Ideas

Oak Creek-based SteelWind Industries Inc., a steel fabrication company, announced the acquisition of Universal Industries LLC, a fabrication and machine shop located Tomahawk, and Hall Steel Co. in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee-based investment advisory firm Cleary Gull Inc. has sold WineInsiders.com to Drinks Holdings LLC.

Jackson-based Reliable Door Systems Inc. has been acquired by Reliable Door and Dock Inc., a newly formed company owned by a private investment group led by Daniel Eder.

Madison-based UW Credit Union plans to build a second branch in Wauwatosa, at 6510 W. State St.

Throughout this year, Americans have been bombarded by a stream of bad news from overseas: the rise and advance of ISIS (Islamic State), renewed Russian nationalism, the Ukraine crisis, redeployment of American troops to Iraq, Chinese assertiveness in East Asia. The list goes on.

Manufacturing activity in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois continued to accelerate in October, according to a new report.

Milwaukee-based Douglas Dynamics Inc. reported record third quarter net income of $10.8 million, or 47 cents per share, up significantly from $603,000, or 2 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2013.

Milwaukee-based Weyco Group Inc. reported third quarter net earnings of $5.5 million, or 51 cents per share, compared with $5.6 million, or 50 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2013.

Sussex-based Quad/Graphics Inc. reported third quarter net earnings of $24.4 million, or 50 cents per share, up from $12.6 million, or 26 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2013.

Waukesha-based Generac Holdings Inc. reported third quarter net income of $36.5 million, or 52 cents per share, down from $47.1 million, or 67 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2013.