Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hi,

I'd like to start researching financials and annual reports regarding some of the more significant vacuum makers -- both corporate and private. Surely there's a way for private individuals to do this but I need some advice and ideas as to how to go about it without the process becoming expensive.

Thanks,

Venson

Stanley Tools and Black & Decker agreed to merge.  Neither are huge players in vacuums but the latter's cordless hand helds are the standard by which most others target and judge the market.

News reports and coverage are available on line if interested.  As usual the WSJ covered the story.

The merge is accomplished by a  stock swap worth $4.5 BILLION.  B&D is the larger company by sales.  But Stanley is the acquiring company.  The new company is called Stanley Black & Decker.  Stanley has 9 of the 15 board seats.  And keeps the CEO position.  The companies have talked of such a deal since the 1980's on at least 8 occasions over the years.  Never able to agree, primarily on the CEO job, until now.  B&D petitioned Stanley with the option.  It is thought because of the current economic conditions.  An industry phenomenon known as retrenchment to reduce costs.  Both Boards have voted and ageed to the merger.  Regulatory entities are expected to agree to the deal.  Jobs and costs are expected to be reduced thru economies of scale.

Carmine D.

Talked about here before and finally done: Another mega merger: Panasonic and Sanyo, both vacuum players, but not the reason for the merge.

An internet search reveals the news if interested.  As always the WSJ covered the story.

Panasonic made a $4.45 BILLION bid for Sanyo to give the Japanese companies, after the merge, 3 promising environmental businesses: solar panels, fuel cells and rechargeable batteries for hybrid and elctric vehicles.  The merger is obviously a venture to grow/transform the new company into a green-enregy powerhouse.  Why?  The Japanese consumer-electronics makers are struggling to make money on household goods like television sets and DVD players amid intense competition from South Korean rivals.

World-wide regulatory and antitrust authorities are expected to give the 'green' light to allow the companies to go ahead with the merge.  The combination of the companies will create the leader in rechargeable batteries, especially for nickel-metal hydride batteries, which are used in hybrid vehicles from Toyota, Ford, and Honda.  Together Pano and Sanyo account for most of the batteries currently used in hybrid cars.  It also better positions the 2 companies in the lithium-ion battery businesses, the technology expected to underpin the next wave of batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles.  The 2 companies account for 30 percent of the all production capacity.

Carmine D.