International Business

Georgia-Pacific LLC promotes Kathleen A. Walters, previously group president -- U.S. retail tissue and international consumer products; and Christian Fischer, previously group president -- packaging, to expanded leadership roles as executive vice presidents.

French retailer Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR) made a $7.07 billion (5.3 billion euro) bid to add German sportswear company Puma to its line-up of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent iconic fashion brands.

To reinforce its leadership in nutrition, Nestle agrees to acquire Gerber, the iconic U.S. baby food brand, from Novartis for $5.5 billion.

VF Corporation completes the sale of its global intimate apparel business to Fruit of the Loom Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Proceeds of the sale will consist of the previously disclosed $350 million purchase price, plus adjustment for working capital changes.

According to the Associated Press, Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) will close Hoover's main campus in North Canton, Ohio, and some manufacturing operations of the vacuum-cleaner business by fall, resulting in 750 job cuts.

Workbrain Corporation reaches a definitive agreement with Infor Global Solutions European Finance, S.A.R.L. (Infor) under which Infor will acquire all of Workbrain's outstanding common shares at a price of $12.50 per share in cash pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement.

BP deploys a global POS system from Retalix.

Kimberly-Clark (K-C) Corporation unveils the structure for its new Global Marketing organization as part of its ongoing effort to extend its brand-building capabilities, accelerate growth and product innovation, and improve the effectiveness of its marketing resources.