Publications
Publications
- January 2017
- HBS Case Collection
Medtronic: Making the Big Leap Forward (A)
By: William W. George and Monica Baraldi
Abstract
In 2014, Medtronic was about to execute a $50 billion acquisition of Ireland-based Covidien. Medtronic CEO Omar Ishrak was committed to building the largest medical technology company in the world while broadening its ability to fulfill its mission of “alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life” for millions more patients every year. The acquisition plan might change when, in September 2014, U.S. Secretary Jacob Lew issued new rules for American companies seeking to change their legal domicile through mergers with foreign companies—so-called tax inversion. Should Medtronic proceed with the acquisition? What would be the challenges of integration for both organizations?
Keywords
Acquisition; Medtronic; Covidien; Mission; Tax Inversion; Business Strategy; Leadership; Mergers and Acquisitions; Pharmaceutical Industry; Republic of Ireland; Europe; Minnesota; United States
Citation
George, William W., and Monica Baraldi. "Medtronic: Making the Big Leap Forward (A)." Harvard Business School Case 317-031, January 2017.