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.
Manufacturing
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.
Cottage Grove chemical plant to pay $480,500 for EPA violations
Hydrite Chemical Co. exceeded its hazardous air pollution permit limits and has agreed to pay a $480,500 fine for violations at a plant in Cottage Grove.
WEDC announces $3 million contest for COVID-19 innovation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. will award a total of $3 million to companies with innovations that address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dane County companies top list of Wisconsin-made products
Four Dane County companies are producing products that have made the cut for the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest, as C.C. Moo LLC, DynaVap LLC, Demco Inc., and Stoughton Trailers will continue to the next round.
Trailer manufacturer to add 300 positions
Stoughton Trailers LLC announced plans to hire 300 new employees for entry-level, skilled labor, and professional positions at its Stoughton and Brodhead facilities.
Automation Components completes Middleton expansion
The fourth facility of Automation Components is complete and the company opened the location for operations this week.
Madison startup among top 10 for emerging food companies
Slide Gourmet Potato Chips, a company that produces nine varieties of hand-packed chips made from Wisconsin potatoes, is one of 10 businesses chosen by the Food Finance Institute FaBcap Accelerator’s Class of 2020-21.
Aprilaire adding more than 80 positions
Madison-based manufacturer Aprilaire has announced plans to hire more than 80 new positions due to an increased national demand for clean air products.
Verona company debuts antimicrobial playground products
PLAYTEC, a Verona-based company, has launched a line of nontoxic compounds to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses on indoor and outdoor recreational equipment and aquatic environments.
