Ideas

Newtek Business Services Corp., with a portfolio of more than 100,000 business accounts, announced today the findings of its Small Business Authority Market Sentiment Survey, indicating the vast majority of small business owners across the nation are more optimistic than pessimistic about the U.S. economy in 2015.

New years resolutions are a pain. Lose 20 pounds. Eat better. Get in shape. Join the gym. Run three miles a day. Stop smoking. Stop drinking. Stop (fill in the blank).

Editor's note: This is the prepared text of Gov. Scott Walker's inauguration address. He was sworn in for his...

BizTimes Media LLC will host the annual Northern Trust Economic Trends Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Since 2010, the U.S. manufacturing industry has experienced significant growth—often referred to as the manufacturing renaissance—due to a combination of organic growth, foreign direct investment and reshoring by companies like Apple, Caterpillar and Whirlpool returning their operations to the United States. According to a recent report from the Federal Reserve, the United States showed this type of manufacturing growth across the economy over the last few months. As manufacturers reshore, America is on its way to gaining back millions of jobs lost in the decade leading up to the global economic recession. However, to ensure continued growth, our government must address the concerns of U.S. manufacturers.

The theme of the 2015 Manufacturing Matters! Conference scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26 is "The Changing Landscape of Manufacturing."

Lavelle Industries Inc. is expanding its Wisconsin production facilities in Burlington and Whitewater to support growth in demand for its Korky toilet repair products and custom rubber molded parts.

Milwaukee-based Douglas Dynamics Inc. has completed the acquisition of Henderson Products Inc. of Manchester, Iowa, for approximately $95 million in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. The signing of the definitive purchase agreement for the acquisition was previously announced in late November.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that nearly 20,000 motorcycles manufactured by Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Motor Co. will be recalled because of problems with the front brakes.

Oconomowoc–based Premold Corp. expects to hire four or five factory employees in 2015 in addition to spending around $500,000 on new equipment to improve operational efficiencies, according to president Ken Schweitz.