Manufacturing

Private manufacturing companies in Wisconsin pay less than their Midwest counterparts, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

We have just passed the five-year mark for this column. In an effort to understand where we started, I have revisited and updated my first BizTimes Dispatches From China column as if I was writing it for the first time. As the French say, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Swing and a ground ball to third… the runner sprints toward first, while the first baseman rushes to beat him to the bag.

Milwaukee-based Badger Meter Inc. reported record second quarter net sales of $88.3 million, up 7.8 percent from $82.0 million for the same period a year ago.

Total Quality Plastics Inc. in North Prairie has closed its doors, leaving all 32 employees out of work.

The Manitowoc Company Inc. announced that Robert Hund will assume the role of president of Manitowoc's Foodservice segment, effective Aug. 1.

Harley-Davidson Inc. has announced that John Fogerty and Uncle Kracker have been added to the entertainment lineup for the company's 110th anniversary celebration to be held over Labor Day weekend.

Wisconsin State Fair Park announced an enhanced partnership with Case IH, which is the new title sponsor of the Case IH Coliseum.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA) announced new export data showing merchandise exports from the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metropolitan area totaled a record $9.2 billion, an increase of 4 percent or $349 million from 2011 to 2012.

A coalition of manufacturing employers have joined together in a Manufacturing Careers Partnership and developed a standard set of skills for entry level welders in the region, called Welding 101—The start of a lasting career in manufacturing.