The Milwaukee Post

6 • Milwaukee County Post • March 24, 2017 Bartolotta Fireworks to become part of Wolverine By KATHERINE MICHALETS Conley News Service TOWN OF GENESEE — Known for its colorful displays on holidays and at spe- cial events, Bartolotta Fireworks is essen- tially going out of business with little fan- fare. According to a news release posted on its Facebook page last week, the company is becoming Wolverine Fireworks after it filed for bankruptcy. "As co-owner and president of Bartolotta Fireworks, I want to first thank you for your continued business and loyal- ty over the years," wrote Jeff Bartolotta in the news release that was posted to the company's Facebook page. "Together we have created years of 'New Family Traditions' throughout the Midwest. You have become an extension of our family having been there through joy and sorrow over the years. Together we've surprised you with the childlike spontaneity of Art in the Sky, and you've surprised us with your support, loyalty and even your prayers." He went on to write that Bartolotta Fireworks as it exists is closing, but will become Wolverine Fireworks. "As the largest distributor of firework products, Wolverine Fireworks has long been a valued friend and colleague of the industry," Bartolotta wrote. "Moving for- ward, I will remain your contact for your Wolverine Fireworks displays. It is impor- tant to note that business will continue to operate with the same level of profession- alism and safety as it has for the last 39 years. I will personally ensure that as val- ued customers, your needs are not just met, they're exceeded." According to the Bartolotta Fireworks' website, the business was founded in 1977 by Sam Bartolotta. The company went from three to four displays a year in 1977 to currently about 500 annual displays throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. The family was passed on to current own- ers Jeff, Jim and Jean, who are the third generation of the family to run the busi- ness. Bartolotta Fireworks is not connected to the Bartolotta group of restaurants. The company is based in the Town of Genesee. bartolottafireworks.com BUSINESS Johnson Controls to sell Scott Safety to 3M for $2 billion MILWAUKEE — Johnson Controls announced it has signed an agreement to sell its Scott Safety business to 3M in a cash transaction valued at about $2 billion. Scott Safety designs, manufactures and sells high-performance respiratory protec- tion, gas and flame detection, thermal imaging and other products for fire servic- es, law enforcement, industrial, oil and gas, chemical, armed forces, and homeland defense end markets. The business is head- quartered in Monroe, N.C., with about 1,500 employees globally. "We are pleased to announce the sale of Scott Safety to 3M in a mutually beneficial strategic transaction," said Alex Molinaroli, Johnson Controls chairman and CEO, in a March 16 statement. "Consistent with our priority to focus the portfolio on our two core platforms of Buildings and Energy, we continue to exe- cute on our strategic plan, which positions us to deliver a 12 percent to 15 percent earn- ings per share CAGR by fiscal 2020." Net cash proceeds from the transaction are expected to approximate $1.8 billion to $1.9 billion. They will be used to repay a portion of Tyco International Holding S.a.r.l.'s $4 billion of merger related debt, according to the announcement. On a trailing 12-month basis, Scott Safety generated sales of approximately $570 million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of about $155 million. www.johnsoncontrols.com GE Healthcare to add 170 jobs in Wisconsin WAUKESHA — GE Healthcare announced March 16 plans to add more than 170 jobs in Wisconsin, including in Oak Creek. GE Healthcare spokesman Ben Fox said about 100 of those new jobs will be created with the recent move of the GE Healthcare Maternal-Infant Care business to Wisconsin, both in Wauwatosa and Madison. The neonatal incubator and warmer manufacturing plant is moving to Wisconsin from Maryland. Fox said the manufacturing operations will be stationed in Madison, while leadership operations will be in Wauwatosa. About 70 jobs will be added at the Repair Operations Center in Oak Creek, which will bring the total workforce at the facility to 220 people. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin visited the new Oak Creek facility March 17 to high- light its operations and the addition of high-tech jobs to the Greater Milwaukee area. Russ Darrow group accused of filing false credit application MILWAUKEE — Russ Darrow Colonial Inc. is a third-party defendant in a Milwaukee County small claims case involving Santander Consumer USA Inc. and a Russ Darrow customer, Earnestine Walker, who is the primary defendant. It is alleged by Walker that she is a vic- tim of actions taken by Russ Darrow. The allegation against the automotive dealer- ship group is that a credit application filled out by Russ Darrow's financial team had false information on it. The information on the application made it appear that the alleged victim made $2,000 a month more than her actual income. Santander, the party who brought forth the suit, is a car loan company. The case, filed in early January, is listed as closed; however, a summary judgement hearing is scheduled for May 15. The amount of debt listed in the case by the plaintiff is $373. Boucher purchase of Lakeland Auto likely following vote TOWN OF OCONOMOWOC — Gordie Boucher Nissan of Greenfield is one step closer to purchasing Lakeland Auto follow- ing a Monday vote by the Town of Oconomowoc Plan Commission. In a unanimous vote, the commission approved a site plan/plan of operation request from Gordie Boucher, clearing it to assume ownership of Lakeland Auto, N48- W36216 Wisconsin Ave. Gordie Boucher already accepted an offer to purchase from Lakeland and will move to finalize the sale. The two groups would need approval from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the deal to be absolutely finalized. Chad Kemnitz of Professional Consultants, which has represented Gordie Boucher, said he doesn't expect the pro- posed sale will receive resistance from the DOT. Conley News Service file photo Jeff Bartolotta stands next to one of the manufacturing facilities at Bartolotta Fireworks in the Town of Genesee. Jeff Bartolotta to stay with business after filing bankruptcy

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