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Merger Mania and the Takeover Targets

Move with the times

Move overseas

	How's the new job going?
			Oh, don't start me off on that one! All was cooshtie for the first couple of weeks, then we heard the company's being taken over.
	What? How does that work then? They going to keep you on?
			Not sure. It's all up in the air at the mo. They reckon we're OK, but the new owners are a bit sharp, you know? Word is, they're looking to cut costs, which could spell trouble for Yours Truly.
	'Specially since you're new, I s'pose.
			Yeah, and with my record on taking sickies, it might not be looking good.
	Well, I'm sure your reputation is well known! Who's taking the firm over, then?
			Dunno who they are, but they're one of the big boys in the market - American, I think.
	Hmm, you could find yourself surplus to requirements fairly pronto - they don't mess around with spare labour when they buy up smaller firms. 'Course, it's a bit different when one of their own firms gets taken over.
			How d'you mean?
	Well, you know, that hassle over the takeover of their ports by that firm from the Middle East.
			Oh what! You've been watching those Business programmes on the telly, haven't you!

Dubai Ports World takeover of P&O

			I don't know, how come this is all the rage these days: foreign firms taking over companies all over the place?
	It's your actual globalisation, isn't it?
			Sounds like they've really got the hump about it, though.
	Yeah, something they don't like about firms in the Middle East taking control of American ports, can't imagine why!

Is the US losing its appetite for globalisation?

			Still don't understand why it's all going on. Seems like you get a successful company immediately becoming the bait for a big fish to swallow up.
	Yeah, well, if you kept up with the news you'd know it's happening all the time. I bet you think most firms you know are owned by the British. You don't know the half of it, mate!
			Probably right. Anyway, I'm too busy working all hours trying to impress the new owners at my place. No time for the news. I can barely stay awake for the footie these days.
	Poor you!

How common are takeovers of large national companies? Two views from Europe.

			They've got some funny ideas these Continentals. Imagine having the Council on the board of our companies!
	Recipe for disaster?
			You read my mind!

How does it work and what are they going to do about it?

Yourself excluded, I suppose you mean! And don't forget you're a European as well. Anyway, as it happens I think you're right: a lot of British firms have been sold to foreign companies lately.

Sounds like these Europeans are running scared - we don't get so queasy about takeovers here, do we?

Is UK plc being auctioned off overseas?

Then nothing much'll change, I reckon. You've got to move with the times. After all, what does it really matter if foreigners own our companies?

There'll be nothing left soon! Then what?

Does it matter if foreign companies buy UK businesses?

	There you go. Bung a Union Jack on the company stationery and we'll all forget it's a foreign business.
			Yeah, suppose so. Don't reckon there's much we could do about it anyway.

What options exist for firms to use to fight against being taken over?

			As I thought! It's OK for the Spanish and French to fight off unwanted attention from foreign firms. Bet the Brits wouldn't get away with it!
	Not sure if anyone's going to get away with it soon.
			How d'you mean?
	Think I heard that the EU's going to get involved.
			That's blown it then!

What's the EU doing about cross-border takeovers?

			If there's no benefit in doing it, how come it's all the rage then?
	I think there are other reasons for takeovers happening.
			Such as?

Why are there so many takeovers if there's little evidence of their success?

			Might have guessed - they're all in it to feather their own nests. Bunch of parasites, living off nice tidy companies like my place, just to suck all the best things out of them.
	'Nice' and 'tidy' aren't two words that spring to mind when I think of your work. I remember the state your office was in when you used to do security at that car park!
			Well, they banned us from using the bins due to the terrorist threat. I had to throw my sweet wrappers somewhere!
	Knee-deep in confetti that place was after one of your shifts.
			Yeah well, I've got to keep it clean at this new place, otherwise they'll have me out of there!
	Yes, and imagine, you'd have to find another security job down the industrial estate. Don't worry though, there's plenty about - no one but you will accept £5 an hour, so you're sorted!
			Cruel, but true!

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