(WisBusiness) FRI News Summary — 29 February 2008

Kohl’s expects ’08 earnings to fall short: Fourth-quarter profit drops, sales rise slightly… Citing the continuing bleak economic outlook, Kohl’s Corp. on Thursday forecast slow sales for the year and said 2008 earnings would be below analysts’ projections. “We are planning conservatively in our sales expectations, inventory levels and expenses,” Chairman Larry Montgomery said in a statement after the markets closed Thursday. Kohl’s reported an 11.5% decrease in earnings per share for the fourth quarter, to $1.31 per share, from $1.48 for the fourth quarter a year ago. Net sales were $5.5 billion, up 0.7% for the quarter.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=723179

Nine Wisconsin firms honored for business excellence: Nine Wisconsin companies — including Standard Imaging of Middleton — were honored Thursday night at the 20th annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards in Milwaukee. The program, which generated 63 nominations this year, recognizes companies that demonstrate a commitment to business excellence, with a positive impact on the company and state. The program is co-sponsored by the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich, the accounting and consulting firm of Virchow, Krause & Co. and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s largest business association.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/274798

Rockwell to buy Swiss business: Rockwell Automation Inc. of Milwaukee has agreed to buy the safety and automation business of Cedes AG, a Swiss manufacturer of safety and information systems, automation, monitoring, industrial computers and controls. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed by Rockwell (NYSE: ROK), a manufacturer of industrial automation systems and controls. The Cedes safety and automation business is based in Landquart, Switzerland, and has sales office primarily across Europe. The unit supplies products such as safety and measuring light curtains, along with other non-safety optoelectronics, control units and accessories for industrial applications.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/02/25/daily38.html?surround=lfn

Senate approves bill on wine distribution: Wineries could no longer sell their products directly to retailers under a bill advancing in the Legislature. The Senate voted 30-1 on Thursday for a bill that updates the state ‘s alcohol distribution system. The Assembly is considering a similar plan. Gerard Deschane, a lobbyist for the Wisconsin Winery Association, said the bill will change how many wineries distribute their product. They will either have to hire distributors or form distribution cooperatives, he said. The change will be a challenge for the industry, but wineries like its other provisions, including one that legalizes the direct shipment of wine to customers, Deschane said.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/274832

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WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS

– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com

– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– TDS e-mail ‘normal’ again after Phishing attacks
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/274756

– Google says health data will be safe
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/274796

BIOTECH (back to top)
– U.S. Patent Office upholds WARF’s stem cell claim
http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/274738

– UW group’s stem cell patent upheld
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=723234

– New Wisconsin Carbon Credit Program Signs First Contract
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=270&yr=2008