FedEx Corp. reportedly is in talks to buy all or part of Deutsche Post AG’s DHL delivery business in the U.S., in a deal that would help it challenge larger rival United Parcel Service Inc. Seeking to cut losses in the hyper-competitive domestic fast-delivery business, Deutsche Post may move to trim its DHL business in the U.S., without abandoning it completely, according to published reports Friday. A FedEx spokesperson declined comment.
Dunkin’ Donuts to open shops in China
Dunkin’ Donuts plans to open 100 franchise locations in Shanghai over the next 10 years, the first of the chain’s restaurants in mainland China. The Canton, Mass.-based seller of coffee and baked goods also plans an additional 10 shops this year in Taiwan, where it opened its first location in January 2007. Dunkin’s chief rival is Seattle-based Starbucks Corp., with 15,000 stores in 44 countries.
Motorcycle sales slow with economy
Harley-Davidson Inc. says riders concerned about the economy are passing on big purchases, such as the company’s classic motorcycles, sending its profit down 26.3 percent in the fourth quarter. Sales in the U.S. were down 14.2 percent in the quarter. Milwaukee-based Harley said its profit for the quarter ended Dec. 31 totaled $186.1 million, or 78 cents per share, compared with a profit of $252.4 million a year ago.
Tyson cuts workers at Kansas plant
Tyson Foods Inc., the world’s largest meat company, is ending beef slaughtering at its Emporia, Kan., plant, cutting about 1,500 jobs, or more than half its work force at the facility. The cuts were a response to overcapacity and shifting of production to western Kansas. Beef slaughter operations at the Emporia plant, which has about 2,400 employees, will end within the next few weeks.
Airline still seeking potential buyers
MAXjet Airways Inc. is seeking permission to put its all-business-class airline on the auction block but said it’s still searching for a lead bidder. MAXjet said it’s been pursuing potential purchasers even before its Christmas Eve bankruptcy filing stranded more than 1,000 customers. The company has since discontinued all its flights.
Delphi nearly out of bankruptcy phase
A federal bankruptcy judge has approved struggling auto parts maker Delphi Corp.’s reorganization plan, clearing the way for the company to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A U.S. Bankruptcy court judge entered an order Friday confirming the plan, saying it had met all statutory requirements, Delphi said in a statement.
From Herald news services
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