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Category: CXP

Thailand’s Newest Luxury Export with Asia Plantation Capital

Business, CXP

SINGAPORE, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Thailand’s incredible, rural agricultural economies — having been famed the world over for producing a myriad of crops, from rice to the mystical agarwood tree — have now taken on a new direction with the help of Asia Plantation Capital. The agarwood industry has been operating in Thailand for centuries, supplying oudh oils and wood chips to international buyers from China and The Middle East — although, in reality, its market share (compared to other Asian neighbours) has been considered quite small, with Malaysia alone having been acknowledged by CITES as providing 50% of the world’s agarwood demand.

Asia Plantation Capital and Fragrance Du Bois at the Bangkok Investment Expo 2014

Asia Plantation Capital and Fragrance Du Bois at the Bangkok Investment Expo 2014

 

Asia Plantation Capital CEO Barry Rawlinson presenting Mom Rajawongse Pridiyathorn Devakula with a Fragrance Du Bois perfume crafted from Thailand produced Oudh, sourced from APC Plantations

Asia Plantation Capital CEO Barry Rawlinson presenting Mom Rajawongse Pridiyathorn Devakula with a Fragrance Du Bois perfume crafted from Thailand produced Oudh, sourced from APC Plantations

That is all changing: Asia Plantation Capital has successfully established over 3,000 rai of new agarwood plantations in Thailand. These plantations benefit from the Company’s advanced technologies and, more importantly, from the back-end investment it has made in factories and in the processing of the raw timber into high-value end products; these are linked to its global office and distribution network, in all key markets, direct to consumers and wholesalers from London, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Dubai. The company is now transforming the face of the agarwood industry across Asia – sustainably harvesting trees and replanting at least 2 trees for each one felled, with production increasing, year on year.

Recently, Oudh (or agarwood oils) — from the Company’s plantations — was the star of the recent World Perfumery Congress in Deauville, France. This oudh is regarded as the first, plantation-produced oil to offer consistent quality across a wide range of key elements within its oils — of paramount importance for its use in the global fragrance industry. This success is possible only with the massive (and continued) investment in the research work and with on-going research and development by the company’s Scientific Advisory Board — which includes some of Asia’s leading academics from within the agarwood industry — including Thailand’s own Professor Pakamas, from the Prince of Songkla University. Barry Rawlinson, CEO of Asia Plantation Capital, says: “One of the main barriers to oudh oils from nature being useable in international fragrances and cosmetics is being able to offer a consistent quality of oil. At the end of the day, when you are dealing with Mother Nature, this is not always easy; oils produced by local distilleries vary greatly, from day to day, due to the methods used and the standards employed. Over the last few years, working with our Scientific Advisory Board in Thailand, Malaysia and China (as well as with expert consultancy groups in Switzerland and the Middle East) we have been able to identify the key processes which enable us to deliver a high quality and consistent standard of finished oil to the industry; bear in mind, any changes in the quality of the oil going into a fine fragrance can cause huge variations in the finished product — from only a minute difference in the oil component. As a result of this work, we have produced oils that are now certified by IFRA (International Fragrance Association). As far as we know, these are the only oils produced in Thailand to have achieved this standard; they come with full MSDS analyses and CITES certification on each production batch and have EU product approval. This clear, leading-edge breakthrough is one which we now want to share with other rural growers and distilleries, in order that Thailand can become a world leader — alongside Malaysia and other Asian countries — as a high-quality producer of consistent oudh oils, wood chips and incense.”

