It is a sure fire sign that summer is on the way - the first Hampshire-grown strawberries of 2024 have been harvested and have hit the shelves at a Meon Valley farm shop. The arrival of the super-sweet, famous Westlands strawberries brings memories of long, lazy summer days, Wimbledon tennis and picnics on the beach. It’s a strawberry harvest to bring a smile to everyone’s lips. There is now no need for shoppers to rely on high food-mile strawberries shipped in lorries from Spain and Morocco when they can get Hampshire grown and harvested, sweet strawberries at Westlands Farm Shop near Wickham once more. And with a strawberry and raspberry growing and picking season running right through to late October early November there will be plenty of fruit to go round right throughout this summer and beyond. Shop manager Harry King said Westlands’ soft fruit is always a top pick for the shop’s customers. “Our strawberries are by far one of our most popular products - they’re very quick to fly off the shelves." “You can even see the glasshouses where these strawberries are grown from the window of the farm shop - keeping our food miles to a minimum and the shelves well-stocked for months.” During summer of 2022, Westlands farm harvested a record-breaking 200 tonnes of strawberries and raspberries - keeping shelves stocked all the way through to mid-November. Westlands’ Graham Collett said he is expecting another successful soft fruit season in 2024. Graham said: “We harvest an enormous amount of soft fruit throughout the year. Even if the weather is hot and dry, our own water reservoir means we can irrigate the plants using collected rainwater." “We’re a family-owned business committed to ethical and sustainable farming. Stocking our shelves with produce we’ve grown and picked ourselves means a lot to us - it’s so important we encourage our shoppers to support local agriculture.” Westlands Farm Shop is based in the Meon Valley and offers a range of locally sourced groceries and gifts as well as its own butchery.

Dunsters Farm is proud to announce a three-year sponsorship deal with Bury FC, the beloved fan-owned team, situated in the same area as our humble beginnings. The partnership, extending until the 2025/26 season, will entail our sponsorship of the esteemed ‘Starkies Bar’, located within the historic Gigg Lane ground. Bury FC began its incredible comeback, after the club was saved by its own fans, after falling into administration in 2019. Dunsters Farm are committed to making a positive impact in the community, and this collaboration underscores our commitment to serving the area we proudly call home. Bury FC aligns seamlessly with our core values – with a community-centric ethos that resonates deeply with us here at Dunsters. Not only is it an organisation ‘for the community, by the community’, but the football club also works as a local hub, supporting people with its foodbank, community spaces for vulnerable adult training, as well as the Kidzone area for families who need it. Tom Mathew, our Commercial Director said of the exciting new partnership: “We’re delighted to support Bury FC, not only were we inspired by the recent developments at the club, but we also identified with their journey. Just like us, Bury FC boasts a rich local heritage and serves as a force for good within the community, a principle that has driven our business since its inception.” Tom and Hannah, Directors and third generation members of the family business, also have a personal connection to the club. Attending matches as youngsters with their grandfather, and Dunsters Farm founder, Les Ratcliffe – a keen Bury fan, who was also awarded an MBE for his charitable work locally. “My first memories of attending Gigg lane are with my Grandad, and his legacy looms large in how we do business. No matter how much Dunsters Farm has progressed, we are still focussed on being a force for good in our community – it’s in our DNA. Whether it be by feeding our local schools with quality produce, or supporting community groups like this one." "This partnership means we can support a like-minded organisation and continue to do good nearby – something our grandfather would be proud of.”

