Tag: People

We are Lightyear, we’re on a mission

Martijn Lammers — Co-Founder

We love electric cars…

But they’re only the first step, what if they could generate their own energy?

That’s a business opportunity!

Lightyear was founded by 5 Solar Team Eindhoven alumni. With Solar Team Eindhoven, we built the revolutionary solar cars Stella & Stella Lux. Both cars are 4 seaters, road legal, solar powered and built to win the World Solar Challenge cruiser class. After two world championships, we decided that it is time for the next step.

Our story started back in 2012. All we had was a blank canvas, no experience, no network and no money. We took our enthusiasm, a healthy dose of naivety and common sense to start an endeavour that still continues today. Looking back, it is easy to forget the times we worked until the sun came up or the problems that kept us from working at all. Like the time our cars’ transport to the competition in Australia was cancelled a week before we left. Or the desperate attempts removing a crucial ..

Asset finance new business down 6% in quieter September

9 November 2017
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) fell by 6% in September, compared with the same month last year. In Q3 2017, new business fell by 2% compared with the same quarter in 2016.
While new finance for business equipment grew in September by 4% compared with the same month in 2016, new finance for plant and machinery fell by 8% over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“September was a quieter month for the business car and plant and machinery finance sectors. Nevertheless, the asset finance market has returned a strong performance so far in 2017, with new business overall 6% higher than in the previous year. Over the same period, UK business investment is forecast to have grown by only 2.3%.
“Recent data revisions by the Office for National Statistics suggest that the asset finance industry’s contribution to supporting business investment is even greater than previously thought. FLA calculations show that the industry financed more than 35% of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the twelve months to June 2017 – an eight-year high.”
Sep 2017
% change on prev. year
3 months to Sep
2017
% change on prev. year
12 months to Sep
2017
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,750
-6
7,574
-2
31,611
+5
Total excluding high value (£m)
2,740
-2
7,381
+3
30,579
+6
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
494
-8
1,537
+5
6,505
+12
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
711
+1
1,764
-2
7,488
+2
IT equipment finance (£m)
212
-4
549
-5
2,214
-3
Business equipment finance (£m)
219
+4
632
+8
2,567
+12
Car finance (£m)
888
-8
2,396
+2
9,763
+5
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
20
+24
34
-77
615
+20
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
1,283
-5
3,711
0
15,506
+4
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
520
-4
1,423
+3
5,723
+12
Sales finance (£m)
937
+3
2,248
+6
9,350
+6
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
344
-3
941
0
4,000
-3
Operating leasing (£m)
655
-6
1,658
0
7,063
+6
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,434
-2
4,045
+3
16,589
+9
Other finance (£m)
316
-24
930
-21
3,959
-4
Note to editors:
In 2016, FLA members provided £118 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £30 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2016.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Asset finance new business holds steady

11 January 2018
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) in November was £2.5 billion, a similar level to the same month in 2016.
The commercial vehicle finance and IT equipment finance sectors reported new business up in November by 5% and 1% respectively, compared with the same month in 2016, while new finance for plant and machinery fell by 3% over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“The asset finance market reported a broadly stable picture across the main asset sectors in November, and remains on course to report a record level of annual new business in 2017 of around £32 billion. This would represent new business growth of 6% compared with 2016, in line with expectations.”
Nov 2017
% change on prev. year
3 months to Nov
2017
% change on prev. year
12 months to Nov
2017
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,541
0
7,962
0
31,804
+4
Total excluding high value (£m)
2,531
+4
7,936
+3
30,919
+6
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
481
-3
1,464
-2
6,506
+10
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
691
+5
2,061
+4
7,574
+2
IT equipment finance (£m)
235
+1
642
+5
2,246
-4
Business equipment finance (£m)
209
-4
624
+4
2,566
+9
Car finance (£m)
738
-2
2,538
-1
9,854
+5
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
8
-60
45
-45
574
+18
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
1,186
-2
3,864
0
15,595
+3
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
526
+14
1,551
+7
5,868
+13
Sales finance (£m)
818
+9
2,521
+7
9,456
+7
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
286
-9
959
-2
3,948
-4
Operating leasing (£m)
607
+3
1,816
-2
7,143
+6
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,371
-2
4,325
+3
16,745
+7
Other finance (£m)
276
+11
862
-9
3,968
-4
Note to editors:
In 2016, FLA members provided £118 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £30 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2016.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Asset finance up 7% in October

