Milwaukee will host the annual joint Plastics Encounters and ANTEC conference and trade show May 4-8 at the Midwest Airlines Center, 411 W. Wisconsin Ave. Plastics manufacturing is the fourth-largest industry in the state - employing 46,000 people and shipping more than $11 billion in thermoformed, injection molded, extruded and rotational molded products. More than 200 plastic manufacturers are based in southeastern Wisconsin, the highest concentration in the state. The large number of plastic manufacturers in the area, along with an active chapter of the Society of Plastics Engineers, made the city a good candidate to host the convention, said Lesley Kyle, senior event manager with the Society of Plastics Engineers.

"It's a really good because of the local support we have and also when you view the plastics industry in Milwaukee and Wisconsin and within a reasonable drive to Milwaukee," Kyle said. "And Milwaukee has so many things to do, restaurants and cultural events. It's also close to Chicago for people who want to stay another couple of days. And it's affordable." The show combined the annual Plastics Encounters and ANTEC shows for the first time last year, when it was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. Last year's event drew about 3,500 attendees, which Kyle expects to match this year.

The Plastics Encounters trade show element of the program, running May 5-8, will feature more than 200 different regional, national and global plastics firms, Kyle said. The ANTEC conference will feature more than 120 sessions and seminars dealing with plastics production, marketing and management. Exhibitors at this year's event include BASF SE, Bemis Manufacturing Co., Canon, MGS Manufacturing Group, Milacron Inc., and Xaloy Inc.

While the Plastics Encounters trade show element generally draws a regional crowd, the ANTEC show draws a significant amount of its audience from overseas, Kyle said. "Thirty to 35 percent of the ANTEC attendees are international, because so much of that work has gone to Europe and Asia," she said. "And most of the Asian companies don't have the training that we have here in the U.S." Admission for only the three-day trade show is $40. Admission to the ANTEC portion of the show runs from $555 to $985, depending on the number of days and membership status with the Society of Plastics Engineers.

For more information, visit the Plastics Encounters web site. To register, click here.

Today is the final day to register to attend the Small Business Times Manufacturing Summit Breakfast at the BizTech Expo. The The Manufacturing Summit, which will take place Thursday, May 1, will focus on "Manufacturing in the Heartland." The opening remarks will be provided by Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.

The CEO panel discussion will feature:

• Mark Readinger of P&H Mining Equipment, Milwaukee.
• John Heppner of Master Lock Co. LLC, Oak Creek.
• Jerry Jendusa of Emteq, Waukesha.
• Jim Lindenberg of World Class Wire & Cable Inc., New Berlin.
• Carl Sheeley of Fontarome Chemical Inc., St. Francis.

The five CEOs will share their insights and their best strategies for how the region's manufacturers can grow in 2008. The event is co-presented by The Paranet Group Inc. To register to attend the Manufacturing Summit Breakfast, which will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., visit http://expo.biztimes.com/expo/events.cfm?id=10.

Badger Meter Inc. has filed an application to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Pending approval of its application, Milwaukee-based Badger Meter anticipates that its stock will begin trading on the NYSE in mid-June, under its current symbol "BMI." Until that time, Badger Meter's shares will continue to trade on the American Stock Exchange.

"We are honored to be eligible to join the many leading companies on the Big Board. Badger Meter has enjoyed a 37-year relationship with the American Stock Exchange that has served us well and has helped us to grow as a public company. However, with the increasing value of our shares, higher trading volume and improved financial performance, we believe our move to the NYSE is an appropriate next step that will give Badger Meter more visibility in the financial market and improve our stock's liquidity," said Richard Meeusen, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Badger Meter.

In other business, shareholders voted to declassify Badger Meter's board of directors. As a result, beginning at the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, all directors will stand for reelection annually. "Our board recommended this change to our shareholders as part of our commitment to maintaining best practices in corporate governance," Meeusen said. Shareholders also approved the company's 2008 restricted stock plan, which allows the company to make periodic grants of restricted stock to officers and certain employees. Badger Meter is a manufacturer and marketer of products incorporating liquid flow measurement and control technologies.

The Nestle Purina PetCare Company's Jefferson facility will purchase new equipment, train workers and expand its warehouse with $130,000 in Enterprise Development Zone tax credits and Community Development Block Grants that it recently received from the state of Wisconsin. The company manufactures pet food products at its Jefferson facility. It will train more than 107 employees on new equipment, said Kirk Lawrence, Jefferson Plant Manager. The project is expected to create as many as 20 jobs over the next five years and represent $20-$40 million in new investment. Nestlé Purina PetCare is a global manufacturer of pet products, with North American headquarters in St. Louis, MO. The Jefferson plant was the first NPPC manufacturing location to produce Fancy Feast brand cat food.

Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation Inc. has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Incuity Software, Inc., a privately held company that is a leading supplier of Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence (EMI) software. Headquartered in Mission Viejo, Calif., Incuity manufactures software that provides real-time intelligence for business decision support to improve operations and reduce production waste by providing valuable management insight into a company's operations. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"This acquisition is a key milestone in the continued expansion of our FactoryTalk software suite," said Kevin Roach, vice president of Rockwell Software. "Their newest software, IncuityEMI 2.6, easily integrates many disparate information sources from production operations and other enterprise systems. IncuityEMI 2.6 delivers unique insights into enterprise performance and key operational metrics, and empowers personnel to drill down and analyze the root causes associated with manufacturing problems. Combining Incuity's capabilities with the FactoryTalk integrated production management and performance suite will create tremendous value for our customers."

Rockwell's fiscal second quarter net income dropped to $142.8 million, or 96 cents per share, from $729.3 million, or $4.45 per share in the same period a year ago. Last year's second quarter included profit from Rockwell's discontinued power systems business of $622.2 million, or $3.80 per share. The company's total sales in the quarter grew to $1.4 billion from $1.2 billion a year earlier.

Keith Nosbusch, chairman and chief executive officer of Rockwell, said, "We delivered solid top line results, with strong revenue growth in the United States, Asia and Latin America offsetting lower than expected organic growth in Europe. We continued to benefit from investments in technology leadership, expanded served markets and stronger global presence. EPS grew 17 percent, despite operating margins somewhat lower than expected due to revenue mix and currency impacts. We remain intensely focused on sustaining above market revenue growth, diversifying our revenue base and driving productivity."

Commenting on the company's outlook, Nosbusch said, "Customer capital spending and project activity remain firm at this time. Looking forward, we expect continued strength in emerging economies, steady demand in the United States and improved performance in Europe. While we continue to acknowledge that there is significant uncertainty in the economic environment, particularly in the United States, we have not seen a fundamental change in customer demand for our products, services or solutions. We are optimistic regarding our growth prospects and ability to execute. Assuming business conditions in the industrial sector remain relatively stable, we are reaffirming EPS guidance for 2008 of $4.25-$4.45."

Magnetek Inc. plans to sell its Telecom Power Systems business, which is based in Menomonee Falls. The division, which generated approximately $16 million of Magnetek's total sales of $103.8 million in fiscal 2007, employs about 25 people in Menomonee Falls and another five people in a sales office in Dallas, Texas.

Magnetek said it will focus its efforts on enhancing shareholder value through investment in and growth of its core power control and systems businesses, as well as strategic acquisitions in its product lines serving the material handling, elevator, and alternative energy industries. "Magnetek's strategy is to focus on our core businesses where we have growth opportunities and a sustainable competitive advantage," said Magnetek chief executive officer David Reiland.

As previously announced, Magnetek recently acquired the assets of Enrange LLC of Canonsburg, Pa., a wireless control manufacturer providing radio remote controls for the material handling, industrial, hydraulic and rock mining industries. Beginning with the fourth fiscal quarter, Magnetk will account for the Telecom Power Systems business as a discontinued operation.

Snap-on Inc., a Kenosha-based manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users, announced first quarter earnings of $56.6 million, or 98 cents per share, up from $39 million, or 67 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

The company's net sales increased $15.9 million over prior year to $721.6 million, including $33.2 million from currency translation as a result of the company's continued geographic diversification initiatives. Forty-four percent of the company's quarterly sales came from outside the United States

"Snap-on's first quarter results clearly reinforce the strategic importance of our global scope and customer diversification initiatives, particularly in light of the more challenging economic environment in the United States," said Nick Pinchuk, Snap-on's president and chief executive officer. "Our broad and expansive product portfolio and global customer base, combined with the essential nature of the productivity solutions we provide to professional users, has us well-positioned to achieve a strong and sustainable platform for profitable growth. Our associates continue to make progress in executing our strategies to extend our brands to new customers, improve our global supply chain, strengthen customer service and reduce overall complexity and cost, and I thank them for their ongoing efforts and support. In that regard, I also want to thank our franchisees for their loyalty and their contributions in building a stronger Snap-on."

Twin Disc Inc. reported fiscal third quarter net earnings of $7.9 million, or 70 cents per share, up from $7.5 million, or 64 cents per share, for the same quarter a year ago. The Racine-based manufacturers' sales for the quarter were $85.8 million, down slightly from $86.4 million for the same period a year ago.

Michael Batten, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Twin Disc, said, "We are pleased with the results of the third fiscal quarter. Demand for our commercial and pleasure craft marine products continued to increase. Sales and orders of our commercial marine gears into Southeast Asia and the Gulf Coast of the United States remain strong, as do marine propulsion and boat management system sales into the Italian mega yacht market. The increase in marine product sales has helped to insulate the company from the softness that we continued to experience in the third quarter in the oil and gas transmission and industrial product sectors. Demand for our land based transmissions for military applications and Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles remains high."

