19 Jan Tech Digest: Modine, Johnson Controls profits; iPods; FBI
Modine profits climb
Racine-based Modine Manufacturing made $18.9 million in fourth-quarter 2004, compared to $12.3 million a year before that. Improved sales, as well as favorable currency-exchange rates, drove the increase. Its revenue was $418.4 million.
The company makes heat-management products for trucks and other vehicles. Its recent contracts include part of a Department of Energy project announced last August to create a fuel-cell-powered mine loader. The U.S. Army has also asked Modine to demonstrate environmentally friendly HVAC cooling systems at its Yuma, Arizona, proving ground this Wednesday and Thursday.
Modine declared on Wednesday a quarterly dividend on common stock of 16.25 cents per share.
Johnson Controls projects more growth
Johnson Controls of Milwaukee, a maker of electronic control systems, made $168.4 million in fourth-quarter 2004 on $7 billion in sales. That’s up from $164.5 million on $6.3 billion a year before. Johnson was also helped along by foreign currency-exchange rates, to the tune of $240 million.
Prop up your iPod
If you just want a place to put your Apple iPod, Madison-based ProClip USA has come out with automotive mounts for dashboards or consoles. The company custom-designs clips and holders for different models of vehicles and a range of media players and cell phones.
New FBI command truck
Oshkosh Truck subsidiary Pierce has another kind of vehicle in mind. The company has delivered a 34-foot mobile command post to the FBI, to be used first at the inauguration of President Bush this week and then in natural disasters or terrorist or hostage situations. The truck looks something like a steel-and-silver semi and has telephone systems (including satellite), cameras, TV monitors, DVD and VHS players and printers.