Viewpoints

Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation Inc. announced it has agreed to purchase the assets of the medium voltage drives business of Harbin Jiuzhou Electric Co. Ltd. of China for $83 million.

Wisconsin credit unions grew net income by 83 percent in the first six months of 2012, compared with the same period last year, according to data compiled by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).

Milwaukee-based BMO Harris Equipment Finance Co. announced it has hired Jennifer Stamps to expand the company's equipment finance footprint to Houston, Texas.

Milwaukee-based Journal Communications Inc. has acquired all of the 3.3 million outstanding shares of its Class C common stock (4.5 million shares on a Class A-equivalent basis), all of which were owned by members and successors of the Grant Family.

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. announced it has acquired all of the outstanding stock of Expedited Freight Systems Inc., a regional overnight less-than-truckload (LTL) provider based in Kenosha, for approximately $10 million plus an earnout over four years.

Milwaukee-based travel agency Funjet Vacations has acquired Boston-based travel agency TNT Vacations.

Milwaukee-based Telkonet Inc. today reported second quarter net income of $200,000, up from a $700,000 loss in the first quarter of 2012.

Milwaukee-based Briggs & Stratton Corp. reported a fiscal fourth quarter net loss of $8.4 million, or 18 cents per share, which was an improvement over a net loss of $17.8 million, or 36 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

MillerCoors LLC, which operates a brewery in Milwaukee, said its second quarter net income increased 9.1 percent from the same quarter a year ago to $436.0 million, driven by positive pricing, favorable brand mix and cost management.

Menomonee Falls-based Magnetek Inc. reported second quarter net income of $3.2 million, or 99 cents per share, up from $1.2 million, or 37 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.