From WisBusiness.com …
— NewPage Corp. says it will close its paper mill in Kimberly in August and lay off 475 employees. Three months ago, it silenced one of the three machines at the mill and terminated 125 employees.
NewPage is also shutting down is closing a mill in Niagara. It still has plants in Wisconsin Rapids, Biron, Stevens Point and Whiting.
Officials of the Ohio-based company blamed a downturn in print advertising and rising costs for fuel and raw materials for the Kimberly shutdown. NewPage bought the Kimberly mill as part of its $2.6 billion purchase of Stora Enso North America, formerly known as Consolidated Papers Inc.
U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen ripped the decision to close the mill.
“The pain felt throughout the Fox Valley… will affect all of us. As Niagara goes – and as Kimberly goes – so goes our nation,” he said.
“I call upon President Bush to immediately consider imposing a tariff on all paper imported from Communist China. NAFTA and CAFTA are
nothing more than a free giveaway of our jobs.”
See release: http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=132417
— Briggs & Stratton has notified state and local officials that it plans to lay off 81 workers when it shuts down its Port Washington plant on Oct. 2.
— The House Judiciary Committee approved the Great Lakes Compact Wednesday, while Gov. Jim Doyle testified before a Senate committee on the water accord.
Doyle said the Great Lakes could become a great source of economic renewal for the region, and the resource must be protected.
“With the cost of gasoline, I believe shipping in the Great Lakes is going to see a great resurgence,” he said. “The states have come to understand that we are in this together.”
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, who chaired the hearing, said water withdrawals have become an increasing threat to the Great Lakes.
“Pressures on the Great Lakes will only intensify with population growth, climatic changes, and contaminated or exhausted water supplies,” Feingold, D-Middleton, said in his opening remarks. “I strongly support putting in place management practices now to safeguard the Great Lakes against future stresses.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, said in a statement following the House committee approval that the compact will “provide unprecedented protection for the Great Lakes.
“This agreement will also strictly regulate the use of water, but will allow for communities with water quality issues to divert water from the lakes for public usage,” he said in a statement.
See more on the hearing in DC Wrap:
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Content=174
— In a teleconference following the hearing, Doyle said he hasn’t encountered any opposition to the compact.
“As one member of Congress said when the resolution was being introduced; this would smoke out the opposition if there was any. But we really just haven’t seen any emerge,” Doyle said.
“I think other states in the country are respecting the compact process,” he said.
Once the compact is ratified by Congress and the president, Doyle said the “real work” begins, such as the creation of a Great Lakes Commission to share information on environmental impacts to the Great Lakes. The states will also develop water conservation plans that will be submitted to the commission, he said.
— Madison Ald. Zach Brandon is the new executive assistant at the Department of Commerce. He was appointed to the post by Doyle.
Brandon replaces Chandra Miller Fienen, who left the agency earlier this month to take the position of legal counsel in Doyle’s office.
Brandon has served on the Madison Common Council since 2003 and has been involved with three start-up businesses, including Laundry 101 in downtown Madison. Brandon, 35, also serves on the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission.
Doyle is still searching for a Commerce secretary following the departure of Jack Fischer. Deputy Secretary Aaron Olver is leading the agency until a replacement is found.
See the press release:
http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=132382
— This is a lousy time to be running a business connected with the automotive industry.
Strattec Security Corp., a vehicle lock supplier, says it’s feeling the effects of the slowdown in Detroit and reporting a fiscal-fourth quarter net loss of $921,000, compared with net income of $3.4 million for the same period a year ago.
Net sales for the Milwaukee company’s fourth quarter were $38.6 million, down from $46.1 million a year earlier.
Strattec says its lower sales and net loss for the quarter primarily resulted from two factors: a 12-week strike against a major supplier to General Motors and a dramatic shift in demand by consumers to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
See the release:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=132381
— Despite some strong headwinds in the economy, Wisconsin manufacturers say the assistance they received from the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) produced an economic impact of $226 million, most of it in sales growth and business expansion.
