"Is BBE the same as B&B?" Yes it is the same, no question about it whatsoever.
http://www.bbexhaust.com/
I've said it before and i'll keep saying it. I'm of the opinion that the majority of the problems they have with external cracking is on account of their flimsy two-piece bracket that holds the muffler to the engine carrier. The bracket is NOT sufficiently reinforced. The weight of the muffler and the movement of the car on its suspension causes the muffler to overload the bracket and eventually break it. Plus, when you tighten the band straps it pulls the tall part of the bracket apart and tears it.
Here's a picture of the B&B bracket assembly that I reinforced with some side braces. In hindsight I should have made the braces taller.
That all said, their old Porsche 911 mufflers are poorly made. Their headers are quite nice and durable.