Also. . .
* Century Business Services Inc. said it plans to sell or spin off its insurance units so it can focus on its accounting and human resources services. The Cleveland-based company said it hired investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette to help it divest the units, which had 1998 revenue of $54.5 million. Century, once a unit of auto retailer Republic Industries Inc., has built up its service businesses through a spate of acquisitions in recent years.
* Republic Industries Inc., the world’s largest auto retailer, changed its name to AutoNation Inc. as part of its focus on selling and renting cars and trucks. AutoNation USA is the name Republic used for its car dealerships.
* Xerox Corp. said it promoted President G. Richard Thoman to chief executive as Paul Allaire, 60, begins his final year as chairman. Analysts had expected Xerox to promote Thoman, 54, who was hired from IBM Corp. in June 1997 as the heir apparent to Allaire.
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