New technology, sustainable materials and smart designs are all key trends driving the evolution of PPE for a safer tomorrow. Workwear safety expert Arco has revealed its predictions of the five top innovations influencing the future of personal protective equipment (PPE) over the next decade. 1. Technological advancements Over the years there has been an increasing rise in robotics, which has revolutionised manufacturing environments and how we produce goods. In 2023, the robotics industry generated £29 billion in revenue worldwide and is projected to hit £33 billion by 2027. As robots continue to develop to be more advanced and widespread, working safely and collaboratively alongside them is becoming crucially important. Dr Ian Pearson, a respected Futurologist, commented: "We can anticipate a future where an increased number of robots operate on sites, which will mean that there is powerful equipment present in these areas. Augmented Reality (AR) and other technologies will play a crucial role in supporting individuals in adapting to these conditions.” 2. Sustainable materials Manufacturers are striving to achieve a more sustainable production line, with consumer demand showing a growing interest in PPE made from recycled fibres, biodegradable/reusable options and alternatives to plastic. Leading safety brand Arco has expanded its Responsible Choice product range by 72 per cent over the last year. Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco, commented: "At Arco, we focus on durability and circularity: garments made from recycled materials, designed to be washed multiple times, and at the end of their life are ready to recycle again. These offer the best opportunity to reduce carbon and water usage." 3. Customisation and comfort Achieving comfort in PPE involves a tricky balance between effective protection and user wellbeing. Selecting materials that offer both safety and comfort is key, requiring innovation in design and construction. Nick McLaren, Head of Range Proposition at Arco, said: “There is a sharp focus on developing breathable, flexible, and user-friendly materials to satisfy both safety and wearability. This ongoing effort reflects a commitment to safeguarding individuals in hazardous environments without compromising their comfort.” 4. The new world of AI, AR and VR AI, AR, and VR are reshaping health, safety, and PPE in industries like construction and healthcare. Advanced AI-driven CCTV systems instantly monitor PPE use, inspect compliance and identify hazards using cutting-edge algorithms. This technology can help to eliminate human error, speed up processes and enhance overall site safety. 5. Post-pandemic preparedness In August last year, the UK Government National Risk Register declared a 5-25% chance of another pandemic striking in the next five years. This month, Arco released its whitepaper on Emerging Disease Preparedness which highlights key insight on pandemic planning, PPE stockpiling and PPE compliance. Futurologist, Dr Ian Pearson, said: "In the years ahead, we may witness the emergence of more viruses, which will no doubt show the need for detection measures in workplaces with close human interaction. The integration of rapid testing, possibly within or in conjunction with PPE, will prove to be a valuable asset for organisations."

Novus Property Solutions has appointed Sean Ryan as head of operations for Partnerships, part of its dedicated Interiors service which is a vital element of the national contractor’s five-year growth strategy. Sean brings over 23 years’ experience in facility and project management services across multiple sectors, including healthcare and education. An accomplished engineer who has spent the past 12 years in senior leadership roles, Sean has led services in both central consulting and operational capacities, which has developed his ability to deliver exceptional quality-driven services. Sean’s varied experience will be invaluable as Novus continues to expand its Interiors service, which offers a streamlined approach to turnkey refurbishment services through the contractor’s team of technical experts and trusted supply chain. Interiors features the three distinct areas of Partnerships, Major Projects, and Fast Track Fit Out to ensure all work – which spans small one-off projects to multi-million pound national refurbishments – is completed on time, on budget, and to the highest standard. Partnerships provides a single source hard maintenance, minor works and small projects service for long term MTC clients and framework agreements. Commenting on his new role, Sean said: “I am delighted to join Novus as Head of Operations for Partnerships at what is a very exciting time for the business. I’m looking forward to managing and enhancing our existing portfolio of clients in the healthcare and education sectors, as well as driving our overall business strategy through my passion for forming successful teams and creating strong customer relations." “My decision to join Novus was bolstered by its highly regarded reputation within the industry, and its commitment to maintaining a personable yet quality-driven service that is not eroded by its ambitions for growth. The onboarding process has been outstanding, and it’s clear that Novus prides itself on holding true to its core values as a family business.” Matt Hiley, Executive Director at Novus Property Solutions added: “Novus has a long-held reputation for delivering operational excellence and reliability across our key sectors, and the structure of our streamlined Interiors service allows us to continue to build on this. We’re pleased to welcome Sean to Novus, and have no doubt that his impressive experience will play an important role in helping us achieve our business growth targets.”

