(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 22 Dec. 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— Milwaukee-based Manpower Inc. announced today that due to continued declines in the global labor markets and changes in foreign currencies, it is withdrawing its revenue and earnings guidance for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Jeffrey A. Joerres, Manpower Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We continue to see further weakening in demand for our services in most of our markets due to the deteriorating economic environment. We anticipate that demand for our services will be especially weak in December as we are hearing that many of our light industrial clients are taking prolonged plant shut downs around the holidays compared to last year.”

During the two months ended Nov. 30, the company experienced a revenue decline of 20 percent.

See the Manpower press release:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=144158

— A top official in Gov. Jim Doyle’s administration says the state’s hoping for a turnaround in the employment picture by 2010.

Doyle’s Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman tells the weekend TV show “UpFront” that the new year looks to be dominated by what she calls a “challenged national economy.”

She says that will affect Wisconsin, which last week reported an unemployment rate of 5.3 percent.

She also says Wisconsin, like other states, is running short on money in the unemployment fund, and may have to borrow money from the feds in February.

But she pledges unemployed workers will “absolutely” get the benefits they are due.

This week’s closing of the GM plant in Janesville isn’t helping matters. She says an estimated 3,000 people in the Janesville area are affected by the closing.

See the show recap:

http://www.wisn.com/upfront/18329830/detail.html

— In the newest edition of Fashion Forward, columnist Mitch Bram tackles a pair of questions tailored to the recent blast of wintry weather.

He looks at the options available for headwear, gives a little advice on sunglasses and opines on the appropriateness of wearing fur.

See the new column:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=211

— The efficient and effective cleanning of wastewater is the business focus of BioIonix Inc., a McFarland firm that is commercializing a unique electrochemical engineering technology.

James Tretheway, president and CEO of BioIonix, said the company uses processes that kill bacteria and pathogens by creating mixed oxidants that work together. It is a “green” process that has immediate and high profile uses.

Read more about Biolonix:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=144155

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Press Releases
· Columbia St. Mary’s, Froedtert & Community Health: Hospitals defer plans to form Progressive Health
· Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Search opens for 62nd Alice In Dairyland; host county for 2011 finals also sought
· UW System: Van Galen recommended as next UW-River Falls chancellor
· Wisconsin Medical Society: Injured patients and families are ultimate losers as result of Court’s decision
· WMC Foundation: Nominees announced for Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year awards
· Xcel Energy: Innovative biomass energy project to begin regulatory review process in Wisconsin

For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82


TOP STORIES
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Economic uncertainty plagued Wisconsin in 2008 : When workers packed up and hauled away the machine shop equipment at the APV factory in Lake Mills, Dan Weber thought it looked like a “funeral procession.” Two days before Christmas, Weber expects he’ll lose his job of 34 years when the factory — a key employer in this community 30 miles east of Madison since the 1800s — closes at the end of this month.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/324615

GM loan won’t help Janesville plant : The emergency federal loan for General Motors Corp. apparently won’t help bring new production to GM’s Janesville assembly plant. Asked if the bailout will affect an earlier proposal by state and local leaders to bring a new product to the Janesville plant, Tony Sapienza, a GM spokesman in Warren, Mich., would say only: “This will not impact Janesville.”
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/324572

Columbia, Froedtert delay joint venture: Blaming the economy, Columbia St. Mary’s and Froedtert & Community Health announced Friday they have deferred plans to form a joint health care system. Columbia St. Mary’s, Milwaukee, and Froedtert & Community Health, Wauwatosa, signed a joint operating agreement in January to create Progressive Health. Representatives from both hospital systems said they would continue to collaborate on specific initiatives, but because economic conditions have deteriorated significantly since partnership plans were announced, the merger was put on hold.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/15/daily58.html

Packers’ season also disappoints retailers: The Green Bay Packers aren’t having a great year, and neither are the businesses dependent on them. Sports apparel manufacturers, hotels and souvenir shops say business is down this year. The bad economy, a losing season and the loss of Brett Favre have all taken their toll.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_PACKERS_BUSINESSES_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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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)
– Next-Gen service
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/324701

BIOTECH (back to top)
– UW researchers watch disease unfold in lab dish
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/324863

– Stem cells give scientists a window on diseases
http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/36550119.html

– Platypus gives new CEO a challenge
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36544129.html

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Appleton-based venture capitalists confident amid economic downturn
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081221/APC03/812210519/1028

– Wells Fargo economists see recession’s end in late 2009
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/15/daily56.html

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– TD Fischer Group nominated for Manufacturer of the Year
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20081220/WDH03/812200385/1618

– New Harley CEO faces turbulent time
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36477449.html

LABOR (back to top)
– Milwaukee suburbs act to prevent sick leave law
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_SICK_LEAVE_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Josef’s Caspian Kitchen is fourth restaurant for Sattakeh family
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20081221/OSH03/812210473/1167

INVESTING (back to top)
– Spectrum Brands will get new ticker: SPCB
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/324639

– Brunswick amends revolving credit facility
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/15/daily61.html

– Journal Communications’ November revenue drops 10 percent
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/15/daily57.html

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Construction begins on The Cookery
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081222/GPG03/812220511/1247

– City approves extension for Ghazi project
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/15/daily54.html

– Title company failed to pay mortgage debts, lawsuit claims
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/36548854.html

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– WFU Commends Feingold for Taking Action on DFA Investigation
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1530&yr=2008

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Full-size pickups still top seller in region
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081221/GPG03/812210667/1247

RETAIL (back to top)
– Microbrewers protect area’s ‘brew city’ rep
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/22/story3.html?b=1229922000^1749647

– Ruby Tuesday will close about 70 locations
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/15/daily52.html

– For shoppers, staying alert at the register pays
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/pi/36550104.html

– Retailers make gift returns easier but receipts reign
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36477209.html

UTILITIES (back to top)
– WPS will buy Iowa wind farm
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081222/GPG03/812220514/1247

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– SureSmile system offers alternative to braces
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20081221/APC03/812210529/1028

– Study questions timing of BadgerCare Plus expansion
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/22/story6.html?b=1229922000^1749657

– ThedaCare’s ‘no layoffs’ practice may improve firm
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36477214.html

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– Patriot Mortgage tops business association list
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081222/GPG03/812220509/1247

– Credit union breaks through the language barrier
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20081221/GPG03/812210661/1247

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Manitowoc’s board chairman to retire
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/12/15/daily62.html

Media Partners
—Channel3000
—Small Business Times
—Madison Magazine
—BusinessWeek

National Business Roundups ( back to top)
–YAHOO FINANCE: http://finance.yahoo.com/
–CNBC BUSINESS NEWS: http://www.cnbc.com
–ABC BUSINESS NEWS: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/business/
–GOOGLE NEWS: http://news.google.com/news/en/us/business.html

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