(WisBusiness) WED News Summary — 21 May 2008

From WisBusiness.com …

— Wisconsin will receive nearly $1.6 million as its part of a $58 million payment from the drug giant Merck. The money stems from a suit charging that Merck “misrepresented the cardiovascular safety of Vioxx,” according to state Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s office.

Merck began marketing the arthritis drug in 1999 and withdrew it from the market in 2004 after acknowledging its defects. According to the Wall Street Journal, Vioxx may have led to more than 27,000 heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths before it was pulled from the shelves.

In a lawsuit with a stipulated judgment filed in Dane County Circuit Court today, Van Hollen asked that Merck be prevented from “deceptively” promoting any of its other products in the future. Similar suits were filed in 29 other states.

See the release:
http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=126675

— AFT-Wisconsin President Bryan Kennedy is urging the Regent Committee for the UW-Madison Chancellor Search to disqualify two of the final four candidates for the position based on their views regarding collective bargaining for UW faculty.

Kennedy wrote in a letter to the committee that finalists Tim Mulcahy and Rebecca Blank each expressed in their public forums on the Madison campus that faculty and academic staff shouldn’t be allowed to unionize.

“I am optimistic that you will appreciate that allowing the democratic empowerment of the University’s core workforce is necessary for strengthening UW-Madison as well as the entire UW System,” Kennedy writes.

The Regent committee will meet tomorrow in closed session to continue deliberations on the next chancellor of UW-Madison.

See the AFT letter:
http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/080520_AFT_letter.pdf

— U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan will unveil his “Roadmap for America’s Future” at a news conference today.

Ryan, R-Janesville, touted the plan at the state GOP convention over the weekend, saying it would focus on health and retirement security and global economic issues.

Ryan said the plan will be “controversial in some quarters.” But he said it’s time for Republicans to “take stock of who we are and take stock of the messes we’ve created.”

— Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. plans to open a new manufacturing plant in West Point, Ga., to build and supply vehicle seating and interior products to Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Inc.

The plant, which is expected to open in the summer of 2009, will be located about 70 miles from Atlanta. The plant is expected to employ approximately 310 people when it reaches full production.

The company is building a 130,000-square-foot facility on 20 acres at the Northwest Harris Business Park in Harris County, Ga. When it launches production in fall 2009, Johnson Controls will supply complete seat systems and door panels for a next-generation Kia SUV.

See story: http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2008/5/20/#johnson-controls-to-open-new-plant-in-georgia

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REGISTER NOW: “The Wisconsin Economy in a Time of Uncertainty”

–A WisBusiness.com-WisPolitics.com Forum presented by AARP Wisconsin–

The WisBusiness.com-WisPolitics.com breakfast event at the Madison Club in downtown Madison on June 3 will feature discussion of the impact of the nation’s economy on Wisconsin. With the looming presidential election and recent economic turmoil, find out how you should be safeguarding your financial security.

For more details go to: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=126211

For ticket information, contact Jim Greer at 608-237-6296 and greer@wispolitics.com

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Press Releases
African Dust Forecast May Help Hurricane Season Predictions
APG Releases APG TOGAF(TM) Process Library
On A Financial Treadmill? Milwaukee Advisor Offers Tips to Get Ahead
SBA Disaster Loan Deadline Is June 18
Stipulated judgment against Merck Pharmaceutical filed by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen resolving a three-year investigation into the company’s marketing of Vioxx
We Energies Wind Project Begins Commercial Operation

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


TOP STORIES
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Enodis backs Manitowoc Co. takeover offer: British cooking-equipment supplier Enodis PLC on Tuesday endorsed a sweetened takeover bid by The Manitowoc Co., just as it backed two previous approaches. Manitowoc raised its offer to 296 pence ($5.79) per share on Monday, valuing Enodis at 1.08 billion pounds ($2.1 billion). Illinois Tool Works of Glenville, Ill., which had offered 282 pence ($5.51) per share, said Monday that it was considering its position. Manitowoc, the biggest ice machine maker in the United States, opened up bidding on Enodis in April when it made an offer of 260 pence ($5.09) per share, which was accepted by the British company. Enodis’ board had supported all three offers in turn.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/GPG03/805210692/1247

Johnson Controls to supply Kia plant: Glendale firm will make seats, door panels in Georgia… Continuing to expand its ties with international automakers, Johnson Controls Inc. plans to open a Georgia factory next summer to supply Kia Motors. The 130,000-square-foot plant in West Point, Ga., will make vehicle seating and door panels for Kia. Seoul-based Kia is building a $1.2 billion auto assembly and manufacturing plant – its first in the U.S. – in West Point. It is set to open in late 2009 and produce 300,000 vehicles annually when it reaches full production. The new plant by Johnson Controls is expected to employ 310 people when it reaches full production. When it begins production in 2009, the plant will supply complete seat systems and door panels for a next-generation Kia sport utility vehicle.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753137

Cardinal Glass to open solar panel factory in Mazomanie: Cardinal Glass will build a $60 million factory in western Dane County that could employ 120 people by the end of 2009. The plant, to be built on a 26-acre site in Mazomanie’s industrial park, about 25 miles west of Madison, will manufacture two types of glass for use in solar photovoltaic panels. “It’s new technology, it’s timely and it’s an eco-product. It’s perfect,” said Mazomanie village President Scott Stokes. Groundbreaking for the first phase of the project will be June 9. A $30 million, 175,000-square-foot factory will be built and 40 to 45 employees will be hired to manufacture tempered glass panels.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/287411