As further proof of the consistency and the quality of Asia Plantation Capital’s oils, a fine fragrance – produced using oudh oils from the Company’s own plantations and distillery — was recently shortlisted in the world’s top 10 new fragrances by “The International Art and Olfactory Awards”, in Los Angeles. The fragrance was produced by the Company’s partner — luxury fragrance brand, “Fragrance Du Bois” — by 5th generation French perfumer, Francois-Merle-Baudoin. The fragrance is approaching cult status in the Middle East, Europe and Russia, as a combination of pure oudh and rose absolute (the two most expensive essential oils) has been used to create an amazing and powerful accord. This particular scent has helped Fragrance Du Bois become one of the fastest growing, luxury fragrance brands in the world – with its own boutiques (and even its own bespoke perfumery) in the world capital of perfumes — Grasse — on the Cote d’Azur, France. In addition, boutiques are now open in the iconic Fullerton Heritage Hotel, Singapore and in one of Asia’s most luxurious malls – The Starhill Gallery, in Kuala Lumpur. There has also been a refit of its existing Bangkok boutique, in the Intercontinental Plaza, with further openings, in 2014, in the eponymous Dubai Mall. New concessions in Hong Kong, Shanghai and across China and the Middle East are already scheduled for 2015. Throughout the last year, the brand has been featured at The Arab Womens’ Awards, Exsence in Milan, London Bridal Show, Beauty World Middle East, Luxury World Middle East, World Perfumery Congress, Chartwell Luxury, Tatler, Formula 1 Grand Prix in Singapore, and in Abu Dhabi and in Monaco as the official Amber Lounge Fragrance leading to collaborations with the Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation — which supports the global environment and has a special relationship with Thailand’s own Environmental Foundations. Fragrance Du Bois commissioned a special fragrance creation to support the FPA2 Foundation, in addition to numerous celebrity and bespoke fragrance creations — including David Haye, the Former World Heavyweight and Cruiserweight World boxing champion: the one thing they all have in common is using pure oudh oil, produced in Thailand — by Asia Plantation Capital.

All this has helped Asia Plantation Capital become the preferred supplier of natural oudh to numerous perfumers and international companies, in addition to leading Gulf families and institutions — helping them enjoy the ultimate oils which are pure oudh, pure luxury — produced in Thailand.

As a result of Asia Plantation Capital’s success in developing and promoting the agarwood industry in Thailand, its CEO — Barry Rawlinson — was proud to present a special fragrance, created with 100% pure, Thailand produced oudh, from its plantations, to the Chairman of the Board of Post Publishing Plc, Mom Rajawongse Pridiyathorn Devakula, at the recent Bangkok Investment Expo 2014 (held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre) in Bangkok.

Notes to Editors:

About Asia Plantation Capital

Asia Plantation Capital is an owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, and globally, part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. Their focus is on multicultural and diverse plantation projects geared to the domestic and commercial demands of the countries in which they operate. Working closely with and supporting local communities is an underlying core principle of the APC business, providing social and cultural support, as well as investment, to move these communities away from deforestation and illegal logging activities, previously seen as a main source of income in some regions of Asia. Established officially in 2008, although operating privately since 2002, the group now has plantation and agricultural projects on four continents with operational projects at various stages in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, The Gambia, North America and Europe.

Promoting the use of certified wood is the best way of preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity and combatting poverty in the tropical rainforest regions. For the yachting sector, which strives for excellence and which is already involved in environmental efforts, this is also a way of ensuring that no wood from illegal logging is used.

About Fragrance Du Bois

Fragrance Du Bois is a niche luxury perfume house working closely with sustainable plantations in Asia, bringing exciting new 100% organic Oud oil based fragrances to exclusive markets worldwide. Sustainably sourcing the finest raw materials across the globe, working with French perfumers to create a full range of products, and also providing bespoke fragrance services, Fragrance Du Bois is personal luxury with a conscience. With exclusive fragrance lounges around the world, in Dubai, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, Fragrance Du Bois creates only the finest experience in bespoke perfumery.

Fragrance Du Bois is known as Parfums Du Bois in France and in non-French speaking markets, as Fragrance Du Bois.

About the World Perfumery Congress

The World Perfumery Congress (WPC) is a global biennial fragrance industry forum featuring a mix of educational and networking formats that provide the latest insights for suppliers, manufacturers and consumer product marketers, while also connecting buyers and sellers.

Contact:

Asia Plantation Capital Pte. Ltd.
50 Collyer Quay, #06-05 OUE Bayfront, Singapore 049321
Tel: +65-6222-3386
Fax: +65-6221-2197
Email: pr@asiaplantationcapital.com

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140801/8521404362-a
Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140801/8521404362-b

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Leading U.S. Certified Public Accounting Firm Launches DHG China Resources To Bring Chinese And U.S. Business Together

Business, CXP, FIN, PDT

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Aug. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Dixon Hughes Goodman, a leading U.S. accounting and advisory firm, is launching DHG China Resources in response to China’s status as the fastest growing market and second largest economy in the world. DHG China Resources has offices in the U.S., and Shanghai, China.

Keith Giddens, President/CEO, DHG China Resources - LEADING U.S. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM LAUNCHES DHG CHINA RESOURCES TO BRING CHINESE AND U.S. BUSINESS TOGETHER
Keith Giddens, President/CEO, DHG China Resources – LEADING U.S. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM LAUNCHES DHG CHINA RESOURCES TO BRING CHINESE AND U.S. BUSINESS TOGETHER

According to the Rhodium Group, Chinese foreign direct investment in the U.S., has grown more than ten-fold since 2008, with the average deal value increasing from $16 million in 2008 to more than $100 million in 2013.

“Chinese investors have a ‘go big or go home’ investment philosophy for U.S. deals,” noted Keith Giddens, President and CEO of DHG China Resources. “This creates an immediate need for professional services, including accounting and advisory services, investment banking, legal counsel and more.”

DHG China Resources will present its first round of seminars October 13-24, 2014, in China. These two-day events create an international forum for Chinese investors to connect with U.S. professional services providers offering strategies for successful U.S. investment. The events also provide U.S. companies a chance to meet prospective clients, offering more reach and lower development costs than individual initiatives. The two-day seminars in October will include presentations by Dixon Hughes Goodman, Gray Construction, Development Advisors LLC, Willis and HSBC.

“Our seminars give U.S. companies a low-risk, high-value way to develop lasting relationships,” Giddens said. “Face to face meetings are a critical part of due diligence, particularly with professional service providers, so we are making a serious commitment to this important investor market, with bilingual, bicultural professionals and offices in Shanghai and the U.S. We anticipate other professional service providers will see the benefits of early engagement with Chinese investors and participate in these events.”

DHG China Resources represents an extension of Dixon Hughes Goodman’s investment in Chinese Business Services, which provides accounting, tax and consulting services to China inbound investment and supporting U.S. investment in China. Dixon Hughes Goodman’s Chinese Business Services brings together professionals who understand Chinese and American accounting standards to reduce taxes on earnings, enhance margins and grow businesses through a wide variety of compliance and advisory services. Dixon Hughes Goodman’s employee base of Chinese speakers continues to grow in the U.S., especially throughout the Southeast, with more than 15 native Chinese speakers throughout the firm’s footprint.

Following the October events, the next seminar series will be presented in China in January 2015. To learn more about these seminars and the value of being a presenting or exhibiting advisor, visit www.dhgchinaresources.com.

About DHG China Resources
With offices in the U.S., and in Shanghai, China, DHG China Resources is a bilingual, bicultural company formed to serve Chinese foreign direct investment in the U.S., along with U.S. companies seeking to do business in China. Visit www.dhgchinaresources.com for more information.

About Chinese Business Services
Dixon Hughes Goodman’s Chinese Business Services brings international focus to leverage extensive cultural, business and multilingual capabilities to provide superior accounting, tax and advisory services to inbound Chinese investment in the U.S. Visit www.dhgllp.com/services/international_tax_planning/china to learn more.

About Dixon Hughes Goodman
A Top 20 public accounting firm, Dixon Hughes Goodman provides clients in all 50 states and internationally with comprehensive assurance, tax and advisory services. Dixon Hughes Goodman focuses on major industry lines with more than 1,800 people in offices throughout 12 states. Visit www.dhgllp.com for additional information.

