Takeovers, Mergers and the Regional Economy

Bids for Distillers, Rowntree and Scottish & Newcastle sparked off public debate in the 1980s over the legislation surrounding takeovers and mergers. This study examines this controversial subject and considers the profound implications such acquisitions may have on the regional economy. It aims to show that there are often systematic forces at work in the external takeover of (and by) regional companies and that the process itself has quantifiable effects both for the companies concerned and for regional growth and development. Using the Scotch whisky industry as a case study, the book concludes that the policy issues involved in such takeovers and mergers are much wider than competition policy has allowed for.