The fiscal year 2008 economic impact is based on 185 surveys completed by WMEP-assisted companies and compiled by an independent national research firm.
“This year’s impact sends a strong message about the substantial gains that can be realized by manufacturers who invest in change and transformation,” said Michael Klonsinski, executive director of WMEP, a non-profit organization that provides expertise and business assistance to help small and mid-size manufacturers grow and succeed.
“Clearly it’s another sign that Wisconsin manufacturers can compete and win in the global economy.”
See release: http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=132429
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Rocket Racing League(R) Takes Flight!
Strattec Security Corporation Reports Fiscal Fourth Quarter Results
Xceligent Successfully Launches Commercial Real Estate Database in Madison, Wisconsin
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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NewPage shutdown will leave 470 jobless: Workers will be on payroll until Sept. 30… NewPage Corp. will shut its doors in September, putting about 470 employees out of work. The Miamisburg, Ohio-based company announced plans for the shutdown to employees Wednesday morning, said Andy Nirschl, president of Local 2-9 of the United Steelworkers. “They’re shutting us down permanently,” Nirschl said. “We’ve heard rumors they had this in mind. We think they set us up for this right from the beginning when they bought us.” NewPage bought the mill as part of the acquisition of Finnish Stora Enso’s North American assets last December. Nirschl said the company did not seem receptive to the idea of offering the mill at 433 N. Main St. to another buyer.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/GPG03/807310552/1247
Foundry lands Daimler order: Grede’s European contracts curb deeper staff cuts… Grede Foundries Inc. has received a $45 million order to build truck axle castings for Daimler Truck assembly plants in Germany, even as Grede eliminates about 90 jobs at its Reedsburg foundry, where some of the work will be done. The Milwaukee-based company also anticipates finalizing another $20 million in sales from European customers in coming weeks. Combined, the contracts would represent a significant portion of Grede’s approximately $500 million in annual sales. “The opportunity to export profitably couldn’t come at a better time,” said Bruce Jacobs, Grede president. “The market is extremely difficult for the foundry industry as we try to manage volatile costs and reduced demand. The new Daimler work will help fill open capacity at our plants in Wisconsin, Indiana and Minnesota, and our hope is that additional work fills some of the gaps at our other plants.”
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778264
Janesville area among nation’s worst in job losses: The Janesville area in south central Wisconsin is one of the worst in the nation when it comes to job losses. Federal data released Wednesday shows payrolls in the Janesville area dropped by 3.1 percent in the past year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics report says that’s one of the 10 highest rates of job loss among 310 metropolitan areas nationwide. The highest rate was in Cape Coral-Fort Myers area in Florida, where payrolls dropped by 5.1 percent. The Janesville area has been hurt by layoffs at the General Motors Corp. assembly plant there. The state Department of Workforce Development said Tuesday it is seeking $3.8 million in emergency federal funds to help workers laid off by GM and its suppliers.
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/jul/30/janesville-area-among-nations-worst-job-losses/
Appleton raising prices for overseas markets: Paper and packaging products manufacturer Appleton said Wednesday that its international division is raising prices to offset the increasing cost of raw materials, energy and transportation. The Appleton-based company said the division has notified its customers that the company has raised prices 7 percent for carbonless sheet products sold into Mexico. The company also raised prices 6 percent for all its direct thermal products sold to all international markets. The company said it is seeing an “extraordinary escalation” of costs for raw materials, energy and transportation. Appleton produces carbonless, thermal, security and performance packaging products. It employs approximately 3,000 workers and is 100 percent employee owned.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/28/daily42.html?surround=lfn
Report: China trade costs 59,100 Wisconsin jobs: A new report suggests the growing trade deficit with China since the two normalized trade relations has cost the United States some 2.3 million jobs, including 59,100 jobs in Wisconsin. The state ranks 12th in terms of total jobs lost and ninth when compared with the total number of jobs in the state. The total number of jobs lost represents 2.1 precent of the state’s jobs. The job loss since 2001 — when China was accepted into the World Trade Organization — is a result of the U.S. importing cheaper Chinese goods rather than having those products manufactured domestically, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank. It says in 2007 employees nationwide displaced by Chinese trade lost a total of $19.4 billion in diminished wages.
