Ideas

Business optimism improved in 2013's second quarter following the tepid results posted in this year's first quarter, according to the latest Business Outlook Survey conducted by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC).

Wisconsin's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 7.2 percent in February from 7.0 percent in January, according to the latest report from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

BizTimes Media LLC has announced the winners of its 2013 Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards and I.Q. (Innovation Quotient) Awards.

Oshkosh Corp. announced that its Oshkosh Defense division plans to reduce its workforce in Oshkosh by approximately 700 hourly positions starting in mid-June 2013 and by approximately 200 salaried positions through July.

In case you missed it, Koss headphones were featured on the recent two-hour premiere of the Emmy-Award winning show, “Mad Men.”

Engine experts at Milwaukee-based Briggs & Stratton Corp. have developed a super-concentrated fuel treatment and stabilizer that treats more fuel and protects engines from the impact of ethanol-blended fuels for up to three years.

Kenosha-based Pacific Sands Inc. reported that its fiscal third quarter sales revenue was $573,053, an increase of 33 percent compared with revenue in fiscal third quarter 2012.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Joy-Mark Inc. for six health violations, including two repeat citations, for exposing workers to airborne refractory ceramic fiber at the mold manufacturing facility in Cudahy.

Dueco, Inc. has expanded its reach by adding two territory managers.

HellermannTyton held a grand opening event for its new location on Saturday, offering employees and their families refreshments, plant tours and activities.