By Brian E. Clark
RISING
Miller Brewing
Miller Brewing Co.’s sales volume jumped 3.1 percent in the past fiscal
year, thanks to drinkers trying more expensive brews.
They include Leinenkugel’s, lime-and-salt flavored Miller Chill and
Italian import Peroni Nastro Azuro. All totaled, these pricier drinks
saw their sales balloon by a hefty 49 percent.
Still, Milwaukee-based Miller’s overall sales increase lagged behind
rival Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., which reported increased sales of 6
percent during the past fiscal year.
A disappointment was Miller’s flagship brand, Miller Lite, whose sales
were up only 1.1 percent in the same period.
MIXED
Midwest Airlines
Midwest Airlines shouldn’t need to trim routes any further or lay off
any more employees if jet fuel prices remain stable, Tim Hoeksema, the
company’s president and CEO says.
Last week, Midwest announced it will furlough 109 workers, including 35
pilots, and cut service by 2.5 percent. And on Monday, oil prices broke
new records, topping out at more than $117 a barrel after a rocket
attack on a Japanese tanker in the Mideast and turmoil in Nigeria.
Hoeksema told “UpFront with Mike Gousha” that these are “tumultuous
times” for the airline industry. But he predicted Midwest would be able
to weather the storm. He also said a proposed merger between Delta and
Northwest wouldn’t affect Midwest service to Milwaukee.
See the interview on Midwest Airlines and other segments of “UpFront
with Mike Gousha” http://www.wisn.com/upfront/15937885/detail.html
FALLING
Harley-Davidson
Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson is cutting its work force by more than
370 and trimming motorcycle shipments by more than 7 percent. The moves
come in response to declining domestic sales, which dropped by nearly
13 percent in the first quarter.
The cuts are the biggest in the past two decades, analysts said. The
heavy motorcycle maker plans to reduce this year’s shipments by between
23,000 and 27,000 units. That means the company expects to ship between
303,500 and 307,500 units for the full year.
To reach its downward goals, Harley will temporarily idle plants and
lower daily production rates through the summer. About 80 percent of
the furloughs will take place at Harley’s biggest plant, in York, Pa.,
which has more than 2,770 hourly workers. Another 14 percent of the
cuts will be at plants in Milwaukee.
Harley’s shares closed Monday at $37.50, down from a 52-week high of
$66.
