Ideas

Racine-based Johnson Outdoors Inc. announced it has closed on its acquisition of Jetboil Inc., the world's No. 1 brand of outdoor cooking systems.

The Medical College of Wisconsin's board of trustees has authorized its leadership to begin contract negotiations to establish new program site locations in the Green Bay and central Wisconsin regions for the college's community-based medical education programs.

Grafton-based Kapco Inc., which is projecting 20-percent annual sales growth in each of the next several years, is launching a new initiative to expand its vendor base and augment its growth.

The Wisconsin economy is expanding at a somewhat sluggish pace and has struggled to gather any sustained momentum given declining factory activity, according to the State Monitor report released today by BMO Capital Markets Economics.

The Waukesha County Business Alliance and First Business Bank will host Workforce: The 2013 Priority on Wednesday, December 12, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the Milwaukee Marriott West, W231N1600 Corporate Court in Waukesha.

In recent years, regionalism has been a hot topic in the news and a trend among area businesses and local governments. From boardrooms of area businesses to County Board and Common Council meetings, our elected leaders have looked to find ways to share services and create efficiencies. However, the benefits and efficiencies of regionalization are not unique to businesses and municipalities, they can be equally as important for nonprofit and service-oriented organizations.

Blackthorne Partners Ltd., a Mequon-based private equity firm, announced it has acquired Berlon Industries, a Hustisford-based manufacturer of buckets and attachments for skid loaders, telehandlers and compact utility tractors.

Racine-based Johnson Outdoors Inc. announced it has closed on its acquisition of Jetboil Inc., the world's No. 1 brand of outdoor cooking systems.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. reported fiscal first quarter net income of $27.2 million, or 53 cents per share, down from $32.7 million, or 62 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

U-Line, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of premium built-in under-counter ice making, refrigeration and wine preservation products, has signed an importer agreement with Showtime Essential Kitchen Products, a premium distributor and service provider located in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland.