American companies such as manufacturers, distributors and builders that do not embrace and invest in green Technologies now will soon be at a competitive disadvantage, according to Jeffrey Immelt, chief executive officer and chairman of General Electric Co.
Immelt joined several other top corporate executives and venture capitalists at The Wall Street Journal's Eco:nomics Conference in Santa Barbara, Calif., this week.
Immelt issued a warning to other CEOs about the impending U.S. government capping of carbon emissions: "The day it becomes law, you're five years late."
In an interview at MarketWatch.com during the conference, Immelt pointed out that American manufacturers of the greenest technologies, such as the cleanest-burning locomotives, jet engines and wind turbines, can't keep up with the demands for their products overseas.
"We just see that the government is moving in this way … We'd rather get ahead of it than have it be thrust on us in a very negative way for our companies and the economy," said Immelt, who formerly oversaw GE Healthcare in Waukesha. "I think this could be one of the great export industries of our lifetime."
Meanwhile, the economics of the environment also is the focus of the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Summit, which is addressing "Green Jobs - Growing Wisconsin's Economy." The event is taking place through Friday at the Midwest Airlines Center.
A discussion on "Green Collar Jobs & Economic Development" tonight will be moderated by Jeff Anthony of the American Wind Energy Association.
Southeastern Wisconsin businesses will showcase their green technologies, products and services at the Green Pavilion of the Small Business Times BizTech Expo. Readers of the BizTimes Daily can register online for free to attend the BizTech Expo.

A news conference is scheduled today to officially announce the return of The Great Circus Parade to downtown Milwaukee on July 12, 2009.
SBT first reported on Feb. 14 that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett wanted to bring back the city tradition in 2009.
Eileen Force, spokeswoman for Barrett, confirmed that a new conference will take place today at 1:45 p.m. in the Miller Room at O'Donnell Park. She declined further comment.
Other sources said the announcement about the return of The Great Circus Parade will be made jointly by Barrett, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, officials with the Circus World Museum Foundation of Baraboo and others
The parade has not been held since 2003, when it was discontinued because of financial problems.

Information Technology Inc. (ITI), a business unit of Brookfield-based Fiserv Inc., announced today the launch of Premier Mobile Banking, an integrated mobile banking solution that gives customers the convenience of managing their accounts anytime and anywhere.
Operating on a browser embedded in handheld devices, the product is both carrier-independent and compatible with any web-enabled device. Banking customers are able to check account balances, view recent transactions, receive alerts and transfer funds between accounts in real time with their cell phone or PDA.
Consumer demand for banking services using cell phones and PDAs is rapidly increasing. Th newest form of self-service banking is intended to give financial institutions a competitive advantage, helping them acquire and retain customers, especially the younger consumers who lead the market in demand for mobile services.
"This technology was specifically developed for our community bank clients to help them expand their offerings and compete effectively against even their largest competitors, and more than two dozen have already licensed this innovative product," says Tom Cypher, ITI president and chief executive officer. "About 83 percent of Americans now subscribe to a cellular phone service, and Fiserv ITI intends to deliver even more opportunity and value to financial institutions by capitalizing on this important service channel."

Milwaukee-based Manpower Inc. announced today it has acquired Vitae, a leading professional placement firm in the Netherlands.
Vitae, which has offices in 10 locations, will initially operate independently under its own brand, affiliated with Manpower Professional within Manpower Netherlands. Vitae's current directors will remain active in the company.
"This acquisition of Vitae is part of our ongoing strategy to broaden our portfolio of recruitment services within our Manpower Professional brand to provide our clients with all of the talent they need, particularly the technology and finance professionals that are currently in high demand," said Jeffrey Joerres, Manpower chairman and chief executive officer.
Established in 1986, Vitae offers permanent placement for approximately 4,000 candidates per year in 12 different specialist fields. Vitae has approximately 1,750 employees, 1200 of which are Vitae interim professionals who work primarily in technology and finance.
"Over the next decade, the most important corporate resource is talent, and it's also the resource in shortest supply. In tomorrow's economy, the aging population will only increase the competition for qualified candidates. Individuals will change jobs more often, forcing businesses to find innovative ways to retain key people. Manpower is committed to helping employers in the Netherlands meet this need. The acquisition of Vitae aligns with our strategy to further strengthen our professional placement segment," said Hans Leentjes, managing director of Manpower Netherlands.

The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) announced its 2008 campaign goal of raising $10.6 million by mid-June.
UPAF supports 35 performing arts groups throughout southeastern Wisconsin.
Cristy Garcia-Thomas, UPAF's newly appointed president, said, "UPAF commits to aggressively focus its attention and resources on raising more dollars to support our exceptional performing arts. With your help, we will accomplish this in a variety of ways including the expansion of corporate support from small and mid-size businesses, increasing the number of employee giving campaigns and increasing UPAF's internal capacity to process the increased number of gifts through efficient, effective and scalable technology solutions."
Garcia-Thomas acknowledged a recent $200,000 grant from the Argosy Foundation to upgrade UPAF's technological capabilities to raise funds.
"UPAF believes southeastern Wisconsin's diverse assets provide tremendous potential to affect positive change for our region," Garcia-Thomas said. "There's no question the performing arts serve as a catalyst in economic development, produce thousands of jobs and raise the profile of communities like Milwaukee. It's a great story to tell in which we can all take great pride. Our performing arts are innovative, diverse and nationally recognized."
The 2008 campaign is led by campaign co-chairs Lisa Binder, president and chief operating officer of Associated Banc-Corp, and Mark Miller, chief executive officer of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.
"Working in partnership with the United Performing Arts Fund helps foster an environment that attracts talent to our region while raising funds needed to advance our performing arts organizations. I am proud to lend my full support to UPAF, and encourage members of the community to experience firsthand the outstanding arts we have to offer here in Milwaukee," Binder said.
"Every contribution to UPAF helps make greater Milwaukee a special place to live and do business," Miller said. "This is why Lisa and I go out there and sincerely ask for people to get involved – the performing arts make a difference in people's lives. We are creating a city that celebrates the arts and that supports its strength. The arts enrich the quality of our lives."
For more information about the 2008 UPAF campaign, visit www.upaf.org.

The Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a forum at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha, examining the proposed Great Lakes Water Compact. View a photographic slideshow of the event in the latest edition of SBT Around Town. Organizers of southeastern Wisconsin business events, such as galas, ground-breaking ceremonies, ribbon-cuttings, grand openings and check presentations, are invited to send their photos for inclusion in SBT Around Town to steve.jagler@biztimes.com.

One possible legislative route to commuter rail has been derailed for this year, while another apparently faces only dim prospects for success. The situation leaves the proposed $200 million Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail service still needing a funding mechanism. Read more in SBT's daily roundup of headlines from newspapers across the state at www.biztimes.com.

Chronic disease is the culprit for Wisconsin's high medical costs, according to Arvid "Dick" Tilmar, author of today's Milwaukee Biz Blog.

The BizTimes Stock Index fell 1.80 points to close at 148.74 Wednesday, and local stocks continued to cool off in early morning trading today after the torrid gains earlier this week. The largest local decliners this morning were Weyco Group Inc. (down $3.03 to $27.76) and Strattec Security Corp. (down $1.03 to $38.02). The largest local advancers this morning were MGIC Investment Corp. (up 64 cents to $13.56) and Brady Corp. (up58 cents to $32.37). The BizTimes Stock Index was created by Small Business Times and is monitored by North Shore Bank. The index, which measures the stock values of publicly held companies based in southeastern Wisconsin, is updated daily and can be viewed at www.biztimes.com.

Quad/Graphics Inc. will expand its Wisconsin operations with two major construction projects: a 192,000-square-foot expansion of its West Allis plant for the company's growing direct mail operations; and, as previously announced, a new 388,800-square-foot distribution center in Menomonee Falls for cross-docking freight produced in its five Wisconsin plants.
"These two construction projects are exciting news for our company, our clients and our community," said Joel Quadracci, president and chief executive officer of the Sussex-based firm. "We are investing in our platform to give our employees advancement opportunities and to give our clients the most sophisticated printing and distribution capabilities."
"We're putting on these expansions in anticipation of future growth," Quad/Graphics spokeswoman Claire Ho told SBT today. "Over time, we could add between 50 and 100 jobs."
The West Allis expansion, which will cost $12 million to $14 million, will enhance Quad/Graphics' direct mail production capabilities, adding production space on the northwest side of the plant. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, with completion anticipated by the end of March 2009.
The existing West Allis plant, opened in 1994, comprises nearly 1 million square feet and employs about 1,000 people. The plant is the headquarters to Quad/Graphics' QuadData Solutions subsidiary and houses an extensive lineup of custom web, sheetfed and digital presses as well as an array of finishing equipment including saddle stitchers, perfect binders and inserters.
"Today's announcement by Quad/Graphics is good news for West Allis, Milwaukee County and southeastern Wisconsin," said state Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa). "Quad/Graphics is one of the largest employers in the 5th Senate District and one of the best corporate citizens in Wisconsin. Their expansion means more good-paying jobs with benefits, further revitalization of West Allis, and the type of economic development that is necessary to move our state economy forward. I am very excited that Quad/Graphics is expanding and commend them for their investment in southeastern Wisconsin."
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker said, "Quad/Graphics is a great leader in our county and region - as well as a leader in the industry. (This expansion) is a major win for them, the county and the region."
"Through the investment of tax increment financing (TIF), the city gained family-supporting jobs, tax base and a leading international printing business," said West Allis Alderman Tom Lajsic, chair of the city's Safety & Development Committee.
John Stibal, director of the West Allis Department of Development, said the TIF district was created in 1994 with a value of $4 million.
Quad/Graphics' new distribution center in Menomonee Falls will be used to cross-dock less-than-full truckloads of freight from Quad/Graphics' Wisconsin plants for expediting delivery of client product to U.S. Postal Service locations nationwide. The facility, which will feature 49 loading docks, is scheduled to open in April 2009.
"Timely, efficient delivery is a key ingredient in our customers' success," Quadracci said. "When we bring together freight at our distribution center to create more efficient outbound loads, we reduce the number of stops our trucks must make for deliveries. Our clients benefit from less handling and quicker transfer of their magazines or catalogs to U.S. Postal Service facilities for in-home delivery. The environment benefits, too, because we reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide and other emissions."
The new distribution center will replace an existing leased facility a few miles southeast of the new location.
Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas said, "I greatly appreciate that Quad/Graphics remains committed to growing its business here in southeast Wisconsin. In addition to placing a very high value on their employees, customers and community service, the company clearly leads by example through its investment in cutting-edge technologies and environmentally sound business practices. We here in Waukesha County are very proud of the organization."
Chicago-based First Industrial Realty Trust Inc. will construct the new distribution center on a 22-acre parcel in an industrial park it is developing near U.S. Highway 45. Construction could begin in June. First Industrial will lease the space back to Quad/Graphics.
Small Business Times announced last week that it will honor Quad/Graphics founder Harry Quadracci posthumously with its Bravo! Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award. Joel Quadracci and other members of his family will accept the award on his father's behalf at the Bravo! Entrepreneur Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 1.