By Kevin Meyer
Mergers and acquisitions are a common activity in business, even if they rarely work our as originally envisioned. At least that original vision is occasionally the creation of more value for customers. Ok, occasionally is probably an overstatement.
A few days ago Tyco decided to acquire Brinks Home Security. A couple of readers pointed out a rather interesting statement in the press release.
Bob Allen, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Broadview said, “We are proud of all we have achieved as a company to
increase our customer base, and to grow our revenue and income in a
challenging economy. We view this transaction as the culmination of
these efforts, providing our shareholders with an attractive premium
for their shares, including cash consideration and an opportunity to
participate in the future growth of Tyco International.”
Interesting, or sad?
We view this transaction as the culmination of
these efforts…
All the efforts of so many brains… just to eventually create a transaction? To be assimilated? What a waste.
I wonder what those brains thought as they were toiling away for the last several years. I bet more than a few of them thought they were creating security for people, real people with families, and by doing so they were also creating value for their shareholders and stakeholders.
I wonder what they think after hearing Bob Allen's view of their efforts. I wonder how that will affect the organization that Tyco will assimilate. Or if Tyco will even notice.
William Pietri says
The Economist regularly points out, if I recall it rightly, that half of mergers destroy more value than they create. From the stories I hear from friends enduring mergers, I’m surprised the numbers are that good. But I’d be the numbers on managerial rewards for mergers look much better.