Allied Vehicles are pleased to announce the latest acquisition in exciting plans for growth for the north-Glasgow based business. Allied Autocare and Fix Auto Glasgow North are two brands in the Allied Vehicles Group, repairing vehicles through the largest independent bodyshop in Scotland. Allied Vehicles are expanding their bodyshop offering into the north-west of England through the acquisition of Fix Auto Wigan. It's hoped the purchase will help bring Allied Vehicles headcount of employees to nearly 750 across the group. The move signals a programme of expansion for the Scottish repairer with owner Gerry Facenna stating the purchase was the first of several planned over the next three years. The sale includes the two main units that totals 17,500sq ft of bodyshop workspace and the additional 7,500 sq ft purpose-built bodyshop opened in March 2019 as the company’s dedicated smart repair centre that also houses its alloy wheel refurbishment facilities. Shortly after securing the sale Gerry, said: “These are certainly exciting times for the industry as a whole and for our business. After 30 years repairing cars in Glasgow where, I am extremely proud to say, we have built one of the largest bodyshops in Scotland, the time is now right to expand our business and explore other avenues." “Andy has run an extremely tight ship, the business is in a great place and is ideally placed for further investment and expansion. It really is a perfect acquisition.” Ian Pugh, Managing Director for Fix Auto UK, added: “We are so delighted Gerry and his team have stepped in and taken Fix Auto Wigan over and kept it firmly within the Fix Auto UK family. Anyone who knows his business will know it’s a colossal organisation with several world class divisions to it. Gerry’s decision to invest and expand his own repair footprint is truly exciting, not just for Fix Auto UK but for the industry as a whole.” Fix Auto Wigan has been bought from previous owner, Andy Sankey, who will continue the day-to-day running of the site, reporting directly into Fix Auto Glasgow North's General Manager, Ronnie Stewart. Said Andy: “I have dedicated a huge part of my life to the business and fulfilled my personal ambition of owning my own repair centre. But, the time is now right for me to spend more time with my family, especially my grandchildren. Thankfully, while I’m still going to be helping to manage the day-to-day running of the site, my arrangement with Gerry and Ronnie will hopefully give me that much needed time.” Andy concluded: “What has been absolute paramount to me has been to safeguard my team and to ensure the business remains part of the Fix Auto UK network. I know the business and each and everyone who works within it is in the safest of hands thanks to Gerry and his team. It really is a new chapter for Fix Auto Wigan.”

Working at height specialists from Arco Professional Safety Services abseiled down the lastminute.com London Eye with BBC Breakfast presenter John Maguire to give the iconic attraction a fresh coat of paint on the first day of spring. Positioned high above the capital, the Arco team worked at heights of 68m from the hub of the London Eye to help safely carry out the abseil and painting on live TV. The team had to utilise a range of work at height kit to ensure safe access and egress, including fall arrest lanyards, work positioning systems and personal suspension (abseil) equipment. The full paint refresh, which takes place every three years, requires around 5,000 litres to cover the entirety of the 135m high observation wheel - roughly the equivalent of painting 1,660 cars. Taking a team of eight painters working five nights a week for six months, this iconic London landmark requires a staggering 9,360 hours of painting maintenance to look its best. The Arco team consisted of Steve Dawson, work at height training manager, and Level 3 IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) training instructors Pete Hancock and Chris Fricker. Steve Dawson said: “The London Eye has been a great partner of ours for the past 20-25 years and it was a pleasure to work with the team on this event to showcase a British landmark and ensure it was carried out safely and securely." “This event showcases the truly bespoke offering that we are able to deliver at Arco and demonstrates the strength and breadth of expertise within our team.” Arco Professional Safety Services covers a complete range of safety solutions, including working at height, confined spaces and respiratory services visit here for more information.

More than 160 JCB employees will put their paddling skills to the test at the weekend for a charity event which is set to raise at least £20,000 for the company’s NSPCC Appeal. They are set to take to the waters of the lake at Trentham Gardens on Saturday in a fleet of nine dragon boats watched by hundreds of supporters. The fundraiser is the initiative of JCB employee Robert Canning, aged 34, of Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, who is also Chairman of Trentham Canoe Club. Seasoned paddler Robert said: “All the teams have had one practice session and even though the course is only 200 metres long, it is going to be a tremendous work out for everyone as well as lots of fun. One of the biggest challenges for everyone taking part will be ensuring they paddle in unison with one another and go in a straight line! Whatever happens, the weather is set fair, and we are really looking forward to a fantastic day.” Competitors will participate in two heats, with the fastest two teams going head-to-head to compete for the winner’s trophy at around 4pm. Among the nine crews bidding for glory will be a team of JCB Directors. Originating from the Far East, dragon boating involves single blade paddling in a boat of up to 18 paddlers including one who acts as a drummer to help the team maintain timing with the beat of a drum. In addition, each boat has a helmsman to help maintain a straight course. Money raised at the event will go towards JCB’s £2 million appeal to support the work of the NSPCC in Staffordshire. The appeal is the biggest fundraising drive in JCB’s history and will culminate in 2025 when the company celebrates its 80th anniversary – and 40 years of support for the UK’s leading children’s charity. The NSPCC helps to keep more than a million children safer through its work with schools, national helplines, and specialist centres such as Carole House in Newcastle-under-Lyme, which was named in honour of Carole Bamford. It was through Lady Bamford that the NSPCC originally became JCB’s nominated charity, with millions of pounds raised over the years.

