(WisBusiness) TUES News Summary — 9 Dec. 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— U.S. employers are proceeding with caution when considering hiring for the first quarter of 2009, according to the results of the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey conducted quarterly by Manpower Inc.

Of the 31,800 employers surveyed, 16 percent anticipate an increase in their staff levels during Quarter 1 2009, while 13 percent expect a reduction in their payrolls, resulting in a Net Employment Outlook of 3 percent. Sixty-seven percent of employers surveyed expect no change and 5 percent are undecided about their January – March hiring plans. The percentage totals exceed 100 percent due to rounding.

See more:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=143164

— These are trying times for many in the biotech industry, with funding sources buttoning up as a result of the deepening recession.

But at least one drug-related firm, Menomonee Falls-based DDN, is thriving as a third-party logistics company, handling warehousing and distribution of pharmaceutical products from its hubs in Tennessee and California. In addition, DDN also provides IT services and call centers for pharma companies, while also helping them bring products to market by navigating regulatory and logistical mazes.

Three years ago, however, things weren’t quite so positive for DDN. In 2005, the company’s revenues had declined 25 percent compared to the previous year and the profits were negligible.

Since then, however, the company has doubled its revenues to $50 million and President Ross Bjella — who spoke recently at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Biotech and Medical Device Association — says DDN has experienced strong profit growth.

“In this time of economic uncertainty, the life science community is increasingly relying on the services DDN offers to build a world-class company with only a handful of employees, while large businesses turn to DDN with a goal of simplifying their operations,” says Bjella.

Read more from a new WisBusiness interview with Bjella:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=143098

— In a new WisBusiness column, Marc Eisen writes that Epic Systems was the perfect host for the first annual Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council Conference. From geothermal heating and cooling, to “100-year” construction standards, to a costly investment in 3,500 underground parking stalls, to a state-of-the-art but natural storm-water drainage system, Epic walks the sustainable talk, at least as well as you can in a rural office park.

Some 300 people turned out for the Monday event organized by the UW-Madison’s Center for Business, Environment and Social Responsibility. Big-time corporate players Alliant Energy, Grant Thornton and MillerCoors were co-sponsors as well as four-other UW entities. The mood was serious but upbeat, Eisen writes, with an almost palpable “Yes We Can” attitude towards remaking American business to recognize not just a financial bottom line but environmental and social responsibility ones as well.

Read more from Eisen on the conference and the sustainability movement:

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=143166

— Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, has announced a new $2.5 million renewable energy program called Fuels for Schools & Communities. The new program is meant to help Wisconsin schools and communities save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs by switching from natural gas to heating their buildings with wood or other biomass.

The new program offers interested schools and communities pre-feasibility studies and feasibility studies at no cost and up to $250,000 toward the implementation of a biomass system.

See details: http://www.focusonenergy.com/biomassforschools

— Gov. Jim Doyle is planning to address business and investment leaders today at 1:15 p.m. at the Wisconsin Engine Manufacturer & Distributor Alliance (WEMDA) roundtable in Wauwatosa. Doyle will detail the impact of the national economic crisis on Wisconsin industries and the state budget, and discuss the next steps to move manufacturing and the state economy forward.

— The UW System awarded more degrees than ever before in 2007-08 and saw a slight increase in the number of undergraduate transfer students over the previous two years, according to two recent reports published by the UW System Office of Policy Analysis and Research.

See details: http://www.wisconsin.edu/news/2008/r081208.htm

— Over 800 people gathered together for the fifth annual New North Summit, held Monday at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton.

“This year’s theme of collaboration highlighted the success we’ve had as a region working together to grow the economy,” said Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of the New North. “By focusing on targeted industry clusters such as the supply chain side of the wind industry and advanced manufacturing, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead for the region.”

Governor Doyle addressed the event in the morning, discussing his plans to continue growing Wisconsin’s economy, and Richard Longworth, a fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the author of Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism, gave the keynote address.

See more on the summit:

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=143116

— A Milwaukee alderman has shelved his call for the state to allow municipalities to impose their own cigarette taxes after fellow members of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee voiced opposition.

The measure’s sponsor, Ald. Terry Witkowski, pointed to costs cities incur due to cigarette smoking and said the tax would be a good way to raise revenue to make up for that while discouraging smoking. He proposed a similar measure in 2006, but held it back as the state considered a $1-per-pack boost.

Others on the committee, however, argued that the measure would be unlikely to gain state support, do little to address smoking prevention and hurt businesses by making the city a “tax island.”

— Heavy snow and icy roads have forced closings of many schools, colleges and tech schools today.

To check on the latest winter road conditions, call 1-800-ROADWIS (762-3947) or view this information on the Web at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/index.htm.

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