Manufacturing

Stocks rose this morning as the federal government reported that the number of people who applied last week for new unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since early 2008 and the Institute for Supply Management said its July manufacturing index surged to a reading of 55.4 percent up from. 50.9 percent in June, the highest level for the index since June 2011.

Milwaukee frozen pizza manufacturer Palermo Villa Inc. has settled its outstanding issues with the National Labor Relations Board.

Harley-Davidson Inc. reported second quarter net income of $271.7 million, or $1.21 per share, up from $247.3 million, or $1.21 per share, in the same period a year ago.

Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc., Wisconsin's largest publicly traded company, announced that its board of directors has elected Alex Molinaroli, vice chairman, to serve as the company's next president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1, 2013.

SPX Corp. has named William (Bill) Hegeman as president of the SPX Transformer Solutions Inc. business unit, which is headquartered in Waukesha.

Harley-Davidson Inc. reported second quarter net income of $271.7 million, or $1.21 per share, up from $247.3 million, or $1.21 per share, in the same period a year ago.

Sensient Technologies Corp. has named Paul Manning president and CEO, effective February 2. Manning is currently serving as president, COO and director of the Milwaukee-based global color, flavor and fragrance manufacturer.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined Echo Lake Foods Inc. in Burlington for violations related to a fire at the plant on Jan. 30.

Waukesha-based Generac Holdings Inc. announced it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the equity of Tower Light Srl and its wholly-owned subsidiaries from European private equity fund Ambienta I and a group of minority-share investors.

Wauwatosa-based Briggs & Stratton Corp. announced that it expects to report net sales and earnings below the guidance that it provided for fiscal 2013. The lower retail sales due to a late spring in the U.S. and Europe have not yet recovered in the current season, the company said.