Discussion

By Gerhard Maertterer on Jan 15, 2020

Ten years ago a pretty small company named Porsche (7 billion Euro turnover) started a takeover attempt against Volkswagen (95 billion Euro turnover at that time). Today Porsche is just one of 12 brands inside VW group ...

By Greg Patt on Jan 15, 2020

I have to admit, I wasn't against the merger, but after your insights...I think I am different now!

Thanks!

By Warren Werbitt on Jan 15, 2020

Hi Greg Life cannot be only about money and Wall Street. The richer are getting richer and killing the man in the middle who is basically responsible for helping them get rich. Wall Street doesn't really care about any industry or the people in it. It's only about money. Don't get me wrong I too want to make money but not by putting the other guy out of business.

By Warren Werbitt on Jan 15, 2020

Mr. Maetterer, Great example.

By Roger Gimbel on Jan 15, 2020

Warren
We have a much larger issue here!
The commercial manufacturers are consolidating as the delivery standard communications of information moves from print to electronic devises. I do agree with you that certain specialized print is growing, however commodity print will continue to decline, and a lot of presses produced by HP and Xerox support that market. We are seeing similar issues with the Retail market place. I believe that HP/Xerox would benefit from listening to their customers more , to make sure they can continue to deliver value separately or together!
This will not save jobs , lost in consolidation, however it may give the industry more time to restructure and plan for the future!

By Warren Werbitt on Jan 15, 2020

Key point....listening to their customers. I won't call them out by name, but having dealt with both, one company is way better at it than the other.

By Pete Basiliere on Jan 15, 2020

Ah, the irony.

The video closes with a high quality print made on – wait for it – a Konica Minolta digital press.

Last week’s _online_ article by Printing Impressions’ Mark Michelson about the proposed HP/Xerox merger featured an ad that blocked the article from view by – wait for it – Ricoh.

I have concerns about the future of HP’s and Xerox’s technologies if the merger goes through. I have concerns for the future of the people working at both companies. I have concerns for printing company owners who have invested in HP’s and Xerox’s hardware and software.

I do not have concerns about competitors such as Konica Minolta, Ricoh and the other digital press providers who will step up if – and stress the word “if” – the merger occurs and if the combined company subsequently fails.

By Warren Werbitt on Jan 15, 2020

I didn't notice PI's ad. I guess great minds think alike. We all have the same concerns.

I would like know before (if) they were to merge what they plan regarding the future of all equipment.

Aside from that, If I was in the market right now for equipment from either company, I would put it on hold and wait to see what happens or call the competition as they seem more stable from a client perspective.

By Mark Pomerantz on Jan 15, 2020

Warren; love the video, no holding back on the passion!

Who has more to say about the future of these two companies - customers, or investors? Not just Carl Icahn, but 3 investment firms (Vanguard, Blackrock, State Street) collectively own between 20-25% of both individual companies. Their objective is no different than Icahn, make money either way, as long as a deal is done. After that, they can sell down their investments and leave the 'NewCo' to handle the debt and decay. As with governments, too big equals loss of control. IMO, both companies would be better off to further split up into more focused, effective solutions providers. But, big investors won't go for that.

By Gina Danner on Jan 20, 2020

What neither seems to realize is that while they are doing this dance, company owners are making decisions about purchases.

I'm hesitant to continue investing in our current print platform due to this dance. All they have done is allow me to invite other players to the table.

Warren, you have asked the question that a lot of people are pondering... WHY is this good for the industry or the marketplace as a whole? I don't see how it advances any goals for either -- other than the investment community.