Economic Development

Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation Corp. announced it has agreed to purchase Erlanger, Ky.-based Jacobs Automation, a provider of intelligent track motion control technology.

Ridgestone Financial Services achieved third quarter earnings of $1.4 million, up from $579,000 for the same period a year ago.

Milwaukee private equity firm Mason Wells Buyout Fund III L.P. has agreed to acquire the rigid medical packaging division of Sealed Air Corp. for $125 million.

Coca-Cola has announced a $30 million investment and expansion of its bottling plant in Milwaukee at 11800 W. Brown Deer Road.

Food and beverage companies are feeling more confident about the coming year’s performance, according to the Grant Thornton 2013 Global Food and Beverage study.

Wauwatosa-based Zywave Inc., a provider of insurance and financial planning software solutions, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Insurance Solutions Division to Aurora Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm.

ARI Network Services, a Milwaukee-based provider of website, software and data solutions, has acquired Duo Web Solutions, a New Berlin provider of social media and online marketing services for the powersports industry.

Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. has strengthened its commitment to the Central and South American automotive battery market by acquiring 90 percent ownership of Colombian battery supplier MAC.

Waukesha Metal Products announced it has signed a letter of intent to acquire the assets of Mexico-based Revstone Fabrication San Luis Potosi S de RL de CV.

The Wisconsin-based law firm of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C. has announced it is combining with the 26-attorney Minnesota firm of Mackall, Crounse & Moore PLC.