(WisBusiness) MON News Summary — 6 Apr. 2009

From WisBusiness.com …

— For the second consecutive quarter, business confidence among Milwaukee area businesses turned significantly downward, according to a business outlook survey conducted by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Optimism toward second-quarter sales, profit and job levels fell from those expressed in 2009’s first quarter.

“The latest survey results indicate that metro Milwaukee businesses do not expect an imminent positive change in the current economic environment,” said Bret Mayborne, the MMAC’s economic research director. “It appears at this point that the onset of an economic turn-around is more likely to occur well into 2009’s second half, if not beyond.”

Only 22 percent of surveyed businesses see rising real sales levels for the second quarter (vs. 2008’s second quarter), down from the 29 percent who forecast first-quarter gains. Conversely, 61 percent see declines in second-quarter sales levels, while 18 percent expect no change. The percentage expecting quarterly sales declines (vs. year-ago levels) has risen by 36 percentage points in just two quarters, from 25 percent in 2008’s fourth quarter, to the present 61 percent.

— Cequent Performance Products in Mosinee notified the state about the layoff of 38 workers in its trailer division beginning on June 5.

— Hartwig Transportation in Oshkosh informed the state that it was ceasing operations effective March 31 due to bank cancellation of a line of credit. The actions result in loss of employment for 10 people in the Oshkosh office and 26 total in the state.

— Reminder on today’s WisBusiness.com luncheon with the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Paula Bonner:

Monday’s WisBusiness.com luncheon features Paula Bonner of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, which is promoting a project called Badger Career Network Alerts. The online service is designed to connect UW-Madison alumni with companies that are hiring.

Call the Madison Club to register at (608) 255-4861.

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Press Releases
· AG Van Hollen: Announces $73,763.20 judgment against Fox Valley developers
· Alliant Energy: Avoid serious injury and service interruptions this spring: “Call before you dig”
· Autonomous Mind Consulting: Wisconsin solar energy professionals optimistic about growth prospects
· Capitol Lakes: Capitol Lakes and owner Pacific Retirement Services (PRS) celebrate one-year anniversary
· Dept. of Health Services: Grants will increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities
· Dept. of Workforce Development: Governor Doyle announces additional assistance for dislocated workers at Sanmina-SCI in Turtle Lake
· Focus on Energy: Kerry Group’s new center of excellence shines for green building efforts
· MMAC: Milwaukee sick leave administrative rules — your turn to speak out
· NARI of Madison: Madison remodeling professionals win awards for excellence; 3 awarded “2009 National Contractor of the Year”
· RedPrairie: Peet’s Coffee & Tea improves forecasting, inventory management with RedPrairie Site Operations
· Suttle-Straus: Receives awards in statewide print competition
· The Alliance: Announces health policy platform
– Health policy platform
– Health policy survey results
· UW-Madison: Engineering students use EPA funding to conserve water at medical school complex
· UW-Madison: Find local food with the 2009 Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas
· Wisconsin Association for Justice: State Farm agrees: Consumers do not get the insurance they pay for
· Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance: Biodiesel basics #28 — biodiesel is safer than petroleum diesel
· Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance: Releases expert database
· Wisconsin Network for Peace & Justice: Relaxing nuclear reactor regulations could endanger citizens, environment
· Wisconsin Technical College System: Wisconsin’s technical colleges Futurefest finalists selected

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


TOP STORIES
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Manitowoc Ice workers reject contract, cite wage giveback: Union workers at Manitowoc Ice Inc. on Saturday rejected a three-year contract offer that included a wage giveback of 12 percent to 20 percent, depending on pay grade, in the first year. “They make a very good profit at Manitowoc Ice, even to this day, and we don’t see why we have to bite the bullet for a downturn in the economy,” said Steve Garber, president of Local Lodge 516 of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers.
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20090405/MAN0101/904050371/1984

AnchorBank closing three branches: AnchorBank said it will close three branches on Aug. 31 and eliminate 19 jobs. The closings will save approximately $1 million in annual operating costs for Madison-based AnchorBank (NASDAQ: ACBW), bank officials said Friday.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/30/daily77.html

Fox Valley developers fined for environmental violations: Fieldcrest Developers LLP, Roger Bowers Construction Inc., Pat Gambsky Builders Inc., and K&B Developments Inc., all from Kaukauna, were found liable for solid waste, open burning, asbestos and storm water violations.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/30/daily69.html

International Paper to close Cedarburg plant : International Paper Co. said Friday it will permanently close its Cedarburg corrugated container plant in June, resulting in the loss of 114 jobs.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/42445417.html

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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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ECONOMY (back to top)
– Arts groups want to pool services to save money
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/06/story7.html?b=1238990400^1806091

– Metro Innovation Center provides incubator for University of Wisconsin-Madison entrepreneur
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/445582

MANUFACTURING (back to top)
– Smurfit-Stone closing Ohio plant
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/30/daily76.html

LABOR (back to top)
– Rising unemployment rate hits home for local job seekers
http://www.jsonline.com/business/42392572.html

SMALL BUSINESS (back to top)
– Kimberly’s Crane Engineering Sales marks 70 years
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090404/APC03/904040568/1028

– Picciurros keep business all in the family
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/06/smallb1.html?b=1238990400^1806130

– Through boom and bust, small-town car dealership keeps rolling
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/42506142.html

– No downturn for Brookfield business serving clerical-collar workers
http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/42481667.html

INVESTING (back to top)
– Omni Resources launches employee stock ownership plan
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090405/APC03/904050408/1028

AGRIBUSINESS (back to top)
– Corn, soybean acreage will near 2008 levels
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090405/GPG03/904050717/1247

– Manitowoc Co. Farm Ordered to Pay Fine for Violating Pollution Laws
http://www.wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=420&yr=2009

RETAIL (back to top)
– Weak economy hurts sports memorabilia sales
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090406/GPG0101/904060538/1978

TOURISM (back to top)
– Attanasio says everyone shares responsibility for bad economy
http://www.jsonline.com/business/42456402.html

UTILITIES (back to top)
– Menasha ordered to pay $100,000 for steam plant overcharges
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090406/APC0101/904060437/1979

FINANCIAL SERVICES (back to top)
– AnchorBank closing branch in Neenah
http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20090403/APC03/90403171/1028

– AnchorBank branch in Oshkosh to close
http://www.thenorthwCounty’s Hoze joins Associated Bankestern.com/article/20090404/OSH03/904040406/1167

MANAGEMENT (back to top)
– Wisconsin Energy CEO 2008 total compensation $8.3M
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20090404/OSH03/904040409/1167

– County’s Hoze joins Associated Bank
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/03/30/daily79.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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