Ideas

Kenosha-based Snap-on Inc. reported second quarter net earnings of $76.4 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, up from $66.9 million, or $1.14 per share, excluding an $18.0 million arbitration gain a year ago.

Artaflex Inc. of Ontario, Canada, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Menomonee Falls-based MTI International Inc.

Erik Buell Racing LLC of East Troy will receive $20 million in new investments that will help the company expand production of EBR brand sport motorcycles and create about 200 new jobs.

Milwaukee-based Badger Meter Inc. reported second quarter net earnings of $7.4 million, down from $7.8 million a year ago.

Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. reported fiscal third quarter net income of $417 million, up 17 percent over last year.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has postponed indefinitely a vote scheduled for July 27 that would have decided whether Palermo Villa Inc. employees would form a union.

This week a business management book review caught my eye. In the first paragraph the reviewer expressed his dislike for most books written by CEOs and books proclaiming, for example, “Three Easy Steps to Becoming a Fortune 500 Company.” I resonated with these sentiments and kept reading the review in “The Economist.”

Johnson Controls will host a Green Jobs Day event on Friday, July 27, at 8 a.m. at the company’s headquarters, 5757 N. Green Bay Ave. in Glendale.

The late Rodney King once asked, “Why can't we just get along”?

The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership has announced several new leaders on its board of directors.