTech® decking and railing, Versatex® and AZEK® Trim, and StruXure® pergolas. Consistently awarded and recognized as the market leader in innovation, quality, aesthetics and sustainability, our products are made from up to 85% recycled material and primarily replace wood on the outside of homes, providing a long-lasting, eco-friendly, and stylish solution to consumers. Leveraging the talents of its approximately 2,000 employees and the strength of relationships across its value chain, The AZEK Company is committed to accelerating the use of recycled material in the manufacturing of its innovative products, keeping hundreds of millions of pounds of waste and scrap out of landfills each year, and revolutionizing the industry to create a more sustainable future. The AZEK Company has recently been named one of America’s Climate Leaders by USA Today, a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune and U.S. News and World Report, and a winner of the 2024 Real Leaders® Impact Awards. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company operates manufacturing and recycling facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan and Minnesota. For additional information, please visit azekco.com.

Contacts

Amanda Cimaglia

312-809-1093

media@azekco.com

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Phibro Animal Health Corporation to host webcast and conference call on third quarter results

TEANECK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Phibro Animal Health Corporation (Nasdaq: PAHC) expects to announce its third quarter financial results on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, after the market closes. Phibro management will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.

 

Interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting https://investors.pahc.com. The discussion will also be available by dialing +1 (888) 330-2022 in the U.S. and Canada, or +1 (365) 977-0051 for international callers. Provide the conference ID 3927884.

 

A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event. To access the webcast recording, visit https://investors.pahc.com.

 

About Phibro Animal Health Corporation

Phibro Animal Health Corporation is a leading global diversified animal health and mineral nutrition company. We strive to be a trusted partner with livestock producers, farmers, veterinarians, and consumers who raise or care for farm and companion animals by providing solutions to help them maintain and enhance the health of their animals. For further information, please visit www.pahc.com.

 

Our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available online at www.sec.gov, www.pahc.com or on request from the company.

Contacts

Glenn David

Chief Financial Officer, Phibro Animal Health Corporation

+1-201-329-7300

investor.relations@pahc.com

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Banco Popular launches a new campaign ‘We Follow Your Rhythm;’ introduces audio branding

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Puerto Rico is a recognized global platform for musical talent, with a variety of rhythms and genres representing its cultural wealth. Rooted in that influence, Banco Popular announced a new campaign titled “We Follow Your Rhythm.” The Bank used the analogy of music to capture the diversity of its customers, the wide range of their banking preferences and the ways that Popular meets those banking needs.

 

“For the past 130 years Popular has evolved with cultural, social, and economic changes to ensure it serves optimally and efficiently. We have always moved at the pace of our clients, understanding their preferences, and constantly transforming our offering to meet their needs so they can carry out their transactions in an agile and simple way,” said Ignacio Álvarez, president and CEO of Popular.

 

“We Follow Your Rhythm” positions Popular as a bank that offers a wide range of financial services through digital and traditional channels. “We want to highlight our convenience and accessibility, which help us build the future, while inclusively serving different generations of customers. We also want to present a more modern brand that contributes to our solid local recognition and evolution,” said Denise Draper, division manager of Marketing at Popular.

 

The campaign was developed in collaboration with RosadoToledo& and recorded by the Metrópolis production house. It features employees and local musicians, including maestro Ángel “Cucco” Peña for the composition and arrangement. It also includes students from the musical programs of the Banco Popular Foundation and the Arturo Somohano Philharmonic Orchestra. The campaign’s digital elements were created in collaboration with Contáctica.

 

“At the heart of this campaign is our new corporate purpose: putting people at the center of progress. We also use music to create a connection with our customers and humanize their unique way of banking,” added Patricia Vigoreaux, group vice president of Marketing at Popular.

 

A custom-composed audio branding performed by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Tommy Torres helps audiences connect with Popular through sound.

 

“We have been in the process of modernizing the Popular brand and wanted to connect with people through a sound that distinguishes us. We are grateful to Tommy Torres for participating in this project,” said Eduardo Negrón, executive vice president and manager of Popular’s Administration group.

 

“Tommy created a sound that is recognizable, that identifies our roots and culture, appeals to all the markets we serve (Puerto Rico, the United States, and the Virgin Islands) and connects the customer to the essence of our brand,” Negrón added.

 

The campaign and the audio branding launch on April 18 and will run on television, in print and online.

Contacts

Natacha Vale

(787) 553-6681

Natacha.vale@popular.com

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TimberTech® sets new industry standard with top-rated fire resistance for composite decking; best choice for fire zones

TimberTech Advanced PVC collections feature exceptional flame spread resistance, now with an Ignition Resistant designation from California’s State Fire Marshal

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE: AZEK) (“AZEK” or the “Company”), the industry-leading manufacturer of beautiful, low-maintenance and environmentally sustainable outdoor living products, including TimberTech® decking and railing, Versatex® and AZEK® Trim, and StruXure® pergolas, is proud to announce that its TimberTech Advanced PVC Vintage Collection® and Landmark Collection® are the first in the composite decking industry to receive an Ignition Resistant designation from California’s State Fire Marshal.

 

Ignition Resistance, as defined by the California State Fire Marshal, and by the surrounding states that have adopted its standards, refers to building materials that resist catching fire or burning easily and that may slow the spread of flames. The new Ignition Resistant designation for these Advanced PVC Collections underscores TimberTech’s commitment to providing homeowners with not only beautiful and durable outdoor living solutions but also products that help enhance the safety of their outdoor spaces by adding an extra layer of protection against fire hazards.

“TimberTech is not just leading but revolutionizing the decking industry through innovation,” said Jonathan Skelly, President of Residential and Commercial for AZEK. “These fire designations underscore our relentless pursuit to not only meet but to exceed fire safety standards. Considering the staggering number of over 46 million homes across 70,000 U.S. communities at risk from the impacts of wildfire, our comprehensive portfolio can help consumers harden their homes to reduce risk and increase resistance to heat, flames, and embers typical of most wildfires.”

 

In addition to the new Ignition Resistant designation, TimberTech’s Vintage and Landmark Collections hold a Class A Flame Spread Rating. Class A is the best rating available and indicates a material is in the highest range of resistance to flames. This means that in a fire, flames will spread slower across the deck surface. Class A Flame Spread Rated decking will resist catching fire and will not readily contribute to the spread of flames. TimberTech’s Advanced PVC Decking also meets Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) compliance standards. Local building codes in WUI zones mandate fire-resistant materials for construction projects, including decks. WUI-Compliant materials resist flame spread and catching fire due to flying embers.

 

“The significance of these ratings cannot be overstated, especially for homeowners like me living in California and those living in other areas prone to wildfires or those simply seeking to enhance the safety of their homes,” said Sam Toole, Chief Marketing Officer for AZEK. “No other decking matches the beauty or performance of our Vintage and Landmark Collections and features top-rated fire resistance.”

 

TimberTech’s recently introduced Aluminum Framing product pairs perfectly with Advanced PVC decking. Because it is made of aluminum, it is particularly well-suited for areas prone to fires as compared to wood, enabling TimberTech to provide homeowners with a comprehensive wood alternative decking and framing solution.

 

To learn more about TimberTech’s innovative decking solutions and their flame spread ratings, visit https://www.timbertech.com/about/fire-resistant-decking/.

 

About The AZEK® Company

The AZEK Company Inc. (NYSE: AZEK) is the industry-leading designer and manufacturer of beautiful, low maintenance and environmentally sustainable outdoor living products, including TimberTech® decking and railing, Versatex® and AZEK® Trim, and StruXure® pergolas. Consistently awarded and recognized as the market leader in innovation, quality, aesthetics and sustainability, our products are made from up to 85% recycled material and primarily replace wood on the outside of homes, providing a long-lasting, eco-friendly, and stylish solution to consumers. Leveraging the talents of its approximately 2,000 employees and the strength of relationships across its value chain, The AZEK Company is committed to accelerating the use of recycled material in the manufacturing of its innovative products, keeping hundreds of millions of pounds of waste and scrap out of landfills each year, and revolutionizing the industry to create a more sustainable future. The AZEK Company has recently been named one of America’s Climate Leaders by USA Today, a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune and U.S. News and World Report, and a winner of the 2024 Real Leaders® Impact Awards. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company operates manufacturing and recycling facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan and Minnesota. For additional information, please visit azekco.com.

Contacts

Amanda Cimaglia

312-809-1093

media@azekco.com