EVCO Plastics adds on with new space, facility
Madison-based EVCO Plastics is adding 13,000 square feet to its AMP facility in DeForest.
Manufacturing
Madison ranks high for women in STEM jobs
Achieving greater diversity in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics has long been an uphill battle, but signs are pointing to steady — albeit noticeably slow — growth in the number of women being employed in the sector. Perhaps not surprisingly, Madison is helping lead the way.
Today show features Madison teen entrepreneur
The small business spotlight highlighted Hamdan’s company, The World of Bamboo, which uses bamboo in handmade products such as toothbrushes.
WMC: Manufacturers should be prioritized for vaccine
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce has urged Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services to include essential manufacturing workers in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.
Foxconn, Fisker agreement eyes state for electric vehicle production
Foxconn Technology Group has agreed to assemble electric vehicles for California-based startup Fisker.
NessAlla Kombucha gets new life
Madison-based kombucha producer NessAlla has new owners that will absorb the brand under Upside Beverages.
DATCP sued over the homemade goods
A group of Wisconsin residents has sued the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to expand the list of homemade goods that small, household operations can sell.
WARF startup receives National Science Foundation grant
Madison-based Pyran Inc. has received a $1 million Phase II Small Business Innovative Research grant from the National Science Foundation to promote the company’s work to make paints and coatings from renewable sources like corn cobs.
GE Healthcare lays off 140 in Madison
A decline in the demand for ventilators and anesthesia machines is the reason behind today’s announcement by GE Healthcare that it has laid off about 140 employees at its Madison facility.
Springs Window Fashions to acquire B&C International
Middleton-based Springs Window Fashions will acquire B&C International, a European window treatment supplier based in the Netherlands.
Small Company Executive of the Year: Steve Grundahl, president and founder, Midwest Prototyping
Midwest Prototyping in Blue Mounds is a 3D printing operation founded by Steve Grundahl 20 years ago. In July, the company won a Dane County Small Business Award — not only for its technological innovation, but for its ability to pivot to produce hundreds of thousands of face shields in the battle against COVID-19.
Startup Company Executive of the Year: Damon Baker, CEO and president, Lean Focus
Damon Baker, 43, has been a proponent of Lean manufacturing systems ever since landing jobs with two of the largest consultancy firms in the world — Argo Consulting and Danaher.
Lifetime Achievement Executive of the Year: Don Wahlin, founder; past president and CEO, Stoughton Trailers
Don Wahlin founded Stoughton Trailers in 1961. The Stoughton company has grown to be a top-10 international supplier of semitruck trailers, the fifth-largest semitrailer manufacturer in the nation, and the second largest manufacturer in Dane County. It makes semitruck trailers for over-the-road trucking, as well as agricultural trailers and other specialty equipment.
Spectrum Brands working on bid to acquire Conair
Madison-headquartered Spectrum Brands has partnered with the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners in an attempt to acquire the personal care company Conair Corp.
Building a better playset
Many a parent of young children has walked into a previously neat and tidy room, seen the chaos that results from even the briefest of play sessions among kids, and remarked, “This is why we can’t have nice things.”
Stoughton Trailers raises pay to attract new employees
Stoughton Trailers, in response to sales growth, is recruiting new employees by boosting its base pay.
Octopi Brewery gets TIF amendment recommendation
Waunakee’s Plan Commission has recommended amending a Tax Incremental Finance District for Octopi’s planned brewery expansion.
Wisconsin manufacturers ready to ramp up PPE production
While President-elect Joe Biden has yet to have his victory over President Donald Trump certified, planning for the early days of his administration is already well underway. One promise Biden made on the campaign trail regarding the fight against COVID-19 — to use his powers as president to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA), a Korean War-era law that allows the president to order businesses to manufacture products necessary for national defense — could have a big impact on Wisconsin manufacturers.
Auction scheduled for bankrupt Madison kombucha company assets
The United States bankruptcy court has approved the sale of NessAlla LLC, a kombucha manufacturer located in the Garver Feed Mill.
Foxconn didn’t earn tax credits for 2019
Foxconn Technology Group has not created enough jobs in 2019 to earn tax credits, the second year it has missed its targets.
