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Case
| HBS Case Collection
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1997
(Revised from original version)
Takeover of the Norton Co., The
by
Thomas R. Piper
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Abstract
After a decade of mediocre performance, the Norton Co. enters 1990 with the prospect of increased sales in the next few years. Yet Norton is pursuing slow growth industries, and a lower than expected earnings announcement at the beginning of 1990 has depressed earnings forecasts by brokerage firms. BTR, a large highly successful British conglomerate, is considering making a takeover offer of Norton but is troubled by a number of issues. This case takes a behind-the-scenes look at how a company like BTR would value a potential takeover target and analyze how the acquisition would impact BTR's operations and performance, and how it might stave off competing bids if it were to make an offer.
Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions;
Business Conglomerates;
Goals and Objectives;
Forecasting and Prediction;
Performance Evaluation;
Revenue;
Bids and Bidding;
Business Processes;
Ownership Stake;