St Austell Brewery has signed a new 10-year deal with fellow Westcountry drinks brand, Thatchers Cider. The two companies have been working in close partnership since 2002. As part of the new, long-term strategic deal, St Austell Brewery will stock Thatchers cider in its managed pubs, from the Isles of Scilly to Bath. Thatchers will also continue to be a key drinks partner for publicans across the company’s 122-strong leased and tenanted estate. As the South West’s leading wholesale drinks distributor, Thatchers brands are also widely available to St Austell Brewery’s 3,000+ free trade customers across the region. Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive, St Austell Brewery said: “We’re delighted be continuing our longstanding partnership with Thatchers by signing this new 10-year deal. It’s a fellow family-owned drinks company, which shares many of our values." “Working collaboratively with other businesses in our region, and building strong long-term relationships, is something which has always been important to us. It’s fantastic to continue supporting one another by growing Thatchers’ Westcountry distribution whilst bolstering our drinks portfolio and cider offer for pub guests and wholesale customers.” Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker, said: “Working in partnership with St Austell Brewery just makes sense; we share our values, roots and commitment to giving customers a great experience. This 10-year deal, which may seem short in comparison to the combined 292 years of family expertise our companies have, is a testament to our shared commitment to collaboration and sustainability. We look forward to raising a glass in a St Austell pub to celebrate!” Thatcher’s cider has been made on Myrtle Farm in Somerset since 1904. A family business just like St Austell Brewery, they’re on their fourth generation dedicated to its craft with a fifth already learning the craft. St Austell Brewery was founded by Walter Hicks in 1851. It remains an independent, family-owned business 172 years later. The company’s range of award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA and korev lager - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide. The business owns over 160 pubs, inns, and hotels across the West Country - including managed houses and leased and tenanted sites. It also operates two breweries, in St Austell and Warmley, near Bath.

There were more than 2500 visitors through the gates of a Meon Valley farm to meet its newest bundles of joy. Visitors flocked to Westlands Farm Shop for its lambing days - an annual four-day springtime event much-loved by families across Hampshire and beyond. Despite the muddy conditions, guests donned their wellies to greet and cuddle the newest additions to the Westlands flock of Romney sheep. The event provided a unique opportunity for children to witness farming in action and learn about the lambing season first-hand. There was also face-painting, a bouncy castle and a barbecue grill. Kayleigh Collett of Westlands Farm Shop said she was delighted to see another great turn-out for the lambing days. She added: “We had so many messages this year asking when our lambing days would be returning - it’s always been a really popular event and I was so pleased to see so many visitors once again this year." “Being aware of local agriculture and food production is so important for children. We like to use these days as an opportunity for learning and seeing farming first-hand.” One visitor said: “We had such a fantastic time at the lambing event and our children are already counting down the days until next year! It was so lovely to see them have such a close encounter with the lambs.” Westlands Farm Shop is based in the Meon Valley and offers a range of locally sourced groceries and gifts as well as its own butchery.

