Racine-based S.C. Johnson recently posted detailed listings of the ingredients of more than 200 of its products on a web site: www.WhatsInsideSCJohnson.com. The site includes the ingredients 129 of the company’s air care products and 76 home cleaning products – including explanations of what the ingredients are.

"Today's families want to know what's in the products they use in their homes," said S.C. Johnson chairman and chief executive officer Fisk Johnson. "For us, it's about living up to the trust our consumers put in us."

The disclosures include consumer-friendly lists of ingredients, as well as more technical listings using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) and an explanation of each ingredient's purpose. The site also lists the dyes used in the products, and will list preservative and fragrance ingredients by Jan. 1, 2012.

"Transparency doesn't mean cherry-picking which things to share and which things to hide. It means opening the door and letting people see what you're made of," Johnson said.

S.C. Johnson is making its information accessible in three ways: the web site (www.WhatsInsideSCJohnson.com), a toll-free number (1-800-558-5252), and on product labels that will be phased in for home cleaning and air care products by January 2012.

Oshkosh Corp. is seeking a $3.5 million to $5 million in tax incremental financing (TIF) to expand its manufacturing facilities in Oshkosh, where it hopes to develop a new 150,000-square-foot electrocoat painting facility. If approved, the company would paint its family of medium tactical vehicles (FMTV) it is building for the U.S. Army in the facility.

The TIF request is the first time that Oshkosh Corp. has asked the city for financial assistance, a company spokesperson said.

Oshkosh was awarded a five year contract to build FMTVs in August, which calls for the production of up to 23,000 vehicles and trailers, as well as support services and training. The first delivery order is for $280.9 million for the production and delivery of 2,568 trucks and trailers.

The FMTV is a series of up to 23 variants and 17 different models, ranging from 2.5-ton to 5-ton payloads. Production for initial test vehicles is planned for mid-2010, followed by full production in 2011.

The contract is expected to save about 550 to 600 jobs in Oshkosh and another approximate 600 jobs in Pennsylvania, according to Ann Stawski, vice president of marketing communications with Oshkosh Corp.

The company hopes to break ground on the new facility in December.

“We look forward to working with the city and the state as we move forward on this project, which was outlined in our original proposal to our customer. It is so important to have support from our community as we continue to build the products that protect the men and women in our military forces,” said Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh Corp. chairman and CEO. “This new, state-of-the-art E-coat facility will complement our industry-leading manufacturing capabilities, and has the potential to significantly increase our operations and further secure our place as a premier manufacturer in the community.”

Brady Corp.’s earnings are down

Brady Corp. has reported fiscal first quarter net income, including $2.6 million in after-tax restructuring charges, of $21.7 million, or 41 cents per share, down from $37.1 million, or 69 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

The Milwaukee-based manufacturer’s sales for the quarter were $318.5 million, down from $378.3 million a year earlier.

"I'm encouraged to see sales improve by 11 percent from our last fiscal quarter, driven by a stabilization in our markets, as well as new-product and market-based initiatives. Compared to last year's first quarter, our gross margins have improved by 160 basis points as a direct result of our ongoing cost-reduction efforts," said Frank Jaehnert, Brady's president and CEO.

"Our balance sheet remains strong and our cash position improved from $188 million to $208 million in the quarter. This will allow us to take advantage of opportunities for future investments, such as new product development, core growth opportunities and acquisitions," said Brady chief financial officer Thomas Felmer. "While we are encouraged by our results, we remain cautious on our outlook because of limited visibility. We are maintaining our original net income and earnings per diluted share guidance for the current fiscal year of $85 to $95 million and $1.60 to $1.80 per share.”

Harley seeks to sell Italian subsidiary

Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc. has hired the Italian investment banking firm BNP Paribas to assist in the sale of MV Agusta.

"MV Agusta is a highly desirable company for the right buyer," said Harley-Davidson senior vice president and chief financial officer John Olin. "MV Agusta has a proud heritage and strong brand, high-quality exciting and beautiful products, and passionate enthusiasm on the part of its customers, employees and dealers, and we are confident in our expectation that we will identify an appropriate buyer."