Contact:
Beth Doughty
+1.704.367.5893
Beth.Doughty@dhgllp.com 

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CNH Industrial Inaugurates New Agricultural Equipment Manufacturing Complex in China

Business, CXP

– CNH Industrial celebrated today the opening of its new manufacturing complex in Harbin, in Heilongjiang Province. It is the largest agricultural equipment production plant in Northeast China and will produce a complete line of products under its Case IH and New Holland Agriculture brands to support the Country’s agricultural needs, and the full cycle of corn, wheat, soybean and hay production.

HARBIN, China, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — CNH Industrial inaugurated its new manufacturing complex built in the area of its previous assembly plant in Heilongjiang Province, China. The biggest agricultural equipment manufacturing facility in Northeast China, the complex extends over a total area of 400,000 square meters of which 116,000 are covered. The vertically integrated manufacturing complex features the latest technology in fabrication and two state-of-the-art painting facilities. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are utilized for the assembly and testing of the finished products to guarantee the highest quality standards. Within the complex is a Customer Center with a spacious showroom to support dealers. In addition a Research & Development Center with a dedicated outdoor test track opened in September 2013 and houses the engineering team tasked with designing components and adaptations for the domestic market. These facilities are complemented by the nearby spare parts depot and Training Center.

The new manufacturing plant will produce a wide range of product lines: planters, tractors, combine harvesters and corn pickers with their headers, balers and hay tools. Its production will include a complete line of equipment for the mechanization of the full cycle of corn, wheat, soybean and hay production. Among its products will be the legendary Case IH Axial-Flow combine range adapted for local conditions and Case IH corn pickers entirely developed for the Chinese market, as well as the award winning New Holland T6000 and T7000 tractor ranges and BC5000 balers.

Richard Tobin, CEO of CNH Industrial, commented, “CNH Industrial has a strong and long standing relationship with China. Through our agricultural equipment brands we have been present in this country for more than 100 years, supporting the mechanization of its agriculture and gaining leading positions in the market for high horsepower tractors, large combine harvesters, cotton pickers, sugar cane harvesters and balers. Our new manufacturing complex here in Harbin represents an investment of over USD $100 Million and its inauguration marks an important milestone that confirms our commitment to the development of Chinese agriculture.”

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FMC Corporation Opens New Asia Innovation Center in Shanghai

Business, CHM, CXP

SHANGHAI, July 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC), a leading diversified chemical company, today officially opened its Asia Innovation Center in the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in the Pudong area of Shanghai, China. The new state-of-the-art facility serves as the company’s hub for research and development, technical innovation, operational support and executive management in the Asia Pacific region.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140724/130058
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111101/NE97440LOGO

“FMC has grown dramatically in recent years. An important element of our strategy has been a greater focus and investment in Asia where our products and technologies have tremendous opportunities,” said Pierre Brondeau, FMC president, CEO and chairman. “The FMC Asia Innovation Center represents our commitment to this important region and underscores our resolve to meet the growing — and often unique — technology needs of the diverse customers and markets we serve throughout the Asia Pacific region.”

The nine-story FMC Asia Innovation Center is home to more than 180 FMC scientists, technicians, sales and marketing personnel, support staff, and executive leaders. It features world-class laboratories for crop protection research and unique facilities designed exclusively to develop new functional ingredients used in the health and nutrition markets.

“Our customers throughout the region are looking for the right technologies that will help make their businesses more effective and sustainable,” said Bob Trogele, president, FMC Asia. “Whether it’s new agricultural products to safely improve crop yield, naturally-derived functional ingredients to enhance food texture and stability, or the latest lithium products to improve battery performance, FMC has always answered the call for smart innovation that solves complex challenges. The FMC Asia Innovation Center elevates our research capabilities to a new level, and serves as a catalyst to strengthen customer intimacy and collaboration that FMC does so well.”

According to Gordon Xu, president, FMC China, the new Asia Innovation Center will help the company attract and retain the best and brightest employees.

