Business briefs
The Schlossmann automobile dealership on Highway 100 in Greenfield has become an exclusive Honda dealership and is now known as Schlossmann’s Honda City.
The business had been known as Schlossmann’s Oldsmobile, Isuzu, Honda City until April 1.
The change was prompted by General Motors’ phaseout of the Oldsmobile division.
Schlossmann’s sold its last Oldsmobile in January and its last Isuzu in March.
"The advantages of being an exclusive Honda dealership far outweigh the ability to sell more than one brand of automobiles," said Brad Schlossmann, company president.
The dealership is at 3450 S. 108th St. (Highway 100). It was moved to that location in 1994 from South 76th Street.
Honda City is part of the Schlossmann Automotive group. The group, started in 1967, includes Honda City, Dodge City Milwaukee, at 27th Street and Layton Avenue, and Dodge City Burleigh, 114th and Burleigh streets.
Hess Sweitzer Painting Contractor has moved to the New Berlin Industrial Park from Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, just south of downtown.
The company had been in Milwaukee for more than 40 years. Company president Tom Sweitzer said the move west was prompted by an opportunity to enhance efficiency.
The New Berlin site, at 2805 S. 160th St., has 20,000 square feet of space with two warehouses – all in one level, with the ability to create offices to suit.
Hess Sweitzer was established in 1918. Tom Sweitzer has been owner since 1974. The company does industrial, commercial and decorative work throughout Wisconsin.
West Allis-based ReGENco and _Koda Energo of Pilsen in the Czech Republic will work together on the repair and service of large steam turbines and generators, the two companies have announced.
Under an agreement, ReGENco’s turbine and generator service will be backed by _Koda’s engineering and design experience in blades and turbine internal steampath upgrade technology. In reciprocation, _Koda’s customers will gain access to ReGENco’s North American repair facility, dynamic balancing facility and multi-brand service and parts manufacturing know-how, the companies said.
According to Jan Musil, _Koda Energo’s president and CEO, "the alliance with ReGENco is a good opportunity to further our expansion into the Americas while enhancing our service offerings to our customers in Europe and the Middle East. Our relationship with ReGENco is a logical next step to our business expansion currently underway in the US."
ReGENco President and CEO John C. Bobrowich said, "Many of our customers have 30+ year-old steam turbines. The alliance with _Koda Energo allows us to offer cost-effective upgrades and component replacements that will significantly improve the output of this equipment. Our relationship with _Koda Energo will also provide us with an important outlet for expanding our service and parts capability outside of the US and provide the European and Middle Eastern customer a cost effective option which will improve their competitive cost position".
Landmark Credit Union has been approved for participation in the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) lending program. "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the SBA. This relationship further enhances our ability to provide our members with loans for their small businesses when they might not qualify for a loan through normal lending channels," said Jay Magulski, vice president of business development for the credit union. Landmark Credit Union serves southeastern Wisconsin with 11 offices. It is the largest credit union in the state, with $725 million in assets, 100,000 members and 280 employees.
Munson Inc. a Glendale-based asphalt, concrete, fence and tennis court contractor, has reconstructed it’s Web site at www.munsoninc.com
Heritage Quality Printing and Graphics Center in Brookfield has purchased the mail-processing business of Milwaukee Direct Mail, which focuses on health-care, financial and nonprofit organizations. Milwaukee Direct Mail will continue to serve its customers while outsourcing the mail processing to Heritage. Terry Tarillion founded Heritage Quality Printing and Graphics Center in 1972.
The far northwest side of Milwaukee is now officially known as the Historic Granville neighborhood in recognition to the area’s history. The neighborhood is bordered by County Line Road to the north, Mill Road to the south, 124th Street to the west and 68th street to the east. The area was the Town of Granville until being incorporated into neighboring municipalities, with the final major chunk going to Milwaukee in the mid-1950s.
Tony Marquéz has opened La Estacion restaurant at 319 Williams Street in Waukesha. Marquéz had been with the Jalisco restaurant on White Rock Avenue in Waukesha. The restaurant offers a full menu and is open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Interior Systems Inc. (ISI) has moved its corporate headquarters and project management facilities from Fond du Lac to Milwaukee’s Third Ward. The move brings 70 jobs to Milwaukee. ISI is leasing the entire 14,000-square-foot sixth floor of the Broadway Central building at 241 N Broadway. ISI designs and builds interiors for companies in the entertainment, retail, restaurant and education industries. Current customers include Harley-Davidson dealerships, McDonald’s restaurants, Kohler dealer showrooms, Trek bicycle dealerships and Cousin’s Subs restaurants. Company president and CEO Darin M. Grobe said ISI’s sales have doubled over the last five years, and that the move will let it better serve clients from throughout the US. "The new Milwaukee location enables us to compete for experienced employees with other larger markers and improves the image and accessibility of our company to clients and prospective employees," he said. ISI is also planning new facilities for its Los Angeles location and will open an East Coast location. It has been in Fond du Lac since 1979. The Fond du Lac location will continue to serve as the headquarters for its manufacturing, purchasing, logistics and installation management operations. Approximately 85 employees will remain in Fond du Lac.
Victoria and Randy Yocum have started Fair Grounds Espresso, a coffee shop at 71st Street and Greenfield Avenue in West Allis. The start-up was financed through a partnership of the City of West Allis and the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp.
Visual Systems Inc. in Milwaukee has installed a new six-color Heidelberg Speedmaster press. The state-of-the-art $2 million-plus press from Germany is one of the only presses like it in the US, according to Mike Hummer, manager of operations for Visual Systems. The press will allow the company to print unique, high-impact work faster and at a lower cost to customers, Hammer said. It will also allow larger production runs with shorter lead times.
The Embassy Suites Hotel-Milwaukee West in Brookfield has renovated its Grande Ballroom and banquet facilities. Along with new interior design, the hotel has a new banquet menu.
The West Suburban Chamber of Commerce in Wauwatosa and the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce have launched A.B.L.E.-North, a new networking program open to members of both chambers. A.B.L.E. stands for Active Business Leads Exchange. The North group will meet every other Wednesday from 7 to 9 a.m. at the North Hills Country Club, N73 W13430 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls. The next meeting is May 21.
The Mequon-Thiensville Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 2003 Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards, to be presented Sept. 23 at the chamber’s annual banquet. The business award criteria are business improvement over the years, contribution to the community and community-oriented projects, willingness to be involved in community programs, and support of the chamber. Selection of the citizen winner is based on contributions to the community and community-oriented projects, providing professional expertise or personal talents to the Mequon-Thiensville community, and participation in civic or community activities that promote the community, its residents, businesses and education organizations. Nominations are due July 11. More information can be obtained from the chamber by calling 262-512-9358.
May 16, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
