In a Ottawa Citizen Online article dated July 20, 1998 entitled "Newbridge at the crossroads, Industry consolidation makes high-tech firm a takeover target" is the following:
"A wild card in any takeover would be the reaction of Mr. Matthews. In a 1996 interview with the Citizen, the Newbridge chairman laid out what his response to a hostile takeover would be.
"I have sufficient worth," he said, "that I'd set a building up across the road and clean out all (Newbridge's) engineering staff. And I have the ability to do it. (The acquirers) would end up with a very nice set of glass and brick buildings."
"However, if Mr. Matthews senses that Newbridge's stand-alone position is weakening its ability to land key sales, he may be forced to reconsider his independence."
END OF QUOTE
It has been stated in more recent articles via Newbridge spokesmen that Matthews is open to options, etc. However, I don't know what Matthews' true thinking is, I know only what was cited in the article cited above.
Relative to the Wigglesworth statement that "Clearly we have shareholder value in mind," what do you think the reaction would have been if he said that Newbridge does not have shareholder value in mind? |
