Glendale-based Johnson Controls has filed an appeal of the sale of A123 Systems Inc. to Chinese automotive parts company Wanxiang.

The Port of Milwaukee has extended its foreign trade zone to a wider area of southeastern Wisconsin through an alternative site framework.

Businesses in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties are slightly more optimistic about 2013 than they were heading into 2012, according to the First Business Economic Survey released last week by First Business Bank-Milwaukee.

Milwaukee-based Joy Global Inc. reported fourth quarter income from continuing operations of $212 million, or $1.99 per share, up from $195 million, or $1.83 per share, in the same period a year ago.

Milwaukee-based Briggs & Stratton Corp. announced it has acquired Companhia Caetano Branco of Brazil for a total consideration of approximately $57 million in cash.

Badger Magnetics Inc. is expanding its Milwaukee plant at 7939 W. Tower Ave.

Anyone who is involved in manufacturing at any level in Wisconsin must have heard of these topics of discussion recently: skills gap; workforce development; skilled trades; or lastly, “Man, I can't find any good craftsman.”

Mequon-based Charter Manufacturing Company announced it has acquired Dura-Bar and Dura-Bar Metal Services as part of its stock purchase of Illinois-based Wells Manufacturing Company.

Mayville Engineering Company Inc. today announced it has acquired Center Manufacturing Inc. a Byron Center, Mich.-based manufacturer of metal products for the commercial vehicle, powersports, agriculture, construction, automotive and military industries, through a private stock purchase.

Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. and Axis Capital, the investment banking subsidiary of Axis Bank, one of the leading private sector banks in India, today announced a strategic alliance for investment banking services, with an initial focus on cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) between India and Europe, and India and the United States.

Glendale Johnson Controls Inc. today announced that its annual New York institutional investor day will be Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Capitale in New York City.

Wisconsin home sales continued to grow at a robust pace in November, extending a strong growth trend that started in July last year.