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By Times Staff Writer
Published February 28, 2008

Raise glasses to departing J.D. distiller

For lovers of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, Jimmy Bedford has the dream job. As the brand's sixth master distiller, Bedford, above, has been responsible for making the world-famous whiskey for the past 20 years at the Jack Daniel Distillery. He's been featured as the face behind the product in advertising. And he's traveled from the tiny Tennessee town of Lynchburg around the world to promote the brand. On Tuesday, the 68-year-old Bedford said he'll retire effective March 31 after working 40 years at the distillery. "Being part in making a product that's shipped around the world, I've had a lot of satisfaction in doing that," Bedford said.

Apple to embrace iPhone meddling

Apple Inc. will discuss a software kit on March 6 that lets outside developers create programs for the iPhone. The company also plans to unveil new business features for the Web-surfing mobile phone. Apple has sold more than 4-million iPhones since unveiling the device in June. Chief executive Steve Jobs originally opposed giving developers the ability to modify the phone, concerned it would open it up to viruses and piracy. He changed his stance after programmers began writing applications anyway and distributing them on the Internet, bypassing Apple's built-in software for preventing unauthorized use.

Whopping menu of plans from BK

Hoping to lure new customers, Miami-based Burger King, the world's No. 2 hamburger chain, said Wednesday it plans to start selling several new items this year, including two specialty Whoppers, a wrap, smoothies and even macaroni and cheese for children. Some of them, such as grilled chicken tenders and apple fries - fresh apples cut to look like french fries - already have been made public. The new items discussed Wednesday include an Angry Bacon and Cheese Whopper with spicy, crispy onions, and the Indy Whopper, which will have bacon and pepper jack cheese and will be promoted together with the new Indiana Jones movie this summer.

Honda to put U.S. plant in rear view

Honda Motor Co. said it will stop producing motorcycles in the United States next year and shift the work to Japan, as the company focuses its North American manufacturing on autos. Honda now makes motorcycles at a Marysville, Ohio, plant that has 450 workers. Those employees will be assigned to other Honda facilities in Ohio, with no layoffs, the Tokyo-based company said. The world's largest maker of motorcycles began production in 1979 at the Marysville factory, Honda's first U.S. plant. Honda built about 44,000 Gold Wing and VTX models last year at Marysville. The large and mid-sized motorcycles now built at Marysville and at a plant in Hamamatsu, Japan, will be consolidated at a new factory in Kumamoto, Japan, Honda said.

[Last modified February 27, 2008, 23:57:03]