Viewpoints

Heartland Financial USA Inc., the parent company of Madison-based Wisconsin Bank & Trust, announced it has closed on the purchase of First Shares Inc. (FSI), parent company of First National Bank of Platteville.

Twas the employer’s holiday party, getting all away from the house
Employees were stirring, excited to be out
The company took many precautions with care
To avoid claims of liability after the celebratory affair

Blackthorne Partners Ltd., a Mequon-based private equity firm, announced it has acquired Berlon Industries, a Hustisford-based manufacturer of buckets and attachments for skid loaders, telehandlers and compact utility tractors.

Grafton-based Kapco Inc., which is projecting 20-percent annual sales growth in each of the next several years, is launching a new initiative to expand its vendor base and augment its growth.

Racine-based Johnson Outdoors Inc. announced it has closed on its acquisition of Jetboil Inc., the world's No. 1 brand of outdoor cooking systems.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. reported fiscal first quarter net income of $27.2 million, or 53 cents per share, down from $32.7 million, or 62 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

U-Line, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of premium built-in under-counter ice making, refrigeration and wine preservation products, has signed an importer agreement with Showtime Essential Kitchen Products, a premium distributor and service provider located in Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

Milwaukee Area Technical College plans to expand the welding facilities at three of its locations in the next three years to extend its training capacity.

In recent years, regionalism has been a hot topic in the news and a trend among area businesses and local governments. From boardrooms of area businesses to County Board and Common Council meetings, our elected leaders have looked to find ways to share services and create efficiencies. However, the benefits and efficiencies of regionalization are not unique to businesses and municipalities, they can be equally as important for nonprofit and service-oriented organizations.

Milwaukee-based Professional Dimensions, a network organization serving professional women, is seeking nominations for the 2013 Sacagawea Award.