Business briefs

Abercrombie & Fitch names new chief executive

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has promoted Fran Horowitz, president and chief merchandising officer, to serve as CEO of the New Albany, Ohio-based teen clothing chain. Ms. Horowitz joined the company in October 2014 as president of the Hollister brand, coming from Ann Taylor Loft. Longtime Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries stepped down in 2014, at which point the company created an office of the chairman instead of tapping a chief executive.

Pittsburgh law firms merge

Pittsburgh law firms Eckert Seamans and Tener, Van Kirk have combined as of Feb. 1. The combined firm will maintain the name Eckert Seamans. The combination comes at a time of transition at Tener, Van Kirk, following the Oct. 30 death of the firm’s managing partner, Robert Wolf, who had been a key player at the firm for 42 years. Tener, Van Kirk focuses its practice exclusively on areas of the law pertaining to personal planning for individuals and families, including wills, estate and trusts, taxation and pension planning. Clients of Eckert Seaman include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, hotels, airlines and railroads.

Cecil company awarded $22.7 million contract

Cecil-based Black Box Corp. has been awarded a $22.7 million contract by the U.S. Army for Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense in support of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The project, the first of its kind between the U.S. and its allies, will develop a joint cyber-security command and logistical information capability for the Ukraine Ministry of Defense as part of the country’s bid to become a full NATO partner.

Kennametal reports profit

Kennametal posted a $7.3 million profit for its fiscal second quarter, reversing a loss in the year-ago quarter when the Pittsburgh tool maker was hit by significant one-time charges. The profit amounted to 9 cents per share. Sales fell 7 percent to $487.6 million. Excluding one-time items, adjusted earnings totaled 24 cents per share, topping analyst

estimates of 21 cents per share. Sales matched analyst estimates. In the yearago quarter, Kennametal lost $169.2 million, or $2.12 per share, on sales of $524 million. Those results included a $1.20 per share charge for a loss on a divestiture, goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges of 98 cents per share, and an 8 cent per share restructuring charge.

Maker of Enfamil infant formula in talks to be sold

Mead Johnson Nutrition, the maker of Enfamil infant formula, might be acquired by the British firm Reckitt Benckiser for about $16.7 billion. Reckitt Benckiser issued a statement saying it was in advanced negotiations to acquire Mead Johnson, which confirmed the discussions. Reckitt Benckiser’s brands include Lysol disinfectant, Woolite detergent and Durex condoms. That Mead Johnson, headquartered in suburban Chicago, is on the brink of a merger will come as no surprise to food industry analysts who have long pegged the global baby food-maker as a takeover target. In recent weeks, rumors surfaced of Nestle buying Mead Johnson, though some analysts considered companies like Danone and even Kraft Heinz to be possible suitors.

Ralph Lauren CEO stepping down

Stefan Larsson, who took over as CEO at Ralph Lauren Corp. less than two years ago in hopes of revitalizing the brand, is leaving the company. The namesake founder, who said at the time that Mr. Larsson “understands what dreams are,” maintains that he pushed the company in the right direction. The two clashed largely over creative control. Mr. Lauren says the decision to part ways is mutual. Mr. Larsson — who also is president — will remain with the company until May.

Snap, owner of messaging app, files for IPO

Snap Inc., owner of the popular disappearing-messages service Snapchat, seeks to raise up to $3 billion in an initial public offering. That number may change based on investor demand. Facebook raised $16 billion when it went public in 2012. The highly anticipated IPO is expected to be the one of the largest since Alibaba Group went public in 2014. Snap says 158 million people use Snapchat daily. The fast-growing social network for the younger set was created by Evan Spiegel in 2012.