Gossen Corp., a Glendale-based manufacturer of extruded vinyl materials for interior and exterior residential building and remodeling, will soon release its second line of cellular vinyl decking.

In January, Gossen Corp. will begin shipments of its Passport decking line, a new high-end line of vinyl decking with a wood grain texture, achieved through a triple extruding process.

In mid October, the company unveiled its WeatherReady line of cellular vinyl decking. The company spent about two years in research and development of the product, after it saw a niche in the marketplace, said Bob Simon, executive vice president of the firm.

Simon said decking made of wood composites was inferior to the Gossen's new PVC decking, which does not include any wood pulp.

“Our customers were saying there were problems with it (the wood composites) - it grows mold and stains easily. They talked us into developing a cellular PVC decking with no fillers," he said.

Gossen’s vinyl decking products also have received higher flame spread ratings than similar products, Simon said, giving the company a leg up in states that have more wild fires, such as California and Colorado.

“We did just receive our California wildfire debris testing, so we can sell product there,” he said. “And we’ve passed all of our snow load testing.”

Although Gossen missed the deck-building season this year, the company has received certification to sell its vinyl decking products all over the country. It now has distribution arrangements for the northeastern United States, Canada and Florida, Gossen said. By March, the company expects to have distribution throughout the rest of the country, including California and other western states.

Gossen has about 300 employees, with manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia. Because its sales are about 20 percent down this year, it laid off some workers in Georgia earlier this year, but some of those workers have been called back already.

“We’re starting to bring some of those people back in because we’re gearing up for the new Passport line,” Simon said. “This is a new innovation in decking. It’s a different process than anyone else is doing.”

Belgium bioscience manufacturer acquires global firm
Mach One Corp., a Belgium, Wis.-based biological solutions company, has reached terms to acquire Pacific Rim Foods Ltd., a multinational holding company with interests in energy, oil, and food production for $5 million in stock and convertible debentures. The transaction is expected to close next month.

With the acquisition, Mach One will gain increased financial stability, a strengthened balance sheet, a larger presence in the China market, Pacific Rim’s executive team and a larger presence in markets with strong financials.

"This acquisition directly supports our strategy of expanding our product suite throughout the world,” said Monte Tobin, chairman and chief executive officer of Mach One. Some of Pacific Rim Foods’ portfolio companies in China specialize in growing, canning and processing corn, where Mach One hopes to achieve significant future growth.

Joy Global declares dividend
Joy Global Inc.'s board of directors has declared a $0.175 quarterly dividend to be paid on Dec. 19 to shareholders of record on Dec. 5.

Tim Sonntag, vice president of quality and technical services for St. Francis-based Wixon Inc., has been named president of the National Seasoning Manufacturers Association. Wixon is a manufacturer of food and beverage ingredients, including custom ground spices, blended seasonings, flavor technologies, protein expertise and consumer products and packaging.

Reliable Plating Works Inc., a Milwaukee-based electroplater, recently certified Judy Goggins, its quality manager; Greg Kulis, its project engineer; Jeffrey Maliszewski, its vice president of quality; and Jaime Maliszewski, president, in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training. The four-month course, held in RPW’s facility, was directed by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

MMAC to file lawsuit against mandate this week

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) expects to file its lawsuit to stop a new sick leave mandate in the City of Milwaukee this week.

The Milwaukee Common Council voted last week to deny the legal claim from the MMAC against the new sick leave ordinance.

The MMAC is expected to file the suit in Milwaukee County Circuit Court to challenge the ordinance and seek an injunction to block the implementation of the law until the conclusion of the legal challenge.

Unless there is an injunction, the law will take effect Feb. 10. The law would require all employers in the City of Milwaukee to provide a minimum number of sick leave days per year for employees.

The sick leave law was not drafted or requested by the Common Council or Mayor Tom Barrett. The ordinance was approved in a Nov. 4 referendum by 68 percent of the voters. The referendum was placed on the ballot through the process of direct legislation that required a minimum of 25,600 voter signatures in support of the proposal. 9to5, a grassroots organization that advocates on behalf of working women, turned in an estimated 42,000 signatures.

Preparing High School Students for High Tech Manufacturing Jobs Forum, Dec. 5, 7:30-9 a.m., Mequon Campus of Milwaukee Area Technical College, 5555 W. Highland Ave., Mequon; regular meeting of the First Fridays Forum; $5 per person includes continental breakfast; for information, call Sandra Webster at (262) 238-2205 or email websters@matc.edu.