“Our success is built on an incredibly talented workforce. As we grow and expand our business in China and throughout the region, we need to demonstrate to our current and future employees that FMC is committed to investing in world-class facilities, the best research tools, and a first-class work environment that supports creativity and collaboration,” Xu said. “We’re proud that our new center has exceeded expectations for our company and our employees.”

The FMC Asia Innovation Center is a state-of-the-art facility with 22,000 sq. meters of laboratories and office space with approximately 60 percent dedicated to R&D labs. FMC consolidated four sites in the Shanghai region to the new Center.

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delivery.com Connects Merchants with Corporate Customers on Hong Kong’s First Major Local Delivery Network

CPR, CXP, FOD, Food and Beverage, ITE

 

HONG KONG, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — One of the U.S.’s leading online ordering platforms, delivery.com has expanded internationally for the first time with a Hong Kong debut. Soft launched this past spring, delivery.com Hong Kong (hk.delivery.com) is now publicly available to corporate customers to satisfy a hungry demand amongst corporate employees who wish to order meals from their favorite restaurants to their offices. The platform offers a user-friendly, online ordering experience that aggregates a curated selection of high-quality restaurants for corporate customers looking for high quality and healthier options for daily meals or large corporate meetings. In addition to restaurants, hk.delivery.com features a wide range of products, from desserts to cold-pressed juices, organic groceries and more.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140718/129151
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140718/128632

With the strongest online selection of premium and popular local merchants in Hong Kong, hk.delivery.com is rapidly expanding its merchant portfolio. The site makes menus from quality restaurants, such as Harlan Goldstein’s Comfort, Doppio Zero and Locofama, a few simple clicks away. During the workday’s peak hours, healthy and freshly prepared food is delivered to offices, serving as an excellent solution for team meals or boardroom meetings.

Selecting Hong Kong as its first international market was part of a strategic decision by delivery.com to establish a strong presence across Asia. According to a January Euromonitor study, there is much room for growth in Hong Kong’s delivery services sector; currently only 3 percent of the HK$65 billion revenue generated by full service restaurants comes from food delivery. Independent businesses face enormous overhead costs due to the premium real estate market and sky-high rents.

While food delivery is a logical way to maximize revenues, the technological investment is often beyond smaller independent operators’ means, making hk.delivery.com’s platform an attractive, investment-free and economical way for merchants to increase revenue. “delivery.com has been a great way for us to grow our customer base and explore a new market opportunity. Since joining delivery.com, our lunch orders have increased significantly and we expect to grow further by 20 to 30 percent. I also really love their user friendly website which makes our food look super yummy and enticing,” says King’s Taste operator Lily Hung. Many of delivery.com’s current restaurants in the U.S. can make up to 40 percent of their overall business from takeout and delivery, allowing them to generate significant income without having to increase their brick-and-mortar footprint in high-rent areas.

Furthermore, the Hong Kong corporate work culture mirrors New York and is well suited for major growth in online ordering. Hong Kong employees worked an annual average of nearly 2,300 hours at the office, the fifth-longest number of hours among all global cities according to a Price and Earnings Report by UBS in 2012. Time-pressed employees prefer home delivery/takeaway as a convenient, efficient and time saving way to enjoy meals.

delivery.com Hong Kong’s President (from hk.delivery.com), Didier Bensadoun said, “As a financial hub with a highly concentrated corporate center and residential footprint, Hong Kong is ripe for hyperlocal e-commerce. Long working hours, the growing popularity of team lunches, and an increasingly tech-savvy consumer support the need for a local online marketplace where customers can order high-quality, healthier delivery options, particularly during lunchtime’s peak hours.”

Bringing delivery.com’s decade of e-commerce expertise to Hong Kong, hk.delivery.com is serving a customer base of some of the leading corporate entities in key business districts. The two-sided marketplace allows merchants to list as many or as few dishes on their page, and create new offerings or meal sets according to their service capabilities. The merchant partner just needs to prepare and deliver orders received. “Since joining the delivery.com platform here in Hong Kong delivery.com has brought us plenty of new clients. They get the F&B business and understand how to make online sales work for us,” says James Fisher of Little Burro, Burrito restaurant in Causeway Bay and Sheung Wan.

