Energizer closing former Rayovac plants in Portage, Fennimore
The company disputes reports that as many as 600 workers would lose their jobs as a result of the plant closings.
Manufacturing
49 semifinalists advance in 2023 Gov’s Biz Plan Contest
Among them are nearly 20 entries from businesses in Dane County.
Plant-based tech from Madison’s Virent finds its way into new Patagonia jacket
Using U.S.-grown sugar from the sugarcane fields of Louisiana, Virent produced the paraxylene — a critical component of the SugarDown Hoody’s polyester shell and liner.
Grant County food-processing plant cleaning company fined $1.5M for hiring minors
Over the past three years, children were found to be using caustic cleaning chemicals and cleaning dangerous power-driven equipment.
Dane Manufacturing wins Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award
Nine Wisconsin companies were declared winners of the 34th annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards for outstanding achievements in manufacturing.
Tesla workers fired after launching union efforts
A New York workers advocacy group believes Tesla “terminated these individuals in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity.”
Palermo’s Pizza expansion to create more than 200 new jobs
The expansion plan will create more than 200 new job opportunities that will include salaried management positions and production associates, among other positions.
Stoughton Trailers moving its headquarters
As part of its plan, the company anticipates working with city, community, and business leaders to develop a “gateway” community park at the new headquarters site.
Biden rallies workers in Wisconsin
Biden met workers and apprentices who are learning how to do the jobs that are being created because of several pieces of major legislation.
Weir Slurry Group to cease manufacturing, 115 jobs to be lost
Layoffs for impacted employees at the Madison facility are expected to begin on Dec. 31, 2023, and be completed no later than June 30, 2024.
Portage Plastics purchased by Massachusetts company; most jobs saved
There are now plans to expand the company’s customer base and its Portage facility.
Wisconsin Energizer battery plants could be forced to close
Rumors swirl that the company’s corporate office plans to shift operations to England and North Carolina.
Racine workers on strike since May approve new deal
The United Auto Workers said union members in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, approved the deal two weeks after they rejected an earlier proposal.
Stoughton Trailers partners with UW–Whitewater
The Stoughton Trailers Student Scholarship program will provide 10 $1,500 scholarships in each of the next five years.
Harley-Davidson to go all-electric — eventually
Harley-Davidson launched its first electric motorcycle in 2018 and has rolled out new models since then under its LiveWire brand.
Finalists announced for Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards
The MOTY program recognizes the state’s top manufacturers of all sectors and sizes for their commitment to quality careers, good business practices, financial growth, innovative processes, and reinvestment into local communities.
Waunakee manufacturer leases new industrial development on Madison’s northeast side
The 122,038-square-foot building was completed in November 2022 and is located at 6305 Ronald Reagan Ave., in the Center for Industry and Commerce business park.
Fire at Portage dairy plant leads to messy melted butter runoff
The fire started in a room at Associated Milk Producers Inc. where butter was stored, and as it heated it began to flow through the structure.
Wisconsin butcher issues recall of smoked beef hearts
A Class I recall is classified by the USDA as “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
Tesla sold record 1.3 million vehicles last year
The 2022 figure topped the prior record of 936,000 vehicles delivered in 2021, but it was shy of the 1.4 million needed to reach the company’s 50% growth target.
