Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, November 13, 1993                   TAG: 9311160272
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN BUSINESS

Hanover Direct Inc., Weehawken, N.J., mail-order merchant operating the Tweeds telemarketing and fulfillment center in Roanoke, said Friday it is exercising its right to require conversion of its 7.5 percent cumulative convertible preferred stock into 2,278,128 shares of common stock on Dec. 13.

- Staff report

Earnings

Dibrell Brothers Inc.,o a Danville tobacco processor and importer and exporter of fresh flowers, reported net income before the cumulative effect of accounting changes of $4.3 million, or 32 cents per share, for its first quarter, ended Sept. 30, compared with $8.5 million, or 64 cents per share a year earlier. Net sales were $173.7 million, compared with $256.3 million in last year's first quarter.

Unilever,o the Anglo-Dutch parent of Elizabeth Arden Co. of Roanoke, on Friday reported net earnings of $618 million at current currency exchange rates for the third quarter, an 8 percent decline from $672 million a year earlier. Sales for the quarter were $11.76 billion, up 6 percent over $11.06 billion in the year-earlier quarter. Earnings per share were $2.21, down from $2.41 a year earlier.

For the first nine months, earnings were $1.64 billion, down 2 percent from $1.67 billion a year earlier, also at current exchange rates. Sales were $34.22 billion, up 6 percent over $32.20 billion a year earlier. Per-share earnings were $5.87, down from $5.97.

Bankruptcies

Five petitions with business connections have been filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke:

William R. Weeks, owner of Weeks Construction Co., and Connie F. Weeks of Hershberger Road in Roanoke, seek protection from creditors during financial reorganization. They listed assets of $6,505 and liabilities of $122,727.

Frederick Paul Donikowski, a dentist, and Diana Donikowski, sought liquidation and said they have assets of $155,400 and liabilities of $190,546. They live on Millbridge Road in Salem.

Louis Anthony Somma and Teresa P. Somma of Horsepen Mountain Drive in Vinton sought liquidation and said they had an entertainment and food business. They reported assets of $142,750 and liabilities of $538,505.

Christopher P. Widdoes and Holly Weiss Widdoes of Blacksburg, former owners of Pearisburg Floral and Gift Shop, sought liquidation. They estimated their assets and liabilities at less than $50,000.

Richard D. Porter and Alice F. Porter of Mavisdale in Buchanan County filed for liquidation, reporting assets of $61,435 and liabilities of $706,729. Richard Porter said he was a former director of Coon Branch Coal Co. and Maverick Mining Co., both now defunct.