To become a delivery.com merchant, the only requirement is a fax machine or phone with no upfront fees or investment needed. delivery.com is an attractive, economical and trouble free solution for restaurants looking to capture a larger share of the HK$65 billion food service market in Hong Kong without increasing their spend or square footage.

Initially available for corporate customers, but with future plans to expand into residential areas, the company currently focuses on serving the needs of Hong Kong’s financial and legal industries workers, which are its most active customer base. Hong Kong will have more than 260,000 such positions by 2016, eclipsing New York and London, according to London’s Center for Economics and Business Research.

delivery.com is currently adding more and more of the city’s corporate leaders as ordering clients every day. They can create an account online, enter their location and receive a list of merchants and services in their immediate area. They can then browse selections and order their meals.

About delivery.com

delivery.com empowers the neighborhood economy by enabling customers to order online from their favorite local restaurants, grocery stores, wine and spirits shops, and laundry and dry cleaning providers. Every day more than one million delivery.com customers explore their communities and order from more than 10,000 local businesses while at home, at work, or on the go. With headquarters in New York and a growing presence throughout the U.S. and internationally, delivery.com makes e-commerce an integral part of local daily life, helping customers shop, businesses grow, and neighborhoods thrive.

Notable delivery.com Hong Kong Merchants

Doppio Zero
Happy Cow Ice Cream
Harlan Goldstein’s Comfort
Koh Thai
Little Burro
Locofama
Maya Cafe
PizzaExpress
Noodlemi
Sugo Sushi To Go

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Roger Federer Opens LINDT SWISS CHOCOLATE HEAVEN at the Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe” and Plays Tennis Show Match with Ski Racer Lindsey Vonn

CXP, FOD, Food and Beverage, SPT

KILCHBERG, Switzerland, July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli (Schweiz) AG and Jungfrau Railway Holding AG are teaming up. LINDT is making a trip on the Jungfrau Railway, 3,454 meters above sea level, into a sweet experience with Swiss Chocolate Heaven. The themed chocolate shop was officially opened today by none other than LINDT brand ambassador Roger Federer. The highlight was a tennis exhibition match between him and ski racing star Lindsey Vonn on the Aletsch Glacier overlooking the Sphinx. 

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli (Schweiz) AG today celebrated the official opening of LINDT SWISS CHOCOLATE HEAVEN at the Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe,” 3,454 meters above sea level, together with the Jungfrau Railway and LINDT brand ambassador Roger Federer. The themed chocolate shop offers a wide range of the finest LINDT chocolate, and the adjacent Master Chocolatiers parlor gives visitors a fascinating insight into how chocolate is made.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.multivu.com/mnr/71400585-roger-federer-lindt-Jungfraujoch-lindsey-vonn 

Ernst Tanner, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Lindt & Sprungli, commented: “With the themed chocolate shop at the Jungfraujoch, we have positioned our brand at a lofty height. Our aim is to introduce tourists from abroad to our LINDT chocolate up there.” And Urs Kessler, CEO of the Jungfrau Railway, agrees: “SWISS CHOCOLATE HEAVEN is a perfect addition to our existing services, and provides attractive added value for our visitors.”

However, the highlight of the official opening was the tennis exhibition match between LINDT brand ambassador and tennis champion Roger Federer and American ski racer Lindsey Vonn, which was played on the Aletsch Glacier against the backdrop of the Alps. Roger Federer said: “I never cease to be amazed by the great ideas LINDT comes up with. Today on the Jungfraujoch was a real highlight for me.”

Photo and film material from the event is available at 6pm on:
http://www.photopress.ch/image/Lindt+Spruengli/Roger+Federer/Swiss+Chocolate+Heaven
Twitter: #chocolateheaven http://www.chocolateheaven.lindt.com

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