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The article presents information on various business enterprises located in Chicago, Illinois. It states that Fortune Brands Inc. aimed for long-term sales growth of 5% to 6% from its collection of businesses in hardware, golf, spirits and wine and office products. Surprisingly robust first-quarter results have altered that scenario for now. Fortune's revenues rose 23% in the quarter, to $1.71 billion. The company's earnings jumped 40% to $139.7 million, or 92 cents per diluted share. BorgWarner Inc. is moving its headquarters from Chicago, Illinois, to Detroit, Michigan, in 2005 to be closer to the Big Three automakers, the best customers for its powertrain and engine components.

A list of different companies involved in mergers and acquisitions in 2005, ranked by deal size, in Chicago, Illinois is presented. The companies include Fortune Brands Inc., American Pharmaceutical Partners Inc. and Morgan Stanley Real Estate.

The article reports that Fortune Brands, a listed Illinois-based consumer business, will be separated into three different companies. The business is to be split into home and security products, golf equipment and liquor businesses. Fortune will continue its liquor brands unit, which includes popular drinks like Maker's Mark and Jim Beam.

The article reports that Fortune Brands Inc., which bought Effen vodka brand in 2009, is introducing the brand into new markets such as San Francisco, California, New York and Denver, Colorado. The brand was introduced in Chicago, Illinois seven years ago in 2004. According to Derek Leckow, an analyst in Chicago at Barrington Research Associates Inc., Effen is an important product for Fortune because it has more growth potential than most brands.

The article reports that Deerfield, Illinois-based Fortune Brands Inc. has hired executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. to help find a replacement for Tom Flocco, a nine-year company veteran who stepped down last month as head of the spirits business. Analysts say Fortune is looking for an outside candidate to be the new division head, a departure for a company that historically has promoted from within.

The article reports that Deerfield, Illinois-based Fortune Brands Inc. is aiming to buy vodka giant Absolut and its parent, Vin & Sprit AB. Fortune needs a premium vodka brand in its liquor cabinet, and if a rival such as Diageo PLC, Pernod Ricard Groupe or Bacardi Ltd. wins the bidding for Absolut, Fortune will lose the U.S. distribution rights it has held for six years. To finance such an acquisition, some analysts suggest that Fortune may have to increase its already heavy debt load.

The article reports that Virgil Gibson, a former Southern Baptist missionary from a dry town in the Oklahoma panhandle, is spreading the gospel of bourbon whisky in Chicago, Illinois. Gibson, 46, works as a whiskey professor for Knob Creek Distillery, one of the top-shelf whiskeys owned by Deerfield-based Fortune Brands Inc. and his mission is to convert beer and wine drinkers to the bourbon faith. Gibson preaches the merits of Knob Creek in various bars and persuades people to use the Knob Creek whiskies by feeling its taste and difference. Gibson also talk with bourbon purists, or suggest a softer drink for those with an aversion to whiskey. In the last year Knob Creek's sales volume has increased 26%. Knob Creek plans to hire two more bourbon professors in 2006.

This article presents news updates related to business in Illinois as of December 01, 2003. Woodfield Shopping Center has reported a 10% increase in cars in the parking lot and the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association has also noted a healthy uptick in traffic. Chicago Carriage Cab Co. has broke off talks to purchase Chicago, Illinois-based Yellow Cab Management Inc. after the two companies could not agree on a purchase price. Lincolnshire, Illinois-based maker of golf balls Fortune Brands Inc. is investing $61 million into its pension plan in 2003, nearly seven times its contribution in 2002, according to a company filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In an attempt to better gauge how effectively its money is being spent, Chicago, Illinois-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is partnering with Virginia-based Nature Conservancy and other large environmental organizations to develop an accounting system for conservation groups. The plan calls for major wildlife groups to audit each other's programs and track their effectiveness.

Reports on market interest for the sale of Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Fortune Brands Inc.'s office products business. Factors behind the sluggish market interest for the office supplies unit; Reaction of stockholders, market analysts and investors to the development.

The article reports on the first quarter sales of Deerfield, Illinois-based Fortune Brands Inc. in 2008. It is stated that its hardware division plummeted 13% from the year-earlier quarter to $894.4 million as the housing market slumped and spirits and wine segment edged down nearly 1% as retailers trimmed their inventories in the quarter. At Fortune's April 29, 2008 annual meeting, chief executive officer (CEO) Bruce Carbonari emphasized that growth will come from overseas this year.

The article reports on the incentives given by some companies to their chief executive officer (CEO) in Chicago, Illinois. Motorola Inc. has spent $351,000 for the personal air travel of CEO Edward Zander while Boeing Co. doled out $268,400 for CEO James McNerney in flight charges for moving expenses. On the other hand, Baxter International Inc., Fortune Brands Inc. and Exelon Corp. have eliminated the perks for their top executives, reflecting on the trends of compensation practices.

The article informs that Deerfield, Illinois-based Fortune Brands Inc.'s acquisition with Maker's Mark, Sauza and other liquor brands has made it a major player in the liquor business. But, if it plans to compete with dominant industry players, it will have to raise money through divestitures, such as selling its golf equipment business.

The article reports that after a two-year hot streak, Fortune Brands Inc.'s stock is cooling along with the housing market. As loan rates rose in 2005, spending on home remodeling slowed, pinching sales for the company's biggest business. After hitting an all-time high of $90 in the July 2005 the Deerfield, Illinois-based company's shares have dropped 15 percent. The slowdown in the home and hardware division is putting more pressure on the company. Meanwhile, Fortune looks to new home products and possible acquisitions, said Bruce Carbonari, president of Fortune Brands' home and hardware division.

Highlights the stock performance of companies in Chicago, Illinois as of April 23, 2001. Increase in the stock price of Braun Consulting Inc.; Decline in the stock price of Click Commerce Inc.; Decline in the profits of Fortune Brands Inc. for the first quarter of the year 2001.

Announces the selection of Bruce A. Carbonari as president/chief executive officer of Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Fortune Brands Home & Hardware. Carbonari's history with the company; Executive structure at the company's hardware business; Company background.