From WisBusiness.com …
— Mark Bugher, director of Madison’s University Research Park, will be the special guest at today’s monthly WisBusiness.com-Madison Magazine business luncheon at the Madison Club.
Bugher became the director of University Research Park in the fall of 1999. He manages and directs all activities for the enterprise, a 515-acre research park owned and operated by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
He also chairs the Wisconsin Technology Council, the Marshfield Clinic Advisory Board and the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
This event is open to the public, and the price for lunch is $19. Call the Madison Club to register at (608) 255-4861. The luncheon starts at 11:45 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.
— Delta and Northwest could announce a merger as early as tomorrow that would create the world’s biggest airline.
However, pilot contract issues still loom, and there’s no guarantee the deal will move ahead.
The sources said officials are mobilizing for an announcement provided the boards of the two companies give final approval to a deal.
The boards of both companies have been having ongoing merger-related conversations.
— Tyco Electronics has told state and local officials it will close its Milwaukee plant by the end of September. The company said 101 employees will be laid off over the next six months.
In a letter to the state Workforce Development Department, Tyco human resources Manager Jennifer said the closure is necessary to “remain competitive and to better align our manufacturing resources with our customers’ needs.”
She said some workers may be able to move to jobs at other plants.
— Plymouth-based Orion Energy Systems Inc. has retained the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as its defense counsel in purported securities class action lawsuits filed against the company. Skadden has 23 offices around the globe.
The lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuits allege, among other things, that Orion, certain of its officers and members of its board of directors made misstatements and failed to disclose material information in the registration statement and prospectus for Orion’s recently completed initial public offering.
— Hartland’s Midwest Composite Technologies will get a $7.2 million industrial revenue bond allocation from the state Commerce Department to help finance an expansion. The company makes composite products, including molds, tooling, models and prototypes.
Officials from Midwest Composite said they will use the money to buy a 69,000-square-foot plant. The project will cost more than $7.7 million and create 13 jobs.
They said the expansion means Midwest Composite should be able to streamline its manufacturing flow, eliminate outsourcing, pursue its private label products and allow for growth.
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UPCOMING WISPOLITICS/WISBUSINESS EVENTS
WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com have four events scheduled for April and May.
— April 22: Dale Van Atta, author of the new biography “With Honor; Melvin Laird in War, Peace, and Politics.” (See an excerpt from the book: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=122814)
— May 5: Branding expert Marsha Lindsay
— May 6: Wis. Elections expert Robert Booth Fowler
See details on all the events:
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=122773
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THANKS TO OUR WISBUSINESS SPONSORS
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Madison Gas & Electric
- University Research Park
- Wisconsin Bankers Association
- Wisconsin Technology Council
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Press Releases
2008 Property Assessments for the City of Madison
BioEthics Forum to be an Evolutionary Affair
Celebrate Earth Day Daily by Bringing More Natural Light Into Your Home
Dominican Hall Achieves ‘LEED’ Status
Electronic filing grows in Wisconsin
Governor Doyle Announces $7 Million to Expand Manufacturing in Hartland
Governor Doyle Announces Funding for Sewer Main Replacement in Monroe County
Governor Doyle Announces Industrial Revenue Bond Allocation in Jackson
Governor Doyle Announces Planning Grants for 149 Local Governments
Johnson Controls Announces Second Quarter 2008 Earnings Conference Call Webcast
Leading Scientists to Highlight Annual Stem Cell Research Symposium
Northwest Airlines Issues Travel Reaccommodation Options Due to Forecasted Weather in Minnesota
Snap-on’s Limited Time Only ‘Buy One, Pick One’ Deal
UW to Host Symposium on Melvin Laird’s Legacy
Webcast Alert: Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator Webcast
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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Big manufacturers rode trends to big gains: They led all publicly owned state stocks over past 5 years… The economy is slowing, maybe even to recession levels. But for investors smart enough to understand and bet upon underlying trends, the last five years provided ample opportunity to cash in on Wisconsin stocks. And following those trends could point the way to handsome capital gains in the next five years. Investors in large Wisconsin manufacturing companies prospered in the five-year period ended March 31. During that time, companies that played to the state’s traditional strengths in shaping metal and other raw materials topped the list of gainers among public companies in Badgerland, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738348
Area’s tide could turn on water technology: Southeastern Wisconsin boasts leading enterprises… Three of every 10 water meters sold in the United States come from a Milwaukee-area company. In Glendale, General Electric Co.’s water division produces water purifiers that are sold around the world. And all told, four of the world’s 11 largest water-technology companies have a significant presence in southeastern Wisconsin, according to an analysis of data from a new Goldman Sachs report. The report buttresses what the region’s economic strategists have been saying for months: that the Milwaukee region is positioned to become a global player in one of this century’s most important growth industries.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738674
Fund launched to support Milwaukee 7 efforts: $2.5 million grant will support investments in seven-county work force… The counties comprising the Milwaukee 7 will have access to a new, $2.5 million work force investment fund financed by the federal WIRED program, the organization formally announced Friday. “Our goal is to thread (the counties) together and speed up that collaboration,” said Michael Mortell of WIRED, which stands for the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development. The Regional Workforce Alliance of Southeastern Wisconsin announced the launch of its WIRED Innovation Fund on Friday at the Pilot House at Pier Wisconsin. Over the next two years, the WIRED fund will invest in projects to transform education, economic and work force development in order to produce the talent necessary to grow the region’s economy.