Consultant: Business travelers, higher fares could protect Dane County Regional Airport from cutbacks: A higher percentage of business travelers and moderately higher average fares at the Dane County Regional Airport could help shield the airport from cutbacks during tough times ahead for the airline industry, an industry consultant said Tuesday. When major airlines cut back service as expected this spring and summer, the Madison airport could be protected because the routes are more profitable, said Ron McNeill, a former airline executive and now an industry consultant with Mead & Hunt of Madison.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/287408

Turning the ship around: Company celebrates yacht brand’s return to state… K.C. Stock was at a Florida airport when his banker from Wisconsin told him that the old Cruisers yacht factory was going to be sold at auction if somebody didn’t buy the place soon. It was on a Saturday 15 years ago. The banker wanted to know if Stock was interested in acquiring the factory, which was nearly shut down and in poor condition. There wasn’t much time to decide, the banker said, so Stock returned to Wisconsin that afternoon. The Oconto native toured the factory and met with the banker handling the sale. Shortly after that, for an undisclosed sum, he became the owner of a boat company.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753154

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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)
– Patients’ hospital ratings shared via Web site
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753204

– Films from Web to TV
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753152

BIOTECH (back to top)
– Wisconsin to get $1.5M in Merck Vioxx settlement
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily18.html?surround=lfn

ECONOMY (back to top)
– Gas prices becoming a broken record
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287461

– Spectrum sells pet division
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/287462

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Johnson Controls to expand to Georgia
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/GPG03/805210691/1247

– RBA Inc. buys steel fabricator
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753086

LABOR (back to top)
– Boilermakers continue strike in Kewaunee
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/GPG03/805210688/1247

– Janesville GM buyout number over 450
http://www.gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2008/may/20/janesville-gm-buyout-number-over-450/

– Convicts face bleak job prospects after release
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/05/21/news/z03jobfair.txt

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Business bungalows offer artists and small business a way to own their workspace
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/287182

– Sharkeyís to get makeover under new owners
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/May_08/05202008_07.asp

INVESTING (back to top)
– Manitowoc Co. declares dividend
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/APC03/805210519/1028

– Stocks stumble on record oil, inflation worries
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080520/APC03/80520100/1028

– Investor concerns deepen
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753138

REAL ESTATE (back to top)
– Panel OKs housing plan
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/WDH0101/805210650/1581/WDHnews

– U.S. attorney may investigate Younkers deal
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/GPG0101/805210723/1978/GPGnews

– Hotels seek more space in Madison
http://www.dailyreporter.com/item.cfm?recid=20048641&snippet=t&forward=%2Fitem%2Ecfm%3Frecid%3D20048641%26snippet%3Df

– WPS parent wants to sell north woods property
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily16.html?surround=lfn

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Planting of corn, other crops improves
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287284

– Kohl Welcomes Steps to Restore Downer Cow Ban at Meat Plants
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=624&yr=2008

TRANSPORTATION (back to top)
– Economy, other options hurting Dane County Airport
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287392

– Milwaukee lands Port security grant
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily22.html?surround=lfn

– Whatís next for Hartford airport?
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/May_08/05202008_11.asp

– Express bus idea leaves some behind
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753167

– Midwest expands Northwest codeshare pact
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily23.html?surround=lfn

RETAIL (back to top)
– Miller Brewing expanding rollout of MGD 64
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily21.html?surround=lfn

– My Menu Stores ready to launch here
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/287278

– Kohlís to help fund new UW retailing center
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/May_08/05202008_09.asp

– Take and bake store is on the rise
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2008/May_08/05202008_08.asp

REGULATION (back to top)
– City stands by as many businesses ignore recycling laws
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/287415

– Alderman wants to limit sale of cheap beer in Downtown Madison
http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/287413

– Charter is dropping cable deal with Madison
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/287414

– House passes Kagen’s bill to take on oil cartels
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/APC0101/805210531/1979/APCnews

TOURISM (back to top)
– Former tourism secretary to seek state Senate seat
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287372

– Waukesha mulls Northwoods baseball
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753315

– Rams make pick of Concordia for training camp official
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily19.html?surround=lfn

– Segway Tours moves to Discovery World
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily17.html?surround=lfn

UTILITIES (back to top)
– State pressures Madison to get serious about permitting private wells
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287190

– MGE customers embrace green power
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/287388

– Integrys offers land for sale
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/GPG03/805210689/1247

– Delo will head water authority
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/GPG03/805210686/1247

– Friends of refuge weigh in on power line
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/05/21/news/z02powerline.txt

HEALTH CARE (back to top)
– Assembly GOP says no to hospital tax, blocks $125M budget plug
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287183

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– UW-Madison’s newest residential community focuses on entrepreneurial living
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287177

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Menomonie joins Madison, 16 other state cities in global warming fight
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/287294

– Integrys CEO says company making strides to go green
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/APC03/805210527/1028

– Briggs executive Savage selling shares
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily20.html?surround=lfn

– Broadwind president Brickner leaving company
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/05/19/daily12.html?surround=lfn

BUSINESS COLUMNS (back to top)
– Mike Ivey: Camp Randall hotel on hold again?
http://www.madison.com/tct/business/287181

– Tannette Johnson-Elie: Business owner uses networking to thrive
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=753136

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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