Earlier this year it announced an agreement to buy FreeMarkets, a longtime competitor, for nearly $500 million.

Banuelos is probably best known for being a longtime competitor for World Extreme Cagefighting, making his debut at WEC 5.

Now, with him as chief executive, even longtime competitors say they believe that the new division of labor will free both men to do what they each do best.

One longtime competitor, William Meridian, currently manages investments in Abu Dhabi.

Had Inco decided not to fight off Falconbridge, both of which have their headquarters in Toronto, Inco could have ended up helping its longtime competitor.

Midwest also owned channel 2's longtime competitor, WFRV.

"He clearly is the player in the county right now, no doubt about it," said Jon L. Halpern, a prominent Westchester developer and a longtime competitor.

In addition to longtime competitors such as Kroger and Tom Thumb, new chains were also entering the market.

The two publications, longtime competitors for circulation and advertising, are introducing campaigns aimed at generating additional dollars in both realms.

They have also contributed to his change of heart toward Mr. McColl, his longtime competitor.