Viewpoints

Brookfield-based North Shore Bank announced Friday that it has entered into an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to purchase Kenosha-based Banks of Wisconsin, which does business as Bank of Kenosha.

Wisconsin banks reported combined net income of $256 million in the first quarter, up from $200 million in the same period a year ago, according to the Quarterly Banking Profile released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Menomonee Falls-based Actuant Corp. announced Monday that its board of directors has authorized a plan to sell the company's Electrical segment.

There may be few things legislators from both parties agree on these days, but one of them is the need to create more good paying jobs here in Wisconsin. So when a proposal comes around that offers solid prospects of spurring private sector job creation in emerging companies that are helping create our new economy, the public has a right to expect legislators to work together to get it done. Now is that time.

Herb Kohler, chairman and chief executive officer of Kohler Co., announced the expansion of the company's Global Power business at three locations in Wisconsin.

Sheboygan Falls-based Johnsonville Sausage LLC has unveiled two new smoked-cooked sausage flavors for the 2013 grilling season.

Lake Geneva-based Trostel Ltd. announced that Steven Dyer has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the firm, which manufactures custom seals, precision molded rubber products and custom rubber compounds.

The board of directors of Smithfield Foods Inc., the parent company of Patrick Cudahy LLC, has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Shuanghui International Holdings Limited, which is China's largest meat processing company for $7.1 billion, including the assumption of Smithfield's net debt.

Milwaukee-based Joy Global Inc. reported second quarter net income of $181.6 million, or $1.69 per share, down from $213.6 million, or $2.00 per share, in the same period a year ago.

The United Steelworkers said that negotiators for Local 1343, representing about 800 union workers at the Caterpillar Inc. plant in South Milwaukee, have reached a tentative labor agreement with the company.