Eric Decker

Last week, Helios USA, a start-up solar panel manufacturer based in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley, quietly began production.

Jim Kacmarcik's position running Kapco Inc. and the various charities the company is involved with keeps him extremely busy. However, he has found the time to begin two new side ventures that are gaining steam this year.

The first and most established is called K-Nation Entertainment, which is an entertainment company that aims to find and help promote bands and musicians across the country.

Most people couldn’t name one company in metro Milwaukee that specializes in metal-related manufacturing.

But a lot of people in the Milwaukee area have heard of Grafton-based Kapco Inc., whether it’s because of the company’s radio ads during Milwaukee Brewers games (featuring spokesman and former Brewer great Robin Yount), programs that the company sponsors at Milwaukee Bucks games or one of the many charity or community-related programs that the company is involved in.

Fred Usinger Inc. 1030 N. Old World Third St., Milwaukee Industry: Old-world European-style sausages and smoked meats Employees: about 125 www.usingers.com...

Mergers and acquisitions steadily increased through 2010, as the industry rebounded from a lagging 18-month period during the Great Recession.

Paul Grangaard, president and CEO of Allen Edmonds Shoe Corp., offers three tips he believes will help companies survive an economic downturn. ...

Manufacturers in metro Milwaukee and across the United States saw a significant boost in productivity and profitability through 2010, and many believe that recovery will continue well into 2011 and beyond.

Maxon Industries Inc. 3204 W. Mill Road, Milwaukee Industry: Concrete placing equipment for large municipal projects Employees: 24 www.Maxon.com ...

4697 W. Greenfield Ave., West Milwaukee Industry: Industrial ovens and furnaces Employees: 120 www.itsllcusa.com Countless metal products rely on heat...

An enforcement action from a federal agency can feel like a crushing blow to a small business owner. Federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can seem like huge, faceless organizations.

While some business owners and executives have chosen sides in the governor's race, a significant number have made matching donations to the campaigns of both Tom Barrett and Scott Walker.

New ideas "He's not concerned about who gets credit for things, he's concerned with solving problems," said Bob Chernow, a Milwaukee businessman and...