Harley-Davidson announced its plans to divest MV Agusta in October, as part of its go-forward business strategy to focus its effort and investment on leveraging the unique strengths of the Harley-Davidson brand to reach new customers, strengthen relationships with existing customers and grow the Harley-Davidson brand worldwide.

ZBB gets order for renewable energy project in Canada

Menomonee Falls-based ZBB Energy Corp. has received an order for four standard, modular ZESS 50 energy storage systems from Powertech Labs, a subsidiary of BC Hydro, for the Bella Coola Hydrogen Assisted Renewable Power (HARP) project in Bella Coola, British Columbia.

The ZESS energy storage systems will be used as part of a demonstration project that uses multiple components (power generation, utilization, storage, and dispatch optimization) to provide electrical power to an isolated remote area grid with the goal of reducing reliance on diesel generation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in remote communities in British Columbia. The project objective is to increase the utilization of BC Hydro’s Clayton Falls small hydro plant and reduce the reliance on diesel generators at its Ah Sin Heek generating facility. The ZESS units will be used to store excess power from Clayton Falls, to be later dispatched during periods when Clayton Falls is unable to supply sufficient power to the community. “We are delighted to have been selected by Powertech Labs for this demonstration project,” said Kevin Dennis, ZBB’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We recognize their global reputation as a leader in technology advancement and implementation in the electrical utility industry. Being successfully selected following a thorough evaluation of our technology has shown that the ZESS products integrate effectively with conventional generation systems.”

Modine wins new power train cooling business with Daimler India

Racine-based Modine Manufacturing Co.’s operation in India has been awarded a contract by Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, Ltd.

The program, which will support Daimler’s light, medium and heavy-duty trucks for the Indian market, will be manufactured in Modine’s new production plant in Sriperumbudur, Chennai.

“We are pleased with the confidence Daimler India has shown in our ability to meet its requirements in today’s highly competitive market,” said Thomas F. Marry, Modine regional vice president – Asia. “The key to our success with Daimler India is our intelligent globalization strategy to have local production capabilities. This strategy puts us in a position to address application-specific customer needs, while at the same time offering truly globally standardized products within the very competitive commercial environment in India.”

Modine employs approximately 7,000 people at 32 facilities in 15 countries.

Alto-Shaam Inc. is one of the best-known names in the restaurant industry. Most Americans have eaten food prepared with one or more of the company’s systems, but most people don’t know what the Menomonee Falls-based company does.

The company, founded 55 years ago, is best known for its cook and hold ovens, known in the restaurant industry as prime rib ovens. When they were developed, the ovens made it possible for restaurants to cook and serve large pieces of prime rib. The ovens are able to detect when the internal temperature of the meat has reached a predetermined point, and then switch to a holding temperature.

“In the food service industry, (a cook and hold oven is) usually called an Alto-Shaam,” said Robert Simmelink, corporate executive chef and business development manager in its domestic sales division.  “Our sizes run from a countertop unit to a large double oven. They can handle anything from 20 pounds to up to a 240 pound capacity.”

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Meals are part of the meeting sequence of doing business in China. Be prepared for two-hour lunches and three- to six-hour dinners, sometimes followed by a few hours of karaoke.

This is a time when both sides ostensibly are relaxing but are actually trying to get to know each other. Meals are not just a way of showing hospitality. They are an extension of the meetings process itself, and to navigate them, you need to be aware of what your host is trying to convey, and you need to be receptive, appropriate and clear in your responses.

It is important to be friendly, but you are not there to entertain them. It is about business. When in doubt, reverse the situation and think about it in terms of someone from China showing up on your doorstep, asking about doing some business.

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Joy Global names new president and COO

Randal W. Baker has been named president and chief operating officer of P&H Mining Equipment effective Nov. 30. He will also become executive vice president of Joy Global Inc., corporate parent of P&H.

Baker worked previously at CNH Global N.V., where he was president and chief executive officer of its agricultural equipment business. He previously spent 14 years in a series of progressively senior leadership roles in the mining equipment industry, which included management positions with Tamrock Corp., the construction and mining division of Ingersoll-Rand, and Komatsu.

