Ideas

Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual Insurance Co. Inc., a leading provider of financial security planning and solutions, announced that sales of its risk products are up substantially year-to-date.

In its last forecast before the November elections, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicted that the U.S. economy would experience a recession in 2013 if Congress decides to go off “the fiscal cliff” and allows scheduled tax increases and spending cuts to take effect in January.

BMO Financial Group announced a financial relief program to assist customers affected by dry conditions throughout much of North America, including Wisconsin.

Milwaukee M&A advisory firm Cleary Gull has completed the sale of Hi-Tech Manufacturing LLC to May River Capital LLC.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Midwest Economy Index declined in July to -0.10, down from +0.22 in June. This is the first time in nine months the index, which indicates Midwest growth, has dipped to below average.

The new Wisconsin Technical College System 2012-2013 Guidebook will help the students, as well as recent high school grads and adults wanting to gain additional skills, make a professional move or a complete career change.

A new industrial manufacturing technician apprenticeship program has been added at the Milwaukee Area Technical College campus in Oak Creek.

Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. has signed an agreement to provide advanced Lithium-Ion battery packs for hybrid vehicles to Boston-based XL Hybrids Inc., developer of a low-cost hybrid electric powertrain designed for commercial fleet use.

For the first time in a decade, Harley-Davidson Motor Company brought its annual dealer meeting to Milwaukee this week, playing host to 4,500 dealers and staff from more than 60 countries for the four-day private event.

Cenveo EPG Kenosha filed notice with the state that it will close its plant in Kenosha and eliminate 103 jobs.