Further to the question about the implications of the Global Economic Crisis on firm boundaries, it would seem that we may be seeing an increase in concentration. As more firms become distressed, the bigger (or more financially sound) players are starting to circle, hoping to pick up some juicy morsels in a fire sale (how’s that for some crude mixing of metaphors?).
A quick perusal of today’s Aussie business headlines throws up some predatory characters:
– Cashed-up Woolies on the prowl (Retailer Woolworths on the lookout)
– Mitchell returns to acquisition mode (Media planning etc giant Mitchell Communications also)
– Hart set on more package deals (NZ billionaire Graeme Hart sniffing around Rio Tinto’s packaging business (and others))
And a more international one:
– ANZ prepares bid for Asian wing of Royal Bank of Scotland
This will not be the end of such manoeuvres. There is clearly a reshaping of competitive environments afoot.
Tags: ANZ, Australia, banking, business, finance, fire-sales, Global Economic Crisis, Graeme Hart, mergers and acquisitions, Mitchell Communications, Rio Tinto, Royal Bank of Scotland, Strategic management, takeovers, Woolworths
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