R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Scott Hartman of Rutter's and Steve Brady of McLane will be inducted this fall.

Ruling comes as lawsuit takes aim at coupons and discounts bans.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Fresh Del Monte Produce, one of the world's biggest producers and marketers of fresh fruit and vegetables, said Friday it had completed its $340 million cash purchase of Del Monte Foods Europe.

NEW YORK - Aiming to be better prepared to weather an onslaught of potential discount brands and lawsuits, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and rival Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. will unite their U.S. operations in a $2.6 billion deal, Reuters reports.

Laws, taxes, and competition are cutting into supermarkets' cigarette sales. Manufacturers hope new products and merchandising techniques can relight the category.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. and British tobacco firm Gallaher Group Plc. have formed a joint venture to market American blend cigarette brands in Europe, Reuters reports.

SANTA FE, N.M. - Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company has signed a merger agreement with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc., under which RJR will acquire 100 percent of the shares of Sante Fe for $340 million.