Viewpoints

Milwaukee-based Wangard Partners, Inc. has introduced a chief financial officer to its staff.

Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Energy Corp. Monday completed its $9.1 billion acquisition of Integrys Energy Group.

Jason Aexel has joined State Farm as an agent, and will open the Jason Aexel Agency at S76 W17603...

Milwaukee-based Artisan Partners has added another fund, the Artisan Developing World Fund.

Greece’s expected default today on its International Monetary Fund loan payments and the resulting meltdown of its financial system and economy are dire, but they probably won’t have a huge negative impact on the U.S. economy, analysts say.

A key measure of Milwaukee-area manufacturing activity once again indicated contraction in June. The seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers Index was below 50 for now the third month in a row, according to the Marquette-ISM Report on Manufacturing.

When General Plastics Inc. president Robert Porsche bought the Glendale-based company in 1987, it had eight full-time employees, two customers and an 11,000-square-foot facility.

Onshoring has become a major trend in the United States. U.S.-based companies are increasingly pulling their overseas manufacturing efforts and setting up shop in the States. In fact, since 2010, more than 200 companies, most of which are U.S.-based, have brought back production that had been sent out of the country. In addition, foreign companies are increasingly bringing their manufacturing jobs to the United States. According to the Organization for International Investment (OFII), foreign investment in U.S. manufacturing totaled $493 billion from 2007 through 2012, as opposed to a total of $270 billion the previous six years.

Patrick Cudahy, a Wisconsin-based brand of Smithfield Foods, is beefing up its support of Summerfest with a new partnership that will introduce a bacon eating contest to the 11-day music festival.

Oconomowoc-based CL&D Graphics Inc. has named Mike Hokanson president.