There are few articles on the business page, or in a business publication, that hold more interest than a good acquisition story.
Truth be told, when a company announces an acquisition, particularly a public company, leaders often are in the mood to talk. And maybe even toot their own horns a little, too. Information is readily available to justify the move. Buyers often tout their moves and plans to seize the opportunity. Sellers often have a tale of making money for the owners, whether they be public or private.
And readers are ready to read about just what is going on.
Here's a look at 5 of the acquisitions that captured the industry's attention and found a place on RPN front pages.
In each issue leading up to our special 50th Anniversary issue on Aug. 9, we'll present a new list of 5. When that arrives, you'll have a total of 50 things that have helped to define the rubber industry's last five decades.
1. Bridgestone adds Firestone
Fifty years is a long time, and 1988 is a long time ago. But a deal that rocked the tire industry and made news around the world was Bridgestone Corp.'s acquisition of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. that year.
Bridgestone's $2.6 billion purchase of Firestone vaulted the company into the conversation with Goodyear and Michelin on the world tire stage, almost doubling Bridgestone's market share from 10 to 17 percent.
Firestone, which had been seeing its North American market share fall before the acquisition, gave Bridgestone a significant presence in that market as well as Europe.
Bridgestone's purchase also allowed the company to follow the lead of Japanese auto makers that had been increasingly constructing facilities on North American soil.