Manufacturing

Grant Van Driest was a fledgling winemaker when he decided to try his hand crafting his preferred drink, vodka, from scratch.

In response to U.S. stocks tumbling and fears of an economic slowdown in China, presidential hopeful Gov. Scott Walker said Monday that President Barack Obama should show “some backbone” and not meet next month with the president of China — a country that also is a top trading partner with Wisconsin.

Focus on Energy has announced plans to offer approximately $6.4 million in anaerobic digester funds for Wisconsin small dairy farms. Small farms are defined as fewer than 700 cattle. According to Focus on Energy, the program will help bridge the gap between the state’s dairy majority and access to locally-produced energy, organic products and manure management.

Milwaukee-based Olympus Group plans to expand its corporate headquarters and add 50 jobs in Milwaukee over the next three years.

Seda North America plans to build a 125,000-square-foot addition to its facility in Mt. Pleasant. Including the cost of equipment, the expansion cost is estimated at $24.5 million.

Milwaukee-based Kangaroo Brands Inc., a manufacturer of specialty breads and frozen handheld sandwiches, recently spent more than $1 million to convert 2,500-square-feet of storage space into production space.

Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield plans to establish its North American headquarters in the 101-year-old Mitchell Leather Factory & Retail Store building in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Despite a spate of dry weather, the state’s corn and soybean crops are progressing ahead of the five-year average, according to the latest data from National Agricultural Statistics Service.

West Bend-based Delta Defense LLC, which provides insurance and training materials for firearms owners, today announced plans to build a new 65,000-square-foot headquarters facility.

Milwaukee-based Briggs & Stratton Corporation has promoted Mark Schwertfeger to senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective today, as his predecessor, David Rodgers, ascends to senior vice president and president, Engines Group, at the company.