“Randy brings us a tremendous balance of industry experience, global business leadership and drive for performance,” said Mike Sutherlin, president and chief executive officer. “I know he will make a quick start and have a long term impact on our business. As such, Randy is a major addition to a strong management team that will continue to deliver leading performance to both our customers and our shareholders.”

Christopher Ruud succeeds father at helm of Racine company

Ruud Lighting Inc., a Racine-based manufacturer of LED and conventional lighting, announced the promotion of Christopher Ruud to president, succeeding his father, Alan Ruud, who founded the company in 1982.

In his new role, Christopher Ruud will oversee all U.S.-based business units and operations of the company. Alan Ruud will retain his role as chairman and CEO.

The move comes at a pivotal time as the company prepares for a transition from traditional lighting to the new LED platform that is growing in demand. Christopher Ruud was instrumental in building the infrastructure for the launch of BetaLED in 2007. The Ruuds realized the potential for LED technology and were first to market a complete line of BetaLED luminaires that are replacing incumbent technology.

"With Christopher running the day-to-day business and growing our LED infrastructure, I can focus on our international expansion and new product development," Alan Ruud said. "Christopher never relied on his status as an owner and had to earn every promotion. I guess you could say all eyes were on him."

"My father built a business that has a strong foundation of quality products, talent and reputation," Christopher Ruud said. "I intend to carry that tradition forward as we move into new opportunities made possible by the industry transformation to LED lighting. We're well positioned for this change."

Vulcan GMS awarded ISO 9001-2008

Vulcan Global Manufacturing Solutions, a Milwaukee based supplier of parts and assemblies for the health care, aerospace, security, nuclear and industrial sectors, has achieved ISO 9001-2008 registration.

The registration is awarded by the International Standards Organization (ISO), a global standards organization that seeks to provide a common system for best practices in business and awards the registration to companies who meet its rigorous standards

“We are all very pleased to have achieved our ISO 9001-2008 registration, becoming one of the first companies to do so,” said Tom Ray, president of Vulcan. “As a global company with multi-national customers, meeting all current state of the art standards helps us continue to provide the quality products and services our customers need and deserve.”

Doyle signs research and development agreement with Israel

Gov. Jim Doyle last week signed a bilateral collaborative trade agreement between Israel and Wisconsin on research and development.

The agreement, signed by Doyle and Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Ben-Eliezer, promotes collaboration and a strong working relationship between Wisconsin and Israel in research and development, Doyle said.

“Wisconsin and Israel share a strong past and a bright future in research and technology development,” Doyle said. “This agreement creates an important framework for Israel’s and Wisconsin’s scientists, engineers and researchers to embark on ground-breaking research and development in many promising fields, especially water technology.“

“Israel and Wisconsin have a strong history of working together,” Ben-Eliezer said. “We believe that there is still an outstanding potential to enhance our collaboration.”

The bilateral cooperative agreement commits to investing in research and development and sharing innovative ideas.

Successful partnerships through Badger Meter and Miltel, among many other companies, have made Wisconsin and Israel strong trade partners, Doyle said.

The agreement builds on partnerships and commits to future collaboration, Doyle said. The agreement commits to investing in partnerships in research and development (R&D) in Wisconsin and Israel’s private businesses. The agreement names several areas for collaboration including:

Promoting private sector activities to intensify bilateral industrial R&D cooperation.

Identifying opportunities for partnerships beyond Israel and Wisconsin that could advance their research and development efforts.

Coordinating government resources to promote R&D opportunities.

Establishing a framework to financially support joint R&D projects that could lead to commercialization in the global market.  

There is potential for Wisconsin and Israel to collaborate in water technology, biotechnology, advanced agriculture, renewable energy and health care research and development, Doyle said.

Doyle led a delegation of Wisconsin business and government leaders on a trade mission to Israel last week. He also addressed the 5th Annual International Water Technologies, Renewable Energy and Environmental Control Exhibition (WATEC) to highlight Wisconsin’s leadership in water technology research and development.