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/28/daily38.html?surround=lfn
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WISBUSINESS FEATURED COLUMNISTS
– GREGG HOFFMANN: Contributor, WisBusiness.com
– TOM STILL: President, Wisconsin Technology Council
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– STEVE JAGLER: Executive editor, Small Business Times
– TOM BURZINSKI: IT executive and consultant
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TECHNOLOGY (back to top)
– One-fifth of Madison-area homes will need to worry about transition from analog
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/298666
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Plant neighbor launches sign campaign
http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/jul/30/plant-neighbor-launches-sign-campaign/
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Gas dribbles down, oil bubbles up
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298739
– Fire damages meat processing plant
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/MNH0101/807310645/1980
– Shipbuilder sale rumored
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778310
– Meatpacker Excel must pay Sizzler $7.1M:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778277
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– NewPage announces plans to close Kimberly mill
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/WDH0101/807310656/1981/WDHnews
– Strattec reports 4Q loss
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/28/daily35.html?surround=lfn
LABOR (back to top)
– A loss of 244 jobs? Warrens resort, nation’s largest Jellystone Park, may close
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/07/31/news/00lead.txt
– Flight attendants union seeks severance package from Midwest
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778240
– Marshfield Job Center will stay open
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/MNH0101/807310357/1980
– State seeks funds for displaced workers
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2008/jul/30/state-seeks-funds-dislocated-workers/
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Clayton business hopes to corner glow-in-dark market
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BHBFV7RREJo
– De Pere bed and breakfast to open doors Friday
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/GPG03/807310547/1247
INVESTING (back to top)
– Stocks head for lower open following GDP reading
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WALL_STREET?SITE=WIMIL&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Fitchburg considers buying property in Madison
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/298736
– Housing bill targets first-time home buyers
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778251
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Farmer sentenced for selling cows pledged as collateral
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BHBGLENBE47
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Year after tragedy, most deficient bridges still not fixed
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/298733
RETAIL (back to top)
– Grede wins $45M Daimler Truck order
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/28/daily34.html?surround=lfn
REGULATION (back to top)
– U.S. House committee approves Great Lakes compact
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298710
– OSHA had cited mill 3 times before fatal explosion
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_MILL_EXPLOSION_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME
– Council passes $20 wheel tax, sets referendum on sick leave
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778408
– Mayor pleads with council for budget cuts
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298628
– New commercial fishing rules draw positive reviews
http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/MAN0101/807310498/1984
TOURISM (back to top)
– Milwaukee’s Black Holocaust Museum to close
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_BLACK_HOLOCAUST_MUSEUM_WIOL-?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME
– Clarke Hotel opening delayed yet again
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/July_08/07302008_02.asp
– GrandStay hotel open, booked to capacity
http://www.sheboyganpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/SHE0101/807310458/1973
UTILITIES (back to top)
– Milwaukee OKs New Berlin water
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778427
– Coming soon to a neighbor near you, a 200-foot wind tower?
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/298685
– One-stop solar power shopping
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298686
– Stratford utility seeks rate increase
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/MNH0101/807310351/1980
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Franciscan Skemp breaks ground in Holmen
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/07/31/news/z02fshc.txt
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– FEMA extends individual assistance application deadline
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298711
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Ald. Brandon tabbed as executive assistant in Department of Commerce
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298697
– Blanchardville businessman admits to writing $15M in bad checks, connection in loan fraud
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298678
– Wisconsin School Grainger Hall addition almost done
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778298
– Great Wolf hires PR agency Fleishman-Hillard
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/07/28/daily33.html?surround=lfn
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Mike Ivey: Weak dollar boosts biotech buyouts
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/298688
– Tannette Johnson-Elie: Bazaar aims to boost inner city businesses
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=778262
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