From WisBusiness.com …
— The impending loss of Famous Footwear’s headquarters and its 270 corporate jobs is unwelcome, but Madison officials shouldn’t lose too much sleep over it.
That was the somewhat surprising assessment of Mark Bugher, board chairman of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. He delivered his assessment at a Monday luncheon sponsored by WisBusiness.com, Madison Magazine and the Madison Club.
“We understand that there will be disappointments along the way and that the overall economy in Madison will lose a Famous Footwear once in a while, but you’ll also pick up companies that you don’t expect,” said Bugher, director of Madison’s burgeoning University Research Park and a cabinet member under former Gov. Tommy Thompson.
See the full story: http://www.wisbusiness.
— Madison-based Sub-Zero Freezers & Wolf Appliances intends to furlough 235 full-time employees at two of its Wisconsin locations later this month because of lagging sales.
In a statement, Charles J. Verri, vice president of human resources, said that the layoffs will occur during the week of April 21 and will affect workers at the company’s Madison and Fitchburg facilities as well as those in Phoenix. About 200 local jobs are being cut, he said.
— Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp., squeezed by record high fuel prices and a slowing economy, are combining in a stock-swap deal that would create the world’s biggest carrier.
The boards of both companies gave the deal the go-ahead Monday.
Delta said the combined airline, which will be called Delta, will have an enterprise value of $17.7 billion. It will be based in Atlanta, and Delta CEO Richard Anderson will head the combined company.
Delta said the combined airline will have an enterprise value of $17.7 billion. It will be based in Atlanta, and Delta CEO Richard Anderson will head the combined company.
Northwest acquired a minority share in Midwest Air Group Inc., the Oak Creek-based parent company of Midwest Airlines, in January.
See story: http://www.channel3000.com/money/15873023/detail.html
— Business executives are invited to attend any of more than 30 free seminars designed to help them become better leaders and grow their companies at the BizTech Expo.
The fourth annual BizTech Expo, presented by Small Business Times, will take place Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 1. More than 200 businesses and organizations will operate exhibit booths at the Expo.
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UPCOMING WISPOLITICS/WISBUSINESS EVENTS
WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com have four events scheduled for April and May at the Madison Club
— 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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FEATURED SPONSOR
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
Alliant Energy Corporation Declares Common Stock Dividends
Madison Media Institute Students to Produce ‘Show on Screen’ at the CCA Convention in Las Vegas
MGIC Investment Corporation Schedules 1st Quarter 2008 Earnings Call
Wisconsin Power and Light Receives Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Approval to Purchase Neenah Generating Facility
For these and more releases visit http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82
TOP STORIES
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Manitowoc Company agrees to $2.1 billion deal: The Manitowoc Company Inc. has agreed to purchase British food service equipment supplier Enodis PLC for $2.1 billion, the companies said Monday. The deal will give The Manitowoc Company, the largest ice machine maker in the United States, entry into two major new market segments — hot food service and food retail equipment. “The combination of Manitowoc and Enodis’ businesses will create one of the leading food service businesses globally,” said Terry Growcock, The Manitowoc Company chairman, in a statement. “We have long recognized the value that a combination of the food service businesses of Enodis and Manitowoc would create,” said Glen E. Tellock, The Manitowoc Company president and chief executive officer.
http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/MAN0101/804150468/1984
Sub-Zero to lay off 235 employees at Fitchburg and Phoenix plants: Sub-Zero/Wolf of Fitchburg, a manufacturer of high-end refrigeration and cooking appliances, will lay off 235 employees at its plants in Fitchburg and Phoenix, Ariz. Most of the layoffs will be at Sub-Zero in Fitchburg with a few at Wolf and some in Arizona, said Chuck Verri, the company’s vice president of human resources. “It’s no secret what’s going on in the economy and what’s happening with consumer confidence,” he said. “We’re building inventories too rapidly and we’ve got to do something to react.” Verri said employees were notified Monday and will lose their jobs on or after June 13. He said the slowdown in construction of high-end homes and condominiums is a major factor in the layoffs.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/281530
Red Barn to market ‘humanely produced’ milk: Label could be misleading, some say… A new line of milk produced in the Fox Valley and marketed as “humanely produced” is scheduled to go on sale Thursday at three Milwaukee-area stores. Although some consumers are expected to find the label appealing, some in the dairy industry said they are concerned it could be misleading. The milk from Appleton-based Red Barn Family Farms provides another choice for consumers concerned about animal care as well as milk quality, said Terry Homan, a veterinarian and founder of the company. “We truly believe that if the stable, or barn, itself produces a comfortable life and if cows are treated as a mother should be treated, the results will be obvious,” the company states on its Web site.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/GPG0101/804150619/1207/GPGnews
Study: Trout fishing reels in big bucks for area economy: Trout anglers have a $1.1 billion annual economic impact on the four-state area along the upper Mississippi River, according to a report released Monday in La Crosse. A study of the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois commissioned by Trout Unlimited found more than 125,000 anglers visit the region annually, pumping about $650 million directly into the local economy.
That spending leads to about $465 million in indirect benefits as the money keeps circulating, the report said. U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, said trout fishing’s $1.1 billion economic impact “doesn’t come as too big a surprise” to him because of the large number of visitors drawn to the area.
