The Milwaukee Post

6 • Milwaukee County Post • September 18, 2015 BUSINESS WEDC offering up to $15.7 million to Quad/Graphics for job creation SUSSEX — The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation announced it is making up to $15.7 million in tax credits available for the printer Quad/Graphics to bring 500 jobs to the state. On Monday, the WEDC said to ensure Quad/Graphics brought 500 jobs and expansion here, it made available the tax credits for job creation, capital expendi- tures and employee training. "The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is proud to assist Quad/Graphics as they strengthen their commitment to Wisconsin and add another 500 jobs," said WEDC Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Office Tricia Braun in a statement. "The company continues to out- perform its projections and their choice to expand in Wisconsin is a testament to our strong workforce and the strength of our business climate." www.qg.com http://inwisconsin.com Boston Store completes Mayfair Mall location remodel WAUWATOSA — The remodel of the Boston Store location in Mayfair Mall has been completed and a ribbon-cutting and grand reopening ceremony were held Wednesday. The Wednesday event kicked off an 18- day celebration at the Mayfair Boston Store and four other Milwaukee locations: Brookfield Square, Bayshore Mall, Southridge Mall and Grand Avenue Mall. The remodel includes more than 30 new designer brands, 25 new shop installations, expanded merchandise assortments, open self-serve cosmetics stations, a new store layout design, energy-efficient bright light- ing, new restrooms and spacious fitting rooms and Wi-Fi access throughout the store. www.bostonstore.com/celebratemke Kohl's to hire more than 69,000 workers for holidays MENOMONEE FALLS — Kohl's Corp. announced Wednesday that it intends to hire more than 69,000 workers across the country to support holiday shopping in its stores and on its website. "Kohl's is hiring more than 69,000 sea- sonal associates to prepare for another exciting holiday season. We want to ensure we provide the excellent service and easy experience Kohl's customers expect, whether shopping in stores or online," said Richard Schepp, Kohl's chief administra- tive officer, in a statement. "By building a winning team of associates, we know we will help our customers continue to enjoy Kohl's incredible savings and amazing product throughout the holiday season and beyond." Kohl's anticipates hiring an average of 50 associates per store for the holiday sea- son at its 1,166 stores in 49 states, according to the announcement. In addition, the com- pany anticipates hiring approximately 9,500 seasonal positions at distribution and e-commerce fulfillment centers across the country and approximately 660 seasonal credit operations positions. Customers are able to buy online at www.Kohls.com and pick up their orders in store. Seasonal associates will assist in ful- filling those orders, as well as Kohls.com orders designated to ship from stores direct to Kohl's customers. Seasonal associates in stores also help with freight processing and customer service on the sales floor and at the point of sale, according to the announcement. Hiring began this month and most jobs will be filled by mid-November. Holiday positions are also being filled at the compa- ny's distribution and e-commerce fulfill- ment centers, where hiring began in August. www.KohlsCareers.com Johnson Controls to expand in Chinese automotive battery market GLENDALE — Johnson Controls announced Monday it has signed an agree- ment with a Chinese automotive parts com- pany to expand its presence in China. The Wisconsin-based company signed a memorandum of understanding with Beijing Hainachuan Automotive Parts Co. Ltd., an auto parts subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Industry Group Co., Ltd., to set up automotive battery sales and manufac- turing joint ventures in China. As part of the agreement, Johnson Controls and BHAP will partner to offer a range of batteries to automakers and serv- ice networks under BAIC Group, one of China's largest automobile manufacturers. "This MOU positions Johnson Controls and BAIC to take advantage of what will be the world's largest automotive battery mar- ket by 2020," said Joe Walicki, president of Johnson Controls Power Solutions, in a statement. "By understanding market dynamics, consumer demands and technology needs, Johnson Controls' complete portfolio of batteries can best meet customers' short- and long-term energy storage needs," Walicki said. About 22 million new vehicles are pro- duced in China every year, making it the world's largest automotive market, accord- ing to the announcement. www.johnsoncontrols.com Brady Corp. reports 8.9% decrease in sales MILWAUKEE — During the fourth quar- ter, sales for Brady Corporation declined 8.9 percent to $288.6 million when compared with the same period in 2014, due partly to "operational inefficiencies." Total organic sales decreased 1.2 percent and foreign currency translation decreased sales by 7.7 percent, according to Friday's announcement. Brady Corporation also reported its loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter were $39.4 million compared with a loss of $97 million in the same quarter of last year. Non-generally accepted accounty principles earnings from continuing opera- tions for the current quarter were $14.4 mil- lion compared with $21 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, according to the release. www.bradycorp.com Thakoon for DesigNation now available at Kohl's MENOMONEE FALLS — Kohl's Department Stores announced last week that the Thakoon for DesigNation collec- tion is available now at Kohl's stores nationwide and Kohls.com. The line will be available for a limited time and will feature Thakoon Panichgul's signature style inspired by one of his favorite cities, London. Panichgul, born in Thailand and raised in Omaha, Neb., brings a unique perspec- tive to his exclusive designs for Kohl's. He founded his namesake label, Thakoon, in 2004 after honing his skills in business, edi- torial and merchandising. www.Kohls.com Report: Credit unions show fastest growth in history MILWAUKEE — A report shows that credit unions added $10.2 billion in loans to their balance sheets in June, which would make it the fastest growth in credit union history. The Credit Union Trends Report from CUNA Mutual Group indicated consumer installment credit loan balances (auto, credit card, and other unsecured loans) rose at the fastest pace since September 2009 at 13.7 percent during the 12 months ending in June. The overall loan growth average was 10.9 percent for the year. Savings balances increased 4.4 percent during the first half of 2015, compared with a 3.3 percent rise during the same period in 2014, according to the report. Credit union memberships rose by 440,000, the highest monthly growth rate since July 2013 at 0.43 percent for total of 103 million members, which is 32.5 percent of the U.S. population, according to the report. DuBord joins Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin MILWAUKEE — Michelle DuBord has been named major gifts director for the Cardiovascular Center and Digestive Disease Center at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is responsible for building on the foundation of philanthropy for Froedtert & MCW's work in medical train- ing, innovation and patient care. DuBord will focus on the resource develop- ment activities includ- ing supporting the aca- demic medical center's innovative work in research, treatment and awareness of cardiovas- cular and digestive dis- eases. Previously, DuBord spent 17 years with United Way in donor and volunteer engagement. Recently, she served as the organization's director of investor relations and communications. Through this role, she led fundraising efforts for United Way's investment in edu- cation, income and health. She also served as the executive director of Safe & Sound Waukesha. DuBord has been active in various non- profit organizations and is a member of the Waukesha Noon Rotary Club. She is a grad- uate of Cardinal Stritch University and the Toastmasters International accredited speakers program. www.froedtert.com Johnson Controls finalizes sale of business to CBRE MILWAUKEE — Johnson Controls has completed the sale of its Global Workplace Solutions business to CBRE Group for $1.475 billion. Global Workplace Solutions is one of the world's largest providers of facilities man- agement services. According to the announcement, the sale includes a 10-year strategic relationship between the two com- panies with Johnson Controls being the preferred provider of HVAC equipment, building automation systems and related services to the 5 billion square-foot portfo- lio of real estate and corporate facilities managed globally by CBRE and GWS. The agreement is expected to create up to $500 million of annual incremental rev- enue for the Johnson Controls Building Efficiency business, according to the com- pany. www.johnsoncontrols.com DuBord

• Cover