Great American Insurance, the flagship of Cincinnati's American Financial Group Inc., has hired Keane Inc. to handle software application development and maintenance. Boston-based Keane will implement a program management office in Great American's specialty products division.

        Great American employs more than 3,000 workers in 40 offices nationwide.
       

Convergys buys Keane centers

               Convergys Corp., a provider of third-party billing and other services, bought two help-desk technical support centers from Keane Inc. for $15.7 million.

        Cincinnati-based Convergys adds operations that employ about 1,000 people in Tucson, Ariz., and Kirkland, Wash., bringing the company's total help-desk support centers to 48. The centers will offer service to its personal computer, software and networking company customers.
       

Wendy's plans big expansion

               Dublin, Ohio-based Wendy's International Inc., the third-largest U.S. hamburger chain, said it will open 515 to 555 new restaurants this year and might make acquisitions to continue to grow long term.

        The owner of the Wendy's fast-food restaurants and the Tim Hortons coffee and doughnut chain has formed a mergers and acquisitions team, spokesman Denny Lynch said. Chief executive John Schuessler told investors and analysts at a New York meeting that the company wouldn't rule out buying a casual-dining chain or a non-food company such as a supplier.
       

Cummins Inc. wins contract

               Cummins Inc., the largest maker of high-powered diesel engines, said it won a contract to supply engines through 2010 to Bellevue, Wash., truck maker Paccar Inc., aiding what has been a money-losing business for Cummins.

        The companies didn't disclose financial terms.

        — From staff and wire reports

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