Ideas

The developers of Pac-Man built an arcade game so esteemed that it resides in the US Smithsonian Institution and New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Millions of players have moved their rounded Pac-Man figure through a maze – eating small dots and earning points – while trying to avoid getting eaten by the four monsters in hot pursuit. The game is a great analogy for the economy’s industry consolidation since Pac-Man’s debut in the early 1980s.

Home sales in the metro Milwaukee area were up 3.5 percent in October, compared to October of 2012, according to the latest report from the Greater Milwaukee Assocation of Realtors (GMAR).

The recent history of department store chains suggests there are great dangers in stagnation and poorly executed retail brand makeovers.

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.

Baylake Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Baylake Corp., has announced it will acquire a branch facility and other fixed assets along with approximately $14 million of deposits from Community Bank & Trust's Appleton office.

Michael J. Weil has been hired as director of wealth management at Next Generation Wealth Management in Milwaukee. He...