Ideas

First-time unemployment claims fell nationally last week for the first time in a month to just slightly above a four-year low, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The title of a new book immediately caught my eye: “1501 Ways To Reward Employees.”
The subtitles state, “Low-Cost and No-Cost Ideas. Best Practices. Latest Trends. Proven Strategies. Ways to Motivate the Millennial Generation.”

Green Bay-based Lexington Homes Inc. plans to build a 176-unit apartment development on a 9.8-acre site south of Prairie Ridge Boulevard, between 91st and 94th Avenues, in the Prairie Ridge subdivision in Pleasant Prairie. The site is southeast of St. Catherine’s Medical Center.

There is one sacred activity that every sales staff member holds near and dear to his or her heart. Though every company's sales department might carry out this tradition a little differently, it remains true to its core function.

Associated Bank hires five new leaders

Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc. reported first quarter net income of $172.0 million, or 74 cents per share, up from $119.3 million, or 51 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Growth in mining, strong replacement demand for products in the United States and a continued focus on cost management helped Caterpillar Inc. deliver record quarterly profits of$1.6 billion, or $2.37 per share in the first quarter, up from $1.2 billion, or $1.84 per share, in the same period a year ago.

First Business Financial Services Inc., the Madison-based parent company of First Business Bank and First Business Bank-Milwaukee, reported first quarter net income of $2.2 million, or 84 cents per share, up from $1.3 million, or 52 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. posted record revenues of $925 million in 2011, up 9 percent from 2010, according to the company's annual report.

PLC Holding of France has acquired Wisconsin Oven Corp., an East Troy-based manufacturer of industrial ovens for the aerospace, automotive, composite and finishing industries.