13 December 2017
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew by 7% in October, compared with the same month last year.
The plant and machinery finance and business equipment finance sectors reported new business up in October by 6% and 13% respectively, compared with the same month in 2016, while new finance for IT equipment was up by 22% over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“Growth in the asset finance market was broad-based in October, with most of the main asset sectors reporting increases in new business.
“The industry is on course to report a record level of annual new business in 2017 of around £32 billion.”
Oct 2017
% change on prev. year
3 months to Oct
2017
% change on prev. year
12 months to Oct
2017
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,672
+7
7,625
+1
31,771
+5
Total excluding high value (£m)
2,665
+9
7,568
+3
30,772
+7
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
489
+6
1,485
+1
6,518
+12
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
660
+5
1,883
0
7,520
+2
IT equipment finance (£m)
195
+22
579
+4
2,248
0
Business equipment finance (£m)
196
+13
603
+8
2,585
+12
Car finance (£m)
911
+8
2,413
+2
9,833
+6
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
17
-64
44
-52
586
+10
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
1,395
+6
3,786
+1
15,585
+4
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
505
+14
1,478
+5
5,785
+13
Sales finance (£m)
765
+11
2,304
+7
9,403
+7
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
328
+5
945
+1
4,005
-3
Operating leasing (£m)
553
-1
1,678
-2
7,057
+6
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,519
+14
4,148
+5
16,765
+10
Other finance (£m)
271
-5
855
-11
3,944
-5
Note to editors:
In 2016, FLA members provided £118 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £30 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2016.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Asset finance market provides support to key sectors in February

6 April 2018
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) for deals of up to £20 million fell in February by 1%, compared with the same month last year.
The plant and machinery finance and IT equipment finance sectors reported new business growth in February of 5% and 13% respectively, compared with the same month in 2017. By contrast, new business for commercial vehicles and business equipment fell by 7% and 20% respectively over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“Many asset sectors reported further growth in February despite it being a quieter month overall.
“The asset finance market continued to support key economic sectors with new finance for construction and agricultural equipment up by 13% and 9% respectively, compared with February 2017. The manufacturing sector also benefitted as new finance for production and process equipment was 47% higher over the same period.”
Feb 2018
% change on prev. year
3 months to Feb
2018
% change on prev. year
12 months to Feb
2018
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,006
-6
6,975
+1
31,718
+4
Total excluding high value (£m)
1,952
-1
6,413
-1
29,980
+5
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
491
+5
1,512
+4
6,629
+10
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
479
-7
1,532
-9
7,425
0
IT equipment finance (£m)
169
+13
594
+19
2,380
+5
Business equipment finance (£m)
170
-20
587
-2
2,554
+4
Car finance (£m)
552
+5
1,767
-1
9,517
+5
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
9
-89
72
-58
472
-8
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
948
-3
3,131
-3
14,968
+3
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
450
+10
1,369
+7
5,733
+11
Sales finance (£m)
554
-4
1,913
-1
9,279
+6
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
262
+17
909
+5
3,848
+7
Operating leasing (£m)
390
-10
1,325
-9
6,699
0
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,146
-3
3,514
-1
16,876
+6
Other finance (£m)
165
-34
788
-7
3,228
-8
Note to editors:
In 2017, FLA members provided £128 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £32 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2017.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Michelin and Fenner announced a recommended cash offer for all shares of Fenner PLC

L’ACCÈS À CETTE PARTIE DU SITE INTERNET PEUT FAIRE L’OBJET DE RESTRICTIONS EN APPLICATION DE LÉGISLATIONS SUR LES TITRES FINANCIERS DANS CERTAINES JURIDICTIONS. CET AVIS REQUIERT QUE VOUS CONFIRMIEZ CERTAINES INFORMATIONS (Y COMPRIS QUE VOUS N’ÊTES PAS RÉSIDENT DE TELLES JURIDICTIONS) AVANT D’OBTENIR L’ACCÈS AUX INFORMATIONS FIGURANT DANS CETTE PARTIE DU SITE INTERNET. CES DOCUMENTS NE SONT… Continue reading Michelin and Fenner announced a recommended cash offer for all shares of Fenner PLC

Formula-E 2017/2018 – Paris – Home glory for Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) and Michelin at Paris E-Prix!

. Installé en tête du peloton lors du départ, Jean-Eric Vergne a solidement défendu sa position face aux attaques de Sam Bird (DS-Virgin Racing), lui-même pris en chasse par André Lotterer (Techeetah). Le tiercé a creusé l’écart durant la première phase de la course, pour reprendre la piste dans le même ordre après le changement… Continue reading Formula-E 2017/2018 – Paris – Home glory for Jean-Eric Vergne (Techeetah) and Michelin at Paris E-Prix!

Asset finance market kicks off 2018 with new business growth

21 March 2018
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) for deals of up to £20 million grew by 4% in January, compared with the same month last year. Including high value deals, new business increased by 3% over the same period.
The plant and machinery finance and business equipment finance sectors each reported new business up in January by 8% compared with the same month in 2017, while new finance for commercial vehicles fell by 4% over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“The asset finance market made a positive start to 2018 with further solid growth in new finance for plant and machinery and business equipment. In particular, new business for agricultural equipment in January was 21% higher than in the same month in 2017.
“We expect asset finance new business growth in 2018 as a whole to be at a similar rate to 2017.”
Jan 2018
% change on prev. year
3 months to Jan
2018
% change on prev. year
12 months to Jan
2018
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
2,337
+3
7,523
+3
31,842
+5
Total excluding high value (£m)
2,131
+4
6,926
+2
30,038
+6
Data Extracts:
By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
509
+8
1,520
+4
6,654
+11
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
480
-4
1,748
-4
7,462
0
IT equipment finance (£m)
133
+29
663
+14
2,315
+3
Business equipment finance (£m)
191
+8
633
+5
2,596
+7
Car finance (£m)
608
-2
1,928
-2
9,493
+4
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
28
-14
71
-36
545
+24
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
1,066
0
3,326
-3
15,047
+3
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
442
+8
1,444
+12
5,690
+11
Sales finance (£m)
622
+10
2,155
+3
9,301
+7
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
246
0
939
-1
3,809
+6
Operating leasing (£m)
425
-2
1,519
-3
6,744
+1
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,166
0
3,763
0
16,907
+6
Other finance (£m)
359
+10
826
+7
3,313
-3
Note to editors:
In 2017, FLA members provided £128 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £32 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2017.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Asset finance new business more than £3.3 billion in March

11 May 2018
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) fell by 5% in March, compared with the same month last year, and by 3% in Q1 2018 overall.
New finance for business equipment grew in March by 13% compared with the same month in 2017. Over the same period, the plant and machinery finance and commercial vehicle finance sectors reported falls in new business of 9% and 2% respectively.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“The asset finance market recorded its third highest monthly new business total in March at more than £3.3 billion. However, the latest figures reflect some of the recent slowdown in the UK economy, with new finance for agricultural and construction equipment 1% and 8% lower in March than in the same month in 2017.”
Mar 2018
% change on prev. year
3 months to Mar
2018
% change on prev. year
12 months to Mar
2018
% change on prev. year
Total FLA asset finance (£m)
3,325
-5
7,668
-3
31,459
+3
Total excluding high value (£m)
3,229
-3
7,316
-1
29,782
+3
Data Extracts:By asset:
Plant and machinery finance (£m)
654
-9
1,652
-1
6,561
+7
Commercial vehicle finance (£m)
849
-2
1,813
-4
7,412
-1
IT equipment finance (£m)
196
-24
497
-3
2,318
+2
Business equipment finance (£m)
259
+13
622
+1
2,586
+5
Car finance (£m)
1,041
-7
2,200
-3
9,357
+2
Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)
33
-39
66
-61
448
-18
By channel:
Direct finance (£m)
1,652
+1
3,693
-1
14,940
+1
Broker-introduced finance (£m)
579
-4
1,451
+4
5,720
+8
Sales finance (£m)
998
-10
2,172
-2
9,122
+4
By product:
Finance leasing (£m)
406
-1
914
+4
3,843
+5
Operating leasing (£m)
714
-13
1,531
-11
6,534
-3
Lease/Hire purchase (£m)
1,835
+1
4,151
0
16,865
+4
Other finance (£m)
304
-19
824
-14
3,150
-6
Note to editors:
In 2017, FLA members provided £128 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £32 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed more than a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2017.For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

BMW and Bosch are negotiating damages

The delivery problems at the end of May are expensive for Bosch. Because BMW wants to have replaced the damage caused by the forced stop of production. It’s about millions. BMW production in Leipzig Friday, 07.07.2017 1:52 pm BMW calls for the loss of production due to lack of steering gear compensation from its supplier… Continue reading BMW and Bosch are negotiating damages