Chris Harris admitted it was the most “insane” two minutes of his life after getting a race win for his team…just seconds after jumping out of his van! The three-times British Champion was caught in a FOUR-HOUR traffic jam on the M6 as he travelled from his home in Rugby to Glasgow’s home circuit at Ashfield Stadium. He is scheduled to take part in the opening race for his Tigers team and roared into the stadium as the riders were almost ready for Heat 1 on Friday night. Harris, 41, jumped out the back of his van in his racesuit and helmet on, got on a borrowed bike and went straight onto the track. He then passed both opposition riders from the Edinburgh Monarchs to win a maximum race win with team-mate James Pearson! The video of his remarkable exploits has gone viral on social media with over ONE MILLION views. Harris, nicknamed ‘Bomber’, admitted: “I think that was the most insane two minutes of my life. Someone told me that when I crossed the finish line to get a 5-1 with James Pearson, I had only been in the stadium for 120 seconds!" “It had come after the most stressful afternoon of my life, that’s for sure. I left home at 10.30am but we got stuck on the motorway. Suddenly as time went on we realised time was running out. We did two miles in three hours on the M6. I had to be in Glasgow for 7.30pm at latest for the first race. The sat nav was then saying arrival in Glasgow for 8pm." “However we thankfully got clear of the traffic and the estimated time came down. I told the team boss Cami Brown and he said we’d try to go for it and get me in Heat 1. I got changed in the van, I was sitting in my racesuit and helmet ready for the last few miles!" “My team-mate Steve Worrall had his bike ready for me to jump on. We arrived just about 7.45pm, I got out the back of the van, on his machine, and then managed to get past the Edinburgh boys to join James for a 5-1." “To get a race win like that on a borrowed bike I’m not used to was quite special. I’d like to thank Steve for being so helpful. To be honest, it was a really horrible feeling. I was thinking I was going to let my team and fans down and miss the meeting. I hate being late as it is, I’d rather be five hours early. So I was just relieved in the end.” After all the drama, the meeting was eventually RAINED-OFF after six heats following a torrential downpour of rain. The result doesn’t stand and the meeting will need to be re-staged. So the remarkable race against time by Harris didn’t even count in the end! He added: “That was just typical I guess. Next time I might even leave home even earlier just in case!”

New research from Advania, a leading Microsoft partner, reveals that IT complexity is hampering the progress of mid-market organisations in harnessing the full potential of new technologies. The vast majority, 81%, struggle to scale, update and future-proof their underlying tech stacks in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This independent study by Censuswide, is the largest of its kind, surveying 966 mid-market IT decision-makers across organisations in the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland. A significant portion, 98%, acknowledge IT Complexity issues in their current tech stack, such as: Limited understanding of AI’s potential for their organisation Existing technical debt and confused budget spending Net-Zero knowledge gap Limited Understanding Of AI's Potential A third of the mid-market organisations surveyed, 33%, believe they cannot future-proof their tech because of a lack of knowledge in AI. Even including those who don’t feel they lack AI knowledge, a staggering 81% feel unable to grasp the transformative potential of AI for improving their operation’s productivity. Only 16% can see how AI could help them build the long-term technical skills needed for revenue growth. This suggests most mid-market organisations have not developed a strategy for AI integration. Business leaders need knowledgeable technical partners, not only to help them successfully implement and adopt AI technology, but to envision the benefits AI can make for their organisations and support them in making the right choices for their business needs. Many are unaware of the power of embedded AI solutions such as Microsoft’s Generative AI virtual assistant, Copilot for Microsoft 365. These AI solutions require minimal technical configuration, allowing business leaders to focus on driving adoption and usage in add real value to their organisation. Existing Technical Debt & Confused Budget Spending A key complication for the mid-market is Technical Debt, the burden of work required to upgrade existing IT systems. When asked how they prioritise and remove technical debt, over half, 57%, of mid-market organisations admitted they don’t regularly review and replace legacy systems. One in four also take a reactive approach to IT, waiting for issues to occur before they act. Ignoring tech debt worsens the impact and solution. It will inevitably cost more to fix later. Within mid-market organisations, siloed teams can suffer from a lack of concrete guidance on where to invest fragmented budgets, resulting in confused or incohesive spending on technology. Budget constraints are a clear barrier to innovation. Nearly a third, 30%, of mid-market organisations cite limited budget as the reason for their outdated technology infrastructure. However, when asked what they spend today versus what they would spend with an ideal budget, they would make the same decisions again, signalling that their priorities are right but that they lack the funds and don’t know where is best to allocate budgets to solve IT complexities. Mid-market organisations, with a finite budget, require assistance in prioritising their spending to effectively repay technical debt, which can act as a barrier to AI exploitation. Conversely, integrating AI can also contribute to the repayment of this technical debt. However, only 16% of mid-market organisations recognise building the technical skills needed for long-term growth as a key impact of integrating AI, leaving many unable to see or understand the benefits. Net-Zero Knowledge Gap Finally, Net Zero commitments mean organisations cannot operate in a vacuum. They need to be aware of the effect of IT decisions on society’s sustainability goals. Budget pressures and IT complexity impact wider strategic organisational goals such as achieving Net-Zero. Mid-market organisations must face the Net-Zero challenge too far on top of maintaining flawless everyday IT operations. The interest is there, with a third of respondents having shifted to the cloud to reduce emissions, and one in four opting for Net–Zero cloud providers. Most are struggling to make progress however, as two- thirds, 66%, admit there is currently no internal education about the environmental impact of their tech stack. Nick Isherwood, Chief Information Officer, Advania, says “The mid-market is smart and competitive, yet IT complexities act as significant roadblocks to them. Many just focus on one-time fixes when there are problems, but don’t recognise the need to be set up for constantly evolving circumstances." "The mid-market simply does not have the luxury of large IT departments and unlimited budgets to resolve these issues. This leads to them not being able to focus on other priorities like AI and Net-Zero, they’re distracted by their IT complexities. They follow official guidance on how much they should budget for cloud services, for example, but one size can’t fit all." "Organisations need to consider their specific needs, the market they play in, the contextual threats they face, and flex their budgets accordingly. That’s where we add the greatest value.”

