West Point-Pepperell Inc. intensified the bidding war...

West Point-Pepperell Inc. intensified the bidding war for J. P. Stevens & Co., announcing a $1.1-billion tender offer for the venerable textile maker. It indicated that it could go even higher if Stevens agrees to a friendly deal. West Point-Pepperell’s new offer topped a bid Stevens already accepted from an investment group as well as West Point-Pepperell’s own earlier bid. The company, a major household fabrics maker based in West Point, Ga., said it would offer $62.50 for each of Stevens’ 17.8 million shares outstanding.