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/April_08/04122008_07.asp
Ingredient shortages force price hikes for beer makers: There was a time when brewmaster Joe Katchever could call up his supplier and order hops for his brewery. Not anymore. A worldwide hops shortage has craft brewers scrambling for supplies of the flowers, which provide bitterness to offset the sweetness of malt barley and the complex aromas that give beers like India pale ale their signature flavors. Since last fall, Katchever, the owner of La Crosse’s Pearl Street Brewery, has had to seek out growers and trade some of his stock with other breweries. Sand Creek Brewery in Black River Falls, Wis., has done the same. “Basically we built ourselves a co-op,” said brewmaster Todd Krueger.
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/12/news/00lead.txt
National Railroad Museum gears up for tourists: New exhibit, parking lot redevelopment, landscaping in works… The Green Bay Press-Gazette visits with newsmakers in the business world each week in its Monday Conversation feature. This week, Michael Telzrow, executive director, National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, talks about preparation for the 2008 tourist season and a new exhibit opening at the museum this summer. Q. With winter months behind us, how is the National Railroad Museum gearing up for the 2008 tourist season? What are routine steps you undertake each year before opening the museum? A. This year will be a mixture of routine and special projects as the museum moves toward the high season.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/GPG03/804140546/1247/GPGbusiness
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WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS
– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com
– TOM STILL: President, Wisconsin Technology Council
– JENNIFER SERENO: Senior manager, Wood Communications Group
– STEVE JAGLER: Executive editor, Small Business Times
– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– Discoveries: UW professor puts focus on severe asthma
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/281400
– Tosa and Milwaukee vie for UWM campus
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048354&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048354%26snippet%3Df
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Grant to expand soybean work in Evansville
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/GPG03/804140551/1247/GPGbusiness
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Airline woes have impact throughout economy
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/281217
– Sales tax takes in less than expected
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/apr/13/sales-tax-takes-less-expected/
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– State bond aids manufacturing expansion
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/April_08/04022008_08.asp
– Hartland manufacturer gets $7 million for larger facility
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/April_08/04112008_09.asp
LABOR (back to top)
– St. Louis? That shoe may not fit
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/281364
– United Industries to lay off 109 in Beloit
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/GPG03/804140549/1247/GPGbusiness
– Milwaukee archdiocese eliminates 37 jobs to save money
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/12/wi/06wis12.txt
– CouleeCap offers deals on wheels for low-wage workers
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/14/news/01wheels.txt
– Employers are onto the excuses for tardiness
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/07/daily46.html?surround=lfn
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Brew pub, morning grub
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/April_08/04122008_04.asp
INVESTING (back to top)
– Worried consumers signal ‘R’ word
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/281216
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Home values steady in city
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/281360
– Germantown reimburses developer
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738836
– CDA switches vendor on $150,000 security contract
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/281366
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Milk brand touts kind hand
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738447
– Farmers eager to get out in the fields
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/apr/14/farmers-eager-get-out-fields/
– Midwest National Spring Holstein Show to be Held This Week
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=459&yr=2008
– State Egg Production Up Seven Percent Last Year
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=460&yr=2008
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Metro Transit plan set for hearing
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/281445
– Road construction a sure sign of spring
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/281302
– Middleton plans airport shuttle service, trolley
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/281443
RETAIL (back to top)
– Prices climb in grocery stores
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/WDH0101/804140400/1581/WDHnews
– After 20 years, Beloit is still sprucing up downtown
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2008/apr/13/after-20-years-beloit-still-sprucing-downtown/
– State’s first Maserati dealership to open in Glendale
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738465
REGULATION (back to top)
– Northeastern Wisconsin official: Landlord plan off target
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/GPG0101/804140564/1207/GPGnews
– Report: IRS audits of corporations declining
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/WDH03/804140387/1618/WDHbusiness
– DATCP: Selling ‘Brown Bag Seed’ is Illegal
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=461&yr=2008
TOURISM (back to top)
– Downtown Oshkosh returns to the ’30s
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/APC0101/804140479/1979/APCnews
– Firm to evaluate options for former Menasha mill site
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/APC0101/804140461/1979/APCnews
– Winchester Hill stands out among courses
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080413/APC03/804130512/1028
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Wisconsin finds coal in its energy stockings
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048352&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048352%26snippet%3Df
– PSC approves Wisconsin Power and Light purchase of Neenah facility
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/07/daily53.html?surround=lfn
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Nationwide survey compares quality of hospitals nationwide
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/GPG0101/804140565/1207/GPGnews
– Health care directives encouraged
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738862
– Meriter may ax pediatric beds
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/281399
– Farm animals can be good therapy for those with mental illness
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/281365
– Nearly 300 people immunized against measles in Milwaukee
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/front/topstory14.asp
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Hitting a growth spurt
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738342
– Some banks draw long-term interest
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738347
– Tax fraud tips sought
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738835
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– A blueprint for Blue Mound
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=737660
– Nystrom joins Bellevue Total Health
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/GPG03/804140547/1247/GPGbusiness
– Culver, other MGIC executives sustain compensation cuts
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/07/daily49.html?surround=lfn
– From cellblock to craft
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738450
– Artisan co-founder steps back
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738438
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– John Torinus: Entrepreneurship takes baby steps in Wisconsin
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=738445
– Mick Hager: Turning off computer best way to manage
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/GPG03/804140548/1247/GPGbusiness
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