Although economic activity has picked up since the start of the year, the outlook remains weak by historical standards. GDP growth is forecast at 0.3% in 2024, accelerating to 0.9% in 2025, with longer-term economic growth expected to reach just 1% this decade, according to KPMG’s latest UK Economic Outlook. Headlines Economic performance has slightly improved, but structural headwinds will constrain growth. Weakening inflationary pressures should put the Bank of England in a position to begin cutting interest rates from the middle of the year. Narrow path to recovery in activity; the upcoming general election could prolong the uncertainty for businesses and delay investment decisions. Inflation is expected to return to its 2% target in the first half of the year, which should pave the way for interest rate cuts from the summer. Interest rates are forecast to fall by 100 basis points this year, settling at 3% in the second half of 2025. Falling interest rates could spur partial recovery in liquidity conditions, with accumulated ‘dry powder’ aiding a bounce-back in private equity deals. However, the deterioration in access to finance pre-dates the current interest rate cycle and funding costs are expected to remain above earlier lows. So, while short-term recovery in liquidity conditions is on the cards, longer-term issues may be more persistent. There are ongoing signs that the labour market is softening, with employers hesitant to commit to new hires. However, a lower participation rate - due to adverse population trends and a larger proportion of the population actively choosing not to look for work - could leave the supply of labour relatively low. Pay growth is expected to ease but to outstrip inflation, at 4.5% in 2024 and 3.7% in 2025, according to KPMG’s latest projections. Yael Selfin, Chief Economist at KPMG UK, commented on the report: “The UK economy is recovering from the shallow recession registered in the second half of last year. Business surveys are consistent with a reacceleration of growth, households are rebuilding their purchasing power, and consumer confidence is expected to bounce back. However, persistent weakness in the economy’s supply potential will prevent growth from exceeding 0.2-0.3% per quarter.” The fall in house prices may have already bottomed out, but higher borrowing costs and expectation of lower rates are likely to keep housing transactions at low levels, as potential borrowers delay purchases in anticipation of better deals. Nonetheless, the fall in house prices turned out milder than expected, at around 4% from peak to trough. This could help support the housing wealth of homeowners, restoring confidence and fuelling growth in consumption. KPMG forecasts household consumption rising by 0.5% in 2024 and 1.5% in 2025 in real terms. Meanwhile, looser financial conditions and lower interest rates are the main factors driving stronger investment growth. While investment is forecast to see a minor fall of 0.1% during 2024, a recovery is then is expected to take hold in 2025, reversing this decline with growth of 0.3% that year. Yael concludes: “Demand remains the main source of concern for many businesses, as they put hiring decisions on hold and reconsider investment plans." "The upcoming general elections, both at home and among the UK’s main trading partners, compound the uncertainty surrounding future tax and trade policies within an already fragile geopolitical landscape. Those adept at navigating these challenges stand to gain the most from seizing the first-mover advantage.”