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/15/news/z01trout15.txt
Wisconsin foreclosure rate relatively low: The home foreclosure rate in Wisconsin remains well below other states. Figures released by RealtyTrac of Irvine, California Tuesday show one in 1,222 Wisconsin homes were in the foreclosure process in March, compared to one in every 538 homes nationwide. That puts the state 27th highest in the country. Nevada has the highest foreclosure rate at one in 139 homes. California is next with one in every 204 houses. Vermont has the lowest rate with one in 154,779 homes in March.
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/04/15/local_news/doc4804a5920cb45134430529.txt
Delta, Northwest boards OK merger: Deal creates world’s biggest air carrier… Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp., squeezed by record high fuel prices and a slowing economy, are combining in a stock-swap deal that would create the world’s biggest carrier. The boards of both companies gave the deal the go-ahead Monday. Delta said the combined airline, which will be called Delta, will have an enterprise value of $17.7 billion. It will be based in Atlanta, and Delta Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson will head the combined company. Tom Miller, manager of Austin Straubel International Airport in Ashwaubenon, said Monday night it is too soon to know how the merger will affect airport services.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/GPG03/804150616/1247/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)
– Innovation inspected
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=739190
– State innovation group will meet Thursday
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/APC03/804150496/1028
BIOTECH (back to top)
– Expert: Sustainability requires basic changes
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/281514
ECONOMY (back to top)
– Consumers confront multiple problems
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/281458
– Many avoid buying as housing pessimism grows
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/281506
MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Crane builder expands reach
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/APC03/804150503/1028
– Bigger piece of pie sought
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=739168
– Tyco Electronics closing Milwaukee plant
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/14/daily7.html?surround=lfn
LABOR (back to top)
– FVTC gets high marks in job placement
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/APC03/804150488/1028
SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Carpentiers open Green Bay Sports
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/GPG03/804150585/1247/GPGbusiness
INVESTING (back to top)
– Stocks end quiet session down
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080414/APC03/80414130/1028
REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Allied Drive plan gets boost from state
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/281520
– Lexington real estate agents move to Caldwell
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/GPG03/804150584/1247/GPGbusiness
– 1 in 7 fear missing mortgage payment
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/281547
– Denial of housing tax credits dooms proposed Corinne Owens Square
http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2008/04/15/local_news/doc4804054933b76256266255.txt
– Plan for former Sinai building gets boost
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=739146
– HomeSale affiliates with Coldwell Banker
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/14/daily11.html?surround=lfn
AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Search Continues for Emerald Ash Borer in Wisconsin
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=464&yr=2008
– State Crop Weather Report: Fields Remain Saturated
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=465&yr=2008
– Soaring Sawdust Price Hits Dairy Producers
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=470&yr=2008
TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Three alternatives for parkway unveiled
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/281567
– Airline woes have impact throughout economy
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/281217
– Transit center secures $7.5M in housing funds
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/15/news/02bus0415.txt
RETAIL (back to top)
– Blockbuster makes offer for Circuit City
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/281548
– Craft distillery plans move to Walker’s Point
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=739165
REGULATION (back to top)
– Outdoor enthusiasts vote on wildlife rules
http://www.htrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/MAN0101/804150464/1984
– Sportsmen weigh in on proposed state deer feeding, baiting ban
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/APC0101/804150519/1979/APCnews
– Cleanup of PCBs enters 5th year
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/APC0101/804150498/1979/APCnews
– Tax deadline arrives as most have already filed
http://www.marshfieldnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/MNH0101/804150687/1980
TOURISM (back to top)
– Hundreds turn out for ‘Public Enemies’
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/APC0101/804150517/1979/APCnews
– Employers see no ‘Depp drain’ on productivity
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/APC0101/804150518/1979/APCnews
– Downtown Cambridge keeps small-town feel while continuing to attract visitors
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2008/apr/14/downtown-cambridge-keeps-small-town-feel-while-con/
– Door County’s Beowulf Lodge sold
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/14/daily8.html?surround=lfn
UTILITIES (back to top)
– With winter past, utilities can now cut off service
http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/SHE0101/804150532/1973
– City water passes compliance tests
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/04/15/news/z07water15.txt
– Electric rates go up Tuesday – again
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=739195
HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Boomers head into health care system that’s inadequate for seniors
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/281510
– Checking for deadly germ is contested
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/281568
– Area health-care providers name new hires
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/GPG03/804150587/1247/GPGbusiness
FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– First Business earns state corporate award
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/APC03/804150493/1028
– Build up your credit score
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/April_08/04142008_05.asp
MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Companies defer on energy saving
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=739167
– New Medical Society president pushes affordability
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/14/daily12.html?surround=lfn
– Marquette honors best business plans
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=739172
– Penfield names new president
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/14/daily6.html?surround=lfn
– Artisan co-founder Carlene Ziegler exits portfolio management
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/04/14/daily10.html?surround=lfn
BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Gail MarksJarvis: Stock pickers battered by economy’s blows
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/chi-tue-mutual-fund-panel-apr15,0,674185.column
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