THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701310572
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D3 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 104 lines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted license to SmithKline Beecham Biologicals to manufacture INFANRIX(TM) for active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) in infants and children. The vaccine will be distributed by SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. INFANRIX is the only available DTaP included in the landmark National Institutes of Health Efficacy Trials. INFANRIX is the first DTaP indicated for the primary series that contains three pertussis antigens proven effective in preventing pertussis. (Staff) Investment group to bid for TWA
A New Jersey-based investment group is preparing a bid for control of Trans World Airlines and plans to ally the carrier with Russia's No. 2 airline, the vice chairman of Moscow-based Transaero said. Transaero wants to link its 30-city route network with TWA, the seventh largest airline in the United States. Strategic Capital Group, led by investor Brian Freeman, would take the ownership stake in TWA. Transaero vice chairman Grigory Gurtovoi said the final terms of the bid will be ready next month. (AP) Pentium Pro chips left out of price cuts by Intel
Intel Corp., basking in strong demand for its Pentium Pro microprocessors and a current dearth of competition, left out most of the high-end chips in its latest round of price cuts. Some analysts had expected Intel, which reduced Pentium Pro prices last fall, to lower them again this quarter, if only a few percentage points. But businesses are eager to buy personal computers using the Pentium Pro processor, and rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. hasn't yet introduced its new processor intended to compete with it, industry observers said. (AP) M'Gosh! Bib overalls getting out of Oshkosh
OshKosh B'Gosh Inc. announced today that it would close its Oshkosh plant, where it manufactures the bib overalls that have clothed generations of working men. The plant, which has about 75 employees, is the last in the city where the apparel maker got its start 102 years ago. Oshkosh still will employ about 400 at a distribution center, its corporate headquarters and two retail stores. ``It is not cost-effective for us to continue manufacturing operations when we are utilizing only one-third of the plant,'' said Michael D. Wachtel, executive vice president and chief operating officer. ``More important, the demand for men's bib overalls is not enough to justify the cost of continuing operations, even if we moved to a smaller building.'' Other company products, such as the popular children's overalls, are already made elsewhere. (AP) Airline safety rules to be on the Internet
Federal Aviation Administration officials will begin putting data on the Internet late this week about airline safety records, including accidents and major civil fines. Among other things, travelers will be able to tell whether their airline has had near-collisions or had to pay a stiff fine for a major violation of safety laws. The FAA will make the first batch of information available to computer users on the Internet starting Saturday and is considering establishing a toll-free number for telephone users. The FAA's World Wide Web site is http://www.faa.gov on the Internet. (AP) Belks not ready to sell store chain
The Belk family won't sell the department store chain despite a wave of industry consolidation and the death of a top executive. Tom Belk, 71, president of Belk Stores Services, which handles the chain's promotions, advertising and accounting, died Saturday. He was a powerful behind-the-scenes player in helping shape the Belk image at each of the chain's 260 stores. The Belks aren't ready to name a successor, but chain chairman John Belk said the nation's largest privately owned department store business will not be put on the market. (AP) Executive decisions
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. said Thursday it named its president and chief executive, Robert Krebs, to the additional post of chairman, replacing Daniel Davison. Krebs was also named chairman of the executive committee, replacing Ben Love. In other news...
Service Merchandise will eliminate up to 1,500 jobs, or about 5 percent of its work force, after disappointing sales during the Christmas shopping season. The retailer of jewelry and housewares plans to cut three or four jobs, mostly middle-management positions, at each of its 400 stores nationwide. Some of the jobs will be eliminated through attrition.
ValuJet is resuming flights to Boston after receiving clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to add a 20th jet to its fleet. The airline said Thursday it will begin offering flights Feb. 20 between Atlanta and Boston's Logan International Airport and between Boston and Washington's Dulles airport.
Lockheed Martin Corp. may soon receive an order from Saudi Arabia for up to 100 F-16 fighter planes and associated equipment that could be worth as much as $30 billion. The Washington Times newspaper reported the sale could become final next month when Prince Sultan, Saudi Arabia's defense minister, visits Washington for discussions with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Secretary of Defense William Cohen.