South Milwaukee-based Bucyrus International Inc. has entered into a preliminary framework agreement with Huainan Mining Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. to seek to establish a joint venture in the Huainan mining area of the Anhui Province in the People's Republic of China. The preliminary agreement contemplates Bucyrus owning a controlling interest in a joint venture that would involve the building of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Huainan mining area of China that would initially manufacture belt systems and armored face conveyors for resale on a preferential basis to Huainan Mining, as well as to other third parties in China and elsewhere.

It is possible that the joint venture could manufacture and sell additional underground mining equipment as well. Both Bucyrus and Huainan Mining would contribute an undisclosed amount of cash, as well as other assets and personnel, to the joint venture. Bucyrus president and chief executive officer Tim Sullivan said, "The joint venture which we hope will result from this preliminary framework agreement will benefit both Bucyrus and Huainan Mining. The first step in a resulting joint venture will extend our market coverage and provide us with a low cost manufacturing base in China. Huainan Mining will benefit from the higher technology of our products, and the region will gain through the development of a high technology manufacturing base in Anhui Province. There is also the future potential for exports using our international sales network."

Engineers top list of 'Hardest Jobs to Fill'
Engineers, machinists and skilled trade workers are among the nation's most challenging positions to fill, according to a new survey of employers by Milwaukee-based Manpower Inc. "From our research it is clear that across the country employers are experiencing a mismatch between the talent their businesses need and the skills and abilities potential employees possess," said Jonas Prising, president of Manpower North America.

The "10 Hardest Jobs to Fill," as reported by U.S. employers for 2008, are:

• 1. Engineers
• 2. Machinists/Machine Operators
• 3. Skilled Trades
• 4. Technicians
• 5. Sales Representatives
• 6. Accounting & Finance Staff
• 7. Mechanics
• 8. Laborers
• 9. IT Staff
• 10. Production Operators

For the third consecutive year, sales representatives, technicians, accountants/finance staff and machinists remain on the Hardest to Fill list, confirming that job seekers with specific skill sets are still in demand. Second on the list in 2006, engineers found themselves in the No. 1 position this year, after dropping off completely in 2007. Employers also are finding it difficult to fill openings for skilled trades people, IT staff and production operators, all new to the 2008 list. To succeed in the contemporary world of work, employers must not only encourage current employees to re-skill and up-skill to ensure they meet workload demands, but also refine their recruitment and retention strategies for a new generation of workers, Manpower said.

"While job categories have shifted on the list, it is clear all companies must have a plan for transitioning from baby boomers to younger generations," said Melanie Holmes, vice president of World of Work Solutions for Manpower North America. "It is essential for companies to find a balance where they are attracting and retaining aging workers while still developing innovative recruiting programs targeting young professionals, especially those interested in technical and trade careers."

Current trends in hiring also point toward employers focusing on more than simply finding an individual who has the role-specific competencies required to fill an opening. "Companies want employees who have the soft skills, work ethic and culture traits that fit their company," Holmes said. "Hiring managers recognize the high cost of hiring the wrong individual for their organization so they are taking more time to find the right fit, even for these hard to fill positions."

New web tool connects Wisconsin businesses to federal contracts
A new web-based tool is available for Wisconsin companies to identify specific opportunities for doing business with the federal government. The web site, www.B2Gconnect.org, is part of the continuing work of the Wisconsin Procurement Institute to return more federal dollars to the state via business contracts. "This new system will open doors to revenue for Wisconsin businesses," said John Rogers, chairman of the Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI).

The web site complements individual activity, events and seminars of WPI to connect Wisconsin companies to federal contracts. "We spent more than a year developing it, applying cutting-edge technology to an easy-to-use interface," he said. "Unlike other sites that have generic matching processes, B2Gconnect presents registered users with opportunities that much more exactly match their lines of business. The result is a highly effective process that, we are confident, will lead to new federal business for Wisconsin companies. There is no other procurement site as robust." B2Gconnect employs knowledge software developed in Wisconsin to provide users with refined opportunities for federal contracts.

WPI executive director Aina Vilumsons said the site was funded by a U.S. Small Business Administration grant and represents the federal government's ongoing effort to make it easier for private business of all sizes to gain access to government contracts. B2Gconnect.org initially will focus on Wisconsin businesses but will later be extended for use by businesses in other states. "This is an exclusive opportunity for Wisconsin companies," Vilumsons said. "You often read stories about Wisconsin not getting its fair share of federal dollars, but that is changing, because companies here are taking advantage of these kind of opportunities."

Olympus Flag and Banner, a worldwide leader in the production of custom-printed flags, banners, signage, point-of-purchase materials and mascot costumes, has recently expanded its sales team, hiring Mike Fortmann, who will work at a satellite office in southern California. “We have been doing business on the West Coast for years, opening a sales office there allows us to offer our partners the personal touch needed to tackle the most complex printing projects.” said Brian Adam, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Olympus Flag and Banner has sales offices in Milwaukee, Orlando, south Florida, and Oklahoma. The company is based in Milwaukee, where it builds and custom banners, flags and mascots.