Darth Tater: ‘Luke, I am your tuber’

What’s next, Princess Rutabaga?

Hasbro Inc.’s Plaskool toy line turns to the Dark Side next month with the launch of “Darth Tater,” a new Mr. Potato Head toy cut from the blockbuster “Star Wars” franchise.

“Kids will be able to have all kinds of mix ‘n match … fun with this wacky spud dressed as the infamous Star Wars saga villain, Darth Vader,” the company said.

Shares of Pawtucket, R.I-based Hasbro climbed 10 cents Friday to close at $18.66 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Leadership

J.E. Dunn Construction names new president

J.E. Dunn Construction is starting the new year under new, but familiar, leadership.

The Kansas City, Mo.-based company announced this week that Jack Nix Jr. had been promoted to company president. Nix had been the company’s executive vice president, and remains its chief operations officer.

Nix assumes the president’s role vacated by Terry Dunn, who remains the family-owned company’s chief executive officer and president and chief executive officer of its holding company, Dunn Industries.

The company was founded in 1924 and today is part of the J.E. Dunn Group of companies, which has offices in 14 cities, more than 2,300 employees and projected 2005 revenues of $2 billion.

Economy

Wholesale prices fall as energy prices drop

Easing fears about inflation, wholesale prices fell by the largest amount in 20 months in December, aided by a big decline in the cost of energy.

In other positive economic news, output at the nation’s beleaguered manufacturing companies rose strongly last month, helping factories enjoy their first annual increase in output since 2000.

Analysts said Friday’s reports depicted an economy that began the new year on a good footing with mild inflation and signs of strength in the long-suffering manufacturing sector, which has seen the loss of 2.7 million jobs over the past four years.

Dividends

Brewing companies up ante to win support

Adolph Coors Co. and Molson Inc. put their plan to create a $6 billion brewer on firmer ground after sharply boosting a special dividend for Molson shareholders worried they were being treated unfairly.

The decision to boost the cash portion of the offer by 67 percent, raising the total value 6 percent to $3.76 billion, came amid mounting opposition to the mostly stock deal. Molson stock rose 3.5 percent to closed at a 52-week high.

The decision appeared to have at least started turning the tide, as one shareholder who earlier opposed the deal and a second with significant holdings said they would favor it.