Rjr Nabisco Inc

RJR Nabisco Inc. has agreed to sell Heublein Inc. to London-based Grand Metropolitan PLC for $1.2 billion in cash, F. Ross Johnson, president and chief executive officer of RJR, said today. Heublein, based in Hartford, Conn., markets nearly 100 brands of spirits, wines and imported beers. Its major brands include Smirnoff vodka and Inglenook and Lancers wines. Grand Metropolitan has interests in spirits and wines through its subsidiary, International Distillers and Vintners.

Planters LifeSavers Co., a unit of RJR Nabisco Inc., said Monday that it will consolidate some of its manufacturing operations by closing one plant and transferring production to other facilities. The company said its Canajoharie, N.Y., plant will be closed by Dec. 31 and its operations moved to the company's other manufacturing locations in Puerto Rico and Michigan. The plant employs 450 workers. Planters said a majority of the jobs would be eliminated but did not give a specific figure.

RJR Nabisco Inc. is close to announcing the proposed sale of two and perhaps three of its soft-drink subsidiaries to Cadbury Schweppes PLC of Britain, a leading industry analyst said Thursday. Jesse Meyers, publisher of Beverage Digest Newsletter, said he believes that RJR Nabisco's Hawaiian Punch operation also might be included. He said the sales might be announced today.

RJR Nabisco Inc. plans to introduce another low-smoke cigarette that unlike its failing Premier product burns tobacco with a small smoke output, a report said Saturday. Analysts said the introduction of the product indicates that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., which is in the process of buying the company, plans to go ahead with new development, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Saturday.