Manufacturing

Milwaukee-based Derse Inc. has promoted company president Adam Beckett to chief executive officer.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. reported fiscal third quarter net income of $27.7 million, or 52 cents per share, down from $28.6 million, or 54 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Racine-based Ruud Lighting, a subsidiary of Cree Inc., has landed a global contract to provide outdoor lighting for Walmart stores.

Milwaukee-based Brady Corp. reported fiscal third quarter net income of $27.7 million, or 52 cents per share, down from $28.6 million, or 54 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Appleton Papers Inc. and Hicks Acquisition Company II Inc. announced a definitive agreement under which Appleton will engage in a business combination with Hicks in a transaction valued at $675 million.

Janesville Acoustics, a company owned by Milwaukee-based Jason Inc., has opened a 90,000-square-foot plant in central Mexico.

Plexus Corp. announced today it intends to construct a $50 million, 410,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Neenah.

A healthy manufacturing sector is key to better jobs, rising productivity and higher standards of living. Today, U.S. manufacturers, both small and large, are locked in a fierce global battle for customers with China, Japan, Germany and others.

Racine-based Ruud Lighting, a subsidiary of Cree Inc., has landed a global contract to provide outdoor lighting for Walmart stores.