NBC, others seek Vivendi media assets

Vivendi Universal will decide between offers from NBC, Liberty Media Corp. and a group headed by former Seagram Co. executive Edgar Bronfman for the sale of its entertainment assets.

A source familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday that all three groups met Monday’s deadline to bid for the assets. The source said the deadline would not be extended, but declined to say whether the submissions met the $14 billion minimum bid set for the package or if Vivendi had set a timeline for a decision.

Aviation

Boeing to lay off 255

Boeing Co. has issued layoff notices to roughly 255 workers as it hires contractors for work that used to be handled by its own employees.

Boeing is turning to Chicago-based Oce USA to take over much of its printing needs, which had been handled by employees in Boeing’s Shared Services Group. Shared Services, based in Bellevue, Wash., manages communications, travel, security and other companywide needs for the aerospace giant.

Boeing operates a manufacturing facility in Wichita and is the state’s largest private employer.

Overland Park

Proposed Yellow merger draws more questions

The Justice Department has asked for more information about trucking giant Yellow Corp.’s proposed acquisition of rival Roadway Corp.

Yellow CEO Bill Zollars said the request was not unexpected given the size of the merger, and said the companies still expected the deal to be completed.

Overland Park-based Yellow has agreed to buy Roadway for $966 million in cash and stock. Yellow and Roadway, based in Akron, Ohio, are less-than-truckload carriers, meaning they consolidate freight from multiple customers.

Utility

Williams strikes deal

Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. plans to acquire interests in two Williams Cos. pipelines for $26.5 million and agreed to pay an additional $8.3 million based on volume transported through 2006.

Sunoco Logistics was formed to acquire, own and operate Sunoco Inc.’s refined product and crude oil pipelines and terminal facilities. Williams Cos. has pipeline operations in the Lawrence area.